The present invention relates to an air-conditioning system. In particular, the present invention relates to an air-conditioning system in which air-conditioning apparatuses are controlled in rotation.
A conventional air-conditioning system has a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses in which a centralized management remote controller is used to perform rotation control by switching operating states of the respective air-conditioning apparatuses at predetermined rotation intervals (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-283530 (FIG. 1)
For example, in a conventional air-conditioning system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 or other patent literatures, a centralized management remote controller executes a preinstalled control program to perform rotation control of air-conditioning apparatuses. Thus, operating states of the air-conditioning apparatuses cannot be switched until a predetermined rotation interval has elapsed, for example.
Further, as rotation control is performed based on a preset control program, control cannot be performed depending on variation of the load (air conditioning load) in the air-conditioned space.
As described above, a conventional air-conditioning system has a problem in that flexible control cannot be performed even in the case where air-conditioning is not needed or in an area having a low air conditioning load, because control is performed based on a preinstalled control program.
The present invention has been made to solve the problem described above. An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning system capable of performing control depending on an air conditioning load.
An air-conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes air-conditioning apparatuses each including an air-conditioning device involved in air conditioning of an air-conditioned space, and a management device configured to perform rotation control in which an operating state of each of the air-conditioning apparatuses is controlled by being set to be switched for each rotation interval. The management device includes a communication unit configured to communicate with the air-conditioning device connected by a communication line, and a controller configured to set the rotation interval depending on an air conditioning load of each of the air-conditioning apparatuses based on data transmitted from the air-conditioning device through communications with the communication unit when the controller sets the operating state of each of the air-conditioning apparatuses.
An embodiment of the present invention is configured to perform control so that data transmitted from the respective air-conditioning devices is reflected in rotation control and rotation intervals, thus providing an air-conditioning system in which respective air-conditioning apparatuses are integrally controlled. Consequently, energy saving and comfortability can be enhanced in the entire system.
Hereinafter, an air-conditioning system according to embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below including
As illustrated in
The exclusive transmission line 50 is a signal carrying medium in which communications conforming to a unique communication protocol in the air-conditioning system 1 are performed, for example.
Next, the air-conditioning apparatus 2 will be described, Each of the air-conditioning apparatuses 2 is controlled based on a signal including a control command and other data transmitted from the centralized management remote controller 10 via the exclusive transmission line 50. Further, the air-conditioning apparatus 2 transmits a signal included data required by the centralized management remote controller 10 to perform control to the centralized management remote controller 10.
The outdoor unit 20 includes an outdoor unit control device 201 and an outdoor unit communication device 202. The outdoor unit control device 201 controls devices such as a compressor in the outdoor unit 20, based on the data obtained via the outdoor unit communication device 202 and the temperature related to detection by an outdoor unit temperature sensor 21. Further, the outdoor unit control device 201 allows the outdoor unit communication device 202 to transmit a signal including data to be used by the centralized management remote controller 10 to perform processing. The outdoor unit communication device 202 serves as an interface for the outdoor unit control device 201 to communicate (transmit and receive) with other devices via the exclusive transmission line 50. The outdoor unit temperature sensor 21 is a detection device configured to detect temperature (air temperature) around the outdoor unit 20. While the outdoor unit temperature sensor 21 is described as a component of the configuration of the outdoor unit 20 in this example, the outdoor unit temperature sensor 21 may be provided as a separate unit, for example, as long as the outdoor unit temperature sensor 21 can detect temperature around the outdoor unit 20.
The indoor unit 30 includes an indoor unit control device 301 and an indoor unit communication device 302. The indoor unit control device 301 controls device such as a fan in the indoor unit 30, based on the data obtained via the indoor unit communication device 302 and the temperature related to detection by the outdoor unit temperature sensor 21. The indoor unit control device 301 allows the indoor unit communication device 302 to transmit a signal including data for the centralized management remote controller 10 to perform processing. The indoor unit communication device 302 serves as an interface for the indoor unit control device 301 to communicate (transmit and receive) with other devices via the exclusive transmission line 50.
The indoor unit 30 also includes an indoor unit temperature sensor 31 and an indoor unit humidity sensor 32. The indoor unit temperature sensor 31 is a detection device configured to detect temperature (air temperature) around the indoor unit 30, and the indoor unit humidity sensor 32 is a detection device configured to detect humidity (relative humidity) around the indoor unit 30. While the indoor unit temperature sensor 31 and the indoor unit humidity sensor 32 are described as components of the configuration of the indoor unit 30 in this example, the indoor unit temperature sensor 31 and the indoor unit humidity sensor 32 may be provided as separate units, for example, as long as the indoor unit temperature sensor 31 and the indoor unit humidity sensor 32 can detect temperature and humidity around the indoor unit 30.
The air-conditioning remote controller 60 transmits an instruction to the air-conditioning apparatus 2 by an operator (not shown) and informs the operator of the state of the air-conditioning apparatus 2 by display or indication, for example. In this example, in
The air-conditioning remote controller 60 includes an air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 and an air-conditioning remote controller communication device 602. The air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 allows the air-conditioning remote controller communication device 602 to transmit signals including instructions input via the air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64 and data based on physical amounts and other factors detected by various sensors in the air-conditioning remote controller 60. The air-conditioning remote controller communication device 602 serves as an interface for the air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 to communicate (transmit and receive) with other devices.
The air-conditioning remote controller 60 of Embodiment 1 also includes a human sensor 61, an illuminance sensor 62, and a temperature and humidity sensor 65. The human sensor 61 is configured of an infrared sensor or other related components, and detects heat (temperature) emitted from a human (object), for example. The air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 determines presence or absence of a human based on the heat detected by the human sensor 61. The illuminance sensor 62 detects illuminance around the air-conditioning remote controller 60. The temperature and humidity sensor 65 detects temperature and humidity around the air-conditioning remote controller 60.
The air-conditioning remote controller 60 of Embodiment 1 further includes an air-conditioning remote controller display unit 63 and an air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64. The air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64 transmits signals relating to instructions, input by an operator, of an operation command, a stop command, temperature setting, humidity setting, and other commands and settings to the outdoor unit 20, the indoor unit 30, and other components. Further, those signals are also transmitted to the centralized management remote controller 10 via the exclusive transmission line 50.
The air-conditioning remote controller display unit 63 displays, based on signals from the air-conditioning remote controller control device 601, a state of the air-conditioning apparatus 2 and data in a signal transmitted via the exclusive transmission line 50, for example. In this example, when the air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 determines that no human is present based on detection by the human sensor 61, the air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 turns off the backlight of the air-conditioning remote controller display unit 63. On the other hand, when the air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 determines that a human is present, the air-conditioning remote controller control device 601 turns on the backlight of the air-conditioning remote controller display unit 63. Thus, the configuration contributes to energy saving.
In Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning remote controller display unit 63 is a liquid crystal display, the air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64 is a touchscreen, and the air-conditioning remote controller display unit 63 and the air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64 are configured integrally. Thus, the operability can be enhanced. In this example, the contents displayed on the air-conditioning remote controller display unit 63 are switched to be changed based on an instruction input to the air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64.
The air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64 may be configured of a plurality of push buttons or other components. Further, various sensors such as the illuminance sensor 62, the human sensor 61, and the temperature and humidity sensor 65 may not be provided.
In the below description, a communication protocol is connected with a nondisclosed exclusive transmission line 50, and devices (the outdoor unit 20, the indoor unit 30, and the air-conditioning remote controller 60) constituting the air-conditioning apparatus 2 of Embodiment 1 relating to air conditioning of an air-conditioned space are referred to as air-conditioning devices.
The centralized management remote controller control unit 101 controls respective units of the centralized management remote controller 10, and also performs processing to control the entire air-conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1. For example, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 processes data included in a signal received via the centralized management remote controller communication unit 102 to control the air-conditioning apparatus 2 (air conditioning device) to be controlled.
In particular, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 of Embodiment 1 processes rotation control described below, creates a rotation control command based on the data included in a received signal, and allows the command to be transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 2 (air-conditioning device) to be controlled, via the centralized management remote controller communication unit 102. The centralized management remote controller communication unit 102 serves as an interface for the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 to communicate (transmit and receive) with other devices via the exclusive transmission line 50.
The collected data storage unit 103 stores data included in a signal received via the centralized management remote controller communication unit 102. The rotation control data storage unit 104 stores data involved in rotation control performed by the centralized management remote controller control unit 101.
In this example, a signal is formed in a format conforming to the communication protocol used in a signal transmitted through the exclusive transmission line 50. A signal includes a header field containing a transmission source address, a transmission destination address, and actual data such as a telegram length of a communication command, a communication command field, and a frame check field containing a code for detecting a transmission error, for example.
The communication command field is configured of a communication command category field indicating a category of the communication command, an operation content field indicating the operation contents of the communication command, an operation target field indicating the operation target of the communication command, and other fields. The signal is an example and is not particularly limited to this example.
In the signal, the communication command field includes data such as humidity related to detection by the indoor unit humidity sensor 32, temperature related to detection by the indoor unit temperature sensor 31, and temperature related to detection by the outdoor unit temperature sensor 21. The signal also includes data such as heat related to detection by the human sensor 61, illuminance related to detection by the illuminance sensor 62, temperature and humidity related to detection by the temperature and humidity sensor 65, and an instruction from the air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 64.
The centralized management remote controller display unit 105 displays data stored in the collected data storage unit 103 and the rotation control data storage unit 104, for example, based on a signal transmitted from the centralized management remote controller control unit 101.
Further, the centralized management remote controller operation unit 106 transmits an instruction, input by an operator, to the centralized management remote controller control unit 101. In particular in Embodiment 1, an operator can input an instruction relating to setting of rotation control via the centralized management remote controller operation unit 106, using screens such as an edit area and an input window displayed on the centralized management remote controller display unit 105. Then, the centralized management remote controller timer unit 107 performs timing (counting) of the time of a rotation interval of the air-conditioning apparatus 2, for example.
At step S12, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines whether or not an operator designates an air-conditioning device and inputs contents of rotation control via the centralized management remote controller operation unit 106. Then, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 waits until contents of rotation control are input. On the other hand, when the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that contents of rotation control are input, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 proceeds to step S13.
At step S13, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 processes a rotation control command described below, ends the processing of the rotation control command, and proceeds to step S14.
At step S14, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 displays the control contents on which input is determined at step S12 and contents of rotation control described below, and proceeds to step S15.
At step S15, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 performs a rotation control content changing process described below, and proceeds to step S16.
At step S16, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines whether or not a predetermined first cycle has elapsed. The centralized management remote controller control unit 101 waits until the first cycle has elapsed. When the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that the first cycle has elapsed, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 proceeds to step S17.
At step S17, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 resets the count value of the first cycle, and proceeds to step S18.
At step S18, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 starts counting of the count value of the first cycle, and returns to step S13.
At step S21, when the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 acquires data (rotation control target data) relating to an air-conditioning device to be a target of rotation control, based on a signal from the centralized management remote controller operation unit 106, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 proceeds to step S22.
At step S22, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 reads rotation control data from the rotation control data storage unit 104, and proceeds to step S23. The contents of rotation control data stored in the rotation control data storage unit 104 will be described below.
At step S23, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines an air-conditioning device to be a target of rotation control, based on the rotation control target data and the rotation control data. Then, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 processes the contents of the rotation control data, creates a rotation control command, and proceeds to step S24.
At step S24, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 allows the centralized management remote controller communication unit 102 to transmit the rotation control command to the air-conditioning device to be a target of rotation control via the exclusive transmission line 50, and proceeds to step S25.
At step S25, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines whether or not the rotation control command has been transmitted to all air-conditioning devices to be targets of rotation control. When the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that the rotation control command has been transmitted to all the air-conditioning devices, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 ends the processing. Meanwhile, when the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that the rotation control command has not been transmitted to all the air-conditioning devices, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 returns to step S25.
At step S31, when the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 acquires data (rotation control change target data) relating to an air-conditioning device to be a target of rotation control change based on a signal from the centralized management remote controller operation unit 106, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 proceeds to step S32.
At step S32, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 reads rotation control data from the rotation control data storage unit 104, and proceeds to step S33.
A control content field is a field indicating the contents of control performed in rotation control. For example, in
For example, as shown in
The centralized management remote controller control unit 101 uses a value calculated by adding the numerical value obtained for each of the control contents as a reference value. Then, as a result of processing, when the reference value of the rotation interval field is 80, for example, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 allows a setting (“30 minutes”), corresponding to the reference value shown in
At step S33, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 transmits a data collection control command to the air conditioning device to acquire data required for changing the rotation control contents via the exclusive transmission line 50, and proceeds to step S34.
At step S34, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines whether or not the data collection control command is transmitted to all air-conditioning devices. When the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that the data collection control command is transmitted to all air-conditioning devices, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, when the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that the data collection control command is not transmitted to all air-conditioning devices, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 returns to step S33, and transmits the data collection control command to an air-conditioning device to which the command has not been transmitted.
At step S35, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines whether or not data collection from all air-conditioning devices has been completed. When the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that data collection from all air-conditioning devices has been completed, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 proceeds to step S36. On the other hand, when the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 determines that data collection from all air-conditioning devices has not been completed, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 returns to step S35 and continues data collection.
At step S36, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 changes the contents of the rotation control command based on the data from all air-conditioning devices, and proceeds to step S37.
At step S37, the centralized management remote controller control unit 101 stores the changed data of rotation control in the rotation control data storage unit 104, and proceeds to step S38. Here, the data stored in the rotation control data storage unit 104 is displayed on the centralized management remote controller display unit 105 to allow the user to refer to the data. Further, the centralized management remote controller operation unit 106 can allow the user to input a change instruction of the data of the rotation control command to edit the data.
At step S38, the centralized management remote controller control unit 01 stores the collected data in the collected data storage unit 103, and ends the processing. Here, the data stored in the collected data storage unit 103 is displayed on the centralized management remote controller display unit 105 to allow the user to refer to the data.
As described above, in the air-conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1, the centralized management remote controller 10 and the air-conditioning devices are connected communicably with each other via the exclusive transmission line 50, and the centralized management remote controller 10 is configured to perform processing to change the contents of a rotation control command based on the operating states of the air-conditioning devices. Thus, the control can be changed by transmitting a rotation control command changed depending on the air conditioning load, to each of the air-conditioning devices. Consequently, energy saving and comfortability can be enhanced in the entire air-conditioning system.
Although Embodiment 1 described above does not illustrate, data of rotation control performed by each air-conditioning apparatus 2 may be stored in the rotation control data storage unit 104 in the air-conditioning system. Thus, in the case where the power consumption of the entire air-conditioning system 1 is required to be kept within a prescribed electric power amount, for example, the order of demand controls to be performed can be defined based on the data of rotation control.
For example, control can be performed to keep the power consumption of the entire air-conditioning system 1 within the prescribed electric power amount by performing demand control from the air-conditioning apparatus 2 in which the accumulated operation time is long, on the basis of the accumulated operation time based on the total rotation intervals of each of the air-conditioning apparatuses 2.
1 air-conditioning system 2 air-conditioning apparatus 10 centralized management remote controller 20 outdoor unit 21 outdoor unit temperature sensor 30 indoor unit 31 indoor unit temperature sensor 32 indoor unit humidity sensor 40 refrigerant pipe 50 exclusive transmission line 60 air-conditioning remote controller 61 human sensor 62 illuminance sensor 63 air-conditioning remote controller display unit 64 air-conditioning remote controller operation unit 65 humidity sensor 101 centralized management remote controller control unit 102 centralized management remote controller communication unit 103 collected data storage unit, 104 rotation control data storage unit 105 centralized management remote controller display unit
106 centralized management remote controller operation unit 107 centralized management remote controller timer unit 201 outdoor unit control device 202 outdoor unit communication device 301 indoor unit control device 302 indoor unit communication device 601 air-conditioning remote controller control device 602 air-conditioning remote controller communication device
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2014/066064 | 6/17/2014 | WO | 00 |