JP4816536B2 - Air conditioning control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning control system.

  In recent years, social demands for energy conservation due to global warming are increasing. The current energy conservation law obliges the consumer sector not only to improve the energy conservation performance of individual devices, but also to conserve energy in terms of management using BEMS (Building and Energy Management System).

  However, as the actual situation of building management, the building manager does not always operate air conditioning devices such as cooling and heating appropriately from the viewpoint of comfort and energy saving. In particular, with regard to thermal environment management (for example, temperature management) of living spaces where energy saving and comfort are intricately related, a customary target temperature is set for ease of management, and it is received from users who enjoy the thermal environment. Generally, the set value is changed according to a claim.

  In other words, because temperature management is performed without fully considering the characteristics of the building or occupants, the living space is not necessarily kept in a comfortable state for the user, and furthermore, waste of energy consumed by the air conditioner occurs. There is. In addition, some users are dissatisfied with being unable to control their own thermal environment because they are in a thermal environment managed by the building manager.

  In response to the problems caused by temperature management of air conditioning control, users' requests for thermal environment are collected in real time from personal computer terminals (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) operated by each individual. There is a method to set the target temperature based on the relationship between the thermal environment desired by the user and the target temperature in real time, the user characteristics that change from moment to moment, the difference between the actual temperature of the living space and the detected temperature, etc. It is possible to change the thermal environment according to the characteristics of each building. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, as a characteristic of users, there is a demand for controlling air conditioning in a direction that increases energy consumption due to social psychological influences, but a request to control air conditioning in a direction that reduces energy consumption is not It tends to be difficult to take care of. Therefore, in the system which can declare a request as described above, there is a problem in that the air conditioning control is started from a target temperature at which a comfortable thermal environment can be provided, and then the energy saving direction does not change. As a countermeasure, we are trying to control the target temperature in the direction of energy saving in a semi-forced manner within a range where no complaints occur while confirming user request information.
JP 2004-205202 A

  However, since a user's request hardly occurs at a normal control cycle interval (for example, an interval of 20 to 30 minutes), a normal control cycle interval (for example, an interval of 20 to 30 minutes) when there is little request from the user. When the target temperature is changed in the energy saving direction, the normal control cycle is relatively short. It had become.

  Moreover, since there is little request information from a user, in order for a user to refuse the present thermal environment, it is necessary to input request information many times, and there was a tendency for a user to hate a troublesome procedure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and its purpose is to provide an air conditioning control system capable of suppressing the generation of an uncomfortable thermal environment when air conditioning control is performed in an energy saving direction when there are few requests from users. It is to provide.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning equipment that varies the temperature of a space to be air-conditioned, an air conditioning controller that controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment based on the target temperature, and a central control that sets a target temperature in the air conditioning controller. An apparatus and an input device for a user in the space to input a request for the temperature of the space, and the central control device is based on the request information acquisition means for acquiring the user's request from the input device, and the request information Control plan drafting means for deriving the target temperature every first predetermined time, and the control plan drafting means is request information for increasing the energy consumption every second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time. In the case where the ratio is less than or equal to the first reference value, the target temperature is changed in a direction to save energy.

  According to the present invention, even when air conditioning control is performed in the direction of energy saving when there are few requests from users, the speed of reaching an unpleasant thermal environment is reduced, and the generation of an unpleasant thermal environment can be suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control plan drafting unit sets a second reference value greater than the first reference value at a rate of request information for increasing the energy consumption every second predetermined time. If it exceeds the target temperature, the target temperature is changed in the direction of increasing the energy consumption.

  According to this invention, it can be controlled to a comfortable thermal environment according to a request from a user.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the control planning means sets one or all of the first and second reference values and the second predetermined time according to the target temperature. Features.

  According to the present invention, if the first reference value and the second reference value are lowered as an uncomfortable thermal environment, the user rejects the current thermal environment even when there is little request information from the user. There is no need to input the request information over and over, and the user does not hate the troublesome procedure. Further, if the second predetermined time is lengthened so that an uncomfortable thermal environment is obtained, even when air conditioning control is performed in an energy saving direction when there is little request from the user, the speed of reaching the uncomfortable thermal environment becomes slower and uncomfortable. Generation of a thermal environment can be further suppressed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the control planning means increases the second predetermined time when the rate of the demand information for increasing the consumed energy is lower than the first reference value, thereby increasing the consumed energy. The second predetermined time is shortened when the rate of request information for increasing the value exceeds the second reference value.

  According to this invention, even if the air-conditioning control is performed in the energy saving direction, the speed of reaching an unpleasant thermal environment becomes slower, and the generation of an unpleasant thermal environment can be further suppressed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the central control device includes storage means for storing the request information and each history of the second predetermined time in association with the history of the target temperature, and the control The planning means sets the second predetermined time and the upper and lower limit temperatures of the target temperature based on each history stored in the storage means.

  According to this invention, the second predetermined time and the upper and lower limit temperatures of the target temperature can be set based on the past history, and generation of an unpleasant thermal environment can be further suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when air-conditioning control is performed in the energy saving direction when there are few requests from users, there is an effect that generation of an uncomfortable thermal environment can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an air conditioning control system according to the present embodiment, in which one or a plurality of users exist and a thermal environment is constructed by the system (for example, a floor in a building, each room, or a wide area). Public area) On the air-conditioning equipment 1 and air-conditioning control device 2 installed in A, and on a communication network NT (Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.) in which each user in the space A inputs desired information Inf for the temperature of the space A A plurality of input devices 3 composed of personal personal computer terminals, and a central point connected to each input device 3 via a communication network NT and setting a target temperature To of space A based on the desired information Inf input by each user It is comprised by the control apparatus (henceforth a server apparatus) 4.

  The server device 4 collects the request information Inf from the input device 3 via the communication network NT and the request information Inf, and the request information Inf is totalized and registered in the database 42 of the total contents and determination criteria. Based on the determination criteria, a control plan drafting means 43 for deriving the target temperature To of the space A and passing it to the air conditioning control device 2 via the communication network NT, and a history memory for storing the history of the desired information Inf, the target temperature To, etc. And means 44.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the air conditioning equipment 1 used in the system of the present embodiment is installed in the air conditioning equipment room 100 in the form of cold / hot water from a heat source (not shown) composed of a refrigerator (cooling tower) or a boiler. It consists of an air conditioner consisting of an installed air conditioner 101, a duct 102 disposed in the space A, and an outlet 104, and heats and cools air (heat exchange with air) in the air conditioner 101, The heat-exchanged air is supplied into the space A from the dozen or more outlets 104 provided in the space A that is the floor of the environment control target through the duct 102. As for the return air, an air conditioner is used that secures a return air path 105 indicated by a broken line from the central passage of the space A toward the air conditioning equipment room 100, mixes the outside air at the same time, and performs air conditioning. In this air conditioning equipment, the air conditioner 101 changes the supply air temperature and controls the room temperature.

  Here, the thermal environment control target space A of the present embodiment is an office floor, for example, and a large number of desks 106 are arranged in the space A as shown in FIG. It has come to be used. In such a space A, the input device 3 which is a personal computer on the desk used by the user who enjoys the thermal environment accesses a WEB server (not shown) in the server device 4 and inputs content for inputting environmental information to the WEB. By obtaining from the server, the request information input means 31 is realized. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that a system capable of communicating with the server device 4 is constructed for all the input devices 3 via the communication network NT, and the request information input means 31 is provided between the server device 4 and the input device 3. General browser software that realizes When each input device 3 inputs environmental information, the air-conditioning number of the target air-conditioning equipment device 1 (number specifying the air-conditioning area of the air-conditioning equipment device 1) and unique identification information (for example, an individual name or The e-mail address or the like is input, and the request information Inf is delivered to the server device 4 together with the unique identification information and the air conditioning number.

  The server device 4 constitutes the core of the system of the present embodiment, has data acquisition timing, etc., and when each input device 3 is activated and content for entering environment information is automatically started, A function of providing necessary data to the input device 3 corresponding to the rising is provided.

  That is, the content for inputting the environment information is set to automatically start when the input device 3 is activated, and the input device 3 accesses the server device 4 at the same time when the input device 3 is activated, and a signal ( Identification information) is sent, and necessary information such as a question format is acquired from the server apparatus 4 side. Note that the configuration in which the input device 3 transmits a signal indicating its activation to the server device 4 is not limited to the above configuration.

  FIG. 3 shows a monitor screen after the input device 3 is activated. The user of the input device 3 inputs request information Inf indicating a request for the temperature of the current space A. This is a screen for selecting and inputting a request for temperature such as “I want you to lower the temperature”, and check the check fields C1 and C2 corresponding to the request using a pointing device such as a mouse. When the transmission button B1 is clicked, the request information Inf of the specific user at that time is uploaded to the server device 4 together with the self identification information and the air conditioning number. Further, the screen for inputting the request information Inf can be displayed on the input device 3 at an arbitrary timing not only when the input device 3 is started but also by a user operation or an instruction from the server device 4. it can.

  The request information acquisition means 41 collects the request information Inf transmitted to the server apparatus 4 side using browser software installed in each input device 3 used by the user, and stores it in the history storage means 44. Perform the writing process. For information transmitted from the user's input device 3 through the communication network NT, an external storage device indicates which user has transmitted at what position in the space A from the transmitted identification information of the input device 3. Is specified based on the personal information and the identification information stored in the ID, and the arrangement information of the input device 3 associated with the identification information, and the above-mentioned request information Inf is associated with the identification information and the air conditioning number. In addition, it is stored in the history storage means 44.

  For the request information Inf collected from the input device 3 in this way, the control plan drafting means 43 of the server device 4 is stored in the database 42 and the request information Inf stored in the history storage means 44. And calculate the ratio (request rate) to the total number of users of the two conflicting demand information such as “I want you to raise the temperature” and “I want you to lower the temperature”. The target temperature To is determined from the ratio. Here, the air-conditioning equipment 1 is cooling the space A, and the request to “increase the temperature” is request information to reduce the energy consumption, and the request to “decrease the temperature” increases the energy consumption. It is request information to be made. The total number of users is determined by the number of activated input devices 3 and the number of users in the space A counted by an entrance / exit management device (not shown).

  Specifically, the control plan drafting unit 43 performs processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the processing of this flowchart is repeated every first predetermined time X1. First, the control plan drafting means 43 sets a first reference value K1 and a second reference value K2, which will be described later, based on the current target temperature To, and a second longer than the first predetermined time X1. Timing of the predetermined time X2 is started (step S1). When the request information Inf is collected from each input device 3 in the server device 4 (step S2), it is determined whether or not the second predetermined time X2 is being measured (step S3). If the second predetermined time X2 is being measured, the current target temperature To is maintained (step S4), and the current target temperature To is set as the target temperature To (step S5). After the derivation of the target temperature To, the control plan drafting means 43 updates the feedback information for displaying the control content of the air conditioning by the input device 3 (step S6), and thereafter the information of the determined target temperature To is air-conditioned. It transmits to the control apparatus 2, and the process which sets new target temperature To to the air-conditioning control apparatus 2 is performed (step S7), and it returns to step S1 after this process. The air conditioning control device 2 includes a room temperature sensor 2a that measures the temperature in the space A, and the air conditioning equipment device 1 is adjusted so that the temperature measurement data measured by the room temperature sensor 2a matches the determined target temperature To. Control. That is, the target temperature To does not change while the timing operation for the second predetermined time X2 is continued, and the same target temperature To derivation process as the current state is repeated every first predetermined time.

  When the measurement of the second predetermined time X2 is completed while the above processing is repeated, request information for increasing energy consumption after step S3 (in this case, a request for "reducing the temperature") is requested. Check the rate against the criteria rules. As shown in FIG. 5, the determination criterion rule is that a line connecting two contradictory points with a request rate of 100% and a request rate “I want to lower the temperature” are the first reference value K1 and The area where the request rate is 5%, the line connecting the request rate of both is 50%, the area where the request rate is 0% and the vertical axis is 0%. The area where the request rate is 5% or less is set as the target temperature rise area “▲”. In addition, a line connecting both points with a request rate of 100%, a request rate of “I want to raise the temperature” is 20%, and a request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” is 80%, “I want you to raise the temperature” The line that connects the point where the request rate is 5% and the request rate is “2nd lower” to the second reference value K2 is surrounded by the horizontal axis where the request rate is 0%. The target temperature decreasing region “▼” is set as the target temperature decreasing region “▼”, and the region sandwiched between the target temperature increasing region “▲” and the target temperature decreasing region “▼” is set as the target temperature maintaining region “■”. Note that the first reference value K1 <the second reference value K2.

  A feature of this criterion rule is that the target temperature To is automatically raised when the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” is equal to or lower than the first reference value K1. However, the user's request does not occur as frequently as expected. Conventionally, the target temperature To increases at a normal control cycle interval such as the first predetermined time X1, and the user notices. Sometimes it was an uncomfortable thermal environment.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the target temperature To is updated every second predetermined time X2 longer than the first predetermined time X1, and when the time measurement of the second predetermined time X2 is completed, “the temperature is lowered. It is determined whether or not the request rate is lower than the first reference value K1 (step S8), and if the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” is lower than the first reference value K1, the target temperature To is the upper limit It is determined whether the temperature is a temperature (step S9). If the target temperature To is not the upper limit temperature, the target temperature To is increased by a predetermined temperature ΔT ° C. (step S10), and the target temperature To has already reached the upper limit temperature. If so, a control signal for stopping the air conditioning operation or blowing operation is output to the air conditioning controller 2 (step S11). Then, as described above, when the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” is lower than the first reference value K1 and the target temperature To is increased, the second predetermined time X2 is lengthened (step S12), and the target The temperature To is updated (step S5). Thereafter, the air conditioning control device 2 controls the air conditioning equipment 1 based on the increased target temperature To, or controls the air conditioning equipment 1 to stop or blow operation.

  Thus, since the target temperature To is updated at intervals of the second predetermined time X2 longer than the first predetermined time X1 (see FIG. 6), the air conditioning control is performed in the energy saving direction when there are few requests from the user. However, the rate at which the temperature rises to an unpleasant thermal environment becomes slow, and the generation of an unpleasant thermal environment can be suppressed. Further, when the target temperature To is changed in the increasing direction, the second predetermined time X2 is lengthened, so that the renewal cycle of the target temperature To is further prolonged and generation of an uncomfortable thermal environment can be further suppressed.

  Further, if the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” is greater than or equal to the first reference value K1 in step S8, then whether or not the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” exceeds the second reference value K2. (Step S13), if the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” exceeds the second reference value K2, whether or not the current control status of the air conditioning equipment device 1 is stopped or blown. (Step S14), if it is not stop or blow operation, the target temperature To is lowered by a predetermined temperature ΔT ° C. (step S15), and if it is stop or blow operation, the air conditioning operation is returned at the upper limit temperature (step S15). S16). Then, as described above, when the request rate “I want to lower the temperature” exceeds the second reference value K2 and the target temperature To is lowered, the second predetermined time X2 is shortened (step S17), The target temperature To is updated (step S5). Thereafter, the air conditioning control device 2 controls the air conditioning equipment device 1 based on the lowered target temperature To.

  When the target temperature To is changed in the downward direction in this way, the second predetermined time X2 is shortened, so the update cycle of the target temperature To is shortened, and air conditioning control in the energy saving direction can be performed with good response. .

  Further, if the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” in step S13 is equal to or less than the second reference value K2, the current target temperature To is maintained (step S4), and the air conditioning control device 2 The air conditioning equipment 1 is controlled based on To.

  Then, the control plan drafting means 43 performs the updating process of the target temperature To as described above, and then starts the time measuring operation for the second predetermined time X2 again. The process of performing the update process is repeated.

  Further, in step S1, the control planning means 43 sets the first reference value K1 and the second reference value K2 based on the current target temperature To. This setting process is shown in FIG. Thus, as the current target temperature To is higher, the first reference value K1 and the second reference value K2 are decreased. For example, when the target temperature To rises from 26 ° C. to 28 ° C., the first reference value K1 The value K1 decreases from 10% to 0%, and the second reference value K2 decreases from 30% to 10%. Note that the setting range of the first reference value K1 and the second reference value K2 may be set to an arbitrary value of 0 to 100%.

  As described above, the first reference value K1 and the second reference value K2 decrease as the uncomfortable thermal environment is reached. Therefore, even when there is little request information from the user, the user requests to reject the current thermal environment. It is not necessary to input the information Inf many times, and the user does not get disgusted by troublesome procedures.

  Further, the control plan drafting means 43 sets the second predetermined time X2 based on the updated target temperature To in steps S12 and S17, and this setting process is updated as shown in FIG. As the target temperature To is higher, the second predetermined time X2 becomes longer. For example, when the target temperature To rises from 26 ° C. to 28 ° C., the second predetermined time X2 becomes longer from 60 minutes to 120 minutes. The minimum value of the second predetermined time X2 can be set between 0 and 100 minutes, and the maximum value can be set between 0 and 1440 minutes.

  Next, another mode for setting the first reference value K1, the second reference value K2, and the second predetermined time X2 will be described. If the history information of the desired information Inf and the second predetermined time X2 is stored in the history storage means 44 in association with the history of the target temperature To, the control plan planning means 43 can determine the first reference based on these histories. The value K1, the second reference value K2, and the second predetermined time X2 can be set.

  FIG. 9A shows the history of the request information Inf associated with the history of the target temperature To. When the target temperature To reaches 27.5 ° C., the request rate of “I want to lower the temperature” increases rapidly. Based on this history data, the control plan drafting means 43 sets the first reference value K1 to 10 when the target temperature To rises from 26 ° C. to 27 ° C., as shown in FIG. 9B. The second reference value K2 is set so as to decrease from 30% to 10%. Therefore, since the first reference value K1 and the second reference value K2 can be set based on the past history, the user can efficiently reject an unpleasant thermal environment.

  FIG. 10A is a bubble chart showing the history of the second predetermined time X2 associated with the history of the target temperature To, and the target temperature To is 26 ° C. even at the same second predetermined time X2. The request rate of “I want you to lower the temperature” has rapidly increased from the point where it has exceeded, and the control planning means 43 has a target temperature To of 26 ° C. or higher as shown in FIG. Then, it sets so that 2nd predetermined time X2 may be increased. Therefore, since the second predetermined time X2 can be set based on the past history, the speed at which the temperature rises to an unpleasant thermal environment becomes slower, and the generation of an unpleasant thermal environment can be further suppressed.

  Note that the upper limit value (at the time of cooling) and the lower limit value (at the time of heating) of the target temperature To can be set from the history data as shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the air-conditioning control system of the present embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, an energy saving target monitoring device 5 is provided, and the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

  The energy saving target monitoring device 5 includes an energy saving target achievement degree calculating means 51, an energy saving target input means 52, and an energy monitoring means 53, and the operation thereof is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the energy saving target input means 52 reads the energy saving target value Φ1 input from the outside (step S21), and the energy monitoring means 53 reads the actual energy consumption E acquired from the air conditioning equipment 1 (step S22). . Then, the energy saving target achievement level calculation means 51 calculates the energy saving degree [Φ2 = (Eo−E) / from the energy consumption Eo in a predetermined period (for example, one month) estimated from the past results and the actual energy consumption E. Eo] is calculated (step S23), the energy saving target achievement level [ΔΦ = Φ2-Φ1] is then calculated (step S24), and the target value Φ1 is achieved based on the current energy saving target achievement level ΔΦ. Is calculated as the energy saving target temperature (step S25). The energy saving target achievement degree ΔΦ and the energy saving target temperature are notified to the administrator and user of this system via the communication network NT, and the administrator and the user are cautioned about energy saving. Moreover, you may set the upper limit temperature used by step S9 of Embodiment 1 to an energy-saving target temperature.

  In the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning equipment 1 is cooling the space A, and a request for “I want to raise the temperature” is request information for reducing energy consumption, and a request for “I want to lower the temperature” is energy consumption. However, when the air conditioning equipment 1 heats the space A, the request “to increase the temperature” is the request information to increase the energy consumption, and “I want to lower the temperature”. The request becomes request information for reducing energy consumption.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the air-conditioning control system of Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows the space of air-conditioning control object same as the above, Comprising: (a) is the example of arrangement | positioning of the air-conditioning equipment in space, (b) is the example of arrangement | positioning of the input device and server apparatus in space. It is a figure which shows the monitor screen of an input device same as the above. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the air-conditioning control process by a server apparatus same as the above. It is a figure which shows a judgment standard rule same as the above. It is a figure which shows the change of the target temperature same as the above. It is a figure which shows the setting process of the 1st, 2nd reference value based on target temperature. It is a figure which shows the setting process of the 2nd predetermined time based on target temperature. (A) is the history of the request information linked | related with the log | history of target temperature, (b) is a figure which shows the setting process of the 1st, 2nd reference value. (A) is a 2nd predetermined time log | history linked | related with the log | history of target temperature, (b) is a figure which shows the setting process of a 2nd predetermined time. It is a figure which shows the structure of the air-conditioning control system of Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of an energy-saving target monitoring apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air-conditioning equipment 2 Air-conditioning control apparatus 3 Input device 4 Server apparatus 41 Request information acquisition means 42 Database 43 Control plan creation means 44 History storage means A Space NT Communication network

Claims (5)

An air conditioning equipment that varies the temperature of the air conditioning target space, an air conditioning controller that controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment based on the target temperature, a central controller that sets the target temperature in the air conditioning controller, and the space And an input device for a user to input a request for the temperature of the space,
The central control device includes request information acquisition means for acquiring a user's request from the input device, and a control plan drafting means for deriving the target temperature every first predetermined time based on the request information,
The control planning means changes the target temperature in such a direction as to save energy when the rate of the demand information for increasing the energy consumption is equal to or less than the first reference value every second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time. An air conditioning control system characterized by that.   The control planning means sets the target in a direction to increase energy consumption when the rate of request information for increasing energy consumption exceeds a second reference value larger than the first reference value every second predetermined time. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is changed.   3. The air conditioning control system according to claim 2, wherein the control planning means sets one or all of the first and second reference values and the second predetermined time according to the target temperature.   The control planning means increases the second predetermined time when the rate of request information for increasing energy consumption falls below the first reference value, and sets the rate of request information for increasing energy consumption to the second criterion. The air conditioning control system according to claim 2, wherein when the value is exceeded, the second predetermined time is shortened.   The central control unit includes storage means for storing the request information and each history of the second predetermined time in association with the history of the target temperature, and the control planning means is based on each history stored in the storage means The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second predetermined time and the upper and lower limit temperatures of the target temperature are set.

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