JP7463787B2 - Air Conditioning System - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to air conditioning systems.

There is a known air conditioning device that blows air at different speeds to the upper and lower parts of a person while the person is working (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. WO 2018/154660

In this way, the air conditioning system shown in Patent Document 1 aims to improve the workability of people engaged in intellectual production work by blowing air at them. However, continuously blowing air on a person may cause the person to feel thermally uncomfortable.

The present disclosure has been made to solve these problems. Its purpose is to provide an air conditioning system that can simultaneously support the intellectual production work, etc. of the subjects in the air-conditioned space and regulate the temperature environment within the space.

The air conditioning system of the present disclosure comprises an air conditioning means for blowing air into a target space and capable of changing the temperature and direction of the airflow, and a control means for controlling the operation of the air conditioning means and performing a first control for causing the air conditioning means to adjust the temperature environment of the air in the target space, and a second control for causing the air conditioning means to blow air towards the upper body of a person in the target space, wherein the control means switches to the first control when a first control switching condition set in advance is satisfied in the second control, and the first control switching condition is that the thermal sensation of the person in the target space becomes hotter or colder than a certain level from neutral , and the thermal sensation of the person in the target space is determined by at least one of the surface temperature of the person in the target space and the temperature of the air in the target space.

The air conditioning system disclosed herein has the effect of being able to simultaneously support the intellectual production work of the subjects in the air-conditioned space and regulate the temperature environment within the space.

1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a target space of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of control in summer of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of control in winter of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment.

The embodiment for implementing the air conditioning system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. In the following description, for convenience, the positional relationship of each structure may be expressed based on the illustrated state. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and the embodiments may be freely combined, any component of each embodiment may be modified, or any component of each embodiment may be omitted, within the scope of the spirit of the present disclosure.

Embodiment 1.
A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a target space of an air conditioning system. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioning device. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the air conditioning system. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of control of the air conditioning system in summer. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of control of the air conditioning system in winter. And Fig. 6 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the air conditioning system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system according to this embodiment includes air conditioning equipment 10. The air conditioning equipment 10 is configured to air-condition a target space 1 as shown in the figure. The target space 1 is, for example, the interior space of a room. The air conditioning equipment 10 is installed on a wall or ceiling surface of the room related to the target space 1. In the configuration example described here, the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed on a wall surface.

The air conditioning equipment 10 is an equipment that conditions the air in the target space 1 by adjusting the temperature of the air in the target space 1. The air conditioning equipment 10 is capable of air conditioning operations including one or both of cooling operation and heating operation. The air conditioning equipment 10 may also be capable of one or more of dehumidification operation, humidification operation, and fan operation.

The air conditioner 10 of this embodiment is an indoor unit of an air conditioner. Next, the configuration of the air conditioner 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in the figure, the air conditioner 10 has a housing 11. The housing 11 is a hollow box-shaped member. The housing 11 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long horizontally and has a diagonal cutout from the front to the bottom.

An intake port 12 is formed on the top surface of the housing 11. The intake port 12 is an opening for taking in air from the outside into the inside of the housing 11. An exhaust port 13 is formed on the bottom surface of the air conditioning device 10. The exhaust port 13 is an opening for discharging air from the inside of the housing 11 to the outside. The front side of the housing 11 is covered with a front panel 19.

Inside the housing 11, an air passage is formed that runs from the air inlet 12 to the air outlet 13. A pre-filter 18 is installed in the air inlet 12. The pre-filter 18 is used to remove relatively large particles of dirt, dust, and other debris from the air that enters the air conditioner 10 from the air inlet 12.

A heat exchanger 14 is installed on the leeward side of the pre-filter 18 in the aforementioned air duct. The heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat with the air flowing through the aforementioned air duct, heating or cooling the air flowing through the aforementioned air duct. Whether the air is heated or cooled depends on whether the air conditioner 10 is in heating or cooling operation.

A drain pan 17 is provided inside the housing 11. The drain pan 17 is disposed below the heat exchanger 14. The drain pan 17 is for receiving condensed water generated on the surface of the fins of the heat exchanger 14.

A blower fan 15 is installed on the leeward side of the heat exchanger 14 in the aforementioned air passage. The blower fan 15 is for generating an air flow in the aforementioned air passage that flows from the intake port 12 to the exhaust port 13.

Louvers 16 are provided at the air outlet 13. The louvers 16 are for adjusting the blowing angle of the air blown out from the air outlet 13. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, the louvers 16 are shown as upper and lower air direction vanes. The upper and lower air direction vanes of the louvers 16 are installed on the front and rear sides when viewed from the front side of the housing 11. The upper and lower air direction vanes on the front and rear sides are each divided into left and right. By changing the orientation of the upper and lower air direction vanes of the louvers 16, the air conditioning equipment 10 can change the blowing direction from up to down.

Although not shown here, the louvers 16 also have left and right air deflectors. The left and right air deflectors are used to adjust the left and right blowing angle of the air blown out from the air outlet 13.

When the blower fan 15 operates, an airflow from the intake port 12 to the exhaust port 13 is generated in the aforementioned air passage, and air is sucked in from the intake port 12 and blown out from the exhaust port 13. The air sucked in from the intake port 12 becomes an airflow that passes through the aforementioned air passage inside the housing 11, passing through the pre-filter 18, the heat exchanger 14, and the blower fan 15 in that order, and is then blown out from the exhaust port 13. At this time, the direction of the wind blown out from the exhaust port 13, i.e., the blowing direction, is adjusted by the up-down and left-right air deflectors of the louvers 16 arranged on the downwind side of the blower fan 15.

The air conditioner 10 configured as described above blows air into the target space 1. The air conditioner 10 can change the temperature and direction of the airflow it blows. The air conditioner 10, which is an indoor unit, is connected to an outdoor unit (not shown) of the air conditioner. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner is equipped with a compressor 20 and the like (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2). The air conditioner 10 of this embodiment, particularly the blower fan 15, the louvers 16, and the refrigerant circuit including the heat exchanger 14 and the compressor 20, constitute an air conditioning means that blows air into the target space 1 and can change the temperature and direction of the airflow it blows.

In the configuration example described here, the air conditioning system further includes a ventilation device 30. The ventilation device 30 is installed on a wall or ceiling surface of a room related to the target space 1. In the configuration example described here, the ventilation device 30 is installed on a wall surface. The ventilation device 30 blows air taken in from outside the target space 1 into the target space 1. The ventilation device 30 includes a ventilation fan 31. When the ventilation fan 31 operates, the ventilation device 30 blows air outside the target space 1 into the target space 1. The ventilation device 30 in this embodiment is a ventilation means that blows air taken in from outside the target space 1 into the target space 1. Note that the air conditioning system does not need to include the ventilation device 30.

Next, the configuration of the air conditioning system according to this embodiment will be described further with reference to FIG. 3. The air conditioning system according to this embodiment includes a control device 200. The control device 200 includes an information acquisition unit 201, an environmental state acquisition unit 211, an occupant state acquisition unit 212, and a control unit 220. The control device 200 is configured with an electric circuit including, for example, a microcomputer. When the control device 200 includes a microcomputer, the control device 200 includes a processor and a memory. A control program is stored in the memory. The processor reads out and executes the program stored in the memory.

When the processor executes the control program, the control device 200 executes preset processing to control the operation of the air conditioning system. In particular, when the processor executes the program stored in the memory, the functions of each of the information acquisition unit 201, environmental state acquisition unit 211, occupant state acquisition unit 212, and control unit 220, which will be described later, are realized.

The information acquisition unit 201 acquires necessary information from an information source. In the configuration example described here, the information source of the information acquisition unit 201 is an environmental information sensor 110. The environmental information sensor 110 is a sensor that detects information about the environment inside and outside the target space 1 of the air conditioning system. The environmental information sensor 110 includes a room temperature sensor 111 and an outside air temperature sensor 112. The room temperature sensor 111 is a first temperature detection means that detects the temperature of the air in the target space 1 as environmental information. The outside air temperature sensor 112 is a second temperature detection means that detects the temperature outside the target space 1 as environmental information. The temperature of the air outside the target space 1 (outside air temperature) detected by the outside air temperature sensor 112 is the temperature of the air taken into the target space 1 by the ventilation device 30. The environmental information sensor 110 may also include, for example, a humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the air in the target space 1, a carbon dioxide sensor that detects the carbon dioxide concentration of the air in the target space 1, and the like. The information acquisition unit 201 acquires the detected environmental information from the environmental information sensor 110.

Further information sources for the information acquisition unit 201 include a surface temperature sensor 121 and a biological information sensor 122. As shown in FIG. 1, the surface temperature sensor 121 is provided in, for example, the air conditioning equipment 10. The surface temperature sensor 121 includes, for example, a plurality of thermopiles arranged in one direction. Each of the plurality of thermopiles has an element capable of individually receiving infrared light and detecting temperature. The surface temperature sensor 121 can change the orientation of the plurality of thermopiles in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned one direction. In this way, the surface temperature sensor 121 can detect the surface temperature within a predetermined target range by scanning each of the plurality of thermopiles arranged in one direction. It is desirable for this target range to cover the entirety of the target space 1.

Instead of a thermopile, the surface temperature sensor 121 may be equipped with an uncooled infrared image sensor using an SOI (Silicon on Insulator) diode method. In the case of the SOI diode method, since a silicon diode is used for the sensor portion, it can be manufactured only on a silicon semiconductor line, and this has the advantage of low production costs.

With this configuration, the surface temperature sensor 121 scans the target range described above and acquires the surface temperature distribution within the range in a non-contact manner. The detection results of the surface temperature sensor 121, i.e., the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the surface temperature sensor 121, can be processed by the control device 200 described below, etc., to detect, for example, the temperature difference from the background, the presence or absence and position of heat sources including a person (subject 2) in the room, the surface skin temperature of the human body, parts of the human body (exposed and unexposed parts of the skin, head, etc.), etc.

The perceived temperature of people in the room can also be obtained based on the detection results of the surface temperature sensor 121. In this case, the more exposed the skin of the human body, the easier it is to detect the perceived temperature. Furthermore, by processing the surface temperature distribution data acquired by the surface temperature sensor 121 with the control device 200 or the like, the number of subjects 2 in the target space 1 can also be detected. Furthermore, from the change in the number of subjects 2 in the target space 1, it is also possible to detect the entry and exit of subjects 2 into the target space 1.

The biometric sensor 122 is, for example, a wearable sensor that detects biometric information of the subject 2 in the target space 1. Specific examples of biometric information detected by the biometric sensor 122 include heart rate, blood pressure, activity level, eye (pupil) size, etc. The information acquisition unit 201 acquires the detected information from the surface temperature sensor 121 and the biometric sensor 122.

The environmental state acquisition unit 211 acquires information about the environmental state from the detection results of the environmental information sensor 110 and the surface temperature sensor 121 acquired by the information acquisition unit 201. The information about the environmental state acquired by the environmental state acquisition unit 211 includes, for example, the room temperature and humidity in the target space 1, the outside air temperature outside the target space 1, the carbon dioxide concentration in the air in the target space 1, and the surface temperatures of the floor, walls, furniture, etc. in the target space 1.

The occupant status acquisition unit 212 acquires information regarding the body status of the subject 2 from the detection results of the environmental information sensor 110, the surface temperature sensor 121, and the biological information sensor 122 acquired by the information acquisition unit 201. The occupant status acquisition unit 212 detects the body of the subject 2 present within the temperature detection range of the surface temperature sensor 121 based on the detection result of the surface temperature sensor 121. The detection of the body can be performed, for example, using the shape, distribution (relative positional relationship), area, etc. of each area where the surface temperature detected by the surface temperature sensor 121 is equal to or higher than a preset reference temperature. The reference temperature in this case is specifically set to, for example, 30°C, taking into account the body temperature of the person.

Furthermore, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 can not only detect the subject 2, but also detect each part of the detected subject 2. In particular, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 can identify at least the upper and lower parts of the detected person. The upper part of a person is the part of the upper body including the head of the person. The lower part of a person is the part of the lower body including the feet of the person. When the occupant status acquisition unit 212 identifies the upper and lower parts of a person, it may first identify the overall shape of the human body and then identify parts of the human body from the overall shape of the human body, or it may directly identify parts of the human body.

When identifying the overall shape of a human body, first identify the area in which the human body is present. The area in which the human body is present can be identified, for example, using the shape, distribution (relative positional relationship), area, and relative magnitude relationship of the temperatures of each area of each area where the surface temperature is above a certain temperature.

When identifying the overall shape of the human body, the entire area in which the human body exists may be identified at once, or the area in which the human body exists may be identified individually for each part of the human body. When identifying the area in which each part of the human body exists individually, for example, the area in which each part of the human body exists is identified for each part of the human body: head, chest, arms, upper legs, lower legs, hands, and feet. Note that "hands" here refers to the part further forward than the wrist. Also, "feet" here refers to the part further forward than the ankle.

In this case, in particular, the area where the surface temperature detected by the surface temperature sensor 121 is equal to or higher than a preset temperature may be identified as the area where at least one of the head, chest, and abdomen of the human body is present. In addition, when identifying the area where each part of the human body is present, the temperature, position, and clothing status of each part may also be identified. "Clothing status" refers to the state of whether the skin of the part is covered by clothing or exposed.

The occupant status acquisition unit 212 also acquires the thermal sensation of the subject 2 as human body information of the subject 2 based on the detection results of the environmental information sensor 110 and the surface temperature sensor 121. Specifically, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is evaluated on a five-level scale, for example, hot, slightly hot, neutral, slightly cold, and cold. The thermal sensation of the subject 2 is determined using at least one of the surface temperature of the subject 2 and the air temperature in the target space 1, i.e., room temperature.

When determining the thermal sensation of the subject 2 using the surface temperature of the subject 2, for example, if the drop in the surface temperature of the subject 2 continues for a preset period of time or longer, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is deemed "cold." In addition, depending on the duration of the drop in surface temperature or the amount of drop in surface temperature at this time, it is determined whether the thermal sensation is "cold" or "slightly cold." In this case, if the duration of the drop is longer than a standard, it is deemed "cold," and if it is shorter, it is deemed "slightly cold." If the amount of drop is more than the standard, it is deemed "cold," and if it is less, it is deemed "slightly cold."

If the rise in the surface temperature of the subject 2 continues for a preset period of time or longer, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is deemed "hot." In addition, depending on the duration of the rise in surface temperature or the amount of rise in surface temperature, it is determined whether the thermal sensation is "hot" or "slightly hot." In this case, if the duration of the rise is longer than a standard, it is deemed "hot," and if it is shorter, it is deemed "slightly hot." If the amount of rise is greater than the standard, it is deemed "hot," and if it is less, it is deemed "slightly hot." Furthermore, if the difference between the surface temperature of the subject 2's head and the surface temperatures of the hands and feet is greater than a preset standard value, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 can be estimated to be "hot" or "cold."

Next, when determining the thermal sensation of the subject 2 using the air temperature in the target space 1, i.e., the room temperature, for example, if the difference between the room temperature and the temperature in the vicinity of the subject 2 is equal to or greater than a preset reference value, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 can be estimated as "hot" or "cold". In this case, specifically, for example, if the difference between the room temperature and the temperature in the vicinity of the subject 2 is 3°C or more, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is judged to be "hot" or "cold". Also, if the difference between the room temperature and the temperature in the vicinity of the subject 2 is within 1°C, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is judged to be "neutral". In this case, for example, the detection result of the room temperature sensor 111 of the environmental information sensor 110 is used as the room temperature. Also, as the temperature in the vicinity of the subject 2, the floor temperature detected by the surface temperature sensor 121, or the detection result of a thermometer of a wearable sensor worn by the subject 2, etc. can be used.

Furthermore, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 may acquire the following elements as human body information of the subject 2 from the various detection results acquired by the information acquisition unit 201. In addition, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 may estimate the thermal sensation of the subject 2 based on the acquired elements:
Surface skin temperature of subject 2 Information regarding the heart rate of subject 2 (heart rate, electrocardiogram, pulse wave, LF/HF (low frequency component/high frequency component), etc.)
- Subject 2's activity level - Subject 2's constitution (sensitive to heat, sensitive to cold, etc.)

The subject 2 may be able to input the body information using, for example, the remote control of the air conditioning device 10, a PC (personal computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. Specific examples of the body information input by the subject 2 include reported contents such as warm/cold sensation, thermal comfort, airflow sensation, airflow comfort, dryness, etc., reported contents related to workability such as workability, drowsiness, fatigue, etc., reported contents related to constitution and physical condition such as sensitivity to heat or cold, etc. In this case, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 may acquire the body information of the subject 2 from the reported contents input in this manner.

The environmental information sensor 110, surface temperature sensor 121, biometric information sensor 122, information acquisition unit 201, and occupant status acquisition unit 212 as described above constitute a human body information acquisition means for acquiring human body information of a person (subject 2) in the target space 1.

The control unit 220 is a control means for controlling the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 and the ventilation device 30. The control unit 220 controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 by controlling the operation of the blower fan 15, louvers 16, compressor 20, etc. of the air conditioning equipment 10. The control unit 220 also controls the operation of the ventilation device 30 by controlling the operation of the ventilation fan 31, etc. The control unit 220 controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 and the ventilation device 30 based on the environmental information related to the inside and outside of the target space 1 acquired by the environmental state acquisition unit 211 and the human body information of the target person 2 in the target space 1 acquired by the occupant state acquisition unit 212.

There are two control modes in which the control unit 220 controls the operation of the air conditioner 10: a temperature adjustment mode and an intellectual production mode. The temperature adjustment mode is a mode in which the control unit 220 performs a first control to cause the air conditioner 10 to adjust the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1. The intellectual production mode is a mode in which the control unit 220 performs a second control to cause the air conditioner 10 to blow air toward the upper body of the target person 2, who is a person in the target space 1, thereby supporting the intellectual production activities of the target person 2.

When performing the first control in the temperature adjustment mode, the control unit 220 controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 so that the room temperature of the target space 1 becomes the target value, mainly based on the environmental information related to the inside and outside of the target space 1 acquired by the environmental state acquisition unit 211. Also, when performing the second control in the intellectual production mode, the control unit 220 identifies the position of the upper body of the subject 2 in the target space 1 from the human body information of the person (subject 2) in the target space 1 acquired by the above-mentioned human body information acquisition means. Then, the control unit 220 controls the louvers 16, etc. of the air conditioning equipment 10 so as to blow air toward the identified position of the upper body of the subject 2.

In the second control of the intellectual production mode, it is preferable to perform "air blowing operation" without heat exchange in the air conditioner 10, rather than blowing cold air or hot air from the air conditioner 10. As described above, in the second control, air is blown from the air conditioner 10 toward the position of the upper body of the specified subject 2. If cold air or hot air is blown from the air conditioner 10 toward the upper body of the subject 2, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is likely to deviate from "neutral". Therefore, by performing "air blowing operation" without heat exchange in the air conditioner 10, it is possible to maintain the state in which the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is "neutral" for a long period of time. However, depending on the constitution of the subject 2 (sensitive to heat or cold), the arrangement of the multiple subjects 2 in the target space 1, etc., cold air or hot air may be blown from the air conditioner 10 in the second control of the intellectual production mode.

In addition, in the second control of the intellectual productivity mode, the control unit 220 may perform so-called "fluctuating airflow" control, in which the direction of the air blown from the air conditioner is changed over time around the position of the upper body of the specified subject 2. In this way, the subject 2 can be given an appropriate stimulus by the change in airflow, improving work efficiency. It is also possible to prevent the air in the target space 1 from being excessively cooled or heated, thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed.

Normally, when the air conditioning system starts operating, the control unit 220 first performs the first control in the temperature control mode, and causes the air conditioning equipment 10 to adjust the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1. Then, when a preset second control switching condition is satisfied in the first control of the temperature control mode, the control unit 220 switches to the second control of the intelligent production mode. In addition, when the aforementioned second control switching condition is satisfied and the control unit 220 switches from the temperature control mode (first control) to the intelligent production mode (second control) and then the preset first control switching condition is satisfied, the control unit 220 switches back to the temperature control mode (first control).

The second control switching condition and the first control switching condition described above for switching the mode include conditions related to the thermal sensation of the subject 2, who is a person in the target space 1. Here, the second control switching condition described above is that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 changes from "slightly hot" or "slightly cold" to "neutral." In other words, the second control switching condition is that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 changes from the "hot" or "cold" side to "neutral." And the first control switching condition described above is that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 changes from "neutral" to "slightly hot" or "slightly cold." In other words, the first control switching condition is that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 changes from "neutral" to the "hot" or "cold" side by a certain amount or more.

Thus, in the air conditioning system of this embodiment, the control unit 220 performs a temperature control mode (first control) in which the air conditioning equipment 10 adjusts the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1, and an intelligent productivity mode (second control) in which the air conditioning equipment 10 blows air toward the upper body of a person in the target space 1. In addition, the control unit 220 switches to the intelligent productivity mode (second control) when the second control switching condition is satisfied in the temperature control mode (first control), and switches to the temperature control mode (first control) when the first control switching condition is satisfied after switching from the temperature control mode (first control) to the intelligent productivity mode (second control). The second control switching condition and the first control switching condition for switching the control mode include conditions related to the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1. Therefore, depending on the thermal sensation of the subject 2, the system can switch between a temperature control mode (first control) and a productivity mode (second control), enabling support for the productivity work of the subject 2 in the air-conditioned target space 1 and adjustment of the temperature environment in the target space 1 to be achieved at the same time.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, an example of control in the summer of the air conditioning system of this embodiment will be described. In the table in the figure, time passes from the top rows to the bottom rows. First, referring to the upper half of the table in the figure, a first example of control in the summer will be described. As described above, when the air conditioning system starts operating, the control unit 220 first performs a first control in temperature control mode, and causes the air conditioning equipment 10 to adjust the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1.

When the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1 becomes "neutral", the above-mentioned second control switching condition is met, and the control unit 220 switches to the intellectual production mode and starts the second control. At the start of the intellectual production mode, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is "neutral". In this example, the room temperature of the target space 1 is 28°C and the humidity is 50%. The subject 2 is located near the air outlet of the air conditioner 10 (within 2 m from the air outlet). In the second control, which is the intellectual production mode, the direction of the air blown from the air conditioner 10 is "fluctuating airflow" centered on the upper body of the subject 2. In addition, the air volume blown from the air conditioner 10 at this time is "medium" out of the three levels of large, medium, and small. In this case, since the air direction is "fluctuating airflow", the average air volume in the vicinity of the subject 2 is about "small" to "medium". The temperature of the airflow blown from the air conditioner 10, i.e., the air temperature, is the same as the room temperature. In other words, the air conditioner 10 is in "fan operation."

When the second control, which is this intellectual productivity mode, continues, the air conditioning device 10 is in "fan operation," so the temperature and/or humidity in the target space 1 gradually rise. In this control example, when the humidity in the target space 1 rises to 60%, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1 becomes "slightly hot," and the above-mentioned first control switching condition is met. Therefore, the control unit 220 ends the second control, which is the intellectual productivity mode, and restarts the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode.

In the first control transitioned from the second control, the air temperature of the airflow blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to cool air that is lower than the room temperature. Furthermore, if the subject 2 is sensitive to heat or likes the feeling of airflow, the direction of the airflow blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to "airflow directed" toward the subject 2. In this case, the volume of air blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to "medium" out of the three levels of large, medium and small. Since the air direction in this case is "airflow directed," the volume of air in the vicinity of the subject 2 is also "medium." The amount of change per unit time in the air temperature of the airflow blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to "large" out of the three levels of large, medium and small.

On the other hand, if subject 2 is sensitive to cold or dislikes the feeling of air currents, the direction of the air blown from the air conditioner 10 is directed away from subject 2 to "air current protection." In this case, the volume of air blown from the air conditioner 10 is set to "large" out of the three levels of large, medium and small. By doing this, even if the wind direction is "air current protection," the volume of air near subject 2 can be kept at about "small." And the amount of change per unit time in the air temperature of the air current blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to "medium" out of the three levels of large, medium and small.

When the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode, continues, the temperature and humidity in the target space 1 gradually decrease due to the cooling operation of the air conditioning device 10. In this control example, when the temperature in the target space 1 reaches 27°C and the humidity reaches 50%, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1 becomes "neutral" and the second control switching condition described above is met again. Therefore, the control unit 220 ends the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode, switches to the intellectual productivity mode, and starts the second control again.

Next, a second example of control in summer will be described with reference to the lower half of the table in Figure 4. In this second example, the situation at the start and end of the second control, which is the intellectual productivity mode, is the same as the first example. In addition, in the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode that is started again when the first control switching condition is met in the second control, the control content in the case where subject 2 is sensitive to heat or prefers the feeling of airflow is also the same as the first example described above.

On the other hand, in the case where the subject 2 is sensitive to cold or does not like the sensation of air currents, in this second example, unlike the first example, the direction of the air blown from the air conditioner 10 is directed towards the subject 2, i.e., "air current aimed". The volume of air blown from the air conditioner 10 is set to "small" out of three levels, large, medium and small. In this way, the volume of air near the subject 2 can be kept at about "small" while still blowing air at the subject 2. In this case, by setting the amount of change per unit time in the air temperature of the air current blown out from the air conditioner 10 to "large" out of three levels, large, medium and small, the room temperature of the target space 1 can be quickly lowered, and the time required for the thermal sensation of the subject 2 to become "neutral" again can be reduced.

The control example described above controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 in the temperature adjustment mode and the intelligent production mode. In the air conditioning system of this embodiment, the operation of not only the air conditioning equipment 10 but also the ventilation device 30 may be controlled simultaneously in the temperature adjustment mode and the intelligent production mode.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, an example of control of the air conditioner 10 and the ventilation device 30 in the air conditioning system of this embodiment in winter will be described. In the table of the same figure, as in FIG. 4, time passes from the top row to the bottom row. FIG. 5 shows an example of control when a subject 2 is near a window on a sunny winter day.

First, a first example of control in winter will be described with reference to the upper half of the table in the figure. When the air conditioning system starts operating, the control unit 220 first performs the first control in temperature adjustment mode, and causes the air conditioning equipment 10 to adjust the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1. When the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1 becomes "neutral," the above-mentioned second control switching condition is met, and the control unit 220 switches to the intellectual productivity mode and starts the second control.

At the start of the intellectual production mode, the subject 2 has a "neutral" thermal sensation. In this example, the room temperature of the target space 1 is 24°C and the humidity is 40%. The subject 2 is located near the air outlet of the air conditioner 10 (within 2 m of the air outlet). In the second control, which is the intellectual production mode, the air direction blown from the air conditioner 10 is set to "fluctuating airflow" centered on the upper body of the subject 2. In addition, the air volume blown from the air conditioner 10 at this time is set to "medium" out of three levels: large, medium, and small. In this case, since the air direction is "fluctuating airflow," the average air volume in the vicinity of the subject 2 is about "small" to "medium." The temperature of the airflow blown from the air conditioner 10, i.e., the air temperature, is the same as the room temperature. In other words, the air conditioner 10 is set to "blowing operation." In addition, in the second control, the control unit 220 stops the operation of the ventilation device 30.

Suppose that the second control, which is the intellectual productivity mode, continues and the room temperature rises due to sunlight streaming in through the window, especially around the window where subject 2 is located, so that the room temperature in target space 1 becomes 26°C and the humidity becomes 60%. At this time, subject 2's thermal sensation in target space 1 becomes "slightly hot," and the above-mentioned first control switching condition is met. Therefore, the control unit 220 ends the second control, which is the intellectual productivity mode, and restarts the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode.

In the first control transitioned from the second control, the control unit 220 continues the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 in the "fan operation" which is the same as the intellectual productivity mode. The control unit 220 then operates the ventilation device 30 to introduce cool outside air into the target space 1, thereby lowering the temperature and humidity of the air in the target space 1. Furthermore, if the subject 2 is sensitive to heat or likes the feeling of airflow, the airflow direction from the air conditioning equipment 10 is set to "airflow directed" towards the subject 2. The air volume of the ventilation device 30 is set to "medium" out of three levels: large, medium, and small.

On the other hand, if the subject 2 is sensitive to cold or dislikes the feeling of air currents, the direction of the air blown from the air conditioning equipment 10 is directed away from the subject 2 to "air current protection". The air volume of the ventilation device 30 is set to "small" out of three levels: large, medium, and small. In this way, in the temperature control mode that adjusts the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1, by adjusting the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1 by introducing outside air using the ventilation device 30 rather than the air conditioning equipment 10, it is possible to control the temperature in the target space 1 while reducing the amount of energy consumed.

Next, a second example of control in winter will be described with reference to the lower half of the table in FIG. 5. In this second example, as in the first example described above, when the air conditioning system starts operating, the control unit 220 first performs the first control in temperature adjustment mode, and causes the air conditioning equipment 10 to adjust the temperature environment of the air in the target space 1. When the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1 becomes "neutral," the second control switching condition described above is met, and the control unit 220 switches to the intellectual production mode and starts the second control.

At the start of the intellectual production mode, the subject 2's thermal sensation is "neutral." In this example, the room temperature of the target space 1 is 24°C and the humidity is 40%. The subject 2 is located near the air outlet of the air conditioner 10 (within 2 m of the air outlet). In the second control, which is the intellectual production mode, the air direction blown from the air conditioner 10 is "fluctuating airflow" centered on the upper body of the subject 2. The air volume blown from the air conditioner 10 at this time is "medium" out of three levels: large, medium, and small. In this case, since the air direction is "fluctuating airflow," the average air volume in the vicinity of the subject 2 is about "small" to "medium." The temperature of the airflow blown from the air conditioner 10, i.e., the air temperature, is the same as the room temperature. In other words, the air conditioner 10 is in "fan blowing operation."

In addition, in the second control in this second example, the control unit 220 operates the ventilation device 30 at a "medium" air volume to introduce outside air into the target space 1. In this way, it is possible to suppress an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space 1, and to stimulate the subject 2 by directing a relatively cool airflow from the outside air at the upper body of the subject 2, thereby helping to improve productivity.

When the second control, which is the intellectual production mode, continues, the temperature in the target space 1 gradually drops due to the introduction of outside air by the ventilation device 30. In this control example, when the temperature in the target space 1 drops to 23°C, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1 becomes "slightly cold," and the above-mentioned first control switching condition is met. Therefore, the control unit 220 ends the second control, which is the intellectual production mode, and restarts the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode.

In the first control transitioned from the second control, the air temperature of the airflow blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to warm air higher than the room temperature. If the subject 2 is sensitive to cold or likes the feeling of airflow, the airflow direction from the air conditioner 10 is set to "airflow directed" toward the subject 2. In this case, the air volume blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to "medium" out of three levels: large, medium, and small. Since the air direction is "airflow directed" in this case, the air volume in the vicinity of the subject 2 is also "medium". The change in the air temperature of the airflow blown out from the air conditioner 10 per unit time is set to "large" out of three levels: large, medium, and small. At this time, the control unit 220 stops the operation of the ventilation device 30.

On the other hand, if subject 2 is sensitive to heat or does not like the feeling of airflow, the direction of the airflow from the air conditioner 10 is set to "airflow aimed" at subject 2, while the volume of air blown from the air conditioner 10 is set to "small" out of the three levels of large, medium and small. The amount of change per unit time in the air temperature of the airflow blown out from the air conditioner 10 is set to "large" out of the three levels of large, medium and small. In this case as well, the control unit 220 stops the operation of the ventilation device 30.

When the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode, continues, the temperature in the target space 1 gradually rises due to the heating operation of the air conditioning device 10. In this control example, when the temperature in the target space 1 reaches 24°C, the thermal sensation of the subject 2 in the target space 1 becomes "neutral" and the second control switching condition described above is met again. Therefore, the control unit 220 ends the first control, which is the temperature adjustment mode, switches to the intellectual productivity mode, and starts the second control again.

The control unit 220 may change the airflow rate of the ventilation device 30 according to the detection result of the outside air temperature sensor 112, which is the second temperature detection means. In this way, the amount of outside air introduced into the target space 1 can be adjusted according to the temperature of the air outside the target space 1, making it possible to more efficiently regulate the temperature in the target space 1 and help improve the workability of the subject 2.

Next, an example of the operation of the air conditioning system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6. First, in step S1, the air conditioning system starts air conditioning (e.g., cooling). In the following step S2, the environmental information sensor 110, the room temperature sensor 111, the outside air temperature sensor 112, the surface temperature sensor 121, and the biological information sensor 122 perform detection, and the information acquisition unit 201 acquires the environmental information and human body information detected by these sensors. Then, in step S31, the environmental state acquisition unit 211 acquires information on the environmental state inside and outside the target space 1 based on the various information acquired by the information acquisition unit 201 in step S2. Also, in step S32, the occupant state acquisition unit 212 acquires information (human body information) on the state of the target person 2 in the target space 1 based on the various information acquired by the information acquisition unit 201 in step S2.

In the next step S4, the control unit 220 determines whether the thermal comfort of the subject 2 is within an acceptable range or not. Here, the thermal comfort of the subject 2 being within an acceptable range means that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is "neutral". Therefore, if the thermal comfort of the subject 2 is within an acceptable range, the above-mentioned second control switching condition is met. Furthermore, the thermal comfort of the subject 2 being unacceptable means that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 has shifted from "neutral" to the "hot" or "cold" side by a certain amount or more. Therefore, if the thermal comfort of the subject 2 is unacceptable, the above-mentioned first control switching condition is met.

In step S4, if the control unit 220 determines that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 deviates from "neutral" to the "hot" or "cold" side by a certain amount and that the thermal comfort level of the subject 2 is unacceptable, the process proceeds to step S51. In step S51, the control unit 220 sets the control mode of the air conditioning system to the temperature adjustment mode. Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

On the other hand, if the control unit 220 determines in step S4 that the thermal sensation of the subject 2 is "neutral" and that the thermal comfort level of the subject 2 is within an acceptable range, the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, the control unit 220 sets the control mode of the air conditioning system to the intelligent productivity mode. Then, after step S52, the processes of steps S61, S62, and S63 are executed.

In step S61, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 acquires the latest state of the thermal sensation of the subject 2. In step S62, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 acquires information related to the constitution of the subject 2 from the various information acquired by the information acquisition unit 201. In step S63, the occupant status acquisition unit 212 acquires information related to the position of the subject 2, particularly the position of the upper body of the subject 2, from the detection results of the surface temperature sensor 121. Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the control unit 220 determines the air volume, air direction, air temperature, and air temperature change per unit time of the air conditioning equipment 10. This determination is made based on the control mode set in step S51 or S52, and the various information acquired in steps S31, S32, S61, S62, and S63. After step S7, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control unit 220 controls the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 according to the contents determined in step S7.

In the next step S9, the control unit 220 determines whether a preset fixed time has elapsed since starting the operational control of the air conditioning equipment 10 in step S8. If the fixed time has elapsed, the process returns to step S2, where it is determined whether the control mode should be the temperature adjustment mode or the intelligent production mode, and control of the air conditioning equipment 10 continues. On the other hand, if the fixed time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S10.

Alternatively, the control unit 220 may determine whether a change has occurred in the target space 1 after starting the operational control of the air conditioning equipment 10 in step S8, and if a change has occurred in the target space 1, return to step S2 to continue the control. A change in the target space 1 here refers to, for example, a change in the number of subjects 2 present in the target space 1.

In step S10, the control unit 220 determines whether or not to continue controlling the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10. For example, if the situation indicates that the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 should be continued due to the operation of the remote control of the air conditioning equipment 10, the control schedule setting, etc., the process returns to step S9. On the other hand, if the situation indicates that the operation of the air conditioning equipment 10 should not be continued, the process ends.

The environmental information sensors 110 (room temperature sensor 111, outside air temperature sensor 112), surface temperature sensor 121, biological information sensor 122, and control device 200 provided in the air conditioning system of this embodiment may all be provided in the air conditioning equipment 10, and the air conditioning system may be configured with the air conditioning equipment 10 alone. Also, for example, the air conditioning system may be configured with the control device 200 provided separately from the air conditioning equipment 10.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 target space 2 target person 10 air conditioning equipment 11 housing 12 intake port 13 outlet port 14 heat exchanger 15 blower fan 16 louver 17 drain pan 18 pre-filter 19 front panel 20 compressor 30 ventilation device 31 ventilation fan 110 environmental information sensor 111 room temperature sensor 112 outside air temperature sensor 121 surface temperature sensor 122 biometric information sensor 200 control device 201 information acquisition unit 211 environmental state acquisition unit 212 occupant state acquisition unit 220 control unit

Claims (4)

An air conditioning unit that blows air into a target space and is capable of changing a temperature and a direction of the airflow of the air being blown;
a control means for controlling the operation of the air conditioning means and performing a first control for adjusting the temperature environment of the air in the target space by the air conditioning means and a second control for causing the air conditioning means to blow air toward the upper body of a person in the target space;
the control means switches to the first control when a preset first control switching condition is satisfied in the second control,
The first control switching condition is that the thermal sensation of the person in the target space becomes hotter or colder than a certain level from neutral ,
An air conditioning system in which the thermal sensation of a person in the target space is determined by at least one of a surface temperature of the person in the target space and an air temperature in the target space. The control means
switching to the second control when a preset second control switching condition is satisfied in the first control;
switching to the first control when the first control switching condition is satisfied after the second control switching condition is satisfied and the first control is switched to the second control;
The air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the second control switching condition includes a condition related to the thermal sensation of a person in the target space. Further, a ventilation means is provided for blowing air taken in from outside the target space into the target space,
3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes an airflow rate of the ventilation means in accordance with an external temperature of the target space. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means changes the direction of air blown from the air conditioning means over time in the second control.

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