WHOLE BUILDING AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a whole building air-conditioning system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In related art, in a highly thermally insulated and highly airtight housing including a plurality of rooms, an air-conditioning system in which at least one air-conditioning room is independently provided to control air conditioning in an air-conditioning room, an air supply duct that connects the air-conditioning room and each room is provided, and the air in the air-conditioning room is individually distributed by a controller arranged in each room has been known (see, for example, PTL 1).

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

- PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-127845

SUMMARY

In a situation where power saving is required in a building such as a housing, it is desirable to appropriately reduce a power amount. In particular, during summer and winter in Japan, a power amount related to air conditioning in a total power amount used in the building is not small. Thus, it is important to reduce the power amount related to the air-conditioning in the situation where power saving is required.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a whole building air-conditioning system capable of appropriately reducing a power amount in a situation where power saving is required in a building.

A whole building air-conditioning system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a whole building air-conditioning device that conditions air in an air-conditioning room and conveys the air conditioned in the air-conditioning room to a plurality of air-conditioning target spaces, and a controller that executes power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that sets a target temperature of each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces to a temperature at which a power load is smaller based on a reduction request for reducing use of power.

In addition, a whole building air-conditioning system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a whole building air-conditioning device that conditions air in an air-conditioning room and conveys the air conditioned in the air-conditioning room to a plurality of air-conditioning target spaces, and a controller that executes power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that conveys the air in the air-conditioning room only to a specific air-conditioning target space without conveying the air in the air-conditioning room to all the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces after a reduction request for reducing use of power based on the reduction request.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the whole building air-conditioning system capable of appropriately reducing the power amount in the situation where power saving is required in the building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a system schematic diagram of the whole building air-conditioning system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a sixth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a seventh exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to an eighth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a ninth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic functional block diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a tenth exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic functional block diagram of another example of the whole building air-conditioning system according to the tenth exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, exemplary embodiments to be described below describe preferred specific examples of the present disclosure.

Thus, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arranged positions and connection forms of the components, steps (processes), orders of steps, and the like to be illustrated in the following exemplary embodiment are examples and are not to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, among the constituent elements in the following exemplary embodiment, the constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims representing the broadest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional constituent elements. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference marks, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.

First Exemplary Embodiment

A whole building air-conditioning system according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a system schematic diagram of the whole building air-conditioning system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

The whole building air-conditioning system includes outlet 4a to outlet 4d collectively referred to as outlets 4, conveyance duct 15a to conveyance duct 15d collectively referred to as conveyance ducts 15, and a whole building air-conditioning device. Note that, the whole building air-conditioning device may include outlet 4, conveyance duct 15, and the like.

The whole building air-conditioning device includes, for example, conveyance fan 3a to conveyance fan 3d collectively referred to as conveyance fans 3 as a conveyance unit, room temperature sensor 11a to room temperature sensor 11d collectively referred to as room temperature sensors 11, room person detection sensor 12a to room person detection sensor 12d collectively referred to as room person detection sensors 12 as a person detector, air-conditioning room temperature sensor 13, air conditioner 5, and controller 10. Note that, the whole building air-conditioning device may not include the person detector.

The whole building air-conditioning system is installed in housing 1 that is an example of a building.

Housing 1 includes at least one air-conditioning room 14 independent of rooms 2 in addition to a plurality of (four in the present exemplary embodiment) rooms 2a to 2d collectively referred to as rooms 2. Here, the housing is a residence provided as a place where residents live a private life, and as a general configuration, rooms 2 include a living room, a dining room, a bedroom, a private room, a children's room, and the like. In addition, room 2 in which the whole building air-conditioning system is provided may include a dressing room. In addition, room 2 in which the whole building air-conditioning system is provided may include a toilet, a bathroom, a lavatory, and the like.

A temperature of air in air-conditioning room 14 is controlled by air conditioner 5 provided in air-conditioning room 14. The air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 is conveyed to rooms 2a to 2d by conveyance fans 3a to 3d. That is, the plurality of rooms 2 can also be referred to as a plurality of air-conditioning target spaces.

Conveyance fans 3 convey the air in air-conditioning room 14 to rooms 2 independent of air-conditioning room 14. Conveyance fans 3a to 3d are provided in air-conditioning room 14 to correspond to rooms 2a to 2d, respectively.

The air in air-conditioning room 14 is conveyed to room 2a by conveyance fan 3a via conveyance duct 15a, is conveyed to room 2b by conveyance fan 3b via conveyance duct 15b, is conveyed to room 2c by conveyance fan 3c via conveyance duct 15c, and is conveyed to room 2d by conveyance fan 3d via conveyance duct 15d. Note that, the numbers and combinations of conveyance fans, conveyance ducts, and rooms are not limited to the above examples, and different combinations may be used.

As described above, the plurality of conveyance fans 3 (conveyance units) convey the air whose temperature is regulated by air conditioner 5 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces, respectively.

Outlet 4a is provided in room 2a, outlet 4b is provided in room 2b, outlet 4c is provided in room 2c, and outlet 4d is provided in room 2d. Outlets 4 are openings for blowing out the air in air-conditioning room 14 sent by conveyance fans 3 via conveyance ducts 15. The combination of outlets 4 and rooms 2 is not necessarily one-to-one, and a plurality of outlets 4 may be installed for one room 2.

Room temperature sensors 11 are sensors that acquire indoor temperatures (room temperatures) of corresponding rooms 2a to 2d and transmit the indoor temperatures to controller 10.

Room temperature sensor 11a is provided in room 2a, room temperature sensor 11b is provided in room 2b, room temperature sensor 11c is provided in room 2c, and room temperature sensor 11d is provided in room 2d. The combination of room temperature sensors 11 and rooms 2 is not necessarily one-to-one, and a plurality of room temperature sensors 11 may be installed for one room 2.

Room person detection sensors 12 are sensors that detect a person present in corresponding rooms 2a to 2d and transmit the detected information to controller 10.

That is, room person detection sensors 12 detect a person in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces as the person detector. Room person detection sensor 12a is provided in room 2a, room person detection sensor 12b is provided in room 2b, room person detection sensor 12c is provided in room 2c, and room person detection sensor 12d is provided in room 2d.

Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, although the person detection sensor is exemplified as the person detector, a camera, a thermo-sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like having a person detection function may be used as long as the sensor can detect a person.

Air conditioner 5 conditions the air in air-conditioning room 14 in housing 1, that is, adjusts the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 14. Air conditioner 5 cools or heats the air in air-conditioning room 14 such that the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 14 becomes a set target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature).

Air-conditioning room temperature sensor 13 is a sensor that acquires the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 14, and transmits the temperature to controller 10. Note that, air-conditioning room temperature sensor 13 may be built in air conditioner 5, but in a case where the air-conditioning room temperature sensor is built in air conditioner 5, only information on the surroundings of air conditioner 5 can be obtained. Thus, it is desirable to provide air-conditioning room temperature sensor 13 independently of air conditioner 5 to obtain information of entire air-conditioning room 14.

Controller 10 is a controller that controls the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device).

Controller 10 is connected to communicate with conveyance fans 3a to 3d, room temperature sensor 11a to room temperature sensor 11d, room person detection sensor 12a to room person detection sensor 12d, air-conditioning room temperature sensor 13, and air conditioner 5 by wireless communication. The connection by the wireless communication eliminates the need for complicated wiring work. However, at least a part of these components and controller 10 may be connected to communicate with each other by wired communication.

In addition, controller 10 also controls air conditioner 5 based on the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 14 acquired by air-conditioning room temperature sensor 13 such that the temperature of air-conditioning room 14 becomes the target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature) set for air-conditioning room 14.

In addition, controller 10 sets air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 3a to 3d in accordance with the indoor temperatures of rooms 2a to 2d respectively acquired by room temperature sensors 11a to 11d, target temperatures (room target temperatures) set for rooms 2a to 2d, and the like.

That is, controller 10 controls the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 3a to 3b and air conditioner 5. As a result, the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 is conveyed to room 2a to room 2d by the air blowing amounts set for conveyance fans 3a to 3d, respectively. As a result, the indoor temperatures of rooms 2a to 2d approach the target temperatures of the respective rooms (air-conditioning target spaces).

That is, the whole building air-conditioning device conditions the air in air-conditioning room 14, and conveys the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces. As a result, the indoor temperatures of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces can be brought close to the target temperatures of the respective air-conditioning target spaces.

As described above, controller 10 performs control to bring entire housing 1 (the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces) close to the target temperatures.

Note that, controller 10 may set the target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature) of air-conditioning room 14 based on the temperatures acquired by room temperature sensor 11 and air-conditioning room temperature sensor 13, and may control air conditioner 5 to achieve the set target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature). Then, controller 10 brings the temperatures of rooms 2a to 2d close to the target temperatures (room target temperatures) respectively set for rooms 2a to 2d by controlling the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 3a to 3d. Air conditioner 5 and conveyance fans 3a to 3b are controlled by controller 10, and thus, entire housing 1 (the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces) can be brought close to the target temperatures.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may include storage battery 16, and storage battery 16 may be provided in housing 1 or near housing 1. That is, storage battery 16 may be installed in housing 1 or may be installed outdoors outside housing 1.

Storage battery 16 can store power (electricity), and stores power generated by solar power generation, power supplied from a power supplier, or the like. Storage battery 16 is a power supply source of the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device), which is different from the power supply from the power supplier.

Note that, storage battery 16 is also a power supply source of an electric device in housing 1, which is different from the power supply from the power supplier. The electric device in housing 1 is, for example, a device other than the whole building air-conditioning system, such as a lighting device, an electric cooker, a microwave oven, a television, a dryer, and a refrigerator.

As described above, storage battery 16 can function as a backup power supply in a power failure state where the power supply from the power supplier is stopped.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include air exhaust ports 21 and heat exchange type ventilation device 17.

air exhaust ports 21 are openings for exhausting air in rooms 2. air exhaust port 21a is provided in room 2a, air exhaust port 21b is provided in room 2b, air exhaust port 21c is provided in room 2c, and air exhaust port 21d is provided in room 2d.

Each air exhaust port 21 may include an exhaust fan. That is, air exhaust port 21a may include a first exhaust fan, air exhaust port 21b may include a second exhaust fan, air exhaust port 21c may include a third exhaust fan, and air exhaust port 21d may include a fourth exhaust fan. Each exhaust fan operates, and thus, the air in each room 2 is exhausted to an outside of each room 2 via each air exhaust port 21. Each air exhaust port 21 is connected to heat exchange type ventilation device 17 to be described later via a duct or the like. The air exhausted from each air exhaust port 21 is exhausted to the outdoors via the duct and heat exchange type ventilation device 17. The combination of air exhaust ports 21 and rooms 2 is not necessarily on one-to-one, and a plurality of air exhaust ports 21 may be installed for one room 2.

Each exhaust fan is a fan that discharges the air in corresponding room 2a to 2d, and corresponds to a ceiling embedded ventilation fan, a wall-mounted ventilation fan, a range hood, or the like. Each exhaust fan is configured such that an air exhaust amount can be set in a plurality of levels. Normally, each exhaust fan is controlled to have a preset air exhaust amount. Then, the air exhaust amount is controlled for each of exhaust fan in accordance with settings by a user, values acquired by various sensors, and control contents. The control of the air exhaust amount is performed by controller 10, for example.

Next, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 will be described. Heat exchange type ventilation device 17 is a ventilation device that can be installed in a ceiling space in a building, in a side wall, under a floor, or the like and performs supply and exhaust of an indoor space, and is a ventilation device having a function of performing heat exchange during supply and exhaust.

Heat exchange type ventilation device 17 performs ventilation while exchanging heat between air (exhaust air flow) exhausted from indoors to outdoors and air (supply air flow) supplied from outdoors to indoors. In other words, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 ventilates the air, and suppresses unnecessary inflow of heat by transferring the heat of the supply air flow to exhaust air flow during ventilation. On the other hand, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 ventilates the air, and suppresses unnecessary release of heat by transferring the heat of the exhaust air flow to the supply air flow during ventilation.

Here, the exhaust air flow is a flow of the air for discharging the air from indoors to outdoors. The exhaust air flow is conveyed from indoors (rooms 2) to heat exchange type ventilation device 17. In the present exemplary embodiment, air in each room 2 is conveyed to heat exchange type ventilation device 17 via each air exhaust port 21 and each duct of each room 2. The exhaust air flow heat-exchanged with the supply air flow by heat exchange type ventilation device 17 is discharged from heat exchange type ventilation device 17 to the outdoors via a duct or the like.

The supply air flow is a flow of the air for introducing the air from outdoors to indoors. The supply air flow is conveyed from the outdoors to heat exchange type ventilation device 17. In the present exemplary embodiment, outdoor air is conveyed to heat exchange type ventilation device 17 via a duct or the like. The supply air flow heat-exchanged with the exhaust air flow by heat exchange type ventilation device 17 is introduced indoors. In the present exemplary embodiment, the supply air flow heat-exchanged with the exhaust air flow by heat exchange type ventilation device 17 is introduced into air-conditioning room 14, and the air introduced into air-conditioning room 14 is conditioned by air conditioner 5.

As described above, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 is a device that ventilates the air while exchanging heat between indoor air RA (exhaust air flow) and outdoor air OA (supply air flow).

Specifically, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 has a case having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An indoor air port, an air exhaust port, an outdoor air port, and an air supply port are provided on a side surface of the case.

The indoor air port is an intake port for taking indoor air RA (exhaust air flow) into heat exchange type ventilation device 17. The air exhaust port is an ejection port for ejecting the exhaust air flow as exhaust air EA from heat exchange type ventilation device 17 to outdoors. The outdoor air port is an intake port for taking outdoor air OA (supply air flow) into heat exchange type ventilation device 17. The air supply port is an ejection port for ejecting the supply air flow as supply air SA from heat exchange type ventilation device 17 to indoors.

Heat exchange type ventilation device 17 includes heat exchange element 20 inside the case. Heat exchange element 20 is a member for performing heat exchange between the exhaust air flow and the supply air flow. Note that, the heat exchange corresponds to sensible heat exchange for exchanging temperatures between the exhaust air flow and the supply air flow, or total heat exchange for performing both sensible heat exchange and latent heat exchange for exchanging humidity between the exhaust air flow and the supply air flow.

In this example, heat exchange element 20 is a total heat exchange element made of heat transfer paper (heat transfer plate) that is based on cellulose fibers. However, a material of heat exchange element 20 is not limited thereto. For example, a moisture-permeable resin film based on polyurethane or polyethylene terephthalate, or a paper material based on cellulose fiber, ceramic fiber, or glass fiber may be used as the heat transfer plate for forming heat exchange element 20. In addition, as the heat transfer plate for forming heat exchange element 20, it is also possible to use a thin sheet having heat conductivity and having a property not permeating gas. In this case, heat exchange element 20 serves as a sensible heat exchange element.

Further, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 includes exhaust air blowing fan 19 and supply air blowing fan 18 inside the case.

Exhaust air blowing fan 19 is an air blower for taking the exhaust air flow from the indoor air port, and ejecting the exhaust air flow via the air exhaust port. Supply air blowing fan 18 is an air blower for taking the supply air flow from the outdoor air port and ejecting the supply air flow from the air supply port.

In addition, an exhaust air duct that communicatively connects the indoor air port to the air exhaust port, and a supply air duct that communicatively connects the outdoor air port to the air supply port are provided inside the case of heat exchange type ventilation device 17. The exhaust air flow sucked by exhaust air blowing fan 19 is discharged from the air exhaust port to the outdoors via heat exchange element 20 in the exhaust air duct and exhaust air blowing fan 19. That is, exhaust air blowing fan 19 conveys, as the exhaust air flow, the air in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces (rooms 2) to the outdoors.

In addition, the supply air flow sucked by supply air blowing fan 18 is supplied from the air supply port to the indoors (air-conditioning room 14) via heat exchange element 20 in the supply air duct and supply air blowing fan 18. That is, supply air blowing fan 18 conveys, as the supply air flow, the outdoor air to the indoors (air-conditioning room 14).

In a case where heat exchange ventilation is performed, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 causes exhaust air blowing fan 19 and supply air blowing fan 18 to operate such that heat exchange element 20 exchanges heat between the exhaust air flow flowing through the exhaust air duct and the supply air flow flowing through the supply air duct.

As a result, during ventilation, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 transfers the heat of the supply air flow to be taken indoors to the exhaust air flow to be released to the outdoors, and suppresses inflow of unnecessary heat. As a result, when the air is ventilated during the summer in Japan, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise indoors due to a high-temperature air from the outdoors.

In addition, during ventilation, heat exchange type ventilation device 17 transfers the heat of the exhaust air flow to be released to the outdoors to the supply air flow to be taken indoors, suppresses release of unnecessary heat, and recovers the heat to the indoors. As a result, when the air is ventilated during winter in Japan, it is possible to suppress a temperature drop indoors due to a low-temperature air from the outdoors.

Next, each function of controller 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

Controller 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, power amount acquisition unit 32, and device control unit 33.

As described above, the present disclosure provides the whole building air-conditioning system capable of appropriately reducing the power amount in a situation where power saving is required in housing 1. As the situation where power saving is required in housing 1, a case where a power failure state occurs will be described in the first exemplary embodiment.

Power detection unit 30 detects the power supply from the power supplier. The power from the power supplier is supplied to an outlet or the like provided in housing 1 via power distribution panel 22, and is also supplied to the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device). That is, the power from the power supplier is also supplied to controller 10 via power distribution panel 22.

For example, power detection unit 30 detects whether or not the power is supplied from the power supplier by monitoring a voltage or a current of the power supplied from the power supplier to controller 10 via power distribution panel 22. That is, when the power failure state where the power supply from the power supplier is stopped occurs, power detection unit 30 detects the power failure state.

Note that, storage battery 16 is also connected to controller 10, and the power supply to controller 10 is not stopped even though the power failure state occurs.

Note that, controller 10 may not include power detection unit 30. In this case, a power supply detection device (power detection information acquisition unit) that detects the power supply from the power supplier may be separately provided, the power supply detection device and controller 10 may be connected to communicate with each other, and the power supply detection device may notify controller 10 of whether or not the power is supplied from the power supplier. That is, controller 10 may include the power detection information acquisition unit instead of power detection unit 30. The power supply from the power supplier can be detected based on the information acquired by the power detection information acquisition unit.

In a case where the power failure state is detected by power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31 issues a reduction request (power saving request) for reducing the use of the power to device control unit 33.

Power amount acquisition unit 32 acquires the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. Specifically, power amount acquisition unit 32 acquires the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 by performing wireless communication or wired communication with storage battery 16.

Device control unit 33 normally controls the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 3a to 3d and air conditioner 5 as the control of the whole building air-conditioning system. Device control unit 33 controls air conditioning by air conditioner 5 in order to set the indoor temperatures of room 2a to room 2d to target temperatures, and further controls conveyance fans 3a to 3d to convey the air in air-conditioning room 14 conditioned by air conditioner 5 to room 2a to room 2d, respectively.

Controller 10 controls air-conditioning strength of air conditioner 5, the air blowing amount of conveyance fan 3, and the like based on current indoor temperature of room 2 and the target temperature. For example, when a difference between the current indoor temperature of room 2 and the target temperature is large, controller 10 increases the air-conditioning strength and increases the air blowing amount of corresponding conveyance fan 3. As a result, the indoor temperature of room 2 approaches the target temperature.

That is, the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device) conditions the air in air-conditioning room 14, and conveys the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces (room 2). As a result, the indoor temperatures of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces can be brought close to the target temperatures of the air-conditioning target spaces. Further, device control unit 33 may control exhaust air blowing fan 19 and supply air blowing fan 18 in order to control an indoor ventilation air amount.

Functions of controller 10 can be realized by elements such as a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer and a mechanical device in terms of hardware, and are realized by a computer program or the like in terms of software, but here, these functions are realized by cooperation thereof. Accordingly, these functions can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

Here, during the occurrence of the power failure state, when the air-conditioning control is performed before the power failure state occurs, all the power in storage battery 16 may be consumed in a short time. That is, the comfort of the resident in housing 1 may be lost early. In addition, in a case where storage battery 16 also supplies the power to other devices such as a refrigerator in housing 1, food in the refrigerator may deteriorate early. Thus, it is desirable to execute power saving processing that can maintain comfort for a long time by using storage battery 16.

First, when the power failure state occurs, power detection unit 30 detects the power failure state, and power saving request unit 31 issues a reduction request for reducing the use of the power to device control unit 33. Based on the reduction request, device control unit 33 executes the power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that sets the target temperature of room 2, which is the air-conditioning target space, to a temperature at which a power load is smaller.

An example of the power saving processing will be described. During a heating operation, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is set to be lower by a predetermined temperature than the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space before the reduction request is issued. For example, when the target temperature before the reduction request is 23 degrees, the temperature is lowered by 3 degrees to 20 degrees.

Here, the predetermined temperature may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. For example, the target temperature may be set to 22 degrees when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “large”, the target temperature may be set to 20 degrees when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “medium”, and the target temperature may be set to 19 degrees when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “small”.

Similarly, during a cooling operation, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is set to be higher by a predetermined temperature than the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space before the reduction request is issued. For example, when the target temperature before the reduction request is 25 degrees, the temperature is increased by 3 degrees to 28 degrees.

Here, the predetermined temperature may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. For example, the target temperature may be set to 26 degrees when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “large”, the target temperature may be set to 28 degrees when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “medium”, and the target temperature may be set to 29 degrees when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “small”.

As another example of the power saving processing, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is set to a preset temperature at which the power load is smaller. For example, during the heating operation, “20 degrees” is stored in a memory or the like as the preset temperature at which the power load is smaller, and the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is set to 20 degrees as the power saving processing.

In addition, as the power saving processing, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space may be set to a target temperature at which a preset power load is smaller, and the target temperature at which the power load is smaller may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. For example, when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “large”, 22 degrees is determined as the target temperature at which the power load is smaller, when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “medium”, 20 degrees is determined as the target temperature at which the preset power load is smaller, and when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “small”, 19 degrees is determined as the target temperature at which the power load is smaller.

Similarly, during the cooling operation, “28 degrees” is stored in the memory or the like as the preset temperature at which the power load is smaller, and the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is set to 28 degrees as the power saving processing.

In addition, as the power saving processing, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space may be set to a target temperature at which a preset power load is smaller, and the target temperature at which the power load is smaller may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. For example, when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “large”, 26 degrees is determined as the target temperature at which the power load is smaller, when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “medium”, 28 degrees is determined as the target temperature at which the power load is smaller, and when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “small”, 29 degrees is determined as the target temperature at which the power load is smaller.

As still another example of the power saving processing, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is not allowed to be set outside a preset temperature range in which a power load is smaller.

For example, during the heating operation, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is not allowed to be set outside a temperature range of 20 degrees or less. In a case where the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is higher than 20 degrees at a timing when the setting is not allowable, the target temperature is forcibly changed to be less than or equal to 20 degrees, and thereafter, when the setting is manually changed by the user, the target temperature outside the temperature range of 20 degrees or less cannot be set.

In addition, as the power saving processing, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space may not be allowed to be set outside the temperature range in which the power load is smaller, and the temperature range in which the power load is smaller may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. For example, it is determined that setting outside the temperature range of 22 degrees or less is not allowed when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “large”, setting outside the temperature range of 20 degrees or less is not allowed when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “medium”, and setting outside the temperature range of 19 degrees or less is not allowed when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “small”.

Similarly, during the cooling operation, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is not allowed to be set outside a temperature range of 28 degrees or more. In a case where the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is lower than 28 degrees at a timing when the setting is not allowable, the target temperature is forcibly changed to be more than or equal to 28 degrees, and thereafter, when the setting is manually changed by the user, the target temperature outside the temperature range of 28 degrees or more cannot be set.

In addition, as the power saving processing, the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space may not be allowed to be set outside the temperature range in which the power load is smaller, and the temperature range in which the power load is smaller may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. For example, it is determined that setting outside a temperature range of 26 degrees or more is not allowable when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “large”, setting outside the temperature range of 28 degrees or more is not allowable when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “medium”, and setting outside the temperature range of 29 degrees or more is not allowable when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “small”.

As described above, the power amount can be appropriately reduced in the situation where power saving is required in housing 1. In addition, since the whole building air-conditioning device is not completely stopped, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount while suppressing a decrease in the comfort of the user.

In addition, the power amount can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. As a result, in a case where the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is large, the power amount can be appropriately reduced while further suppressing the decrease in the comfort of the user.

Note that, device control unit 33 may control supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19. When the power saving processing is executed, device control unit 33 sets the air blowing amounts of both supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 to be less than or equal to a predetermined air amount.

For example, an air amount set in advance as the predetermined air amount is stored in a memory or the like, and the air blowing amounts of supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 are set to be less than or equal to the predetermined air amount when the power saving processing is executed. The predetermined air amount may be, for example, an air amount required for minimum ventilation in room 2. The air amount required for the minimum ventilation may be a ventilation air amount corresponding to the number of times of ventilation of 0.5 times or more per hour defined in the Building Standard Act or the like, or may be a ventilation air amount with which a ventilation air amount of 20 cubic meters per hour can be executed. As a result, the power amount can be further reduced in the situation where power saving is required in housing 1.

In addition, when the power saving processing is executed, device control unit 33 may stop air blowing from supply air blowing fan 18 and the exhaust air blowing fan. As a result, the power amount can be further reduced. Note that, device control unit 33 may set the air blowing amount of at least one of supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 to be less than or equal to the predetermined air amount.

Here, the predetermined air amount may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. For example, a case where the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 can be set up to “0 to 10” in a stepwise manner and a normal setting is “7” will be described. Note that, the smaller the set air amount, the smaller the air blowing amounts of supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19. In a case where the set air amount is “0”, supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 are stopped.

For example, when the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “large”, the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 are set to “3”. When the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “medium”, the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 are set to “1”. When the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is “small”, the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 18 and exhaust air blowing fan 19 are set to “0”. As described above, the power amount can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 16. As a result, in a case where the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 is large, the power amount can be appropriately reduced while further suppressing the decrease in the comfort of the user.

As described above, device control unit 33 executes the power saving processing based on the reduction request for reducing the use of the power. By executing the power saving processing, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user while suppressing the power use by storage battery 16. That is, it is possible to maintain the comfort of the user for a long time while suppressing the power use by storage battery 16.

The whole building air-conditioning system is generally installed in a highly thermally insulated and highly airtight housing. Thus, even though the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is set to the temperature at which the power load is smaller, the indoor temperature in the air-conditioning target space does not change rapidly due to the influence of the outside air or the like, and the indoor temperature can be maintained for a certain time. That is, even though the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space is set to the temperature at which the power load is smaller, the comfort of the user is not immediately decreased.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, as the situation where power saving is required in housing 1, a case where the power saving request is issued from the power supplier will be described. During summer and winter in Japan, power consumption increases as compared with spring and fall due to an increase in power associated with air conditioning. As a result, power demand exceeding the power that can be supplied by the power supplier may be generated. Thus, the power supplier may issue the power saving request toward a region to which power is supplied. In the present disclosure, the power saving processing corresponding to such a power saving request from the power supplier is executed.

A system schematic diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a second exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1 similarly to the first exemplary embodiment. However, the whole building air-conditioning system according to the second exemplary embodiment may not include storage battery 16.

Next, each function of controller 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

Controller 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment includes reception unit 40, power saving request unit 41, and device control unit 42.

Here, the whole building air-conditioning system further includes power management server 50. Power management server 50 is an information processing apparatus that obtains power saving request information from the power supplier and provides the obtained power saving request information to controller 10 (whole building air-conditioning device).

Specifically, power management server 50 receives the power saving request from the power supplier via a network such as the Internet, selects a region corresponding to a target of the power saving request based on the received power saving request, and transmits the reduction request for reducing the use of the power to each of whole building air-conditioning devices belonging to the selected region.

In power management server 50, a region where each of the whole building air-conditioning devices is installed is registered in advance. This registration may be registered in advance by the user, may be registered by a contractor of the whole building air-conditioning device, or may be registered in power management server 50 by mounting a GPS on the whole building air-conditioning device and transmitting the region where the whole building air-conditioning device is installed to power management server 50 via reception unit 40 to be described later. In addition, the region where each whole building air-conditioning device is installed may be registered in power management server 50 by another method.

Controller 10 has a wireless communication function and is connected to communicate with power management server 50 via a network such as the Internet. Controller 10 may be connected to power management server 50 via a network by wired communication.

Reception unit 40 receives the reduction request from power management server 50. When the reduction request is received from power management server 50, reception unit 40 transmits the reception of the reduction request to power saving request unit 41.

When the reception of the reduction request is transmitted from reception unit 40, power saving request unit 41 issues the reduction request (power saving request) for reducing the use of the power to device control unit 42.

Similarly to device control unit 33, device control unit 42 normally controls the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 3a to 3d and air conditioner 5 as the control of the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device).

Device control unit 42 controls air conditioning by air conditioner 5 in order to set the indoor temperatures of room 2a to room 2d to the target temperatures, and further controls conveyance fans 3a to 3d to convey the air in air-conditioning room 14 conditioned by air conditioner 5 to room 2a to room 2d, respectively.

Controller 10 (device control unit 42) controls the air-conditioning strength of air conditioner 5, the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 3, and the like based on the current indoor temperatures of rooms 2 and the target temperatures. For example, when the difference between the current indoor temperature of room 2 and the target temperature is large, the air-conditioning strength is increased, and the air blowing amount of corresponding conveyance fan 3 is increased. As a result, the indoor temperature of room 2 approaches the target temperature.

That is, the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device) conditions the air in air-conditioning room 14, and conveys the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces (room 2). As a result, the indoor temperatures of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces can be brought close to the target temperatures of the air-conditioning target spaces. Further, device control unit 42 may control exhaust air blowing fan 19 and supply air blowing fan 18 in order to control the ventilation air amount of room 2.

First, when the power saving request is generated from the power supplier, power management server 50 receives the power saving request information from the power supplier. Power management server 50 selects the region corresponding to the target of the power saving request based on the received power saving request, and transmits the reduction request for reducing the use of the power to each of the whole building air-conditioning devices belonging to the selected region.

Reception unit 40 of the whole building air-conditioning device belonging to the selected region receives the reduction request from power management server 50. Reception unit 40 transmits the reception of the reduction request to power saving request unit 41.

Based on the reduction request, device control unit 42 executes the power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that sets the target temperature of room 2, which is the air-conditioning target space to the temperature at which the power load is smaller. Since the contents of the power saving processing are similar to the processing when the power failure state described in the first exemplary embodiment occurs, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, device control unit 42 executes the power saving processing based on the reduction request for reducing the use of the power. By executing the power saving processing, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user while suppressing the power use. That is, it is possible to maintain the comfort of the user for a long time while suppressing the power use.

As a result, in the situation where power saving is required in housing 1, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount while suppressing the decrease in comfort of the user. In addition, the user or the like can obtain a reward corresponding to a power saving amount by saving power in accordance with the power saving request from the power supplier.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a case where a function is further added to the first exemplary embodiment in a case where the power failure state occurs will be described. A system schematic diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a third exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1 similarly to the first exemplary embodiment.

Next, each function of controller 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

Controller 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment includes power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, power amount acquisition unit 32, device control unit 33, storage unit 60, and execution period reception unit 61.

Since power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, and power amount acquisition unit 32 are the same as the first exemplary embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Execution period reception unit 61 receives a period during which the power saving processing is executed. The input of the period during which the power saving processing is executed is executed by, for example, the user. For example, an input unit is provided in controller 10, and the user inputs a period during which desired power saving processing is executed to the input unit, and thus, execution period reception unit 61 receives the period during which the power saving processing is executed inputted to the input unit. The input unit is, for example, a touch panel, and execution period reception unit 61 receives a period during which the power saving processing is executed input by the user on the touch panel. An execution period may be set in terms of time, day of the week, or time for each day of the week, or may be voluntarily set.

Storage unit 60 is a so-called memory, and stores the period during which the power saving processing is executed, received by execution period reception unit 61. Note that, the period during which the power saving processing is executed may not be the period received by execution period reception unit 61. For example, the period during which the power saving processing is executed may be stored in advance in storage unit 60.

Device control unit 33 basically executes power saving processing similar to the first exemplary embodiment. However, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, device control unit 33 of the third exemplary embodiment executes the power saving processing only in the set power saving processing execution period. As a result, in a case where the reduction request in the power failure state is issued, the power saving processing can be executed only during a period desired by the user.

For example, for a user who often goes out at night for work or the like, the power saving processing may be executed only during the nighttime. Similarly, for a user who often goes out during the daytime, the power saving processing may be executed only during the daytime. As a result, it is possible to efficiently reduce power during a period desired by the user, and it is possible to suppress the decrease in comfort of the user by not performing the power saving processing during a period not desired by the user.

In addition, the power saving processing may be executed in a time zone in which power consumption by each device other than the whole building air-conditioning device in housing 1 is large. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a peak of the power amount in housing 1. In addition, a power amount of the peak can be suppressed. In addition, in housing 1, the power amount per unit time can be set to be uniform. As a result, the power can be efficiently reduced in a time zone in which the power consumption by each device other than the whole building air-conditioning device is large. In addition, since variation in power amount with time in housing 1 is reduced, the transition of the remaining power amount of storage battery 16 can be easily predicted.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, control contents different from the third exemplary embodiment in a case where a function is further added to the first exemplary embodiment in a case where the power failure state occurs will be described.

A system schematic diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1 similarly to the first exemplary embodiment.

Next, each function of controller 10 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 10 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

Controller 10 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment includes power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, power amount acquisition unit 32, device control unit 33, execution period determination unit 70, presence-in-room information storage unit 71, and presence-in-room information acquisition unit 72.

Since power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, and power amount acquisition unit 32 are the same as the first exemplary embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Presence-in-room information acquisition unit 72 acquires presence-in-room information of a person (user) in each room 2 from the person detector. In the present exemplary embodiment, although room person detection sensor 12 is used as the person detector, the presence-in-room information of each room 2 may be known by other techniques, and the person detector may not be the room person detection sensor. For example, the person detector may be an ultrasonic sensor or a camera having a person detection function. The person detector may be a camera having no person detection function. In this case, controller 10 or the like may have a person detection function. The person detector may be a thermo-camera, an infrared sensor, or the like.

Presence-in-room information storage unit 71 stores the presence-in-room information of the person in each room 2 acquired by presence-in-room information acquisition unit 72. For example, the presence-in-room information of the person in each room 2 for each time zone is stored. Each time zone can be voluntarily set, for example, every hour.

Presence-in-room information storage unit 71 stores, for example, information as to whether or not the person is present in each room every hour. That is, presence-in-room information storage unit 71 stores information as to whether or not the person is present in room 2 in each of 24 time zones of 0:00 to 1:00, 1:00 to 2:00, 2:00 to 3:00, . . . , 22:00 to 23:00, and 23:00 to 24:00 on each day. As described above, presence-in-room information storage unit 71 stores presence-in-room history information of the person in room 2.

Execution period determination unit 70 determines the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room information of the person in room 2 acquired by presence-in-room information acquisition unit 72. That is, execution period determination unit 70 determines the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room history information of the person in room 2 stored in presence-in-room information storage unit 71.

For example, based on the presence-in-room history information of the person, execution period determination unit 70 determines, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 2, and does not determine, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is present in room 2. The information used for this determination may be presence-in-room information in each time zone on the previous day, may be presence-in-room information in each time zone on the same day of the week one week before, or may be pieces of presence-in-room information in all time zones in the last few days.

That is, execution period determination unit 70 may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 2 in each time zone on the previous day, or may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 2 in each time zone one week before. In addition, execution period determination unit 70 may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 2 in all the time zones in the last few days, may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 2 in at least one time zone among the time zones in the last few days, or may determine the power saving processing execution period by other methods.

As described above, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, execution period determination unit 70 determines the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room history information of the person.

Device control unit 33 basically executes power saving processing similar to the first exemplary embodiment. However, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, device control unit 33 of the fourth exemplary embodiment executes the power saving processing only during the power saving processing execution period determined by execution period determination unit 70. As a result, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, the power saving processing can be executed only during a period during which the user is not present in room 2.

As a result, the power saving processing can be appropriately executed in accordance with different presence-in-room status depending on the users, such as a user who frequently goes out at night for work or the like or a user who frequently goes out in the daytime. Thus, the power can be efficiently reduced during the period during which the user is not present in room 2, and the decrease in the comfort of the user can be suppressed by not performing the power saving processing during the period during which the user is present in room 2.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

In the first to fourth exemplary embodiments, the system schematic diagram of the whole building air-conditioning system has been described with reference to FIG. 1. However, the whole building air-conditioning system may have a configuration other than the configuration of FIG. 1. For example, in FIG. 1, although the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 is conveyed to each room via the duct, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration without a duct may be used.

For example, the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 is conveyed to a shared space in housing 1 via a fan or the like. The shared space is a space different from room 2, such as a corridor, a staircase, or an entrance. Air-conditioning room 14 and the shared space are connected by an opening portion (louver or the like) provided on a wall, on a ceiling, on a floor, or below a door of air-conditioning room 14, and the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 14 is conveyed to the shared space without passing through a duct by operation of a fan or the like installed in air-conditioning room 14.

The shared space and room 2 are connected by an opening portion (louver or the like) provided on a wall, on a ceiling, on a floor, or below a door of room 2, and the conditioned air supplied to the shared space is also conveyed to room 2. As described above, the air in the indoor space outside air-conditioning room 14 is conveyed to the air-conditioning target space via at least one of an air supply port, an air supply fan, and a louver.

In addition, the conditioned air may be conveyed to room 2 via an underfloor space, an inter-floor space, a ceiling space, or the like.

As described above, the present disclosure can be realized without using a duct. In addition, the conditioned air can be supplied to room 2 via various spaces in housing 1.

For example, the whole building air-conditioning system may not include power management server 50 in a case where only the occurrence of the power failure state is responded.

In addition, in a case where only the power saving request from the power supplier is responded, the whole building air-conditioning system may not include storage battery 16 or the like.

In addition, power management server 50 may be a server used in another system instead of a server provided exclusively for the whole building air-conditioning system.

In addition, in controller 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment, although a case where one device includes power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, power amount acquisition unit 32, and device control unit 33 has been described as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, power amount acquisition unit 32, and device control unit 33 may be configured by two or more devices. For example, a first device may include power detection unit 30, power saving request unit 31, and power amount acquisition unit 32, a second device may include device control unit 33, the first device and the second device may communicate with each other, and the first device and the second device may cooperate to provide a function as controller 10.

Note that, although the example in which controller 10 is configured by two devices has been described above, the controller 10 may be configured by three or more devices. That is, the functional blocks of controller 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices.

Similarly, in controller 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment, although a case where one device includes reception unit 40, power saving request unit 41, and device control unit 42 has been described as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, reception unit 40, power saving request unit 41, and device control unit 42 may be configured by two or more devices. For example, the first device may include reception unit 40 and power saving request unit 41, the second device may include device control unit 42, the first device and the second device may communicate with each other, and the first device and the second device may cooperate to provide the function as controller 10.

Note that, although the example in which controller 10 is configured by two devices is described above, the controller 10 may be configured by three or more devices. That is, the functional blocks of controller 10 according to the second exemplary embodiment may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices.

Similarly, each functional block of controller 10 according to other exemplary embodiments may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices.

In addition, air exhaust port 21 may be provided in air-conditioning room 14 instead of room 2. In this case, the air exhausted from air exhaust port 21 is discharged to the outdoors via heat exchange type ventilation device 17.

Summary of the Present Disclosure

The whole building air-conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes the whole building air-conditioning device that conditions the air in the air-conditioning room and conveys the air conditioned in the air-conditioning room to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces, and the controller that executes the power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that sets the target temperature of each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces to the temperature at which the power load is smaller based on the reduction request for reducing the use of the power.

As a result, the power amount can be appropriately reduced in the situation where power saving is required.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include the reception unit that receives the power saving request from the power supplier, and the power management server that selects the region corresponding to the target of the power saving request based on the received power saving request, and transmits the reduction request to the whole building air-conditioning devices belonging to the selected region. As a result, it is possible to further respond the power saving request from the power supplier. In addition, the reward corresponding to the power saving amount can be obtained by saving the power in accordance with the power saving request from the power supplier.

In addition, as the power saving processing, the controller may set the target temperature to be lower by the predetermined temperature than the target temperature before the reduction request is issued during the heating operation, and may set the target temperature to be higher by the predetermined temperature than the target temperature before the reduction request is issued during the cooling operation.

As a result, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required.

In addition, as the power saving processing, the controller may set the target temperature to the preset temperature at which the power load is smaller.

As a result, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required.

In addition, as the power saving processing, the controller may not allow the target temperature to be set outside the preset temperature range in which the power load is smaller.

As a result, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include the storage battery that is the power supply source of the whole building air-conditioning device, which is different from the power supply from the power supplier, and the controller may transmit the reduction request when the power failure state where the power supply from the power supplier is not performed is detected.

As a result, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount even in the situation where the power failure state occurs and the power saving of the storage battery is required. In addition, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, the controller may set, as the power saving processing, the target temperature to be lower by the first predetermined temperature than the target temperature before the reduction request is issued during the heating operation, may set the target temperature to be higher by the second predetermined temperature than the target temperature before the reduction request is issued during the cooling operation, and may determine the first predetermined temperature and the second predetermined temperature based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery.

As a result, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required. In addition, the power amount can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery. That is, it is possible to reduce the power amount while suppressing the decrease in the comfort of the resident.

In addition, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, as the power saving processing, the controller may set the target temperature to the target temperature at which the power load is smaller, and may determine the target temperature at which the power load is smaller based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery.

In addition, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, as the power saving processing, the controller may not allow the target temperature to be set outside the temperature range in which the power load is smaller, and may determine the temperature range in which the power load is smaller based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery.

In addition, the heat exchange type ventilation device may further include the heat exchange type ventilation device, and the heat exchange type ventilation device may include the supply air blowing fan that conveys, as the supply air flow, the outdoor air to the air-conditioning room, the exhaust air blowing fan that conveys, as the exhaust air flow, the air in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces to the outdoors, and the heat exchange element that exchanges the heat between the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow. When the power saving processing is executed, the controller may set the air blowing amount of at least one of the supply air blowing fan and the exhaust air blowing fan to be less than or equal to the predetermined air amount.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include the heat exchange type ventilation device. The heat exchange type ventilation device may include the supply air blowing fan that conveys, as the supply air flow, the outdoor air to the air-conditioning room, the exhaust air blowing fan that conveys, as the exhaust air flow, the air in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces to the outdoors, and the heat exchange element that exchanges the heat between the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow. When the power saving processing is executed, the controller may set the air blowing amount of at least one of the supply air blowing fan and the exhaust air blowing fan to be less than or equal to the predetermined air amount, and may determine the predetermined air amount based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery.

As a result, it is possible to further reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required. At least one of an air supply amount and an air exhaust amount is reduced, and thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in an air-conditioning load. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power amount of the air conditioner or the like. It is possible to balance suppression of decrease in comfort and usable time of the storage battery. That is, in a case where the remaining amount is large, an operation focusing on the suppression of decrease in comfort can be performed, and in a case where the remaining amount is small, an operation focusing on the usable time of the storage battery can be performed.

In addition, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, the controller may execute the power saving processing only during the power saving processing execution period desired by the user.

As a result, the power saving processing can be further appropriately executed in accordance with living conditions of the user. Since the power saving processing can be executed in accordance with the living conditions of the user, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user.

In addition, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, the controller may determine the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room history information of the person, and may execute the power saving processing only during the power saving processing execution period.

As a result, further, in the situation where power saving is required, since the power saving processing can be preferentially executed in a state where the user is not in the room, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount while suppressing the comfort of the user.

Sixth Exemplary Embodiment

A whole building air-conditioning system according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a system schematic diagram of the whole building air-conditioning system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

The whole building air-conditioning system includes outlet 104a to outlet 104d collectively referred to as outlets 104, conveyance duct 115a to conveyance duct 115d collectively referred to as conveyance ducts 115, and a whole building air-conditioning device. Note that, the whole building air-conditioning device may include outlets 104, conveyance ducts 115, and the like.

The whole building air-conditioning device includes, for example, conveyance fan 103a to conveyance fan 103d collectively referred to as conveyance fans 103 as a conveyance unit, room temperature sensor 111a to room temperature sensor 111d collectively referred to as room temperature sensors 111, room person detection sensor 112a to room person detection sensor 112d collectively referred to as room person detection sensor 112 as a person detector, air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113, air conditioner 105, and controller 110. Note that, the whole building air-conditioning device may not include the person detector.

The whole building air-conditioning system is installed in housing 101 that is an example of a building.

Housing 101 includes at least one air-conditioning room 114 independent of rooms 102 in addition to a plurality of (four in the present exemplary embodiment) rooms 102a to 102d collectively referred to as rooms 102. Here, the housing is a residence provided as a place where residents live a private life, and as a general configuration, rooms 102 include a living room, a dining room, a bedroom, a private room, a children's room, and the like. In addition, room 102 in which the whole building air-conditioning system is provided may include a dressing room. In addition, room 102 in which the whole building air-conditioning system is provided may include a toilet, a bathroom, a lavatory, and the like. A temperature of air in air-conditioning room 114 is controlled by air conditioner 105 provided in air-conditioning room 114. The air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to rooms 102a to 102d by conveyance fans 103a to 103d, respectively. That is, the plurality of rooms 102 can also be referred to as a plurality of air-conditioning target spaces.

Conveyance fans 103 convey the air in air-conditioning room 114 to rooms 102 independent of air-conditioning room 114. Conveyance fans 103a to 103d are provided in air-conditioning room 114 to correspond to rooms 102a to 102d, respectively.

The air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to room 102a by conveyance fan 103a via conveyance duct 115a, is conveyed to room 102b by conveyance fan 103b via conveyance duct 115b, is conveyed to room 102c by conveyance fan 103c via conveyance duct 115c, and is conveyed to room 102d by conveyance fan 103d via conveyance duct 115d. Note that, the numbers and combinations of conveyance fans, conveyance ducts, and rooms are not limited to the above examples, and different combinations may be used.

As described above, the plurality of conveyance fans 103 (conveyance units) convey the air whose temperature is regulated by air conditioner 105 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces.

Outlet 104a is provided in room 102a, outlet 104b is provided in room 102b, outlet 104c is provided in room 102c, and outlet 104d is provided in room 102d. Outlets 104 are openings for blowing out the air in air-conditioning room 114 sent by conveyance fans 103 via conveyance ducts 115. The combination of outlets 104 and rooms 102 is not necessarily one-to-one, and a plurality of outlets 104 may be installed for one room 102.

Room temperature sensors 111 are sensors that acquire indoor temperatures (room temperatures) of corresponding rooms 102a to 102d and transmit the indoor temperatures to controller 110.

Room temperature sensor 111a is provided in room 102a, room temperature sensor 111b is provided in room 102b, room temperature sensor 111c is provided in room 102c, and room temperature sensor 111d is provided in room 102d. The combination of room temperature sensors 111 and rooms 102 is not necessarily one-to-one, and a plurality of room temperature sensors 111 may be installed for one room 102.

Room person detection sensors 112 are sensors that detect a person present in corresponding rooms 102a to 102d and transmit the detected person to controller 110.

That is, room person detection sensors 112 detect a person in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces as the person detector. Room person detection sensor 112a is provided in room 102a, room person detection sensor 112b is provided in room 102b, room person detection sensor 112c is provided in room 102c, and room person detection sensor 112d is provided in room 102d.

Air conditioner 105 conditions the air in air-conditioning room 114 in housing 101, that is, adjusts the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 114. Air conditioner 105 cools or heats the air in air-conditioning room 114 such that the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 114 becomes a set target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature).

Air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113 is a sensor that acquires the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 114, and transmits the temperature to controller 110. Note that, air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113 may be built in air conditioner 105, but in a case where the air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113 is built in air conditioner 105, only information on the surroundings of air conditioner 105 can be obtained. Thus, it is desirable to provide air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113 independently of air conditioner 105 to obtain information of entire air-conditioning room 114.

Controller 110 is a controller that controls the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device).

Controller 110 is connected to communicate with conveyance fans 103a to 103d, room temperature sensor 111a to room temperature sensor 111d, room person detection sensor 112a to room person detection sensor 112d, air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113, and air conditioner 105 by wireless communication. The connection by the wireless communication eliminates the need for complicated wiring work. However, at least a part of these components and controller 110 may be connected to communicate with each other by wired communication.

In addition, controller 110 also controls air conditioner 105 based on the temperature of the air in air-conditioning room 114 acquired by air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113 such that the temperature of air-conditioning room 114 becomes the target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature) set for air-conditioning room 114.

In addition, controller 110 sets air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 103a to 103d in accordance with the indoor temperatures of rooms 102a to 102d respectively acquired by room temperature sensors 111a to 111d, target temperatures (room target temperatures) set for respective rooms 102a to 102d, and the like.

That is, controller 110 controls the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 103a to 103b and air conditioner 105. As a result, the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to room 102a to room 102d by the air blowing amounts set for conveyance fans 103a to 103d, respectively. As a result, the indoor temperatures of rooms 102a to 102d approach the target temperatures of the rooms (air-conditioning target spaces).

That is, the whole building air-conditioning device conditions the air in air-conditioning room 114, and conveys the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces. As a result, the indoor temperatures of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces can be brought close to the target temperatures of the air-conditioning target spaces.

As described above, controller 110 performs control to bring entire housing 101 (the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces) close to the target temperatures.

Note that, controller 110 may set the target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature) of air-conditioning room 114 based on the temperatures acquired by room temperature sensor 111 and air-conditioning room temperature sensor 113, and may control air conditioner 105 to achieve the set target temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature). Then, controller 110 brings the temperatures of rooms 102a to 102d close to the target temperatures (room target temperatures) set for rooms 102a to 102d by controlling the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 103a to 103d. Air conditioner 105 and conveyance fans 103a to 103b are controlled by controller 110, and thus, entire housing 101 (the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces) can be brought close to the target temperatures.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may include storage battery 116, and storage battery 116 may be provided in housing 101 or near housing 101. That is, storage battery 116 may be installed in housing 101 or may be installed outdoors outside housing 101.

Storage battery 116 can store power (electricity), and stores power generated by solar power generation, power supplied from a power supplier, or the like. Storage battery 116 is a power supply source of the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device), which is different from the power supply from the power supplier.

Note that, storage battery 116 is also a power supply source of an electric device in housing 101, which is different from the power supply from the power supplier. The electric device in housing 101 is, for example, a device other than the whole building air-conditioning system, such as a lighting device, an electric cooker, a microwave oven, a television, a dryer, and a refrigerator.

As described above, storage battery 116 can function as a backup power supply in a power failure state where the power supply from the power supplier is stopped.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include air exhaust ports 121 and heat exchange type ventilation device 117.

air exhaust ports 121 are openings for exhausting air in rooms 102. air exhaust port 121a is provided in room 102a, air exhaust port 121b is provided in room 102b, air exhaust port 121c is provided in room 102c, and air exhaust port 121d is provided in room 102d.

Each air exhaust port 121 may include an exhaust fan. That is, air exhaust port 121a may include a first exhaust fan, air exhaust port 121b may include a second exhaust fan, air exhaust port 121c may include a third exhaust fan, and air exhaust port 121d may include a fourth exhaust fan. Each exhaust fan operates, and thus, the air in each room 102 is exhausted to an outside of each room 102 via each air exhaust port 121. Each air exhaust port 121 is connected to heat exchange type ventilation device 117 to be described later via a duct or the like. The air exhausted from each air exhaust port 121 is exhausted to the outdoors via the duct and heat exchange type ventilation device 117. The combination of air exhaust ports 121 and rooms 102 is not necessarily one-to-one, and a plurality of air exhaust ports 121 may be installed for one room 102.

Each exhaust fan is a fan that discharges air in corresponding room 102a to 102d, and corresponds to a ceiling embedded ventilation fan, a wall-mounted ventilation fan, a range hood, or the like. Each exhaust fan is configured such that an air exhaust amount can be set in a plurality of levels. Normally, each exhaust fan is controlled to have a preset air exhaust amount. Then, the air exhaust amount is controlled for each of exhaust fan in accordance with settings by a user, values acquired by various sensors, and control contents. The control of the air exhaust amount is performed by controller 110, for example.

Next, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 will be described. Heat exchange type ventilation device 117 is a ventilation device that can be installed in a ceiling space in a building, in a side wall, under a floor, or the like and performs supply and exhaust of an indoor space, and is a ventilation device having a function of performing heat exchange during supply and exhaust.

Heat exchange type ventilation device 117 performs ventilation while exchanging heat between air (exhaust air flow) exhausted from indoors to outdoors and air (supply air flow) supplied from outdoors to indoors. In other words, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 ventilates the air, and suppresses unnecessary inflow of heat by transferring the heat of the supply air flow to exhaust air flow during ventilation. On the other hand, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 ventilates the air, and suppresses unnecessary release of heat by transferring the heat of the exhaust air flow to the supply air flow during ventilation.

Here, the exhaust air flow is a flow of the air for discharging the air from indoors to outdoors. The exhaust air flow is conveyed from indoors (rooms 102) to heat exchange type ventilation device 117. In the present exemplary embodiment, air in each room 102 is conveyed to heat exchange type ventilation device 117 via each air exhaust port 121 and each duct of each room 102. The exhaust air flow heat-exchanged with the supply air flow by heat exchange type ventilation device 117 is discharged from heat exchange type ventilation device 117 to the outdoors via a duct or the like.

The supply air flow is a flow of the air for introducing the air from outdoors to indoors. The supply air flow is conveyed from the outdoors to heat exchange type ventilation device 117. In the present exemplary embodiment, outdoor air is conveyed to heat exchange type ventilation device 117 via a duct or the like. The supply air flow heat-exchanged with the exhaust air flow by heat exchange type ventilation device 117 is introduced indoors. In the present exemplary embodiment, the supply air flow heat-exchanged with the exhaust air flow by heat exchange type ventilation device 117 is introduced into air-conditioning room 114, and the air introduced into air-conditioning room 114 is conditioned by air conditioner 105.

As described above, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 is a device that ventilates the air while exchanging heat between indoor air RA (exhaust air flow) and outdoor air OA (supply air flow).

Specifically, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 has a case having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An indoor air port, an air exhaust port, an outdoor air port, and an air supply port are provided on a side surface of the case.

The indoor air port is an intake port for taking indoor air RA (exhaust air flow) into heat exchange type ventilation device 117. The air exhaust port is an ejection port for ejecting the exhaust air flow as exhaust air EA from heat exchange type ventilation device 117 to outdoors. The outdoor air port is an intake port for taking outdoor air OA (supply air flow) into heat exchange type ventilation device 117. The air supply port is an ejection port for ejecting the supply air flow as supply air SA from heat exchange type ventilation device 117 to indoors.

Heat exchange type ventilation device 117 includes heat exchange element 120 inside a case. Heat exchange element 120 is a member for performing heat exchange between the exhaust air flow and the supply air flow. Note that, the heat exchange corresponds to sensible heat exchange for exchanging temperatures between the exhaust air flow and the supply air flow, or total heat exchange for performing both sensible heat exchange and latent heat exchange for exchanging humidity between the exhaust air flow and the supply air flow.

In this example, heat exchange element 120 is a total heat exchange element made of heat transfer paper (heat transfer plate) that is based on cellulose fibers. However, a material of heat exchange element 120 is not limited thereto. For example, a moisture-permeable resin film based on polyurethane or polyethylene terephthalate, or a paper material based on cellulose fiber, ceramic fiber, or glass fiber may be used as the heat transfer plate for forming heat exchange element 120. In addition, as the heat transfer plate for forming heat exchange element 120, it is also possible to use a thin sheet having heat conductivity and having a property not permeating gas. In this case, heat exchange element 120 serves as a sensible heat exchange element.

Further, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 includes exhaust air blowing fan 119 and supply air blowing fan 118 inside the case.

Exhaust air blowing fan 119 is an air blower for taking the exhaust air flow from the indoor air port, and ejecting the exhaust air flow via the air exhaust port. Supply air blowing fan 118 is an air blower for taking the supply air flow from the outdoor air port and ejecting the supply air flow from the air supply port.

In addition, an exhaust air duct that communicatively connects the indoor air port to the air exhaust port, and a supply air duct that communicatively connects the outdoor air port to the air supply port are provided inside the case of heat exchange type ventilation device 117. The exhaust air flow sucked by exhaust air blowing fan 119 is discharged from the air exhaust port to the outdoors via heat exchange element 120 in the exhaust air duct and exhaust air blowing fan 119. That is, exhaust air blowing fan 119 conveys, as the exhaust air flow, the air in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces (room 102) to the outdoors.

In addition, the supply air flow sucked by supply air blowing fan 118 is supplied from the air supply port to the indoors (air-conditioning room 114) via heat exchange element 120 in the supply air duct and supply air blowing fan 118. That is, supply air blowing fan 118 conveys, as the supply air flow, the outdoor air to the indoors (air-conditioning room 114).

In a case where heat exchange ventilation is performed, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 causes exhaust air blowing fan 119 and supply air blowing fan 118 to operate such that heat exchange element 120 exchanges heat between the exhaust air flow flowing through the exhaust air duct and the supply air flow flowing through the supply air duct.

As a result, during ventilation, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 transfers the heat of the supply air flow to be taken indoors to the exhaust air flow to be released to the outdoors, and suppresses inflow of unnecessary heat. As a result, when the air is ventilated during the summer in Japan, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise indoors due to a high-temperature air from the outdoors.

In addition, during ventilation, heat exchange type ventilation device 117 transfers the heat of the exhaust air flow to be released to the outdoors to the supply air flow to be taken indoors, suppresses release of unnecessary heat, and recovers the heat to the indoors. As a result, when the air is ventilated during winter in Japan, it is possible to suppress a temperature drop indoors due to a low-temperature air from the outdoors.

Next, each function of controller 110 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 110 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment.

Controller 110 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment includes power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131, power amount acquisition unit 132, and device control unit 133.

As described above, the present disclosure provides the whole building air-conditioning system capable of appropriately reducing the power amount in a situation where power saving is required in housing 101. As the situation where power saving is required in housing 101, a case where the power failure state occurs will be described in the sixth exemplary embodiment.

Power detection unit 130 detects the power supply from the power supplier. The power from the power supplier is supplied to an outlet or the like provided in housing 101 via power distribution panel 122, and is also supplied to the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device). That is, the power from the power supplier is also supplied to controller 110 via power distribution panel 122.

For example, power detection unit 130 detects whether or not the power is supplied from the power supplier by monitoring a voltage or a current of the power supplied from the power supplier to controller 110 via power distribution panel 122. That is, when the power failure state where the power supply from the power supplier is stopped occurs, power detection unit 130 detects the power failure state.

Note that, storage battery 116 is also connected to controller 110, and the power supply to controller 110 is not stopped even though the power failure state occurs.

Note that, controller 110 may not include power detection unit 130. In this case, a power supply detection device (power detection information acquisition unit) that detects the power supply from the power supplier may be separately provided, the power supply detection device and controller 110 may be connected to communicate with each other, and the power supply detection device may notify controller 110 of whether or not the power is supplied from the power supplier. That is, controller 110 may include the power detection information acquisition unit instead of power detection unit 130. The power supply from the power supplier can be detected based on the information acquired by the power detection information acquisition unit.

In a case where the power failure state is detected by power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131 issues a reduction request (power saving request) for reducing the use of the power to device control unit 133.

Power amount acquisition unit 132 acquires the remaining power amount of storage battery 116. Specifically, power amount acquisition unit 132 acquires the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 by performing wireless communication or wired communication with storage battery 116.

Device control unit 133 normally controls the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 103a to 103d and air conditioner 105 as the control of the whole building air-conditioning system. Device control unit 133 controls air conditioning by air conditioner 105 in order to set the indoor temperatures of room 102a to room 102d to the target temperatures, and further controls conveyance fans 103a to 103d to convey the air in air-conditioning room 114 conditioned by air conditioner 105 to room 102a to room 102d, respectively.

Controller 110 controls air-conditioning strength of air conditioner 105, the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 103, and the like based on the current indoor temperatures of rooms 102 and the target temperatures. For example, when a difference between the current indoor temperature of room 102 and the target temperature is large, controller 110 increases the air-conditioning strength and increases the air blowing amount of corresponding conveyance fan 103. As a result, the indoor temperature of room 102 approaches the target temperature.

That is, the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device) conditions the air in air-conditioning room 114, and conveys the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces (rooms 102). As a result, the indoor temperatures of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces can be brought close to the target temperatures of the air-conditioning target spaces. Further, device control unit 133 may control exhaust air blowing fan 119 and supply air blowing fan 118 in order to control an indoor ventilation air amount.

Functions of controller 110 can be realized by elements such as a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer and a mechanical device in terms of hardware, and are realized by a computer program or the like in terms of software, but here, these functions are realized by cooperation thereof. Accordingly, these functions can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

Here, during the occurrence of the power failure state, when the air-conditioning control is performed under a condition in which the power failure state occurs, all the power in storage battery 116 may be consumed in a short time. That is, the comfort of the resident in housing 101 may be lost early. In addition, in a case where storage battery 116 also supplies the power to other devices such as a refrigerator in housing 101, food in the refrigerator may deteriorate early. Thus, it is desirable to execute power saving processing that can maintain comfort for a long time by using storage battery 116.

First, when the power failure state occurs, power detection unit 130 detects the power failure state, and power saving request unit 131 issues a reduction request for reducing the use of the power to device control unit 133. After the reduction request, device control unit 133 executes, based on the reduction request, power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that conveys the air in air-conditioning room 114 only to a specific air-conditioning target space instead of conveying the air in the air-conditioning room 114 to all the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces (rooms 102a to 102d).

An example of the power saving processing will be described. Device control unit 133 controls conveyance fan 103 (conveyance unit) such that the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space. Before the reduction request, for example, all conveyance fans 103 are in operation, and the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to room 102a by conveyance fan 103a, to room 102b by conveyance fan 103b, to room 102c by conveyance fan 103c, and to room 102d by conveyance fan 103d. That is, the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to all of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces.

On the other hand, after the reduction request, device control unit 133 operates only conveyance fan 103 corresponding to the specific air-conditioning target space. For example, only conveyance fan 103a corresponding to room 102a that is the specific air-conditioning target space is operated, and thus, the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed only to room 102a (for example, living room) by conveyance fan 103a. Device control unit 133 brings the indoor temperature of the specific air-conditioning target space close to the target temperature of the air-conditioning target space.

Note that, the whole building air-conditioning system preferably includes dampers as the conveyance unit. The dampers are provided to correspond to outlets 104 of rooms 102, and can open and close opening portions of outlets 104.

In this example, the whole building air-conditioning system includes, as the conveyance unit, a plurality of dampers corresponding to the plurality of outlets 104. A first damper is provided at outlet 104a of room 102a, a second damper is provided at outlet 104b of room 102b, a third damper is provided at outlet 104c of room 102c, and a fourth damper is provided at outlet 104d of room 102d.

For example, in a case where only conveyance fan 103a corresponding to room 102a that is the specific air-conditioning target space is operated, device control unit 133 opens the first damper (that is, opens the opening portion of outlet 104a) and closes the second damper, the third damper, and the fourth damper (that is, closes the opening portions of outlet 104b, outlet 104c, and outlet 104d). As a result, the air in air-conditioning room 114 can be conveyed only to a more specific air-conditioning target space.

Note that, the dampers may be provided to correspond to the plurality of conveyance ducts 115. That is, how much air in air-conditioning room 114 can pass through each of conveyance ducts 115 is determined by opening and closing the damper.

The damper is provided at any place in conveyance duct 115. That is, the damper may be provided at an end portion of conveyance duct 115 on conveyance fan 103 side, may be provided at an end portion of conveyance duct 115 on outlet 104 side, or may be provided at other locations.

As described above, the dampers are provided to correspond to conveyance ducts 115, and can open and close openings in conveyance ducts 115. The whole building air-conditioning system includes, as the conveyance unit, a plurality of dampers respectively corresponding to the plurality of conveyance ducts 115, and the first damper is provided in conveyance duct 115a, the second damper is provided in conveyance duct 115b, the third damper is provided in conveyance duct 115c, and the fourth damper is provided in conveyance duct 115d.

Each damper is controlled by device control unit 133. In the power saving processing, after the reduction request, device control unit 133 operates only the conveyance fan corresponding to the specific air-conditioning target space. For example, in a case where only conveyance fan 103a corresponding to room 102a that is the specific air-conditioning target space is operated, the first damper is opened (that is, the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to room 102a via conveyance duct 115a), and the second damper, the third damper, and the fourth damper are closed (that is, the air in air-conditioning room 114 is prevented from being conveyed to room 102b, room 102c, and room 102d via conveyance duct 115b, conveyance duct 115c, and conveyance duct 115d, respectively). As a result, the air in air-conditioning room 114 can be conveyed only to a more specific air-conditioning target space.

Note that, after the reduction request, the specific air-conditioning target space may be set in advance as the specific air-conditioning target space to which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed. In this example, room 102a is set in advance as the specific air-conditioning target space. In addition, instead of one space, two or more spaces may be set as the specific air-conditioning target space.

In addition, the specific air-conditioning target space may be determined based on the detection information by the person detector. As an example, the specific air-conditioning target space may be determined based on detection information of room person detection sensor 112. For example, in a case where detection information indicating that the person is present in room 102a and the person is not present in room 102b, room 102c, and room 102d is obtained by room person detection sensor 112, room 102a in which the person is present may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space.

In addition, in a case where the person detector can detect up to the number of persons present in each room 102, room 102 where the largest number of persons are present may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space.

In addition, in a case where the person detector is, for example, a camera and can estimate age information of the person, room 102 in which the oldest person is present may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space. As a result, it is possible to give priority to a physical condition of an elderly person. In addition, it is possible to consider an elderly person who is difficult to move.

Similarly, room 102 in which the youngest person such as an infant is present may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space. As a result, it is possible to give priority to a physical condition of the infant. In addition, it is also possible to consider an infant who is difficult to move.

In addition, in a case where the person detector is, for example, a camera, has a face authentication function, and faces and pieces of person information of a plurality of residents (users) are registered in advance, room 102 in which a specific person is present may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space. The specific person may be set in advance in consideration of various conditions such as an elderly person, an infant, or a disabled person.

The power saving processing is performed as described above, and thus, a volume of the air-conditioning target space that needs to be air-conditioned after the reduction request becomes smaller than before the reduction request. That is, a thermal load to be air-conditioned is reduced. As a result, the power consumption of the whole building air-conditioning device (air conditioner 105, the conveyance unit, and the like) is reduced. That is, the power amount can be appropriately reduced in the situation where power saving is required in housing 101.

In addition, since the whole building air-conditioning device is not completely stopped, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount while suppressing a decrease in the comfort of the user. In addition, in a case where the specific air-conditioning target space is determined based on the detection information by the person detector, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount while suppressing a decrease in comfort of a user who appropriately needs air conditioning.

In addition, in the power saving processing, the specific air-conditioning target space may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 116. For example, when the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is “large”, three air-conditioning target spaces (rooms 102) may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space. When the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is “medium”, two air-conditioning target spaces may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space. When the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is “small”, one air-conditioning target space may be determined as the specific air-conditioning target space.

Note that, device control unit 133 may control supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119. When the power saving processing is executed, device control unit 133 sets the air blowing amounts of both supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 to be less than or equal to a predetermined air amount.

For example, an air amount set in advance as the predetermined air amount is stored in a memory or the like, and the air blowing amounts of supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 are set to be less than or equal to the predetermined air amount when the power saving processing is executed. The predetermined air amount may be, for example, an air amount required for minimum ventilation in room 102. The air amount required for the minimum ventilation may be a ventilation air amount corresponding to the number of times of ventilation of 0.5 times or more per hour defined in the Building Standard Act or the like, or may be a ventilation air amount with which a ventilation air amount of 20 cubic meters per hour can be executed. As a result, the power amount can be further reduced in the situation where power saving is required in housing 101.

In addition, when the power saving processing is executed, device control unit 133 may stop air blowing from supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119. As a result, the power amount can be further reduced. Note that, device control unit 133 may set the air blowing amount of at least one of supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 to be less than or equal to a predetermined air amount.

Here, the predetermined air amount may be determined based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 116. For example, a case where the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 can be set up to “0 to 10” in a stepwise manner and a normal setting is “7” will be described. Note that, the smaller the set air amount, the smaller the air blowing amounts of supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119. In a case where the set air amount is “0”, supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 are stopped.

For example, when the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is “large”, the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 are set to “3”. When the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is “medium”, the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 are set to “1”. When the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is “small”, the set air amounts of supply air blowing fan 118 and exhaust air blowing fan 119 are set to “0”. As described above, the power amount can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 116. As a result, in a case where the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is large, the power amount can be appropriately reduced while further suppressing the decrease in the comfort of the user.

As described above, device control unit 133 executes the power saving processing based on the reduction request for reducing the use of the power. In addition, since the whole building air-conditioning device is not completely stopped, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount while suppressing the decrease in the comfort of the user. In addition, the power amount can be appropriately reduced based on the remaining power amount of storage battery 116.

As a result, in a case where the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 is large, the power amount can be appropriately reduced while further suppressing the decrease in the comfort of the user. In addition, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user while suppressing the power use by storage battery 116. That is, it is possible to maintain the comfort of the user for a long time while suppressing the power use by storage battery 116.

The whole building air-conditioning system is generally installed in a highly thermally insulated and highly airtight housing. Thus, even though the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed to all of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces but is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space, the indoor temperature in the air-conditioning target space does not change rapidly due to the influence of the outside air or the like, and the indoor temperature can be maintained for a certain of time. That is, even though the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed to all of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces but is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space, the comfort of the user is not immediately decreased.

In this example, an area to which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed is narrowed by the power saving processing. The area to which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed is narrowed, and thus, the air-conditioning load is reduced. As a result, the power consumption of air conditioner 105 can also be suppressed. That is, in the situation where power saving is required in housing 101, the power amount can be appropriately reduced by the power saving processing.

Note that, controller 110 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment may further include notification control unit 134 and display unit 135.

When a temperature difference between a temperature of the specific air-conditioning target space to which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed and the air-conditioning target space to which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed is more than or equal to a predetermined temperature during the power saving processing, notification control unit 134 notifies that the temperature difference is large.

This predetermined temperature is used to determine whether or not the comfort of the air-conditioning target space to which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed is decreased due to the temperature difference, and is voluntarily set in advance by an experiment or the like. In addition, the predetermined temperature may be settable by the user. For example, controller 110 may include an input unit, and a temperature input to the input unit may be set as the predetermined temperature.

As a notification method, for example, notification can be performed via display unit 135 to be described later. Display contents generated for display unit 135 by notification control unit 134 is not particularly limited. For example, the temperature difference between the temperature of the specific air-conditioning target space where the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed and the air-conditioning target space where the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed and the fact that the temperature difference is large may be generated, or only the fact that the temperature difference is large may be generated.

Display unit 135 may include, for example, a thin display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a display is mounted on controller 110. Display unit 135 displays a screen and a message generated by notification control unit 134.

Note that, display unit 135 may not be mounted on controller 110. For example, display unit 135 may be installed in room 102 different from room 102 in which controller 110 is installed, and the user may be notified that the temperature difference is large via display unit 135. Display unit 135 and notification control unit 134 are connected by wireless communication or wired communication, and the display contents are transmitted to display unit 135 by notification control unit 134.

In addition, the user may be notified that the temperature difference is large via a display unit of a mobile terminal carried by the user. An example of the mobile terminal is a smartphone. The mobile terminal and notification control unit 134 are connected by wireless communication, and the display contents are transmitted to the display unit by notification control unit 134. In addition, the user may be notified that the temperature difference is large via a display unit such as a television or a personal computer.

As a result, the user can grasp a temperature situation of the air-conditioning target space where the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed, and can take a measure such as selecting clothes corresponding to the temperature difference, for example. For example, in winter, in a case where the temperature drop in the air-conditioning target space where the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed is large, it is possible to take a measure such as wearing heavy clothes when the user moves to the air-conditioning target space where the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed.

In addition, in a case where the air-conditioning target space where the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed is a dressing room, when the temperature difference is more than or equal to a predetermined temperature, notification control unit 134 notifies that there is a risk of heat shock due to the temperature difference. The notification is performed via display unit 135 or the like in the same manner as described above. For example, notification control unit 134 generates a message indicating that there is a risk of heat shock and transmits the message to display unit 135. As a result, the user can grasp in advance that there is a risk of heat shock, and can take appropriate measures.

Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, the notification to the user is performed via display unit 135, but other methods may be used. For example, notification control unit 134 may notify the user by turning on an LED as a notification unit. In addition, notification control unit 134 may notify the user by sound by sounding a buzzer as the notification unit.

The notification unit may be provided in a space where controller 110 is installed, may be provided in a space where controller 110 is not installed, may be provided in, for example, a dressing room, or may be provided in a bathroom. In addition, the notification unit may be provided in a mobile terminal or the like possessed by the user.

Note that, in the power saving processing, the air-conditioning target space that is the specific air-conditioning target space may be changed with the lapse of time. As described above, the whole building air-conditioning system is generally installed in a highly thermally insulated and highly airtight housing, and even though the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed to the air-conditioning target space, the indoor temperature in the air-conditioning target space does not rapidly change due to the influence of the outside air or the like, and the indoor temperature can be maintained for a certain time. Thus, the indoor temperature can be easily maintained in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces by changing the air-conditioning target space to be the specific air-conditioning target space with the lapse of time.

As a result, it is possible to further suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user. How to change the air-conditioning target space that is the specific air-conditioning target space with the lapse of time may be set in advance, for example. For example, among the plurality of rooms 102, an order may be changed in an order of spaciousness, or may be changed in an order prioritized by the user. In addition, instead of one space, two or more spaces may be set as the specific air-conditioning target space. In addition, the change order of the specific air-conditioning target space may be determined based on the detection information by the person detector. For example, room 102 in which the person is present may be determined to be moved up in the order.

In addition, in a case where the person detector can detect up to the number of persons present in each room 102, room 102 in which many persons are present may be determined to be moved up in the order.

In addition, in a case where the person detector is, for example, a camera and can estimate the age information of the person, room 102 in which the oldest person is present may be determined to be moved up in the order. As a result, it is possible to give priority to a physical condition of an elderly person. In addition, it is possible to consider an elderly person who is difficult to move.

Similarly, room 102 in which the youngest person such as an infant is present may be determined to be moved up in the order. As a result, it is possible to give priority to the physical condition of the infant. In addition, it is also possible to consider an infant who is difficult to move.

In addition, in a case where the person detector is, for example, a camera, has a face authentication function, and the face of the resident (user) and the person information are registered in advance, room 102 in which a specific person is present may be determined to be moved up in the order. The specific person may be set in advance in consideration of various conditions such as an elderly person, an infant, or a disabled person.

In addition, how much time elapsed before the specific air-conditioning target space is changed may be set in advance, for example. For example, the time during which large room 102 becomes the specific air-conditioning target space may be set to be longer, or may be voluntarily set by the user. In addition, the time of room 102 in which the person is present may be set to be longer.

In addition, in a case where the person detector can detect up to the number of persons present in each room 102, the time of room 102 in which there are more persons may be set to be longer.

In addition, in a case where the person detector is, for example, a camera and can estimate the age information of the person, the time of room 102 in which the oldest person is present may be set to be longer. As a result, it is possible to give priority to a physical condition of an elderly person. In addition, it is possible to consider an elderly person who is difficult to move.

Similarly, the time of room 102 in which the youngest person such as an infant is present may be set to be longer. As a result, it is possible to give priority to a physical condition of the infant. In addition, it is also possible to consider an infant who is difficult to move.

In addition, in a case where the person detector is, for example, a camera, has a face authentication function, and the face of the resident (user) and the person information are registered in advance, the time of room 102 in which the specific person is present may be set to be longer. The specific person may be set in advance in consideration of various conditions such as an elderly person, an infant, or a disabled person.

In addition, there may be a time during which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed and a time during which the air is not conveyed in all the air-conditioning target spaces. That is, there may be a time during which the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed in all the air-conditioning target spaces with the lapse of time during the power saving processing. As a result, the indoor temperature can be easily maintained in all the air-conditioning target spaces. Thus, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user.

Specifically, the air-conditioning target space to be the specific air-conditioning target space may be selected from among all the air-conditioning target spaces in a priority order and may be changed with the lapse of time. The priority may be set in advance, for example. For example, an order of larger rooms 102 may be changed, or the order may be changed in the order prioritized by the user. In addition, instead of one space, two or more spaces may be set as the specific air-conditioning target space. In addition, a priority order of room 102 in which persons are present may be raised, or a priority order of room 102 in which many persons are present may be raised. In addition, the priority order of room 102 in which an elderly person is present may be raised, or the priority order of room 102 in which a young person such as an infant is present may be raised. In addition, the priority order of room 102 in which the specific person is present may be set to be high. The specific person may be set in advance in consideration of various conditions such as an elderly person, an infant, or a disabled person. For example, the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed in the order of room 102a, room 102b, room 102c, and room 102d.

In addition, when an air-conditioning target space having a lowest priority is selected in the selection of the specific air-conditioning target space, then, the specific air-conditioning target space may return to an air-conditioning target space having a highest priority. For example, when the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed in the order of room 102a, room 102b, room 102c, and room 102d, next, the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to room 102a again. As a result, during the power saving processing period, since all the air-conditioning target spaces are periodically selected as the specific air-conditioning target space, the indoor temperature can be easily maintained in all the air-conditioning target spaces. Thus, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user.

Seventh Exemplary Embodiment

Next, as the situation where power saving is required in housing 101, a case where the power saving request is issued from the power supplier will be described. During summer and winter in Japan, power consumption increases as compared with spring and fall due to an increase in power associated with air conditioning. As a result, power demand exceeding the power that can be supplied by the power supplier may be generated. Thus, the power supplier may issue the power saving request toward a region to which power is supplied. In the present disclosure, the power saving processing corresponding to such a power saving request from the power supplier is executed.

A system schematic diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a seventh exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6 similarly to the sixth exemplary embodiment. However, the whole building air-conditioning system according to the seventh exemplary embodiment may not include storage battery 116.

Next, each function of controller 110 according to the seventh exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 110 according to the seventh exemplary embodiment.

Controller 110 according to the seventh exemplary embodiment includes reception unit 140, power saving request unit 141, device control unit 142, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135.

Here, the whole building air-conditioning system further includes power management server 150. Power management server 150 is an information processing apparatus that obtains power saving request information from the power supplier and provides the obtained power saving request information to controller 110 (whole building air-conditioning device).

Specifically, power management server 150 receives the power saving request from the power supplier via a network such as the Internet, selects a region corresponding to a target of the power saving request based on the received power saving request, and transmits the reduction request for reducing the use of the power to each of whole building air-conditioning devices belonging to the selected region.

In power management server 150, a region where each of the whole building air-conditioning devices is installed is registered in advance. This registration may be registered in advance by the user, may be registered by a contractor of the whole building air-conditioning device, or may be registered in power management server 150 by mounting a GPS on the whole building air-conditioning device and transmitting the region where the whole building air-conditioning device is installed to power management server 150 via reception unit 140 to be described later. Alternatively, the region where each whole building air-conditioning device is installed may be registered in power management server 150 by another method.

Controller 110 has a wireless communication function and is connected to communicate with power management server 150 via a network such as the Internet. Controller 110 may be connected to power management server 150 via a network by wired communication.

Since notification control unit 134 and display unit 135 are similar to the sixth exemplary embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Reception unit 140 receives the reduction request from power management server 150. When the reduction request is received from power management server 150, reception unit 140 transmits the reception of the reduction request to power saving request unit 141.

When the reception of the reduction request is transmitted from reception unit 140, power saving request unit 141 issues the reduction request (power saving request) for reducing the use of the power to device control unit 142.

Similarly to device control unit 133, device control unit 142 normally controls the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 103a to 103d and air conditioner 105 as the control of the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device).

Device control unit 142 controls air conditioning by air conditioner 105 in order to set the indoor temperatures of room 102a to room 102d to the target temperatures, and further controls conveyance fans 103a to 103d to convey the air in air-conditioning room 114 conditioned by air conditioner 105 to room 102a to room 102d, respectively.

Controller 110 (device control unit 142) controls the air-conditioning strength of air conditioner 105, the air blowing amounts of conveyance fans 103, and the like based on the current indoor temperatures of rooms 102 and the target temperatures. For example, when the difference between the current indoor temperature of room 102 and the target temperature is large, the air-conditioning strength is increased, and the air blowing amount of corresponding conveyance fan 103 is increased. As a result, the indoor temperature of room 102 approaches the target temperature.

That is, the whole building air-conditioning system (whole building air-conditioning device) conditions the air in air-conditioning room 114, and conveys the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces (rooms 102). As a result, the indoor temperatures of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces can be brought close to the target temperatures of the air-conditioning target spaces. Further, device control unit 142 may control exhaust air blowing fan 119 and supply air blowing fan 118 in order to control the ventilation air amount of room 102.

First, when the power saving request is generated from the power supplier, power management server 150 receives the power saving request information from the power supplier. Power management server 150 selects the region corresponding to the target of the power saving request based on the received power saving request, and transmits the reduction request for reducing the use of the power to each of the whole building air-conditioning devices belonging to the selected region.

Reception unit 140 of the whole building air-conditioning device belonging to the selected region receives the reduction request from power management server 150. Reception unit 140 transmits the reception of the reduction request to power saving request unit 141.

After the reduction request, device control unit 142 executes, based on the reduction request, power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that conveys the air only to the specific air-conditioning target space without conveying the air in air-conditioning room 114 to all the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces. Since the contents of the power saving processing are similar to the processing when the power failure state described in the sixth exemplary embodiment occurs, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, device control unit 142 executes the power saving processing based on the reduction request for reducing the use of the power. By executing the power saving processing, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the comfort of the user while suppressing the power use. That is, it is possible to maintain the comfort of the user for a long time while suppressing the power use.

The whole building air-conditioning system is generally installed in a highly thermally insulated and highly airtight housing. Thus, even though the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed to all of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces but is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space, the indoor temperature in the air-conditioning target space does not change rapidly due to the influence of the outside air or the like, and the indoor temperature can be maintained for a certain of time. That is, even though the air in air-conditioning room 114 is not conveyed to all the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces but is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space, the comfort of the user is not immediately decreased.

Eighth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a case where a function is further added to the sixth exemplary embodiment in a case where the power failure state occurs will be described. A system schematic diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to an eighth exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6 similarly to the sixth exemplary embodiment.

Next, each function of controller 110 according to the eighth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 110 according to the eighth exemplary embodiment.

Controller 110 according to the eighth exemplary embodiment includes power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131, power amount acquisition unit 132, device control unit 133, notification control unit 134, display unit 135, storage unit 160, and execution period reception unit 161.

Since power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131, power amount acquisition unit 132, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135 are the same as the sixth exemplary embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Execution period reception unit 161 receives a period during which the power saving processing is executed. The input of the period during which the power saving processing is executed is executed by, for example, the user. For example, an input unit is provided in controller 110, and the user inputs a period during which desired power saving processing is executed to the input unit, and thus, execution period reception unit 161 receives the period during which the power saving processing is executed inputted to the input unit. The input unit is, for example, a touch panel, and execution period reception unit 161 receives a period during which the power saving processing is executed input by the user on the touch panel. An execution period may be set in terms of time, day of the week, or time for each day of the week, or may be voluntarily set.

Storage unit 160 is a so-called memory, and stores the period during which the power saving processing is executed, received by execution period reception unit 161. Note that, the period during which the power saving processing is executed may not be the period received by execution period reception unit 161. For example, the period during which the power saving processing is executed may be stored in advance in storage unit 160.

For example, for a user who often goes out at night for work or the like, the power saving processing may be performed only during the nighttime period. Similarly, for a user who often goes out during the daytime, the power saving processing may be executed only during the daytime. As a result, it is possible to efficiently reduce power during a period desired by the user, and it is possible to suppress the decrease in comfort of the user by not performing the power saving processing during a period not desired by the user.

In addition, the power saving processing may be executed in a time zone in which power consumption by each device other than the whole building air-conditioning device in housing 101 is large. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a peak of the power amount in housing 101. In addition, a power amount of the peak can be suppressed. In addition, in housing 101, the power amount per unit time can be set to be uniform. As a result, the power can be efficiently reduced in a time zone in which the power consumption by each device other than the whole building air-conditioning device is large. In addition, since variation in power amount with time in housing 101 is reduced, the transition of the remaining power amount of storage battery 116 can be easily predicted.

Ninth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, control contents different from the eighth exemplary embodiment in a case where a function is further added to the sixth exemplary embodiment in a case where the power failure state occurs will be described.

A system schematic diagram of a whole building air-conditioning system according to a ninth exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6 similarly to the sixth exemplary embodiment.

Next, each function of controller 110 according to the ninth exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram of controller 110 according to the ninth exemplary embodiment.

Controller 110 according to the ninth exemplary embodiment includes power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131, power amount acquisition unit 132, device control unit 133, notification control unit 134, display unit 135, execution period determination unit 170, presence-in-room information storage unit 171, and presence-in-room information acquisition unit 172.

Presence-in-room information acquisition unit 172 acquires presence-in-room information of a person (user) in each room 102 from the person detector. In the present exemplary embodiment, although room person detection sensor 112 is used as the person detector, the presence-in-room information of each room 102 may be known by other techniques, and the person detector may not be the room person detection sensor. For example, the person detector may be an ultrasonic sensor or a camera having a person detection function. The person detector may be a camera having no person detection function. In this case, controller 110 or the like may have a person detection function. The person detector may be a thermo-camera, an infrared sensor, or the like.

Presence-in-room information storage unit 171 stores presence-in-room information of a person in each room 102 acquired by presence-in-room information acquisition unit 172. For example, the presence-in-room information of a person in each room 102 for each time zone is stored. Each time zone can be voluntarily set, for example, every hour.

Presence-in-room information storage unit 171 stores, for example, information as to whether or not the person is present in each room every hour. That is, presence-in-room information storage unit 171 stores information as to whether or not the person is present in room 102 in each of 24 time zones of 0:00 to 1:00, 1:00 to 2:00, 2:00 to 3:00, . . . , 22:00 to 23:00, 23:00 to 24:00 on each day. As described above, presence-in-room information storage unit 171 stores presence-in-room history information of the person in room 102.

Execution period determination unit 170 determines the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room information of the person in room 102 acquired by presence-in-room information acquisition unit 172. That is, execution period determination unit 170 determines the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room history information of the person in room 102 stored in presence-in-room information storage unit 171.

For example, based on the presence-in-room history information of the person, execution period determination unit 170 determines, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 102, and does not determine, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is present in room 102. The information used for this determination may be presence-in-room information in each time zone on the previous day, may be presence-in-room information in each time zone on the same day of the week one week before, or may be pieces of presence-in-room information in all time zones in the last few days.

That is, execution period determination unit 170 may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 102 in each time zone on the previous day, or may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 102 in each time zone one week before. In addition, execution period determination unit 170 may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 102 in all the time zones in the last few days, may set, as the power saving processing execution period, a time zone in which the person is not present in room 102 in at least one time zone among the time zones in the last three days (few days), or may determine the power saving processing execution period by other methods.

As described above, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, execution period determination unit 170 determines the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room history information of the person.

Device control unit 133 basically executes power saving processing similar to the sixth exemplary embodiment. However, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, device control unit 133 of the ninth exemplary embodiment executes the power saving processing only during the power saving processing execution period determined by execution period determination unit 170. As a result, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, the power saving processing can be executed only during a period during which the user is not present in room 102. As a result, the power saving processing can be appropriately executed in accordance with different presence-in-room status depending on the users, such as a user who frequently goes out at night for work or the like or a user who frequently goes out in the daytime. Thus, the power can be efficiently reduced during the period during which the user does is not present in room 102, and the decrease in the comfort of the user can be suppressed by not performing the power saving processing during the period during which the user is present in room 102.

Tenth Exemplary Embodiment

In the sixth to ninth exemplary embodiments, the system schematic diagram of the whole building air-conditioning system has been described with reference to FIG. 6. However, the whole building air-conditioning system may have a configuration other than the configuration of FIG. 6. For example, in FIG. 6, although the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to each room via the duct, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration without a duct may be used.

For example, the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to a shared space in housing 101 via fan 181 or the like. The shared space is a space different from room 102, such as a corridor, a staircase, or an entrance. Air-conditioning room 114 and the shared space are connected by an opening portion (louver or the like) provided on a wall, on a ceiling, on a floor, or below a door of air-conditioning room 114, and the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to the shared space without passing through a duct by operation of a fan or the like installed in air-conditioning room 114.

The shared space and room 102 are connected by an opening portion (louver or the like) provided on a wall, on a ceiling, on a floor, or below a door of room 102, and the conditioned air supplied to the shared space is also conveyed to room 102. As described above, the air in the indoor space outside air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to the air-conditioning target space via at least one of an air supply port, an air supply fan, and louver.

In addition, the conditioned air may be conveyed to room 102 via an underfloor space, an inter-floor space, a ceiling space, or the like. As described above, in the whole building air-conditioning system of this example, the air conditioned in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to the indoor space outside air-conditioning room 114, and the air in the indoor space outside air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces.

FIG. 11 is an example of a schematic functional block diagram of controller 110 according to a tenth exemplary embodiment.

Controller 110 according to the tenth exemplary embodiment includes reception unit 140, power saving request unit 141, device control unit 142, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135.

Since reception unit 140, power saving request unit 141, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135 are similar to the seventh exemplary embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Device control unit 142 of the tenth exemplary embodiment is basically similar to device control unit 142 of the seventh exemplary embodiment, but differences will be described.

In a case where the air in the indoor space outside air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to the air-conditioning target space via the air supply port, device control unit 142 controls an opening of the air supply port (opening portion) such that the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing. For example, opening and closing shutter 180 is provided in the air supply port, and opening and closing shutter 180 is controlled by device control unit 142.

When opening and closing shutter 180 is opened, the conditioned air supplied to the shared space is conveyed to room 102 via the air supply port in which opening and closing shutter 180 is opened. That is, as the power saving processing, only opening and closing shutter 180 of the air supply port corresponding to the specific air-conditioning target space is opened, and opening and closing shutter 180 of the air supply port not corresponding to the specific air-conditioning target space is closed.

In addition, in a case where the air in the indoor space outside air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to the air-conditioning target space via the louver, device control unit 142 controls the opening of the louver (opening portion) such that the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing. For example, opening and closing shutter 180 is provided in the louver, and opening and closing shutter 180 is controlled by device control unit 142.

When opening and closing shutter 180 is opened, the conditioned air supplied to the shared space is conveyed to room 102 via the louver in which opening and closing shutter 180 is opened. That is, as the power saving processing, only opening and closing shutter 180 of the louver corresponding to the specific air-conditioning target space is opened, and opening and closing shutter 180 of the louver not corresponding to the specific air-conditioning target space is closed.

FIG. 12 is another example of a schematic functional block diagram of controller 110 according to the tenth exemplary embodiment.

Controller 110 according to another example includes reception unit 140, power saving request unit 141, device control unit 142, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135.

Device control unit 142 of the tenth exemplary embodiment as another example is basically similar to device control unit 142 of the seventh exemplary embodiment, but differences will be described.

In a case where the air in the indoor space outside air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed to the air-conditioning target space via air supply fan 182, device control unit 142 controls air supply fan 182 such that the air in air-conditioning room 114 is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing. For example, air supply fan 182 is controlled by device control unit 142.

When air supply fan 182 is operated, the conditioned air supplied to the shared space is conveyed to corresponding room 102 via air supply fan 182. That is, device control unit 142 operates only air supply fan 182 corresponding to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing.

As described above, the present disclosure can be realized without using a duct. In addition, the conditioned air can be supplied to room 102 via various spaces in housing 101.

Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments in any way, and those skilled in the art can easily infer that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the whole building air-conditioning system may not include power management server 150 in a case where only the occurrence of the power failure state is responded.

In addition, in a case where only the power saving request from the power supplier is responded, the whole building air-conditioning system may not include storage battery 116 or the like. In addition, power management server 150 may be a server used in another system instead of a server provided exclusively for the whole building air-conditioning system.

In addition, in controller 110 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment, although a case where one device includes power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131, power amount acquisition unit 132, device control unit 133, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135 has been described as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131, power amount acquisition unit 132, device control unit 133, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135 may be configured by two or more devices. For example, the first device may include power detection unit 130, power saving request unit 131, and power amount acquisition unit 132, the second device may include device control unit 133, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135, the first device and the second device may communicate with each other, and the first device and the second device may cooperate to provide the function as controller 110.

Note that, although the example in which controller 110 is configured by two devices is described above, the controller 110 may be configured by three or more devices. That is, the functional blocks of controller 110 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices. Similarly, in controller 110 according to the seventh exemplary embodiment, although a case where one device includes reception unit 140, power saving request unit 141, device control unit 142, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135 has been described as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, reception unit 140, power saving request unit 141, device control unit 142, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135 may be configured by two or more devices. For example, the first device may include reception unit 140 and power saving request unit 141, the second device may include device control unit 142, notification control unit 134, and display unit 135, the first device and the second device may communicate with each other, and the first device and the second device may cooperate to provide the function as controller 110.

Note that, although the example in which controller 110 includes two devices is described above, the controller 110 may be configured by three or more devices. That is, the functional blocks of controller 110 according to the seventh exemplary embodiment may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices. Similarly, each functional block of controller 110 according to other exemplary embodiments may be distributed and arranged in two or more devices.

In addition, air exhaust port 121 may be provided in air-conditioning room 114 instead of room 102. In this case, the air exhausted from air exhaust port 121 is discharged to the outdoors via heat exchange type ventilation device 117.

Summary of the Present Disclosure

The whole building air-conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes the whole building air-conditioning device that conditions the air in the air-conditioning room and conveys the air conditioned in the air-conditioning room to the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces, and the controller that executes the power saving processing on the whole building air-conditioning device that conveys the air in the air-conditioning room only to the specific air-conditioning target space without conveying the air in the air-conditioning room to all the plurality of air-conditioning spaces after the reduction request for reducing the use of the power based on the reduction request.

As a result, the power amount can be appropriately reduced in the situation where power saving is required.

As a result, it is possible to further respond the power saving request from the power supplier. In addition, the reward corresponding to the power saving amount can be obtained by saving the power in accordance with the power saving request from the power supplier.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning device may further include the air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the air in the air-conditioning room, and the conveyance unit that conveys the air whose temperature is adjusted by the air conditioner to each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces. The controller may control the conveyance unit such that the air in the air-conditioning room is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing.

As a result, it is further possible to appropriately reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include the person detector that detects the person in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces, and the controller may determine the specific air-conditioning target space based on the detection information by the person detector.

As a result, it is further possible to appropriately reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required. In addition, since the specific air-conditioning target space is determined based on the detection information by the person detector, it is possible to appropriately reduce the power amount while suppressing the decrease in the comfort of the resident who needs air conditioning.

As a result, it is further possible to appropriately reduce the power amount in the situation where the power failure state occurs and power saving of the storage battery is required.

In addition, in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, as the power saving processing, the controller may convey the air in the air-conditioning room to the specific air-conditioning target space, and may determine the specific air-conditioning target space based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery.

As a result, it is possible to further perform appropriate control corresponding to the remaining amount of the storage battery. The usable time can be extended in a case where the remaining amount of the storage battery is small. It is possible to balance suppression of decrease in comfort and usable time of the storage battery. That is, in a case where the remaining amount is large, the operation focusing on the suppression of decrease in comfort can be performed, and in a case where the remaining amount is small, the operation focusing on the usable time of the storage battery can be performed.

In addition, during the power saving processing, the controller may change the air-conditioning target space to be the specific air-conditioning target space among the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces with the lapse of time.

As a result, a deviation of each air-conditioning target space from the target temperature can be further suppressed.

In addition, the controller may also select the air-conditioning target space to be the specific air-conditioning target space from among all the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces in the priority order and may change the air-conditioning target space with the lapse of time.

As a result, a deviation of each air-conditioning target space from the target temperature can be further suppressed. In addition, the air-conditioning target space having a higher priority can be further prevented from deviating from the target temperature.

In addition, when the air-conditioning target space having the lowest priority is selected in the selection of the specific air-conditioning target space, then, the controller may select the air-conditioning target space having the highest priority as the specific air-conditioning target space next time.

As a result, the separation of each air-conditioning target space from the target temperature can be further suppressed.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include the heat exchange type ventilation device. The heat exchange type ventilation device may include the supply air blowing fan that conveys, as the supply air flow, the outdoor air to the air-conditioning room, the exhaust air blowing fan that conveys, as the exhaust air flow, the air in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces to the outdoors, and the heat exchange element that exchanges the heat between the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow. When the power saving processing is executed, the controller may reduce the air blowing amount of at least one of the supply air blowing fan and the exhaust air blowing fan to be less than or equal to the predetermined air amount.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include the heat exchange type ventilation device. The heat exchange type ventilation device may include the supply air blowing fan that conveys, as the supply air flow, the outdoor air to the air-conditioning room, the exhaust air blowing fan that conveys, as the exhaust air flow, the air in the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces to the outdoors, and the heat exchange element that exchanges the heat between the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow. When the power saving processing is executed, the controller may reduce the air blowing amount of at least one of the supply air blowing fan and the exhaust air blowing fan to be less than or equal to the predetermined air amount, and may determine the predetermined air amount based on the remaining power amount of the storage battery.

As a result, it is possible to further reduce the power amount in the situation where power saving is required. In addition, at least one of the air supply amount and the air exhaust amount is reduced, and thus, it is possible to suppress the increase in the air-conditioning load. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power amount of the air conditioner or the like. It is possible to balance suppression of decrease in comfort and usable time of the storage battery. That is, in a case where the remaining amount is large, the operation focusing on the suppression of decrease in comfort can be performed, and in a case where the remaining amount is small, the operation focusing on the usable time of the storage battery can be performed.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning device may convey the air conditioned in the air-conditioning room to the indoor space outside the air-conditioning room, and the air in the indoor space outside the air-conditioning room may be conveyed to each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces.

As a result, for example, whole building air conditioning can be realized by various methods such as not using a duct.

In addition, the air in the indoor space outside the air-conditioning room may be conveyed to each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces via at least one of the air supply port, the air supply fan, and the louver.

As a result, for example, whole building air conditioning can be realized by various methods such as not using a duct.

In addition, in a case where the air in the indoor space outside the air-conditioning room is conveyed to each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces via the air supply port, the controller may control the opening of the air supply port such that the air in the air-conditioning room is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing.

As a result, the power amount can be appropriately reduced in the situation where power saving is required, for example, in the whole building air conditioning in which a duct is not used.

In addition, in a case where the air in the indoor space outside the air-conditioning room is conveyed to each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces via the louver, the controller may control the opening of the louver such that the air in the air-conditioning room is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing.

As a result, the power amount can be appropriately reduced in the situation where power saving is required, for example, in the whole building air conditioning in which a duct is not used.

In addition, in a case where the air in the indoor space outside the air-conditioning room is conveyed to each of the plurality of air-conditioning target spaces via the air supply fan, the controller may control the air supply fan such that the air in the air-conditioning room is conveyed only to the specific air-conditioning target space as the power saving processing.

As a result, the power amount can be appropriately reduced in the situation where power saving is required, for example, in the whole building air conditioning in which a duct is not used.

In addition, the whole building air-conditioning system may further include the notification control unit that notifies that the temperature difference between the temperature of the specific air-conditioning target space to which the air in the air-conditioning room is conveyed and the temperature of the air-conditioning target space to which the air in the air-conditioning room is not conveyed is large in a case where the temperature difference is more than or equal to the predetermined temperature, during the power saving processing.

As a result, the user can further grasp that the temperature difference between the specific air-conditioning target space and the air-conditioning target space to which the air in the air-conditioning room is not conveyed is large. Thus, the user can cope with the large temperature difference in advance.

In addition, in a case where the air-conditioning target space where the air in the air-conditioning room is not conveyed is the dressing room, when the temperature difference is more than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the notification control unit may notify that there is a risk of heat shock due to the temperature difference.

As a result, the user can further grasp that the temperature difference between the specific air-conditioning target space and the dressing room is large. Thus, the user can cope with the large temperature difference in advance. That is, the occurrence of heat shock of the user can be suppressed.

In addition, the controller may acquire the presence-in-room history information of the user, may determine the power saving processing execution period during which the power saving processing is executed based on the presence-in-room history information in a case where the reduction request is issued in the power failure state, and may execute the power saving processing only during the power saving processing execution period.

The present disclosure is useful as the whole building air-conditioning system and the like, including the air conditioner and the conveyance unit.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2023-143642	Sep 2023	JP	national
2023-143643	Sep 2023	JP	national
2024-082207	May 2024	JP	national
2024-082208	May 2024	JP	national

WHOLE BUILDING AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

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