WO2020045457A1 - Control device and control method for air conditioner, air-conditioning system, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to reach a set temperature at a set time even when operating in an energy conservation mode. An air conditioner (11) transmits setting information, which includes a set time, a set temperature, and a room temperature, to a cloud server (14) (T13). The air conditioner (11) receives from the cloud server (14) an operation start time at which the air conditioner (11) should start operating in order for the room temperature to reach the set temperature at the set time when operating in the energy conservation mode (T14). The air conditioner (11) is controlled so as to operate in the energy conservation mode at the operation start time (T16).

Description

Control device and control method for air conditioner, air conditioning system, and control program

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

The conventional air conditioner has a time switch function that automatically starts and stops operation when the set time is reached. Also, there is an air conditioner having a so-called “good morning timer” function that starts operation before a set time and starts operation before the set time so that the temperature reaches a set temperature at the set time. . The “good morning timer” calculates the operation start time from the set time, the set temperature, and the room temperature, and starts the operation at the calculated operation start time.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication "JP-A-2018-044750"

Generally, most of the power consumption of an air conditioner is the power consumption of a compressor in the air conditioner. In the normal mode, the air conditioner has a high rotation speed of the compressor immediately after the start of operation and consumes high power. Then, as the temperature approaches the set temperature, the rotation speed of the compressor decreases, and the power consumption decreases.

Therefore, an energy saving mode for limiting the number of revolutions of the compressor is considered. However, in the case of the energy saving mode, a period from the start of the operation to reaching the set temperature becomes long. Further, the period is affected by the performance of the air conditioner and the overall load on the air conditioner, such as the size of a room in which the air conditioner performs air conditioning, the heat capacity of members constituting the room, and the like. . Therefore, in the “good morning timer”, when operating in the energy saving mode from the operation start time, the temperature may not reach the set temperature at the set time.

In order to avoid this problem, the control device of the air conditioner collects various information on the air conditioner and learns the correlation between the operation period in the energy saving mode and the amount of change in room temperature. It is possible. However, recently, it is difficult to further execute the learning in the control device performing a large number of processes due to the multifunctionality of the air conditioner.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner control device and the like that can reach a set temperature at a set time even when operating in an energy saving mode. is there.

In order to solve the above problem, a control device for an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an air conditioner having a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of a compressor is limited as compared with the normal mode. A communication device that communicates various kinds of information with a server via a communication network, a set time, a set temperature to be reached at the set time, and an indoor room where the air conditioner performs air conditioning. And a transmission control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the setting information including the temperature to the server, and the temperature of the room at the set time when the air conditioner operates in the energy saving mode. A reception control unit that controls the communication device so as to receive, from the server, an operation start time at which the air conditioner should start operation to reach the set temperature; and Characterized in that it comprises a driving controller for controlling the air conditioner to operate at the power saving mode to the time.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the set temperature can be reached at the set time even when the operation is performed in the energy saving mode.

It is a figure showing the outline of the air-conditioner control system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an air conditioner in the air conditioner control system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit and a storage unit in the air conditioner. It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a cloud server in the above-mentioned air-conditioning control system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of the energy saving timer in the said air conditioner control system. It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a cloud server in an air-conditioning control system concerning another embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of the energy saving timer in the said air conditioner control system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of the energy-saving timer in the air-conditioning control system concerning another embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the correlation information update in the process of the said energy saving input timer. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of the energy-saving timer in the air-conditioning control system concerning another embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of an air conditioner in an air conditioner control system concerning yet another embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a cloud server in the above-mentioned air-conditioning control system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of the preparation processing of an energy-saving timer in the said air conditioner control system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of the preparation processing of the energy saving ON timer in the air-conditioning control system concerning another embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of the preparation processing of the energy saving ON timer in the air-conditioning control system concerning another embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members described in each embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[Embodiment 1]
First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Outline of air conditioner control system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner control system 1 includes an air conditioner 11 (air conditioner, air conditioner system), a remote controller 12 (remote controller) of the air conditioner 11, a wireless AP (access point) 13, and a cloud server 14 ( Server) and a mobile terminal 15.

The air conditioner 11 and the wireless AP 13 are installed in the user's home 21. The air conditioner 11 is communicably connected to the cloud server 14 via the wireless AP 13 and the wide area communication network 22 (communication network). The mobile terminal 15 is communicably connected to the cloud server 14 via the wide area communication network 22.

In the present embodiment, the configuration including the Internet is illustrated as the wide area communication network 22, but a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, a CATV (CAble TeleVision) communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like can also be used. The air conditioner 11 and the portable terminal 15 are both wireless communication devices, and can communicate with each other via the wireless AP 13 without passing through the wide area communication network 22.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 11 and the portable terminal 15 are registered in the cloud server 14 in association with each other. Thereby, the mobile terminal 15 can remotely control the air conditioner 11 via the cloud server 14. Examples of the mobile terminal 15 include a smartphone and a tablet terminal. It is possible to remotely control a plurality of air conditioners 11 from one portable terminal 15. It is also possible to remotely control one air conditioner 11 from a plurality of portable terminals 15.

The air conditioner 11 according to the present embodiment has a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of the compressor 33a (see FIG. 2) is limited as compared with the normal mode as the operation modes. Further, the air conditioner 11 of the present embodiment has a new timer function that starts the operation in the energy saving mode before the set time and reaches the set temperature at the set time, in addition to the known time switch function as described above. are doing. Hereinafter, this timer function is referred to as “energy-saving timer function”. The air conditioner 11 may have only one of a cooling function and a heating function, or may have both.

The air conditioner 11 of the present embodiment transmits various kinds of information about the air conditioner 11 to the cloud server 14 so that the correlation between the operation period in the energy saving mode and the amount of change in the indoor temperature and the like are transmitted to the cloud server 14. You can keep learning. Next, the air conditioner 11 transmits to the cloud server 14 the energy-saving ON timer setting information including the set time, the set temperature to be reached at the set time, and the temperature of the room in which the air conditioner 11 performs air conditioning. I do. Thus, the cloud server 14 can accurately determine the operation start time when the air conditioner 11 operates in the energy saving mode using the correlation. Then, the air conditioner 11 receives the operation start time from the cloud server 14, and operates in the energy saving mode at the received operation start time. As a result, it is possible to reach the set temperature at the set time even when operating in the energy saving mode.

(Outline of air conditioner)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the air conditioner 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 11 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an air conditioner main body 33, a sensor unit 34, a communication unit 35 (communication device), an operation panel 36, a remote control light receiving unit 37, and an audio output unit 38. It has.

The control unit 31 controls the operation of each unit of the air conditioner 11, and includes, for example, a computer device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an arithmetic processing unit such as a dedicated processor. The control unit 31 reads and executes a program for performing various controls in the air conditioner 11 stored in the storage unit 32, and thereby controls the operation of each unit of the air conditioner 11 as a whole. The details of the control unit 31 will be described later.

The storage unit 32 stores various data used in the air conditioner 11, and includes a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like. The details of the storage unit 32 will be described later.

(4) The air conditioner main body 33 has a mechanism necessary for executing the original function of the air conditioner 11. Specifically, the air conditioner main body 33 includes a compressor 33a for heating or cooling the air, a blower fan 33b for sending the heated or cooled air to the outside of the air conditioner 11, and the like.

The sensor unit 34 senses the indoor environment of the user's home 21 where the air conditioner 11 performs air conditioning. Specifically, the sensor unit 34 includes a temperature sensor 34a for detecting temperature, a humidity sensor 34b for detecting humidity, and the like. In addition, since these sensors can use a well-known thing, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. The air conditioner 11 performs an air conditioning operation such as a cooling operation and a heating operation so that the indoor temperature (room temperature) becomes the set temperature. Thus, the environment sensed by the temperature sensor 34a is necessary for the air conditioner 11 to control the air conditioning operation.

The communication unit 35 communicates with the cloud server 14 via the wireless AP 13 and the wide area communication network 22.

The operation panel 36 is a user interface for a user to input an instruction to the air conditioner 11 and to notify a state of the air conditioner 11 (for example, an operation mode, an outdoor temperature, a set temperature, and the like).

The remote control light receiving section 37 receives an infrared signal from the remote controller 12 and receives instruction information from the remote controller 12.

The audio output unit 38 is an audio output device such as a speaker. The control unit 31 outputs a sound based on the sound data stored in the storage unit 32 from the sound output unit 38. Note that the air conditioner 11 may include a voice input device such as a microphone in order to perform a voice operation.

(Details of air conditioner)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control unit 31 and the storage unit 32 in the air conditioner 11. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 31 includes a setting acquisition unit 41, a room temperature acquisition unit 42, a transmission control unit 43, a start time acquisition unit 44 (reception control unit), and an operation control unit 45. The storage unit 32 includes a user setting storage unit 51, a start time storage unit 52, and an operation setting storage unit 53.

The setting acquisition unit 41 acquires user setting information set by the user with the remote controller 12. In the present embodiment, the setting acquisition unit 41 acquires information on the set time and the set temperature for the energy saving timer as the user setting information. The setting acquisition unit 41 sends the acquired user setting information to the transmission control unit 43 and writes the acquired user setting information into the user setting storage unit 51. Note that the user setting information set by the user on the mobile terminal 15 may be registered in the cloud server 14 to acquire the user setting information from the communication unit 35.

The room temperature acquisition section 42 appropriately acquires information on the current room temperature detected by the temperature sensor 34a. The room temperature acquiring unit 42 sends the acquired information on the room temperature to the transmission control unit 43 and the operation control unit 45.

The transmission control unit 43 controls the communication unit 35 to transmit information on the air conditioner 11 obtained from various blocks (hereinafter, referred to as “air conditioner information”) to the cloud server 14. Examples of the air conditioner information include a set time and a set temperature from the remote controller 12, room temperature information from the temperature sensor 34a, humidity information from the humidity sensor 34b, an operation state of the air conditioner main body 33 (operation ON state / operation OFF state), and operation. The mode (normal mode / energy saving mode), the value of power consumption, the number of rotations of the compressor 33a and the blower fan 33b, and the like are listed.

In the present embodiment, the transmission control unit 43 converts the information on the set time and the set temperature for the energy saving timer from the setting acquisition unit 41 and the information on the room temperature from the room temperature acquisition unit 42 with the setting information for the energy saving timer. And the communication unit 35 is transmitted to the cloud server 14.

The start time acquisition unit 44 acquires the operation start time information for the energy saving timer determined by the cloud server 14 from the communication unit 35. The start time acquisition unit 44 writes the acquired operation start time information in the start time storage unit 52.

The operation control unit 45 controls the operation of the air conditioner main unit 33 based on the operation setting information for various operation modes stored in the operation setting storage unit 53. For example, the operation setting information for the normal mode includes PID (Proportional \ Integral \ Differential) control parameters and the like. In the present embodiment, the operation setting information for the energy saving mode includes the maximum number of revolutions of the compressor 33a and the like.

In the present embodiment, the operation control unit 45 controls the air conditioner main unit 33 to operate in the energy saving mode at the operation start time in the start time storage unit 52. Thus, the temperature set in the user setting storage unit 51 can be reached at the set time in the user setting storage unit 51.

Thereafter, the operation control unit 45 controls the air conditioner main body 33 so as to operate in the normal mode at the set time. In this way, even if the mode is changed from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, the room temperature has already reached the set temperature, so that it is possible to prevent a sudden increase in power consumption.

(Overview of cloud server)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the cloud server 14. The cloud server 14 manages the air conditioner 11, and includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication unit 63 (communication device), as shown in FIG. Note that the control unit 61, the storage unit 62, and the communication unit 63 of the cloud server 14 have the same hardware configuration as the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication unit 35 of the air conditioner 11, respectively. Omitted. The details of the control unit 61 and the storage unit 62 will be described later.

(Details of cloud server)
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 61 of the cloud server 14 includes an air conditioner information acquisition unit 71, a correlation information creation unit 72, a timer information acquisition unit 73, and a start time determination unit 74. Further, storage unit 62 includes an air conditioner history information storage unit 81 and a correlation information storage unit 82.

The air conditioner information acquisition unit 71 collects the air conditioner information transmitted by the air conditioner 11 from the communication unit 63. The air conditioner information acquisition unit 71 adds the collected air conditioner information to the air conditioner history information and writes the information into the air conditioner history information storage unit 81.

The correlation information creation unit 72 creates correlation information indicating the correlation between the operation period in the energy saving mode and the amount of change in room temperature based on the air conditioner history information from the air conditioner history information storage unit 81. Specifically, the correlation information creation unit 72 can create the correlation information by performing a known regression analysis using the air conditioner history information. The correlation information creation unit 72 stores the created correlation information in the correlation information storage unit 82.

The correlation information may be a table indicating a correlation or a parameter of a regression model (for example, a coefficient of a linear model). When the air conditioner history information does not exist or is small, the correlation information may be created based on the air conditioner history information collected for various air conditioners other than the air conditioner 11, or may be collected from another cloud server. The correlation information may be created using the obtained weather information (temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind speed, weather, etc.) and other information.

The timer information acquisition unit 73 acquires the setting information for the energy-saving timer transmitted from the air conditioner 11 from the communication unit 63. The timer information acquiring unit 73 sends the acquired setting information for the energy saving on timer to the start time determining unit 74.

The start time determination unit 74 determines the operation start time for the energy saving timer based on the setting information for the energy saving timer from the timer information acquisition unit 73 and the correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit 82. Is what you do. Specifically, the start time determination unit 74 refers to the correlation information while considering that the room temperature indicated by the setting information changes with time, and determines the information of the setting time and the setting temperature in the setting information. By using this, the optimum operation start time for reaching the set temperature at the set time in the energy saving mode is determined. The start time determination unit 74 controls the communication unit 63 to transmit information on the determined operation start time to the air conditioner 11.

(Processing of energy-saving timer)
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the process (control method) of the energy-saving timer in the air conditioner control system 1 having the above configuration. In the cloud server 14, it is assumed that correlation information is created in advance and stored in the correlation information storage unit 82.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, in the air conditioner 11, the setting acquisition unit 41 acquires information on the set time and the set temperature for the energy saving timer set by the user using the remote controller 12 (T11), and the room temperature acquisition unit. 42 acquires the information on the room temperature detected by the temperature sensor 34a (T12). Next, the transmission control unit 43 transmits the information of the set time and the set temperature for the energy-saving timer and the information of the room temperature to the cloud server 14 via the communication unit 35 as the setting information for the energy-saving timer. Transmit (T13, transmission control step).

On the other hand, in the cloud server 14, the timer information acquisition unit 73 receives the setting information for the energy-saving timer from the air conditioner 11 via the communication unit 63. Next, the start time determination unit 74 determines the operation start time for the energy saving timer based on the setting information for the energy saving timer and the correlation information stored in the correlation information storage unit 82 (T21). . Next, the start time determination unit 74 transmits the operation start time for the energy saving on timer to the air conditioner 11 via the communication unit 63 (T22). Thereafter, the above processing of the cloud server 14 ends.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner 11, the start time acquisition unit 44 receives the operation start time information for the energy saving timer from the cloud server 14 via the communication unit 35 and stores the information in the start time storage unit 52 (T14, reception). Control step). Next, the operation control unit 45 waits until the operation start time in the start time storage unit 52 is reached (T15), and when the operation start time is reached, controls the air conditioner main body 33 to operate in the energy saving mode (T15). T16, operation control step).

Thereafter, the operation control unit 45 waits until the set time in the user setting storage unit 51 is reached (T17), and when the set time is reached, controls the air conditioner main unit 33 to operate in the normal mode (T18). Thereafter, the above-described processing of the air conditioner 11 ends.

(Modification)
Note that the start time determination unit 74 of the cloud server 14 transmits a part (for example, the maximum rotation speed of the compressor 33a) or all of the operation setting information for the energy saving mode to the air conditioner 11 together with the operation start time. 63 may be controlled. In this case, the start time acquisition unit 44 of the air conditioner 11 may write the acquired operation setting information for the energy saving mode in the operation setting storage unit 53. Thereby, even if the operation is performed in the energy saving mode, it is possible to accurately reach the set temperature at the set time.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 31 is configured integrally with the air conditioner 11, but may be a separate device. Further, in the energy saving mode, the control unit 31 limits the rotation speed of the compressor 33a, but may further limit the rotation speed of the blower fan 33b or limit the power consumption of other components in the air conditioner 11. May be. In this case, the power consumption of the air conditioner 11 can be further reduced.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the air conditioner 11 of the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment, as compared with the air conditioner 11 shown in FIG. 3, the transmission control unit 43 sets the room temperature (hereinafter, “set time”) a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) before the set time. The difference is that the communication unit 35 is controlled so as to transmit the information of the room temperature at the set time (hereinafter referred to as the “set time room temperature”) to the cloud server 14. Other configurations are the same.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the cloud server 14 in the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The cloud server 14 of this embodiment is different from the cloud server 14 shown in FIG. 4 in that an adjustment value determination unit 75 is newly provided in the control unit 61 and an adjustment value storage unit 83 is newly added in the storage unit 62. And the function of the start time determination unit 74 is changed, and the other configuration is the same.

The adjustment value determination unit 75 determines the adjustment value of the operation start time based on the room temperature before the set time, the room temperature at the set time, and the set temperature. Specifically, the adjustment value determination unit 75 first obtains the information on the room temperature before the set time and the information on the room temperature before the set time from the air conditioner 11 via the communication unit 63 and the air conditioner information obtaining unit 71, The set temperature information is obtained from the timer information obtaining unit 73.

Next, the adjustment value determination unit 75 determines that the operation start time is late when the room temperature before the set time has not reached the set temperature and the room temperature at the set time has not reached the set temperature. Then, the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit 83 is updated by subtracting it by a predetermined value (for example, 5). On the other hand, when the room temperature before the set time has not reached the set temperature and the room temperature at the set time has reached the set temperature, the adjustment start time is ideal. By making a determination, the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit 83 is not updated. On the other hand, when the room temperature before the set time has reached the set temperature, and the room temperature at the set time has reached the set temperature, the adjustment value determination unit 75 determines that the operation start time is early, The adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit 83 is updated by adding a predetermined value (for example, 5).

The start time determination unit 74 adjusts the operation start time for the energy saving timer determined based on the setting information for the energy saving timer and the correlation information based on the adjustment value in the adjustment value storage unit 83. The start time determination unit 74 controls the communication unit 63 to transmit information on the adjusted operation start time to the air conditioner 11. For example, when the adjustment value is negative, the operation start time is adjusted earlier. On the other hand, when the adjustment value is positive, the operation start time is adjusted to be later.

According to the above configuration, the operation control unit 45 of the air conditioner 11 operates in the energy saving mode from the operation start time adjusted by the cloud server 14, and as a result, even when operating in the energy saving mode, at the set time. The set temperature can be reached in an ideal state.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing of the energy-saving timer in the air conditioner control system 1 having the above configuration. The processing shown in FIG. 7 is different from the processing shown in FIG. 5 in that a step T19 is newly provided between step T17 and step T18 in the air conditioner 11, and a step T22 is performed in the cloud server 14. Is provided instead of step T23, and step T24 is newly provided, and the other processing is the same.

In step T23, the start time determining unit 74 of the cloud server 14 adjusts the determined operation start time for the energy saving timer with the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit 83, and adjusts the adjusted energy saving timer for the energy saving timer. The operation start time is transmitted to the air conditioner 11 via the communication unit 63.

In step T19, the transmission control unit 43 of the air conditioner 11 acquires the information of the room temperature before the set time and the information of the room temperature at the set time from the room temperature acquisition unit 42 and transmits the information to the cloud server 14 via the communication unit 35. .

In step T24, the adjustment value determination unit 75 of the cloud server 14 determines the room temperature before the set time from the air conditioner 11, the information on the room temperature before the set time, and the set temperature in the setting information for the energy saving timer. As described above, the adjustment value is determined, and the adjustment value in the adjustment value storage unit 83 is updated (T24). Thereafter, the above processing of the cloud server 14 ends.

(Modification)
The information on the room temperature at the set time may be changed to the information on the room temperature after a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) from the set time. Even in this case, the effects of the present embodiment can be obtained.

[Embodiment 3]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The air conditioner 11 of the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the air conditioner 11 shown in FIG. 3 in that the transmission control unit 43 performs the above-mentioned operation start in addition to the information on the room temperature before the set time and the information on the room temperature before the set time. The difference is that the communication unit 35 is controlled so that information on the room temperature at the time (hereinafter, referred to as “operation start time room temperature”) is transmitted to the cloud server 14, and the other configurations are the same.

Further, the cloud server 14 of the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment is different from the cloud server 14 shown in FIG. 6 in that the air conditioner information acquisition unit 71 and the correlation information creation unit 72 are provided with new functions. Is similar.

The air conditioner information acquisition unit 71 stores the operation start time and the operation start time room temperature information from the air conditioner 11 and the set time and the set time room temperature information as one set in the air conditioner history information storage unit 81. .

The correlation information creation unit 72 updates the correlation information at a predetermined timing (for example, when the number of the sets exceeds a predetermined number). Incidentally, the adjustment values in the adjustment value storage unit 83 are based on the correlation information before updating. Therefore, the correlation information creation unit 72 initializes the adjustment value.

According to the above configuration, since the correlation can be continuously updated, the set temperature can be more reliably reached at the set time.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing of the energy-saving timer in the air conditioner control system 1 having the above configuration. The processing shown in FIG. 8 is different from the processing shown in FIG. 7 in that step T31 is provided instead of step T16 in the air conditioner 11 and that step T25 is performed in the cloud server 14 before step T24. The difference is that it is newly provided and that steps T26 and T27 are newly provided after step T25, and the other processes are the same.

In step T31, when the operation control unit 45 of the air conditioner 11 reaches the operation start time, the operation control unit 45 controls the air conditioner main body 33 to operate in the energy saving mode, and the transmission control unit 43 transmits the information of the operation start time room temperature. Send it to the cloud server 14. On the other hand, in step T25, the air conditioner information acquisition unit 71 of the cloud server 14 stores the information on the operation start time room temperature from the air conditioner 11 in the air conditioner history information storage unit 81.

In step T26, the air conditioner information acquisition unit 71 of the cloud server 14 stores the information of the set time room temperature from the air conditioner 11 in the air conditioner history information storage unit 81. In step T27, the correlation information creation unit 72 performs a process of updating the correlation information.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the correlation information updating process executed by the correlation information creating unit 72. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the correlation information creation unit 72 determines whether a predetermined timing has been reached (S11). If the predetermined timing has not been reached (NO in S11), it is determined that updating of the correlation information is unnecessary, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the predetermined timing has been reached (NO in S11), the operation start time and the operation start time room temperature, the set time and the set time room temperature stored in the air conditioner history information storage unit 81. Is used to update the correlation information (S12).

Next, the adjustment values stored in the adjustment value storage unit 83 are initialized (S13). After that, the above process is terminated.

[Embodiment 4]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The air conditioner 11 of the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the air conditioner 11 shown in FIG. 3 in that the transmission control unit 43 adds the information of the latest operation stop time to the setting information for the energy saving on timer. Differently, other configurations are the same.

Further, the cloud server 14 of the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the cloud server 14 shown in FIG. 6 in that a new function is provided in the start time determination unit 74, and other configurations are the same. .

By the way, if the operation stop period of the air conditioner 11 is short, the amount of change from the set temperature of the room temperature is small, so that the period from the restart of the operation of the air conditioner 11 to the reaching of the set temperature may be short. Conversely, if the operation stop period of the air conditioner 11 is long, the amount of change from the set temperature of the room temperature is large, so that the period from restarting the operation of the air conditioner 11 to reaching the set temperature becomes long.

Then, when the period (operation stop period) between the determined operation start time and the latest operation stop time is within a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours), the start time determination unit 74 sets the operation start time to the predetermined time (for example, 2 hours). (E.g., 5 minutes) Then, the start time determination unit 74 adjusts the adjusted operation start time for the energy saving timer with the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit 83, and outputs the adjusted information on the operation start time for the energy saving timer. The communication unit 63 is controlled so as to be transmitted to the air conditioner 11.

According to the above configuration, the air conditioner 11 can receive the operation start time adjusted based on the period from the latest operation stop time to the operation start time from the cloud server 14. As a result, even when operating in the energy saving mode, the set temperature can be more reliably reached at the set time.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing of the energy-saving timer in the air conditioner control system 1 having the above configuration. The processing shown in FIG. 10 is different from the processing shown in FIG. 8 in that step T32 is provided instead of step T13 in the air conditioner 11 and step T28 is replaced in the cloud server 14 instead of step T23. The difference is that it is provided, and the other processes are the same.

In step T32, the transmission control unit 43 of the air conditioner 11 converts the information on the set time and the set temperature for the energy saving timer, the information on the room temperature, and the information on the latest operation stop time into the settings for the energy saving timer. The information is transmitted to the cloud server 14 via the communication unit 35.

In step T28, the start time determination unit 74 of the cloud server 14 determines whether the operation start time is delayed by a predetermined time when the operation stop period is within a predetermined time with respect to the determined operation start time for the energy saving timer. The operation start time for the energy saving on timer adjusted by the adjustment value stored in the adjustment value storage unit 83 is further transmitted to the air conditioner 11 via the communication unit 63.

[Embodiment 5]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the period from the start of the operation of the air conditioner 11 to the arrival at the set temperature depends on the performance of the air conditioner 11 and the total load on the air conditioner 11. The performance of the air conditioner 11 is known from a catalog or the like. On the other hand, the total load depends on the room and is usually unknown.

Therefore, in the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment, the cloud server 14 estimates the total load based on the air conditioner information received from the air conditioner 11, and based on the estimated total load, determines the maximum rotation of the compressor 33a in the energy saving mode. The number is determined and transmitted to the air conditioner 11. Thus, since the performance of the air conditioner 11 in the energy saving mode changes according to the total load, it is possible to suppress the influence of the total load on the period from the start of operation of the air conditioner 11 to reaching the set temperature. As a result, the operation start time when the air conditioner 11 operates in the energy saving mode can be determined with higher accuracy.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the air conditioner 11 in the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The air conditioner 11 of the present embodiment is different from the air conditioner 11 shown in FIG. 3 in that an operation setting acquisition unit 46 (reception control unit) is provided instead of the start time acquisition unit 44, and other configurations are the same. It is.

In the present embodiment, the transmission control unit 43 determines the operation period from when the air conditioner 11 starts operating in the normal mode until the room temperature reaches the set temperature (predetermined temperature) and the change in the room temperature during the operation period. The communication unit 35 is controlled to transmit the indicated temperature difference information to the cloud server 14. The reason why the normal mode is used is that the normal mode has a larger temperature change at room temperature than the energy saving mode, and thus the error of the temperature difference information is smaller.

The operation setting acquisition unit 46 has a function as the start time acquisition unit 44 and acquires operation setting information for various operation modes of the air conditioner 11 from the communication unit 35. The operation setting acquisition unit 46 stores the acquired operation setting information in the operation setting storage unit 53. In the present embodiment, the operation setting acquisition unit 46 acquires the maximum number of revolutions of the compressor 33a in the energy saving mode from the cloud server 14 and stores the maximum rotation number in the operation setting storage unit 53.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the cloud server 14 in the air conditioner control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The cloud server 14 of the present embodiment differs from the cloud server 14 shown in FIG. 6 in that a total load estimating unit 76 is newly provided in the control unit 61 and a reference information storage unit 84 is newly added in the storage unit 62. And the other configuration is the same.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner information acquisition unit 71 acquires the operating period and the temperature difference information when the air conditioner 11 operates in the normal mode from the communication unit 63 and stores the information in the air conditioner history information storage unit 81.

The reference information storage unit 84 stores reference information for determining the total load on the air conditioner 11. Specifically, the reference information is a correspondence between an operation period and a temperature change when the air conditioner 11 installed in a room having a reference total load (hereinafter, referred to as “reference load”) is operated in a normal mode. This is information indicating the relationship.

The total load estimating unit 76 compares the operation period and the temperature difference information from the air conditioner history information storage unit 81 with the correspondence in the reference load from the reference information storage unit 84, and the air conditioner 11 is installed. This is to estimate the total load of the room. The total load can be represented by room dimensions such as the number of tatami mats.

The total load estimating unit 76 determines the maximum number of revolutions of the compressor 33a in the energy saving mode based on the estimated total load. For example, when the total load is large, the maximum rotation speed is increased. When the total load is small, the maximum rotation speed is reduced. Then, the total load estimating unit 76 controls the communication unit 63 so as to transmit the maximum rotation speed to the air conditioner 11.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a process for preparing an energy-saving timer in the air conditioner control system 1 having the above configuration. The process shown in FIG. 13 is performed separately from the process of the energy saving timer shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 to 10.

エ ア コ ン As shown in FIG. 13, the air conditioner 11 starts operating in the normal mode by an operation or the like by a user (T41). Then, when the room temperature reaches the set temperature (T42), the transmission control unit 43 transmits the operation period and the temperature difference information to the cloud server 14 via the communication unit 35 (T43).

On the other hand, in the cloud server 14, the total load estimating unit 76 compares the operation period and the temperature difference information from the air conditioner 11 with the corresponding relationship in the reference load from the reference information storage unit 84 to calculate the total load. It is estimated (T51). Next, the total load estimating unit 76 determines the maximum rotation speed of the compressor 33a in the energy saving mode based on the estimated total load, and transmits the determined maximum rotation speed to the air conditioner 11 via the communication unit 63 ( T52). Thereafter, the above processing of the cloud server 14 ends.

On the other hand, in the air conditioner 11, the operation setting acquisition unit 46 acquires the above-described maximum rotation speed from the cloud server 14 and stores the maximum rotation speed in the operation setting storage unit 53 (T44). Thereafter, the above-described processing of the air conditioner 11 ends.

Steps T44 and T52 may be performed together with the process of transmitting the operation start time from the cloud server 14 to the air conditioner 11 in the process of the timer with energy saving (step T14, steps T22, T23, and T28).

[Embodiment 6]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

性能 By the way, the performance of the air conditioner 11 also depends on the rotation speed of the blower fan 33b. Therefore, the air conditioner 11 of the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the air conditioner 11 shown in FIG. The difference is that the communication unit 35 is controlled so as to transmit information indicating the rotation speed of the blower fan 33b (hereinafter, referred to as “blower rotation speed”) to the cloud server 14, and the other configurations are the same.

The cloud server 14 of the air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the cloud server 14 shown in FIG. The above-mentioned correspondence in the reference load from the reference information storage unit 84 is corrected, and the corrected correspondence is compared with the above-mentioned operation period and the above-mentioned temperature difference information from the air-conditioner history information storage unit 81 to estimate the above-mentioned overall load. The other configuration is the same.

According to the configuration described above, the total load estimating unit 76 can estimate the total load independent of the fan speed. As a result, the operation start time when the air conditioner 11 operates in the energy saving mode can be determined with higher accuracy.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a process for preparing an energy-saving timer in the air conditioner control system 1 having the above configuration. The processing shown in FIG. 14 is different from the processing shown in FIG. 13 in that the air conditioner 11 is provided with a step T45 instead of the step T43, and the cloud server 14 is replaced with a step T53 instead of the step T51. The difference is that T54 is provided, and the other processes are the same.

In step T <b> 45, the transmission control unit 43 transmits the operation period and the temperature difference information and the information indicating the ventilation rotation speed to the cloud server 14 via the communication unit 35. In step T53, the total load estimating unit 76 corrects the correspondence in the reference load from the reference information storage unit 84 on the basis of the number of rotations of the air blown from the air conditioner 11. In step T54, the total load estimating unit 76 estimates the total load by comparing the corrected correspondence and the operation period from the air conditioner 11 and the temperature difference information.

[Embodiment 7]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

エ ア コ ン The air conditioner control system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the air conditioner control system 1 shown in FIG. 14 in the information stored in the reference information storage unit 84 in the cloud server 14, and the other is the same.

In the present embodiment, the reference information storage unit 84 stores the correspondence between the operation period and the temperature change regarding the reference load for each of a plurality of different reference loads, and further stores the correspondence for each of a plurality of different fan rotation speeds.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a process for preparing an energy-saving timer in the air conditioner control system 1 having the above configuration. The processing shown in FIG. 15 is different from the processing shown in FIG. 14 in that steps T55 and T56 are provided in the cloud server 14 instead of steps T53 and T54, and the other processing is the same.

In step T <b> 55, the total load estimating unit 76 extracts the plurality of correspondences corresponding to the number of rotations of the air from the air conditioner 11 from the reference information storage unit 84. In Step T56, the comprehensive load estimating unit 76 extracts the corresponding load corresponding to the operation period and the temperature difference information from the air conditioner history information storage unit 81 from among the plurality of extracted corresponding relationships, thereby calculating the total load. presume.

Accordingly, the total load can be quickly estimated, and as a result, the maximum rotation speed of the compressor 33a in the energy saving mode can be quickly determined.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (particularly, the control unit 31 and the control unit 61) of the air conditioner 11 and the cloud server 14 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software. You may.

In the latter case, the air conditioner 11 and the cloud server 14 include a computer that executes instructions of a program (control program) that is software for realizing each function. This computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium storing the program. Then, in the computer, the object of the present invention is achieved when the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. Examples of the recording medium include “temporary tangible media” such as ROM (Read Only Memory), tapes, disks, cards, semiconductor memories, and programmable logic circuits. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program may be further provided. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (a communication network, a broadcast wave, or the like) capable of transmitting the program. Note that one embodiment of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above-described program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
The control device for an air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention is a control device for an air conditioner having a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of the compressor is limited as compared with the normal mode. Information, a communication device that communicates with the server via a communication network, a set time, a set temperature to reach the set time, and setting information including the temperature of the room in which the air conditioner performs air conditioning, A transmission control unit that controls the communication device to transmit to the server, and the air conditioner, in which the room temperature becomes the set temperature at the set time when the air conditioner operates in the energy saving mode. A reception control unit that controls the communication device so as to receive an operation start time at which the machine should start operating from the server; and operates in the energy saving mode at the operation start time. A structure and a driving control unit that controls the air conditioner so.

According to the above configuration, the control device controls the communication device so as to transmit various information related to the air conditioner to the server, so that the operation period in the energy saving mode and the amount of change in room temperature. Can be learned by the server. Next, the control device transmits the set time, the set temperature, and the room temperature to the server. Accordingly, the server can accurately determine the operation start time when the air conditioner operates in the energy saving mode using the correlation. Then, the control device receives the operation start time from the server, and controls the air conditioner to operate in the energy saving mode at the received operation start time. As a result, it is possible to reach the set temperature at the set time even when operating in the energy saving mode.

By the way, before the set time, the temperature in the room has not reached the set temperature, and it is ideal that the temperature in the room reaches the set temperature at the set time.

Therefore, in the control device for an air conditioner according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the aspect 1, the transmission control unit may be configured to control the indoor temperature at a predetermined time before the set time and the indoor temperature at the set time. Alternatively, the communication device may be controlled to further transmit the indoor temperature after a predetermined time from the set time to the server. In this case, the adjusted operation start time can be received from the server so as to be in the ideal state. As a result, even when operating in the energy saving mode, the set temperature can be reached at the set time in the ideal state.

In the control device for an air conditioner according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 and 2, the transmission control unit may control the temperature of the room at the operation start time and the temperature of the room at the set time, or The communication device may be controlled so as to further transmit the indoor temperature after a predetermined time from the set time to the server. In this case, the server can update the correlation between the operation period in the energy saving mode and room temperature. As a result, even when operating in the energy saving mode, the set temperature can be more reliably reached at the set time.

By the way, if the operation stop period of the air conditioner is short, the amount of change from the set temperature of the room temperature is small, so the period from restarting the operation of the air conditioner to reaching the set temperature is short. I'm done. Conversely, if the operation stop period of the air conditioner is long, the amount of change from the set temperature of the room temperature is large, so the period from when the operation of the air conditioner is restarted to when the set temperature is reached is long. Become.

Therefore, in the control device for an air conditioner according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the above aspects 1 to 3, the setting information may further include the latest operation stop time of the air conditioner. In this case, the operation start time adjusted based on the period from the operation stop time to the operation start time can be received from the server. As a result, even when operating in the energy saving mode, the set temperature can be more reliably reached at the set time.

In the control device for an air conditioner according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of the above aspects 1 to 4, the transmission control unit may control the temperature of the room to be a predetermined temperature after the air conditioner starts operating in the normal mode. The communication device is controlled to further transmit an operation period until the temperature reaches the temperature and temperature difference information indicating a change in the temperature of the room during the operation period to the server, and the reception control unit includes: The communication device may be controlled to receive the maximum number of revolutions of the compressor in the energy saving mode from the server.

In this case, the server can estimate the total load of the room in which the air conditioner performs air conditioning based on the operation period and the temperature difference information in the normal mode, and based on the estimated total load, The maximum number of revolutions of the compressor can be determined. Specifically, the server may determine to increase the maximum rotation speed when the total load is large, and may determine to decrease the maximum rotation speed when the total load is small. . Thus, since the performance of the air conditioner in the energy saving mode changes according to the total load, it is possible to suppress the influence of the total load on the period from the start of operation of the air conditioner to reaching the set temperature. As a result, the operation start time when the air conditioner operates in the energy saving mode can be determined with higher accuracy.

In the control device for an air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the transmission control unit further transmits information indicating a rotation speed of a blower fan of the air conditioner during the operation period to the server. The communication device may be controlled as described above. In this case, the total load independent of the rotation speed of the blower fan can be estimated. As a result, the operation start time when the air conditioner operates in the energy saving mode can be determined with higher accuracy.

The air conditioner according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes an air conditioner having a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of the compressor is limited as compared with the normal mode, and the air conditioner according to the first to sixth aspects. This is a configuration in which a control device is integrally provided. Even with the air-conditioning system having the above configuration, the same effect as the control device can be obtained.

An air conditioner control method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an air conditioner having a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of a compressor is limited as compared with the normal mode, wherein And setting information including the set temperature to be reached at the set time and the temperature of the room in which the air conditioner performs air conditioning, so that various information is transmitted to the server via the communication network so as to be transmitted to the server. A transmission control step of controlling a communication device to communicate, and when the air conditioner operates in the energy saving mode, the air conditioner starts operating so that the temperature of the room becomes the set temperature at the set time. A receiving control step of controlling the communication device to receive the operation start time to be received from the server; and a step of operating in the energy saving mode at the operation start time. The method comprising the operation control step of controlling the air conditioner.

According to the above method, the same effects as in the first aspect can be obtained.

The control device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control device is realized by a computer by operating the computer as each unit (software element) included in the control device. The control program of the control device and a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded are also included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1 air conditioner control system 11 air conditioner (air conditioner, air conditioner system)
12 Remote control 14 Cloud server (server)
15 Mobile terminal 21 User home 22 Wide area communication network 31, 61 Control unit 32, 62 Storage unit 33 Air conditioner body 33a Compressor 33b Blow fan 34 Sensor unit 34a Temperature sensor 34b Humidity sensor 35, 63 Communication unit (communication device)
36 operation panel 37 remote control light receiving unit 38 audio output unit 41 setting acquisition unit 42 room temperature acquisition unit 43 transmission control unit 44 start time acquisition unit (reception control unit)
45 operation control unit 46 operation setting acquisition unit (reception control unit)
51 user setting storage unit 52 start time storage unit 53 operation setting storage unit 71 air conditioner information acquisition unit 72 correlation information creation unit 73 timer information acquisition unit 74 start time determination unit 75 adjustment value determination unit 76 overall load estimation unit 81 air conditioner history information Storage unit 82 Correlation information storage unit 83 Adjustment value storage unit 84 Reference information storage unit

Claims (9)

1. A control device for an air conditioner having a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of the compressor is limited compared to the normal mode,
   A communication device that communicates various information with a server via a communication network;
   A setting control unit that controls the communication device to transmit setting information including a set time, a set temperature to be reached to the set time, and a temperature of a room in which the air conditioner performs air conditioning, to the server. When,
   When the air conditioner is operated in the energy saving mode, the operation start time at which the air conditioner should start operating so that the room temperature becomes the set temperature at the set time is received from the server. A reception control unit for controlling the communication device,
   An operation control unit that controls the air conditioner to operate in the energy saving mode at the operation start time.
2. The transmission control unit further transmits, to the server, the temperature of the room a predetermined time before the set time, the temperature of the room at the set time, or the temperature of the room a predetermined time after the set time. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is controlled to perform the control.
3. The transmission control unit may further transmit the temperature of the room at the operation start time, the temperature of the room at the set time, or the temperature of the room after a predetermined time from the set time to the server. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the communication device.
4. 4. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the setting information further includes a latest operation stop time of the air conditioner. 5.
5. The transmission control unit, after the air conditioner starts operating in the normal mode, an operation period until the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, and a change in the room temperature during the operation period. Controlling the communication device to further transmit the indicated temperature difference information to the server,
   5. The air according to claim 1, wherein the reception control unit controls the communication device so as to receive a maximum rotation number of the compressor in the energy saving mode from the server. 6. Harmonizer control device.
6. The air transmission device according to claim 5, wherein the transmission control unit controls the communication device to further transmit information indicating a rotation speed of a blower fan of the air conditioner during the operation period to the server. Harmonizer control device.
7. An air conditioner having a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of the compressor is limited as compared with the normal mode, and the control device for the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6. An air-conditioning system that is integrated.
8. A control program for causing a computer to function as the control device of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control program causes the computer to function as each of the units.
9. A normal mode, the control method of the air conditioner having an energy saving mode in which the number of revolutions of the compressor is limited compared to the normal mode,
   A set time, a set temperature to be reached at the set time, and setting information including a room temperature at which the air conditioner performs air conditioning, so that various information is transmitted through a communication network so as to be transmitted to a server. A transmission control step of controlling a communication device that communicates with the server;
   When the air conditioner is operated in the energy saving mode, the operation start time at which the air conditioner should start operating so that the room temperature becomes the set temperature at the set time is received from the server. A receiving control step of controlling the communication device,
   An operation control step of controlling the air conditioner to operate in the energy saving mode at the operation start time.

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