JP6941522B2 - Air conditioning control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioning control system that feedback-controls one or more installed air conditioning devices.

As an air-conditioning control technique for performing feedback control, Patent Document 1 describes an air-conditioning control system that measures an indoor temperature of a controlled space and controls an air-conditioning device so that the obtained measured temperature matches a set temperature. ..

In this air-conditioning control system, in order to suppress a rapid increase in power consumption when the air-conditioning equipment is started, arithmetic processing is performed from the measured indoor temperature and set temperature of the controlled object space over a predetermined waiting time from the start of the air-conditioning equipment. The obtained control output value is feedback-controlled by the air conditioner based on the suppressed suppression control output value.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-231523

According to the air-conditioning control system described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to suppress the power consumption at the time of starting by feedback-controlling the room temperature to the set temperature, but the total amount of power consumed by the air-conditioning equipment is appropriate. It could not be reduced to the maximum, and the optimum energy saving effect could not be expected. In addition, such an air conditioning control system is designed to perform feedback control from the stage of manufacturing the air conditioning equipment, and this technology is applied to existing general air conditioning equipment that does not have a feedback control function. It was not possible to set it to control feedback.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control system capable of obtaining an optimum energy saving effect by appropriately feedback-controlling a plurality of air conditioning devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control system capable of feedback control even for a general air conditioning device having no feedback control function.

According to the present invention, the air conditioning control system measures the electric power of at least one indoor unit, at least one outdoor unit connected to at least one indoor unit via a refrigerant circuit, and at least one outdoor unit. At least one current sensor that detects the current and at least one outdoor unit are provided with each of the outdoor units, and the state of the outdoor unit is set to the first state that does not limit the power consumption, and the power consumption is set to a predetermined ratio. Control the demand control means for switching to the second state to limit or the third state to limit the power consumption to almost zero, and the demand control means of at least one outdoor unit, and the power of at least one outdoor unit. It is provided with a feedback control means for switching and controlling the usage amount to a first state, a second state, or a third state. This feedback control means calculates the average load factor of at least one outdoor unit from the current value detected by at least one current sensor, and the control content set according to the calculated average load factor is the at least one outdoor unit. It is configured to control the demand control means of.

Since the average load factor of the outdoor unit is calculated from the current value detected by the current sensor and the outdoor unit is demand-controlled according to the average load factor, the load factor of the air conditioner can be improved. The coefficient of performance COP can be improved, and the optimum energy saving effect can be obtained. Further, since the demand control means provided in each outdoor unit is feedback-controlled and the power consumption is switched between the first state, the second state, and the third state, it has a feedback control function. It is possible to perform feedback control even for general air-conditioning equipment that is not used.

The feedback control means calculates the integrated power consumption value of at least one outdoor unit within the load factor calculation time from the current value detected by at least one current sensor, and the calculated power consumption integrated value and at least one outdoor unit. The average load factor is calculated from the rated power consumption of the machine and the load factor calculation time.
It is preferable that the average load factor is calculated from (integrated power consumption within the load factor calculation time) / (rated power consumption x load factor calculation time).

It is also preferable that the feedback control means is configured to switch and control the power consumption of at least one outdoor unit to the third state when the calculated average load factor is lower than the low load factor threshold value.

It is also preferable that the feedback control means is configured to switch and control the power consumption of at least one outdoor unit to the first state when the calculated average load factor exceeds the high load factor threshold value.

It is further equipped with an indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the building where at least one indoor unit is installed, and the feedback control means is demand control with the control content set based on the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor. It is also preferred that it is configured to control the means.

In this case, the feedback control means predicts the future indoor temperature from the past and present indoor temperatures detected by the indoor temperature sensor, and depending on whether or not the predicted indoor temperature is within the predetermined temperature fluctuation limit range. More preferably, it is configured to control the demand control means.

Further, in this case, the feedback control means changes the power consumption of at least one outdoor unit from the third state to the second state or from the second state when the predicted indoor temperature is not within the temperature fluctuation limit range. It is also preferable that it is configured to switch to the first state and control it.

When the predicted indoor temperature is within the temperature fluctuation limit range and the power consumption of at least one outdoor unit is in the third state, the feedback control means sets the power consumption of at least one outdoor unit to the third state. It is also preferable that the state is configured to switch from the state to the second state for control.

According to the present invention, the load factor of the air conditioner can be improved, the coefficient of performance COP by the outdoor unit can be improved, and the optimum energy saving effect can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to perform feedback control even for general air conditioners that do not have a feedback control function.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic the whole system configuration in one Embodiment of the air-conditioning control system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the signal between each element in the air-conditioning control system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the load factor of the air-conditioning equipment (air conditioner) controlled by the air-conditioning control system of FIG. 1 and COP. It is a flowchart which shows outline the processing flow of the whole control in the air-conditioning control system of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a partial processing flow of feedback control in the air conditioning control system of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a partial processing flow of feedback control in the air conditioning control system of FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining an example of the prediction method of the future room temperature in the air-conditioning control system of FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of contact control in the air-conditioning control system of FIG. It is a figure explaining an example of the transition of the actual load factor in the air-conditioning control system of FIG.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall system configuration in one embodiment of the air conditioning control system of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a signal flow between each element in the air conditioning control system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning control system of the present embodiment is installed outdoors with an indoor unit 11 provided in the building 10, and is connected to the indoor unit 11 via a refrigerant circuit 12. It is equipped with an outdoor unit 13. In the illustrated example, a single indoor unit 11 is provided in the building 10, and one air conditioner is composed of the indoor unit 11 and the single outdoor unit 13, but a plurality of indoor units are simply used. It may correspond to one outdoor unit. It should be noted that a plurality of indoor units are provided in the building 10 and a plurality of outdoor units corresponding to the indoor units are provided outdoors so that they can be grouped and controlled separately (group control). Is also good. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, a plurality of outdoor units are provided in addition to the outdoor unit 13, and each outdoor unit is a refrigerant circuit in a single or a plurality of indoor units provided in a building (not shown). It is connected via.

Inside the building 10, an indoor temperature sensor 14 for detecting the indoor temperature and a distribution board 15 for the corresponding outdoor unit 13 or its input / output electric wire are attached to measure the electric energy of the outdoor unit 13. A current sensor (CT sensor) 16 for detecting a current and a gateway device (GW device) 17 connected to the indoor temperature sensor 14 and the CT sensor 16 are provided. In the present embodiment, the indoor temperature information detected by the indoor temperature sensor 14 is configured to be wirelessly transmitted to the GW device 17, and the current information detected by the CT sensor 16 is transmitted to the GW device 17 by wire. It is configured to be.

Outside the building 10, an outdoor temperature sensor 18 for detecting the outdoor temperature and a gateway device (GW device) 19 connected to the outdoor temperature sensor 18 are further provided. In the present embodiment, the outdoor temperature information detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 18 is configured to be wirelessly transmitted to the GW device 19. The GW devices 17 and 19 are connected to the IPC cloud server 20 which is a server on the cloud using an IPC (interprocess communication) channel via a high-speed wireless line adopting LTE (next-generation high-speed mobile communication standard) or the like. Has been done.

Further, a demand control device 21 for sending a contact signal for demand control is connected by wire to the control terminals of contact control interfaces (for example, demand adapters) of a plurality of outdoor units including the outdoor unit 13. The demand control device 21 is connected to the IPC cloud server 20 via a high-speed wireless line that employs LTE or the like, and various contact signals are obtained based on the schedule control information and the time sent from the IPC cloud server 20. Has a computer function to create and output.

In the present embodiment, the demand control device 21 is provided with another demand control device connected by a LAN, and each demand control device is a demand control terminal of a plurality of (up to eight in the present embodiment) outdoor units. Are each connected by wire. Of course, other demand control devices may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control information (feedback control information and schedule control information) of the air conditioning control system is registered in advance in the IPC cloud server 20, and further, the target outdoor unit for designating the outdoor unit to be controlled is specified. Initial setting information including control initial setting information such as machine information and measurement initial setting information such as information for designating an indoor temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, and a CT sensor to be measured are registered. The IPC cloud server 20 sends control initial setting information such as target outdoor unit information to the demand control device 21 at the time of initial setting, and feedback control information and schedule control information of the outdoor unit are sent. It is configured. On the contrary, the demand control device 21 sends the control state information indicating the control state of the controlled air conditioner, that is, the control state of the outdoor unit 13 to the IPC cloud server 20. Further, the IPC cloud server 20 sends measurement initial setting information such as indoor temperature sensor, outdoor temperature sensor, and CT sensor information to the GW devices 17 and 19 at the time of initial setting. The indoor temperature sensor 14 measures the temperature in the initially set measurement target area, that is, in the building 10 (indoor) in the present embodiment, and the measurement result is sent from the GW device 17 to the IPC cloud server 20. The CT sensor measures the current of the air-conditioning device to be measured, which is initially set, and the outdoor unit 13 in the present embodiment, and the measurement result is sent from the GW device 17 to the IPC cloud server 20. The outdoor temperature sensor 18 measures the outdoor temperature, and the measurement result is sent from the GW device 19 to the IPC cloud server 20.

The IPC cloud server 20 includes a plurality of GW devices including GW devices 17 and 19, a plurality of demand control devices including a demand control device 21, a wireless communication device that sends and receives information and instructions via a high-speed wireless line, and a server main body. It is equipped with a control program of the server body and a database that stores control information for each air conditioning device (outdoor unit), and is stored in the detection signals from the indoor temperature sensor, outdoor temperature sensor, and CT sensor, as well as in the database. A contact signal is created based on the control information provided, and demand control of each outdoor unit is performed. This demand control performs feedback control according to the operating state, and changes the state of the outdoor unit to the first state (contact 0 control, 100% control, no demand control) that does not limit the amount of power used, and uses power. Switch to the second state (contact 1 control, for example 40% control) that limits the amount to a predetermined ratio, or the third state (contact 2 control, for example thermo-off) that limits the power consumption to almost zero, and each outdoor Feedback control is performed with the control content set to improve the coefficient of performance COP by the machine. In the present embodiment, the state of the outdoor unit is controlled into three states of a first state, a second state, and a third state, but the number of controlled states is limited to three in this way. It is not something that is done, and it may be four or more. Further, although the second state is controlled by 40%, this ratio may be another value exceeding 0% and less than 100%, for example, 70%. Further, the third state may be 40% control instead of thermo-off. Further, the control time of the first state, the second state and the third state is not limited to the time described later.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the load factor of the air conditioning equipment (outdoor unit, air conditioner) controlled by the air conditioning control system of the present embodiment and the coefficient of performance COP. By performing demand control of the outdoor unit based on the feedback control information according to the operating state as described above, the air conditioner is not operated in the area 30 with an inefficient load factor where the COP ratio is 1.0 or less. , It can be operated in a high COP area where the COP ratio exceeds 1.0 (area 31 with an efficient load factor, area where the load factor is around 50%).

The coefficient of performance COP (Coefficient of Performance) is an index indicating the consumption efficiency of the air conditioner, and is a value indicating the amount of electric power used to keep the air at a constant temperature, and is calculated by the following formula.
COP = (rated cooling or heating capacity (kW)) / (rated power consumption (kW))
The higher the COP value, the more efficiently the air conditioning is performed, and the lower the COP value, the lower the efficiency. Therefore, if feedback control is performed so as to improve COP, it is possible to reduce the amount of power used for air conditioning. That is, if feedback control is performed so that the COP ratio exceeds 1.0, the room temperature can be controlled to a predetermined set temperature, the total amount of electric power can be reduced, and the optimum energy saving effect can be obtained. ..

FIG. 4 schematically shows a processing flow of the entire control in the air conditioning control system of the present embodiment. The server main body of the IPC cloud server 20 executes control processing as shown in the figure according to an installed control program at predetermined processing intervals, for example, at 1-minute intervals.

First, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to perform the air conditioning control of the present embodiment in the entire system (step S1). When the entire air conditioning control is not required (NO), this control process is terminated. When overall air conditioning control is required (YES), the air conditioning equipment (outdoor unit) to be controlled is determined (step S2). Next, referring to the database, it is determined whether or not the controlled area of the air conditioner is an area to be controlled, that is, whether or not the control of the air conditioner is necessary (step S3). When it is determined that the air conditioner is an air conditioner in an area where control is not performed (NO), the process proceeds to step S7 described later.

In step S3, when it is determined that the air conditioner is an air conditioner in an area to be controlled (YES), it is determined whether or not the control is feedback control (step S4). When it is determined that the feedback control is performed (YES), the process proceeds to step S5, and the feedback control shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b described later is executed (step S5). If it is determined that the control is not feedback control (NO), the process proceeds to step S6 and the schedule control is executed.

Schedule control is a first state in which the power consumption of the outdoor unit is not limited by the control contents preset according to the season and time so that the coefficient of performance COP ratio by the outdoor unit exceeds 1.0. Demand control is performed to switch to a second state that limits the amount of power used to a predetermined ratio or a third state that limits the amount of power used to almost zero. For example, from winter morning to a predetermined time in the morning, the demand is controlled so that the first state is first and then the second state is repeated, or from noon to the time in the summer, the demand is controlled. Demand control is performed so that first, the first state is reached, and then the second state is repeated. This schedule control is performed when the feedback control of the present invention cannot be performed, for example, when the rating information of the outdoor unit is unknown, the electric energy of the outdoor unit cannot be measured, or the indoor temperature cannot be measured. NS.

After the feedback control process in step S5 or the schedule control process in step S6, it is determined whether or not this control is performed for all the air conditioners (step S7), and it is determined that the control is not performed for all the air conditioners. (In the case of NO), the process returns to step S2 and the above process is repeated. If it is determined in step S7 that control has been performed for all the air conditioners (YES), this control process ends.

Next, the feedback control process of step S5 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b. The programs shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b are control programs executed in step S5 of the control program of FIG.

This feedback control is to feedback control the contents of the demand control from the average load factor of the outdoor unit and the future room temperature predicted from the tendency of the room temperature. Table 1 shows the relationship between the control state of the outdoor unit, the contacts, and the setting contents in the present embodiment and its modified mode.

In FIG. 5a, first, it is determined whether or not the outdoor temperature information from the outdoor temperature sensor 18 can be acquired (step S51). When it is determined that the outdoor temperature information can be acquired (YES), the outdoor temperature information is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the outdoor temperature information is equal to or lower than the predetermined cooling / heating switching temperature (step S52). The cooling / heating switching temperature can be arbitrarily set and is merely an example, but for example, 15 ° C. is set. When it is determined that the outdoor temperature is equal to or lower than the cooling / heating switching temperature (YES), the average load factor is calculated using the rated power consumption of the heating (step S53). When it is determined in step S52 that the outdoor temperature exceeds the cooling / heating switching temperature (NO), the average load factor is calculated using the rated power consumption of the cooling (step S54).

On the other hand, in step S51, for example, when it is determined that the outdoor temperature sensor 18 is not installed or the outdoor temperature sensor 18 cannot be communicated and the outdoor temperature information cannot be acquired (NO), the day is set for each area. It is determined whether or not the heating period has been increased (step S55). As a mere example, in Tokyo, the heating period is set, for example, from November 1st to March 31st, and the cooling period is set, for example, from April 1st to October 31st. When it is determined that the heating period is reached (YES), the average load factor is calculated using the rated power consumption of the heating (step S56). If it is determined in step S55 that the cooling period is in effect (NO), the average load factor is calculated using the rated power consumption of the cooling (step S57).

The average load factor is calculated from the following equation by calculating the power consumption integrated value from the current value detected by the CT sensor 16 and using the calculated power usage integrated value.
Average load factor (%) = {Integrated power consumption within load factor calculation time (minutes)} x 100 / {Rated power consumption (kW) for heating or cooling x Load factor calculation time (minutes) / 60 (Minute)}

For example, when the rated power consumption of the air conditioner is 10 kW, the load factor calculation time is 3 minutes, and the integrated power consumption within the load factor calculation time of the air conditioner is 0.2 kWh during cooling.
Average load factor = 0.2 / (10 x 3/60) x 100
= (0.2 / 0.5) x 100
= 40 (%)
Will be.

After calculating the average load factor in step S53, step S54, step S56 or step S57, the process proceeds to step S58. In this step S58, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to continue the thermo-off when the current control state of the outdoor unit is the third state, that is, the thermo-off of the contact 2 control. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the current control state is thermo-off and the duration of the thermo-off is less than the predetermined thermo-off continuous time. In the present embodiment, which is merely an example, the thermo-off continuous time is set to, for example, 20 minutes. This time is set to a predetermined value up to 60 minutes.

In step S58, when it is determined that the current control state is thermo-off (contact 2 control) and the duration of the thermo-off is less than the thermo-off continuous time (YES), the feedback control process in step S5 of FIG. 4 is performed. finish. As a result, when the thermo-off continuous time is less than, the thermo-off is maintained without changing the control.

If it is determined in step S58 that the current control state is not thermo-off, or if it is determined that the thermo-off is longer than the thermo-off continuous time (NO), the process proceeds to the next step S59. .. In thermo-off, the compressor of the outdoor unit is stopped, so from the viewpoint of equipment protection, and since the average load factor is almost 0%, it is not possible to correctly judge the use of air conditioning based on this average load factor. If the duration of is longer than the time recommended by the manufacturer of the air conditioner (thermo-off continuous time), the thermo-off is canceled.

In step S59, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to continue the contact 1 control or the contact 2 control when the current control state is other than the thermo-off and the contact 1 control or the contact 2 control. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the current control state is contact 1 control or contact 2 control and the duration of the current control state is less than the predetermined output control duration. In this embodiment, the output control duration is set to, for example, 5 minutes, which is merely an example. This time is set to a predetermined value up to 60 minutes.

In step S59, when it is determined that the current control state is contact 1 control or contact 2 control and the duration of the current control state is less than the predetermined output control duration (yes), FIG. 4 The feedback control process in step S5 of the above is finished. As a result, when the contact 1 control or the contact 2 control is less than the output control duration, the current control state is maintained without changing the control.

In step S59, it is determined that the current control state is other than thermo-off and it is not contact 1 control or contact 2 control, or it is contact 1 control or contact 2 control and its duration is equal to or longer than the output control duration. If it is determined (NO), the process proceeds to the next step S60. If the contact is changed too much, it may lead to the failure of the air conditioner. Therefore, if the duration of contact 1 control or contact 2 control exceeds the predetermined output control duration, contact 1 control or contact 2 is used. The control is released.

In step S60, when the current control state is forced demand control, it is determined whether or not the forced demand control needs to be continued. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the current control state is forced demand control and the duration of the control state is less than the predetermined forced demand control time. In this embodiment, although it is only an example, the forced demand control time is set to, for example, 10 minutes. This time is set to a predetermined value up to 60 minutes.

Note that forced demand control is a known technique for forcibly controlling demand so as to reduce contract power by controlling maximum demand, which is the maximum value of the average power value for 30 minutes measured by a demand meter of an electric power company. Is. For example, at peak times in midsummer and midwinter, air conditioners often operate under high loads and are likely to generate maximum demand power. Therefore, when the contact 0 control (100% control) is continuously operated for 20 minutes, for example, the demand is forcibly controlled in the next 10 minutes to automatically suppress the demand.

In step S60, when it is determined that the current control state is forced demand control and the duration of the control state is less than the predetermined forced demand control time (YES), the feedback control in step S5 of FIG. 4 is performed. End the process. As a result, when the forced demand control is less than the forced demand control time, the current control state is maintained without changing the control.

In step S60, when it is determined that the current control state is not forced demand control, or it is determined that it is forced demand control and its duration is equal to or longer than the forced demand control time (NO), the next step. Proceed to S61. Since it is desirable that the forced demand control be performed for a short time, the forced demand control is canceled when the duration of the forced demand control exceeds the predetermined forced demand control time.

In step S61, it is determined whether or not the outdoor unit is stopped. Specifically, the current control state is contact 0 control or contact 1 control, or contact 2 control that is not thermo-off (in the modified mode, 40% control is set as contact 2 control. In this embodiment, contact 2 control is used. It is determined whether or not the load factor is set to thermo-off) and the average load factor is less than the predetermined stop load factor. In this embodiment, the stop load factor is set to, for example, 3%, which is merely an example.

In step S61, when it is determined that the current control state is contact 0 control or contact 1 control, or contact 2 control that is not thermo-off, and the average load factor is less than a predetermined stop load factor (YES). It is determined that the outdoor unit is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S62 to change to contact 0 control. After that, the feedback control process in step S5 of FIG. 4 ends. As a result, when the outdoor unit is stopped, it is changed to contact 0 control (100% control). That is, when it is inferred that the air conditioner is not used at night or on holidays, the contact control is canceled (reset) and 100% control is set to determine the load factor of the air conditioner at the start of use of the air conditioner the next day or the like. I am trying to do it.

In step S61, it is determined that the current control state is not contact 0 control or contact 1 control, it is determined that it is not contact 2 control other than thermo-off, or it is not contact 0 control or contact 1 control, or thermo-off. If it is determined that the contact 2 is controlled and the average load factor is equal to or higher than the stop load factor (NO), the air conditioner has not stopped, so the process proceeds to the next step S63.

In step S63, it is determined whether or not forced demand control is required for this outdoor unit. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the contact 0 control is continuously continued for a predetermined demand time period (0 to 20 minutes, 30 to 50 minutes) in one hour.

If it is determined in step S63 that forced demand control is necessary (YES), the process proceeds to step S64 to perform forced demand control. After that, the feedback control process in step S5 of FIG. 4 ends. If it is determined in step S63 that forced demand control is unnecessary (NO), the process proceeds to step S65 in FIG. 5b.

In step S65, it is determined whether or not the temperature information from the indoor temperature sensor 14 can be acquired. When it is determined that the indoor temperature information can be acquired (YES), it is determined whether or not the acquired indoor temperature is within the temperature range specified by the predetermined upper limit value and lower limit value (step S66). .. In this embodiment, the upper limit value and the lower limit value in this case are set to a room temperature upper limit value, for example, 28 ° C. and a room temperature lower limit value, for example, 17 ° C. specified by the Industrial Safety and Health Act. When it is determined that the room temperature is within the temperature range defined by the predetermined upper limit value and lower limit value (yes), the process proceeds to step S67 to predict the future room temperature.

On the other hand, in step S65, for example, when it is determined that the room temperature sensor 14 is not installed or the room temperature sensor 14 cannot be communicated and the room temperature information cannot be acquired (NO), the process proceeds to step S72 to the current state. It is determined whether or not the control state is contact 2 control.

Further, in step S66, when it is determined that the acquired indoor temperature is not within the temperature range defined by the predetermined upper limit value and lower limit value (NO), the process proceeds to step S69 and the current control state is the contact point 2. Determine if it is a control.

The prediction of the future room temperature in step S67 is performed as follows. _{That is, from the room temperature T 0} measured at the reference time point before a predetermined time (temperature fluctuation calculation interval) from the present time _{and the room temperature T 1} measured at the present time, the room at a future time point (after the temperature fluctuation prediction time from the reference time point). Predict temperature T _2. This prediction is calculated by the following proportional formula.
T ₂ = (T ₁ −T ₀ ) × (Temperature fluctuation prediction time / Temperature fluctuation calculation interval) + T ₀
Here, an example of the temperature fluctuation calculation interval is, for example, 5 minutes, and an example of the temperature fluctuation prediction time is, for example, 30 minutes.

In the next step S68, it is determined whether or not the predicted future room temperature is within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature. This temperature fluctuation limit range is set to, for example, ± 2 ° C. In step S68, when it is determined that the room temperature in the future is not within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature (NO), the process proceeds to step S69 to determine whether or not the current control state is contact 2 control. ..

If it is determined in step S69 that the current control state is contact 2 control (YES), the process proceeds to step S70, the control state is changed from the current contact 2 control to contact 1 control, and step S5 in FIG. Ends the feedback control process in. In this way, when a strong control called contact 2 control (thermo off) is performed, contact 1 control (40% control) is used, and the control is temporarily weakened to observe the situation. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current control state is not contact 2 control (NO), the process proceeds to step S71, the control state is changed from the current contact 1 or 0 control to contact 0 control, and step S5 in FIG. Ends the feedback control process in. In this way, if the room temperature is not within the temperature range specified by the upper and lower limits of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, or if the room temperature in the future is not within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature, the control state is set to contact 0. Weakened to control or contact 1 control.

On the other hand, in step S68, when it is determined that the room temperature in the future is within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature (YES), the process proceeds to step S72 to determine whether or not the current control state is contact 2 control. do. If it is determined in step S72 that the current control state is contact 2 control (YES), the process proceeds to step S73, the control state is changed from the current contact 2 control to contact 1 control, and the step of FIG. The feedback control process in S5 is terminated. In this way, if the room temperature in the future is within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature and strong control called contact 2 control (thermo-off) is performed, contact 1 control (40% control) is used, and the control is temporarily weakened. I see.

If it is determined in step S72 that the current control state is not contact 2 control (NO), the current control state is contact 1 or 0 control, but the process proceeds to step S74 and the calculated average load factor is calculated in advance. It is determined whether or not the load factor is less than the specified low load factor threshold. The low load factor threshold is a threshold for determining the low load operation of the air conditioner, and is set to, for example, 25%, which is only an example.

If it is determined in step S74 that the average load factor <low load factor threshold value (YES), the load is low, so the process proceeds to step S75 to control contact 1 or 0, which is the current control state, with contact 2. Is changed to, and the feedback control process in step S5 of FIG. 4 is completed. When the air conditioner is operated with a considerably low load in this way, the control is strengthened. If it is determined in step S74 that the average load factor is not less than the low load factor threshold (NO), the process proceeds to step S76 to determine whether or not the current control state is contact 0 control.

If it is determined in step S76 that the current control state is not contact 0 control (NO), the current control state is contact 1 control, but the process proceeds to step S77 to obtain the current control state. The contact 1 control is changed to the contact 0 control, and the feedback control process in step S5 of FIG. 4 is completed.

If it is determined in step S76 that the current control state is contact 0 control (YES), the current control state is contact 0 control, but the process proceeds to step S78 and the calculated average load factor is calculated. It is determined whether or not it is less than the predetermined high load factor threshold value. The high load factor threshold is a threshold for determining the high load operation of the air conditioner, and is set to, for example, 75%, which is only an example.

When it is determined in step S78 that the average load factor> the high load factor threshold value (YES), the load is high, so the process proceeds to step S77 to maintain the current control state at contact 0 control, and FIG. The feedback control process in step S5 ends. If it is determined in step S78 that the average load factor is not equal to the high load factor threshold value (NO), the load is medium, so the process proceeds to step S79 to change the contact 0 control, which is the current control state, to the contact 1 control. Then, the feedback control process in step S5 of FIG. 4 is completed.

As described above, according to the processes of steps S74 to S79, when the room temperature in the future is within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature and the air conditioner is in a considerably low load operation, strong control is performed as contact 2 control (thermo-off). In the future, if the room temperature is within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature and the air conditioner is in medium load operation that is neither low load operation nor high load operation, a slightly weaker control is performed as contact 1 control (40% control), and in the future When the room temperature is within the temperature fluctuation limit range from the current room temperature and the air conditioner is in a considerably high load operation, the control state is weakened to contact 0 control (100% control).

FIG. 7 shows an operation example of the air conditioning control system of the present embodiment, and an example of actual contact control in this air conditioning control system will be described below with reference to the same figure.

When the power of the air conditioner that had contact 0 control (100% control) was turned on at some point due to the stop at night, it was determined that the room temperature at that time was not within the temperature range specified by the upper and lower limits. In this case, contact 0 control (100% control) is continued (see steps S66, S69 and S71 in FIG. 5b). When the contact 0 control (100% control) is continuously performed during the demand time period (0 to 20 minutes, 30 to 50 minutes), the forced demand control is performed (see steps S63 and S64 in FIG. 5a). ..

After that, if the room temperature is within the temperature range specified by the upper and lower limits, and the room temperature is also within the temperature fluctuation limit range in the future, but the average load factor is medium load, contact 0 control (100% control). Is changed to contact 1 control (40% control) (see steps S65, S66, S67, S68, S72, S74, S76, S78 and S79 in FIG. 5b). If the duration of this contact 1 control (40% control) is less than the output control duration, the control state is maintained (see step S59 in FIG. 5a).

After that, if the room temperature is within the temperature range specified by the upper and lower limits, and the room temperature is also within the temperature fluctuation limit range in the future, but the average load factor is low, contact 1 control (40% control). Is changed to contact 2 control (thermo-off) (see steps S65, S66, S67, S68, S72, S74 and S75 in FIG. 5b). If the duration of the contact 2 control (thermo-off) is less than the thermo-off continuous time, the control state is maintained (see step S58 in FIG. 5a).

After that, when the room temperature falls outside the temperature fluctuation limit range in the future, the contact 2 control (thermo-off) is changed to the contact 1 control (40% control) (see steps S68, S69 and S70 in FIG. 5b). If the duration of this contact 1 control (40% control) is less than the output control duration, the control state is maintained (see step S59 in FIG. 5a).

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the transition of the actual load factor in the air conditioning control system of the present embodiment.

If there is no feedback control of the present embodiment, the load factor is controlled to take a value in the vicinity of 20 to 30%. On the other hand, when the feedback control of the present embodiment was performed, the load factor was controlled to a value of 0 to 50%. For example, when the load factor is low, the contact 2 control (thermo off) is performed, and when the duration reaches the thermo off continuous time, the contact 2 control (thermo off) is released. If the duration of the load factor is less than the output control duration, it was changed to contact 1 control (40% control). After that, when the load factor was low, contact 2 control (thermo off) was performed. By performing such feedback control, the load factor was improved by about 17%.

As described in detail above, according to the air-conditioning control system of the present embodiment, the IPC cloud server 20 integrates the power consumption of the outdoor unit 13 from the current value detected by the CT sensor 16 for the target building 10. Is calculated, the average load factor is calculated, and the outdoor unit 13 is demand-controlled according to the average load factor. Therefore, the load factor of the air conditioner can be improved, and the coefficient of performance COP by the outdoor unit 13 can be improved. Can be improved so as to exceed 1.0, and an optimum energy saving effect can be obtained.

All of the above-described embodiments are exemplary and not limited to the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in various other modifications and modifications. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

10 Building 11 Indoor unit 12 Refrigerant circuit 13 Outdoor unit 14 Indoor temperature sensor 15 Distribution board 16 CT sensor 17, 19 GW device 18 Outdoor temperature sensor 20 IPC cloud server 21 Demand control device

Claims (7)

At least one indoor unit, at least one outdoor unit connected to the at least one indoor unit via a refrigerant circuit, and at least one that detects a current to measure the electric power of the at least one outdoor unit. The state of the outdoor unit provided in each of the two current sensors and the at least one outdoor unit is a first state that does not limit the power consumption, a second state that limits the power consumption to a predetermined ratio, or power. The demand control means for switching to the third state that limits the usage amount to almost zero, and the demand control means of the at least one outdoor unit are controlled, and the power consumption amount of the at least one outdoor unit is controlled by the first. It is provided with a feedback control means for switching and controlling the state of 1, the second state, or the third state.
The feedback control means calculates the average load factor of the at least one outdoor unit from the current value detected by the at least one current sensor, and the at least one of the control contents is set according to the calculated average load factor. It is configured to control the demand control means of the outdoor unit, and further, the integrated power consumption value of the at least one outdoor unit within the load factor calculation time is calculated from the current value detected by the at least one current sensor. The average load factor is calculated from the calculated integrated power consumption value, the rated power consumption of at least one outdoor unit, and the load factor calculation time.
An air conditioning control system characterized in that it is configured to be calculated from average load factor = (integrated value of power consumption within load factor calculation time) / (rated power consumption x load factor calculation time). The feedback control means is configured to switch and control the power consumption of at least one outdoor unit to the third state when the calculated average load factor is lower than the low load factor threshold value. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1. The feedback control means is configured to switch and control the power consumption of at least one outdoor unit to the first state when the calculated average load factor exceeds the high load factor threshold value. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1. An indoor temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the building in which the at least one indoor unit is installed is further provided, and the feedback control means has a control content set based on the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor. The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the demand control means is configured to control the demand control means. The feedback control means predicts the future indoor temperature from the past and present indoor temperatures detected by the indoor temperature sensor, and depending on whether or not the predicted indoor temperature is within a predetermined temperature fluctuation limit range. The air conditioning control system according to claim 4 , wherein the demand control means is configured to be controlled. When the predicted indoor temperature is not within the temperature fluctuation limit range, the feedback control means changes the power consumption of the at least one outdoor unit from the third state to the second state or the second state. The air conditioning control system according to claim 5 , wherein the air conditioning control system is configured to switch and control the state to the first state. When the predicted indoor temperature is within the temperature fluctuation limit range and the power consumption of the at least one outdoor unit is in the third state, the feedback control means uses the power of the at least one outdoor unit. The air conditioning control system according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the amount is switched and controlled from the third state to the second state.

Images