Patent Application
20140097257
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-224118, filed on Oct. 9, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
This application relates to a technique of adjusting the air temperature in a house.
Generally, the air temperature in a house varies depending on the places, namely the various rooms such as bedrooms, hallways, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. The tendency of varied temperatures is particularly obvious in summer and in winter when air-conditioning apparatuses are used for adjusting the temperature.
The risk of having conditions such as rapid increase or decrease in blood pressure and increased heart beat rate (so-called heat shock) as a result of sudden temperature changes while moving from one place to another in a house where the temperature difference is significant (for example, from a bedroom to a bathroom) is known.
For example, Patent Literature 1 (Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2011-69539) proposes a system for reducing occurrence of such heat shock. When the temperature difference between a bedroom and a hallway is greater than a threshold (for example, 6° C.) during nighttime hours, this system orders the air conditioners installed in the hallway or bathroom to conduct cooling or heating operation so as to make the temperature in the hallway and/or bathroom close to the temperature in the bedroom,
It is possible to make the temperature in the hallway and/or bathroom close to the temperature in the bedroom for sure by operating the air conditioners installed in the hallway and/or bathroom as the system proposed in the Patent Literature 1 does. However, since multiple air conditioners are operated, the power consumption is increased and some inconvenience cannot be denied from the viewpoint of energy saving.
The present invention is invented in view of the above situation and an exemplary objective of the present invention is to provide a temperature adjustment system, a temperature adjustment method, a system controller, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program making the air temperature difference between predetermined places in a house fall within an acceptable range while suppressing the increase in power consumption.
In order to achieve the above objective, the temperature adjustment system according. to the present invention comprises:
a system controller;
a first temperature measurer measuring a first air temperature in a first place within a building and transmitting a measurement result to the system controller;
a second temperature measurer measuring a second air temperature in a second place within the building and transmitting a measurement result to the system controller;
a sucker sucking the air in the first place into a duct installed in the building; and
a discharger discharging the air taken from the first place via the duct into the second place,
wherein the system controller comprises:
a suction controller controlling the operation of the sucker;
a discharge controller controlling the operation of the discharger; and
an adjustment necessity determiner determining whether it is necessary to adjust an air temperature difference between the first and second places based on the first air temperature measured by the first temperature measurer and the second air temperature measured by the second temperature measurer,
wherein if the adjustment necessity determiner determines that the adjustment is necessary, the suction controller orders the sucker to start operation and the discharge controller orders the discharger to start operation.
A more complete understanding of this application can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereafter with reference to the drawings.
As shown in the figure, the temperature adjustment system 1 is configured to include a system controller 10, temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15, a suction fan 12, and discharge fans 14 and 16. These components are connected to a home network 17 established in the house in a wired or wireless communication executable manner. The home network 17 is a network complying, for example, with ECHONET.
The system controller 10 monitors the air temperature differences between the bedroom and the hallway and between the bedroom and the bathroom from the measurement results of the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15, which will be described in detail later. Then, the system controller 10 controls the suction fan 12 and discharge fan 14 to diminish the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway when the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway exceeds a preset threshold. Similarly, the system controller 10 controls the suction fan 12 and the discharge fan 16 to diminish the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the bathroom when the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the bathroom exceeds a preset threshold.
The temperature sensor 11 (a specific example of the first temperature measurer) is installed on a wall, a ceiling or the like of the bedroom, measures the air temperature in the bedroom, and sends data in which the measurement result (temperature data) is stored to the system controller 10 via the home network 17 in a predetermined timely manner. The temperature sensor 13 (a specific example of the second temperature measurer) is installed on a wall, a ceiling or the like of the hallway, measures the air temperature in the hallway (the hallway air temperature, hereafter), and sends temperature data in which the measurement result is stored to the system controller 10 via the home network 17 in a predetermined timely manner. The temperature sensor 15 (a specific example of the second temperature measurer) is installed on a wall, a ceiling or the like of the bathroom, measures the air temperature in the bathroom, and sends temperature data in which the measurement result is stored to the system controller 10 via the home network 17 in a predetermined timely manner.
The suction fan 12 (a specific example of the sucker) is provided near an inlet 180 of a duct 18 installed under the roof of the house or the like as shown in
The discharge fan 14 (a specific example of the discharger) is provided near an outlet 181 of the duct 18 provided on the ceiling of the hallway. Furthermore, the discharge fan 16 (a specific example of the discharger) is provided near an outlet 182 of the duct 18 provided on the ceiling of the bathroom. The discharge fans 14 and 16 are each an electric fan for discharging the air taken from the bedroom via the duct 18 into the hallway or into the bathroom. The rotation numbers (rotation speeds) of the discharge fans 14 and 16 are each adjusted in accordance with control data from the system controller 10.
The system controller 10 is installed at a proper place in the house and comprises, as shown in
The communicator 100 is configured to include a communication interface such as a LAN (local area network) card and be connected to the home network 17 in a wired or wireless communication executable manner. The communicator 100 executes data communication with the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15, the suction fan 12, and the discharge fans 14 and 16 via the home network 17 under the control of the controller 104.
The display 101 is configured to include a liquid crystal display or the like and displays a screen presenting the temperatures of places and various screens for user operation under the control of the controller 104. The inputter 102 is configured to include a touch panel, touch pad, and/or the like and receives input of operation from the user.
The data storage 103 plays a role of a so-called secondary storage (auxiliary storage) and comprises a nonvolatile readable/writable semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or the like. The data storage 103 stores programs and data for controlling the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15, the suction fan 12, and the discharge fans 14 and 16.
The controller 104 is configured to include a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory) and the like (none of these is shown) and controls the entire system controller 10. The controller 104 functionally comprises, as shown in
The temperature data acquirer 1040 (a specific example of the air temperature acquirer) acquires temperature data from the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 in a predetermined timely manner. In this embodiment, ten minutes before the start of a bathroom time window preset by the user, the temperature data acquirer 1040 requires the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 to transmit temperature data. In response, the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 each sends temperature data in which the measurement result is stored to the system controller 10. The temperature data acquirer 1040 supplies the temperature data the communicator 100 has received from the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 to the adjustment necessity determiner 1041.
Here, the above bathroom time window is a time window in which the user (the occupant of the house) is highly likely to go to the bathroom, Information presenting the bathroom time window (a specific example of the anticipated moving time window information) is preset by the user via the inputter 102 and stored in the data storage 103.
The adjustment necessity determiner 1041 determines whether it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the places (between the bedroom and the hallway or between the bedroom and the bathroom) based on the temperature data from the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15. More specifically, the adjustment necessity determiner 1041 obtains the temperature difference between the temperature indicated by the temperature data from the temperature sensor 11 (namely, the air temperature in the bedroom) and the temperature indicated by the temperature data from the temperature sensor 13 (namely, the air temperature in the hallway). Then. if the obtained temperature difference exceeds a preset threshold (for example, 5° C.), the adjustment necessity determiner 1041 determines that it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway,
Furthermore, the adjustment necessity determiner 1041 obtains the temperature difference between the temperature indicated by the temperature data from the temperature sensor 11 (namely, the air temperature in the bedroom) and the temperature indicated by the temperature data from the temperature sensor 15 (namely, the air temperature in the bathroom). Then, if the obtained temperature difference exceeds the above threshold, the adjustment necessity determiner 1041 determines that it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the bathroom.
The suction fan controller 1042 controls the operation of the suction fan 12 based on the determination results of the adjustment necessity determiner 1041. More specifically, the suction fan controller 1042 creates control data for rotating. the suction fan 12 if it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between some places. Then, the suction fan controller 1042 sends the created control data to the suction fan 12 via the communicator 100.
In doing so, the suction fan controller 1042 may adjust the rotation speed of the suction fan 12 using the number of pairs of places between which the air temperature difference should be adjusted as a parameter. Additionally, the temperature difference between places that should be adjusted and/or the air temperatures of those places may be used as parameters.
The discharge fan controller 1043 controls the operation of the discharge fan 14 based on the determination results of the adjustment necessity determiner 1041. More specifically, the discharge fan controller 1043 creates control data for rotating the discharge fan 14 if the adjustment necessity determiner 1041 has determined that it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and hallway. Then, the discharge fan controller 1043 sends the created control data to the discharge fan 14 via the communicator 100.
In doing so, the discharge fan controller 1043 may adjust the rotation speed of the discharge fan 14 using the temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway and/or the air temperatures in the bedroom and the hallway as parameters.
Furthermore, the discharge fan controller 1043 creates control data for rotating the discharge fan 16 if the adjustment necessity determiner 1041 has determined that it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the bathroom. Then, the discharge fan controller 1043 sends the created control data to the discharge fan 16 via the communicator 100.
In doing so, the discharge fan controller 1043 may adjust the rotation speed of the discharge fan 16 using the temperature difference between the bedroom and the bathroom and/or the air temperatures in the bedroom and the bathroom as parameters.
First, the temperature data acquirer 1040 acquires the current time (Step S101). For example, the temperature data acquirer 1040 acquires the current time from a not-shown clock operator of the system controller 10.
The temperature data acquirer 1040 reads information presenting the above bathroom time window from the data storage 103 (Step S102). In this embodiment, it is assumed that information regarding two time windows, for example from 10:00 to 11:00 PM and from 2:00 to 3:00 AM, is preset by the user and stored in the data storage 103 as information presenting the bathroom time window. The former bathroom time window is referred to as the first bathroom time window and the latter bathroom time window is referred to as the second bathroom time window hereafter.
The temperature data acquirer 1040 determines whether the acquired current time is approximately 10 minutes before the start time of one of the read, first and second bathroom time windows (Step S103). For example, if the current time falls within a range from 9:47 to 9:53 PM, the temperature data acquirer 1040 determines that the current time is approximately 10 minutes before the start time of the first bathroom time window, On the other hand, if the current time falls within a range from 1:47 to 1:53 AM, the temperature data acquirer 1040 determines that the current time is approximately 10 minutes before the start time of the second bathroom time window.
As a result of the above determination, if the acquired current time is not approximately 10 minutes before any of the first and second bathroom time windows (Step S103; NO), the processing ends.
On the other hand, if the acquired current time is approximately 10 minutes before one of the first and second bathroom time windows (Step S103; YES), the temperature data acquirer 1040 sends data requesting transmission of the measurement result (transmission request data) to the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 via the communicator 100 (Step S104). Receiving the transmission request data, the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 each transmits temperature data in which the measurement result is stored to the system controller 10.
As the communicator 100 receives the temperature data from the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 (Step S105; YES), the adjustment necessity determiner 1041 determines whether it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the places (between the bedroom and the hallway and between the bedroom and the bathroom) as described above (Step S106).
In summer or in winter when people feel hot or cold in outdoor air temperatures, the bedroom is likely to be air-conditioned at night for the importance of comfort. On the other hand, it is unlikely that the hallway and the bathroom are air-conditioned to keep the spatial temperature at appropriate temperatures. As a result, the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway or the bathroom may possibly be greater in summer or in winter than in spring or in fall. The above temperature adjustment is necessitated when the bedroom is air-conditioned, the hallway or the bathroom is not air-conditioned, and then the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway or between the bedroom and the bathroom is increased as mentioned above,
As a result of the above determination, if it is unnecessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway and between the bedroom and the bathroom (Step S106; NO), the processing ends.
On the other hand, if it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway and/or between the bedroom and the bathroom (Step S106; YES), the suction fan controller 1042 orders the suction fan 12 to rotate (Step S107). More specifically, the suction fan controller 1042 creates control data for rotating the suction fan 12 and sends the created control data to the suction fan 12 via the communicator 100. Receiving the control data, the suction fan 12 starts rotating. Consequently, the air in the bedroom (namely the air air-conditioned to an appropriate temperature) is sucked into the duct 18 using the inlet 180 (namely, the air in the bedroom flows into the duct 18).
The suction fan controller 1042 orders the suction fan 12 to stop rotating after a predetermined time (for example, one hour) has elapsed since the above rotation order. More specifically, the suction fan controller 1042 creates control data for stopping the rotation and sends the created control data to the suction fan 12 via the communicator 100. Consequently, the suction fan 12 stops rotating.
Furthermore, as a result of the above determination by the adjustment necessity determiner 1041, if it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway (Step S108; YES), the discharge fan controller 1043 orders the discharge fan 14 to rotate (Step S109). More specifically, the discharge fan controller 1043 creates control data for rotating the discharge fan 14 and sends the created control data to the discharge fan 14 via the communicator 100. Receiving the control data, the discharge fan 14 starts rotating. Consequently, the air taken from the bedroom via the duct 18 is discharged from the outlet 181 and flows into the hallway.
A predetermined time later, as the suction fan controller 1042 sends the above-described control data for stopping the rotation of the suction fan 12, in sync with this event, the discharge fan controller 1043 orders the discharge fan 14 to stop rotating. More specifically, the discharge fan controller 1043 creates control data for stopping the rotation and sends the created control data to the discharge fan 14 via the communicator 100. Consequently, the discharge fan 14 stops rotating.
Furthermore, as a result of the above determination by the adjustment necessity determiner 1041, if it is necessary to adjust the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the bathroom (Step S110; YES), the discharge fan controller 1043 orders the discharge fan 16 to rotate (Step S111). More specifically, the discharge fan controller 1043 creates control data for rotating the discharge fan 16 and sends the created control data to the discharge fan 16 via the communicator 100. Receiving the control data, the discharge fan 16 starts rotating. Consequently, the air taken from the bedroom via the duct 18 is discharged from the outlet 182 and flows into the bathroom.
A predetermined time later, as the suction fan controller 1042 sends the above-described control data for stopping the rotation of the suction fan 12, in sync with this event, the discharge fan controller 1043 orders the discharge fan 16 to stop rotating. More specifically, the discharge fan controller 1043 creates control data for stopping the rotation and sends the created control data to the discharge fan 16 via the communicator 100. Consequently, the discharge fan 16 stops rotating.
As described above, the temperature adjustment system 1 of this embodiment acquires the air temperature differences between the bedroom and the hallway and between the bedroom and the bathroom before the start time of a time window in which the user is anticipated to go to the bathroom at night (a bathroom time window). Then, the system controller 10 adjusts the temperature to reduce (diminish) the air temperature difference between the places if the acquired air temperature difference exceeds a preset threshold.
More specifically, if the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway exceeds a threshold, the air in the bedroom is sent to the hallway via the duct 18. On the other hand, if the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the bathroom exceeds a threshold, the air in the bedroom is sent to the bathroom via the duct 18.
As described above, using the air-conditioned air in the bedroom, it is possible to make the air temperature difference between the bedroom and the hallway and/or between the bedroom and the bathroom fall within an acceptable range without operating the air-conditioning apparatus in the hallway and/or in the bathroom. Consequently, occurrence of so-called heat shock caused by sudden temperature change as a result of moving from one place to another in a house can be prevented effectively while suppressing the increase in power consumption.
The present invention is not confined to the above embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the system controller 10 may be connected to the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15, the suction fan 12, and the discharge fans 14 and 16 by separate, dedicated communication lines, respectively, in a data communication executable manner.
Furthermore, the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 may transmit temperature data voluntarily. In such a case, the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 transmit temperature data to the system controller 10, for example, at one minute intervals. The system controller 10 may use the first temperature data from the temperature sensors 11, 13, and 15 to acquire the air temperature differences among the places in the above-described temperature adjustment processing (see
Furthermore, the timing to stop the rotation of the suction fan 12 can be designed on an arbitrary basis. For example, the rotation of the suction fan 12 may be stopped at the end time of the first or second bathroom time window. Alternatively, the rotation of the suction fan 12 may be stopped when the air temperature difference between target places becomes less than a preset threshold. The rotation of the discharge fans 14 and 16 may be stopped in accordance with the rotation of the suction fan 12 being stopped.
The place to which the air-conditioned air in the bedroom is sent is not restricted to the hallway and the bathroom. The air-conditioned air is capable of being properly directed to various places such as places for undressing or taking a bath/shower. Also in such a case, an outlet coupled to the duct 18 is provided on the ceiling of each place and a discharge fan controllable by the system controller 10 is installed near the outlet. Furthermore, a temperature sensor is installed at each place and a configuration to supply the measurement result of the temperature sensor to the system controller 10 via data communication is prepared. Then, like the bathroom time window, a time window in which the user is anticipated to enter (or be at) the place such as a bath/shower time window is preset by the user and information presenting the time window (anticipated moving time window information) is retained in the data storage 103.
The supply source of the air-conditioned air is not restricted to the bedroom. For example, the supply source may be the living room or the like. Furthermore, multiple places can serve as the supply source. Also in such a case, an inlet coupled to the duct 18 is provided on the ceiling of each place and a suction fan controllable by the system controller 10 is installed near the inlet. Then, a temperature sensor is installed at each place and a configuration to supply the measurement result of the temperature sensor to the system controller 10 via data communication is prepared.
When multiple places serve as the supply source of air-conditioned air, the supply source may be selected depending on the time of the day. For example, the living room is selected as the supply source from 6:00 to 10:00 PM and the bedroom is selected as the supply source from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM the following morning.
Alternatively, it is possible to communicably connect the air-conditioning apparatuses installed in the places that can serve as the supply source and the system controller 10 and allow the system controller 10 to select the place where the air-conditioning apparatus is currently in operation as the air supply source.
Furthermore, it is possible to make the system controller 10 remotely contrail for example, with a portable device such as a tablet and allow the user to force the system controller 10 to execute the temperature adjustment processing from the portable device. In this way, the user can execute the temperature adjustment in the event that the user wants to go to the bathroom way before/after the preset bathroom time window. Thus, the convenience for the user improves.
Furthermore, the system controller 10 may learn and derive the bathroom time window and/or bath/shower time window from the user's life pattern. For example, as for use of the bathroom, a shock sensor (a type of acceleration sensor) is provided on the outer side of the water pipe of a flushing toilet. Then, the shock sensor and system controller 10 are communicably connected. In this way, the system controller 10 is capable of determining whether the toilet is being used.
Alternatively, it is possible to communicably connect the system controller 10 and a door sensor attached to the bathroom door and make the system controller 10 determine whether the bathroom is used based on opening/closing of the bathroom door. Alternatively, the system controller 10 may determine whether the bathroom is used based on the on/off state of the bathroom lighting.
The system controller 10 determines whether the bathroom is used as described above and collects the history of actual use of the bathroom (for example, the start time of use of the bathroom) over a predetermined time period. Then, the system controller 10 executes a predetermined statistics processing on the collected history of actual use to derive a regular bathroom time window of the user.
Furthermore, for example, as for taking a bath/shower, a flow sensor measuring the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub from the hot-water tank unit is installed at a proper place on the hot-water tank unit. Then, the flow sensor and system controller 10 are communicably connected. In this way, the system controller 10 is capable of determining whether the user has taken a hath/shower. Alternatively, the system controller 10 may determine whether the user has taken a bath/shower based on opening/closing of the bathroom door or the on/off state of the bathroom lighting.
The system controller 10 determines whether the user has taken a bath/shower as described above and collects the history of taking a bath/shower (for example, the start time of taking a bath/shower) over a predetermined time period. Then, the system controller 10 executes a predetermined statistics processing on the collected history of taking a bath/shower to derive a regular bath/shower time window of the user.
As described above, with the bathroom time window and/or bath/shower time window being derived from the user's life pattern, it is possible to improve the accuracy of temperature adjustment and consequently, further suppress the increase in power consumption for the temperature adjustment.
Furthermore, the system controller 10 of the above-described embodiment may be integrated into a HEMS (home energy management system), In such a case, the controller of the HEMS is configured to take in the function of the system controller 10.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is possible to apply the programs executed by the system controller 10 to an existing personal computer (PC), a terminal device, or the like so as to make the PC, the terminal device, or the like function as the system controller according to the present invention.
Such programs can be distributed by any method and, for example, stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory), DVD (digital versatile disk), MO (magnetooptical disk), and memory card, or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.
Having described and illustrated the principles of this application by reference to one preferred embodiment, it should be apparent that the preferred embodiment may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the principles disclosed herein and that it is intended that the application be construed as including all such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-224118 | Oct 2012 | JP | national |
