WO2023176151A1

WO2023176151A1 - Air-conditioning control device and program therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2023176151A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/002013
Authority: WO
Inventors: 哲村松; 卓弥深津; 徹菱沼
Original assignee: トリニティ工業株式会社; 株式会社Proxima Technology
Priority date: 2022-03-17
Filing date: 2023-01-24
Publication date: 2023-09-21
Also published as: JP2023137152A

Abstract

Provided is an air-conditioning control device capable of maintaining severe temperature and humidity control and reliably reducing the energy consumption required for air conditioning. This air-conditioning control device 31 comprises a first air-conditioning control unit 42, a second air-conditioning control unit 43, a calculation comparison unit 44, and a control switching unit 45. The first air-conditioning control unit 42 controls the amount of operation of an air-conditioning facility by using PID control. The second air-conditioning control unit 43 controls the amount of operation of the air-conditioning facility by using model prediction control based on a prediction model 53. The calculation comparison unit 44 calculates and compares an energy E1 required for reaching a target point of air-conditioned air using the PID control and an energy E2 required for reaching the target point of air-conditioned air using the model prediction control. The control switching unit 45 performs automatic switching to the air-conditioning control unit that requires less energy for reaching the target point of air-conditioned air, and causes the air-conditioning control unit to perform control. Selected drawing: FIG. 1.

Description

Air conditioning control device and its program

The present invention relates to an air conditioning control device that controls the temperature and humidity of taken in outside air by operating a plurality of types of air conditioning equipment, and a program therefor.

Painting equipment generally includes equipment such as a paint booth that applies paint to objects to be painted, such as automobile bodies, and a drying oven that dries the paint on the objects that have passed through the coating booth. In such painting equipment, a painting booth air conditioner supplies air whose temperature and humidity have been adjusted into the painting booth to perform painting. Paint booth air conditioners are made up of equipment such as a heating device, a cooling device, a humidifier (washer), and a blower fan. By operating these devices in combination, the conditioned air reaches the target temperature. The humidity is controlled to be the same (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Furthermore, PID control is conventionally used as control in this case.

By the way, booth air conditioners in automobile painting booths require strict temperature and humidity control in order to maintain the quality of the product's coating. In recent years, model predictive control (MPC), which performs control while predicting future reactions, has been proposed as a new means for realizing severe temperature and humidity control. Here, model predictive control is a control method that uses a predictive model that appropriately captures the dynamics of an air conditioner. Therefore, it is believed that model predictive control achieves higher control performance than PID control, which is conventional control, and makes it easier to obtain stable control results.

Patent No. 3993358 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-119901

However, in model predictive control, errors may occur between the predictive model and the actual response due to unexpected disturbances or changes over time. When a modeling error occurs in this way, the control result becomes unstable compared to PID control, and severe temperature and humidity control cannot be maintained. Therefore, the amount of energy consumed increases, making it impossible to reduce the amount of energy consumed for air conditioning.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control device that can reliably reduce energy consumption required for air conditioning by maintaining strict temperature and humidity control. The goal is to provide programs.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in Means 1 provides an air conditioning control device that controls the amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using a plurality of types of air conditioning equipment. a first air conditioning control section that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment through PID control; a second air conditioning control section that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment through model predictive control based on a predictive model; a calculation comparison unit that calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by the PID control and the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by the model predictive control; A control switching unit that automatically switches to the air conditioning control unit that requires less energy to make the conditioned air reach the target point among the first air conditioning control unit and the second air conditioning control unit to perform control. The gist of this invention is an air conditioning control device characterized by:

In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in Means 2 provides an air conditioning control device that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using a plurality of types of air conditioning equipment. a first air conditioning control section that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment through PID control; a second air conditioning control section that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment through model predictive control based on a predictive model; a calculation comparison unit that calculates and compares a deviation from a target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by the PID control and a deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by the model predictive control; Then, between the first air conditioning control unit and the second air conditioning control unit, the air conditioning control unit that has a smaller deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point is automatically switched to perform control. The gist of the invention is an air conditioning control device characterized by comprising a control switching section.

Therefore, according to the invention described in Means 1 and 2, since the first air conditioning control section performs control using PID control and the second air conditioning control section performs control using model predictive control, either of the air conditioning control sections is provided. The amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment can be controlled by selecting the control unit. The calculation comparison unit calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point using the PID control and the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point using the model predictive control. Alternatively, the calculation comparison unit calculates and compares the deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by PID control and the deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by model predictive control. . The control switching section automatically switches to the air conditioning control section that consumes less energy based on the energy comparison result to perform control. Alternatively, the control switching unit automatically switches to the air conditioning control unit with the smaller deviation from the target value (in other words, the air conditioning control unit with higher control accuracy) based on the comparison result of the deviations above, and performs control. let For example, if a modeling error occurs during the execution of model predictive control, the control results will become unstable compared to PID control, the accuracy of control will decrease, and the energy consumption required for air conditioning will increase. is assumed. In this case, the control switching section automatically switches from the second air conditioning control section to the first air conditioning control section to execute PID control. Therefore, strict temperature and humidity control is maintained without being influenced by modeling errors, and the energy consumption required for air conditioning can be reliably reduced.

In the invention according to means 3, in means 1 or 2, a learning data collection unit collects learning data for additional learning of the prediction model while the first air conditioning control unit is performing the PID control. The gist of this is to further provide the following.

Therefore, according to the invention described in Means 3, even if the second air conditioning control section cannot execute model predictive control due to the occurrence of modeling errors, the first air conditioning control section performs PID control and learns during the PID control. A data collection unit collects learning data. Therefore, severe temperature and humidity control can be continuously performed without interruption. Furthermore, learning data for additional learning can be efficiently collected.

In the invention described in Means 4, in Means 3, while the first air conditioning control unit is performing the PID control, the prediction model is newly created based on the learning data collected by the learning data collection unit. The gist is to further include a machine learning section to be created.

Therefore, according to the invention described in means 4, while the first air conditioning control section is performing PID control, the machine learning section newly creates a prediction model in which modeling errors are eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to prepare for an update work to replace an old prediction model with the latest prediction model.

The invention described in means 5 is, in means 1 or 2, while the second air conditioning control section is performing the model predictive control, the control result is sequentially given as the learning data for each control step. The gist of the present invention is to further include a sequential learning unit that improves the error of the prediction model as needed.

Therefore, according to the invention described in means 5, while the second air conditioning control section is performing model predictive control, the sequential learning section collects learning data for additional learning to improve the error of the predictive model at any time. . Therefore, it becomes easier to continuously perform severe temperature and humidity control by the second air conditioning control section. Furthermore, learning data for additional learning can be efficiently collected.

In the invention described in means 6, in the means 4 or 5, the control switching section replaces and updates the old prediction model with the latest prediction model at the stage when the new prediction model is completed, and then updates the old prediction model with the latest prediction model. The gist thereof is to automatically switch from the air conditioning control section to the second air conditioning control section to perform control.

Therefore, according to the invention described in means 6, when the additional learning is completed and a new prediction model is completed, the first air conditioning control section is automatically switched to the second air conditioning control section, and the update is performed to eliminate modeling errors. Model predictive control based on the latest predictive model is executed. As a result, the model predictive control, which is more stable than PID control, is restored, and severe temperature and humidity control can be continuously executed without interruption.

The invention according to means 7 is an air conditioner for a paint booth in which the air conditioner includes a preheating device, a humidifying device, a cooling device, and a reheating device as the air conditioning equipment. That is the gist of it.

The invention described in Means 8 comprises an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using a plurality of types of air conditioning equipment, and a first air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by PID control. and a second air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by model predictive control based on a predictive model, the program for operating an air conditioning control device that controls the conditioned air as a target by the PID control. a calculation comparison step of calculating and comparing the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point and the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by the model predictive control; An air conditioning control device comprising: a control switching step of automatically switching to an air conditioning control section that requires less energy to make the conditioned air reach a target point among the air conditioning control sections to perform control. Its gist is a program for

The invention described in Means 9 comprises an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature and humidity of taken in outside air using a plurality of types of air conditioning equipment, and a first air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by PID control. and a second air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by model predictive control based on a predictive model, the program for operating an air conditioning control device that controls the conditioned air as a target by the PID control. a calculation comparison step of calculating and comparing a deviation from a target value when the conditioned air is brought to the target point and a deviation from the target value when the conditioned air is made to reach the target point by the model predictive control, and the first air conditioning control unit and a control switching step of automatically switching to the air conditioning control unit among the second air conditioning control units that has a smaller deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point to perform control. The gist of this article is a program for air conditioning control equipment that features features.

Therefore, according to the invention described in Means 8 and 9, in the calculation comparison step, the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by PID control and the energy required to cause the conditioned air to reach the target point by the model predictive control are calculated. The energy required is calculated and compared. Alternatively, the deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point using PID control and the deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point using the model predictive control are calculated and compared. In the subsequent control switching step, based on this comparison result, the air conditioning control unit that consumes less energy is automatically switched to perform control. Alternatively, the control is automatically switched to the air conditioning control unit with the smaller deviation from the target value (in other words, the air conditioning control unit with higher control accuracy). For example, if a modeling error occurs during the execution of model predictive control, the control results will become unstable compared to PID control, the accuracy of control will decrease, and the energy consumption required for air conditioning will increase. is assumed. In this case, the control switching section automatically switches from the second air conditioning control section to the first air conditioning control section to execute PID control. Therefore, strict temperature and humidity control is maintained without being influenced by modeling errors, and the energy consumption required for air conditioning can be reliably reduced.

As described in detail above, according to the invention according to claims 1 to 9, there is provided an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control device capable of reliably reducing energy consumption required for air conditioning by constantly maintaining severe temperature and humidity control. program can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an air conditioning control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in more detail the connection relationship between the air conditioning control device and the painting booth air conditioner according to the embodiment. 1 is a flowchart for explaining an air conditioning control method performed by an air conditioning control device according to an embodiment. The psychrometric chart for explaining the data collection method in the air conditioning control method performed by the air conditioning control device of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between an air conditioning control device, a paint booth air conditioner, and a heat pump according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, an air conditioning control device in an air conditioning system 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on FIGS. 1 to 4.

As described above, the air conditioning system 11 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an air conditioning system 11 for painting equipment, and includes an air conditioning device 21 that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using a plurality of types of air conditioning equipment. It is configured to include an air conditioning control device 31 that controls the operation amount of air conditioning equipment. The air conditioner 21 in this embodiment is a paint booth air conditioner 21 that includes a plurality of types of air conditioning equipment (a preheating device, a humidifying device, a cooling device, a reheating device, etc.).

As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the paint booth air conditioner 21 in the air conditioning system 11 of this embodiment includes a preheating device 22, a humidifying device 23, a cooling device 24, a reheating device 25, and a first sensor 27a. , a second sensor 27b, a third sensor 27c, and the like. On the other hand, the air conditioning control device 31 in the air conditioning system 11 of this embodiment includes an air supply target input section 32, an air supply setting calculation section 33, a first air conditioning control section 42, a second air conditioning control section 43, a calculation comparison section 44, a control It includes a switching section 45, a learning data collection section 46, a machine learning section 47, a system identification output section 51, and the like. Note that FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for explaining more specific connection relationships of each element.

The painting booth to which the conditioned air generated by the painting equipment air conditioning system 11 is supplied is generally installed in an area for applying paint to the object to be coated in the object conveyance line. A painting booth consists of a painting room, an air supply chamber installed above the painting room to supply downflow air (in a fixed direction from above to below) to the painting room, and an air supply chamber installed below the painting room to supply downflow air (in a fixed direction from above to below) to the painting room. It is equipped with an exhaust chamber for exhausting the air inside the painting chamber. In the painting booth of this embodiment, conditioned air discharged from the painting booth air conditioner 21 is supplied into the painting room in a downflow from the air supply chamber.

In the coating room of the coating booth, the object to be coated is coated by spraying paint mist from a coating machine (not shown). At this time, paint mist oversprayed and scattered from the coating machine is discharged from the painting chamber to the exhaust chamber by the downflow of conditioned air acting within the painting chamber. In the exhaust chamber, paint mist contained in the air is captured using booth circulating water and paint is recovered. Moreover, the air exhausted from the exhaust chamber is discharged into the atmosphere by a blower fan.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paint booth air conditioner 21 (air conditioner) in this embodiment is configured to include multiple types of air conditioning equipment. The painting booth air conditioner 21 is a device that adjusts air taken in from outside the apparatus to a predetermined temperature (for example, around 23° C.) and a predetermined humidity (for example, around 70% RH), and then sends the air to the painting booth. Specifically, this paint booth air conditioner 21 includes a preheater 22 (preheating device), a washer 23 (humidifying device), a cooling coil 24 (cooling device), a reheater (reheating device) 25, and a blower fan 26. ing.

The preheater 22 is a type of temperature control means that adjusts the temperature of the air taken in, and is a device that heats the air to raise the temperature in advance. The washer 23 is a type of humidity control means that adjusts the humidity of the air taken in, and is a device that increases the humidity of the air by spraying water onto the air that has passed through the preheater 22. The cooling coil 24 is a type of temperature control means that adjusts the temperature of the air taken in, and is a cooling device that cools the air that has passed through the washer 23 to lower the temperature. The reheater 25 is a type of temperature control means that adjusts the temperature of the air taken in, and is a reheating device that heats the air that has passed through the cooling coil 24 again to raise the temperature. The blowing fan 26 is an air pumping device for pumping temperature- and humidity-controlled air (i.e., conditioned air) to the painting booth.

Sensing means are provided at multiple locations in the paint booth air conditioner 21. Specifically, this paint booth air conditioner 21 includes a first sensor 27a for measuring temperature and humidity, a second sensor 27b for measuring temperature and humidity, and a third sensor 27c for measuring temperature. . The first sensor 27a is for measuring the temperature and humidity of the outside air before air conditioning, and is arranged near the outside air intake in the paint booth air conditioner 21. The second sensor 27b is for measuring the temperature and humidity of the outside air after air conditioning, and is arranged on the exit side of the blower fan 26 through which the conditioned air is sent out. The third sensor 27c is for measuring the temperature of the outside air that has passed through the preheater 22, and is arranged on the upstream side of the washer 23.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air conditioning control device 31 for painting equipment in this embodiment is a device for controlling the operation amount of air conditioning equipment, and includes a CPU and storage means (ROM, RAM). It is composed of one or more well-known computers such as the following.

A program for temperature and humidity control is stored in the storage means of the air conditioning control device 31, and the CPU in the air conditioning control device 31 reads the program from the storage means and sequentially executes the program. In addition to this program, the storage means stores data regarding a psychrometric diagram (humid psychrometric table) in which air condition values are expressed as coordinates. By the way, enthalpy increases as you move toward the top right of the psychrometric diagram, and conversely decreases as you move toward the bottom left.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first air conditioning control section 42 in the air conditioning control device 31 controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by PID control. PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Control) is a type of feedback control, and refers to control in which input values are controlled using three elements: the deviation between the output value and the target value, its integral, and its derivative. The first air conditioning control unit 42 of this embodiment is a PID controller 42, and has the same number (specifically, four) of PID loops as the number of objects to be controlled. The PID controller 42 and each air conditioning device (namely, the preheater 22, the washer 23, the cooling coil 24, and the reheater 25) are electrically connected via a control section changeover switch 48, an adder 49, and a driver circuit (not shown). has been done. Furthermore, the PID controller 42 and each of the sensors 27a to 27c are electrically connected. Therefore, when the PID controller 42 and each air conditioning device are connected by the control section changeover switch 48, the PID controller 42 outputs a drive control signal to each control target, and this causes each air conditioning device to The amount of operation of the device is controlled by PID. As a result, the outside temperature and humidity are adjusted so as to reach the target temperature and humidity. Further, measurement results of temperature and humidity are inputted from each of the sensors 27a to 27c. Therefore, the PID controller 42 is capable of performing feedback control based on the measurement results.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second air conditioning control unit 43 in the air conditioning control device 31 controls the operation amount of air conditioning equipment by model predictive control (MPC) based on a predictive model 53. . The second air conditioning control unit 43 of this embodiment is an MPC controller 43, and the MPC controller 43 and each air conditioning device (i.e., preheater 22, washer 23, cooling coil 24, reheater 25) are a control unit changeover switch. 48, an adder 49, and a driver circuit (not shown). Further, the MPC controller 43 and each of the sensors 27a to 27c are electrically connected. Therefore, when the MPC controller 43 and each air conditioning device are connected by the control unit changeover switch 48, the MPC controller 43 outputs a drive control signal to each control target, and this causes each air conditioning device to The amount of operation of the device is controlled by the MPC. The MPC controller 43 includes an optimizer, and the optimizer calculates optimal temperature and humidity control based on a prediction model. As a result, the outside temperature and humidity are adjusted so as to reach the target temperature and humidity. Further, measurement results of temperature and humidity are inputted from each of the sensors 27a to 27c. Therefore, the MPC controller 43 is capable of performing feedback control based on the measurement results.

The air supply target input section 32 is electrically connected to the PID controller 42 and the MPC controller 43 via the air supply setting calculation section 33. The air supply target input unit 32 is for inputting target values of temperature and humidity of conditioned air to be supplied to the painting booth, and is configured to include means such as a keyboard and a touch panel. The output signal of the air supply target input section 32 is input to the air supply setting calculation section 33.

The air supply setting calculating section 33 and each of the above-mentioned sensors 27a to 27c are electrically connected. Therefore, the measured values of temperature and humidity output from each of the sensors 27a to 27c are input to the air supply setting calculation section 33. The air supply setting calculation unit 33 performs calculations based on the input target temperature and humidity values and measured values, and calculates the minimum enthalpy for reaching the target temperature and humidity. Then, the air supply setting calculation unit 33 sets a target value for the operation amount of each air conditioning device based on the calculation result, and outputs the target value to the PID controller 42 and the MPC controller 43.

The calculation comparison unit 44 calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by PID control and the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by MPC. In this case, the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by PID control is calculated, for example, based on the operation amount (control amount) of each air conditioning device determined by the PID controller 42. The energy required for the MPC to cause the conditioned air to reach the target point is calculated, for example, based on the operation amount (control amount) of each air conditioning device determined by the MPC controller 43. Note that the calculation comparison unit 44 can also understand by comparing the stability of PID control and the stability of MPC.

The control switching unit 45 automatically switches to the air conditioning control unit that requires less energy to make the conditioned air reach the target point between the PID controller 42 and the MPC controller 43 to perform control. That is, between the PID controller 42 and the MPC controller 43, the air conditioning control unit that can perform more stable temperature and humidity control is automatically switched to perform control. Specifically, the control switching section 45 is electrically connected to the calculation comparison section 44 and operates based on the comparison result output from the calculation comparison section 44 . This control switching section 45 is electrically connected to a control section changeover switch 48. The control switching unit 45 connects one of the PID controller 42 and the MPC controller 43 to each air conditioning device by controlling the control unit changeover switch 48. It should be noted that this control switching unit 45 is understood to be a fail-safe unit that automatically switches to relatively stable PID control when undesirable behavior such as generation and expansion of modeling errors is detected during MPC execution. Good too.

The system identification output unit 51 is a part that randomly outputs step signals used for system identification. In the adder 49, the output signal from the system identification output section 51 is added to the manipulated variable command signal from the PID controller 42 and the manipulated variable command signal from the MPC controller 43. Note that the system identification output unit 51 operates when performing random vibration of air conditioning equipment, which will be described later.

Further, this air conditioning control device 31 includes a learning data collection unit 46 that collects learning data for a prediction model used for MPC of the paint booth air conditioner 21. The learning data collection unit 46 collects learning data for additional learning of the prediction model while the PID controller 42 is performing PID control. Specifically, the learning data collection unit 46 collects measured values (PV), control amounts (or manipulated variables, MV), and results as learning data, as shown in FIG. 2, and creates a results database. Note that the program for collecting learning data is stored in the storage means in the air conditioning control device 31. The CPU in the air conditioning control device 31 reads out the programs from the storage means and executes them sequentially as necessary.

The learning data collection unit 46 collects data through each step of region setting, learning start point setting, state point movement, and data collection.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the region setting step, a region R1 for creating a prediction model on the psychrometric diagram, that is, a region to be subjected to temperature and humidity control (control target region R1) is set. The control target region R1 can also be rephrased as a region in which a high-quality predictive model is desired in order to realize highly accurate temperature and humidity control.

In the learning start point setting step, a plurality of learning start points S1 to S9 are set within the set control target region R1, which serve as starting points when performing random vibration of the air conditioning equipment. In this case, specifically, the number and positions of learning starting points S1 to S9 and the order in which they are moved are also set. In this embodiment, nine points are set as learning starting points S1 to S9 (see FIG. 4). Note that the number of learning starting points S1 to S9 is preferably 10 or more. The positions of the learning starting points S1 to S9 are also not limited and may be set arbitrarily, for example, at positions spaced apart from each other on the psychrometric diagram.

In the state point moving step, the conditioned air state point K1 is moved to the first learning start point S1 by operating the air conditioning equipment under PID control to perform temperature and humidity control.

In the data collection step, learning data is collected by randomly exciting the air conditioning equipment while moving the conditioned air state point K1 between a plurality of learning start points S1 to S9 within the control target region R1. Specifically, control is performed to return the conditioned air state point K1 displaced from the learning starting points S1 to S9 to the learning starting points S1 to S9 by PID control (see FIG. 4). PID control is also performed when moving the conditioned air state point K1 from the current learning start point to the next learning start point.

The machine learning unit 47 newly creates a prediction model 52 based on the learning data collected by the learning data collection unit 46 while the PID controller 42 is performing PID control. Note that the newly created latest prediction model 52 is temporarily stored in a storage area within the machine learning unit 47, for example. Then, when the new prediction model 52 is completed, the control switching unit 45 updates the old prediction model 53 by replacing it with the latest prediction model 52. Thereafter, the control switching unit 45 automatically switches from the PID controller 42 to the MPC controller 43 to execute MPC.

Next, the procedure of the temperature and humidity control method of this embodiment will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 3 and with reference to the psychrometric diagram of FIG. 4. Note that the procedure shown in this flowchart is just an example, and it goes without saying that the temperature and humidity control method of this embodiment may be executed using a different procedure.

In the temperature and humidity control method of this embodiment, step S110 is first executed. That is, the control switching unit 45 drives the control unit changeover switch 48 to connect the MPC controller 43 and each air conditioning device. Then, a drive control signal is output from the MPC controller 43 to each controlled object, and thereby the operation amount of each air conditioning device is controlled by the MPC. As a result, the temperature and humidity control based on MPC adjusts the outside temperature and humidity to reach the target temperature and humidity.

In the next step S120, the calculation comparison unit 44 calculates the energy E1 required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by PID control and the energy E2 required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by MPC. In the next step S130, the calculated energies E1 and E2 are compared. Specifically, it is determined whether the energy E1 required for the conditioned air to reach the target point using PID control is smaller than the energy E2 required for the conditioned air to reach the target point using the MPC. If the determination result in step S130 is NO, that is, if E1≧E2, it is considered that MPC is being performed based on a prediction model with no modeling error. Therefore, the current control result by MPC is in a more stable state than the control result by PID control. In this case, the process returns to step S110 and continues to perform temperature and humidity control based on MPC.

If the determination result in step S130 is YES, that is, if E1<E2, it is considered that MPC is being performed based on a degraded prediction model due to modeling errors. Therefore, the current control result by MPC is in a state that is unstable compared to the control result by PID control. In this case, the process moves to step S140, and automatically switches from MPC to PID control to execute temperature and humidity control. That is, the control switching unit 45 drives the control unit changeover switch 48 to switch the connection between the PID controller 43 and each air conditioning device.

In the next step S150, the learning data collection unit 46 operates to collect learning data for the prediction model used for MPC control during PID control (see FIG. 4). Specifically, first, a control target region R1 for creating a prediction model is set on the psychrometric diagram. Next, within the set control target region R1, a plurality of learning starting points S1 to S9, which are the starting points when performing random vibration of the air conditioning equipment, and their movement order are set. Next, the conditioned air state point K1 is moved to the first learning start point S1 by PID control. Next, the system identification output unit 51 is activated to perform random vibration starting from the learning start point S1. Then, control is executed to return the conditioned air state point K1 displaced from the learning starting point S1 to the learning starting point S1 by PID control. When data collection at the first learning starting point S1 is completed, the conditioned air state point K1 is moved from the current learning starting point S1 to the next learning starting point S2, and similar random vibration is performed. After that, such random vibration is sequentially moved to the learning starting points S3 to S9 and executed respectively.

In the next step S160, the machine learning unit 47 operates to take in the learning data collected by the learning data collection unit 46, and performs machine learning to create the latest predictive model 52 based on the learning data. When the latest predictive model 52 is completed, the machine learning unit 47 temporarily stores the latest predictive model 52 in its own storage area.

In the next step S170, the control switching unit 45 operates to determine whether the latest prediction model 52 has been completed. If the determination result in step S170 is NO, that is, if the latest prediction model 52 is not yet completed, the process returns to step S150 to continue collecting learning data and performing machine learning. Note that while this is being executed, temperature and humidity control by PID control is maintained. If the determination result in step S170 is YES, that is, if the latest prediction model 52 is completed, the process moves to the next step S180. Then, the control switching unit 45 operates to update the old prediction model 53 by replacing it with the latest prediction model 52. In the next step S190, after automatically switching from PID control to MPC, the process returns to the first step S110. That is, the control switching section 45 drives the control section changeover switch 48 to switch the connection between the MPC controller 43 and each air conditioning device. Then, the MPC controller 43 outputs a drive control signal to each controlled object, and each air conditioning device returns to a state where it is controlled based on the operation amount from the MPC.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) As described above, the air conditioning control device 31 of this embodiment includes the PID controller 42 which is the first air conditioning control section, the MPC controller 43 which is the second air conditioning control section, the calculation comparison section 44, the control switching section 45, etc. We are prepared. Therefore, it is possible to select either the PID controller 42 or the MPC controller 43 to control the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment. The calculation comparison unit 44 calculates and compares the energy E1 required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by PID control and the energy E2 required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by MPC. Based on the comparison result, the control switching unit 45 automatically switches to the air conditioning control unit that requires less energy consumption to perform control. For example, if a modeling error occurs during execution of MPC, the control result will be unstable compared to PID control, and it is assumed that the energy consumption required for air conditioning will increase. In this case, the control switching section 45 automatically switches from the MPC controller 43 to the PID controller 42 to execute PID control. Therefore, strict temperature and humidity control is maintained without being influenced by modeling errors, and the energy consumption required for air conditioning can be reliably reduced.

(2) In the air conditioning control device 31 of the present embodiment, even if the MPC controller 43 is unable to execute MPC due to the occurrence of a modeling error, the PID controller 42 performs PID control, and during the PID control, the learning data collection unit 46 collects training data. Therefore, severe temperature and humidity control can be continuously performed without interruption. Furthermore, learning data for additional learning can be efficiently collected.

(3) In the air conditioning control device 31 of this embodiment, while the PID controller 42 is performing PID control, the machine learning unit 47 newly creates a prediction model 52 with modeling errors eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prepare for the update work of replacing the old prediction model 52 with the latest prediction model 53.

(4) In the air conditioning control device 31 of this embodiment, when the additional learning is completed and the new prediction model 52 is completed, the old prediction model 53 is promptly replaced with the latest prediction model 52 and updated. Thereafter, the PID controller 42 is automatically switched to the MPC controller 43, and MPC is executed based on the updated latest prediction model 52 that eliminates modeling errors. As a result, it is possible to return to MPC, which is more stable than PID control, and continue to perform severe temperature and humidity control without interruption.

Note that each embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows.

- In the above embodiment, an air conditioner for a painting booth is provided with a preheater 22 (preheating device), a washer 23 (humidifying device), a cooling coil 24 (cooling device), a reheater (reheating device) 25, and a blower fan 26 as air conditioning equipment. Although the device 21 is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and a different device configuration may be adopted. For example, the cooling coil 24 may be provided in two stages instead of one, or may be omitted if unnecessary. The reheater 25 may also be omitted if unnecessary. In other words, air conditioners are not limited to those that have the function of heating, humidifying, and cooling the outside air taken in, but also those that have heating and humidifying functions but do not have cooling functions, and those that have cooling and humidifying functions and heating It may be one that does not have any function.

- In the above embodiment, the air conditioning system 11 of the present invention is embodied as an air conditioning system for painting equipment that includes an air conditioner 21 for a painting booth, but it may of course be embodied in an air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning system other than for use in a painting booth.

- In the above embodiment, learning data for additional learning of the prediction model 53 is collected while the PID controller 42, which is the first air conditioning control unit, is performing PID control, but the present invention is limited to this. Not done. For example, the latest external prediction model 53 created by another device with the same specifications may be imported to replace the old one. In addition, on the contrary, the latest prediction model 53 created by the air conditioning control device 31 of this embodiment can be used not only in one's own device, but also by being ported to another device with the same specifications. Good too.

- In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which learning data for additional learning of the prediction model 53 is collected only while the PID controller 42, which is the first air conditioning control unit, is performing PID control. Not limited. For example, it is of course possible to collect similar learning data while the MPC controller 43, which is the second air conditioning control unit, is performing MPC. Specifically, for example, it is configured to include a sequential learning section that improves the error of the prediction model as needed, and while the second air conditioning control section is performing MPC, the control results are used as learning data for each control step. The information may be sequentially given to the sequential learning section. According to this configuration, it becomes easier to continuously perform severe temperature and humidity control by the second air conditioning control section. Furthermore, learning data for additional learning can be efficiently collected.

- The above embodiment includes two air conditioning control units that control the operation amount of air conditioning equipment using two different control methods (PID control and MPC). Then, a calculation comparison unit 44 calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point for each of the two air conditioning control units, and a control switching unit 45 calculates the energy required for the two air conditioning control units to reach the target point. Although the configuration is such that control is performed by automatically switching to , the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three or more air conditioning control units may be provided that control the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment using three or more different control methods (PID control, MPC, and other controls). Then, the calculation and comparison section 44 calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point for each of the three or more air conditioning control sections, and the control switching section 45 calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point. The configuration may be such that the control is automatically switched to the one that requires the least amount of energy. Note that instead of the calculation comparison section 44 that calculates and compares energy for each of three or more air conditioning control sections, a calculation comparison section 44 that calculates and compares the stability of control results for each of three or more air conditioning control sections. You can also use it as

- In the above embodiment, the calculation comparison unit 44 calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point for each of the two air conditioning control units, and the control switching unit 45 calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point. Although the configuration is such that the control is performed by automatically switching to the one that requires less energy, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the calculation comparison unit 44 calculates and compares the deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by PID control and the deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by MPC. It's okay. Then, the control switching unit 45 automatically switches between the two air conditioning control units to the one that has a smaller deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point (in other words, the one that has higher control accuracy). Control may also be performed. According to this configuration, even if a decrease in control accuracy is expected, the control switching unit automatically switches the air conditioning control unit in advance, and the control accuracy is maintained at a high level. Therefore, strict temperature and humidity control is maintained, and energy consumption required for air conditioning can be reliably reduced.

- In the above embodiment, the calculation comparison is performed based on the temperature and humidity measurement results from the three sensing means (first, second, and

third sensors

27a, 27b, and 27c) provided in the painting booth air conditioner 21. Although the unit 44 performs energy calculation and comparison, and the PID controller 42 and MPC controller 43 perform feedback control, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, measurement results from sensing means provided in equipment other than the painting booth air conditioner 21 may be used. An air conditioning control device 31A of another embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is configured such that a heat source and cold water are supplied to the paint booth air conditioner 21 from a heat pump (HP). The paint booth air conditioner 21 and the heat pump are connected in a flow path manner by a first path 61 that supplies a heat source and a second path 62 that supplies cold water. A fourth sensor 27d is provided on the first path 61 that supplies a heat source to the preheater 22. A fifth sensor 27e is provided on the first path 61 that supplies the heat source to the reheater 25. A sixth sensor 27f is provided on the second path 62 that supplies cold water to the cooling coil 24. Examples of the fourth sensor 27d and the fifth sensor 27e include a gas flow rate sensor, a steam flow rate sensor, a hot water temperature flow rate sensor, and the like. Examples of the sixth sensor 27f include a cold water flow rate sensor, a cold water temperature sensor, and the like. Then, in addition to the sensing information from the sensors 27a to 27c, the calculation comparison unit 44 calculates and compares energy based on the sensing information from the sensors 27d to 27f, and the PID controller 42 and MPC controller 43 perform feedback control. You may also do so. In this way, by using the sensing information from the energy-related sensors, the calculation and comparison of energy by the calculation comparison unit 44 becomes more accurate, and it becomes possible to more reliably reduce the energy consumption required for air conditioning. Note that, of course, the operating power of the heat pump may be sensed and the sensing information may be used for the above-mentioned calculation comparison.

Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, technical ideas grasped by the above-described embodiments are listed below.

(1) An air conditioning control device that controls the amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using multiple types of air conditioning equipment, the air conditioning equipment controlling the amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment using different control methods. a plurality of air conditioning control units that control the operation amount of the air conditioning control units; a calculation comparison unit that calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point for each of the plurality of air conditioning control units; and the plurality of air conditioning control units. An air conditioning control device comprising: a control switching unit that automatically switches to an air conditioning control unit that requires the least amount of energy to bring the conditioned air to a target point to perform control.

(2) An air conditioning control device that controls the amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using multiple types of air conditioning equipment, the air conditioning equipment controlling the amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment using different control methods. a plurality of air conditioning control units that control the operation amount of the air conditioning control unit, a calculation comparison unit that calculates and compares the stability of the temperature and humidity control results, and an air conditioning control unit that has the highest stability among the plurality of air conditioning control units. An air conditioning control device comprising: a control switching section that automatically switches to perform control.

(3) In any of the above means 1 to 9, the calculation comparison section performs the calculation comparison of the energy based on sensing information from a temperature and humidity sensor provided in the air conditioner.

(4) In any one of the above means 1 to 9, the calculation comparison unit is configured to calculate the energy of Calculating and comparing the energy based on sensing information from related sensors.

21: Paint booth air conditioner as an air conditioning device 22: Preheater 23 as a preheating device which is an air conditioning device: Washer 24 as a humidifying device which is an air conditioning device: Cooling coil 25 as a cooling device which is an air conditioning device:

Reheater

31, 31A as a reheating device which is an air conditioning device: Air conditioning control device 42: PID controller 43 as a first air conditioning control section: MPC controller 44 as a second air conditioning control section: Calculation comparison section 45: Control switching section 46: Learning data collection unit 47: Machine learning unit 52: (latest) prediction model 53: Prediction models E1, E2: Energy

Claims

An air conditioning control device that controls the amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system that adjusts the temperature and humidity of taken in outside air using multiple types of air conditioning equipment,
a first air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by PID control;
a second air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by model predictive control based on a predictive model;
a calculation comparison unit that calculates and compares the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by the PID control and the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by the model predictive control;
A control switching unit that automatically switches to the air conditioning control unit that requires less energy to make the conditioned air reach the target point among the first air conditioning control unit and the second air conditioning control unit to perform control; An air conditioning control device characterized by comprising:
An air conditioning control device that controls the amount of operation of the air conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system that adjusts the temperature and humidity of taken in outside air using multiple types of air conditioning equipment,
a first air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by PID control;
a second air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by model predictive control based on a predictive model;
a calculation comparison unit that calculates and compares a deviation from a target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by the PID control and a deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by the model predictive control; and,
Control switching that automatically switches to the air conditioning control unit that has a smaller deviation from a target value when the conditioned air reaches a target point, among the first air conditioning control unit and the second air conditioning control unit, to perform control. An air conditioning control device comprising:
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a learning data collection section that collects learning data for additional learning of the prediction model while the first air conditioning control section is performing the PID control. The air conditioning control device described.
The system further includes a machine learning unit that newly creates the prediction model based on the learning data collected by the learning data collection unit while the first air conditioning control unit is performing the PID control. The air conditioning control device according to claim 3.
A sequential learning unit that improves errors in the predictive model as needed by sequentially providing control results as the learning data for each control step while the second air conditioning control unit is performing the model predictive control. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an air conditioning control device according to claim 1;
When the new prediction model is completed, the control switching unit updates the old prediction model by replacing it with the latest prediction model, and then switches from the first air conditioning control unit to the second air conditioning control unit for control. The air conditioning control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the air conditioning control device performs the following.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is an air conditioner for painting equipment, and the air conditioner is an air conditioner for a paint booth including a preheating device, a humidifying device, a cooling device, and a reheating device. The air conditioning control device according to any one of the items.
A first air conditioning control unit that configures an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using multiple types of air conditioning equipment, and that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by PID control, and a model based on a prediction model. A program for operating an air conditioning control device comprising a second air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by predictive control,
a calculation comparison step of calculating and comparing the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by the PID control and the energy required for the conditioned air to reach the target point by the model predictive control;
A control switching step of automatically switching to the air conditioning control unit that requires less energy to make the conditioned air reach the target point among the first air conditioning control unit and the second air conditioning control unit to perform control; A program for an air conditioning control device, comprising:
A first air conditioning control unit that configures an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outside air taken in using multiple types of air conditioning equipment, and that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by PID control, and a model based on a prediction model. A program for operating an air conditioning control device comprising a second air conditioning control unit that controls the operation amount of the air conditioning equipment by predictive control,
a calculation comparison step of calculating and comparing a deviation from a target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by the PID control and a deviation from the target value when the conditioned air reaches the target point by the model predictive control; and,
Control switching that automatically switches to the air conditioning control unit that has a smaller deviation from a target value when the conditioned air reaches a target point, among the first air conditioning control unit and the second air conditioning control unit, to perform control. A program for an air conditioning control device, comprising steps.