JP7580673B2 - Air conditioning control device and air conditioning control method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control method.

In recent years, the need for energy conservation in building facilities has increased due to growing interest in global warming and reducing environmental impact. In particular, efficient energy conservation is required for air conditioning, which accounts for the majority of the electricity consumed by building facilities. When saving energy in air conditioning, considerations include the comfort of the people in the room in addition to the amount of electricity to be reduced. In Patent Document 1, the control settings of energy-saving air conditioning (room temperature setting, humidity setting, airflow setting) are determined so that the PMW (Predicted Mean Vote), an index of indoor thermal comfort, falls within a comfortable range.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-217953

To calculate PMV, it is necessary to understand the indoor environment, so multiple environmental measurement devices such as a thermometer, mean radiation thermometer, air velocity meter, and hygrometer must be installed in the room. However, there are few office buildings that install and manage these multiple measurement devices in all rooms, and it is difficult to determine air conditioning control settings that achieve energy savings by considering PMV in all office buildings.

Therefore, the object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control method that enable energy-saving control while minimizing reductions in comfort even in buildings that do not have multiple environmental measuring devices installed.

The air conditioning control device that controls the air conditioning equipment of the present disclosure includes a control level setting unit that sets an energy saving control level for the air conditioning equipment based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped, and an energy saving control unit that executes energy saving control of the air conditioning equipment based on the energy saving control level.

The air conditioning control method for controlling an air conditioning device disclosed herein includes a step of setting an energy saving control level for the air conditioning device based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning device for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning device is stopped, and a step of executing energy saving control of the air conditioning device based on the energy saving control level.

According to the present disclosure, energy saving control can be implemented while minimizing reductions in comfort even in buildings that do not have multiple environmental measuring devices installed.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning control device 100 according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the air conditioning control device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 100A according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an air conditioning control device 100A according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 100B according to a third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an air conditioning control device 100B according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 100C according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an air conditioning control device 100C according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 100D according to a fifth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an air conditioning control device 100D according to a fifth embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to an embodiment.

Embodiment 1.
In this embodiment, the air conditioning control device sets the energy saving control level based on the amount of change in the air conditioner's suction temperature for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, a room in which the amount of change in the air conditioner's suction temperature immediately after the air conditioner is stopped can be determined to be a room with low insulation. If the air conditioner is operated in an energy saving mode in a room with low insulation, comfort is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, the air conditioning control device sets a weak energy saving control level.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 100 according to the first embodiment.
The air conditioning control device 100 includes an air conditioning temperature information storage unit 1 , an air conditioning temperature change amount calculation unit 2 , a control level setting unit 3 , and an energy saving control unit 5 .

The air conditioning temperature information storage unit 1 stores information representing the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment by hour. The intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment can be collected by a temperature sensor installed at the intake port of the air conditioning equipment.

The air conditioning temperature change amount calculation unit 2 calculates the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped. For example, the air conditioning temperature change amount calculation unit 2 calculates the following five amounts of change ΔT(1), ΔT(2), ΔT(3), ΔT(4), and ΔT(5).

The temperature immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped is T0, the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment 3 minutes after the air conditioning equipment is stopped is T3, the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment 6 minutes after the air conditioning equipment is stopped is T6, the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment 9 minutes after the air conditioning equipment is stopped is T9, the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment 15 minutes after the air conditioning equipment is stopped is T15, and the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment 30 minutes after the air conditioning equipment is stopped is T30.

ΔT(1)=(T3-T0)/3...(1)
ΔT(2)=(T6-T0)/6...(2)
ΔT(3)=(T9-T0)/9...(3)
ΔT(4)=(T15-T0)/15...(4)
ΔT(5)=(T30-T0)/30...(5)
The control level setting unit 3 sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioner based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, the control level setting unit 3 sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioner based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. 1) When ΔT(i) to ΔT(i) are less than the threshold value TH and ΔT(i+1) is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH, the energy saving control level of the air conditioner is set to level L(i).

In level L (1), the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 0 minutes in a 30-minute period. In level L (2), the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 3 minutes in a 30-minute period. In other words, the air conditioning operation time is 27 minutes and the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 3 minutes in a 30-minute period. In level L (3), the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 6 minutes in a 30-minute period. In other words, the air conditioning operation time is 24 minutes and the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 6 minutes in a 30-minute period. In level L (4), the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 9 minutes in a 30-minute period. In other words, the air conditioning operation time is 21 minutes and the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 9 minutes in a 30-minute period. In level L (5), the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 15 minutes in a 30-minute period. In other words, the air conditioning operation time is 15 minutes and the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 15 minutes in a 30-minute period. In level L (6), the air conditioning equipment is stopped for 30 minutes. In other words, out of the 30 minutes, the air conditioning operation time is 0 minutes, and the air conditioning equipment stop time is 30 minutes.

For example, when ΔT(1) < TH, ΔT(2) < TH, and ΔT(3) ≧ TH, the energy saving control level of the air conditioning equipment is set to level L(2).

The threshold value TH can be set, for example, to the following THs in the summer and the following THw in the winter. THs and THw are expressed by the following formula, where Tx is the room temperature immediately after the air conditioner is turned off, Ts is the comfortable temperature range in summer (e.g., 26°C), and Tw is the comfortable temperature range in winter (e.g., 22°C). Here, |A| represents the absolute value of A.

THs=|Tx-Ts|...(6)
THw=|Tx−Tw|...(7)
The comfort range temperature may be calculated based on the PMV, for example, a temperature that satisfies 0.5<PMV<0.5 may be set as the comfort range temperature.

The energy saving control unit 5 can execute energy saving control of the air conditioners based on the energy saving control level. For example, the higher the energy saving control level, the longer the time for which the air conditioners are stopped within a specified time (e.g., 30 minutes). Specifically, when the energy saving control level is level L(1), L(2), L(3), L(4), L(5), or L(6), the energy saving control unit 5 can set the stop time of the air conditioners within a 30-minute period to 0, 3, 6, 9, 15, or 30 minutes.

The energy saving control unit 5 may achieve energy saving according to a long-term plan based on the set energy saving control level as follows:

The energy saving control unit 5 calculates the target power consumption per day of the target air conditioning equipment when energy saving control of the target air conditioning equipment is executed for a certain period of time at the set energy saving control level. More specifically, the energy saving control unit 5 calculates the target power consumption of the target air conditioning equipment for a certain period of time (e.g., one year) when energy saving control of the target air conditioning equipment is executed for a certain period of time at the set energy saving control level. The energy saving control unit 5 calculates the target power consumption per day of the target air conditioning equipment from the target power consumption of the target air conditioning equipment for the certain period of time.

For example, when the power consumption of the target air conditioning equipment in the last fiscal year is Pp, the coefficient for the energy saving control level L(k) of the air conditioning equipment is a(k), the number of operating days of the target air conditioning equipment in a year is ND, and the energy saving control level of the set air conditioning equipment is L(i), the energy saving control control unit 5 calculates the target reduction in power ΔPc of the target air conditioning equipment for one year, the target power consumption Pt of the target air conditioning equipment for one year, and the target power consumption Pd of the target air conditioning equipment per day according to the following formula.

a(k)<a(k+1)...(8)
ΔPc=Pp×a(i)...(9)
Pt=Pp-ΔPc=Pp{1-a(i)}...(10)
Pd=Pt/ND...(11)
The energy saving control unit 5 operates the target air conditioner without energy saving control, and when the power consumption of the target air conditioner on the day is expected to exceed the target power consumption Pd of the target air conditioner per day or when the power consumption has exceeded the target power consumption Pd of the target air conditioner per day, By operating the air conditioner in this manner for one year, the target power reduction ΔPc of the air conditioner for one year is achieved. It is possible.

When the power consumption of the target air conditioning equipment on that day is expected to exceed the target power consumption Pd of the target air conditioning equipment per day, for example, when the difference dP between the power consumption of the target air conditioning equipment on that day and the target power consumption Pd is equal to or less than a threshold value. This threshold value may be changed based on the current time.

Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the air conditioning control device 100 in embodiment 1.

In step S101, if it is necessary to set or change the energy saving control level, processing proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the air conditioning temperature information storage unit 1 accumulates the suction temperature information of the air conditioning equipment sent from a temperature sensor arranged at the suction port of the air conditioning equipment.

In step S103, the air conditioning temperature change calculation unit 2 calculates the change in the suction temperature of the air conditioning equipment immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped.

In step S104, the control level setting unit 3 sets the energy saving control level.

In step S105, the energy saving control unit 5 calculates the target power consumption Pd per day of the target air conditioning equipment when the energy saving control level set in step S104 is applied.

In step S106, the energy saving control unit 5 operates the target air conditioning equipment without energy saving control, and if it is expected that the power consumption of the target air conditioning equipment on that day will exceed the target power consumption Pd of the target air conditioning equipment per day, it operates the target air conditioning equipment with energy saving control at the energy saving control level set in step S104.

According to this embodiment, by setting the energy saving control level using information on the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment, it is possible to prevent a decrease in comfort due to energy saving control even in offices that do not have multiple environmental measuring instruments and cannot calculate the PWV.

Embodiment 2.
In this embodiment, the air conditioning control device sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioner based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner as well as information on the average time spent in the room in which the air conditioner is installed. For example, if the time spent in the room is short, it is expected that the impact of the energy saving control on the deterioration of comfort for people will be small, so it is considered that there is no problem in setting a strong energy saving control level. The average time spent in the room can be calculated based on the entry and exit history information of the entry and exit management system.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning control device 100A of embodiment 2. The air conditioning control device 100A of embodiment 2 differs from the air conditioning control device 100 of embodiment 1 in the following respects.

The air conditioning control device 100A further includes an entry/exit information storage unit 6 and a dwell time calculation unit 7. The air conditioning control device 100A includes a control level setting unit 3A instead of the control level setting unit 3 of embodiment 1.

The entry/exit information storage unit 6 stores entry/exit information representing the entry/exit history of each person in each room within the building.

The occupancy time calculation unit 7 calculates the average occupancy time of the room in which the target air conditioner is installed based on the entry/exit history information stored in the entry/exit information storage unit 6. In the case where the users of room R are three people, A, B, and C, the average occupancy time of room R can be calculated by averaging the average occupancy time of A on work days over the course of a year, the average occupancy time of B on work days over the course of a year, and the average occupancy time of C on work days over the course of a year. Even if a person leaves the room temporarily, the occupancy state does not end, and the occupancy time can be considered to continue. If a person leaves the room for a specified time and then returns, the occupancy time of the person on that work day can be calculated by adding up the occupancy time before leaving the room and the occupancy time after returning.

The control level setting unit 3A, in the same manner as in embodiment 1, identifies an energy-saving control level that corresponds to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. The control level setting unit 3A modifies the identified energy-saving control level based on the average occupancy time of the room in which the target air conditioner is installed.

When the average time spent in the room is below a threshold (e.g., 30 minutes), the control level setting unit 3A considers it unnecessary to strictly achieve comfort, and therefore sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner to a level one step higher than the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is corrected to L(3).

When the average time spent in a room exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 30 minutes), the control level setting unit 3A determines that there is a high possibility that long-term work will be performed and that comfort needs to be achieved, and therefore sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner to an energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is maintained at L(2).

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the air conditioning control device 100A in embodiment 2.

Steps S201 to S203 and S207 to S208 are similar to steps S101 to S103 and S105 to S106 in Figure 2, so the explanation will not be repeated.

In step S204, the entry/exit information storage unit 6 stores entry/exit information representing the entry/exit history of each person in each room in the building.

In step S205, the occupancy time calculation unit 7 calculates the average occupancy time TX in the room in which the target air conditioning device is installed based on the entry/exit information stored in the entry/exit information storage unit 6.

In step S206, the control level setting unit 3A, in the same manner as in embodiment 1, determines the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioning equipment immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped.

When the average occupancy time TX is equal to or less than a threshold value, the control level setting unit 3A sets the energy-saving control level L(i+1), which is one step higher than the energy-saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioner, as the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner. When the average occupancy time TX exceeds a threshold value, the control level setting unit 3A sets the energy-saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioner as the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner.

According to this embodiment, by increasing the information available for setting the energy saving control level, more appropriate decisions can be made taking into account the extent of the impact of deterioration in comfort.

Embodiment 3.
In this embodiment, the air conditioning control device sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioner based on the amount of change in the air conditioner intake temperature as well as information on the annual utilization rate of the room. For example, if the annual utilization rate of the room is low, it is expected that the impact of energy saving on the deterioration of comfort for people will be small, so it is considered that there is no problem in setting a strong energy saving control level. The annual utilization rate of the room can be calculated based on the operation information of the building facilities (air conditioner and lighting equipment).

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning control device 100B of embodiment 3. The air conditioning control device 100B of embodiment 3 differs from the air conditioning control device 100 of embodiment 1 in the following respects.

The air conditioning control device 100B further includes an equipment operation information storage unit 8 and a utilization rate calculation unit 9. The air conditioning control device 100B includes a control level setting unit 3B instead of the control level setting unit 3 of embodiment 1.

The equipment operation information memory unit 8 stores equipment operation information representing the operation history of building equipment (air conditioning equipment and lighting devices) in each room within the building.

The utilization rate calculation unit 9 calculates the utilization rate of the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed based on the equipment operation information stored in the equipment operation information memory unit 8.

For example, the utilization rate calculation unit 9 calculates the annual utilization rate of the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed. The annual utilization rate of the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed is the value obtained by dividing the annual usage time T1 of the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed by the annual usage time T2 of the building in which the room is included. The annual usage time T1 of the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed is the time during the year that the equipment (air conditioning equipment and/or lighting equipment) was operating in the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed. The annual usage time T2 of the building is the time during the year that the equipment (air conditioning equipment and/or lighting equipment) was operating in any room in the building.

The control level setting unit 3B, in the same manner as in embodiment 1, identifies an energy-saving control level that corresponds to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. The control level setting unit 3 modifies the identified energy-saving control level based on the utilization rate of the room in which the target air conditioner is installed.

When the room occupancy rate is below a threshold value (e.g., 50%), the control level setting unit 3B sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner to a level one step higher than the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped, since the room is not used much and therefore the impact on the residents is small even if the energy-saving rate is increased when considering the building as a whole, and therefore it is considered that there is no need to strictly achieve comfort. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is corrected to L(3).

When the room occupancy rate exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 50%), the control level setting unit 3B determines that there is a high possibility that long-term work will be carried out and comfort needs to be achieved, and therefore sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner to an energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the air conditioner's suction temperature over a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the air conditioner's suction temperature over a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is maintained at L(2).

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the air conditioning control device 100B of embodiment 3.

Steps S301 to S303 and S307 to S308 are similar to steps S101 to S103 and S105 to S106 in Figure 2, so the explanation will not be repeated.

In step S304, the equipment operation information memory unit 8 stores operation information of equipment (air conditioning equipment and lighting equipment) within the building.

In step S305, the utilization rate calculation unit 9 calculates the utilization rate R1 of the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed based on the operation information stored in the equipment operation information memory unit 8.

In step S306, the control level setting unit 3B, in the same manner as in embodiment 1, determines the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioning equipment immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped.

When the utilization rate R1 of the room in which the target air conditioner is installed is equal to or lower than a threshold value, the control level setting unit 3B sets the energy-saving control level L(i+1) that is one step higher than the energy-saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioner as the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner. When the utilization rate R1 of the room in which the target air conditioner is installed exceeds a threshold value, the control level setting unit 3B sets the energy-saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioner as the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner.

According to this embodiment, by increasing the information available for setting the energy saving control level, more appropriate decisions can be made taking into account the extent of the impact of deterioration in comfort.

Embodiment 4.
In this embodiment, the air conditioning control device sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioning device based on the amount of change in the air conditioning device's suction temperature as well as information on the male/female ratio of occupants. When the occupancy rate of men is high, the air conditioning control device sets a weak energy saving control level since it is expected that the impact of deterioration in comfort will be large in summer due to the large amount of heat generated, and sets a strong energy saving control level in winter since it is expected that the impact of deterioration in comfort will be small. The male/female ratio of occupants can be calculated based on the attribute information of occupants contained in the entry/exit history information of the entry/exit management system.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning control device 100C of embodiment 4. The air conditioning control device 100C of embodiment 4 differs from the air conditioning control device 100 of embodiment 1 in the following respects.

The air conditioning control device 100C further includes an entry/exit information storage unit 6C and a male/female ratio calculation unit 10. The air conditioning control device 100C includes a control level setting unit 3C instead of the control level setting unit 3 of the first embodiment.

The entry/exit information memory unit 6C stores the entry/exit history of each person in each room in the building, as well as entry/exit information indicating each person's gender.

The male/female ratio calculation unit 10 calculates the male/female ratio of people using the room in which the target air conditioning device is installed based on the entry/exit information stored in the entry/exit information memory unit 6C.

As in embodiment 1, the control level setting unit 3C identifies an energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped, and modifies the identified energy-saving control level based on the male-female ratio of people using the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed.

When the ratio of males using the room is higher than the ratio of females, the amount of heat generated from the human body is large, and comfort is considered to deteriorate in summer. Therefore, the control level setting unit 3C sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner in summer to a level one step lower than the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is corrected to L(1). When the ratio of males using the room is higher than the ratio of females, the control level setting unit 3C sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner for non-summer to the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. Here, the summer period can be, for example, the three months of June, July, and August.

When the female ratio of people using the room is higher than the male ratio, the amount of heat generated from the human body is small, and therefore comfort is considered to deteriorate in winter. Therefore, the control level setting unit 3C sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner in winter to a level one step lower than the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is corrected to L(1). When the female ratio of people using the room is higher than the male ratio, the control level setting unit 3C sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner for non-winter seasons to the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. Here, winter can be, for example, the three months of December, January, and February.

When the female and male ratios of people using the room are equal, the control level setting unit 3C sets the energy saving control level for the air conditioning equipment in all seasons to an energy saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped.

In this embodiment, the energy saving control unit 5C calculates the target reduction in power ΔPc of the target air conditioning equipment for one year, the target power consumption Pt of the target air conditioning equipment for one year, and the target power consumption Pd of the target air conditioning equipment per day according to the following formulas when the power consumption of the target air conditioning equipment for the last year is Pp, the coefficient for the energy saving control level L(k) of the air conditioning equipment is a(k), the number of operating days of the target air conditioning equipment in one year is ND, the energy saving control level of the air conditioning equipment set for seasons other than summer and winter is L(i), the energy saving control level of the air conditioning equipment set for summer is L(s), and the energy saving control level of the air conditioning equipment set for winter is L(w).

a(k)<a(k+1)...(8)
ΔPc=(1/2)×Pp×a(i)+(1/4)×Pp×a(s)+(1/4)Pp×a(w)...(9A)
Pt=Pp-ΔPc...(10)
Pd=Pt/ND...(11)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the air conditioning control device 100C according to the fourth embodiment.

Steps S401 to S403 and S408 are similar to steps S101 to S103 and S106 in Figure 2, so the explanation will not be repeated.

In step S404, the entry/exit information storage unit 6C stores the entry/exit history of each person in each room in the building, as well as entry/exit information representing each person's gender.

In step S405, the male/female ratio calculation unit 10 calculates the male/female ratio of people using the room in which the target air conditioning device is installed based on the entry/exit information stored in the entry/exit information memory unit 6C.

In step S406, the control level setting unit 3C, in the same manner as in embodiment 1, determines the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioning equipment immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped.

When the ratio of males using the room in which the target air conditioner is installed is higher than the ratio of females using the room, the control level setting unit 3C sets the energy saving control level L(i-1), which is one level lower than the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner, as the energy saving control level for the air conditioner in summer.

When the female ratio of people using the room in which the target air conditioner is installed is higher than the male ratio, the control level setting unit 3C sets the energy saving control level L(i-1), which is one level lower than the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner, as the energy saving control level for the air conditioner in winter.

The control level setting unit 3C sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner in seasons other than summer when the male ratio of people using the room in which the target air conditioner is installed is higher than the female ratio, the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner in seasons other than winter when the female ratio of people using the room in which the target air conditioner is installed is higher than the male ratio, and the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner in all seasons when the male and female ratios of people using the room in which the target air conditioner is installed are equal to the energy-saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner.

In step S407, the energy saving control unit 5C calculates the target power consumption Pd per day of the target air conditioning equipment when the energy saving control level set in step S406 is applied.

According to this embodiment, by taking into account the degree of impact of deterioration in comfort due to differences in the attributes of the occupants, it is possible to set energy saving control levels that are more appropriate for each room depending on the season.

Embodiment 5.
In this embodiment, the air conditioning control device sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioner based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner as well as the requests of the people using the room. The requests of the people using the room can be collected by periodic questionnaires.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control device 100D of embodiment 5. The air conditioning control device 100D of embodiment 5 differs from the air conditioning control device 100 of embodiment 1 in the following respects.

The air conditioning control device 100D further includes a request memory unit 11 and an evaluation result extraction unit 13. The air conditioning control device 100D includes a control level setting unit 3D instead of the control level setting unit 3 of the first embodiment.

The request memory unit 11 stores the requests regarding comfort of each person using the room in which the target air conditioning device is installed. The request memory unit 11 stores the results of periodic questionnaires as requests. The questionnaire results include multiple levels of evaluation results regarding comfort (comfortable, somewhat comfortable, neither comfortable nor uncomfortable, somewhat uncomfortable).

The evaluation result extraction unit 13 extracts evaluation results regarding the comfort of a room in which an air conditioner is installed, based on the survey results stored in the request memory unit 11. When survey results from multiple people are stored in the request memory unit 11, the evaluation result extraction unit 13 can use a representative evaluation result regarding the comfort of the multiple people as an evaluation regarding the comfort of the room.

A representative evaluation result of multiple people can be found, for example, as follows. An integer value from 1 to 5 is assigned to each of the five-point evaluations. "Comfortable" is assigned a "5", "somewhat comfortable" a "4", "neither comfortable nor uncomfortable" a "3", "somewhat uncomfortable" a "2", and "uncomfortable" a "1". The average of the evaluations by multiple people is found, and the evaluation result with the integer value closest to the average can be used as the representative evaluation result of multiple people. For example, if the average of the evaluation results by multiple people is "4.6", then "comfortable", which represents the integer value "5" closest to "4.6", can be used as the representative evaluation result of multiple people. Alternatively, the most frequently occurring evaluation result can be used as the representative evaluation result of multiple people.

The control level setting unit 3D, in the same manner as in embodiment 1, identifies an energy-saving control level that corresponds to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. The control level setting unit 3D modifies the identified energy-saving control level based on the results of an evaluation of the comfort of the room in which the target air conditioner is installed.

When the room comfort evaluation result is the highest level of "comfortable," the control level setting unit 3D believes that no problems will arise even if the energy saving control level is increased, and therefore sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioner to a level one step higher than the energy saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner over a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioner over a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is revised to L(3).

When the room comfort evaluation result is the lowest "uncomfortable," the control level setting unit 3D determines that comfort may be impaired by energy-saving control, and therefore sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner to a level one step lower than the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the air conditioner's intake temperature over a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the air conditioner's intake temperature over a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is corrected to L(1).

When the room comfort evaluation result is an intermediate result of "slightly comfortable," "neutral," or "slightly uncomfortable," the control level setting unit 3D sets the energy-saving control level of the air conditioner to an energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the air conditioner's intake temperature for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped. For example, when the energy-saving control level corresponding to the amount of change in the air conditioner's intake temperature for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped is L(2), the control level is maintained at L(2).

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the air conditioning control device 100D of embodiment 5.

Steps S501 to S503 and S507 to S508 are similar to steps S101 to S103 and S105 to S106 in Figure 2, so the explanation will not be repeated.

In step S504, the request memory unit 11 stores the requests regarding comfort of each person using the room in which the target air conditioning equipment is installed.

In step S505, the evaluation result extraction unit 13 extracts evaluation results regarding the comfort of the room in which the air conditioning equipment is installed from the questionnaire results stored in the request memory unit 11.

In step S506, the control level setting unit 3D, in the same manner as in embodiment 1, determines the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the suction temperature of the air conditioning equipment immediately after the air conditioning equipment is stopped.

When the evaluation result regarding the comfort of the room indicates "comfortable," the control level setting unit 3D sets the energy-saving control level of the air-conditioning equipment to an energy-saving control level L(i+1), which is one level higher than the energy-saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air-conditioning equipment.

When the evaluation result regarding the room comfort indicates "uncomfortable," the control level setting unit 3D sets the energy saving control level of the air conditioning equipment to an energy saving control level L(i-1), which is one level lower than the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment.

When the room comfort evaluation result is "slightly comfortable," "neutral," or "slightly uncomfortable," the control level setting unit 3D sets the energy saving control level L(i) based on the amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning equipment as the energy saving control level of the air conditioning equipment.

According to this embodiment, by increasing the information available for setting the energy saving control level, more appropriate decisions can be made taking into account the extent of the impact of deterioration in comfort.

(Air conditioning system)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the embodiment.

The air conditioning system 1000 comprises a main memory device 25, an auxiliary memory device 26, an air conditioning equipment 21, a processor 24, a temperature sensor 22, and a communication interface 23, connected by a bus 27.

The main memory device 25 stores an air conditioning control program and the like.
The auxiliary storage device 26 stores data generated by the execution of the processor 24, etc.

The air conditioner 21 is subjected to energy saving control.
The processor 24 executes the air conditioning control program stored in the main memory device 25 to thereby perform the functions of the air conditioning control device described in the first to fifth embodiments.

The temperature sensor 22 is disposed at the intake port of the air conditioner 21 and detects the intake temperature of the air conditioner 21. The temperature sensor 22 transmits information representing the detected intake temperature to the processor 24.

The communication interface 23 executes data communication with external devices.
The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Air conditioning temperature information storage unit, 2 Air conditioning temperature change calculation unit, 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D Control level setting unit, 5, 5C Energy saving control unit, 6, 6C Entry/exit information storage unit, 7 Room occupancy time calculation unit, 8 Equipment operation information storage unit, 9 Utilization rate calculation unit, 10 Gender ratio calculation unit, 11 Desire storage unit, 13 Evaluation result extraction unit, 21 Air conditioning equipment, 22 Temperature sensor, 23 Communication interface, 24 Processor, 25 Main memory unit, 26 Auxiliary memory unit, 27 Bus, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Air conditioning control device, 1000 Air conditioning system.

Claims (13)

An air conditioning control device that controls an air conditioning device,
a control level setting unit that sets an energy saving control level of the air conditioner based on an amount of change in an intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped;
an energy saving control unit that extends a period of time for which the air conditioner is stopped within a predetermined period of time as the energy saving control level is higher . the energy-saving control unit calculates a target power consumption per day of the air-conditioning equipment when energy-saving control of the air-conditioning equipment is executed for a certain period at the energy-saving control level;
2. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, wherein the energy saving control unit operates the air conditioning equipment without the energy saving control, and operates the air conditioning equipment at the energy saving control level when the power consumption on that day is expected to exceed or has exceeded the target power consumption of the air conditioning equipment per day. The air conditioning control device according to claim 2, wherein the energy saving control unit calculates the target power consumption of the air conditioning device for a certain period when energy saving control of the air conditioning device is executed for the certain period at the energy saving control level, and calculates the target power consumption of the air conditioning device per day from the target power consumption of the air conditioning device for the certain period. a room occupancy time calculation unit that calculates an average room occupancy time in the room where the air conditioner is installed,
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control level setting unit specifies an energy-saving control level corresponding to an amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning device for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning device is stopped, and corrects the specified energy-saving control level based on an average occupancy time in the room . The air conditioning control device according to claim 4 , wherein the control level setting unit sets an energy-saving control level for the air conditioner to a level higher than the identified energy-saving control level when an average occupancy time in the room is equal to or less than a threshold value. A utilization rate calculation unit that calculates a utilization rate of a room in which the air conditioning device is installed,
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control level setting unit specifies an energy-saving control level corresponding to an amount of change in an intake temperature of the air conditioning device for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning device is stopped, and corrects the specified energy-saving control level based on an occupancy rate of the room. The air conditioning control device according to claim 6 , wherein the control level setting unit sets an energy-saving control level for the air conditioner to a level higher than the identified energy-saving control level when the occupancy rate of the room is equal to or lower than a threshold value. A male/female ratio calculation unit is provided for calculating a male/female ratio of people using the room in which the air conditioner is installed,
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control level setting unit specifies an energy-saving control level corresponding to an amount of change in an intake temperature of the air conditioning device for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning device is stopped, and modifies the specified energy-saving control level based on a male-female ratio of people using the room. 9. The air conditioning control device according to claim 8, wherein the control level setting unit sets an energy-saving control level for the air conditioner in summer to a level higher than the identified energy-saving control level when a male ratio of people using the room is higher than a female ratio. 9. The air conditioning control device according to claim 8, wherein the control level setting unit sets an energy-saving control level for the air conditioner in winter to a level lower than the identified energy-saving control level when a female ratio of people using the room is higher than a male ratio. an evaluation result extraction unit that extracts an evaluation result regarding comfort of a room in which the air conditioning device is installed,
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control level setting unit specifies an energy-saving control level corresponding to an amount of change in the intake temperature of the air conditioning device for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioning device is stopped, and corrects the specified energy-saving control level based on a result of the evaluation of the comfort of the room. the evaluation result extraction unit acquires a plurality of evaluation results regarding the comfort of the room;
the control level setting unit sets an energy-saving control level of the air conditioner to a level higher than the specified energy-saving control level when the comfort rating is highest;
The air conditioning control device according to claim 11 , wherein an energy-saving control level of the air conditioner is set to a level lower than the identified energy-saving control level when the comfort rating is the lowest. An air conditioning control method for controlling an air conditioning device, comprising:
setting an energy saving control level of the air conditioner based on an amount of change in an intake temperature of the air conditioner for a certain period of time immediately after the air conditioner is stopped;
and increasing a time period for stopping the air conditioner within a predetermined time period as the energy saving control level increases .

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