WO2009099020A1

WO2009099020A1 - Mediation device for controlling air conditioning, air conditioning control system, air conditioning control method, and air conditioning control program

Info

Publication number: WO2009099020A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/051685
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masaya Nishimura; Mizuki Tanaka
Original assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-02-06
Filing date: 2009-02-02
Publication date: 2009-08-13
Also published as: JP2009186095A; JP4353301B2

Abstract

Provided is an environment for controlling an inverter-controlled air conditioning apparatus newly introduced by using existing general-purpose thermostats so as to efficiently provide comfortable air-conditioning environment. A mediation device (40) for controlling air conditioning is connected to an air conditioning interface (30), which receives input of a setting temperature for air conditioning apparatuses (10, 20a-20d) and generates a first signal for requesting operation or non-operation to a heat source of the air conditioning apparatuses. The mediation device is provided with a signal receiving section (45a) for receiving the first signal inputted from the air conditioning interface; a room temperature acquiring section (43) for acquiring a room temperature; a setting temperature estimating section (45b) which calculates an estimated value of the setting temperature of the air conditioning interface, based on the first signal received by the signal receiving section and the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquiring section; and an estimated value transmitting section (45c) for transmitting the estimated value to the air conditioning apparatuses.

Description

Mediation device for air conditioning control, air conditioning control system, air conditioning control method, and air conditioning control program

The present invention relates to an air conditioning control intermediary device, an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and an air conditioning control program.

Conventionally, the use of general-purpose thermostats as man-machine interfaces (controllers) for air conditioners has become the de facto standard, especially in US homes or office buildings, and other general-purpose thermostats can be used together with other air-conditioners. Controls heating equipment and fans to efficiently realize a comfortable air-conditioning environment. In addition, in the air conditioning system in the United States, many air conditioners that turn on and off a compressor that is a heat source are used, and a general-purpose thermostat compares an input set temperature with room temperature, The compressor on / off command signal is sent to the air conditioner.
On the other hand, recently, air conditioners that finely control the inverter based on the set temperature have also appeared. Such an air conditioner requires a set temperature value when performing control, so prepare a dedicated interface for the air conditioner rather than a general-purpose thermostat that cannot output the set temperature value, and the user uses that dedicated interface. Prompts you to enter the set temperature.

However, when the latest air conditioner that performs inverter control is incorporated in a conventional air conditioning system, an interface dedicated to the air conditioner must be used in addition to the general-purpose thermostat, which is cumbersome for the user. In addition, even when only the latest air conditioner that controls inverters is installed in a conventional air conditioning system, the user is not a general-purpose thermostat that has been used to date, but a method for operating the interface dedicated to the latest air conditioner. Must be learned and used.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an environment in which an inverter-controlled air conditioner newly introduced using an existing general-purpose thermostat can be used in order to efficiently realize a comfortable air-conditioning environment.

An intermediary device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an intermediary device for air conditioning control connected to an air conditioning interface, and includes a signal reception unit, a room temperature acquisition unit, a set temperature estimation unit, and an estimated value transmission unit. The air conditioning interface receives a set temperature input to the air conditioner and generates a first signal requesting activation or deactivation of the heat source of the air conditioner. The signal receiving unit receives a first signal input from the air conditioning interface. The room temperature acquisition unit acquires the room temperature. The set temperature estimation unit calculates an estimated value of the set temperature of the air conditioning interface based on the first signal received by the signal reception unit and the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit. The estimated value transmission unit transmits the estimated value to the air conditioner.

In the mediation apparatus according to the present invention, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface is calculated based on the information obtained from the air conditioning interface. The estimated value is transmitted to the air conditioner, and the air conditioner operates based on the estimated value.
Therefore, since the mediation device can calculate the estimated value of the set temperature based on other information without receiving the information on the set temperature from the air conditioning interface, the set temperature value for the operation using the existing air conditioning interface can be calculated. The air conditioner that requires

The intermediary device according to the second invention is the mediation device according to the first invention, and further comprises an operating condition acquisition unit and an operation command transmission unit. The operating state acquisition unit acquires the thermo signal from the indoor unit after the estimated value is calculated by the set temperature estimation unit. A thermo signal is a signal which shows the operating condition of thermo-ON or thermo-OFF of the indoor unit which comprises an air conditioner. The operation command transmission unit transmits an operation command at the highest load or the lowest load to the air conditioner according to the first signal and the thermo signal. Here, the operation command at the maximum load for the air conditioner includes an operation command at a value near the maximum load in addition to the operation command at the maximum load for the compressor. The operation command at the minimum load includes an operation command at a value near the minimum load, an operation command for only blowing air by a fan, and a stop command for the compressor, in addition to an operation command at the minimum load for the compressor.

In the mediation apparatus according to the present invention, after calculating the estimated value, the first signal input from the air conditioning interface and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor unit are confirmed, and an operation command for the air conditioner is transmitted in accordance with these signals. To do.
Therefore, since the intermediary device grasps the signal of the air conditioning interface after calculating the estimated value and the operating status of the indoor unit, it can appropriately cope with the change of the set temperature in the air conditioning interface.

The mediation device according to the third invention is the mediation device according to the second invention, further comprising a timer unit. The timer unit measures a predetermined time after the estimated value is calculated by the set temperature estimating unit. The operation command transmission unit transmits a maximum load operation command or a minimum load operation command to the air conditioner after a lapse of a predetermined time in accordance with the first signal and the thermo signal.

In the intermediary device according to the present invention, the timer unit measures a predetermined time after the set temperature estimation unit calculates the estimated value, and the operation command transmission unit performs the predetermined time after the predetermined time elapses according to the first signal and the thermo signal. Send an operation command to the air conditioner.
Therefore, since the intermediary device periodically transmits an operation command to the air conditioner, even when the set temperature of the air conditioning interface is changed, it can be appropriately adjusted to the changed set temperature.

The intermediary device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the intermediary device according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein when the first signal changes within a predetermined time, the set temperature estimation unit recalculates the estimated value.
In the mediation apparatus according to the present invention, the set temperature estimation unit recalculates the estimated value according to the change of the first signal within a predetermined time.
Thereby, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be calculated as appropriate.

An intermediary device according to a fifth invention is the mediation device according to the third or fourth invention, wherein the first signal does not change within a predetermined time, and the status of the air conditioning interface indicated by the first signal and the thermo signal When the operation status of the indoor unit indicated by is inconsistent, the operation command transmission unit transmits an operation command with the highest load or an operation command with the lowest load to the air conditioner.

In the intermediary device according to the present invention, the change of the first signal, the status of the air conditioning interface, and the operating status of the indoor unit in a predetermined time are determined, and the status of the air conditioning interface and the status of the indoor unit are not changed. If the operation status does not match, the operation command transmission unit transmits an operation command to the air conditioner.
Thereby, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be reviewed as appropriate.

An intermediary device according to a sixth aspect is the mediation device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the state of the air conditioning interface and the operation state of the indoor unit do not coincide with each other includes a first state and a second state. . The first state is a state in which the driving status acquisition unit receives a thermo signal indicating the driving status of the thermo OFF when the signal receiving unit receives the first signal requesting the operation. The second state is a state in which the driving status acquisition unit receives a thermo signal indicating the driving status of the thermo-ON when the signal receiving unit receives the first signal requesting non-operation. In the first state, the operation command transmission unit transmits an operation command of the highest load to the air conditioner. In the second state, the operation command transmission unit transmits an operation command of the lowest load to the air conditioner. Send.

In the mediation apparatus according to the present invention, when the status of the air conditioning interface and the operation status of the indoor unit are inconsistent, an operation command corresponding to the status is transmitted by the operation command transmission unit.
Thereby, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be reviewed as appropriate.

An intermediary device according to a seventh invention is the mediation device according to the fifth or sixth invention, wherein the first signal does not change within a predetermined time, and the status of the air conditioning interface indicated by the first signal and the thermo signal If the operation status of the indoor unit indicated by is consistent with the operation status of the indoor unit, the operation command transmission unit will not operate until the maximum load operation command or minimum It waits without sending the load operation command to the air conditioner.

In the intermediary device according to the present invention, the change of the first signal in a predetermined time, the status of the air conditioning interface and the operating status of the indoor unit are determined, the first signal does not change, and the status of the air conditioning interface and the indoor unit In the case where the operation status coincides with the operation status, the operation command from the operation command transmission unit is not transmitted to the air conditioner.
Therefore, when it is not necessary to change the estimated temperature value set in the air conditioning interface, the operation command is not transmitted, so that the room temperature can be maintained at an appropriate temperature.

An intermediary device according to an eighth invention is the mediation device according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the set temperature estimation unit is a temperature obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit or A temperature obtained by adding the predetermined temperature to the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit is calculated as the estimated value.
Thereby, in the mediation apparatus, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be calculated.

An intermediary apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the intermediary apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the air conditioner is performing a cooling operation, and the first signal requesting non-operation within a predetermined time requests the operation. When it changes to 1 signal, a preset temperature estimation part calculates the temperature which deducted predetermined temperature from the room temperature acquired in the room temperature acquisition part as an estimated value. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is performing the heating operation and the first signal requesting non-operation changes to the first signal requesting operation within a predetermined time, the set temperature estimation unit is the room temperature acquisition unit. A temperature obtained by adding a predetermined temperature to the acquired room temperature is calculated as an estimated value.

In the intermediary device according to the present invention, when the first signal changes within a predetermined time, the temperature obtained by adding the predetermined temperature to the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit or subtracting the predetermined temperature from the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit is Calculated as an estimated value.
Thereby, in the mediation apparatus, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be calculated.

An intermediary apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the intermediary apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the air conditioner is performing a cooling operation, and the first signal that requests operation within a predetermined time is a non-operation request. When it changes to 1 signal, a preset temperature estimation part calculates the temperature which added predetermined temperature to the room temperature acquired in the room temperature acquisition part as an estimated value. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is performing the heating operation and the first signal for requesting the operation changes to the first signal for requesting the non-operation within the predetermined time, the set temperature estimation unit is the room temperature acquisition unit. A temperature obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from the acquired room temperature is calculated as an estimated value.

An air conditioning control system according to an eleventh invention comprises an intermediary device according to the first invention, an air conditioning interface, and an air conditioner. The air conditioning interface can communicate with the mediation device. The air conditioner receives the estimated value transmitted from the mediation device and performs air conditioning control based on the estimated value.

In the air conditioning control system according to the present invention, the intermediary device calculates an estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface based on information obtained from the air conditioning interface, and transmits the estimated value to the air conditioner. The machine operates based on the estimated value. Therefore, the air conditioning control system can calculate the estimated value of the set temperature based on other information without the mediation device receiving the information about the set temperature from the air conditioning interface. It is possible to operate an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation.

An air conditioning control method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioning control method using an air conditioning interface, and includes first to fourth steps. The air conditioning interface receives an input of a set temperature for the air conditioner and generates a first signal requesting activation or deactivation of the heat source of the air conditioner. In the first step, a first signal is received. In the second step, the room temperature is acquired. In the third step, after receiving the first signal in the first step, an estimated value of the set temperature of the air conditioning interface is calculated based on the room temperature acquired in the second step. In the fourth step, the estimated value is transmitted to the air conditioner.

In the air conditioning control method according to the present invention, after receiving the first signal from the air conditioning interface, an estimated value of the temperature set in the air conditioning interface is calculated based on the acquired room temperature, and the calculated estimated value is then used as the air conditioner. Sent to.
Therefore, the air conditioning control method can calculate the estimated value of the set temperature based on the first signal obtained from the air conditioning interface without receiving information on the set temperature from the air conditioning interface. It is possible to operate an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation.

The air conditioning control system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioning control program that uses an air conditioning interface, and causes a computer to execute the first step to the fourth step. The air conditioning interface receives a set temperature input to the air conditioner and generates a first signal requesting activation or deactivation. In the first step, a first signal is received. In the second step, the room temperature is acquired. In the third step, after receiving the first signal in the first step, an estimated value of the set temperature of the air conditioning interface is calculated based on the room temperature acquired in the second step. In the fourth step, the estimated value is transmitted to the air conditioner.

In the air conditioning control program according to the present invention, after receiving the first signal from the air conditioning interface, an estimated value of the temperature set in the air conditioning interface is calculated based on the acquired room temperature, and the calculated estimated value is then used as the air conditioner. Sent to. Therefore, by causing the computer to execute the air conditioning control program, it is possible to calculate the estimated value of the set temperature based on the first signal obtained from the air conditioning interface without receiving information on the set temperature from the air conditioning interface. The existing air conditioning interface can be used to operate an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation.

In the mediation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation can be operated using an existing air conditioning interface.
In the mediation apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately cope with a change in the set temperature in the air conditioning interface after calculating the estimated value.
In the intermediary device according to the third invention, since the intermediary device periodically transmits an operation command to the air conditioner, even when the set temperature of the air conditioning interface is changed, it can be appropriately adjusted to the changed set temperature. it can.
In the intermediary device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be calculated as appropriate.

In the intermediary device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be reviewed as appropriate.
In the intermediary device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be reviewed as appropriate.
In the intermediary device according to the seventh aspect of the invention, when it is not necessary to change the estimated temperature value set in the air conditioning interface, the operation command is not transmitted, so that the room temperature can be maintained at an appropriate temperature.
In the intermediary device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be calculated.
In the mediation device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be calculated.

In the intermediary device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, an estimated value of the temperature set by the air conditioning interface can be calculated.
In the air conditioning control system according to the eleventh aspect of the invention, an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation can be operated using an existing air conditioning interface.
In the air conditioning control method according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation can be operated using an existing air conditioning interface.
In the air conditioning control program according to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation can be operated using an existing air conditioning interface.

1 is an overview of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the thermostat which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the control signal output from the thermostat which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the auxiliary unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the mediation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation of the mediation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows various signals which the mediation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention grasps | ascertains at the time of cooling operation, and the mediation apparatus. It is a figure which shows various signals which the mediation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention grasps | ascertains at the time of cooling operation, and the mediation apparatus. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process at the time of the heating operation of the mediation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the various signals which the room temperature which the mediation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention grasps at the time of heating operation, and a mediation apparatus detect. It is a figure which shows various signals which the mediation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention grasps | ascertains at the time of heating operation, and the mediation apparatus. It is a general-view figure of the air-conditioning control system which concerns on the modification (3) of embodiment of this invention. It is a general-view figure of the air-conditioning control system which concerns on the modification (3) of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioning control system 10 Outdoor heat pump unit 20a-20d Indoor heat pump unit 30 Thermostat (air conditioning interface)
31 Control Line 40 Mediation Device 50 Auxiliary Unit 51 Gas Furnace Unit 52 Fan Unit 58 Aeration Duct 78 Supply Duct 81 Communication Line 88 Refrigerant Circuit

<< First Embodiment >>
<Overall configuration of air conditioning system>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This air conditioning system 1 is an air conditioning system used in a building (property) such as a house or an office building, for example. The thermostat 30 and the intermediary device 40 are configured. Further, in FIG. 1, an auxiliary unit 50 including a gas furnace unit 51 and a fan unit 52 is connected to the thermostat 30. In the property shown in FIG. 1, indoor air conditioning can be performed by appropriately using an air conditioner and a gas furnace unit 51 and a fan unit 52 provided in the auxiliary unit 50. In this system, air conditioned in the auxiliary unit 50 is supplied to each room through the supply duct 78, and the air supplied to each room is further conditioned by an air conditioner installed in each room. Thereafter, the air in each room harmonized by the air conditioner is sent to the auxiliary unit 50 through the air duct 58.

<Configuration of each part>
(1) Configuration of Thermostat 30 First, the thermostat 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows an example of the display unit of the thermostat 30. The thermostat 30 is often used particularly as an air conditioning control interface in the United States, and has an on / off control function, a temperature setting function, a cooling / heating setting function, a dehumidification setting function, and the like of devices connected to the thermostat 30. The thermostat 30 includes a room temperature grasping unit for grasping the room temperature and an input unit for the set temperature, and compares the input set temperature with the room temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping unit to determine whether the operation of the compressor is performed or not. A signal requesting operation (operation / non-operation request signal) is generated. The operation / non-operation request signal that requires operation is a signal that requests operation of the compressor 12, and the operation / non-operation request signal that requires operation is operation for the compressor 12. This is a signal requesting the non-operation. If the activation / deactivation request signal requires activation, the activation / deactivation request signal is set ON, and if the activation / deactivation request signal requires deactivation, the activation / deactivation request signal is set OFF. The

Specifically, for example, when the operation is started, the operation start / non-operation request signal for the compressor is set to ON by performing the operation start operation with the thermostat 30. On the contrary, when the operation is finished, the operation stop / operation request signal for the compressor 12 is set to OFF by operating the thermostat 30 to stop the operation. When operating in the cooling operation mode, the operation / non-operation request signal is also set to ON even when the room temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping unit of the thermostat 30 becomes higher than the temperature set in the thermostat 30. When the room temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping section of the thermostat 30 becomes lower than the temperature set in the thermostat 30, the operation / non-operation request signal is set to OFF. Furthermore, when operating in the heating operation mode, when the temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping portion of the thermostat 30 becomes lower than the temperature set in the thermostat 30, the activation / deactivation request signal is set to ON. When the temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping unit of the thermostat 30 becomes higher than the temperature set in the thermostat 30, the operation / non-operation request signal is set to OFF. Further, in the above-described determination process of the thermostat 30, there may be a case where a differential is provided for the determination temperature of the thermostat 30 in order to prevent hunting of the operation / non-operation request signal.

In the present embodiment, the thermostat 30 is used as an interface of the air conditioner, the gas furnace unit 51, and the fan unit 52. The thermostat 30 is connected to a gas furnace unit 51 and a fan unit 52 by a control line 31, and controls these units. The thermostat 30 is connected to the mediation device 40 via a control line 31 and controls the air conditioner via the mediation device 40. FIG. 3 is a table showing signals output from the thermostat 30. In the present embodiment, the intermediary device 40 described later converts these signals into signals that can be read by the air conditioner and transmits them to the air conditioner. Details will be described later.
(2) Structure of air conditioner Next, the air conditioner used for the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. The air conditioner used in this embodiment is a multi-type heat pump air conditioner, and the outdoor heat pump unit 10 and the indoor heat pump units 20a to 20d are connected by a refrigerant communication pipe 88 and a communication line 81. The air conditioner adjusts the number of rotations of the compressor of the outdoor heat pump unit 10 and the opening of the indoor expansion valve of the indoor heat pump units 20a-20d in a stepwise manner in accordance with the set temperature value. Control the amount of refrigerant flowing.

Furthermore, the indoor heat pump units 20a-20d according to the present embodiment are controlled so that the operation of the thermo OFF and the thermo ON is automatically repeated, and the indoor environment is maintained in the vicinity of the set temperature value. Here, the thermo OFF means a state in which the cooling operation and the heating operation are stopped. Specifically, it refers to a low-load operation in which the refrigerant flows slightly, an operation in which only the fan is operated without flowing the refrigerant, or a state in which the fan is stopped without flowing the refrigerant. On the other hand, the thermo-ON refers to a state where a cooling operation or a heating operation is performed. Specifically, it refers to a state in which the fan is operated and the refrigerant flow rate and the like are adjusted so that the room temperature approaches the set temperature. In the air conditioner, the value obtained by the room temperature thermistor provided in the indoor heat pump units 20a-20d is 0.5 ° C. or lower of the set temperature value during cooling operation and 0.5 ° C. or higher of the set temperature value during heating operation In this case, the thermo-OFF operation is performed. On the other hand, when the value obtained by the room temperature thermistor is not less than the set temperature value of 0.5 ° C. during the cooling operation and when the value obtained is not more than the set temperature value of 0.5 ° C. during the heating operation, Do the driving.

(3) Configuration of Auxiliary Unit 50 Next, the configuration of the auxiliary unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The auxiliary unit 50 is disposed in, for example, a basement, and accommodates the gas furnace unit 51 and the fan unit 52. The gas furnace unit 51 is mainly composed of a gas furnace 51a that performs gas combustion and a gas furnace controller 51b that controls the amount of combustion, and heats the air in the auxiliary unit 50. The fan unit 52 mainly includes a fan 52a such as a sirocco fan and a fan controller 52b, and sends out air in the auxiliary unit 50 from the supply duct 78 to the room. As shown in FIG. 4, the gas furnace controller 51 b and the fan controller 52 b are connected to the thermostat 30 and the control line 31, respectively, and receive control signals from the thermostat 30. The gas furnace controller 51b and the fan controller 52b operate the gas furnace 51a and the fan 52a according to the received control signal.
(4) Schematic Configuration of Mediating Device 40 Next, the mediating device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The intermediary device 40 mainly includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, a room temperature acquisition unit 43, a timer unit 44, and a control unit 45. The communication unit 41 includes an input / output port, inputs various signals from the thermostat 30 and the air conditioner, and outputs a control signal to the air conditioner. The storage unit 42 stores a control program used to calculate an estimated value by a set temperature estimation unit 45b described later. The room temperature acquisition unit 43 is a room temperature thermistor and can thereby obtain the temperature of the room where the mediation device 40 is installed. The timer unit 44 measures a predetermined time after a set temperature estimation unit 45b described later calculates an estimated value. In this embodiment, the predetermined time of the timer after calculating the estimated value is 15 minutes.

The control unit 45 is configured by a CPU or the like, and includes a signal reception unit 45a, a set temperature estimation unit 45b, an estimated value transmission unit 45c, a signal conversion unit 45d, an operation command transmission unit 45e, and an operation status acquisition unit. 45f. The signal receiving unit 45a receives an output signal from the thermostat 30 shown in FIG. Here, of the signals received by the signal receiving unit 45a, the Y1 (compressor) signal is used as an operation / non-operation request signal during cooling operation, and the W1 (heater) signal is used as an operation / non-operation request signal during heating operation. . The set temperature estimation unit 45b calculates an estimated value of the temperature set by the thermostat 30. The air conditioner according to the present embodiment treats the estimated value calculated by the set temperature estimation unit 45b as the set temperature for the air conditioner. The estimated value transmitting unit 45c transmits the estimated value calculated by the set temperature estimating unit 45b to the air conditioner. The signal converter 45d converts the signal from the thermostat 30 shown in FIG. 3 into a signal that can be read by the air conditioner. In the present embodiment, the signal G (fan) is converted into an operation / stop command, and the other signals B (heating), W1 (heater), O (cooling), Y1 (compressor), and DHM (dehumidification) are respectively The operation mode (cooling operation mode / heating operation mode) is determined from this signal pattern, converted to an operation mode signal readable by the air conditioner, and then transmitted to the air conditioner. The operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command or a stop command at the maximum load to the air conditioner. In the present embodiment, when an operation command at the maximum load is transmitted from the intermediary device 40 to the air conditioner, an operation command at the lower limit value is transmitted during cooling operation, and an operation command at the upper limit value is transmitted during heating operation. To do. The stop command here includes a stop command for stopping both the air blowing by the fan and the cooling or heating operation, and a stop command for operating only the fan. The operating status acquisition unit 45f acquires a signal (thermo signal) indicating whether the indoor heat pump units 20a-20d are operating with the thermo-ON or thermo-OFF. Note that when a plurality of indoor heat pump units 20a-20d are controlled by a single thermostat 30 as in this embodiment, the thermo signal of the indoor heat pump unit set as a representative machine is transmitted to the indoor heat pump units 20a-20d. Acquired as a thermo signal.

<Calculation method of estimated value in mediation device 40>
Hereinafter, the calculation method of the estimated value in the mediation apparatus 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the following description, a method of calculating an estimated value when the indoor heat pump unit 20c is set as a representative machine among the indoor heat pump units 20a to 20d will be described.
<During cooling operation>
FIG. 6 shows a processing flow of the mediation device 40 during the cooling operation.
When the temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping unit of the thermostat 30 becomes higher than the set temperature set by the user on the thermostat 30, the G signal (fan signal) described with reference to FIG. 3 is set to ON (operation) in the thermostat 30. In addition, the Y1 signal (compressor signal) is set to ON.

In the intermediary device 40, the signal receiving unit 45a receives the fan signal (fan ON signal) set to ON by the thermostat 30 and the compressor signal (compressor ON signal) set to ON (step S101). When the signal receiving unit 45a receives the compressor ON signal from the thermostat 30, it is determined whether or not the compressor ON signal is the first compressor ON signal after the start of the cooling operation (step S102). In step S102, when the compressor ON signal is the first compressor ON signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner to operate with the lower limit value as the set temperature (step S103). If the cooling operation is continued in this state, the room temperature gradually decreases, and eventually the temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping portion of the thermostat 30 falls below the set temperature actually set in the thermostat, and the compressor signal is set to OFF in the thermostat 30. . When the compressor signal set to OFF by the thermostat 30 (compressor OFF signal) is input to the mediation device 40 (step S104), the set temperature estimation unit 45b is the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the compressor OFF signal is input. Based on the obtained temperature, an estimated value of the temperature set in the thermostat 30 is calculated, and the estimated value is transmitted to the air conditioner (step S105). The details of the process for calculating the estimated value will be described later.

Thereafter, the timer unit 44 starts measuring time (step S106).
Thereafter, the intermediary device 40 determines whether or not there is a change in the compressor signal from the thermostat 30 (step S107). Here, when there is a change within the set time of the timer, the process returns to step S105 again, the set temperature estimating unit 45b calculates the estimated value of the set temperature, and the estimated value transmitting unit 45c sends the estimated value to the air conditioner. Send. If there is no change in the compressor signal in step S107, the process proceeds to step S108, and it is determined whether or not the time measured by the timer unit 44 has passed 15 minutes (step S108). Here, when 15 minutes have passed since the estimated value was transmitted to the air conditioner, the operating status acquisition unit 45f acquires a thermo signal indicating the operating status of the indoor heat pump unit 20c from the indoor heat pump unit 20c, and then Then, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal matches the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the compressor signal (step S109).

Specifically, whether the operation signal acquisition unit 45f acquires from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is a signal that is set to ON (thermo ON signal) or a signal that is set to OFF (thermo OFF signal). Further, it is determined whether the compressor signal from the thermostat 30 received by the signal receiving unit 45a is a compressor ON signal or a compressor OFF signal.
More specifically, when the compressor signal input from the thermostat 30 is the compressor ON signal and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is the thermo ON signal, or the compressor signal input from the thermostat 30 is When it is a compressor OFF signal and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is a thermo OFF signal, it is determined that the state of the thermostat 30 matches the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c. Conversely, when the compressor signal input from the thermostat 30 is the compressor ON signal and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is the thermo OFF signal, or the compressor signal input from the thermostat 30 is the compressor. When it is an OFF signal and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is a thermo ON signal, it is determined that the state of the thermostat 30 and the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c are inconsistent.

If it is determined in step S109 that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the compressor signal and the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal are inconsistent, whether or not the compressor signal from the thermostat 30 is the compressor OFF signal. Is determined (step S110). Here, as the reason why the situation of the thermostat 30 indicated by the compressor signal and the situation of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal do not match, the estimated value calculated by the mediating device 40 is transmitted to the air conditioner, The case where the temperature set to the thermostat 30 by the user is changed is considered. Therefore, when the compressor signal from the thermostat 30 is an ON signal, the process returns to step S103, and the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner so as to operate with the lower limit value as the set temperature, and the thermostat. When the compressor signal from 30 is a compressor OFF signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation stop command to the air conditioner (step S111).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S109 that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the compressor signal matches the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal, the process returns to step 107 and the compressor signal from the thermostat 30 is converted. Determine if there is a change. Here, the reason why the situation of the thermostat 30 indicated by the compressor signal and the situation of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal coincide with each other is that the set temperature in the thermostat 30 and the estimated value calculated by the mediation device 40 And the room temperature has not yet reached the set temperature of the thermostat 30. Therefore, the processing from step S107 to step S109 is continued until the compressor signal from the thermostat 30 is changed.
Here, the processing content regarding the calculation of the estimated value in step S105 described above will be described. When the compressor signal input to the signal reception unit 45a is a compressor OFF signal, the set temperature estimation unit 45b is a temperature obtained by adding a predetermined temperature to the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the compressor OFF signal is input. Is calculated as an estimated value. On the other hand, when the compressor signal input to the signal reception unit 45a is a compressor ON signal, the set temperature estimation unit 45b subtracts a predetermined temperature from the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the compressor ON signal is input. The calculated temperature is calculated as an estimated value. In the present embodiment, the predetermined temperature is 1 ° C.

6, when the user desires to stop the cooling operation and receives a cooling stop command from the thermostat 30, the fan signal is set to OFF in the thermostat 30. In the intermediary device 40, when the signal reception unit 45a receives a fan signal (fan OFF signal) set to OFF by the thermostat 30, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits a stop command for the operation to the air conditioner, as shown in FIG. The processing flow ends.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show changes in the room temperature grasped by the mediating device 40 during the cooling operation, signals from the thermostat 30 and the indoor heat pump unit 20c detected by the mediating device 40 (compressor signal and thermo signal), and the mediating device 40 The relationship with the operation command transmitted to an air conditioner is shown.
First, the operation when the set temperature is lowered during operation by the user will be described with reference to FIG. As described in step S101 above, the signal receiving unit 45a first receives the compressor ON signal (ON signal A1) from the thermostat 30. Since the ON signal A1 is the first compressor ON signal, as described in step S103, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner to operate with the lower limit value as the set temperature. Thereafter, when the cooling operation is continued, the room temperature is lowered, and the compressor OFF signal (OFF signal B1) from the thermostat 30 is input to the intermediary device 40 before long. In the intermediary device 40, when the OFF signal B1 is input, the set temperature estimating unit 45b calculates an estimated value based on the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquiring unit 43, and the estimated value transmitting unit 45c sends the estimated value to the air conditioner. Is transmitted (the above-mentioned step S105), but after the estimated value is transmitted and a predetermined time elapses after the estimated value is transmitted due to a rise in room temperature or a temperature detection error of the room temperature grasping part of the thermostat 30 (for example, In FIG. 7, after 10 minutes, when the compressor ON signal (ON signal A2) is input (step S107 described above), the set temperature is based on the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the ON signal A2 is input. The estimation unit 45b calculates the estimated value again, and the estimated value transmission unit 45c transmits the estimated value to the air conditioner (step S105). Here, there is no change in the compressor signal received from the thermostat 30 during the 15 minutes measured by the timer unit 44, the compressor signal when the 15 minutes have elapsed is the compressor ON signal, and the thermo OFF signal is acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c. is doing. Therefore, it is determined that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the compressor signal and the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal are inconsistent (step S109). That is, since the set temperature has been lowered, it is determined that the room temperature has not reached the temperature set in the thermostat 30. Here, since the signal input from the thermostat 30 is a compressor ON signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner so as to operate with the lower limit value as the set temperature (step S103).

Next, the operation when the set temperature is raised during operation by the user will be described with reference to FIG. First, the signal receiving unit 45a receives a compressor ON signal (ON signal A1) from the thermostat 30. Since the ON signal A1 is the first compressor ON signal, as described in step S103, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner to operate with the lower limit value as the set temperature. Thereafter, the compressor OFF signal (OFF signal B1) from the thermostat 30 is input to the mediating device 40. In the intermediary device 40, when the OFF signal B1 is input, the set temperature estimating unit 45b calculates an estimated value based on the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquiring unit 43, and the estimated value transmitting unit 45c sends the estimated value to the air conditioner. Transmit (step S105 described above). Thereafter, there is no change in the compressor signal received from the thermostat 30 for 15 minutes measured by the timer unit 44, the compressor signal when the 15 minutes have elapsed is the compressor OFF signal, and a thermo ON signal is acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c. ing. Therefore, it is determined that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the compressor signal and the state of the air conditioner indicated by the thermo signal are inconsistent (step S109). That is, since the set temperature has been raised, it is determined that the room temperature has not reached the temperature set in the thermostat 30. Here, since the compressor signal indicating the state of the thermostat 30 is a compressor OFF signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits a stop operation command to the air conditioner as described in step S111.

<During heating operation>
Next, the flow of the process of the mediation apparatus 40 at the time of heating operation is shown using FIG.
When the temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping unit of the thermostat 30 becomes lower than the set temperature set by the user on the thermostat 30, the G signal (fan signal) described with reference to FIG. 3 is set to ON (operation) in the thermostat 30. In addition, the W1 signal (heater signal) is set to ON.
In the intermediary device 40, the signal receiving unit 45a is set to ON by the thermostat 30 and receives the fan signal (fan ON signal) and the heater signal (heater ON signal) set to ON (step S201). When the signal receiving unit 45a receives the heater ON signal from the thermostat 30, it is determined whether or not the heater ON signal is the first heater ON signal (step S202). In step S202, when the heater ON signal is the first heater ON signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner so as to operate with the upper limit value as the set temperature (step S203). If the heating operation is continued in this state, the room temperature gradually rises, and eventually the temperature grasped by the room temperature grasping part of the thermostat 30 exceeds the set temperature actually set in the thermostat 30, and the heater signal is set to OFF in the thermostat 30. The When the heater signal (heater OFF signal) set to OFF by the thermostat 30 is input to the intermediary device 40 (step S204), the set temperature estimation unit 45b is the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the heater OFF signal is input. An estimated value of the temperature set in the thermostat 30 is calculated based on the obtained temperature, and the estimated value is transmitted to the air conditioner (step S205). The details of the process for calculating the estimated value will be described later.

Thereafter, the timer unit 44 starts measuring time (step S206).
The mediating device 40 then determines whether or not there is a change in the heater signal of the thermostat 30 (step S207). Here, if there is a change within the set time of the timer, the process returns to step S205 again, the set temperature estimating unit 45b calculates the estimated value of the set temperature, and the estimated value transmitting unit 45c sends the estimated value to the air conditioner. Send. When there is no change in the heater signal in step S207, the process proceeds to step S208, and it is determined whether or not the time measured by the timer unit 44 has passed 15 minutes (step S208). Here, when 15 minutes have passed since the estimated value was transmitted to the air conditioner, the operating status acquisition unit 45f acquires a thermo signal indicating the operating status of the indoor heat pump unit 20c from the indoor heat pump unit 20c, and the thermo signal It is determined whether or not the operation status of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by and the status of the thermostat 30 indicated by the heater signal match (step S209).

Specifically, the operation status acquisition unit 45f is either a signal in which a thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is set to ON (thermo ON signal) or a signal that is set to OFF (thermo OFF signal). It is also determined whether the heater signal from the thermostat 30 received by the signal receiving unit 45a is a heater ON signal or a heater OFF signal.
More specifically, when the heater signal input from the thermostat 30 is a heater ON signal and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is a thermo ON signal, or the heater signal input from the thermostat 30 is When it is a heater OFF signal and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is a thermo OFF signal, it is determined that the state of the thermostat 30 matches the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c. Conversely, when the heater signal input from the thermostat 30 is the heater ON signal and the thermo signal acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c is the thermo OFF signal, or the heater signal input from the thermostat 30 is the heater OFF When the thermo signal indicating the status of the indoor heat pump unit 20c is a thermo ON signal, it is determined that the status of the thermostat 30 and the status of the indoor heat pump unit 20c are inconsistent.

If it is determined in step S209 that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the heater signal and the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal are inconsistent, whether or not the heater signal from the thermostat 30 is a heater OFF signal. Is determined (step S210). Here, the reason why the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the heater signal and the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal do not match is similar to the above-described explanation during the cooling operation, as estimated by the mediation device 40. It is conceivable that the temperature set in the thermostat 30 is changed by the user after the value is transmitted to the air conditioner. Therefore, when the heater signal from the thermostat 30 is the heater ON signal, the process returns to step S203, and the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner so as to operate with the upper limit value as the set temperature. When the heater signal from the thermostat 30 is a heater OFF signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation stop command to the air conditioner (step S211).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S209 that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the heater signal matches the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal, the process returns to step 207 to return the heater signal from the thermostat 30. To determine if there is any change. Here, the reason why the condition of the thermostat 30 indicated by the heater signal and the condition of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal coincide with each other is the same as the set temperature in the thermostat 30 as described above in the cooling operation. And the estimated value calculated by the intermediary device 40 may coincide with each other and the room temperature has not yet reached the set temperature of the thermostat. Therefore, the processing from step S207 to step S209 is continued until the heater signal from the thermostat 30 changes.
Here, the processing content regarding the calculation of the estimated value in step S205 described above will be described. When the heater signal input to the signal reception unit 45a is a heater OFF signal, the set temperature estimation unit 45b is a temperature obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the heater OFF signal is input. Is calculated as an estimated value. On the other hand, when the heater signal input to the signal reception unit 45a is a heater ON signal, the set temperature estimation unit 45b adds a predetermined temperature to the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the heater ON signal is input. The temperature is calculated as an estimated value. In the present embodiment, the predetermined temperature is 1 ° C.

9, when the user desires to stop the heating operation and receives a heating stop command from the thermostat 30, the fan signal is set to OFF in the thermostat 30. In the intermediary device 40, when the signal receiving unit 45a receives a fan signal (fan OFF signal) set to OFF by the thermostat 30, the operation command transmitting unit 45e transmits a stop command for operation to the air conditioner, as shown in FIG. The processing flow ends.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show changes in room temperature grasped by the mediating device 40 during heating operation, signals (heater signals and thermo signals) detected from the thermostat 30 and the indoor heat pump unit 20c detected by the mediating device 40, and the mediating device 40 The relationship with the operation command transmitted to an air conditioner is shown.
First, the operation when the set temperature is raised during operation by the user will be described with reference to FIG. As described in step S201 above, first, the signal receiving unit 45a receives the heater ON signal (ON signal A1) from the thermostat 30. Since the ON signal A1 is the first heater ON signal, as described in step S203, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner to operate with the upper limit value as the set temperature. Thereafter, when the heating operation is continued, the room temperature rises, and a heater OFF signal (OFF signal B1) from the thermostat 30 is input to the intermediary device 40 eventually. In the intermediary device 40, when the OFF signal B1 is input, the set temperature estimating unit 45b calculates an estimated value based on the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquiring unit 43, and the estimated value transmitting unit 45c sends the estimated value to the air conditioner. Is transmitted (step S205 described above), but after the estimated value is transmitted, the heater ON signal (ON signal A2) is generated after the timer starts measuring until a predetermined time elapses (for example, 10 minutes in FIG. 10). When it is input (step S207 described above), the set temperature estimation unit 45b calculates the estimated value again based on the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquisition unit 43 when the ON signal A2 is input, and the estimated value transmission unit 45c. Transmits the estimated value to the air conditioner (step S205). Here, there is no change in the heater signal received from the thermostat 30 during the 15 minutes measured by the timer unit 44, the heater signal when the 15 minutes have elapsed is the heater ON signal, and the thermo OFF signal is acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c. is doing. Therefore, it is determined that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the heater signal is inconsistent with the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal (step S209). That is, since the set temperature has been raised, it is determined that the room temperature has not reached the temperature set in the thermostat 30. Here, since the heater signal indicating the state of the thermostat 30 is a heater ON signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner so as to operate with the upper limit value as the set temperature (step S203).

Next, the operation when the set temperature is lowered during operation by the user will be described with reference to FIG. First, the signal receiving unit 45a receives the heater ON signal (ON signal A1) from the thermostat 30. Since the ON signal A1 is the first heater ON signal, as described in step S203, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits an operation command to the air conditioner to operate with the upper limit value as the set temperature. Thereafter, the heater OFF signal (OFF signal B1) from the thermostat 30 is input to the intermediary device 40. In the intermediary device 40, when the OFF signal B1 is input, the set temperature estimating unit 45b calculates an estimated value based on the temperature obtained by the room temperature acquiring unit 43, and the estimated value transmitting unit 45c sends the estimated value to the air conditioner. Transmit (step S205 described above). Thereafter, there is no change in the heater signal received from the thermostat 30 for 15 minutes measured by the timer unit 44, the heater signal when the 15 minutes have elapsed is the heater OFF signal, and a thermo ON signal is acquired from the indoor heat pump unit 20c. ing. Therefore, it is determined that the state of the thermostat 30 indicated by the heater signal is inconsistent with the state of the indoor heat pump unit 20c indicated by the thermo signal (step S209). That is, since the set temperature has been lowered, it is determined that the room temperature has not reached the temperature set in the thermostat 30. Here, since the heater signal indicating the state of the thermostat 30 is a heater OFF signal, the operation command transmission unit 45e transmits a stop operation command to the air conditioner as described in step S211.

<Features>
(1) In the air conditioning system 1 according to the present embodiment, the intermediary device 40 receives a control signal output from the thermostat 30 and converts it into a signal that can be read by the air conditioner. Further, the mediating device 40 calculates an estimated value of the temperature set by the thermostat 30 based on the signal output by the thermostat 30. Therefore, an air conditioner that requires a set temperature value for operation can be operated using the thermostat 30. Thereby, even if it is a case where the air conditioner which performs inverter control is newly introduced, the thermostat 30 as an air conditioning interface used conventionally can be continuously used for the interface of a new air conditioner. Further, since the thermostat 30 can be used continuously, the existing gas furnace unit 51 and the fan unit 52 can be continuously used together, and the air conditioning environment can be efficiently prepared.

(2) Although the output signal of the thermostat 30 varies depending on the type, the intermediary device 40 according to the present embodiment uses the basic signal output from the thermostat 30 to calculate the estimated value of the set temperature. It can be applied to a partial thermostat 30.
(3) Furthermore, the intermediary device 40 according to the present embodiment includes a timer unit 44, and again calculates an estimated value of the set temperature for each predetermined time measured by the timer unit 44. Therefore, even if the set temperature is changed by the user after the estimated value of the set temperature is transmitted to the air conditioner, the estimated value is calculated as appropriate, and thus the indoor environment desired by the user is continuously provided. can do.
<Modification>
(1) Although the multi-type heat pump type air conditioner is used in the present embodiment, a single type heat pump type air conditioner may be used. Moreover, it is applicable not only to a heat pump type air conditioner but also to any other air conditioner as long as it is an inverter controlled air conditioner.

(2) In the present embodiment, in the intermediary device 40, the room temperature acquisition unit 43 is a room temperature thermistor and calculates an estimated value of the set temperature based on the room temperature acquired by its own room temperature thermistor. However, it is a part of the functions included in the control unit 45, and the room temperature information obtained by the room temperature thermistor of the indoor heat pump units 20a-20d may be acquired from the indoor heat pump units 20a-20d. In this case, when a plurality of indoor heat pump units 20a-20d are controlled by one thermostat 30 as in this embodiment, the room temperature obtained by the room temperature thermistor of the indoor heat pump unit set as a representative machine is related. Use information. Accordingly, the set temperature estimation unit 45b can calculate an estimated value of the set temperature in the thermostat 30 based on the room temperature acquired from the representative machine among the plurality of indoor heat pump units 20a-20d. Further, a thermistor for measuring the room temperature may be attached to the outside of the mediation device 40, the external thermistor may be connected to the room temperature acquisition unit 43, and the estimated value of the set temperature may be calculated based on the room temperature acquired by the external thermistor .

(3) In this embodiment, the control signal from the thermostat 30 is transmitted to the outdoor heat pump unit 10 via the mediation device 40. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the control signal from the thermostat 30b is transmitted to the mediation device 40b. May be transmitted to the indoor heat pump units 20a-20c. In this case, as in the present embodiment, it is possible to centrally control the plurality of indoor heat pump units 20a-20c using a single thermostat 30b.
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, thermostats 30a-30c and intermediary devices 40a-40c are provided according to the number of indoor heat pump units 20a-20d, and each indoor heat pump unit 20a-20d is connected to one mediator. You may make it receive the control signal from one different thermostat 30a-30c converted by apparatus 40a-40c. That is, for each of the plurality of indoor heat pump units 20a-20c, one thermostat 30a-30c and an intermediary device 40a-40c are installed, and a control signal from the thermostat 30a-30c to which each intermediary device 40a-40c is connected to itself. May be input, converted, and transmitted to the air conditioner to control the indoor heat pump units 20a-20c. In this case, by performing different settings in each of the thermostats 30a to 30c, each indoor heat pump unit 20a to 20c can be operated at different set temperatures.

(4) Furthermore, each indoor heat pump unit 20a-20d may include a remote controller (not shown). When a remote controller is set for each indoor heat pump unit 20a-20d, an estimated value of the set temperature based on an output signal from the thermostat 30 and a set temperature input by the individual remote controller may be selected. Thereby, a comfortable air-conditioning environment can be realized more flexibly.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, when calculating the estimated value of the temperature set by the thermostat 30, the Y1 signal (compressor signal) of the signal (see FIG. 3) output from the thermostat 30 during the cooling operation, the heating operation In this case, the W1 signal (heater signal) is used, but the estimated value may be calculated using only the Y1 signal, only the W1 signal, or other signals. Thereby, even when the thermostat 30 having only the cooling setting function or only the heating setting function is used, the inverter-controlled air conditioner can be operated.

(6) When only the Y1 signal (compressor signal), B signal (heating signal) and O signal (cooling signal) are used, and the cooling signal is ON and the heating signal is OFF, the cooling operation is performed using the compressor signal. If the cooling signal is OFF and the heating signal is ON, a heating operation using a compressor signal may be used.
(7) In the above embodiment, the time measurement by the timer unit 44 is started after the estimated value is transmitted to the air conditioner by the estimated value transmitting unit 45c, but the set temperature estimating unit 45b calculates the estimated value. Thereafter, the timer unit 44 may start measuring time.
<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, a specific structure is not restricted to these embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the summary of invention.

The present invention has an effect of providing an environment in which an inverter-controlled air conditioner newly introduced using an existing general-purpose thermostat can be used in order to efficiently realize a comfortable air-conditioning environment. It is useful as an intermediary device, an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and an air conditioning control program.

Claims

Air-conditioning control connected to an air-conditioning interface (30) for receiving a set temperature input to the air-conditioner (10, 20a-20d) and generating a first signal for requesting the heat source of the air-conditioner to be activated or deactivated An intermediary device (40) for
A signal receiving unit (45a) for receiving the first signal input from the air conditioning interface;
A room temperature acquisition unit (43) for acquiring a room temperature;
A set temperature estimation unit (45b) that calculates an estimated value of the set temperature of the air conditioning interface based on the first signal received by the signal reception unit and the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit;
An estimated value transmission unit (45c) for transmitting the estimated value to the air conditioner;
Comprising
Mediation device.
After the estimated value is calculated by the set temperature estimation unit, an operation status acquisition unit (45f) that acquires from the indoor unit a thermo signal indicating an operation status of thermo-ON or thermo-OFF of the indoor units constituting the air conditioner. When,
In accordance with the first signal and the thermo signal, the air conditioner further includes an operation command transmission unit (45e) for transmitting an operation command of the highest load or an operation command of the lowest load to the air conditioner.
The mediation apparatus according to claim 1.
A timer unit (44) for measuring a predetermined time after the estimated value is calculated by the set temperature estimating unit;
The operation command transmission unit transmits the operation command for the highest load or the operation command for the lowest load to the air conditioner after the predetermined time has elapsed, according to the first signal and the thermo signal.
The intermediary device according to claim 2.
When the first signal changes within the predetermined time, the set temperature estimation unit calculates the estimated value anew.
The intermediary device according to claim 3.
When the first signal does not change within the predetermined time, and the status of the air conditioning interface indicated by the first signal is inconsistent with the operation status of the indoor unit indicated by the thermo signal,
The operation command transmission unit transmits the operation command of the highest load or the operation command of the lowest load to the air conditioner,
The intermediary device according to claim 3 or 4.
In a state where the status of the air conditioning interface and the operation status of the indoor unit do not match,
A first state in which the driving status acquisition unit receives a thermo signal indicating a driving status of the thermo OFF when the signal receiving unit is receiving a first signal requesting the operation;
A second state in which the driving status acquisition unit receives a thermo signal indicating a driving status of the thermo ON when the signal receiving unit receives the first signal requesting the non-operation;
Contains
In the case of the first state, the operation command transmission unit transmits the operation command of the highest load to the air conditioner,
In the case of the second state, the operation command transmission unit transmits the operation command for the minimum load to the air conditioner.
The intermediary device according to claim 5.
The first signal does not change within the predetermined time, and the condition of the air conditioning interface indicated by the first signal matches the operating condition of the indoor unit indicated by the thermo signal. If
The operation command transmission unit waits without transmitting the operation command of the highest load or the operation command of the lowest load to the air conditioner until the status of the air conditioning interface and the operation status of the indoor unit become inconsistent. To
The intermediary device according to claim 5 or 6.
The set temperature estimation unit calculates, as the estimated value, a temperature obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit or a temperature obtained by adding the predetermined temperature to the room temperature acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit.
The intermediary device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The set temperature estimator is
When the air conditioner is performing a cooling operation and the first signal requesting the non-operation changes to the first signal requesting the operation within the predetermined time, it is acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit A temperature obtained by subtracting the predetermined temperature from the room temperature is calculated as the estimated value;
When the air conditioner is performing a heating operation and the first signal requesting the non-operation changes to the first signal requesting the operation within the predetermined time, it is acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit A temperature obtained by adding the predetermined temperature to the room temperature is calculated as the estimated value;
The intermediary device according to claim 8.
The set temperature estimator is
When the air conditioner is performing a cooling operation and the first signal requesting the operation changes to the first signal requesting the non-operation within the predetermined time, it is acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit. A temperature obtained by adding the predetermined temperature to the room temperature is calculated as the estimated value;
When the air conditioner is performing a heating operation and the first signal requesting the operation changes to the first signal requesting the non-operation within the predetermined time, it is acquired by the room temperature acquisition unit. A temperature obtained by subtracting the predetermined temperature from the room temperature is calculated as the estimated value;
The intermediary device according to claim 8.
An intermediary device (40) according to claim 1,
The air conditioning interface (30) capable of communicating with the intermediary device;
An air conditioner (10, 20a-20d) that receives the estimated value transmitted from the mediation device and performs air-conditioning control based on the estimated value;
An air conditioning control system.
An air conditioning control method using an air conditioning interface (30) that receives a set temperature input to the air conditioner (10, 20a-20d) and generates a first signal that requests activation or deactivation of a heat source of the air conditioner Because
A first step of accepting the first signal;
A second step of acquiring room temperature;
A third step of calculating an estimated value of a set temperature of the air conditioning interface based on the room temperature acquired in the second step after receiving the first signal in the first step;
A fourth step of transmitting the estimated value to the air conditioner;
An air conditioning control method comprising:
An air conditioning control program using an air conditioning interface (30) that receives an input of a set temperature for the air conditioner (10, 20a-20d) and generates a first signal that requests activation or deactivation of a heat source of the air conditioner Because
A first step of accepting the first signal;
A second step of acquiring room temperature;
A third step of calculating an estimated value of a set temperature of the air conditioning interface based on the room temperature acquired in the second step after receiving the first signal in the first step;
A fourth step of transmitting the estimated value to the air conditioner;
Air conditioning control program for causing a computer to execute.