阅读说明：本技术 空调系统 (Air conditioning system ) 是由 坂田洋子 堀翔太 桥本哲 于 2020-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开的目的在于：防止室内人员感到睡意,同时实现舒适的室内环境。在空调系统(1)中,执行注意力维持模式,在注意力维持模式下,依次反复进行第一动作和第二动作,在第一动作中,将目标温度降低到比规定的基准温度低的第一目标温度,在第二动作中,将目标温度提高到比基准温度高的第二目标温度。在第二动作中,将目标温度从第一目标温度逐渐提高到第二目标温度。在第一动作中将目标温度降低到第一目标温度为止的时间比在第二动作中将目标温度提高到第二目标温度为止的时间短。(The purpose of the present disclosure is: prevent indoor personnel from feeling drowsiness and simultaneously realize comfortable indoor environment. In an air conditioning system (1), an attention maintaining mode is executed, and in the attention maintaining mode, a first operation in which a target temperature is lowered to a first target temperature lower than a predetermined reference temperature and a second operation in which the target temperature is raised to a second target temperature higher than the reference temperature are sequentially repeated. In the second operation, the target temperature is gradually increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature. The time taken to lower the target temperature to the first target temperature in the first operation is shorter than the time taken to raise the target temperature to the second target temperature in the second operation.)

1. An air conditioning system comprising a temperature adjusting portion (37), an indoor air temperature detecting portion (45), and a control portion (11), the temperature adjusting portion (37) adjusting a temperature of indoor air, the indoor air temperature detecting portion (45) detecting the temperature of the indoor air, the control portion (11) controlling the temperature adjusting portion (37) so that the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting portion (45) approaches a target temperature, characterized in that:

the control unit (11) executes a first mode in which a first operation in which the target temperature is lowered to a first target temperature lower than a predetermined reference temperature and a second operation in which the target temperature is raised to a second target temperature higher than the reference temperature are sequentially performed at least once,

gradually increasing the target temperature from the first target temperature to the second target temperature in the second action,

the time until the target temperature is lowered to the first target temperature in the first action is shorter than the time until the target temperature is raised to the second target temperature in the second action.

2. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein:

the temperature adjustment unit (37) is constituted by an indoor heat exchanger (37) connected to the refrigerant circuit (17),

the control unit (11) executes the first mode during a cooling operation in which the indoor heat exchanger (37) functions as an evaporator,

when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detection unit (45) is lower than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the control unit (11) stops the indoor heat exchanger (37).

3. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein:

the temperature adjustment unit (37) is constituted by an indoor heat exchanger (37) connected to the refrigerant circuit (17),

the control unit (11) executes the first mode during a heating operation in which the indoor heat exchanger (37) functions as a radiator,

when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detection unit (45) is higher than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the control unit (11) stops the indoor heat exchanger (37).

4. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

the control unit (11) estimates a comfortable temperature of indoor air that is comfortable for an indoor person (101),

the reference temperature is the comfort temperature estimated by the control unit (11).

5. The air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein:

the control unit (11) estimates the comfort temperature on the basis of a learning model generated on the basis of a parameter relating to environmental information including at least one of the temperature of indoor air, the humidity of indoor air, the illuminance of the indoor, the temperature of outdoor air, and the humidity of outdoor air, and a parameter relating to the thermal sensation of the indoor person (101).

6. The air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein:

the air conditioning system includes an outdoor air temperature detection unit (53) and a storage unit (59),

the outdoor air temperature detection unit (53) detects an outdoor air temperature,

the storage unit (59) stores relationship information indicating a relationship between the comfortable temperature and the outdoor air temperature,

the control unit (11) estimates the comfortable temperature based on the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit (53) using the relationship information stored in the storage unit (59).

7. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein:

the air conditioning system comprises an input part (9), information related to individual differences of indoor persons (101) is input into the input part (9),

the control unit (11) corrects the reference temperature based on information input to the input unit (9).

8. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

the air conditioning system includes an indoor unit (5), the indoor unit (5) having the temperature adjusting section (37),

the indoor air temperature detection unit (45) is provided on a component that is not integrated with the indoor unit (5).

9. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:

when the reference temperature is set to Ta and the target temperature is set to Ts,

an integrated value of a temperature difference (Ta-Ts) between the reference temperature and the target temperature during one period in which the first operation is performed and an integrated value of a temperature difference (Ts-Ta) between the target temperature and the reference temperature during one period in which the second operation is performed are equal to each other.

10. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein:

the air conditioning system comprises a ventilation device (7) and a carbon dioxide concentration detection part (49),

the ventilation device (7) ventilates the indoor,

the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit (49) detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the room,

when the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit (49) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the control unit (11) operates the ventilator (7).

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system.

Background

To date, a technical solution has been proposed for an air conditioning system: the comfort of the indoor environment is improved by controlling the temperature, humidity, wind speed, and the like based on the sensible temperature and thermal comfort of the indoor person (see, for example, patent document 1). SET (Standard new Effective Temperature) is known as an index indicating the sensible Temperature of an indoor person; PMV (Predicted Mean volume) is known as an index indicating thermal comfort of indoor people.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2009-133499

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problems to be solved by the invention

In an environment that is comfortable for indoor people, which is realized by an air conditioning system, there are environmental conditions that make people feel drowsy. Therefore, in a working environment such as an office or a study room, if an indoor person stays in a comfortable environment at a predetermined temperature, attention may be reduced, and working efficiency may be lowered.

The purpose of the present disclosure is: prevent indoor personnel from feeling drowsiness and simultaneously realize comfortable indoor environment.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an air conditioning system 1, the air conditioning system 1 including a temperature adjusting portion 37, an indoor air temperature detecting portion 45, and a control portion 11, the temperature adjusting portion 37 adjusting a temperature of indoor air, the indoor air temperature detecting portion 45 detecting the temperature of the indoor air, the control portion 11 controlling the temperature adjusting portion 37 so that the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting portion 45 approaches a target temperature.

The control unit 11 executes a first mode in which a first operation in which the target temperature is lowered to a first target temperature lower than a predetermined reference temperature and a second operation in which the target temperature is raised to a second target temperature higher than the reference temperature are sequentially performed at least once. In the second operation, the target temperature is gradually increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature. The time taken to lower the target temperature to the first target temperature in the first operation is shorter than the time taken to raise the target temperature to the second target temperature in the second operation.

In this first aspect, the target temperature is lowered to the first target temperature in a relatively short time in the first action. In this way, since the temperature of the indoor air rapidly decreases below the reference temperature, the indoor temperature can be set to a temperature at which the indoor person 101 feels cool, and a cooling stimulus can be given to the indoor person 101. This can prevent the indoor person 101 from feeling drowsy.

In this first aspect, it takes a relatively long time to gradually increase the target temperature to the second target temperature in the second action. In this way, since the temperature of the indoor air gradually rises to be higher than the reference temperature, the load on the indoor person 101 due to the temperature change can be reduced, and the average temperature of the indoor air in the total period of the period during which the first operation is performed and the period during which the second operation is performed can be set to a temperature that is comfortable for the indoor person 101. This makes it possible to realize an indoor environment that is comfortable for the indoor people 101.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of the first aspect, wherein the temperature adjusting unit 37 is constituted by an indoor heat exchanger 37 connected to the refrigerant circuit 17. During the cooling operation in which the indoor heat exchanger 37 functions as an evaporator, the control unit 11 executes the first mode. When the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45 is lower than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the control unit 11 stops the indoor heat exchanger 37.

In the second aspect, during the cooling operation, when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45 is lower than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is stopped. Therefore, when the target temperature is set to be higher than the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45 by a predetermined temperature or more during the cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 37 may be stopped and the indoor fan 39 may be operated. In this case, since the moisture adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 37 is released into the room by the air blow, the humidity of the indoor air rises, and the indoor person 101 feels unpleasant.

In contrast, in the second aspect, the target temperature is gradually increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature in the second operation, and therefore, during the cooling operation, the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45 is less than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, and the indoor heat exchanger 37 can be suppressed from being stopped. This can prevent the indoor person 101 from feeling unpleasant due to the increase in the humidity of the indoor air.

A third aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of the first aspect, wherein the temperature adjusting unit 37 is constituted by an indoor heat exchanger 37 connected to the refrigerant circuit 17. The control unit 11 executes the first mode during the heating operation in which the indoor heat exchanger 37 functions as a radiator. When the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45 is higher than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the control unit 11 stops the indoor heat exchanger 37.

In the third aspect, during the heating operation, when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45 is higher than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is stopped. In the first operation, the target temperature is lowered to the first target temperature in a relatively short time, so that the first target temperature is easily set to be lower than the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45 by a predetermined temperature or more. This helps to stop the indoor heat exchanger 37 immediately after the first action is started, so that the temperature of the indoor air rapidly drops.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control unit 11 estimates a comfortable temperature of the indoor air that the indoor person 101 feels comfortable. Here, the reference temperature is the comfort temperature estimated by the control unit 11.

In the fourth aspect, the comfort temperature estimated by the control unit 11 is used as the reference temperature. In this way, the average temperature of the indoor air in the total period of the first operation and the second operation can be easily set to a temperature comfortable for the indoor person 101. Therefore, it is suitable to realize an indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the first mode.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of the fourth aspect, wherein the controller 11 estimates the comfort temperature based on a learning model generated based on a parameter related to environmental information including at least one of a temperature of the indoor air, a humidity of the indoor air, an illuminance of the indoor, a temperature of the outdoor air, and a humidity of the outdoor air, and a parameter related to a thermal sensation of the indoor person 101.

In the fifth aspect, the comfort temperature used as the reference temperature is estimated by a learning model in which the environmental information and the thermal sensation of the indoor person 101 are associated with each other. In this way, the temperature of the indoor air comfortable for the indoor person 101 can be estimated with high accuracy as the comfort temperature, and set as the reference temperature. This is advantageous in that an indoor environment comfortable to the indoor person 101 is achieved by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the first mode.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of the fourth aspect, wherein the air conditioning system 1 includes an outdoor air temperature detecting unit 53 and a storage unit 59, the outdoor air temperature detecting unit 53 detects the outdoor air temperature, and the storage unit 59 stores relationship information indicating a relationship between the comfort temperature and the outdoor air temperature. The control unit 11 estimates the comfort temperature based on the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detection unit 53, using the relationship information stored in the storage unit 59.

In the sixth aspect, the comfortable temperature serving as the reference temperature is estimated from the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature detecting section 53 using the relationship information indicating the relationship between the comfortable temperature and the outdoor air temperature. In this way, the normal comfortable temperature can be estimated as the temperature of the indoor air that the indoor person 101 feels comfortable, and can be set as the reference temperature. This is advantageous in that an indoor environment comfortable to the indoor person 101 is achieved by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the first mode.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the air conditioning system 1 includes an input portion 9, and information relating to individual differences of the indoor persons 101 is input to the input portion 9. The control unit 11 corrects the reference temperature based on the information input to the input unit 9.

In the seventh aspect, the control unit 11 corrects the reference temperature based on information on individual differences of the indoor persons 101. In this way, since the information on the individual difference of the indoor person 101 is reflected in the reference temperature, the temperature of the indoor air that the indoor person 101 feels comfortable can be used as the reference temperature with high accuracy. This is advantageous in that an indoor environment comfortable to the indoor person 101 is achieved by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the first mode.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the air conditioning system 1 including an indoor unit 5, the indoor unit 5 having a temperature adjusting section 37. The indoor air temperature detection unit 45 is provided in a component that is not integrated with the indoor unit 5.

In the eighth aspect, the indoor air temperature detection unit 45 is provided in a component that is not integral with the indoor unit 5. The component that is not integrated with the indoor unit 5, provided with the indoor air temperature detection portion 45, can be disposed in the vicinity of the indoor person 101. In this way, the temperature of the indoor air near the indoor person 101 can be detected by the indoor air temperature detecting unit 45. This is suitable for achieving an indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the first mode.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein when the reference temperature is Ta and the target temperature is Ts, an integrated value of temperature differences Ta-Ts between the reference temperature and the target temperature in one period in which the first operation is performed and an integrated value of temperature differences Ts-Ta between the target temperature and the reference temperature in one period in which the second operation is performed are equal to each other.

In the ninth aspect, the target temperature and execution time of the first operation and the target temperature and execution time of the second operation are determined such that the average temperature of the indoor air in the total period of the one period during which the first operation is performed and the one period during which the second operation is performed reaches the reference temperature. This is suitable for achieving an indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the first mode.

A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is the air conditioning system 1 of any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the air conditioning system 1 includes a ventilator 7 and a carbon dioxide concentration detector 49, the ventilator 7 ventilates the room, and the carbon dioxide concentration detector 49 detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the room. When the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the carbon dioxide concentration detector 49 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the controller 11 operates the ventilator 7.

In the tenth aspect, the ventilator 7 is operated when the indoor carbon dioxide concentration detected by the carbon dioxide concentration detector 49 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. If the carbon dioxide concentration in the room is high, the feeling of burnout or fatigue is increased, or drowsiness is caused. When the ventilator 7 is operated, the indoor air is replaced to reduce the indoor carbon dioxide concentration, and therefore, the indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 can be realized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view briefly illustrating an air conditioning system of an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit constituting an air conditioning system of the embodiment;

fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of an air conditioning system of the embodiment;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of relationship information (thermal comfort adaptive model) used in the air conditioning system of the embodiment;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of an attention maintaining mode of the air conditioning system of the embodiment at the time of cooling operation;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of an attention maintaining mode of the air conditioning system of the embodiment at the time of heating operation;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of ventilation control in the attention maintaining mode of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

(first embodiment)

The first embodiment is explained below.

The air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment is a system that helps to maintain the attention of the indoor workers 101 to the work, and is used for air conditioning of the indoor works of the indoor workers 101 such as offices and study rooms.

Construction of air-conditioning systems

As shown in fig. 1, an air conditioning system 1 includes: an outdoor unit 3 disposed outdoors; an indoor unit 5 and a ventilator 7 installed indoors; a remote controller 9; various sensors 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55; and a control unit 11 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the air conditioning system 1.

< outdoor unit, indoor unit >

The outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 5 are connected by the connection pipes 13 and 15 to constitute a refrigerant circuit 17 shown in fig. 2. In the refrigerant circuit 17, the refrigerant filled therein circulates to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. As the refrigerant, for example, R32 refrigerant is used. The refrigerant circuit 17 includes an outdoor circuit 19 and an indoor circuit 21.

The outdoor unit 3 is installed on, for example, a roof of a building, a floor near the building, or outdoors such as a balcony. The outdoor unit 3 includes a compressor 23, a four-way selector valve 25, an outdoor heat exchanger 27, an expansion valve 29, and an outdoor fan 31. The compressor 23, the four-way selector valve 25, the outdoor heat exchanger 27, and the expansion valve 29 are connected in this order by a refrigerant pipe 33 to form the outdoor circuit 19.

The compressor 23 compresses the sucked refrigerant and then discharges the compressed refrigerant. The compressor 23 is configured as an inverter compressor with variable capacity, for example. The compressor 23 is, for example, a rotary compressor. The outdoor fan 31 is disposed in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 27. The outdoor fan 31 is driven by an outdoor fan motor 35. The outdoor fan 31 is, for example, a propeller fan. The outdoor fan 31 sends outdoor air through the outdoor heat exchanger 27.

The outdoor heat exchanger 27 exchanges heat between the outdoor air sent from the outdoor fan 31 and the refrigerant flowing inside. The outdoor heat exchanger 27 is constituted by, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. The expansion valve 29 is a control valve with a variable opening degree. The expansion valve 29 decompresses the refrigerant flowing inside. The expansion valve 29 is constituted by an electronic expansion valve, for example.

The four-way selector valve 25 switches the flow path of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 17 between a first state (the state shown by the solid line in fig. 2) and a second state (the state shown by the broken line in fig. 2). The four-way selector valve 25 in the first state communicates the discharge portion of the compressor 23 with the outdoor heat exchanger 27 and communicates the suction portion of the compressor 23 with the indoor heat exchanger 37. The four-way selector valve 25 in the second state communicates the discharge portion of the compressor 23 with the indoor heat exchanger 37 and communicates the suction portion of the compressor 23 with the outdoor heat exchanger 27.

The indoor unit 5 is mounted on a wall surface or a ceiling in a room, for example. The indoor unit 5 shown in fig. 1 is a wall-mounted unit mounted on a wall surface. The indoor unit 5 has an indoor heat exchanger 37 and an indoor fan 39. The indoor heat exchanger 37 constitutes the indoor circuit 21. The indoor fan 39 is disposed in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 37. The indoor fan 39 is driven by an indoor fan motor 41.

The indoor fan 39 is, for example, a cross flow fan. The indoor fan 39 sends indoor air through the indoor heat exchanger 37. The indoor heat exchanger 37 exchanges heat between the indoor air sent by the indoor fan 39 and the refrigerant flowing inside. The indoor heat exchanger 37 is constituted by, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. Here, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is an example of a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of the indoor air.

In the refrigerant circuit 17, when the four-way selector valve 25 is in the first state, a refrigeration cycle (a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in fig. 2) is performed in which the outdoor heat exchanger 27 functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 37 functions as a radiator (evaporator). In the refrigerant circuit 17, when the four-way selector valve 25 is in the second state, a refrigeration cycle (a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows in the direction indicated by the broken line arrow in fig. 2) is performed in which the outdoor heat exchanger 27 functions as a radiator (evaporator) and the indoor heat exchanger 37 functions as a condenser.

< Ventilation device >

The ventilator 7 is mounted on, for example, a wall surface or a ceiling in a room. The ventilator 7 shown in fig. 1 is a wall-mounted type device mounted on a wall surface. The ventilation device 7 includes a ventilation fan 43 and, as necessary, a duct. The ventilation fan 43 introduces outside air into the room and discharges the room air to the outside. The ventilator 43 is driven by a ventilator motor (not shown).

< remote controller >

The remote controller 9 is not integral with the indoor unit 5, and is often placed near the indoor person 101 such as a desk 103 on which the indoor person 101 works. The remote controller 9 is configured to be operated by an indoor person 101. The remote controller 9 includes an operation unit for operating the indoor person 101 and a display unit for displaying predetermined information, but is not shown. The remote controller 9 is connected to the control unit 11 in a wireless manner. The remote controller 9 outputs an operation signal to the control unit 11.

The air conditioning system 1 can be turned on and off via the operation unit, the operation mode and the control mode can be switched, the wakefulness intensity in the attention maintaining mode, which will be described later, can be set, and correction information relating to a reference temperature, which will be described later, can be input. The operation unit has a plurality of buttons for performing the above-described various operations. The plurality of buttons include a focus button for turning on and off an attention maintaining mode, which will be described later, and a selection button for setting the wakefulness intensity.

The wakefulness levels set in the attention maintaining mode include, for example, three modes of "weak", "medium", and "strong". Here, "wakefulness intensity" means the intensity of a cooling stimulus applied to the indoor person 101 in the attention-sustaining mode. The details of the setting of the wakefulness intensity are described below.

The correction information input by the operation unit is information related to individual differences of the indoor persons 101. The correction information may be information related to the body feeling of the indoor person 101 feeling hot or cold (abstract information such as heat or cold). The correction information may be information of a specific correction temperature such as +1.0 ℃ or-1.0 ℃. The correction information may be personal parameters related to the thermal sensation, such as sex, age, metabolic rate, body fat percentage, and blood pressure of the indoor person 101.

The display unit displays information such as a set temperature (reference temperature), humidity of indoor air, and operation mode. As the information of the operation mode, the following information can be listed: whether the cooling operation or the heating operation is performed, whether or not an attention maintaining mode, which will be described later, is being executed, the intensity of wakefulness in the attention maintaining mode, and the like.

< sensors >

The air conditioning system 1 includes the following sensor types: indoor air temperature sensor 45, indoor air humidity sensor 47, CO₂A concentration sensor 49, an illuminance sensor 51, an outdoor air temperature sensor 53, and an outdoor air humidity sensor 55. The sensors 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, and 55 are connected to the control unit 11 in a wired or wireless manner. The sensors 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, and 55 output detection signals to the control unit 11. Here, the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is an example of an indoor air temperature detecting unit. CO 2₂The concentration sensor 49 is an example of a carbon dioxide concentration detection unit.

Indoor air temperature sensor 45, indoor air humidity sensor 47, CO₂The density sensor 49 and the illuminance sensor 51 are provided in the indoor unit 5, for example. The indoor air temperature sensor 45 detects the temperature of the indoor air drawn into the indoor unit 5. The indoor air humidity sensor 47 detects the humidity of the indoor air drawn into the indoor unit 5. CO 2₂Concentration sensor 49 measures CO of indoor air sucked into indoor unit 5₂The concentration (carbon dioxide concentration) was measured. The illuminance sensor 51 detects the brightness (illuminance) in the room.

The outdoor air temperature sensor 53 and the outdoor air humidity sensor 55 are provided in the outdoor unit 3, for example. The outdoor air temperature sensor 53 detects the temperature of outdoor air drawn into the outdoor unit 3. The outdoor air humidity sensor 55 detects the humidity of the outdoor air drawn into the outdoor unit 3.

< control part >

The control unit 11 is a controller based on a known microcomputer. As shown in fig. 3, the control Unit 11 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 57 that executes a program, and a storage Unit 59 that stores various programs and data to be executed by the CPU. The storage unit 59 is constituted by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 11 is built in the indoor unit 5, for example.

The control unit 11 is based on the indoor air temperature sensor 45, the indoor air humidity sensor 47, and the CO₂The control amounts for the outdoor unit 3 (the compressor 23, the four-way selector valve 25, the expansion valve 29, the outdoor fan 31), the indoor unit 5 (the indoor fan 39), and the ventilator 7 (the ventilator 43) are calculated from the detection signals of the concentration sensor 49, the illuminance sensor 51, the outdoor air temperature sensor 53, and the outdoor air humidity sensor 55, and the operation signal from the remote controller 9. The control unit 11 outputs a control signal relating to the calculated control amount to the outdoor unit 3, the indoor unit 5, and the ventilator 7.

The storage unit 59 stores therein relationship information indicating the humidity of the indoor air and the CO of the indoor air₂A relationship between at least one of the density, the illuminance in the room, the outdoor air temperature, and the outdoor air humidity, and a comfortable temperature of the indoor air that is comfortable for the indoor person 101. As the relationship information, for example, information of a thermal Comfort Adaptive Model called an Adaptive Comfort Model (Adaptive Comfort Model) or the like is used.

The comfort temperature of the indoor person 101 varies with the outdoor air temperature according to the person's ability to adapt to the environment. The thermal comfort adaptive model is a model obtained by regression analysis from statistical information based on the temperature of the indoor air and the thermal sensation of the indoor person 101, and is information indicating the relationship between the outdoor air temperature and the comfort temperature as shown in the graph of fig. 4. In the thermal comfort adaptive model shown in fig. 4, the higher the outdoor air temperature, the higher the comfort temperature. In fig. 4, the range between the double-dashed lines on the upper and lower sides indicates the range of comfortable temperatures in which statistically 90% of people feel comfortable, and the range between the single-dashed lines on the upper and lower sides indicates the range of comfortable temperatures in which statistically 80% of people feel comfortable.

The control unit 11 estimates the comfort temperature of the indoor person 101 based on the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature sensor 53 using the relationship information stored in the storage unit 59 and the information of the thermal comfort adaptive model in the first embodiment. Generally, as a concept of an air temperature related to comfort, a concept of a neutral temperature is known, and the neutral temperature is an air temperature which is not hot nor cold for a human and feels comfortable. In the thermal comfort adaptive model shown in fig. 4, the intermediate temperature indicated by the solid line NL in the comfort temperature range can be regarded as a neutral temperature. The control unit 11 estimates a neutral temperature obtained from the outdoor air temperature by the thermal comfort adaptive model as a comfortable temperature of the indoor person 101.

The control unit 11 automatically sets the reference temperature based on the estimated comfort temperature. When the correction information on the reference temperature is not input through the remote controller 9, the control unit 11 sets the estimated comfort temperature as the reference temperature. When correction information on the reference temperature is input via the remote controller 9, the control unit 11 corrects the reference temperature based on the correction information.

For example, when information that the indoor person 101 is not sensitive to heat is input as the correction information, the reference temperature is reduced by a predetermined temperature; when information that the indoor person 101 is not cold is input as the correction information, correction is performed to increase the reference temperature by a predetermined temperature. When specific correction temperature information is input as the correction information, correction is performed to increase or decrease the reference temperature based on the correction temperature. When the personal parameter relating to the thermal sensation is input as the correction information, the correction is performed to increase or decrease the reference temperature by a predetermined temperature determined based on the personal parameter.

The control unit 11 may set the reference temperature based on an operation signal from the remote controller 9. The reference temperature may be manually set by an indoor person by operating the remote controller 9.

The control unit 11 controls the operations of the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 5 in a predetermined operation mode (cooling operation or heating operation) based on an operation signal from the remote controller 9, and controls the operation of the air conditioning system 1 based on detection signals from the various sensors 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, and 55.

The control unit 11 has a plurality of control modes, and controls the operations of the outdoor unit 3, the indoor unit 5, and the ventilator 7 in accordance with the control mode set based on the operation signal from the remote controller 9. The control modes of the control unit 11 include: an attention maintaining mode for enhancing the attention of the indoor person 101, and a normal operation mode converted when the attention maintaining mode is turned off. Here, "to increase the attention of the indoor person 101" means to make the indoor person 101 feel comfortable without feeling drowsiness. Here, the attention maintaining mode is an example of the first mode.

Furthermore, the control unit 11 is based on the CO₂CO of indoor air detected by sensor₂Concentration, and controls the operation of the ventilator 7. CO 2₂The concentration is one of indexes for evaluating the quality of indoor air. If the CO of the indoor air₂When the concentration is high, the feeling of lassitude or fatigue is increased, or drowsiness is caused. Therefore, it is preferable not to let CO of the indoor air₂The concentration becomes too high.

When made of CO₂CO in the room detected by the concentration sensor 49₂When the concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference value, the control unit 11 operates the ventilator 7. The first reference value is set to, for example, 1000ppm in accordance with a reference set for environmental management of a building. In addition, when the catalyst consists of CO₂CO of indoor air detected by the concentration sensor 49₂When the concentration is lower than a predetermined second reference value, the controller 11 stops the ventilator 7. The second reference value is set to 900ppm, for example.

Operation of the air-conditioning system

The air conditioning system 1 performs a cooling operation and a heating operation by switching them in accordance with an operation mode set by the remote controller 9, and adjusts the temperature of the indoor air. In both the cooling operation and the heating operation, the attention maintaining mode can be executed by an operation of pressing the focus button on the remote controller 9, and the attention maintaining mode can be released by operating the focus button again.

< cooling operation >

In the cooling operation, the four-way selector valve 25 is set to the first position. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 23 releases heat (condenses) by the outdoor heat exchanger 27 functioning as a radiator. The refrigerant that has released heat is decompressed by the expansion valve 29, and then flows through the indoor heat exchanger 37 functioning as an evaporator. In the indoor heat exchanger 37, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air and evaporates. The indoor air cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 37 is supplied to the indoor space by the indoor fan 39. The evaporated refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 23. During the cooling operation, condensed water is generated in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 37.

In the cooling operation, when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is lower than the target temperature by a predetermined first temperature or more, the compressor 23 is stopped to stop the refrigerant from flowing through the refrigerant circuit 17, thereby stopping the indoor heat exchanger 37. At this time, the indoor fan 39 is kept in operation. In the first embodiment, the first temperature (the temperature difference between the temperature of the indoor air and the target temperature) which is the reference for stopping the indoor heat exchanger 37 is set to, for example, 1.0 ℃. When the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 reaches the target temperature, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is caused to resume operation.

< heating operation >

In the heating operation, the four-way selector valve 25 is set to the second position. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 23 flows through the indoor heat exchanger 37 functioning as a radiator (condenser). In the indoor heat exchanger 37, the refrigerant radiates heat to the indoor air and condenses. The indoor air heated by the indoor heat exchanger 37 is supplied to the indoor space by the indoor fan 39. The condensed refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 29 and evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 27. The evaporated refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 23.

In the heating operation, when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is higher than the target temperature by a predetermined second temperature or more, the compressor 23 is stopped to stop the refrigerant from flowing through the refrigerant circuit 17, thereby stopping the indoor heat exchanger 37. At this time, the indoor fan 39 is kept in operation. In the first embodiment, the second temperature (the temperature difference between the temperature of the indoor air and the target temperature) which is the reference for stopping the indoor heat exchanger 37 is set to, for example, 1.0 ℃. When the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 reaches the target temperature, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is caused to resume operation.

< Normal operation mode >

In the normal operation mode, the reference temperature is set to the target temperature. The reference temperature is changed in accordance with a change in the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature sensor 53 under the estimation control using the information of the thermal comfort adaptive model, and therefore the target temperature is updated in accordance with the change in the outdoor air temperature. In the normal operation mode, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 approaches the target temperature.

< attention sustaining mode >

In the attention maintaining mode, the first operation and the second operation are performed at least once in sequence. The first operation is an operation of lowering the target temperature to a first target temperature lower than the reference temperature. The second operation is an operation of raising the target temperature to a second target temperature higher than the reference temperature. The time taken to lower the target temperature to the first target temperature in the first operation is shorter than the time taken to raise the target temperature to the second target temperature in the second operation. This will be clarified by the control in the first action and the second action described later.

In the attention maintaining mode, in the first operation, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 approaches the first target temperature, and in the second operation, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 approaches the second target temperature. The first operation and the second operation are alternately repeated while the attention maintaining mode is executed.

The first target temperature and the second target temperature are determined according to the wakefulness level set by the remote controller 9. The wakefulness intensity is set in a manner reflected in the extent of decrease in the first target temperature relative to the reference temperature and the extent of increase in the second target temperature relative to the reference temperature. The above-described reduction width of the first target temperature and the increase width of the second target temperature are set, for example, such that the temperature difference between the first target temperature and the second target temperature is 3 ℃ or less. The reason why the above setting is performed is that if the range of change in the temperature of the indoor air exceeds 3 ℃, a burden is imposed on the body of the indoor person 101.

The wakefulness intensity is set to be "weak", for example, by setting the degree of decrease in the first target temperature from the reference temperature to 1.5 ℃ and the degree of increase in the second target temperature from the reference temperature to 1.5 ℃. In the case of this setting, the first target temperature is set to a temperature 1.5 ℃ lower than the reference temperature, and the second target temperature is set to a temperature 1.5 ℃ higher than the reference temperature. As described above, when the wakefulness intensity is set to "weak", the magnitude of decrease in the first target temperature from the reference temperature is relatively small.

The wakefulness intensity is set to "medium" by setting, for example, a reduction range of the first target temperature with respect to the reference temperature to 2.0 ℃ and an increase range of the second target temperature with respect to the reference temperature to 1.0 ℃. In the case of this setting, the first target temperature is set to a temperature 2.0 ℃ lower than the reference temperature, and the second target temperature is set to a temperature 1.0 ℃ higher than the reference temperature. As described above, when the wakefulness intensity is set to "medium", the first target temperature is decreased by a larger amount with respect to the reference temperature than when the wakefulness intensity is set to "weak".

The wakefulness intensity is set to be "strong" by setting, for example, a reduction range of the first target temperature with respect to the reference temperature to 2.5 ℃ and an increase range of the second target temperature with respect to the reference temperature to 0.5 ℃. In the case of this setting, the first target temperature is set to a temperature 2.5 ℃ lower than the reference temperature, and the second target temperature is set to a temperature 0.5 ℃ higher than the reference temperature. As described above, when the wakefulness intensity is set to "strong", the first target temperature is decreased by a larger amount with respect to the reference temperature than when the wakefulness intensity is set to "medium".

In the first operation, the target temperature is set to the first target temperature immediately after the first operation is started. In contrast, in the second operation, the target temperature is not set to the second target temperature immediately after the start of the second operation, but the target temperature is increased in stages from the first target temperature to the second target temperature. Specifically, the target temperature was gradually increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature by 0.5 ℃ every 30 seconds. The reason why the increase width of the target temperature by stages is set to 0.5 ℃ is that the first temperature (the temperature difference between the temperature of the indoor air and the target temperature) which is the reference for stopping the indoor heat exchanger 37 is set to 1.0 ℃. According to this control, the stop of the indoor heat exchanger 37 can be suppressed during the cooling operation.

The execution time of the first action and the execution time of the second action are set as: when the reference temperature is Ta and the target temperature is Ts, the integrated value of the temperature difference Ta-Ts between the reference temperature Ta and the target temperature Ts in one period in which the first operation is performed is equal to the integrated value of the temperature difference Ts-Ta between the target temperature Ts and the reference temperature Ta in one period in which the second operation is performed.

Specifically, the execution time of the first motion and the execution time of the second motion are set to: when the reference temperature is Ta, the first target temperature is Ts1, the second target temperature is Ts2, the execution time of the first operation is Δ TL, the execution time of the second operation is Δ TH, and the increase width of the target temperature in the second operation in stages is Δ Tr, the following relational expression (1) is satisfied.

[ equation 1]

Wherein, N is (Ts 2-Ts 1)/Δ Tr. Note that N > 1.

The execution time Δ TL of the first action is set to 4 minutes or less, for example. This is because, in a cool environment where the temperature of indoor air is low, if the stay time of the indoor person 101 exceeds 4 minutes, the person easily feels cold. In the first embodiment, the execution time Δ TL of the first operation is set to 4 minutes, for example.

The execution time Δ TH of the second operation is set according to the setting of the wakefulness intensity based on the above relational expression (1).

In the setting of "weak" the wakefulness intensity (in the case where the first target temperature Ts1 is decreased by 1.5 degrees from the reference temperature Ta, the second target temperature Ts2 is increased by 1.5 degrees from the reference temperature Ta, the execution time Δ TL of the first operation is 4 minutes, and the increase rate Δ Tr of the target temperature in the second operation, which is increased in stages, is 0.5 degrees), the execution time Δ TH of the second operation is set to 6.5 minutes according to the above relational expression (1).

In the setting of "middle" of the wakefulness intensity (in the case where the decrease width of the first target temperature Ts1 from the reference temperature Ta is 2.0 ℃, the increase width of the second target temperature Ts2 from the reference temperature Ta is 1.0 ℃, the execution time Δ TL of the first operation is 4 minutes, and the increase width Δ Tr of the target temperature in the second operation, which increases in stages, is 0.5 ℃), the execution time Δ TH of the second operation is set to 11.75 minutes according to the above relational expression (1).

In the setting of "strong" wakefulness intensity (in the case where the first target temperature Ts1 is decreased by 2.5 degrees with respect to the reference temperature Ta, the second target temperature Ts2 is increased by 0.5 degrees with respect to the reference temperature Ta, the execution time Δ TL of the first operation is 4 minutes, and the increase width Δ Tr of the target temperature in the second operation, which is increased in stages, is 0.5 degrees), the execution time Δ TH of the second operation is set to 27.5 minutes according to the above relational expression (1).

Attention-sustaining mode in cooling operation

The attention maintaining mode in the cooling operation of the air conditioning system 1 is executed according to the flowchart shown in fig. 5.

As shown in fig. 5, in the cooling operation, first, in step C-ST 01 after the start, it is determined whether or not the focus button is pressed based on an operation signal from the remote controller 9. When it is judged in the step C-ST 01 that the concentration button is not pressed (when judged in the case of NO), the process returns to the step C-ST 01 and is repeated to monitor whether the concentration button is pressed.

When it is judged in this step C-ST 01 that the concentration button has been pressed (when judged YES), the process proceeds to the next step C-ST 02. In step C-ST 02, the attention maintaining mode is started. Next, the process proceeds to step C-ST 03. Further, ventilation control, which will be described later, is executed simultaneously with the execution of the steps from step C to ST03 and thereafter.

In step C-ST 03, the detection signals of the various sensors 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55 are read to acquire indoor and outdoor environmental information such as the temperature of indoor air, the humidity of indoor air, the illuminance of indoor, the temperature of outdoor air, and the humidity of outdoor air, and the setting information set by the remote controller 9 is read to acquire correction information of the indoor person 101 and setting information of the wakefulness intensity related to the reference temperature. Next, the process proceeds to step C-ST 04.

In step C-ST 04, the comfort temperature (neutral temperature) of the indoor person 101 is estimated based on the outdoor air temperature acquired in step C-ST 03 using the information of the thermal comfort adaptive model, and the estimated comfort temperature is set as the reference temperature. At this time, when the correction information on the reference temperature is set by the remote controller 9, the reference temperature is corrected based on the correction information. Next, the process proceeds to step C-ST 05.

In step C-ST 05, a first target temperature and a second target temperature are set based on the reference temperature set in step C-ST 04 and the setting information of the wakefulness intensity acquired in step C-ST 03. The execution time Δ TL for the first operation and the execution time Δ TH for the second operation are determined based on the setting information of the wakefulness level acquired in step C-ST 03. Next, the process proceeds to step C-ST 06.

In step C-ST 06, the first action is started and the target temperature is set to the first target temperature. In this way, since the temperature of the indoor air rapidly decreases below the reference temperature, the indoor temperature can be set to a temperature at which the indoor person 101 feels cool, and a cooling stimulus corresponding to the setting of the wakefulness intensity can be given to the indoor person 101. Next, the process proceeds to step C-ST 07.

In step C-ST 07, it is determined whether or not the focus button is pressed again on the remote controller 9 and the attention maintaining mode is released. When it is determined in step C-ST 07 that the attention maintaining mode is canceled (when it is determined as yes), the attention maintaining mode is ended, and the operation shifts to the normal operation mode. When it is determined in this step C-ST 07 that the attention maintaining mode is not released (when the determination is "NO"), the routine proceeds to step C-ST 08.

In step C-ST 08, it is determined whether or not the execution time Δ TL of the first action has elapsed. When it is determined in step C-ST 08 that the execution time Δ TL of the first action has not elapsed (when the determination is no), the process returns to step C-ST 07, and steps C-ST 07 and C-ST 08 are repeated until the attention maintaining mode is released or the execution time of the first action has elapsed. When it is determined in step C-ST 08 that the execution time Δ TL of the first action has elapsed (yes), the routine proceeds to step C-ST 09.

In step C-ST 09, the second operation is started in place of the first operation, and the target temperature is increased in stages from the first target temperature to the second target temperature.

At this time, when the target temperature is set to be higher than the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 by the first temperature (1.0 ℃) or more, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is stopped and the indoor fan 39 is operated. In this case, since moisture adhering to the indoor heat exchanger 37 is released into the room by the air blow, the humidity of the indoor air rises, and there is a possibility that the indoor person 101 feels unpleasant. In the first embodiment, as described above, the target temperature is gradually increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature by 0.5 ℃ every 30 seconds, so that the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is less likely to be lower than the target temperature by the first temperature (1.0 ℃) or more, and the indoor heat exchanger 37 can be suppressed from being stopped.

Subsequently, in step C-ST 10, it is determined whether or not the attention maintaining mode is released by pressing the focus button again on the remote controller 9. When it is determined in step C-ST 10 that the attention maintaining mode is canceled (when it is determined as yes), the attention maintaining mode is ended, and the operation shifts to the normal operation mode. When it is determined in this step C-ST 10 that the attention maintaining mode is not released (when the determination is "NO"), the routine proceeds to step C-ST 11.

In step C-ST 11, it is determined whether or not the execution time Δ TH of the second action has elapsed. When it is determined in step C-ST 11 that the execution time Δ TH of the second motion has not elapsed (when it is determined as no), the process returns to step C-ST 10, and steps C-ST 10 and C-ST 11 are repeated until the attention maintaining mode is released or the execution time Δ TH of the second motion elapses. When it is determined in step C-ST 11 that the execution time Δ TH of the second action has elapsed (yes), the process returns to step C-ST 06, and the execution of the first action is started in place of the second action.

The repeated operation of the first operation and the second operation in the attention maintaining mode during the cooling operation is performed until the attention maintaining mode is released by the indoor person 101 operating the remote controller 9. According to the attention maintaining mode, the average temperature of the indoor air in the total period of one cycle in which the first action and the second action are performed once is adjusted to the comfortable temperature while periodically giving a cool stimulus to the indoor person.

Attention-sustaining mode during heating operation

The attention maintaining mode in the heating operation of the air conditioning system 1 is executed according to the flowchart shown in fig. 6.

As shown in fig. 6, in the heating operation, first, in step H-ST 01 after the start, it is determined whether or not the focus button is pressed based on an operation signal from the remote controller 9. When it is judged in this step H-ST 01 that the concentration button is not pressed (when judged in "NO"), it returns to and repeats this step H-ST 01 to monitor whether or not the concentration button is pressed.

When it is judged in this step H-ST 01 that the concentration button has been pressed (when judged YES), the process proceeds to the next step H-ST 02. In step H-ST 02, the attention maintaining mode is started. Next, the process proceeds to step H-ST 03. Further, ventilation control, which will be described later, is executed simultaneously with the execution of the steps after step H-ST 03.

In step H-ST 03, the detection signals of the various sensors 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55 are read to acquire indoor and outdoor environmental information such as the temperature of indoor air, the humidity of indoor air, the illuminance of indoor, the temperature of outdoor air, and the humidity of outdoor air, and the setting information set by the remote controller 9 is read to acquire the correction information on the reference temperature and the setting information on the wakefulness intensity. Next, the process proceeds to step H-ST 04.

In step H-ST 04, the comfort temperature (neutral temperature) of the indoor person 101 is estimated based on the outdoor air temperature acquired in step H-ST 03 using the information of the thermal comfort adaptive model, and the estimated comfort temperature is set as the reference temperature. At this time, when the correction information on the reference temperature is set by the remote controller 9, the reference temperature is corrected based on the correction information.

Next, the process proceeds to step H-ST 05. In step H-ST 05, a first target temperature and a second target temperature are set based on the reference temperature set in step H-ST 04 and the setting information of the wakefulness intensity acquired in step H-ST 03. The execution time Δ TL for the first operation and the execution time Δ TH for the second operation are determined based on the setting information of the wakefulness level acquired in step H-ST 03. Next, the process proceeds to step H-ST 06.

In step H-ST 06, the first action is started and the target temperature is set to the first target temperature.

At this time, the first target temperature is lower than the reference temperature by 1.5 ℃ or more regardless of the strength of wakefulness, and therefore, immediately after the first operation is started, the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is higher than the first target temperature by the first temperature (1.0 ℃) or more, and the indoor heat exchanger 37 is stopped. In this way, since the temperature of the indoor air rapidly decreases below the reference temperature, the temperature of the indoor air can be set to a temperature at which the indoor person 101 feels cool, and a cool stimulus can be given to the indoor person 101 according to the setting of the wakefulness intensity. In the first operation, when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 reaches the first target temperature, the operation of the indoor heat exchanger 37 is resumed. Next, the process proceeds to step H-ST 07.

In step H-ST 07, it is determined whether or not the attention maintaining mode is released by pressing the focus button on the remote controller 9. When it is determined in step H-ST 07 that the attention maintaining mode is canceled (when it is determined as yes), the attention maintaining mode is ended, and the operation shifts to the normal operation mode. When it is determined in this step H-ST 07 that the attention maintaining mode is not released (when the determination is "NO"), the routine proceeds to step H-ST 08.

In step H-ST 08, it is determined whether or not the execution time Δ TL of the first action has elapsed. When it is determined in step H-ST 08 that the execution time Δ TL of the first action has not elapsed (when it is determined as no), the process returns to step H-ST 07, and steps H-ST 07 and H-ST 08 are repeated until the attention maintaining mode is released or the execution time Δ TL of the first action has elapsed. When it is determined in step H-ST 08 that the execution time Δ TL of the first action has elapsed (when the determination is yes), the routine proceeds to step H-ST 09.

In step H-ST 09, the second operation is started in place of the first operation, and the target temperature is increased in stages from the first target temperature to the second target temperature.

At this time, when the target temperature is suddenly increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature, the temperature of the indoor air is suddenly increased because the air conditioning system performs the heating operation. If the temperature of the indoor air rapidly rises, the blood vessels of the indoor person 101 expand to promote heat release from the body, and therefore the core body temperature drops and the indoor person 101 is likely to feel drowsiness. In the first embodiment, as described above, since the target temperature is gradually increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature by 0.5 ℃ every 30 seconds, the blood vessel expansion of the indoor person 101 can be suppressed, and the indoor person 101 can be prevented from easily feeling drowsiness.

Next, in step H-ST 10, it is determined whether or not the focus button is pressed again on the remote controller 9 and the attention maintaining mode is released. When it is determined in step H-ST 10 that the attention maintaining mode is canceled (when it is determined as yes), the attention maintaining mode is ended, and the operation shifts to the normal operation mode. When it is determined in this step H-ST 10 that the attention maintaining mode is not released (when the determination is "NO"), the routine proceeds to step H-ST 11.

In step H-ST 11, it is determined whether or not the execution time Δ TH of the second action has elapsed. When it is determined in step H-ST 11 that the execution time Δ TH of the second motion has not elapsed (when it is determined as no), the process returns to step H-ST 10, and steps H-ST 10 and H-ST 11 are repeated until the attention maintaining mode is released or the execution time Δ TH of the second motion elapses. When it is determined in step H-ST 11 that the execution time Δ TH of the second action has elapsed (yes), the routine returns to step H-ST 06, and the execution of the first action is started in place of the second action.

The repeated operation of the first operation and the second operation in the attention maintaining mode during the heating operation is performed until the indoor person 101 operates the remote controller 9 to cancel the attention maintaining mode. According to the attention maintaining mode, the average temperature of the indoor air in the total period of one cycle in which the first action and the second action are performed once is adjusted to the comfortable temperature while periodically giving a cool stimulus to the indoor person.

As described above, the control performed in the attention maintaining mode during the cooling operation and the control performed in the attention maintaining mode during the heating operation are almost the same, and are different in that: the first operation in the attention maintaining mode at the time of the cooling operation is performed without stopping the indoor heat exchanger 37, whereas the first operation in the attention maintaining mode at the time of the heating operation is performed with stopping the indoor heat exchanger 37; and the second operation in the attention maintaining mode during the cooling operation is to gradually increase the target temperature in order to avoid the stop of the indoor heat exchanger 37, whereas the second operation in the attention maintaining mode during the heating operation is to gradually increase the target temperature in order to avoid the drowsiness of the indoor person 101.

< control of ventilation >

The ventilation control of the air conditioning system 1 is performed according to a flowchart shown in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 5 to 7, ventilation control is executed in the same time when the attention maintaining mode is started, in steps C to ST02 in the attention maintaining mode during the cooling operation or in steps H to ST02 in the attention maintaining mode during the heating operation.

As shown in fig. 7, first, in step V-ST 01, it is determined whether or not the attention maintaining mode is released by pressing the focus button again on the remote controller 9. When it is determined in step V-ST 01 that the attention maintaining mode is canceled (when it is determined as yes), the attention maintaining mode is ended, and the operation shifts to the normal operation mode (see fig. 5 and 6). When it is determined in this step V-ST 01 that the attention maintaining mode is not released (when the determination is "NO"), the routine proceeds to step V-ST 02.

In step V-ST 02, CO is obtained₂CO of indoor air detected by the concentration sensor 49₂And (4) concentration. Next, the process proceeds to step V-ST 03.

In step V-ST 03, CO of indoor air is judged₂Whether or not the concentration is equal to or higher than a first reference value (1000 ppm). When it is judged in this step V-ST 03 that the indoor air is CO₂When the concentration is lower than the first reference value (1000ppm) (when the judgment is "NO"), the process returns to the step V-ST 01, and the process from the step V-ST 01 to the step V-ST 03 is repeated until the attention sustaining mode or the CO of the indoor air is released₂Until the concentration reaches a first reference value (1000ppm) or more.

When it is judged as CO of the indoor air in the step V-ST 03₂When the concentration is not less than the first reference value (1000ppm) (YES), the process proceeds to step V-ST 04. In step V-ST 04, the operation of the ventilator 7 is started. Next, the process proceeds to step V-ST 05.

In step V-ST 05, it is determined whether or not the attention maintaining mode is released by pressing the focus button again on the remote controller 9. When it is determined in step V-ST 05 that the attention maintaining mode is canceled (when it is determined as yes), the attention maintaining mode is ended, and the operation shifts to the normal operation mode (see fig. 5 and 6). When it is determined in this step V-ST 05 that the attention maintaining mode is not released (when the determination is "NO"), the routine proceeds to step V-ST 06.

In step V-ST 06, CO is obtained₂CO of indoor air detected by the concentration sensor 49₂And (4) concentration. Next, the process proceeds to step V-ST 07.

In step V-ST 07, CO of indoor air is judged₂Whether or not the concentration is lower than a second reference value (900 ppm). When it is judged in this step V-ST 07 that the indoor air is CO₂When the concentration is not less than the second reference value (900ppm) (when the judgment is "NO"), the process returns to the step V-ST 04, and the process from the step V-ST 04 to the step V-ST 07 is repeated until the attention sustaining mode or the CO of the indoor air is released₂Until the concentration becomes lower than a second reference value (900 ppm).

When it is judged as CO of the indoor air in the step V-ST 07₂When the concentration is lower than the second reference value (900ppm) (yes), the process returns to step V-ST 01 and the subsequent steps are performed again.

As described above, ventilation control is executed until the attention maintaining mode is released. According to the ventilation control, CO of indoor air₂The concentration is adjusted to a first reference value (1000ppm) or less.

Effects of the first embodiment

In the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, the target temperature is lowered to the first target temperature in a relatively short time in the first operation. In this way, since the temperature of the indoor air rapidly decreases below the reference temperature, the indoor temperature can be set to a temperature at which the indoor person 101 feels cool, and a cooling stimulus can be given to the indoor person 101. This can prevent the indoor person 101 from feeling drowsy.

In the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, it takes a relatively long time to increase the target temperature in stages to the second target temperature in the second operation. In this way, since the temperature of the indoor air gradually rises to be higher than the reference temperature, the load on the indoor person 101 due to the temperature change can be reduced, and the average temperature of the indoor air in the total period of the period during which the first operation is performed and the period during which the second operation is performed can be set to a temperature that is comfortable for the indoor person 101. This makes it possible to realize an indoor environment that is comfortable for the indoor people 101.

Therefore, according to the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to realize a comfortable indoor environment while preventing the indoor people from feeling drowsiness. As a result, the attention of the indoor personnel can be maintained, and the reduction of the work efficiency of the indoor personnel can be suppressed.

In the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, during the cooling operation, when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is lower than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is stopped. However, in the second operation, the target temperature is increased from the first target temperature to the second target temperature in stages, so that the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is less than the target temperature by a predetermined temperature or more during the cooling operation, and the indoor heat exchanger 37 can be suppressed from being stopped. This can prevent the indoor person 101 from feeling unpleasant due to the increase in the humidity of the indoor air.

In the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment, when the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 is higher than the target temperature by a first temperature (1.0 ℃) or more during the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 37 is stopped. In the first operation, the target temperature is reduced to the first target temperature immediately after the first operation is started, and therefore the first target temperature is set to be lower than the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45 by the first temperature (1.0 ℃) or more. This stops the indoor heat exchanger 37 immediately after the first operation is started, and thus contributes to a rapid decrease in the temperature of the indoor air.

In the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, the comfort temperature is estimated from the outdoor air temperature detected by the outdoor air temperature sensor 45 using the relationship information indicating the relationship between the comfort temperature and the outdoor air temperature, and the estimated comfort temperature is used as the reference temperature. In this way, the normal comfortable temperature can be estimated as the temperature of the indoor air that is comfortable for the indoor person 101, and can be set as the reference temperature. This is suitable for achieving an indoor environment comfortable for unspecified indoor persons 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the first mode.

In the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, the reference temperature is corrected based on the information on the individual difference of the indoor people 101. In this way, since the information on the individual difference of the indoor person 101 is reflected in the reference temperature, the temperature of the indoor air that is comfortable for the indoor person 101 can be used as the reference temperature with high accuracy. This is advantageous for achieving an indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the attention maintaining mode.

In the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, the target temperature and the execution time of the first operation and the target temperature and the execution time of the second operation are determined according to the relational expression (1) so that the average temperature of the indoor air in the total period of the one period in which the first operation is performed and the one period in which the second operation is performed reaches the reference temperature. This is suitable for achieving an indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the attention maintaining mode.

In the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment, the air conditioning system is composed of CO₂CO of indoor air detected by the concentration sensor 49₂When the concentration reaches a first reference value (1000ppm) or more, the ventilator 7 is operated. Thus, indoor CO can be replaced as required₂The concentration is reduced, and therefore, it is suitable for realizing an indoor environment comfortable to the indoor person 101.

(second embodiment)

The second embodiment is explained below.

The air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment is the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment, and the method of setting the reference temperature is changed. Here, differences between the air conditioning system 1 of the second embodiment and the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

The air conditioning system 1 uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to set the reference temperature.

The storage unit 59 of the air conditioning system 1 stores a learning model generated based on a parameter related to environmental information including at least one of a temperature of indoor air, a humidity of indoor air, an illuminance of indoor, a temperature of outdoor air, and a humidity of outdoor air, and a parameter related to a thermal sensation of the indoor person 101. In the second embodiment, the parameters related to the environmental information of the learning model include parameters related to the temperature of the indoor air, the humidity of the indoor air, the illuminance of the indoor, the temperature of the outdoor air, and the humidity of the outdoor air.

The learning model may also be generated by independent learning as follows: when the indoor person 101 uses the air conditioning system 1, the thermal sensation information of the indoor person 101 is input by operating the remote controller 9, and the respective detection values of the indoor air temperature sensor 45, the indoor air humidity sensor 47, the illuminance sensor 51, the outdoor air temperature sensor 53, and the outdoor air humidity sensor 55 at the time of inputting the information are associated with the parameter relating to the thermal sensation of the indoor person 101 as the parameter of the environmental information.

The learning model may also be generated by learning as follows: the respective detection values of the indoor air temperature sensor 45, the indoor air humidity sensor 47, the illuminance sensor 51, the outdoor air temperature sensor 53, and the outdoor air humidity sensor 55, and the information on the thermal sensation of the indoor person 101, which are collected from the indoor person 101 using each air conditioning system 1 in the server connected to the plurality of air conditioning systems 1 via the network, are associated as the parameter of the environment information and the parameter on the thermal sensation of the indoor person 101 with respect to the environment.

The control unit 11 estimates a comfort temperature based on the temperature of the indoor air, the humidity of the indoor air, the illuminance of the room, the temperature of the outdoor air, and the humidity of the outdoor air detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 45, the indoor air humidity sensor 47, the illuminance sensor 51, the outdoor air temperature sensor 53, and the outdoor air humidity sensor 55, using the learning model. The control unit 11 sets the comfort temperature estimated by the learning model as the reference temperature. The control unit 11 corrects the reference temperature based on correction information on the reference temperature as necessary.

Effects of the second embodiment

In the air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment, the comfort temperature serving as the reference temperature is estimated by a learning model in which the environmental information and the thermal sensation of the indoor person 101 are associated with each other. In this way, the temperature of the indoor air that is comfortable for the indoor person 101 can be estimated with high accuracy as the comfort temperature, and set as the reference temperature. This is advantageous for achieving an indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the attention maintaining mode.

(other embodiments)

The first embodiment and the second embodiment may have the following configurations.

First variant

The indoor air temperature sensor 45 may also be provided on the remote controller 9. In this way, since the remote controller 9 is mostly placed near the indoor person 101, the temperature of the indoor air near the indoor person 101 can be detected. This is advantageous for achieving an indoor environment comfortable for the indoor person 101 by controlling the temperature of the indoor air in the attention maintaining mode.

The indoor air temperature sensor 45 may be provided not on the remote controller 9 but on a member that is not integral with the indoor unit 5. In addition to the indoor air temperature sensor 45, an indoor air humidity sensor 47, an illuminance sensor 51, and CO₂The concentration sensor 49 may be provided in a component such as the remote controller 9 that is not integrated with the indoor unit 5.

Second modification

The server connected to the air conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment via the network may hold relational information such as a thermal comfort adaptive model for setting the reference temperature in the air conditioning system 1, or the server connected to the air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment via the network may hold a learning model for setting the reference temperature in the air conditioning system 1. In this case, the air conditioning system 1 may request the server to provide the relationship information and the information of the learning model, and may acquire information necessary for setting the reference temperature from the server.

The embodiments and the modifications are explained above, but it should be understood that: various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Further, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined and replaced as long as the functions of the objects of the present disclosure are not affected.

For example, the air conditioning system 1 is described by taking as an example a case where the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 5 are paired in a one-to-one manner, but the present invention is not limited to this. The air conditioning system 1 may be a multiple-type air conditioning system in which a plurality of indoor units 5 are provided for the outdoor unit 3.

In the first action of the attention maintaining mode, the target temperature is lowered to the first target temperature immediately after the first action is started, but is not limited thereto. In the first operation of the attention maintaining mode, the target temperature may not be decreased to the first target temperature immediately after the start of the first operation, but the time required for decreasing the target temperature to the first target temperature in the first operation may be shorter than the time required for increasing the target temperature to the second target temperature in the second operation.

In the ventilation control when the attention maintaining mode is executed, the CO is used as the CO for operating the ventilator 7₂The first reference value of the concentration is 1000ppm, and is CO to stop the ventilator 7₂The second reference value of the concentration is 900ppm, but is not limited thereto. Setting the first reference value to 1000ppm and the second reference value to 900ppm is merely an example set for ventilation control, and the above is an exampleThe first reference value and the second reference value may be set to any values as long as they are suitable for realizing an indoor environment comfortable for indoor people.

Industrial applicability-

In summary, the present disclosure is useful for air conditioning systems.

-description of symbols-

1 air conditioning system

3 outdoor unit

5 indoor unit

7 air interchanger

9 remote controller (input part)

11 control part

13 connecting pipe

15 connecting pipe

17 refrigerant circuit

19 outdoor circuit

21 indoor loop

23 compressor

25 four-way change valve

27 outdoor heat exchanger

29 expansion valve

31 outdoor fan

33 refrigerant pipe

35 outdoor fan motor

37 indoor heat exchanger (temperature adjusting part)

39 indoor fan

41 indoor fan motor

43 ventilating fan

45 indoor air temperature sensor (indoor air temperature detecting part)

47 indoor air humidity sensor

49 CO₂Concentration sensor (carbon dioxide concentration detector)

51 illuminance sensor

53 outdoor air temperature sensor (outdoor air temperature detecting part)

55 outdoor air humidity sensor

57 central processing unit

59 storage part

101 indoor personnel

103 table