JP5515765B2 - Air conditioner controller and demand control system using air conditioner controller - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner controller and a demand control system using the air conditioner controller.

  Conventionally, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-19853), a demand control technique for executing demand control of an air conditioner based on power information obtained by a power meter or the like, and demand control A device has been proposed.

  In the demand control technique as shown in the above document, the capacity of the air conditioner is limited based on the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller. By the way, when the air conditioner is stopped according to the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller, a certain time is required until the air conditioner returns due to the characteristics of the air conditioner. For this reason, comfort may be impaired while the air conditioner is stopped.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner controller that enables appropriate demand control in consideration of comfort, and a demand control system using the air conditioner controller.

  The air conditioner controller according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a capability suppression level determination unit and a control execution unit. The capability suppression level determination unit determines the capability suppression level of the air conditioner according to the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller. The control execution unit performs the capability suppression control of the air conditioner based on the capability suppression level determined by the capability suppression level determination unit. The power suppression signal indicates one of a plurality of required levels. Multiple request levels differ in the degree of power suppression required. Then, the number of ability suppression levels is greater than the number of required levels. The capability suppression level determination unit changes the correspondence of the capability suppression level to the request level indicated by the latest power suppression signal based on the capability suppression level determined in the past and the request level indicated by the latest power suppression signal. Then, determine the ability suppression level. The latest power suppression signal is a power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller after determining a capability suppression level in the past. The association change is executed based on the capability suppression level determined in the past and the required level indicated by the latest power suppression signal.

  In the air conditioner controller according to the present invention, for example, when the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller indicates one request level among a plurality of request levels according to the degree of power suppression, and there are a plurality of capability suppression levels. Even if the capability suppression level for stopping the air conditioner is determined for one required level in the past, the demand controller as a result of the capability suppression level determined in advance and the capability suppression control based on the capability suppression level. Then, based on the new power suppression signal transmitted from, the capability suppression level in which the degree of capability suppression is relaxed can be determined. Further, in the air conditioner controller according to the present invention, the number of capability suppression levels is larger than the number of required levels of the power suppression signal. Therefore, a plurality of capability suppression levels can be determined for one required level. Furthermore, in the air conditioner controller according to the present invention, the capability suppression level is associated with the required level indicated by the latest power suppression signal based on the previously determined capability suppression level and the required level indicated by the latest power suppression signal. Is changed.

  Thereby, control of the air conditioner which improves comfort can be performed. Further, even when the required level indicated by the power suppression signal is small, it is possible to execute fine control on the air conditioner. Furthermore, since the correspondence between the request level and the capability suppression level is changed by a new power suppression signal sent from the demand controller, it can be updated to an appropriate correspondence as appropriate.

  An air conditioner controller according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner controller according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the plurality of required levels include a stop request level for requesting the air conditioner to stop. When the latest power suppression signal indicates the stop request level, the capability suppression level determination unit changes the association if the change is possible.

  In the air conditioner controller according to the present invention, the required level indicated by the power suppression signal includes a stop request signal for requesting the air conditioner to stop. Further, when the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller indicates the stop request level, the association between the request level and the capability suppression level is changed.

  Thereby, the stop of an air conditioning machine can be suppressed and the comfort of the air-conditioning object space can be maintained.

  An air conditioner controller according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner controller according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the capability suppression level determining unit changes the association so that the required level does not change to the stop required level as much as possible. In addition, the capability suppression level determination unit changes the capability suppression level associated with the request level in the past to a capability suppression level with a smaller degree of capability suppression, and if the change is possible, Change the association with the ability suppression level.

  In this air conditioner controller, the capability suppression level is changed when possible so that the required level does not change to the stop request level as much as possible, and the capability suppression level becomes as small as possible.

  For this reason, since it is suppressed that the capacity | capacitance of an air conditioner is suppressed more than necessary, the improvement of comfort can be expected.

An air conditioner controller according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner controller according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a parameter group storage area and a condition determining unit. The parameter group storage area stores parameter groups. The parameter group includes at least one of a first parameter, a second parameter, and a third parameter. The first parameter represents the time zone, the second parameter represents the outside air temperature, and the third parameter represents the degree of deviation between the set temperature and room temperature. The condition determination unit determines whether the first parameter satisfies a predetermined first condition, whether the second parameter satisfies a predetermined second condition, and whether the third parameter satisfies a predetermined third condition. Determine at least one. The capability suppression level determination unit changes the association by associating different capability suppression levels with each required level of the power suppression signal according to the result determined by the condition determination unit.

  This air conditioner controller has a parameter, and a different capability suppression level is made to correspond depending on the result of whether or not the parameter satisfies a corresponding condition. For this reason, appropriate demand control according to the environment or the like can be realized.

An air conditioner controller according to a fifth aspect is the air conditioner controller according to the fourth aspect, wherein the parameter group includes a first parameter, a second parameter, and a third parameter. The condition determination unit determines whether the first parameter satisfies a predetermined first condition, whether the second parameter satisfies a predetermined second condition, whether the third parameter satisfies a predetermined third condition, Determine. The capability suppression level determination unit associates the capability suppression level with a large level of capability suppression with each required level of the power suppression signal as the number of parameters determined by the condition determination unit to satisfy the condition increases.

  In this air conditioner controller, the larger the number of parameters that satisfy the predetermined condition, the larger the capacity of the air conditioner is suppressed. For example, the outside air temperature, the time zone, and the like are adopted as parameters, and a case where the outside air temperature is higher than a predetermined value or a predetermined time zone when the outside air temperature during the day is high are set as conditions. When the two conditions are satisfied at the same time, the capability suppression level having a higher level of capability suppression is made to correspond.

  For this reason, appropriate and fine demand control according to the environment or the like can be realized.

  The air conditioner controller according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner controller according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the capacity suppression level indicates a degree of change in the set value of the air conditioner.

  In this air conditioner controller, the capacity is suppressed by changing the set value of the air conditioner step by step. Here, the set value of the air conditioner includes a set temperature value of the indoor unit, a capacity control value of the compressor, and the like.

  When the air conditioner is stopped, it takes a certain time to restart. Therefore, air conditioning control is not performed until the air conditioner is restarted. However, the air conditioner controller according to the present invention suppresses the capacity of the air conditioner so as not to stop the air conditioner as much as possible by changing the set value of the air conditioner. Thereby, improvement in comfort can be expected.

  A demand control system according to a seventh aspect includes an air conditioner, a demand controller, and an air conditioner controller. The air conditioner is installed in the air conditioning target space. The demand controller transmits a power suppression signal for the air conditioner. The air conditioner controller is an air conditioner controller according to any one of the first to sixth inventions. The air conditioner controller performs capacity suppression control of the air conditioner according to the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller.

  In this demand control system, the air conditioner controller executes the capacity suppression control of the air conditioner based on the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller. Since the air conditioner controller according to any one of the first to sixth inventions is employed as the air conditioner controller, the action and effect of the air conditioner controller can be realized. For this reason, appropriate demand control considering comfort can be expected.

  With the air conditioner controller according to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to control the air conditioner to improve comfort. Further, even when the required level indicated by the power suppression signal is small, it is possible to execute fine control on the air conditioner. Furthermore, since the association between the request level and the capability suppression level is changed, it can be appropriately updated to an appropriate association.

  In the air conditioner controller according to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to suppress the stop of the air conditioner and maintain the comfort of the air conditioning target space.

  In the air conditioner controller according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the ability of the air conditioner from being suppressed more than necessary.

  In the air conditioner controller according to the fourth aspect of the invention, different capability suppression levels are made to correspond according to the result of whether the parameter satisfies the corresponding condition. For this reason, appropriate demand control according to the environment or the like can be realized.

  In the air conditioner controller according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the larger the number of parameters that satisfy the predetermined condition, the larger the capacity of the air conditioner is suppressed. For this reason, appropriate and fine demand control according to the environment or the like can be realized.

  In the air conditioner controller according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the capability suppression control is executed without stopping the air conditioner as much as possible. For this reason, improvement in comfort can be expected.

  In the demand control system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the functions and effects of the air conditioner controller according to any of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention are realized, and appropriate demand control considering comfort can be expected.

System configuration diagram of a demand control system according to the present embodiment Physical configuration diagram of air conditioner controller according to the present embodiment System configuration diagram of an air conditioner controller according to the present embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the process of the whole demand control of the air conditioner controller which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the capability suppression level change process of the air conditioner controller which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the pre-process in the demand control of the air conditioner controller which concerns on this embodiment. System configuration diagram of a demand control system according to Modification A of the present embodiment System configuration diagram of an air conditioner controller according to Modification A of the present embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the capability suppression level change process of the air conditioner controller which concerns on the modification A of this embodiment.

[Overall configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the demand control system 100 according to this embodiment mainly includes a demand controller 5, a power meter 6, an air conditioner 10, and an air conditioner controller 20. The air conditioner 10 mainly includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe. The indoor unit is set in the air-conditioning target space. The outdoor unit is installed outdoors. The indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected by a refrigerant pipe.

[Description of each configuration]
(1) Air conditioner The air conditioner 10 has an indoor unit and an outdoor unit as mentioned above. The indoor unit mainly includes a casing, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, a decorative panel, a control device, a suction port, an air outlet, and various sensors. The outdoor unit mainly includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor, a blower, a control device, and various sensors. The air conditioner 10 performs air conditioning of the air conditioning target space.

(2) Demand controller The demand controller 5 transmits a power suppression signal to the air conditioner controller 20. The power suppression signal is a signal for requesting suppression of the power of the air conditioner 10. The power suppression signal indicates a plurality of required levels. The required level indicates the degree of suppression when requesting suppression of the power of the air conditioner 10 in stages. There are three request levels, from request level 1 to request level 3. As the required level increases, the degree of power suppression requirement for the air conditioner 10 increases. That is, here, the request level 3 power suppression signal has the highest degree of request. The power suppression signal at the request level 3 is a stop request signal and is a signal for requesting the stop of the air conditioner 10.

  The demand controller 5 is connected to a power meter 6 by a power pulse line 7. The demand controller 5 receives a power pulse signal from the power meter 6 via the power pulse line 7. The demand controller 5 obtains the power of the air conditioner 10 by counting the received power pulse signals. The demand controller 5 transmits a power suppression signal every 10 seconds to the air conditioner controller 20 described later.

(3) Air Conditioner Controller The air conditioner controller 20 controls the air conditioner 10 based on the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5. The air conditioner controller 20 determines the capability suppression level of the air conditioner 10 according to the required level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5. A capability suppression level shows the grade which suppresses the capability of the air conditioner 10 in a step. Further, the air conditioner controller 20 generates a control signal for operating the air conditioner 10 based on the determined capability suppression level. The air conditioner controller 20 transmits the generated control signal to the air conditioner 10 via the communication connection 8.

(3-1) Configuration of Air Conditioner Controller As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner controller 20 mainly includes a reception unit 21, a transmission unit 29, and a control unit 22.

  The receiving unit 21 receives the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5. The receiving unit 21 converts the requested level of the received power suppression signal into a digital signal that can be handled by the control unit 22 and transmits the digital signal to the control unit 22.

  The transmission part 29 receives the control signal produced | generated by the below-mentioned control execution part 32, transmits the said received control signal to analog information, and transmits to the air conditioner 10. The air conditioner 10 that has received the control signal transmitted from the transmission unit 29 executes the capability suppression control based on the control signal. As a result, the demand control of the air conditioner 10 by the air conditioner controller 20 is executed.

  The control unit 22 includes a central processing unit 23, a RAM 26, a ROM 27, a storage device 28, and the like. The central processing unit 23 is further divided into a calculation unit 24 and a calculation control unit 25.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 22 mainly functions as a capability suppression level determination unit 31, a control execution unit 32, a determination algorithm storage region 33, a correspondence relationship storage region 34, and a control content storage region 35.

  The determination algorithm storage area 33 stores a first determination algorithm. The first determination algorithm describes a procedure for associating a capability suppression level with each required level, which is executed by a capability suppression level determination unit 31 described later.

  In the control content storage area 35, as shown in Table 1, a plurality of ability suppression levels and control contents corresponding to each ability suppression level (contents of ability suppression control) are stored in a table format. As described above, the capability suppression level indicates the degree to which the capability of the air conditioner 10 is suppressed in stages. As the content of the capability suppression control, the degree of change of the set value of the air conditioner 10 is stored. Here, the set value of the air conditioner 10 is a temperature value (set temperature value) set in the indoor unit. Thereby, each capability suppression level shows the change degree of the setting value of the air conditioner 10. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the higher the capability suppression level, the greater the level of capability suppression of the air conditioner 10. Eight stages from ability suppression level 1 to ability suppression level 8 are set in the ability suppression level. For example, at the capability suppression level 1, the set temperature of the air conditioner 10 is shifted by 1 ° C. At the capability suppression level 2, the set temperature of the air conditioner 10 is shifted by 2 ° C. Similarly, the capacity suppression level 3 to the capacity suppression level 7 are also set so that the set temperature shift is increased by 1 ° C. The shift of the set temperature is to shift the set temperature step by step to the high temperature step by step when the air conditioner 10 is operating in the cooling operation mode. When the air conditioner 10 is operating in the heating operation mode, the set temperature is gradually lowered to the low temperature side by a certain temperature. In this control, the set temperature is shifted to suppress the air conditioning capability and power of the air conditioner 10 step by step. At capability suppression level 8, forced thermo OFF is executed. The forced thermo OFF is to stop the compressor of the air conditioner 10 and the heat exchange is stopped.

  In the correspondence storage area 34, correspondence information regarding the correspondence of the capability suppression levels to the respective request levels is stored in a table format. The association information includes basic information and decision information.

  As shown in Table 2, the basic information is information that associates the required level indicated by the power suppression signal with the range of the capability suppression level associated with each required level. Specifically, the range of capability suppression levels associated with request level 1 is from capability suppression level 1 to capability suppression level 3. The capability suppression levels associated with the request level 2 are the capability suppression level 4 to the capability suppression level 7. The requirement level 3 is the highest requirement level, and the capability suppression level 8 is always associated with the requirement level 3. At capability suppression level 8, forced thermo OFF is executed. For this reason, the power suppression signal at the request level 3 is also referred to as a “stop request signal”.

  The determination information is information determined by the ability suppression level determination unit 31 described later based on the basic information. Specifically, the decision information is information related to one capability suppression level associated with each request level.

  When the air conditioner controller 20 is activated, initial values are set in the determination information in the correspondence storage area 34. Specifically, as shown in Table 3, the initial value is associated with capability suppression level 1 for request level 1, capability suppression level 4 for request level 2, and capability suppression level 8 for request level 3. It is done.

  The capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines the capability suppression level of the air conditioner 10 according to the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5. Specifically, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines the request level and capability suppression level indicated by the latest power suppression signal based on the capability suppression level determined in the past and the request level indicated by the latest power suppression signal. By changing the association, the new association of the capability suppression level to the power suppression signal is determined. The new association of the capability suppression level to the power suppression signal is to change the capability suppression level associated with the request level in the past while preventing the demand controller 5 demand level from changing to the stop request level as much as possible. When possible, the degree of ability suppression is determined by changing to a smaller ability suppression level.

  When the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines the association of the capability suppression level with the requested level, the determined new association is stored as determination information in the above-described correspondence relationship storage area 34.

  In this way, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 changes the past association stored in the correspondence storage area 34 to a new association.

  The control execution unit 32 generates a control signal based on the correspondence between each request level and the capability suppression level stored in the correspondence storage area 34. The generated control signal is transmitted to the air conditioner 10 via the transmission unit 29. In the air conditioner 10 that has received the control signal, demand control is executed based on the control signal.

  The capability suppression level determination unit 31 associates the capability suppression level with each request level determined in the past based on each request level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5 after executing demand control. Change again with the procedure. Thereafter, the same change is repeated.

[Operation of air conditioner controller]
(1) First Determination Algorithm Next, an outline of control based on the first determination algorithm will be described. By executing the first determination algorithm, the correspondence between the required level and the capability suppression level is changed within the range of the capability suppression level associated with each required level in the basic information. Specifically, first, the largest capability suppression level is associated with the required level among the range of capability suppression levels associated with each required level. Thereafter, the capability suppression level associated with the required level is lowered until the required level indicated by the power suppression signal changes to the stop required level. When the predetermined capacity suppression level is associated with the request level and the request level of the power suppression signal changes to the stop request level, one time before (that is, before the request level of the power suppression signal changes to the stop request signal) The ability suppression level associated with the required level is determined as a new association.

  For example, the correspondence between the request level 2 and the capability suppression level will be described. First, the capability suppression level 7 among the capability suppression levels 4 to 7 is associated with the request level 2. Thereafter, the capability suppression level associated with the required level is lowered until the required level indicated by the power suppression signal changes to the stop required level. That is, after the capability suppression level 7, the capability suppression level 6 is associated with the required level 2. Further, the capability suppression level 5 and the request level 2 are associated with each other. For example, when the capability suppression level 5 and the request level 2 are associated with each other, and the request level of the power suppression signal is changed to the stop request level, the request level of the power suppression signal is changed to the stop request level. A capability suppression level associated with the request level, that is, capability suppression level 5 and request level 2 are determined as new associations. In this way, the correspondence between the request level 1 and the capability suppression level is also determined.

(2) Process Flow of Entire Demand Control Here, details of the process flow of the entire demand control will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of processing of the entire demand control. Hereinafter, the processing for associating the optimum capability suppression level with each required level is expressed as capability suppression level change processing or capability suppression level change processing routine RT1.

  First, the overall processing flow for executing optimum demand control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, the variable J represents a request level stored in the correspondence relationship storage area 34, and the variable I represents a capability suppression level stored in the correspondence relationship storage area 34. Specifically, J is 1 or 2, and I is any one of 1 to 7.

  The capability suppression level determination unit 31 monitors the required level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5 every 10 seconds. This state is called a request level monitoring loop R1. In step S1, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether 0 is set in the capability suppression level change flag. If 0 is set in the capability suppression level change processing flag, the process proceeds to step S2. When the capability suppression level change processing flag is set to 1, the loop continues in the request level monitoring loop R1 (when the requirement level change processing flag is set to 1, as described later, the capability suppression level change is performed. Because the process is running). When the air conditioner controller 20 is activated, the capability suppression level change processing flag is automatically initialized with the initial value 0.

  In step S <b> 2, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether or not the power suppression signal has reached the required level 3. When the request level 3 is reached, the process moves to step S3. If the request level 3 has not been reached, the process moves to step S4.

  In step S3, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 sets 2 to the variable J and executes a capability suppression level change process for the request level 2 (ability suppression level change processing routine RT1). In step S3, the capability suppression level change processing routine RT1 is executed to change the association of the capability suppression level with the request level 2, and then the process proceeds to the control execution routine RT3. In the control execution routine RT3, first, the control execution unit 32 generates a control signal based on the changed association. The generated control signal is transmitted to the air conditioner 10 by the transmission unit 29. After completion of the control execution routine RT3, the process returns to the request level monitoring loop R1.

  In step S4, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether or not the required level 2 has been reached. If the request level 2 is reached, the process moves to step S5. If the request level 2 has not been reached, the process returns to the request level monitoring loop R1.

  In step S5, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether or not the capability suppression level changing process for the request level 2 in step S3 has been completed. If the capability suppression level changing process for request level 2 has been completed, the process moves to step S6. If the capability suppression level changing process for request level 2 has not been completed, the process moves to step S7.

  In step S6, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 executes a capability suppression level change process for the requested level 1 (capability suppression level change processing routine RT1). After the capability suppression level change processing routine RT1 is executed and the capability suppression level for the request level 1 is changed, the routine proceeds to the control execution routine RT3. After completion of the control execution routine RT3, the process returns to the request level monitoring loop R1.

  In step S7, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether or not the required level 3 has been reached. If the request level 3 is reached, the process moves to step S8. If the request level has not reached 3, the process returns to the request level monitoring loop R1.

  In step S8, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 executes a capability suppression level change process for the request level 2 (ability suppression level change routine processing RT1). After the capability suppression level change processing routine RT1 is executed and the capability suppression level for the request level 2 is changed, the routine proceeds to the control execution routine RT3. After completion of the control execution routine RT3, the process returns to the request level monitoring loop R1.

(3) Process Flow in Capability Suppression Level Change Processing Routine FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process flow of capability suppression level change processing routine RT1 at each required level. The determination of the correspondence of the capability suppression level to each request level and the change process are executed.

  In step S11, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 executes a preprocessing routine RT2 corresponding to the request level J. In the preprocessing routine RT2, various variables are set according to the request level J, and 1 is set in the request level change processing flag. When the processing of the preprocessing routine RT2 is completed, the processing returns to the capability suppression level change processing routine RT1 and moves to step S12.

  In step S12, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 sets MAX to the variable I. Then, it moves to step S13.

  In step S13, the control execution part 32 produces | generates the control signal which makes the variable I set in step S12 the capability suppression level. The generated control signal is transmitted to the air conditioner 10 by the transmission unit 29 (control execution routine RT3). Then, it moves to step S14.

  In step S14, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether the required level of the power suppression signal has reached J + 1. When the request level reaches J + 1, the process returns to the request level monitoring loop R1. If the request level does not reach J + 1, the process moves to step S15.

  In step S15, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 decreases the value of the variable I by one. Then, it moves to step S16.

  In step S16, the control execution part 32 produces | generates the control signal which makes the variable I set in step S15 the capability suppression level. The generated control signal is transmitted to the air conditioner 10 by the transmission unit 29 (control execution routine RT3). Then, it moves to step S17.

  In step S17, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether or not the required level has reached J + 1. If the request level has reached J + 1, the process moves to step S18. If the request level does not reach J + 1, the process moves to step S19.

  In step S18, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 increases the value of the variable I by 1, and moves to step S20.

  In step S19, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 determines whether or not the variable I is MIN. If the variable I is MIN, the process moves to step S20. If the variable I is not MIN, the process moves to step S15.

  In step S20, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 sets 0 in the capability suppression level change process flag, and ends the capability suppression level change process.

(4) Process Flow in Preprocessing Routine FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the preprocessing routine RT2. The contents of the processing in the preprocessing routine RT2 are setting of various variables according to the request level J, setting of 1 to the capability suppression level change processing flag, and the like.

  In step S31, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 refers to the value of the variable J in the capability suppression level change processing routine RT1 in order to determine which request level is associated with the capability suppression level. If the value of the variable J is 2, the process moves to step S32. If the value of variable J is other than 2, the process moves to step S34.

  In step S32, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 sets 2 to the variable I, 7 to MAX, and 4 to MIN. Then, it moves to step S33.

  In step S33, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 sets 1 in the capability suppression level change processing flag. Thereafter, the process returns to step S12 of the capability suppression level change processing routine RT1.

  In step S34, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 sets 1 to the variable I, 3 to MAX, and 1 to MIN. Then, it moves to step S35.

  In step S35, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 sets 1 in the capability suppression level change processing flag. Thereafter, the process returns to step S12 of the capability suppression level change processing routine RT1.

(5) Process Flow in Control Execution Routine In the control execution routine RT3, the control execution unit 32 generates a control signal based on the correspondence of the capability suppression level to each required level stored in the correspondence storage area 34. To do. The generated control signal is transmitted to the transmission unit 29. The transmission unit 29 that has received the control signal converts the control signal into an analog signal and transmits the analog signal to the air conditioner 10.

[Features of demand control system]
(1)
In the demand control system 100 according to the present embodiment, the air conditioner controller 20 receives the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5, and the air conditioner controller 20 performs the capability suppression control of the air conditioner 10 according to the power suppression signal. It is carried out. Specifically, from the demand controller 5 used in the present embodiment, a power suppression signal indicating any one of the three request levels from request level 1 to request level 3 is sent to the air conditioner controller 20. . In addition, a predetermined capability suppression level is associated with each required level in advance. The air conditioner controller 20 controls the air conditioner 10 based on the capability suppression level associated with the required level indicated by the power suppression signal. Since the degree of capability suppression of the air conditioner 10 varies depending on the capability suppression level, for example, when the capability suppression level 6 for stopping the air conditioner 10 is associated with the request level 2, the air conditioner is based on the association. It is assumed that 10 controls are executed. Thereafter, if a power suppression signal indicating a request level 3 that is a stop request level is transmitted, the air conditioner controller 20 stops the air conditioner 10. Once the air conditioner 10 is stopped, a certain amount of time is required until the air conditioner 10 is completely restored. Therefore, the comfort is significantly reduced until the air conditioner 10 is restored.

  In the demand control system 100 according to the present embodiment, the capability suppression level once associated with the required level can be changed based on the required level indicated by the power suppression signal transmitted thereafter. For example, it is assumed that the ability suppression level 6 for stopping the air conditioner 10 is associated with the request level 2. Based on the association, demand control is executed, and if a power suppression signal indicating the required level 3 is transmitted thereafter, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 associates the required level 2 with the power suppression level 6. Then, the request level 2 and the power suppression level 7 are associated with each other. In this way, the stop request level is prevented from being transmitted as much as possible by associating the current request level with the capability suppression level having a greater degree of capability suppression. As described above, the demand control system 100 can flexibly associate the request level with the capability suppression level. Moreover, as a result, it can suppress that the air conditioner 10 is stopped frequently and can provide a comfortable air-conditioning environment.

(2)
Further, in the demand control system 100 according to the present embodiment, the air conditioner controller 20 stores a plurality of levels of capability suppression levels. The number of capability suppression levels is greater than the number of required levels indicated by the power suppression signal. Therefore, even when the required level indicated by the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5 is small, it is possible to cause the air conditioner 10 to perform fine control.

(3)
Further, in the demand control system 100 according to the present embodiment, based on the capability suppression level determined in the past and the request level indicated by the latest power suppression signal, the capability suppression level with respect to the request level indicated by the latest power suppression signal. The association is changed. By newly sending a power suppression signal from the demand controller 5, the association between the request level and the capability suppression level is changed, so that it can be appropriately updated to an appropriate association.

  In the demand control system 100 according to the present embodiment, the level of capability suppression is further reduced to the capability suppression level associated with the past request level while preventing the required level of the power suppression signal from changing to the stop request level as much as possible. If the change is possible by changing to a small ability suppression level, the association is changed. For example, assume that the capability suppression level 6 is associated with the request level 2. At this time, the power suppression signal indicating the required level 3 as a result of executing the control of the air conditioner 10 based on the association with the required level 2 and the capability suppression level 5 having a smaller level of capability suppression. Is not transmitted, the capability suppression level determination unit 31 changes the association between the request level 2 and the power suppression level 6 to the association between the request level 2 and the power suppression level 5. Thus, the capability suppression level with a smaller level of capability suppression is made to correspond to the current request level while the request level of the power suppression signal does not indicate the stop request level as much as possible. In this way, the association between the required level and the capability suppression level is changed as much as possible so that the level of capability suppression becomes smaller. As a result, it is possible to suppress the ability of the air conditioner 10 from being suppressed more than necessary, so that improvement in comfort can be expected.

  (4) The demand control system 100 executes demand control based on the required level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5. For this reason, the demand controller 5 already installed can be utilized.

  (5) Conventionally, in the demand control system in which the air conditioner controller 20 executes demand control based on the capability suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5 as in the demand control system 100, the demand controller 5 The degree of capability suppression of the air conditioner 10 with respect to the signal transmitted from is set based on the experience of engineers. For this reason, it was difficult to cope with environmental changes and the like.

  In the demand control system 100, the air conditioner controller 20 determines optimal demand control based on the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5. For this reason, it is possible to appropriately demand control the air conditioner 10 without depending on the experience of the engineer.

[Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(Modification A)
The air conditioner controller 20 of the demand control system 100 according to the above embodiment associates the capability suppression level with the required level. After the capability control of the air conditioner 10 is executed based on the association, based on the required level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5, repeatedly changing the association determined in the past, Optimal demand control was executed.

  Here, for example, some parameters (time zone, outside air temperature, degree of deviation between set temperature and outside air temperature, etc.) are introduced, whether or not the parameter satisfies each predetermined condition, and each condition is determined. Different associations may be performed according to the number of parameters to be satisfied. For example, when the air conditioner 10 is operating in the cooling operation mode in summer, if the outside air temperature is 35 ° C. or higher, the degree of capability suppression of the air conditioner 10 is increased.

  When the method as described above is adopted, the demand control is executed in consideration of the temperature or the like grasped by various parameters. For this reason, finer demand control can be realized.

  Hereinafter, the case where the air conditioner 10 is operating in the cooling operation mode will be described. However, the concept is the same when the air conditioner 10 is operating in the heating operation mode. For this reason, the description about the case where the air conditioner 10 is operating in the heating operation mode is omitted.

[Overall configuration]
As shown in FIG. 7, the demand control system 200 according to the modified example A of the above embodiment mainly includes a demand controller 5, an air conditioner 10, and an air conditioner controller 120.

[Description of each configuration]
(1) Air conditioner The configuration and function of the air conditioner 10 are the same as those in the present embodiment. For this reason, explanation is omitted here.

(2) Demand controller The configuration and function of the demand controller 5 are the same as those of the demand controller 5 of the above embodiment. For this reason, explanation is omitted here.

(3) Air Conditioner Controller As shown in FIG. 8, the air conditioner controller 120 mainly includes a receiving unit 121, a transmitting unit 129, and a control unit 122. Since the reception unit 121 and the transmission unit 129 are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The control unit 122 mainly functions as a capability suppression level determination unit 131, a control execution unit 132, a determination algorithm storage region 133, a correspondence relationship storage region 134, a control content storage region 135, a condition determination unit 136, and a parameter group storage region 137. To do. Since the control execution unit 132, the correspondence relationship storage area 134, and the control content storage region 135 in Modification A are the same as the control execution unit 32, the correspondence relationship storage region 34, and the control content storage region 35 according to the above embodiment, A description of the execution unit 132, the correspondence relationship storage area 134, and the control content storage area 135 is omitted.

  The determination algorithm storage area 133 stores a second determination algorithm. The second determination algorithm shows a procedure for determining the correspondence of the capability suppression level to each required level.

  As shown in Table 4, the parameter group storage area 137 stores three parameters: a first parameter representing a time zone, a second parameter representing an outside air temperature, and a third parameter representing a degree of deviation between the set temperature and room temperature. Has been. Hereinafter, the degree of deviation between the set temperature and room temperature is simply expressed as the degree of deviation. The first condition (11: 0 to 14:00) for the first parameter, the second condition (35 ° C or higher) for the second parameter, and the third condition (5 ° C or higher) for the third parameter ) Corresponds.

  The condition determination unit 136 determines whether or not each parameter satisfies each condition described in Table 4. Specifically, whether or not the time zone as the first parameter is between 11:00 and 14:00, whether or not the outside air temperature as the second parameter is 35 ° C. or more, and the third parameter It is determined whether the divergence degree is 5 ° C. or higher. The correspondence of the capability suppression level to the required level is changed according to the number of parameters satisfying each condition. Specifically, when the number of parameters satisfying each corresponding condition is large, a higher capability suppression level is associated with the same required level than when the number of parameters satisfying the same condition is small.

[Second decision algorithm]
(1) Processing procedure for associating capability suppression level with each request level As in the case of the above embodiment, the capability suppression level determination unit 131 requests a power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5 every 10 seconds. It monitors whether level 3 has been reached. When the power suppression signal reaches the required level 3, processing is executed according to the following procedure according to the determination result of the condition determination unit 136.

(1-1)
When the number of parameters satisfying each predetermined condition described in Table 4 is three, the first process is executed. In the first process, the capability suppression level corresponding to the request level 1 is shifted by 2 in the direction in which the level of capability suppression is larger than the current corresponding value. Further, the capability suppression level corresponding to the request level 2 is increased by 3 in a direction in which the capability suppression level is larger than the current corresponding value.

(1-2)
When the number of parameters satisfying each predetermined condition described in Table 4 is two, the second process is executed. In the second process, the capability suppression level corresponding to the required level 1 is shifted by 1 in a direction in which the level of capability suppression is larger than the current corresponding value. Further, the capability suppression level corresponding to the request level 2 is shifted by 3 in a direction in which the capability suppression is larger than the current corresponding value.

(1-3)
When the number of parameters satisfying each predetermined condition described in Table 4 is one, the third process is executed. In the third process, the capability suppression level corresponding to the request level 1 is shifted by 1 in a direction in which the level of capability suppression is larger than the current corresponding value. Further, the ability suppression level corresponding to the request level 2 is shifted by 2 in a direction in which the degree of ability suppression is larger than the current corresponding value.

(1-4)
When the number of parameters satisfying each predetermined condition described in Table 4 is 0, the fourth process is executed. In the fourth process, the current corresponding value is not changed for the capability suppression level corresponding to the request level 1. Further, the ability suppression level corresponding to the request level 2 is shifted by 1 in a direction in which the degree of ability suppression is larger than the current corresponding value.

  However, the range of correspondence of the capability suppression level to each request level through the first process to the fourth process is the same as in the case of the above embodiment. Specifically, the requirement level 1 is associated with any one of the capability suppression level 1 to the capability suppression level 3. The requirement level 2 corresponds to any one of the capability suppression level 4 to the capability suppression level 7. For requirement level 3, capability suppression level 8 is fixed.

  For example, it is assumed that capability suppression level 1 is currently associated with request level 1, capability suppression level 4 with request level 2, and capability suppression level 8 with request level 3. It is assumed that when such a correspondence is made, the change in the request level reaches the request level 3 from the request level 0 through the request level 1 and the request level 2 and then returns to the request level 0.

  Hereinafter, the second determination algorithm is applied in the case of the above example.

(1-5)
When the number of parameters satisfying each predetermined condition described in Table 4 (hereinafter referred to as “the number of parameters satisfying the condition” when no misunderstanding occurs) is three, the first process is executed. For requirement level 1, ability suppression level 1, which is the current association, is shifted to capability suppression level 3 by shifting it by 2 in the direction of greater capability suppression. The ability suppression level 4 that is the association of the above is shifted by 3 in the direction in which the degree of ability suppression is large, and is changed to the ability suppression level 7.

(1-6)
When the number of parameters satisfying the condition is two, the second process is executed. For the requirement level 1, the capability suppression level 1, which is the current correspondence, is shifted to the capability suppression level 2 by shifting by 1 in the direction in which the level of capability suppression is large. The ability suppression level 4 that is the association of the above is shifted by 3 in the direction in which the degree of ability suppression is large, and is changed to the ability suppression level 7.

(1-7)
When the number of parameters satisfying the condition is one, the third process is executed. For the requirement level 1, the capability suppression level 1, which is the current correspondence, is shifted to the capability suppression level 2 by shifting by 1 in the direction in which the level of capability suppression is large. The ability suppression level 4 that is the association of the above is shifted by 2 in the direction in which the degree of ability suppression is large and is changed to the ability suppression level 6.

(1-8)
When the number of parameters satisfying the condition is 0, the fourth process is executed. For requirement level 1, the capability suppression level 1 that is the current association is not changed, and for requirement level 2, the capability suppression level 4 that is the current association is changed to a greater degree of capability suppression. Shift to 1 and change to ability suppression level 5.

  Suppose that the number of parameters that satisfy the condition is one. At this time, the third process is executed. The requirement level 1 is changed to the capability suppression level 2, and the requirement level 2 is changed to the capability suppression level 6. It is assumed that demand control is executed in this state, and the change in the request level reaches the request level 3 from the request level 0 through the request level 1 and the request level 2 and then returns to the request level 0. Since the request level has reached 3, the same is repeated.

[Operation of air conditioner controller 120]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the capability suppression level determination unit 131 of the air conditioner controller 120 according to the modification A. Hereinafter, the processing flow of the ability suppression level determination unit 131 according to the modification A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9.

  The capability suppression level determination unit 131 monitors the request level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5 every 10 seconds through the reception unit 121. This state is called a request level monitoring loop R1. In step S41, the capability suppression level determination unit 131 determines whether the requested level has reached 3. If the required level has reached 3, the process moves to step S42. If the request level does not reach 3, the request level monitoring loop R1 continues to loop.

  In step S <b> 42, the condition determination unit 136 acquires each value of the time as the first parameter, the outside air temperature as the second parameter, and the deviation value as the third parameter from the air conditioner 10.

  In step S43, the condition determination unit 136 determines whether the first parameter satisfies the first condition, the second parameter satisfies the second condition, and the third parameter satisfies the third condition. It is determined how many, and if all three parameters satisfy each condition, the process moves to step S44, and otherwise, the process moves to step S45.

  In step S44, the first process is executed. That is, in the correspondence between the current requirement level and the capability suppression level, the capability suppression level associated with request level 1 is shifted by 2 in the direction in which the degree of capability suppression is large, and the capability associated with request level 2 The suppression level is shifted by 3 in the direction in which the degree of capability suppression is large. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the control execution routine RT3.

  In step 45, the condition determination unit 136 determines whether there are two parameters that satisfy each condition. If there are two parameters that satisfy each condition, the process moves to step S46. Otherwise, the process moves to step S47.

  In step S46, the second process is executed. That is, in the correspondence between the request level and the capability suppression level at the present time, the capability suppression level associated with the requirement level 1 is shifted by 1 in the direction in which the degree of capability suppression is large, and the capability associated with the request level 2 The suppression level is shifted by 3 in the direction in which the degree of capability suppression is large. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the control execution routine RT3.

  In step S47, the condition determination unit 136 determines whether there is one parameter that satisfies each condition. If there is one parameter that satisfies each condition, the process moves to step S48. Otherwise, the process moves to step S49.

  In step S48, the third process is executed. That is, in the correspondence between the request level and the capability suppression level at the present time, the capability suppression level associated with the requirement level 1 is shifted by 1 in the direction in which the degree of capability suppression is large, and the capability associated with the request level 2 The suppression level is shifted by 2 in the direction in which the degree of capability suppression is large. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the control execution routine RT3.

  In step S49, a fourth process is executed. That is, in the correspondence between the request level and the capability suppression level at the present time, the capability suppression level associated with the requirement level 2 is shifted by 1 in a direction in which the degree of capability suppression is large. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the control execution routine RT3.

  The control execution routine RT3 is the same as that of the air conditioner controller 20 according to the above embodiment.

[Features of Demand Control System According to Modification A]
In the demand control system 200 according to the modified example A, the first parameter is the time zone, the second parameter is the outside air temperature, the third parameter is the divergence, and the first condition, the second condition corresponding to each parameter, And the third condition. As the number of parameters satisfying each condition increases, the capability suppression control is executed more strongly. For this reason, for example, in midsummer, appropriate demand control can be expected to be executed according to the difference in environment such as early morning when the temperature is relatively low and noon when the temperature is highest during the day.

(Modification B)
In the demand control system 200 according to the modified example A, capacity control for each request level is performed based on the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter, and the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition for each. Level correspondence was determined. However, the number of parameters is not limited to three, and parameters other than the time zone, the outside air temperature, the degree of divergence, and the like may be adopted regarding the types of parameters. Further, there may be one parameter.

(Modification C)
In the air conditioner controller 20 of the demand control system 100, as a method of suppressing the capacity of the air conditioner 10, the set temperature of the air conditioner 10 is shifted stepwise according to the required level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller 5. The method of letting However, a method other than the above may be adopted as a method of suppressing the capacity of the air conditioner 10. For example, a method of gradually reducing the frequency of the compressor may be employed. Even when such a method is adopted, power can be suppressed according to a power suppression signal from the demand controller 5 by suppressing the capacity of the air conditioner 10.

(Modification D)
In the above-described embodiment, in the control content storage area 35, a plurality of capability suppression levels and control content corresponding to each capability suppression level are stored in association with each other. Specifically, the degree of change of the set temperature value is associated with the capability suppression level as the set value of the air conditioner 10. Here, as the set value of the air conditioner 10 associated with the capacity suppression level, the capacity control value of the compressor may be used instead of the set temperature value. Specifically, each capacity suppression level is associated with a capacity control value (for example, 10% to 100%) of the compressor. The capacity control value of the compressor is a value indicating the degree of capacity control of the compressor, and 100% capacity control of the compressor means that the compressor is stopped, that is, forced thermo OFF. Therefore, the capability of the air conditioner 10 can also be suppressed in a stepwise manner by associating each level of the capability suppression level with a value obtained by increasing the level of the capability control of the compressor in a stepwise manner.

  In the demand control system according to the present invention, the air conditioner controller determines and changes the capacity suppression level of the air conditioner based on the required level of the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller. For this reason, optimal demand control according to the situation is executed, which is beneficial for improving comfort and energy saving effect.

5: Demand controller 10: Air conditioner 20, 120: Air conditioner controller 31, 131: Capability suppression level determination unit 32, 132: Control execution unit 136: Condition determination unit 137: Parameter group storage area 100, 200: Demand control system

JP 2009-19853 A

Claims (7)

A capability suppression level determination unit (31, 131) that determines a capability suppression level of the air conditioner (10) according to the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller (5);
A control execution unit (32, 132) for performing capability suppression control of the air conditioner based on the capability suppression level determined by the capability suppression level determination unit;
With
The power suppression signal indicates any of a plurality of request levels with different levels of power suppression required.
The number of levels of the capability suppression level is greater than the number of levels of the plurality of request levels,
The capability suppression level determination unit includes the capability suppression level determined in the past, the request level indicated by the latest power suppression signal that is the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller after determining the capability suppression level, and And determining the capability suppression level by changing the correspondence of the capability suppression level to the required level indicated by the latest power suppression signal.
Air conditioner controller (20, 120). The plurality of request levels include a stop request level that is the request level for requesting the stop of the air conditioner,
When the latest power suppression signal indicates the stop request level, the capability suppression level determination unit changes the association when the change is possible.
The air conditioner controller according to claim 1. The capability suppression level determination unit is configured to reduce the capability suppression level of the capability suppression level associated with the request level in the past so that the request level does not change to the stop request level as much as possible. If the change is possible by changing the level, change the association.
The air conditioner controller according to claim 2. A parameter group storage area for storing a parameter group including at least one of three parameters: a first parameter representing a time zone, a second parameter representing an outside air temperature, and a third parameter representing a degree of deviation between the set temperature and room temperature ( 137),
At least one of whether the first parameter satisfies a predetermined first condition, whether the second parameter satisfies a predetermined second condition, or whether the third parameter satisfies a predetermined third condition A condition determination unit (136) for determining whether
Further comprising
The capability suppression level determination unit changes the association by associating different capability suppression levels with each required level of the power suppression signal according to a result determined by the condition determination unit.
The air conditioner controller according to claim 2 . The parameter group includes the first parameter, the second parameter, and the third parameter,
The condition determination unit determines whether the first parameter satisfies a predetermined first condition, whether the second parameter satisfies a predetermined second condition, and whether the third parameter satisfies a predetermined third condition. Whether or not
The capability suppression level determination unit determines the capability suppression level with a large degree of capability suppression for each required level of the power suppression signal , as the number of the parameters determined by the condition determination unit to satisfy the condition increases. To correspond,
The air conditioner controller according to claim 4. The capability suppression level indicates the degree of change in the set value of the air conditioner.
The air conditioner controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An air conditioner installed in the air conditioning target space;
A demand controller that transmits a power suppression signal to the air conditioner;
The air conditioner controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which performs capacity suppression control of the air conditioner according to the power suppression signal transmitted from the demand controller.
Comprising
Demand control system (100, 200).