SETTING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND SETTING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a setting method, a program, and a setting system, and more particularly relates to a setting method, a program, and a setting system applicable to setting a driving condition for air conditioning equipment.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Literature 1 discloses a preset value calculating system which calculates a comfort index such as a predicted mean vote (PMV) and thereby calculates a preset value for air conditioning equipment based on the comfort index thus calculated.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: WO 2018/221559 A1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A system such as the one disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is required to turn a specific space (such as an indoor space) into a desired PMV space in order to provide a comfortable indoor space.

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a setting method, a program, and a setting system, all of which enable setting a driving condition for air conditioning equipment to turn a specific space into a desired PMV space.

A setting method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a space analysis step, an environmental calculation step, a determination step, and a changing step. The space analysis step includes making a space analysis based on a driving condition for air conditioning equipment provided for an indoor space and information about an installation location of the air conditioning equipment. The environmental calculation step includes calculating, based on a result of the space analysis, an average temperature and an average air speed in a specific space within the indoor space. The determination step includes determining, based on the result of the space analysis, whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment needs to be changed. The changing step includes changing, when a decision is made, in the determination step, that the driving condition needs to be changed, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment in accordance with a predetermined relationship between a target temperature and a target air speed which have been set in advance to turn the specific space into a desired PMV space and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated in the environmental calculation step. The setting method includes performing, after having changed the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment in the changing step, the space analysis step and the determination step once again based on the driving condition that has been changed.

A program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is designed to cause one or more processors to perform the setting method described above.

A setting system according to still another aspect of the present disclosure includes a space analyzer, an environmental calculator, a determiner, and a changer. The space analyzer makes a space analysis based on a driving condition for air conditioning equipment provided for an indoor space and information about an installation location of the air conditioning equipment. The environmental calculator calculates, based on a result of the space analysis made by the space analyzer, an average temperature and an average air speed in a specific space within the indoor space. The determiner determines, based on the result of the space analysis made by the space analyzer, whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment needs to be changed. The changer changes, when the determiner has decided that the driving condition needs to be changed, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment in accordance with a predetermined relationship between a target temperature and a target air speed which have been set in advance to turn the specific space into a desired PMV space and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated by the environmental calculator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration for a setting system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment may perform location setting processing;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment may also perform the location setting processing;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment may also perform the location setting processing;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment may also perform the location setting processing;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment performs changing processing;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an overall operating procedure of the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exemplary processing procedure of the location setting processing to be performed by the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the rest of the exemplary processing procedure of the location setting processing to be performed by the setting system according to the exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of embodiments, constituent elements illustrated on multiple drawings and having the same feature will be designated by the same reference sign and description thereof will be omitted herein to avoid redundancy. Note that the embodiment to be described below is only an exemplary one of various embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting. Rather, the exemplary embodiment may be readily modified in various manners depending on a design choice or any other factor without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings to be referred to in the following description of embodiments are all schematic representations. Thus, the ratio of the dimensions (including thicknesses) of respective constituent elements illustrated on the drawings does not always reflect their actual dimensional ratio. Note that the arrows indicating directions on the drawings are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the directions in which the setting system 1 is supposed to be used. It should also be noted that the arrows indicating those directions on the drawings are just shown there for the purpose of description and are all insubstantial ones.

As used herein, if something is “perpendicular to” something else, then these two things may naturally cross each other exactly at right angles but may also be generally perpendicular to each other within a certain tolerance range. That is to say, the angle formed between the two things that are perpendicular to each other falls within the range defined as a sum of 90 degrees plus the certain tolerance (of 10 degrees or less, for example).

Furthermore, in the following description of embodiments, if one of two values being compared with each other and representing measurement data, for example, is “equal to or less than” the other, this phrase may also be a synonym of the phrase “less than” that covers only a situation where one of the two values is under the other. That is to say, it is arbitrarily changeable, depending on selection of a reference value or any preset value, whether or not the phrase “equal to or less than” covers the situation where the two values are equal to each other. Therefore, from a technical point of view, there is no difference between the phrase “equal to or less than” and the phrase “less than.” Similarly, the phrase “equal to or greater than” may be a synonym of the phrase “greater than” as well.

(1) Overview

First of all, an overview of a setting system 1 and setting method according to an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The setting system 1 is a system for performing the setting method.

A setting method according to this embodiment includes setting a driving condition for air conditioning equipment 19 (refer to FIG. 2) provided for an indoor space 10 to turn a specific space 15 (refer to FIG. 2) within an internal space of a facility such as the indoor space 10 (refer to FIG. 2) into a desired PMV space. The air conditioning equipment 19 may be, for example, an air conditioner which performs either a cooling operation or a heating operation. The setting method may be performed, for example, when the facility is designed.

As used herein, the “specific space” refers to a space forming part of the indoor space 10 which is located at a level equal to or greater than 0.1 m and equal to or less than 1.7 m over a floor surface and separated by at least 1 m from each of a plurality of wall surfaces 11 (refer to FIG. 2) provided for the indoor space 10.

As used herein, the “PMV (predicted mean vote)” refers to a quantitative representation indicating the degree of thermal sensations that a human being feels. The specific value of the PMV (i.e., a PMV value) is calculated based on four physical quantities (namely, temperature (room temperature), radiant temperature (radiation temperature), humidity (relative humidity), and air speed) and two human element quantities (namely, the amount of clothing and the level of physical activity (operations) of a person present in a room). The PMV value falls within the range from −3 to +3. The greater the magnitude of the PMV value on the negative side is, the colder the human being would feel in that environment. Meanwhile, the greater the magnitude of the PMV value on the positive side is, the hotter the human being would feel in that environment. In general, the closer to zero the PMV value is, the more comfortable the user feels. The PMV, as well as its calculation method, is compliant with, for example, the ISO 07730 (third edition, Nov. 15, 2005) standard.

As used herein, the “desired PMV space” refers to a space in which the proportion of the region (space) where the PMV value falls within a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as a “PMV space volume ratio”) is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. For example, in this embodiment, the target PMV space volume ratio is 90%. The predetermined range of the PMV value is from −0.5 to 0.5 (i.e., equal to or greater than −0.5 and equal to or less than 0.5). The predetermined ratio and the predetermined range may be changed as appropriate.

As used herein, examples of the “facility” include dwelling facilities for use for dwelling purposes and non-dwelling facilities such as stores (tenants' stores), offices, welfare facilities, educational institutions, hospitals, and factories. Examples of the non-dwelling facilities further include restaurants, amusement centers, hotels, inns, kindergartens, daycare facilities, and community centers. That is to say, the facility may be a dwelling facility such as a multi-family dwelling house (i.e., a so-called “mansion” in Japan) or a non-dwelling facility such as an office building, whichever is appropriate. Alternatively, the facility may also be a combination of a dwelling facility and a non-dwelling facility. For example, the facility may include stores on lower floors thereof and dwelling units on upper floors thereof. In this embodiment, the facility is supposed to be an office building and the indoor space 10 is supposed to be an office room such as a meeting room.

A setting terminal 2 is an example of the setting system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the setting terminal 2 according to this embodiment includes a space analyzer 63, an environmental calculator 64, a determiner 65, and a changer 66.

The space analyzer 63 performs space analysis processing (space analysis step). The space analysis step includes making the space analysis based on the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 provided for the indoor space 10 and information about an installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19.

The environmental calculator 64 performs environmental calculation processing (environmental calculation step). The environmental calculation step includes calculating, based on a result of the space analysis made (in the space analysis step) by the space analyzer 63, an average temperature and an average air speed in a specific space 15 (refer to FIG. 2) within the indoor space 10.

The determiner 65 performs determination processing (determination step). The determination step includes determining, based on the result of the space analysis made (in the space analysis step) by the space analyzer 63, whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should be changed.

The changer 66 performs changing processing (changing step) when the determiner 65 has decided (in the determination step) that the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should be changed. The changing step includes changing the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 in accordance with a predetermined relationship between a target temperature and a target air speed which have been set in advance to turn the specific space 15 into a desired PMV space and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated (in the environmental calculation step) by the environmental calculator 64.

After the changer 66 has changed (in the changing step) the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19, the space analyzer 63 and the determiner 65 once again perform the space analysis step and the determination step based on the driving condition that has been changed.

If the specific space 15 is not a desired PMV space, for example, then the setting system 1 according to this embodiment changes, and the setting method according to this embodiment includes changing, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the target temperature and the target air speed and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated in the environmental calculation step. Thus, the setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment allows the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 to be set to turn the specific space 15 into the desired PMV space.

In addition, the specific space 15 according to this embodiment is a space belonging to the indoor space 10 where a person is highly likely to be actually present. That is to say, the setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment allows such a space belonging to the indoor space 10 where a person is highly likely to be actually present to be defined as the desired PMV space, thus enabling providing a comfortable space for a person who uses the indoor space 10.

(2) Details

Next, a detailed configuration for the setting system 1 (setting terminal 2) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. The setting terminal 2 may be, for example, an information terminal such as a desktop or laptop personal computer, a server computer, or a tablet computer. The setting terminal 2 may be, for example, a terminal to be operated by a user such as an employee of a design (or management) company that provides the service of designing (or managing) the facility.

As shown in FIG. 1, the setting terminal 2 includes a storage device 3, a display device 4, an operating interface 5, and a controller 6.

The setting terminal 2 may include, for example, a microcomputer including a processor and a memory. The computer system performs the functions of the controller 6 by making the processor execute one or more appropriate programs. That is to say, the controller 6 is implemented as a computer system including the processor and the memory. Each of the one or more programs may be stored in advance in the memory. Alternatively, the program may also be downloaded via a telecommunications line such as the Internet or distributed after having been stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a memory card.

The storage device 3 may be a semiconductor memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Nevertheless, the storage device 3 does not have to be a semiconductor memory but may also be, for example, a hard disk drive. The storage device 3 according to this embodiment stores target value information.

The target value information includes information about a target temperature and a target air speed which have been set in advance to turn the specific space 15 (refer to FIG. 2) into the desired PMV space. The target temperature and the target air speed are such values that allow the specific space 15 to turn into the desired PMV space when the average temperature in the specific space 15 is the target temperature and the average air speed in the specific space 15 is the target air speed. The target temperature and the target air speed according to this embodiment are such values that allow the specific space 15 to have a PMV value of zero when the average temperature in the specific space 15 is the target temperature and the average air speed in the specific space 15 is the target air speed.

According to the present disclosure, there are two independent environmental variables used to calculate the PMV value, namely, temperature and air speed. The humidity is supposed to be a fixed value (e.g., 30% RH, 50% RH). Note that in this embodiment, the humidity in the specific space 15 is supposed to be uniform. In addition, in this embodiment, the radiant temperature in the specific space 15 is supposed to be equal to the temperature in the specific space 15. In general, in a highly thermally insulated dwelling house, there is little difference between the radiant temperature and the temperature. Thus, even if the radiant temperature is approximated to be the temperature, the PMV value will be affected little. Furthermore, the amount of clothing and the level of physical activity are also fixed values. For example, two sets of fixed values may be used at the time of the cooling operation and at the time of the heating operation, respectively. For example, the humidity in the specific space 15, the amount of clothing, and the level of physical activity may be set in advance by the user before the determination step. Information about the fixed values which have been set in advance by the user as the humidity, the amount of clothing, and the level of physical activity may be stored in the storage device 3, for example. Alternatively, the humidity, the amount of clothing, and the level of physical activity may be set in advance by the user before the space analysis step.

The target value information according to this embodiment may be, for example, a table of correspondence (table) showing the correspondence between the values of the temperature and air speed in the specific space 15 and the PMV value of the specific space 15 when the humidity, the amount of clothing, and the level of physical activity are fixed.

The display device 4 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent (EL) display. The display device 4 has its displayed content controlled by the controller 6.

The operating interface 5 may be, for example, a pointing device (such as a mouse, a touchscreen panel, or a touchscreen pad) or a keyboard. In response to an operating command entered by the user, the operating interface 5 generates an operating signal and outputs the operating signal to the controller 6.

Optionally, the display device 4 and the operating interface 5 may also be a touchscreen panel display in which the display device 4 and the operating interface 5 are formed integrally with each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 6 includes an initial setter 61, a location setter 62, the space analyzer 63, the environmental calculator 64, the determiner 65, and the changer 66.

The initial setter 61 performs initial condition setting processing (initial condition setting step). The initial condition setting step includes setting, based on the thermal load calculated in the indoor space 10, an initial condition for the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19. The driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 includes at least one of a preset temperature or a preset air speed. In the embodiment, a situation where the preset temperature and the preset air speed are included the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 will be described as an example. The preset temperature may be, for example, the temperature of the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19 (i.e., a blowout temperature). The preset air speed may be, for example, the speed of the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19 (i.e., a blowout air speed). The setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment sets the initial condition for the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 based on the thermal load calculated in the indoor space 10, thus making it easier to set an appropriate initial condition.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the thermal load is calculated for a situation where the air conditioning equipment 19 is performing the cooling operation and a situation where the air conditioning equipment 19 is performing the heating operation (i.e., calculates cooling/heating loads). That is to say, the setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment enables setting the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 to turn the specific space 15 into the desired PMV space, no matter whether the air conditioning equipment 19 is performing the cooling operation or the heating operation.

The initial condition setting step may include, for example, calculating the thermal load using three-dimensional modeling data such as the building information modeling (BIM) data of the facility and information about the outside air.

In addition, the initial condition setting step includes setting, in accordance with the operating command entered by the user, various conditions including the outside air temperature, the preset temperature of the air conditioning equipment 19, and the preset air speed of the air conditioning equipment 19.

The location setter 62 performs location setting processing (location setting step). The location setting step includes setting the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 based on the location of at least one opening present in the indoor space 10. As used herein, the “installation location” refers to the installation location of the air conditioning equipment. The “opening” as used herein refers to an opening which connects the indoor space 10 to the external space. As shown in FIG. 2, the at least one opening includes a doorway 16 to the indoor space 10, an air supply port 17 (ventilation equipment), an exhaust port 18 (exhaust equipment), and windows, for example. The indoor space 10 according to this embodiment is provided with four wall surfaces 11. The four wall surfaces 11 are a Northern wall surface 11, an Eastern wall surface 11, a Southern wall surface 11, and a Western wall surface 11. The Eastern wall surface 11 is provided with the doorway 16 to the indoor space 10. In the following description, if there is no need to distinguish the four wall surfaces 11 from each other, the four wall surfaces 11 will be hereinafter collectively referred to as “wall surfaces 11.”

The setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment sets the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 based on the location of the at least one opening, thus making it easier to install the air conditioning equipment 19 at an appropriate location.

The location setting step according to this embodiment includes setting the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 based on a first vector V1 and a second vector V2. As used herein, the first vector V1 is a vector indicating either the direction of air flowing into any one of the at least one opening or the direction of air flowing out from any one of the at least one opening. The second vector V2 is a vector indicating the direction of the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19. In this embodiment, the second vectors V2 are vectors aligned with respective normals to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 on which the air conditioning equipment 19 is installed. In other words, the second vectors V2 are normal vectors defined with respect to the plurality of wall surfaces 11, respectively. Note that the first vector V1 and the second vectors V2 are unit vectors. The “wall surfaces” as used herein refer to inner wall surfaces of the facility. Optionally, the plurality of wall surfaces 11 may include a window surface.

The location setting step according to this embodiment includes setting a first vector V1 and a second vector V2. The location setting step includes setting the first vector V1 according to the combination of one or more openings. In addition, the location setting step also includes setting a plurality of second vectors V2 with respect to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 provided for the indoor space 10.

Next, it will be described how to perform the location setting step in a situation where the at least one opening include the air supply port 17 and the exhaust port 18 as shown in FIG. 2. The location setting step includes setting, when the at least one opening include the air supply port 17 and the exhaust port 18, a first vector V1 pointing from the air supply port 17 toward the exhaust port 18. In addition, the location setting step further includes setting a plurality of second vectors V2 as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 provided for the indoor space 10. Then, the location setting step includes calculating respective inner products of the first vector V1 and the plurality of second vectors V2 and setting a wall surface 11 associated with a second vector V2 belonging to the plurality of second vectors V2 which makes the inner product of the second vector V2 and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the location setting step includes setting the Northern wall surface 11 to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19.

The setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment may increase the cooling or heating operation efficiency by aligning the direction of the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19 with either the direction of air flowing into any one of the at least one opening or the direction of air flowing out from any one of the at least one opening. Note that the direction of the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19 is not necessarily parallel to the ceiling surface (horizontal direction). That is to say, the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19 may sometimes have components in the upward/downward directions (i.e., vertical direction components). Nevertheless, even if the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19 has such components in the upward/downward directions, the cooling or heating operation efficiency may still be increased by aligning the direction of the air blowing parallel to the ceiling surface which is included in the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment 19 with either the direction of the air flowing into any one of the at least one opening or the direction of the air flowing out from any one of the at least one opening.

Next, it will be described how to perform the location setting step in a situation where the at least one opening is the air supply port 17 and the doorway 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The location setting step includes setting, when the at least one opening is the air supply port 17 and the doorway 16, a first vector V1 pointing from the air supply port 17 toward the doorway 16. Specifically, the location setting step includes setting a first vector V1 pointing from the air supply port 17 toward a central part 161 of the doorway 16. In addition, the location setting step further includes setting a plurality of second vectors V2 as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 provided for the indoor space 10. Then, the location setting step includes calculating respective inner products of the first vector V1 and the plurality of second vectors V2 and setting a wall surface 11 associated with a second vector V2 belonging to the plurality of second vectors V2 which makes the inner product of the second vector V2 and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the location setting step includes setting the Northern wall surface 11 to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19.

Next, it will be described how to perform the location setting step in a situation where the at least one opening is the exhaust port 18 and the doorway 16 as shown in FIG. 4. The location setting step includes setting, when the at least one opening is the exhaust port 18 and the doorway 16, a first vector V1 pointing from the doorway 16 toward the exhaust port 18. Specifically, the location setting step includes setting a first vector V1 pointing from the central part 161 of the doorway 16 toward the exhaust port 18. In addition, the location setting step further includes setting a plurality of second vectors V2 as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 provided for the indoor space 10. Then, the location setting step includes calculating respective inner products of the first vector V1 and the plurality of second vectors V2 and setting a wall surface 11 associated with a second vector V2 belonging to the plurality of second vectors V2 which makes the inner product of the second vector V2 and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the location setting step includes setting the Eastern wall surface 11 to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19.

Next, it will be described how to perform the location setting step in a situation where the at least one opening is the doorway 16 as shown in FIG. 5. The location setting step includes setting, when the at least one opening is the doorway 16, a first vector V1 pointing from the doorway 16 toward the outdoors (i.e., the space outside the indoor space 10). Specifically, the location setting step includes setting a first vector V1 pointing outdoors from the central part 161 of the doorway 16. In addition, the location setting step further includes setting a plurality of second vectors V2 as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 provided for the indoor space 10. Then, the location setting step includes calculating respective inner products of the first vector V1 and the plurality of second vectors V2 and setting a wall surface 11 associated with a second vector V2 belonging to the plurality of second vectors V2 which makes the inner product of the second vector V2 and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the location setting step includes setting the Western wall surface 11 to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19.

The space analyzer 63 performs space analysis processing (space analysis step). The space analysis step includes making a space analysis based on the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 provided for the indoor space 10 and information about the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19. The space analysis may be, for example, thermal simulations using the finite element method, for example. The space analysis step includes generating, as a result of the space analysis, environmental information including the distribution of room temperature (temperature) in the indoor space 10 and the distribution of air speed in the indoor space 10. If the changing step has been performed by the changer 66, the space analyzer 63 performs the space analysis processing once again based on the driving condition that has been changed. That is to say, the space analyzer 63 performs the space analysis processing every time the changing step is performed by the changer 66.

The environmental calculator 64 shown in FIG. 1 performs environmental calculation processing (environmental calculation step). The environmental calculation step includes calculating, based on the result of the space analysis, an average temperature and an average air speed in the specific space 15 within the indoor space 10. In other words, the environmental calculator 64 calculates the average temperature and the average air speed in the specific space 15 based on the environmental information. The environmental calculator 64 according to this embodiment performs the environmental calculation step every time the space analysis processing is performed by the space analyzer 63. In other words, the environmental calculator 64 according to this embodiment performs the environmental calculation step every time the changing step is performed by the changer 66.

The determiner 65 performs determination processing (determination step). The determination step includes determining, based on the result of the space analysis, whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should be changed. The determination step according to this embodiment includes calculating a PMV value and a PMV space volume ratio in the specific space 15 (i.e., performing PMV calculation processing) based on the environmental information (i.e., the result of the space analysis) and the amount of clothing, the level of physical activity, and humidity (fixed value information) which have been set in advance. Note that in this embodiment, the humidity in the specific space 15 is supposed to be uniform and radiant temperature in the specific space 15 is supposed to be equal to the temperature in the specific space 15. That is to say, the determination step according to this embodiment includes calculating a PMV value and a PMV space volume ratio in the specific space 15 on the supposition that the humidity in the specific space 15 is uniform and that the radiant temperature in the specific space 15 is equal to the temperature in the specific space 15. Simplifying some of a plurality of parameters for use to calculate the PMV value in the specific space 15 makes it easier to calculate the PMV value and the PMV space volume ratio in the specific space 15.

Then, the determination step includes determining, based on the PMV space volume ratio thus calculated for the specific space 15, whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should be changed. The determiner 65 performs the determination step every time the space analysis processing is performed by the space analyzer 63. In other words, the determiner 65 performs the determination step every time the changing step is performed by the changer 66.

The determination step includes deciding, when the specific space 15 is not the desired PMV space, that the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should be changed. Specifically, the determination step includes deciding, if the proportion of the space where the PMV value falls within the range from −0.5 to 0.5 (i.e., the PMV space volume ratio) is less than 90% of the specific space 15, that the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should be changed. On the other hand, the determination step includes deciding, if the specific space 15 is the desired PMV space, that the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should not be changed. That is to say, the determination step includes deciding, if the proportion of the space where the PMV value falls within the range from −0.5 to 0.5 is equal to or greater than 90% of the specific space 15, that the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should not be changed.

The setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment determines, based on the PMV space volume ratio of the specific space 15, whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should be changed, thus allowing the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 to be changed when the specific space 15 is not the desired PMV space, for example.

In addition, the determination step according to this embodiment includes deciding, if the changing step has already been performed at least a predetermined number of times, that the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should not be changed. In this embodiment, the predetermined number of times is supposed to be twice as an example. However, this is only an example and should not be construed as limiting. Alternatively, the predetermined number of times may also be once or three times or more. The setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment decides, if the changing step has already been performed at least a predetermined number of times, that the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 should not be changed, thus enabling cutting down the time for setting the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 with respect to a specific space 15 (indoor space 10) which is difficult to turn into the desired PMV space.

The changer 66 performs the changing processing (changing step). The changing step includes changing, when a decision is made, in the determination step, that the driving condition should be changed, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 in accordance with a predetermined relationship between a target temperature and a target air speed and the average temperature and the average air speed in the specific space 15 which have been calculated in the environmental calculation step. Specifically, the changing step includes changing at least one of the preset temperature or the preset air speed which form parts of the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19. Changing, in the changing step, at least one of the preset temperature or preset air speed of the air conditioning equipment 19 allows the specific space 15 to turn into the desired PMV space. In this case, either or both of the temperature and air speed may be changed but it is preferable that only the temperature be changed. This is because, in general, the air speed indoors is preferably equal to or lower than 0.5 m/s to prevent the person from feeling uncomfortable with air with too high strength. In other words, the reason is that there is an upper limit to the air speed. In addition, changing the air speed would cause a significant variation in the indoor airstream distribution. Such a significant variation in airstream distribution affects the indoor temperature distribution, which is not beneficial for the purpose of adjusting the PMV value. That is why the air speed is preferably as low as 0.3 m/s or less, for example, and the PMV value is preferably allowed to fall within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature.

A specific exemplary situation where the preset temperature is changed in the changing step will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the following example, the air conditioning equipment 19 is supposed to be performing a cooling operation.

Suppose the target temperature in the specific space 15 is 25° C. and the target air speed in the specific space 15 is 0.1 m/s. In addition, suppose, in the initial condition setting step, the preset temperature of the air conditioning equipment 19 has been set at 15° C., which is lower than the target temperature by 10° C. and the preset air speed for the air conditioning equipment 19 has been set at 0.1 m/s. Furthermore, the average temperature in the specific space 15 that has been calculated in the environmental calculation step is supposed to be 22° C. (refer to a point P1).

The changing step includes changing the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 to make the preset temperature of the air conditioning equipment 19 equal to the target temperature (of 25° C.) of the specific space 15. The changing step for the first time around ends at this point in time.

Suppose a decision is made, in the determination step to be performed after the changing step has been performed for the first time around, that the changing step needs to be performed once again. In addition, suppose that the average temperature in the specific space 15 has been calculated to be 28° C. in the environmental calculation step after the changing step has been performed for the first time around (refer to a point P2).

The changing step for the second time around includes calculating, using an approximation formula based on a line passing through the points P1 and P2, a preset temperature for the air conditioning equipment 19 that would make the average temperature in the specific space 15 equal to the target temperature (of 25° C.) (refer to a point P3). Then, the changing step for the second time around includes changing the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 to adjust the temperature in the specific space 15 to the preset temperature thus calculated for the air conditioning equipment 19 (i.e., the preset temperature at the point P3). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the changing step includes changing the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 to set the preset temperature for the air conditioning equipment 19 at 20° C. Note that the present inventors confirmed, based on the data collected through thermal simulations, that the relationship between the preset temperature for the air conditioning equipment 19 and the average temperature in the specific space 15 (i.e., the relationship between the points P1-P3) may be approximated by a linear equation as shown in FIG. 6.

The setting system 1 and setting method according to this embodiment enables making the average temperature approximately equal to the target temperature by performing the changing step twice.

Note that if these processing steps are all carried out through thermal simulations, then calculations need to be made 10-odd times in total with the blowout temperature of the air conditioning equipment 19 changed at a step of 0.2° C., for example, every time. That would be inefficient because it would take a huge amount of calculation time.

In the example described above, a target temperature and a target air speed that made the PMV value approximately equal to zero were extracted from a table with the humidity fixed. If a variation in humidity is taken into account to calculate the PMV value, not only the table but also an additional table covering the humidity may be used as well.

(3) Operation of Setting System

Next, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 7-9 how the setting system 1 operates.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an overall operating procedure of the setting system 1 according to this embodiment. First, the setting system 1 performs initial setting processing (initial setting step) (in S1). The initial setting step includes setting an initial condition for the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 based on the thermal load calculated in the indoor space 10.

Next, the setting system 1 performs location setting processing (location setting step) (in S2). The location setting step includes setting the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 based on the location of at least one opening provided for the indoor space 10.

Subsequently, the setting system 1 performs space analysis processing (space analysis step) (in S3). The space analysis step includes making a space analysis via thermal simulations based on the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 provided for the indoor space 10 and information about the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19. When the space analysis is performed for the first time around, the space analysis is made based on the initial condition for the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 and the information about the installation location. When the space analysis processing is performed for the second time and on, the space analysis is made based on the driving condition that has been set (changed) in the changing step and the information about the installation location.

Thereafter, the setting system 1 performs environmental calculation processing (environmental calculation step) (in S4). The setting system 1 calculates an average temperature and an average air speed in the specific space 15 within the indoor space 10 based on the result of the space analysis.

Next, the setting system 1 performs PMV calculation processing (PMV calculation step) (in S5). The PMV calculation step includes calculating a PMV value and a PMV space volume ratio in the specific space 15 based on the environmental information (i.e., the result of the space analysis) and the amount of clothing, the level of physical activity, and humidity (fixed value information) which have been set in advance.

Subsequently, the setting system 1 determines whether the specific space 15 is the desired PMV space (in S6). If the specific space 15 is the desired PMV space (if the answer is YES in S6), then the setting system 1 ends the processing. On the other hand, unless the specific space 15 is the desired PMV space (if the answer is NO in S6), then the setting system 1 determines whether the driving condition has already been changed twice or more (in S7).

If the driving condition has already been changed twice or more (if the answer is YES in S7), then the setting system 1 decides that the changing processing (S8) should not be performed to end the processing. On the other hand, unless the driving condition has been changed twice or more (if the answer is NO in S7), the setting system 1 performs the changing processing (S8). The changing processing includes changing the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19 by the above-described technique based on the target temperature and the target air speed and the average temperature and average air speed in the specific space 15 which have been calculated in the environmental calculation step.

After having changed the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment 19, the setting system 1 performs the space analysis processing once again (in S3). Specifically, the space analysis processing is thermal simulations.

Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows just an exemplary procedure of the setting method according to this embodiment. Thus, the processing steps shown in FIG. 7 may be performed in a different order as appropriate, an additional processing step may be performed as needed, or at least one of the processing steps shown there may be omitted as appropriate.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the location setting processing (S2). First, the location setter 62 of the setting system 1 determines whether any air supply port 17 is provided for the indoor space 10 (in S11). As used herein, the “air supply port” refers to a port through which the outside air is supplied to the indoor space 10. The location setter 62 determines, by reference to the BIM modeling data, for example, whether the indoor space 10 is provided with any air supply port 17.

If the indoor space 10 is provided with no air supply ports 17 (if the answer is NO in S11), the process proceeds to Step S22 shown in FIG. 9. On the other hand, if the indoor space 10 is provided with any air supply port 17 (if the answer is YES in S11), then the location setter 62 determines whether the indoor space 10 is provided with any exhaust port 18 (in S12). The location setter 62 determines, by reference to the three-dimensional modeling data, for example, whether the indoor space 10 is provided with any exhaust port 18. As used herein, the exhaust port refers to a port through which the air is exhausted from the indoor space 10 to the outdoors.

If the indoor space 10 is provided with any exhaust port 18 (if the answer is YES in Step S12), i.e., if the indoor space 10 is provided with both the air supply port 17 and the exhaust port 18 (refer to FIG. 2), then the location setter 62 sets a first vector V1 pointing from the air supply port 17 toward the exhaust port 18 (in S13).

Next, the location setter 62 sets a second vector V2 as a normal vector defined with respect to one wall surface 11 belonging to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S14). The location setter 62 calculates the inner product of the first vector V1 and the second vector V2 (in S15).

Subsequently, the location setter 62 determines whether normal vectors have been set as the second vectors V2 with respect to all of the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S16). In other words, the location setter 62 determines whether every second vector V2 has been set. If the normal vector has not been set yet as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is NO in S16), then the process returns to Step S14.

On the other hand, if the normal vector has already been set as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is YES in S16), then the location setter 62 sets a wall surface 11 associated with one of the plurality of second vectors that makes the inner product of the second vector itself and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 (in S17). Then, the location setter 62 ends the location setting processing (S2). In this case, the inner product is proportional to COS (θ), where θ is the angle formed between two vectors. That is why the more perfectly aligned with each other the directions of two vectors are (i.e., the closer to zero θ is), the larger the inner product is.

If the answer to the processing step S12 indicates that the indoor space 10 is provided with no exhaust ports 18 (i.e., if the answer is NO in S12), i.e., if the at least one opening is the air supply port 17 and the doorway 16 (refer to FIG. 3), then the location setter 62 sets a first vector V1 pointing from the air supply port 17 toward a central part 161 of the doorway 16 (in S18).

Next, the location setter 62 sets a second vector V2 as a normal vector defined with respect to one wall surface 11 belonging to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S19). The location setter 62 calculates the inner product of the first vector V1 and the second vector V2 (in S20).

Subsequently, the location setter 62 determines whether the normal vector has been set as the second vector V2 with respect to every one of the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S21). If the normal vector has not been set yet as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is NO in Step S21), then the process returns to Step S19.

On the other hand, if the normal vector has already been set as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is YES in S21), then the location setter 62 sets a wall surface 11 associated with one of the plurality of second vectors that makes the inner product of the second vector itself and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 (in S17). Then, the location setter 62 ends the location setting processing (S2).

In the processing step S22 shown in FIG. 9, the location setter 62 determines whether any exhaust port 18 is provided for the indoor space 10 (in S22).

If the indoor space 10 is provided with any exhaust port 18 (if the answer is YES in S22), i.e., if the at least one opening is the exhaust port 18 and the doorway 16 (refer to FIG. 4), then the location setter 62 sets a first vector V1 pointing from the central part 161 of the doorway 16 toward the exhaust port 18 (in S23).

Next, the location setter 62 sets a second vector V2 as a normal vector defined with respect to one wall surface 11 belonging to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S24). The location setter 62 calculates the inner product of the first vector V1 and the second vector V2 (in S25).

Subsequently, the location setter 62 determines whether the normal vector has been set as the second vector V2 with respect to every one of the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S26). If the normal vector has not been set yet as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is NO in S26), then the process returns to Step S24.

On the other hand, if the normal vector has already been set as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is YES in S26), then the location setter 62 sets a wall surface 11 associated with one of the plurality of second vectors that makes the inner product of the second vector itself and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 (in S17 shown in FIG. 8). Then, the location setter 62 ends the location setting processing (S2).

If the answer to the processing step S22 indicates that the indoor space 10 is provided with no exhaust ports 18 (i.e., if the answer is NO in S22), i.e., if the at least one opening consists of only the doorway 16 (refer to FIG. 5), then the location setter 62 sets a first vector V1 pointing outdoors from the central part 161 of the doorway 16 (in S27).

Next, the location setter 62 sets a second vector V2 as a normal vector defined with respect to one wall surface 11 belonging to the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S28). The location setter 62 calculates the inner product of the first vector V1 and the second vector V2 (in S29).

Subsequently, the location setter 62 determines whether the normal vector has been set as the second vector V2 with respect to every one of the plurality of wall surfaces 11 (in S30). If the normal vector has not been set yet as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is NO in Step S30), then the process returns to Step S28.

On the other hand, if the normal vector has already been set as the second vector V2 with respect to every wall surface 11 (if the answer is YES in S30), then the location setter 62 sets a wall surface 11 associated with one of the plurality of second vectors that makes the inner product of the second vector itself and the first vector V1 largest to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment 19 (in S17 shown in FIG. 8). Then, the location setter 62 ends the location setting processing (S2).

Note that the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 show just an exemplary procedure of the setting method according to this embodiment. Thus, the processing steps shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be performed in a different order as appropriate, an additional processing step may be performed as needed, or at least one of the processing steps shown there may be omitted as appropriate.

(4) Variations

Next, variations of the exemplary embodiment will be enumerated one after another. Note that the variations to be described below may be adopted in combination as appropriate.

The functions of either the setting system 1 (setting terminal 2) or setting method according to the exemplary embodiment described above may also be implemented as, for example, a (computer) program or a non-transitory storage medium on which the program is stored. A program according to one aspect is designed to cause one or more processors to perform the estimation method described above for the exemplary embodiment.

The setting system 1 (setting terminal 2) according to the present disclosure or the agent that performs the setting method according to the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system may include a processor and a memory as principal hardware components thereof. The computer system performs the functions of the setting system 1 according to the present disclosure or serves as the agent that performs the setting method according to the present disclosure by making the processor execute a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be stored in advance in the memory of the computer system. Alternatively, the program may also be downloaded through a telecommunications line or be distributed after having been recorded in some non-transitory storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disc, or a hard disk drive, any of which is readable for the computer system. The processor of the computer system may be made up of a single or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). As used herein, the “integrated circuit” such as an IC or an LSI is called by a different name depending on the degree of integration thereof. Examples of the integrated circuits such as an IC or an LSI include integrated circuits called a “system LSI,” a “very-large-scale integrated circuit (VLSI),” and an “ultra-large-scale integrated circuit (ULSI).” Optionally, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to be programmed after an LSI has been fabricated or a reconfigurable logic device allowing the connections or circuit sections inside of an LSI to be reconfigured may also be adopted as the processor. Those electronic circuits may be either integrated together on a single chip or distributed on multiple chips, whichever is appropriate. Those multiple chips may be aggregated together in a single device or distributed in multiple devices without limitation. As used herein, the “computer system” includes a microcontroller including one or more processors and one or more memories. Thus, the microcontroller may also be implemented as a single or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

In the embodiment described above, the plurality of functions of the setting system 1 are integrated together in a single housing (i.e., the setting terminal 2). However, this is not an essential configuration for the setting system 1 and should not be construed as limiting. Alternatively, those constituent elements of the setting system 1 may also be distributed in multiple different housings. Still alternatively, at least some functions of the setting system 1 (e.g., some functions of the setting terminal 2) may be implemented as, for example, a cloud computing system as well.

The setting system 1 (setting terminal 2) only needs to include at least the space analyzer 63, the environmental calculator 64, the determiner 65, and the changer 66.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the environmental calculator 64 performs the environmental calculation step and the determiner 65 performs the PMV calculation step as an example. Alternatively, the space analyzer 63 may perform at least one of the environmental calculation step or the PMV calculation step. That is to say, the space analyzer 63 may perform at least one of the function of the environmental calculator 64 or some functions of the determiner 65.

(Recapitulation)

As can be seen from the foregoing description, a setting method according to a first aspect includes a space analysis step, an environmental calculation step, a determination step, and a changing step. The space analysis step includes making a space analysis based on a driving condition for air conditioning equipment (19) provided for an indoor space (10) and information about an installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19). The environmental calculation step includes calculating, based on a result of the space analysis, an average temperature and an average air speed in a specific space (15) within the indoor space (10). The determination step includes determining, based on the result of the space analysis, whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) needs to be changed. The changing step includes changing, when a decision is made, in the determination step, that the driving condition needs to be changed, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) in accordance with a predetermined relationship between a target temperature and a target air speed which have been set in advance to turn the specific space (15) into a desired PMV space and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated in the environmental calculation step. The setting method includes performing, after having changed the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) in the changing step, the space analysis step and the determination step once again based on the driving condition that has been changed.

According to this aspect, if the specific space (15) is not a desired PMV space, for example, then the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) is changed in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the target temperature and the target air speed and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated in the environmental calculation step. Thus, this setting method allows the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) to be set to turn the specific space (15) into the desired PMV space.

In a setting method according to a second aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the first aspect, the determination step includes calculating, based on the result of the space analysis, a PMV value as a quantitative representation indicating a degree of thermal sensations that a human being present in the specific space (15) feels and a PMV space volume ratio of the specific space (15). The determination step further includes determining, based on the PMV space volume ratio thus calculated for the specific space (15), whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) needs to be changed.

According to this aspect, a determination is made, based on the PMV space volume ratio of the specific space (15), whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) needs to be changed. This allows, if the specific space (15) is not the desired PMV space, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) to be changed.

In a setting method according to a third aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the second aspect, the determination step includes calculating the PMV value and the PMV space volume ratio of the specific space (15) based on the result of the space analysis and an amount of clothing, a level of physical activity, and humidity which have been set in advance.

According to this aspect, the PMV of the specific space (15) is calculated based on the amount of clothing, the level of physical activity, and humidity which have been set in advance (i.e., by reference to fixed value information), thus making it easier to calculate the PMV value and PMV space volume ratio of the specific space (15).

In a setting method according to a fourth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the second or third aspect, the determination step includes calculating the PMV value and the PMV space volume ratio of the specific space (15) on the supposition that the specific space (15) has a uniform humidity and that a radiant temperature in the specific space (15) is equal to a temperature in the specific space (15).

This aspect makes it easier to calculate the PMV value and PMV space volume ratio of the specific space (15) by simplifying some of a plurality of parameters for use to calculate the PMV value of the specific space (15).

In a setting method according to a fifth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with any one of the first to fourth aspects, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) includes at least one of a preset temperature or a preset air speed.

This aspect allows the specific space (15) to turn into the desired PMV space by, for example, changing at least one of the preset temperature or the preset air speed of the air conditioning equipment (19) in the changing step.

In a setting method according to a sixth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with any one of the first to fifth aspects, the specific space (15) is a space located at a level equal to or greater than 0.1 m and equal to or less than 1.7 m over a floor surface and separated by at least 1 m from a wall surface (11) provided for the indoor space (10).

According to this aspect, the specific space (15) is a space belonging to the indoor space (10) where a person is highly likely to be actually present. That is to say, this aspect allows such a space belonging to the indoor space (10) where a person is highly likely to be actually present to be defined as the desired PMV space, thus enabling providing a comfortable space for the user of the indoor space (10).

A setting method according to a seventh aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with any one of the first to sixth aspects, further includes an initial condition setting step. The initial condition setting step includes setting an initial condition for the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) by calculating a thermal load on the indoor space (10). The space analysis step includes making the space analysis based on the initial condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) and the information about the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19).

This aspect allows an initial condition for the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) to be set by calculating a thermal load on the indoor space (10), thus making it easier to set an appropriate initial condition.

In a setting method according to an eighth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the seventh aspect, the thermal load is calculated for a situation where the air conditioning equipment (19) is performing a cooling operation and a situation where the air conditioning equipment (19) is performing a heating operation.

This aspect allows the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) to be set to turn the specific space (15) into the desired PMV space, no matter whether the air conditioning equipment (19) is performing a cooling operation or a heating operation.

In a setting method according to a ninth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with any one of the first to eighth aspects, the determination step includes deciding, when the changing step has already been performed at least a predetermined number of times, that there is no need to change the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19).

This aspect may cut down the time for setting the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) with respect to a specific space (15) which is difficult to turn into the desired PMV space by deciding, when the changing step has already been performed at least a predetermined number of times, that there is no need to change the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19).

A setting method according to a tenth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with any one of the first to ninth aspects, further includes a location setting step. The location setting step includes setting the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19) based on a location of at least one opening provided for the indoor space (10). The space analysis step includes making the space analysis based on the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) and the information about the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19) that has been set in the location setting step.

This aspect makes it easier to install the air conditioning equipment (19) at an appropriate location by setting the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19) based on the location of at least one opening.

In a setting method according to an eleventh aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the tenth aspect, the location setting step includes calculating, when the at least one opening is an air supply port (17) and an exhaust port (18), respective inner products of a first vector (V1) pointing from the air supply port (17) toward the exhaust port (18) and a plurality of second vectors (V2) as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to a plurality of wall surfaces (11) provided for the indoor space (10), and setting a wall surface (11) belonging to the plurality of wall surface (11) which is associated with one of the plurality of second vectors (V2) that produces the largest one of the inner products to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19).

This aspect may increase the cooling or heating operation efficiency by aligning the direction of the air blowing out from the air conditioning equipment (19) with either the direction of the air flowing into any one of the at least one opening or the direction of the air flowing out of any one of the at least one opening.

In a setting method according to a twelfth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the tenth aspect, the location setting step includes calculating, when the at least one opening is an air supply port (17) and a doorway (16), respective inner products of a first vector (V1) pointing from the air supply port (17) toward the doorway (16) and a plurality of second vectors (V2) as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to a plurality of wall surfaces (11) provided for the indoor space (10), and setting a wall surface (11) belonging to the plurality of wall surfaces (11) which is associated with one of the plurality of second vectors (V2) that produces the largest one of the inner products to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19).

In a setting method according to a thirteenth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the tenth aspect, the location setting step includes calculating, when the at least one opening is an exhaust port (18) and a doorway (16), respective inner products of a first vector (V1) pointing from the doorway (16) toward the exhaust port (18) and a plurality of second vectors (V2) as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to a plurality of wall surfaces (11) provided for the indoor space (10), and setting a wall surface (11) belonging to the plurality of wall surfaces (11) which is associated with one of the plurality of second vectors (V2) that produces the largest one of the inner products to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19).

In a setting method according to a fourteenth aspect, which may be implemented in conjunction with the tenth aspect, the location setting step includes calculating, when the at least one opening is a doorway (16), respective inner products of a first vector (V1) pointing outdoors from the doorway (16) and a plurality of second vectors (V2) as a plurality of normal vectors defined with respect to a plurality of wall surfaces (11) provided for the indoor space (10), and setting a wall surface (11) belonging to the plurality of wall surfaces (11) which is associated with one of the plurality of second vectors (V2) that produces the largest one of the inner products to be the installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19).

Note that the features according to the second to fourteenth aspects are not essential features for the setting method but may be omitted as appropriate.

A program according to a fifteenth aspect is designed to cause one or more processors to perform the setting method according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects.

A setting system (1) according to a sixteenth aspect includes a space analyzer (63), an environmental calculator (64), a determiner (65), and a changer (66). The space analyzer (63) makes a space analysis based on a driving condition for air conditioning equipment (19) provided for an indoor space (10) and information about an installation location of the air conditioning equipment (19). The environmental calculator (64) calculates, based on a result of the space analysis made by the space analyzer (63), an average temperature and an average air speed in a specific space (15) within the indoor space (10). The determiner (65) determines, based on the result of the space analysis made by the space analyzer (63), whether the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) needs to be changed. The changer (66) changes, when the determiner (65) has decided that the driving condition needs to be changed, the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) in accordance with a predetermined relationship between a target temperature and a target air speed which have been set in advance to turn the specific space (15) into a desired PMV space and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated by the environmental calculator (64).

According to this aspect, if the specific space (15) is not a desired PMV space, for example, then the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) is changed in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the target temperature and the target air speed and the average temperature and the average air speed that have been calculated in the environmental calculation step. Thus, this setting system (1) allows the driving condition for the air conditioning equipment (19) to be set to turn the specific space (15) into the desired PMV space.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

- 1 Setting System
- 10 Indoor Space
- 11 Wall Surface
- 15 Specific Space
- 16 Doorway
- 17 Air Supply Port
- 18 Exhaust Port
- 19 Air Conditioning Equipment
- 63 Space Analyzer
- 64 Environmental Calculator
- 65 Determiner
- 66 Changer
- V1 First Vector
- V2 Second Vector

SETTING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND SETTING SYSTEM

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