JP7607160B1 - Environmental control system and environmental control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for appropriately controlling the thermal environments of multiple areas related to each other.
[Solution] The environmental control system 10 is a system for controlling the thermal environment of multiple areas related to each other, and includes an acquisition unit 11 that acquires control information related to the thermal environment for each of the multiple areas, and a setting unit 12 that compares the control information for the multiple areas acquired by the acquisition unit 11 with each other and sets setting values related to control of the thermal environment for at least any of the multiple areas.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an environmental control system and an environmental control method for controlling the thermal environment of a space.

In the air conditioning systems used in open offices (where many people share a large, open office space), which are now widely used, air conditioning is carried out for each air conditioning zone, which is a virtual division of space. For example, a sensor and air conditioning control device (terminal unit) are installed in each air conditioning zone, and the amount of heat supplied is adjusted by the air conditioning control device so that the sensor value matches the set value.

A commonly used example of such an air conditioning system is the single-duct variable air volume air conditioning system (VAV system) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In a VAV system, there is a temperature sensor for each air conditioning zone, and the amount of conditioned air supplied (air volume) by the VAV unit is adjusted so that the measured value of the sensor becomes a preset temperature setting value.

JP 2020-76508 A

In an open office, multiple air conditioning zones exist adjacent to each other, but in a VAV system, each air conditioning zone is generally controlled independently from the viewpoint of control stability and simplicity. For example, the temperature setpoint is set independently for each air conditioning zone, and control is performed based on the temperature setpoint. This can lead to irrational situations, such as an extremely high or low temperature compared to adjacent air conditioning zones. In this situation, an unbalanced load is generated between multiple terminal units (e.g., VAV units in a VAV system). This has a negative impact on the indoor environment and energy efficiency. For example, in an air conditioning zone with an imbalance, the supply air temperature may be too low, resulting in excessive cooling, or the supply air temperature may be too high, resulting in excessive fan power.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an environmental control system and an environmental control method that can appropriately control the thermal environments of multiple areas that are related to each other.

To achieve the above object, the environmental control system according to the present invention is an environmental control system that controls the thermal environment in multiple mutually related areas, and includes an acquisition means for acquiring control information related to the thermal environment for each of the multiple areas, and a setting means for comparing the control information for the multiple areas acquired by the acquisition means with each other and setting a setting value related to the control of the thermal environment for at least one of the multiple areas.

In the environmental control system according to the present invention, the control information of multiple areas is compared with each other, and a setting value related to the control of the thermal environment is set for at least one of the multiple areas. Therefore, the control of the thermal environment of each area is performed according to the situation related to the thermal environment of another area related to the mutually related area. As a result, the environmental control system according to the present invention can appropriately control the thermal environments of multiple areas related to each other.

The control information includes a setting value for controlling the thermal environment set by the user of the area , and the setting value is used to control the thermal environments of the multiple areas related to each other in accordance with the setting value set by the user of the area.

The setting means may set the set values for the multiple regions so that the set values are within a range of a preset size. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably and appropriately control the thermal environments of the multiple regions that are related to each other.

The setting means sets the set value in stages in accordance with the control information . With this configuration, it is possible to more appropriately control the thermal environments of the multiple areas related to each other.

The acquisition means may acquire information indicating the thermal environment preferences of the users of the areas as the control information. With this configuration, the thermal environments of multiple mutually related areas can be appropriately controlled according to the thermal environment preferences of the users of the areas.

The setting means may set the temperature of the space as the set value. With this configuration, the temperature of the space in multiple regions that are related to each other can be appropriately controlled.

Incidentally, the present invention can be described not only as an environmental control system invention as described above, but also as an environmental control method invention as described below. These are essentially the same inventions, just in different categories, and have similar functions and effects.

In other words, the environmental control method of the present invention is an environmental control method that is an operating method of an environmental control system that controls the thermal environment in multiple mutually related areas, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring control information related to the thermal environment for each of the multiple areas, and a setting step of comparing the control information for the multiple areas acquired in the acquisition step with each other and setting a setting value related to control of the thermal environment for at least any of the multiple areas, in which in the acquisition step, a setting value related to control of the thermal environment set by a user of the area is acquired as the control information , and in the setting step, the setting value is set in stages according to the control information .

The present invention makes it possible to appropriately control the thermal environment of multiple areas that are related to each other.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an environmental control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a graph showing an example of a comfort probability curve. 11 is a graph for explaining an example of determining a new setpoint using a room temperature setpoint set by a user of an air-conditioning zone. 11 is a graph for explaining an example of determining a new setpoint using information indicating room temperature preferences of users of an air-conditioning zone. 13 is a graph illustrating another example of determining a new setpoint using information indicating room temperature preferences of users of an air conditioning zone. 4 is a flowchart showing an environmental control method which is a process executed in the environmental control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Below, an embodiment of the environmental control system and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

Figure 1 shows an environmental control system 10 according to this embodiment. The environmental control system 10 is a system (device) that controls the thermal environment of a space. The space to be controlled is a space that includes multiple areas that are related to each other. The multiple areas are used by each user (occupant). The space to be controlled is, for example, an open office (an office in which many people share a large office room without partitions). The space to be controlled may be multiple spatially continuous areas as described above. In this embodiment, each of the multiple areas included in the space to be controlled is called an air conditioning zone. Note that the space to be controlled does not necessarily have to be the above as long as it is a space that includes multiple areas that are related to each other, as described below.

The thermal environment to be controlled is, for example, room temperature (indoor air temperature). In the following description, as an example, the environmental control system 10 will be described as controlling the room temperature of the space. The thermal environment to be controlled does not have to be room temperature, but may be anything that affects the thermal sensation felt by the user when using the space. For example, the thermal environment to be controlled may be the surface temperatures of the walls, floors, and ceilings, the radiant temperature, and the operative temperature, as well as the comprehensive thermal evaluation index SET ^* (standard effective temperature) or PMV (predicted mean thermal sensation declaration), etc.

An air conditioning system 20 is provided in the space to be controlled. The environmental control system 10 controls the room temperature by controlling the air conditioning system 20. Note that the environmental control system 10 may be part of the function of the air conditioning system 20.

Specifically, the environmental control system 10 is a computer including hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. Each function of the environmental control system 10 described below is realized by these components operating through programs or the like. The environmental control system 10 may be realized by a single computer, or may be realized by a computer system consisting of multiple computers connected to each other via a network. The environmental control system 10 may have a communication function for obtaining information necessary for controlling the thermal environment as described below and for controlling the thermal environment, etc.

The air conditioning system 20 is a system that conditions the space to be controlled. The air conditioning system 20 conditions each of a number of air conditioning zones included in the space to be controlled. The air conditioning system 20 is, for example, a VAV system. In a VAV system, a set value for the room temperature is set for each air conditioning zone, and air conditioning is performed according to the set value. For example, a temperature sensor is provided for each air conditioning zone, and air conditioning is performed so that the measured value of the temperature sensor becomes the set value. The set value is set, for example, by a user of the air conditioning zone. As will be described later, the control of the air conditioning system 20 by the environmental control system 10 is performed by setting the set value.

In a VAV system, each air conditioning zone is provided with a terminal unit (VAV unit), and conditioned air is supplied from the same duct via the terminal unit. That is, the multiple air conditioning zones in a VAV system are related to each other in this respect. As described above, the multiple air conditioning zones may be related to each other in that they are spatially continuous, or they may be related to each other in that they are conditioned by the same air conditioning system, as described above. Note that when multiple air conditioning zones are related to each other in that they are conditioned (i.e., receive heat) by the same air conditioning system, the multiple air conditioning zones do not necessarily have to be spatially continuous. For example, the multiple air conditioning zones may be physically separated from each other by partitions or the like, and may not be continuous as spaces in which air conditioning is performed.

The air conditioning system 20 does not have to be a VAV system, but may be one that conditions multiple related air conditioning zones controlled by the environmental control system 10 according to set values. For example, the air conditioning system 20 may be one that has the same air conditioning system other than a VAV system and multiple terminal units corresponding to each air conditioning zone. Such systems include a constant air volume air conditioning system (CAV system) equipped with multiple terminal units (CAV unit, radiant heating and cooling panel + motor valve, and multi-package type air conditioner indoor unit), a radiant heating and cooling system, and a multi-package type air conditioning system. In addition, the control of the thermal environment by the environmental control system 10 may be performed by means other than the air conditioning system 20.

Next, the functions of the environmental control system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the environmental control system 10 includes an acquisition unit 11 and a setting unit 12.

The acquisition unit 11 is an acquisition means for acquiring control information related to the thermal environment for each of a plurality of areas. The acquisition unit 11 may acquire, as the control information, setting values related to control of the thermal environment set by the user of the area. The acquisition unit 11 may acquire, as the control information, information indicating the thermal environment preferences of the user of the area.

The control information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is information used for control by the environmental control system 10. The control information is information related to the thermal environment for each air conditioning zone. The control information is, for example, a room temperature setting value set by a user of the air conditioning zone. For example, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the room temperature setting value by receiving the room temperature setting value transmitted from the air conditioning system 20. For example, the air conditioning system 20 is configured to transmit the room temperature setting values for all air conditioning zones to the environmental control system 10 when the room temperature setting value is set (changed) by a user of any of the air conditioning zones or when the air conditioning system 20 is started up, etc.

The setting value set by the user of the air conditioning zone may be related to any of the air conditioning zones that are the target of control. In other words, in any air conditioning zone other than the air conditioning zone in which the setting value is set by the user, the setting value may be one that is not set by the user of the air conditioning zone. For example, in the other air conditioning zone, the setting value may be one that is set by the environmental control system 10. Even in this case, the acquisition unit 11 acquires information about all of the air conditioning zones that are the target of control.

The control information may also be, for example, information indicating the room temperature preference (thermal comfort) of a user of the air-conditioning zone. The user of the air-conditioning zone may be a user who is using the air-conditioning zone at the time of control by the environmental control system 10, for example, at the time when the control information is acquired by the acquisition unit 11. In this case, specifically, the control information is the range of room temperatures (temperature range) that the user of the air-conditioning zone feels comfortable. The acquisition unit 11 may acquire information for each user.

In this case, for example, information on the range of room temperature that is felt to be comfortable for each potential user of the air-conditioning zone is prepared in advance and stored in the environmental control system 10. The range of room temperature that is felt to be comfortable can be understood, for example, from a questionnaire or the like in advance. Specifically, a comfort probability curve (comfort probability curve) shown in FIG. 2 is created from the questionnaire data, and the room temperature range (temperature range) with a comfort probability of 80% or more is obtained for each individual. Note that the comfort probability curve shown in FIG. 2 is for eight subjects. This method is shown, for example, in Ono, E., Lei, Y., Mihara, K., & Chong, A. (2022). The impact of resolution of occupancydata on personal comfort model-based HVAC control performance. In The 9th ACMInternational Conference on Systems for Energy-Efficient Buildings, Cities, andTransportation (BuildSys '22). Alternatively, the temperature range may be determined by a conventional model that predicts the comfort of an average person, such as PMV or SET ^* .

The acquisition unit 11 acquires information indicating users of the air-conditioning zone, and reads and acquires information indicating the room temperature preference of the users stored in the environmental control system 10. The information indicating users of the air-conditioning zone may be acquired using a conventional method for detecting individuals in a space (for example, a method using an image obtained by capturing an image of the air-conditioning zone by a camera, or a method using a beacon). The users of the air-conditioning zone may be preset and stored in the environmental control system 10, and the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the stored information. If there is a user whose thermal environment preference is not known (a user whose thermal environment preference is not stored in the environmental control system 10), the acquisition unit 11 may use a standard temperature range (an average value of all users, or a range that can be estimated from PMV or SET ^* ) as the preference of that person.

The acquisition unit 11 may acquire either the room temperature setting value set by the user of the air conditioning zone or information indicating the room temperature preference of the user of the air conditioning zone, or may acquire both. The acquisition unit 11 may also acquire information other than the above as control information, so long as the information is related to the thermal environment for each air conditioning zone and is used for control by the environmental control system 10. The acquisition unit 11 may also acquire control information by any method other than the above. The acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired control information to the setting unit 12.

The setting unit 12 is a setting means for comparing the control information of the multiple regions acquired by the acquisition unit 11 with each other and setting a setting value related to the control of the thermal environment for at least any of the multiple regions. The setting unit 12 may set the setting values for the multiple regions so that the setting values are included in a range of a preset size. The setting unit 12 may set the setting value in stages according to the control information. The setting unit 12 may set the temperature of the space as the setting value. For example, the setting unit 12 sets the setting value as follows.

The setting unit 12 inputs control information from the acquisition unit 11. The setting unit 12 controls the thermal environment by setting new setting values related to control of the thermal environment from the input control information based on pre-stored criteria as follows. For example, the setting unit 12 sets a new setting value for room temperature (space temperature) as the setting value related to control of the thermal environment. The control by the setting unit 12 is performed according to the type of control information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. Below, the control by the setting unit 12 is described for each type of control information.

From the viewpoint of energy conservation, it is preferable that the temperature difference between air conditioning zones is small, and that the set value of the room temperature is high for cooling and low for heating. From the viewpoint of comfort, it is preferable that the temperature is set to the preference of the user of each air conditioning zone. However, the preferred temperature has a range and is not pinpointed. In addition, the preferred temperature also changes depending on the past activities of the user of the air conditioning zone. Therefore, the user of the air conditioning zone himself may not know the temperature that is truly preferred for him. Therefore, it is assumed that if the room temperature is set to an extreme value (for example, a temperature outside the range of 25±2°C), even if it is corrected to the normal value side after a certain period of time has passed, it will not have a negative effect on the comfort of the majority of users. The control of the thermal environment by the setting unit 12 may take the above into consideration, for example.

When the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is the room temperature setting value set by the user of the air conditioning zone, the setting unit 12 determines the new setting value to be set (changed) as follows. The setting unit 12 compares the setting values of all air conditioning zones indicated by the control information and determines new setting values for the air conditioning zones so that the setting values of all air conditioning zones fall within a preset temperature difference range. The temperature difference range indicates the temperature width (the range of the setting value (specifically, the difference between the set temperatures)). The setting value of an air conditioning zone may be changed in any of the air conditioning zones to be controlled. Furthermore, if the comparison of the control information shows that the conditions for change are not met in any of the air conditioning zones, the setting unit 12 does not change the setting value in any of the air conditioning zones.

By keeping the set values for all air conditioning zones within a preset temperature difference range, it is possible to prevent unbalanced loads from occurring among the multiple terminal units of the air conditioning system 20 installed in each air conditioning zone. This makes it possible to prevent adverse effects on the indoor environment and energy efficiency. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation in a specific air conditioning zone where the supply air temperature is too low, resulting in excessive cooling, or where the supply air temperature is too high, resulting in excessive fan power. This also makes it possible to achieve energy savings.

The above temperature difference range is preset to meet the above purpose, and is set to, for example, a value within 1 to 2°C. The temperature difference range may also be set after investigating, for example, by simulation evaluation, the impact of differences in the set values in each air conditioning zone of the air conditioning system 20 to be controlled on the load of each terminal unit. The temperature difference range may be set to different values for each season. The temperature difference range may be tuned during trial operation of the environmental control system 10 or after operation. Other parameters used in the environmental control system 10 may also be set in the same way as the above temperature difference range.

For example, the setting unit 12 sets a temperature range for the temperature difference range, with the highest temperature among the setting values of all the air conditioning zones indicated by the control information as the upper limit. Note that the temperature range has upper and lower limits, which are absolute temperature values. For example, the temperature range is 24 to 26°C. In this case, the temperature difference range is 26-24=2°C. As shown in Figure 3(a), if there are three air conditioning zones, zone 1, zone 2, and zone 3, the setting unit 12 sets a temperature range R1 for the temperature difference range, with the setting value A1 of zone 1, which is the highest temperature setting value, as the upper limit.

The setting unit 12 determines new setting values for the setting values not included in the temperature range R1, i.e., for setting values less than the lower limit of the temperature range R1, among all the setting values of the air conditioning zones indicated by the control information. For example, the setting unit 12 determines the lower limit of the temperature range R1 as the new setting value for the setting values not included in the temperature range R1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(a), for the setting value A2 of zone 2 not included in the temperature range R1, the setting value B2, which is the lower limit of the temperature range R1, is determined as the new setting value. Note that, among all the setting values of the air conditioning zones indicated by the control information, for the setting values included in the temperature range R1 (for example, the setting values A1 and A3 of zones 1 and 3 in FIG. 3(a)), new setting values do not need to be determined (changed).

Alternatively, the setting unit 12 sets a temperature range for the temperature difference range, with the lowest temperature among the setting values of all the air conditioning zones indicated by the control information as the lower limit. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the setting unit 12 sets a temperature range R1 for the temperature difference range, with the setting value A2 of zone 2, which is the lowest temperature setting value, as the lower limit.

The setting unit 12 determines new setting values for the setting values not included in the temperature range R1, i.e., the setting values that exceed the upper limit of the temperature range R1, among all the setting values of the air conditioning zones indicated by the control information. For example, the setting unit 12 determines the upper limit of the temperature range R1 as the new setting value for the setting values not included in the temperature range R1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, for the setting value A1 of zone 1 and the setting value A3 of zone 3 that are not included in the temperature range R1, the setting values B1 and B3, which are the upper limits of the temperature range R1, are determined as the new setting values. Note that, among all the setting values of the air conditioning zones indicated by the control information, a new setting value does not need to be determined (changed) for the setting value included in the temperature range R1 (for example, the setting value A2 of zone 2 in FIG. 3B).

Alternatively, the setting unit 12 may determine a temperature range including all the set values and new set values for each air conditioning zone so that the total value of the adjustment range of the set values for all the air conditioning zones indicated by the control information is minimized in order to bring the set values within the temperature difference range. By determining new set values in this manner, the impact of control by the environmental control system 10 on the air conditioning zone as a whole can be minimized.

When the control information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is information indicating the room temperature preference of the user of the air-conditioning zone, the setting unit 12 determines the setting value to be newly set (changed) as follows. In this case, the setting unit 12 also acquires the room temperature setting value of the air-conditioning zone. The acquisition of the setting value may be performed in the same manner as when the control information is the room temperature setting value set by the user of the air-conditioning zone.

As shown in FIG. 4, the setting unit 12 calculates for each air conditioning zone the maximum temperature range R2 at which the number of people who feel comfortable is equal to or exceeds a preset percentage (e.g., 80%) from the range of room temperatures (temperature ranges) at which users feel comfortable, as indicated by the control information. Note that by adjusting this percentage, operation can be geared more toward energy conservation or toward comfort. This adjustment can be made according to the preferences of the owner or operation manager of the space to be controlled. Next, the setting unit 12 compares the temperature ranges R2 of each air conditioning zone and sets a temperature range R3 that is included in all of those temperature ranges R2.

The setting unit 12 determines new setting values for all the setting values of the air conditioning zones that are not included in the temperature range R3, i.e., for setting values that exceed the upper limit and lower limit of the temperature range R3. For example, the setting unit 12 determines the upper limit of the temperature range R3 as the new setting value for setting values that exceed the temperature range R3. In addition, the setting unit 12 determines the lower limit of the temperature range R3 as the new setting value for setting values that are less than the lower limit of the temperature range R3.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, for the set value A1 of zone 1 that exceeds the upper limit of temperature range R3, the set value B1, which is the upper limit of temperature range R3, is determined as the new set value. Also, for the set value A2 of zone 2 that is below the lower limit of temperature range R3, the set value B2, which is the lower limit of temperature range R3, is determined as the new set value. Note that, of all the set values in all the air conditioning zones, for the set values included in temperature range R3 (for example, the set value A3 of zone 3 in FIG. 4), a new set value does not need to be determined (changed).

By setting the value in this way, it is possible to keep the set value within a certain temperature difference range and ensure the comfort of users in each air conditioning zone. Also, while there is a possibility of a trade-off between comfort and energy efficiency, it is possible to adjust which is given more importance, comfort or energy efficiency, by changing the proportion of people who feel comfortable when calculating the above temperature range R2.

Furthermore, when information indicating the room temperature preferences of the user of the air-conditioning zone is used as the control information, the setting unit 12 may determine a new setting value using a pre-set temperature difference range that was used to determine the new setting value when the room temperature setting value set by the user of the air-conditioning zone was used as the control information. By using this, it is possible to set a setting value that is more appropriate in terms of both comfort and energy saving. In this case, for example, the setting unit 12 determines the new setting value as follows.

The setting unit 12 sets the temperature range R3 in the same manner as described above based on information indicating the room temperature preferences of the user of the air-conditioning zone. The setting unit 12 also acquires information indicating whether the current air conditioning by the air-conditioning system 20 is cooling or heating.

The setting unit 12 compares the set temperature range R3 with the above-mentioned preset temperature difference range. As shown in FIG. 5(a), if the width of the preference-based temperature range R3 is narrower than the preset temperature difference range D1, the setting unit 12 determines the setting value in the same manner as above based on the preference-based temperature range R3.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the width of the preference-based temperature range R3 is wider than the preset temperature difference range D1 and the air conditioning by the air conditioning system 20 is currently cooling, the setting unit 12 sets a temperature range of the preset temperature difference range D1, with the upper limit of the preference-based temperature range R3 as the upper limit. That is, in this case, the setting unit 12 sets the temperature range of the preset temperature difference range D1 on the high-temperature side of the preference-based temperature range R3. The setting unit 12 determines the setting value in the same manner as above, based on the set temperature range.

As shown in FIG. 5(c), when the width of the preference-based temperature range R3 is wider than the preset temperature difference range D1 and the air conditioning by the air conditioning system 20 is currently heating, the setting unit 12 sets a temperature range of the preset temperature difference range D1, with the lower limit of the preference-based temperature range R3 as its lower limit. That is, in this case, the setting unit 12 sets the temperature range of the preset temperature difference range D1 on the low-temperature side of the preference-based temperature range R3. The setting unit 12 determines the setting value in the same manner as above, based on the set temperature range.

In the above-mentioned examples, the control information was the room temperature setting value set by the user of the air-conditioning zone, or information indicating the room temperature preference of the user of the air-conditioning zone, but the setting unit 12 may use both of these to determine a new setting value. Using both of these also makes it possible to set a setting value that is more appropriate in terms of both comfort and energy saving.

For example, the setting unit 12 may set a temperature range for the overlapping portion of the temperature range R1 based on the set value and the temperature range R3 based on preference, and determine the set value in the same manner as described above based on the set temperature range. For example, if the temperature range R1 based on the set value is 26.0 to 27.0°C and the temperature range R3 based on preference is 25.5 to 26.5°C, the setting value may be determined so as to fall within the common range of 26.0 to 26.5°C.

The setting unit 12 may also determine new setting values using methods other than those described above, as long as the method involves comparing the control information of multiple areas with each other.

The setting unit 12 notifies the air conditioning system 20 of the newly determined setting value for each air conditioning zone, and sets the setting value so that air conditioning is performed according to the setting value. The air conditioning system 20 performs air conditioning for the corresponding air conditioning zone according to the set setting value.

The setting unit 12 may perform the above control after a preset time has elapsed (e.g., 30 minutes to 1 hour) from the timing when the setting value before the newly determined setting value was set (e.g., the timing when the setting value was changed by the user). The setting unit 12 may also determine a new setting value at a timing after the preset time has elapsed. This is in consideration of the fact that previous research has reported that it takes about 15 to 20 minutes for the human body to adapt and reach thermal neutrality after being exposed to a different temperature environment. For example, if the set temperature is lowered when it is temporarily hot after entering the room from outside, and it is considered that the temperature will have reached a roughly steady state after 30 minutes, it is appropriate to change the setting after 30 minutes.

If the difference between the newly set value and the previous set value is greater than the preset value, the setting unit 12 may set the set value in stages to perform the above control. For example, if the difference exceeds 1°C, the setting unit 12 may set the set value at a gradient of 1°C every 30 minutes to 1 hour, until it finally reaches the newly set value. The standards of the American Society of Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heating, ASHRAE, stipulate that the temperature (working temperature) change should be within 2.2°C per hour. These are the functions of the environmental control system 10 according to this embodiment.

Next, an environmental control method, which is a process executed by the environmental control system 10 according to this embodiment (an operating method performed by the environmental control system 10), will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6. In this process, the acquisition unit 11 acquires control information related to the thermal environment for each of the multiple air conditioning zones (S01, acquisition step). Next, the setting unit 12 compares the control information for the multiple air conditioning zones with each other and calculates a new setting value related to control of the thermal environment for at least one of the multiple air conditioning zones (S02, setting step). Next, the setting unit 12 notifies the air conditioning system 20 of the new setting value and sets it as the setting value to be used for air conditioning (S03). Next, the air conditioning system 20 uses the new setting value to perform air conditioning in the corresponding air conditioning zone. This concludes the environmental control method according to this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the control information for multiple regions is compared with each other, and a setting value related to the control of the thermal environment is set for at least one of the multiple regions. Therefore, the control of the thermal environment of each region is performed according to the situation related to the thermal environment of another region that is related to the other region. As a result, according to this embodiment, the thermal environments of multiple regions that are related to each other can be appropriately controlled.

As described above, conventionally, depending on the room temperature setting values of multiple air conditioning zones, unbalanced loads are generated among multiple terminal units. The setting values set by users are easily influenced by the preferences of a few people, and do not necessarily create a comfortable situation for the majority of users. In addition, even if an extreme change is made to the setting value, the setting value is not restored until someone changes it. As a result, air conditioning is often performed that is neither comfortable for the majority of people nor energy-efficient. According to this embodiment, control is performed by focusing on the relationship between the conditions related to the thermal environments of the air conditioning zones that are related to each other, so that the above problems are solved and appropriate control can be performed in terms of both comfort and energy efficiency for multiple air conditioning zones.

As in this embodiment, the control information may be a setting value related to control of the thermal environment (e.g., a room temperature setting value) set by a user of the area. With this configuration, the thermal environments of multiple mutually related areas can be appropriately controlled according to the setting value set by the user of the area. However, the control information does not necessarily have to be the above information as long as it is information related to the thermal environment for each of the multiple areas.

As in this embodiment, the set values for multiple regions may be set so that they fall within a range of a preset size (for example, the above-mentioned preset temperature difference range). With this configuration, it is possible to reliably and appropriately control the thermal environments of multiple regions that are related to each other. However, the set values do not necessarily have to be set as described above.

As in this embodiment, the setting unit 12 may set the setting value in stages according to the control information. This configuration makes it possible to more appropriately control the thermal environment of multiple areas that are related to each other.

As in this embodiment, the control information may be information indicating the thermal environment preferences of the users of the areas (e.g., the range of room temperatures that the users find comfortable). With this configuration, the thermal environments of multiple mutually related areas can be appropriately controlled according to the thermal environment preferences of the users of the areas. However, the control information does not necessarily have to be the above information, as long as it is information related to the thermal environment for each of the multiple areas.

As in this embodiment, the setting unit 12 may set the temperature of the space as the set value. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately control the temperature of the space in multiple areas that are related to each other. However, the set value related to the thermal environment, i.e., the thermal environment to be controlled, does not necessarily have to be the temperature of the space, and may be anything.

The environmental control system and the environmental control method according to the present disclosure have the following configuration.
[1] An environmental control system for controlling the thermal environment of multiple mutually related areas, comprising:
An acquisition means for acquiring control information related to the thermal environment for each of the plurality of areas;
A setting means for comparing the control information of the plurality of regions acquired by the acquisition means with each other and setting a setting value related to control of the thermal environment for at least any of the plurality of regions;
An environmental control system comprising:
[2] The environmental control system according to [1], wherein the acquisition means acquires, as the control information, setting values related to control of the thermal environment that are set by a user of the area.
[3] The environmental control system according to [1] or [2], wherein the setting means sets the setting values for the plurality of regions so that the setting values are included in a range of a preset size.
[4] The environmental control system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the setting means sets the set value in stages according to the control information.
[5] The environmental control system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the acquisition means acquires, as the control information, information indicating a thermal environment preference of a user of the area.
[6] The environmental control system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the setting means sets a temperature of the space as the set value.
[7] An environmental control method that is an operating method of an environmental control system for controlling thermal environments in a plurality of mutually related areas, comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring control information related to the thermal environment for each of the plurality of areas;
a setting step of comparing the control information of the plurality of regions acquired in the acquisition step with each other and setting a setting value related to control of the thermal environment for at least any of the plurality of regions;
An environmental control method comprising:

10...environmental control system, 11...acquisition unit, 12...setting unit, 20...air conditioning system.

Claims (5)

An environmental control system for controlling the thermal environment of a plurality of mutually related areas, comprising:
An acquisition means for acquiring control information related to the thermal environment for each of the plurality of areas;
A setting means for comparing the control information of the plurality of regions acquired by the acquisition means with each other and setting a setting value related to control of the thermal environment for at least any of the plurality of regions;
Equipped with
The acquisition means acquires, as the control information, setting values related to control of the thermal environment set by a user of the area, and
The setting means is an environmental control system that sets the set value in stages according to the control information . The environmental control system according to claim 1, wherein the setting means sets the setting values for the multiple regions so that the setting values are within a range of a preset size. The environmental control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition means acquires information indicating the thermal environment preferences of users of the area as the control information. An environmental control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting means sets the temperature of the space as the set value. An environmental control method for controlling a thermal environment of a plurality of mutually related areas, the method comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring control information related to the thermal environment for each of the plurality of areas;
a setting step of comparing the control information of the plurality of regions acquired in the acquisition step with each other and setting a setting value related to control of the thermal environment for at least any of the plurality of regions;
Including,
In the acquiring step, a setting value related to the control of the thermal environment set by a user of the area is acquired as the control information ;
An environmental control method , wherein in the setting step, the setting value is set in stages in accordance with the control information .

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