JP7724431B2 - Central air conditioning system and method for controlling central air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a central air conditioning system and a method for controlling a central air conditioning system.

Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system for a building that includes an air conditioning unit, a control unit that controls the flow of conditioned air supplied from the air conditioning unit into a duct, and an air outlet that exhausts the air from the duct.

Patent No. 5871611

In conventional whole-building air conditioning systems used in buildings, when a new device is installed in a room in the building, the newly added device is connected to a control device, which then controls multiple devices, including the newly added device. However, because the added device must be registered with the control device, there are issues with user registration, such as the hassle and the risk of registration errors.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a central air conditioning system and a control method for a central air conditioning system that can reduce the effort required for users to register.

In order to achieve the above object, a central air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control device, air conditioners controlled by the control device, a blower that sends air that has been temperature-adjusted by the air conditioners through a duct, and an air intake device that is provided in each of a plurality of rooms and takes in the air sent from the duct; when the control device acquires information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms due to operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed, and when the control device acquires information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device operates the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms in sequence, and when the control device acquires information indicating a change in a second sensor value based on a second sensor value detected by the new sensor due to operation of the air intake devices in sequence, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed due to operation of the air intake device the control device acquires information indicating that a new device has been detected in a specified room among the plurality of rooms, and acquires information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigns the new device to the specified room where the first sensor value has changed, and associates and registers the specified room with the new device, the sensor is an air quality sensor, the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of a carbon dioxide concentration, a temperature, and a particulate matter concentration of each of the plurality of rooms, and the new device is a human presence sensor, the control device acquires information indicating that the human presence sensor has been detected in a specified room among the plurality of rooms, and if the control device acquires information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the air quality sensor during a period in which the control device continues to acquire human detection information indicating the presence of a person detected by the human presence sensor, assigns the human presence sensor to the room to which the air quality sensor is assigned .
In order to achieve the above object, a central air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control device, an air conditioner controlled by the control device, a blower that sends air that has been temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct, and an air intake device that is provided in each of a plurality of rooms and takes in the air sent from the duct; when the control device acquires information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms due to operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed, and when the control device acquires information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device operates the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms in sequence, and as the air intake devices operate in sequence, and when information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor is acquired, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake machine, and the specified room and the new sensor installed in the specified room are linked and registered, and when information indicating that a new device has been detected in a specified room among the plurality of rooms is acquired and information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor is acquired, the new device is assigned to the specified room in which the first sensor value has changed, and the specified room and the new device are linked and registered, the new device is at least one of a ventilation device, an air supply device, and an air purifier, the sensor is an air quality sensor, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of the temperature and the particulate concentration in each of the plurality of rooms.
In order to achieve the above object, a central air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control device, an air conditioner controlled by the control device, a blower that sends air that has been temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct, and an air intake device that is provided in each of a plurality of rooms and takes in the air sent from the duct; when the control device acquires information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms due to operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed, and when the control device acquires information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device operates the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms in sequence, so that the air intake devices operate in sequence. When information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor is acquired by the above, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the specified room and the new sensor installed in the specified room are linked and registered. When information indicating that a new device has been detected in a specified room among the plurality of rooms is acquired and information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor is acquired, the new device is assigned to the specified room in which the first sensor value has changed, and the specified room and the new device are linked and registered. The sensor is an air quality sensor that measures the carbon dioxide concentration in the room, and the new device is an air purifier, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least the carbon dioxide concentration in each of the plurality of rooms.

In addition, in a control method for a central air-conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control method includes a control device, an air conditioner controlled by the control device, a blower that sends air temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct, and an air intake device that is provided in each of a plurality of rooms and takes in the air sent from the duct, wherein when the control device acquires information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms due to operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed, and when the control device acquires information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in the predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device operates the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms in sequence, and when the control device acquires information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on a second sensor value detected by the new sensor due to operation of the air intake devices in sequence, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed the control device assigns the new sensor to a room where the first sensor value has changed, links and registers the specified room and the new sensor installed in the specified room, acquires information indicating that a new device has been detected in a specified room among the plurality of rooms, and acquires information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigns the new device to the specified room where the first sensor value has changed, and links and registers the specified room and the new device , the sensor is an air quality sensor, the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of a carbon dioxide concentration, a temperature, and a particulate matter concentration of each of the plurality of rooms, and the new device is a human presence sensor, the control device acquires information indicating that the human presence sensor has been detected in a specified room among the plurality of rooms, and, if the control device acquires information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the air quality sensor during a period in which the control device continues to acquire human detection information indicating the presence of a person detected by the human presence sensor, assigns the human presence sensor to the room to which the air quality sensor is assigned .
In order to achieve the above object, a control method for a central air-conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a central air-conditioning system including a control device, an air conditioner controlled by the control device, a blower that sends air temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct, and an air intake device that is provided in each of a plurality of rooms and takes in the air sent from the duct, wherein when the control device acquires information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms due to operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed, and when the control device acquires information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device operates the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms in sequence, When information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor due to the operation of the air intake machine is obtained, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value changed due to the operation of the air intake machine, the specified room and the new sensor installed in the specified room are linked and registered, and when information indicating that the presence of a new device has been detected in a specified room among the plurality of rooms is obtained and information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor is obtained, the new device is assigned to the specified room in which the first sensor value changed, and the specified room and the new device are linked and registered, the new device is at least one of a ventilation device, an air supply device, and an air purifier, the sensor is an air quality sensor, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of the temperature and the particulate concentration in each of the plurality of rooms.
In order to achieve the above object, a control method for a central air-conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a central air-conditioning system including a control device, an air conditioner controlled by the control device, a blower that sends air temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct, and an air intake device that is provided in each of a plurality of rooms and takes in the air sent from the duct, wherein when the control device acquires information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms due to operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device assigns the sensor to the room in which the first sensor value has changed, and when the control device acquires information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room of the plurality of rooms, the control device operates the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms in sequence, and When information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor due to the operation of the air intake device is obtained, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the specified room and the new sensor installed in the specified room are linked and registered. When information indicating that the presence of a new device has been detected in a specified room among the multiple rooms is obtained and information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor is obtained, the new device is assigned to the specified room in which the first sensor value changed, and the specified room and the new device are linked and registered. The sensor is an air quality sensor that measures the carbon dioxide concentration in the room, and the new device is an air purifier, and the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least the carbon dioxide concentration in each of the multiple rooms.

The central air conditioning system and the like disclosed herein can reduce the registration effort required by users.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a central air-conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the central air-conditioning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing pre-processing for registering a new device in the network of the central air-conditioning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing when an air quality sensor is added as a new device to the central air-conditioning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process when a human presence sensor is added as a new device to the central air-conditioning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing when a ventilation device and an air supply device are added as new devices to the central air-conditioning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing when an air purifier is added as a new device to the central air-conditioning system according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing when an air purifier equipped with an air quality sensor is added as a new device to the central air-conditioning system according to the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that each embodiment described below represents a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

Each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact representation. Therefore, for example, the scales and other details do not necessarily match between figures. Furthermore, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used to designate substantially identical components, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

The following describes the central air conditioning system and the control method for the central air conditioning system according to the following embodiment.

(Embodiment)
<Configuration: Whole building air conditioning system 10>
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a central air-conditioning system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the central air-conditioning system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the central air-conditioning system 10 is a system that can adjust the air quality in multiple rooms 90a-90c within a facility 90 using air conditioners 21 and other devices. Furthermore, when expanding the functions or equipment of the central air-conditioning system 10, one or more new devices can be added and registered to the central air-conditioning system 10 network, allowing the system to control the operation of the air conditioners 21 and other devices, including the new devices. The new devices are additional devices to be assigned to rooms, such as an air quality sensor 70, a motion sensor 60, a ventilation device 51, an air supply device 52, an air purifier 53, and an air purifier 54 equipped with an air quality sensor 70. Figure 1 shows an example in which an air quality sensor 70 has been added to each of multiple rooms 90a-90c.

Here, air quality refers to the temperature and humidity of the room air, the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the room air, and the concentration of various pollutants such as PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5.

Note that the number of rooms 90a-90c is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, we will use multiple rooms 90a-90c as an example.

First, the specific configuration of the central air-conditioning system 10 will be described. In this embodiment, the central air-conditioning system 10 comprises a central air-conditioning unit 20, an outside air intake fan 30, an inside air intake fan 40, multiple air quality sensors 70, and a control unit 80. The central air-conditioning unit 20, the outside air intake fan 30, the inside air intake fan 40, and the multiple air quality sensors 70 each have the function of communicating with the control unit 80. Note that, in this embodiment, the central air-conditioning system 10 is pre-equipped with multiple air quality sensors 70 as components, but it is not necessary to include multiple air quality sensors 70.

The central air conditioning unit 20 controls the temperatures of multiple rooms 90a-90c by adjusting the temperature (an example of the air quality) of air taken in from outside the facility 90 or air taken in from inside the facility 90 and transporting the air to each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c. The central air conditioning unit 20 includes an air conditioning unit 21, an air filter 22, and a transport device 23.

The air conditioning unit 21 is a so-called air conditioner that is controlled by the control unit 80 and adjusts the temperature of air taken in from outside the facility 90 or air taken in from inside the facility 90 based on the control of the control unit 80.

The air filter 22 filters the air (outside air or inside air) taken into the central air conditioning unit 20. An example of the air filter 22 is a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

Based on the control of the control device 80, the conveying device 23 conveys air (outside air or inside air) that has been temperature-adjusted by the air conditioning device 21 and passed through the air filter 22 to each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c. The conveying device 23 is equipped with multiple conveying fans 23a, multiple ducts 23b, and multiple air outlets 23c. The conveying device 23 is equipped with one set of conveying fan 23a, duct 23b, and air outlet 23c for each room. The conveying fan 23a sends the air that has been temperature-adjusted by the air conditioning device 21 through the duct 23b. The air outlet 23c is provided in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c and takes in the air sent from the duct into each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c. In other words, the air outlet 23c supplies the temperature-adjusted air sent through the duct 23b to a corresponding one of the multiple rooms 90a-90c. Air outlet 23c supplies the air to a corresponding room under the control of control device 80. That is, air outlet 23c is opened under the control of control device 80 to supply temperature-adjusted air to the room, and closed under the control of control device 80 to stop the supply of temperature-adjusted air to the room. Conveying fan 23a is an example of a blower. Air outlet 23c is also an example of an air intake device.

Based on the control of the control device 80, the outside air intake fan 30 draws air from outside the facility 90 into the facility 90 and transports it to the central air conditioning unit 20.

Based on the control of the control device 80, the internal air intake fan 40 transports the air inside the facility 90 (more specifically, the air in spaces other than rooms 90a-90c inside the facility 90) to the central air conditioning unit 20. The air transported by the internal air intake fan 40 to the central air conditioning unit 20 may have its humidity adjusted, for example, by a humidifier.

An air quality sensor 70 is provided in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c, and measures the air quality in the room in which the air quality sensor 70 is provided. The air quality sensor 70 has a communication function and can transmit air quality data indicating the measured air quality to the control device 80. The air quality sensor 70 is an example of a sensor, and the air quality measured by the air quality sensor 70 is an example of a sensor value.

The air quality sensor 70 may be, for example, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the room as the air quality and transmits the temperature sensor value as temperature measurement data to the control device 80. The air quality sensor 70 may be, for example, a carbon dioxide concentration sensor that measures the carbon dioxide concentration in the room as the air quality and transmits the carbon dioxide concentration sensor value to the control device 80. The air quality sensor 70 may be a particulate matter concentration sensor that measures the particulate matter concentration of particulate matter (hereinafter simply referred to as particulate matter), such as a PM2.5 concentration sensor. In this case, the air quality sensor 70 measures the particulate matter concentration in the room as the air quality and transmits the particulate matter concentration sensor value to the control device 80. The air quality sensor 70 may also be a humidity sensor that measures the humidity in the room as the air quality and transmits the humidity sensor value to the control device 80. The sensor values are the carbon dioxide concentration, humidity, temperature, and particulate concentration for each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 80 controls the central air conditioning unit 20, the outside air intake fan 30, and the inside air intake fan 40. The control device 80 includes an operation reception unit 81, a control unit 82, a memory unit 83, and a communication unit 84.

The operation reception unit 81 is a user interface unit that receives user operations. The operation reception unit 81 is realized, for example, by a touch panel, but may also include hardware buttons in addition to the touch panel. Although not shown, the control device 80 may also have a display unit realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, and the operation reception unit 81 and the display unit may form a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

The control unit 82 controls the central air conditioning unit 20, the outside air intake fan 30, and the inside air intake fan 40 by having the communication unit 84 send control signals. The control unit 82 can also control new equipment added after it has been registered on the central air conditioning system 10 network. The control unit 82 is implemented, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor.

In addition, the control unit 82 automatically registers new devices and pre-installed devices by acquiring information indicating the detection of the presence of new devices and acquiring sensor values of the room's air quality that have changed due to the installation of a device that changes the room's air quality, in order to control the new devices and pre-installed devices in conjunction with each other. For example, if a change in the sensor value occurs in at least one air quality sensor 70 installed in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c due to the operation of an air outlet 23c installed in a specific room among the multiple rooms 90a-90c, the control unit 82 assigns the air quality sensor 70 to the room in which the sensor value changed. In other words, when the control unit 82 acquires information indicating a change in the sensor value due to the operation of the air outlet 23c and determines that there has been a significant change in the sensor value of the information, it associates the air quality sensor 70 in which the sensor value changed with the room (the room in which the air outlet 23c is installed) corresponding to the operated air outlet 23c. The specified devices are new devices added to a specified room, and devices that are already installed in the room, such as the air outlet 23c, air quality sensor 70, human presence sensor 60, ventilation equipment 51, air supply equipment 52, and air purifier 53. Devices that are already installed in the room are registered when construction of the room is completed.

The memory unit 83 is a storage device that stores the control program executed by the control unit 82. The memory unit 83 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

The communication unit 84 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables the control device 80 to communicate with each of the outside air intake fan 30, the inside air intake fan 40, and the air quality sensor 70 via a local communication network. The communication performed by the communication unit 84 is, for example, wireless communication, but may also be wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for communication.

Next, we will explain the new devices: a human presence sensor 60, a ventilation device 51, an air supply device 52, an air purifier 53, and an air purifier 54 with an air quality sensor 70.

The human presence sensor 60 is a sensor that detects the presence of a user in a room. The human presence sensor 60 is capable of communicating with the control device 80, and when it detects a user in the room, it transmits human detection information indicating the presence of a person to the control device 80 as information indicating a change in the sensor value. The human presence sensor may be a microphone, sonar sensor, infrared imaging device, image sensor such as a camera, pyroelectric infrared sensor, etc. The human presence sensor 60 outputs the human detection information to the control device 80 at predetermined intervals.

The ventilation equipment 51 is installed, for example, in a room and has the function of exhausting the air in the room to the outside. After being registered to the network of the central air-conditioning system 10, the ventilation equipment 51 exhausts the air from the room in response to control commands received from the control device 80. The ventilation equipment 51 is realized by a blower (fan).

The air supply device 52 is installed, for example, in a room and has the function of supplying room air to the interior. After being registered to the network of the central air conditioning system 10, the air supply device 52 supplies new air to the room in response to control commands received from the control device 80. The air supply device 52 is realized by a blower (fan).

The air purifier 53 has the function of purifying the air in a room by removing pollutants contained in the air. Here, pollutants are substances that cause indoor air pollution, such as at least one of carbon dioxide, PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, mold, bacteria, deodorizing viruses, and dust. After being registered on the network of the central air conditioning system 10, the air purifier 53 purifies the air in the room in accordance with control commands received from the control device 80.

Air purifier 54 differs from air purifier 53 in that it has an air quality sensor 70, but otherwise has the same configuration and function as air purifier 53.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the central air-conditioning system 10 and the control method for the central air-conditioning system 10 will be described.

Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the pre-processing for registering a new device on the network of the central air-conditioning system 10 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 80 determines whether it has acquired information indicating that a new device has been detected in a specific room among the multiple rooms 90a-90c (S1). That is, the control device 80 determines whether a new device has been connected to the network of the central air-conditioning system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. If a new device has not been connected to the network (NO in S1), the control device 80 repeats the processing of step S1. That is, the control device 80 repeats the processing of step S1 to automatically detect the entry of a new device into the network.

If a new device has been connected to the network (YES in S1), the control device 80 determines whether the detected new device is on the blacklist stored in the memory unit. In other words, the control device 80 obtains device information identifying the new device, such as the product number and model number, from the new device connected to the network, and compares the obtained device information with the blacklist.

Although the control device 80 determines whether the device is on the blacklist, it may instead determine whether the device is on the whitelist stored in the memory unit. The control device 80 may determine whether the device is on the blacklist and also whether the device is on the whitelist. If the device is not on either list, the control device 80 may notify, for example, the user's terminal device (not shown) that the device is not on either list, and then, as will be described later, may confirm whether the user wishes to register.

If the detected new device is on the blacklist stored in the memory unit (YES in S2), the control device 80 terminates the process without registering the new device. If the detected new device is not on the blacklist stored in the memory unit (NO in S2), the control device 80 sends information to the user's terminal device to confirm whether or not the user intends to register the new device on the network (S3).

When the user's terminal device receives the information confirming the intention to register, it displays the information. The user inputs into the terminal device whether or not they wish to register the new device based on the information displayed on the terminal device confirming the intention to register. The terminal device transmits the information entered by the user indicating an intention to register or an absence of intention to register to the control device 80.

If the control device 80 acquires information indicating no intention to register (NO in S4), it terminates the process without registering the new device. If the control device 80 acquires information indicating an intention to register (YES in S4), it transitions from normal mode to special mode (S5). Here, normal mode is a mode in which the control device 80 enables the central air conditioner 20, outside air intake fan 30, and inside air intake fan 40 to perform their primary, original functions, and is a normal device control mode. Furthermore, special mode is a new device registration mode for registering a new device to the central air conditioning system 10 network, and is not a mode in which the drive of the central air conditioner 20, outside air intake fan 30, and inside air intake fan 40 can be controlled, as in normal mode.

Then, the control device 80 ends the processing shown in Figure 3.

[Operation example 1]
In this operation example, the processing of the central air-conditioning system 10 when an air quality sensor 70 is added will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing when the air quality sensor 70 is added as a new device to the central air-conditioning system 10 according to the embodiment. In Fig. 4, the same processing as in Fig. 3 is performed before the processing in Fig. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 80 acquires information indicating changes in sensor values based on the sensor values detected by the sensors installed in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c through the operation of a specific device assigned to that room. In this example of operation, the specific device is the air outlet 23c, and the sensor installed in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c is a new, unregistered air quality sensor 70. Specifically, when the control device 80 acquires information indicating the detection of the presence of a new air quality sensor 70 in a specific room of the multiple rooms 90a-90c, it operates the air outlets 23c assigned to each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c in sequence (S11). The control device 80 operates the air outlet 23c for each room of the multiple rooms 90a-90c. In this example of operation, an air supply device 52, an air purifier 53, a ventilation device 51, etc. may be used instead of the air outlet 23c. The air supply equipment 52, air purifier 53, ventilation equipment 51, etc. may be specified devices that directly change the air quality in the room.

For example, the control device 80 controls the air quality, for example, by controlling a specific device in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c to alternately supply hot and cold air. At this time, the air quality sensor 70 detects the air quality of the room and transmits information indicating the detected sensor value to the control device 80. The control device 80 acquires information indicating the sensor value from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals for each room (S12), and compares the sensor values acquired over time to acquire information indicating changes in the sensor value. In this operational example, the sensor value may indicate at least one of the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and particulate concentration for each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c.

Based on the information indicating the sensor value obtained from the air quality sensor 70, the control device 80 determines whether the change in the sensor value for each time series is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, i.e., whether the sensor value has changed (S13).

For each room, when the air outlet 23c assigned to that room is operated, the control device 80 determines that the sensor value has changed if the change in the sensor value in that room is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in S13). In other words, if the control device 80 acquires information indicating a change in the sensor value due to the operation of the air outlet 23c, it assigns the air quality sensor 70 to the specific room whose sensor value changed due to the operation of the air outlet 23c (S14). When the control device 80 determines that the air quality sensor 70 whose sensor value has changed is installed in the room, it links the room assigned to the air outlet 23c with the new air quality sensor 70 and registers it. In this way, the new air quality sensor 70 is automatically registered in the control device 80 of the central air-conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, if the change in the sensor value in the room is less than a predetermined threshold, and the control device 80 determines that the sensor value has not changed (NO in S13), this means that a new air quality sensor 70 has not been installed in the room assigned to the air outlet 23c. Therefore, the control device 80 returns the process to step S11. The control device 80 then ends the operation of FIG. 4 and returns from special mode to normal mode.

The same applies when a room is constructed and sensors such as the air quality sensor 70 are installed in advance. For example, even for sensors installed after construction, the control device 80 acquires information indicating changes in sensor values detected by sensors installed in the room in advance by sequentially operating the air outlets 23c assigned to each of multiple rooms. In this case, the control device 80 can assign sensors installed in the room in advance to rooms whose sensor values have changed due to the operation of the air outlets 23c. Therefore, sensors installed in the room in advance can be automatically registered in the control device 80 of the central air-conditioning system 10. As this is the same process as described above, a detailed explanation of the pedal force processing after construction will be omitted.

[Operation example 2]
In this operation example, the processing of the central air-conditioning system 10 when a human presence sensor 60 is added will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing when a human presence sensor 60 is added as a new device to the central air-conditioning system 10 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 5, processing similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is performed before the processing shown in FIG. 5. In this operation example, it is assumed that an air quality sensor 70 has been pre-assigned to the room to which the human presence sensor 60 is to be added. In this operation example, the predetermined device is the air quality sensor 70, and the sensors provided in each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c are new, unregistered human presence sensors 60. Therefore, the operation of the predetermined device corresponds to detection by the air quality sensor 70.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air quality sensor 70 detects air quality and transmits information indicating the detected sensor value to the control device 80. The control device 80 then acquires information indicating the sensor value from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals for each room (S21). In this operational example, the sensor value may indicate at least one of the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and particulate concentration for each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c.

Furthermore, the human presence sensor 60 can detect the presence of a person in a room as an example of a change in sensor value, and transmits human detection information to the control device 80. Therefore, the control device 80 continues to acquire human detection information from the human presence sensor 60 while a person is present in the room (S22). In other words, the control device 80 acquires information indicating that it has detected the presence of a new device (human presence sensor 60) in a specific room out of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c.

During the period during which the control device 80 continues to acquire human detection information from the human presence sensor 60, the control device 80 determines whether it has acquired information indicating a change in the sensor value based on the sensor value detected by the air quality sensor 70. Specifically, the control device 80 compares the sensor values acquired in time series based on the sensor values (information indicating the sensor values) acquired from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals during that period, and determines whether the change in the sensor value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. In other words, the control device 80 determines whether the human detection information acquired from the human presence sensor 60 and the change in the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 are synchronized (S23).

For example, when a person is present in a room, the carbon dioxide concentration in that room tends to increase due to the person's breathing, etc. Therefore, if a change in the sensor value based on the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 appears in synchronization with the start of acquisition of human detection information from the human presence sensor 60, that is, if the control device 80 determines that synchronization has occurred (YES in S23), it can determine that a new human presence sensor 60 has been installed in a specified room. For this reason, in Figure 5, it is not necessary to operate the specified devices assigned to each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c in sequence, as in step S11 in Figure 4.

The control device 80 assigns the new human presence sensor 60 to the specified room in which the new human presence sensor 60 is installed (S24). When the control device 80 determines that a new human presence sensor 60 has been installed in the room, it links the new human presence sensor 60 with the room in which the air quality sensor 70 is installed and registers them. In this way, the new human presence sensor 60 is automatically registered in the control device 80 of the central air-conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, if the human detection information acquired from the new human presence sensor 60 and the change in the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 are not synchronized, that is, if the control device 80 determines that they are not synchronized (NO in S23), this means that a new human presence sensor 60 has not been installed in the room where the air quality sensor 70 is installed. Therefore, the control device 80 returns the process to step S21. The control device 80 then ends the operation of FIG. 5 and returns from special mode to normal mode.

[Operation example 3]
In this operation example, the processing of the central air-conditioning system 10 when adding a ventilation device 51 and an air supply device 52 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing when adding a ventilation device 51 and an air supply device 52 as new devices to the central air-conditioning system 10 according to the embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same processing as in Fig. 3 is performed before the processing in Fig. 6.

Note that while Figure 6 illustrates an example in which a ventilation device 51 and an air supply device 52 are installed, only one of them may be installed. In this case, this operation example corresponds to the installed devices. In Figure 6, processes similar to those in Figure 5 are assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions are omitted where appropriate. In this operation example, it is assumed that an air quality sensor 70 has been pre-assigned to the room to which the ventilation device 51 and air supply device 52 are to be added. In this operation example, the specified device is the air quality sensor 70, and the new devices installed in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c are unregistered ventilation devices 51 and air supply devices 52. Therefore, the operation of the specified device corresponds to detection by the air quality sensor 70.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 80 acquires information indicating the sensor value from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals for each room (S21). In this operation example, the sensor value may indicate at least one of the temperature and particulate concentration for each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c.

The control device 80 controls the operation of the ventilation device 51 and the air supply device 52 (S32). For example, the control device 80 repeatedly turns the operation of the ventilation device 51 and the air supply device 52 on and off at predetermined time intervals, thereby changing the air quality in the room in which the ventilation device 51 and the air supply device 52 are installed.

When the control device 80 repeatedly turns the ventilation equipment 51 and the air supply equipment 52 on and off at predetermined time intervals, it compares the sensor values (information indicating the sensor values) acquired from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals, and determines whether the change in the sensor values is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. In other words, the control device 80 determines whether the control of the operation of the ventilation equipment 51 and the air supply equipment 52 is synchronized with the change in the sensor values (S33).

For example, when the ventilation equipment 51 and the air supply equipment 52 are operating, they exhaust and supply air into the room, causing changes in the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and particulate concentration such as PM2.5, i.e., the air quality of the room, to change. Therefore, if the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 changes in synchronization with the control of the operation of the ventilation equipment 51 and the air supply equipment 52, i.e., if it is determined that synchronization is occurring (YES in S33), the control device 80 can determine that a new ventilation equipment 51 and air supply equipment 52 have been installed in a specified room. Therefore, in Figure 6, it is not necessary to operate the specified devices assigned to each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c in sequence, as in step S11 in Figure 4.

The control device 80 assigns the new ventilation device 51 and air supply device 52 to the specified room in which the new ventilation device 51 and air supply device 52 are installed (S34). When the control device 80 determines that new ventilation device 51 and air supply device 52 have been installed in the room, it links and registers the new ventilation device 51 and air supply device 52 with the room in which the air quality sensor 70 is installed. In this way, the new ventilation device 51 and air supply device 52 are automatically registered in the control device 80 of the central air conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, if the control of the operation of the new ventilation equipment 51 and air supply equipment 52 is not synchronized with the change in the sensor value obtained from the air quality sensor 70, that is, if the control device 80 determines that there is no synchronization (NO in S33), this means that the new ventilation equipment 51 and air supply equipment 52 are not installed in the room where the air quality sensor 70 is installed. Therefore, the control device 80 returns the processing to step S21. The control device 80 then ends the operation of FIG. 6 and returns from special mode to normal mode.

[Operation Example 4]
In this operation example, the processing of the central air-conditioning system 10 when adding an air purifier 53 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing when adding an air purifier 53 as a new device to the central air-conditioning system 10 according to the embodiment. In Fig. 7, processing similar to that in Fig. 3 is performed before the processing in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, processing similar to that in Fig. 5 is assigned the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In this operation example, it is assumed that an air quality sensor 70 has been pre-assigned to the room to which the air purifier 53 is to be added. In this operation example, the specified device is the air quality sensor 70, and the new devices installed in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c are unregistered air purifiers 53. Therefore, the operation of the specified device corresponds to detection by the air quality sensor 70.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 80 acquires information indicating the sensor value from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals for each room (S21). In this operation example, the sensor value may indicate at least one of the temperature and particulate concentration for each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c.

The control device 80 controls the operation of the air purifier 53 (S42). For example, the control device 80 repeatedly turns the air purifier 53 on and off at predetermined time intervals, thereby changing the air quality in the room in which the air purifier 53 is installed.

When the control device 80 repeatedly turns the air purifier 53 on and off at predetermined time intervals, it compares the sensor values (information indicating the sensor values) acquired from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals, and determines whether the change in the sensor values is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. In other words, the control device 80 determines whether the control of the operation of the air purifier 53 is synchronized with the change in the sensor values (S43).

For example, when the air purifier 53 operates, it purifies the air by removing pollutants contained in the air in the room, which changes the carbon dioxide concentration and the concentration of fine particles such as PM2.5, i.e., changes the air quality in the room. Therefore, when the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 changes in synchronization with the control of the operation of the air purifier 53, that is, when it determines that synchronization is occurring (YES in S43), the control device 80 can determine that a new air purifier 53 has been installed in a specified room. Therefore, in Figure 7, it is not necessary to operate the specified devices assigned to each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c in sequence, as in step S11 in Figure 4.

The control device 80 assigns the new air purifier 53 to the room in which the new air purifier 53 is installed (S44). When the control device 80 determines that a new air purifier 53 has been installed in the room, it links the room in which the air quality sensor 70 is installed with the new air purifier 53 and registers them. In this way, the new air purifier 53 is automatically registered in the control device 80 of the central air-conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, if the control of the operation of the new air purifier 53 is not synchronized with the change in the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70, that is, if the control device 80 determines that there is no synchronization (NO in S43), this means that a new air purifier 53 has not been installed in the room where the air quality sensor 70 is installed. Therefore, the control device 80 returns the process to step S21. The control device 80 then ends the operation of FIG. 7 and returns from the special mode to the normal mode.

[Operation Example 5]
In this operation example, the processing of the central air-conditioning system 10 when an air purifier 54 equipped with an air quality sensor 70 is added will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing when an air purifier 54 equipped with an air quality sensor 70 is added as a new device to the central air-conditioning system 10 according to the embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same processing as in Fig. 3 is performed before the processing in Fig. 8.

In this operation example, it is assumed that a human presence sensor 60 has been pre-assigned to a room to which an air purifier 54 equipped with an air quality sensor 70 is to be added. In this operation example, the specified device is the human presence sensor 60, and the new devices installed in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c are unregistered air purifiers 54. Therefore, the operation of the specified device corresponds to detection by the human presence sensor 60.

As shown in FIG. 8, the human presence sensor 60 detects a person in the room and transmits human detection information indicating the presence of a person to the control device 80. Therefore, the control device 80 continues to acquire human detection information from the human presence sensor 60 while a person is present in the room (S51). In other words, the control device 80 acquires information indicating that it has detected the presence of a new device (human presence sensor 60) in a specific room among the multiple rooms 90a to 90c.

When the air quality sensor 70 of the air purifier 54 detects air quality, information indicating changes in the sensor value based on the sensor value detected by the air purifier 54 is transmitted to the control device 80. Therefore, the control device 80 acquires information indicating changes in the sensor value from the air quality sensor 70 at predetermined time intervals for each room (S52). In this operation example, the sensor value may indicate at least the carbon dioxide concentration for each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c.

During the period during which the control device 80 continues to acquire human detection information from the human presence sensor 60, the control device 80 compares the sensor values acquired over time based on information indicating the sensor values acquired from the air quality sensor 70 of the air purifier 54 at predetermined time intervals, and determines whether the change in the sensor value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. In other words, the control device 80 determines whether the human detection information acquired from the human presence sensor 60 and the change in the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 of the air purifier 54 are synchronized (S53).

For example, when a person enters or leaves a room, the carbon dioxide concentration in that room tends to increase due to the person's breathing, etc. Therefore, if a change in the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 of the air purifier 54 occurs in synchronization with the start of acquisition of human detection information from the human presence sensor 60, that is, if the control device 80 determines that synchronization has occurred (YES in S53), it can determine that an air purifier 54 equipped with a new air quality sensor 70 has been installed in a specific room. For this reason, in Figure 8, it is not necessary to operate the specific devices assigned to each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c in sequence, as in step S11 in Figure 4.

The control device 80 assigns the new air purifier 54 to the room in which the air purifier 54 equipped with the new air quality sensor 70 is installed (S54). When the control device 80 determines that a new air purifier 54 has been installed in the room, it links the room in which the human presence sensor 60 is installed with the new air purifier 54 and registers them. In this way, the new air purifier 54 is automatically registered in the control device 80 of the central air conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, if the human detection information acquired from the human sensor 60 and the change in the sensor value acquired from the air quality sensor 70 of the new air purifier 54 are not synchronized, that is, if the control device 80 determines that they are not synchronized (NO in S53), this means that a new air purifier 54 has not been installed in the room where the human sensor 60 is installed. Therefore, the control device 80 returns the process to step S51. The control device 80 then ends the operation of FIG. 8 and returns from the special mode to the normal mode.

<Action and effect>
Next, the effects of the central air-conditioning system 10 and the control method for the central air-conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

As described above, the central air conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment includes a control device 80, an air conditioner 21 controlled by the control device 80, a transport fan 23a that sends air temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner 21 through a duct, and an air outlet 23c provided in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c that takes in the air sent from the duct. When the control device 80 acquires information indicating a change in sensor value based on the sensor value detected by a sensor (e.g., air quality sensor 70, human presence sensor 60) provided in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c through the operation of a specific device (e.g., air outlet 23c) assigned to a specific room among the multiple rooms 90a-90c, the control device 80 assigns the sensor to the room in which the sensor value changed.

Accordingly, when a specific device assigned to a specific room operates, the sensor value detected by the sensor installed in the specific room changes. This makes it possible to link a specific room with a sensor installed in the specific room whose sensor value has changed.

Therefore, the central air conditioning system 10 can reduce the effort required for users to register.

In particular, this central air conditioning system 10 prevents users from making incorrect registrations, thereby preventing a decrease in the energy efficiency of the central air conditioning system 10.

In addition, in the control method for the central air-conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the central air-conditioning system 10 includes a control device 80, an air conditioner 21 controlled by the control device 80, a transport fan 23a that sends air temperature-adjusted by the air conditioner 21 through a duct, and an air outlet 23c provided in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c that takes in the air sent from the duct. The control method then assigns the sensor to the room in which the sensor value has changed when information indicating a change in sensor value is acquired based on the sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c through the operation of a specific device assigned to that specific room.

This method also achieves the same effects as described above.

In addition, in the central air conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the specified device is the air outlet 23c. Furthermore, when the control device 80 acquires information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a specified room among the multiple rooms 90a to 90c, it operates the air outlets 23c assigned to each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c in sequence, and when it acquires information indicating a change in sensor value based on the sensor value detected by the new sensor due to the operation of the air outlet 23c, it assigns the new sensor to the room whose sensor value changed due to the operation of the air outlet 23c.

Accordingly, when the air outlet 23c operates in sequence for each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c, the air quality in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c changes sequentially due to the operation of the air outlet 23c, and therefore the sensor value detected by the new sensor changes in the specific room where the new sensor is located. Therefore, even if a new sensor is added to a specific room, the new sensor can be easily linked to the specific room. This allows the new sensor to be automatically registered in the central air conditioning system 10.

In the central air-conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the specified device is the air outlet 23c. Furthermore, by sequentially operating the air outlets 23c assigned to each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c, the control device 80, when it acquires information indicating a change in sensor value based on the sensor value detected by a sensor pre-installed in the room due to the operation of the air outlet 23c, assigns the sensor pre-installed in the room to the room whose sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air outlet 23c.

As a result, when the air outlets 23c in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c operate in sequence, the air quality in each of the multiple rooms 90a-90c changes in sequence due to the operation of the air outlets 23c, and the sensor value detected by the sensor in the specific room where the sensor is installed changes. Therefore, even if the sensor is installed in a specific room, the sensor can be easily linked to the specific room. This allows the sensor installed in the room to be automatically registered in the central air conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, in the central air conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the specified device is a sensor. When the control device 80 acquires information indicating that a new device (such as the air quality sensor 70) has been detected in a specified room among the multiple rooms 90a-90c, and also acquires information indicating a change in the sensor value based on the sensor value detected by the sensor, the control device 80 assigns the new device to the room to which the sensor is assigned.

As a result, when a new device is added to a specified room, information indicating that the presence of the new device has been detected can be obtained. Therefore, if the control device 80 obtains information indicating a change in the sensor value in the specified room, it can link the specified room to the new device. Therefore, even when a new device is added to a specified room, it can easily be linked to the specified room. This allows new devices installed in a room to be automatically registered in the central air-conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, in the central air conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the sensor is an air quality sensor 70. The sensor value indicates at least one of the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and particulate concentration for each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c.

As a result, the sensor can detect at least one of the carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and particulate concentration in the room as a sensor value, and the control device 80 can obtain information indicating changes in the sensor value based on the obtained sensor value.

Furthermore, in the central air-conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the new device is a human presence sensor 60. The control device 80 acquires information indicating that the presence of the human presence sensor 60 has been detected in a specific room among the multiple rooms 90a to 90c, and if the control device 80 acquires information indicating a change in the sensor value based on the sensor value detected by the human presence sensor 60 during the period in which the control device 80 continues to acquire information indicating a change in the sensor value based on the sensor value detected by the air quality sensor 70, the control device 80 assigns the human presence sensor 60 to the room to which the air quality sensor 70 is assigned.

As a result, when a human presence sensor 60 is added to a specified room, information indicating that the presence of the human presence sensor 60 has been detected can be obtained. If information indicating a change in sensor value based on the sensor value detected by the air quality sensor 70 is obtained during a period in which information indicating a change in sensor value is continuously obtained from the human presence sensor 60, it is assumed that the human presence sensor 60 and the air quality sensor 70 are in the same room, and the specified room can be linked to the human presence sensor 60. Therefore, even if a human presence sensor 60 is added to a specified room, the human presence sensor 60 can be easily linked to the specified room. This allows new equipment installed in a room to be automatically registered in the central air-conditioning system 10.

Furthermore, in the central air conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the new equipment is at least one of a ventilation equipment 51, an air supply equipment 52, or an air purifier 53. The sensor is an air quality sensor 70. The sensor value indicates at least one of the temperature and particulate concentration of each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c.

As a result, the air quality sensor 70 can detect at least one of the temperature and particulate matter concentration in the room as sensor values, and the control device 80 can obtain information indicating changes in the sensor values based on the obtained sensor values.

In addition, in the central air conditioning system 10 according to this embodiment, the sensor is a human presence sensor 60 that can detect the presence of a person in a room as a change in the sensor value. The new device is an air purifier 54 that has an air quality sensor 70. The sensor value indicates at least the carbon dioxide concentration in each of the multiple rooms 90a to 90c.

As a result, the air quality sensor 70 installed in the air purifier 54 can detect at least the carbon dioxide concentration in the room as a sensor value, and the control device 80 can obtain information indicating changes in the sensor value based on the obtained sensor value.

(Other variations, etc.)
Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

For example, in the control methods for the air quality control system and central air conditioning system according to the above-described embodiments, the blacklist and whitelist may be obtained from a server via the Internet, or may be obtained via a memory card, etc., and may be updated at any time using these methods.

Furthermore, the central air conditioning systems and control methods for central air conditioning systems according to the above embodiments are typically realized as LSIs, which are integrated circuits. These may be implemented individually on individual chips, or may be integrated into a single chip that includes some or all of the components.

In addition, integrated circuits are not limited to LSIs, but may be realized using dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), which can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or reconfigurable processors, which allow the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI to be reconfigured, may also be used.

In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program appropriate for that component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

Furthermore, all numbers used above are examples used to specifically explain this disclosure, and embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the numbers shown as examples.

Furthermore, the division of functional blocks in the block diagram is one example; multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to other functional blocks. Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks with similar functions may be processed in parallel or time-shared by a single piece of hardware or software.

Furthermore, the order in which each step in the flowchart is performed is merely an example to specifically explain the present disclosure, and orders other than those described above may also be used. Furthermore, some of the steps may be performed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

In addition, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that would occur to those skilled in the art, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure.

10 Whole building air conditioning system 21 Air conditioning device 23a Transport fan (blower)
23b duct 23c air outlet (air intake, predetermined device)
51 Ventilation equipment (new equipment)
52 Air supply equipment (new equipment)
53, 54 Air purifier (new equipment)
60 Human presence sensor (sensor, specified device, new equipment)
70 Air Quality Sensors (sensors, existing devices, new equipment)
80 Control devices 90a to 90c Rooms

Claims (7)

a control device;
an air conditioner controlled by the control device;
a blower that sends the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct;
an air intake device provided in each of the plurality of rooms for taking in the air sent from the duct;
The control device
When information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms is acquired due to the operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, the sensor is assigned to the room in which the first sensor value has changed;
When information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms is acquired, the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms are operated in sequence, and when information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor as a result of the air intake devices operating in sequence is acquired, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the predetermined room and the new sensor installed in the predetermined room are linked and registered;
when acquiring information indicating that a new device has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms and acquiring information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigning the new device to the predetermined room in which the first sensor value has changed, and registering the predetermined room and the new device in association with each other;
the sensor is an air quality sensor;
the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of a carbon dioxide concentration, a temperature, and a particulate concentration in each of the plurality of rooms;
The new device is a human presence sensor,
The control device
acquiring information indicating that the presence of the human presence sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms;
When the human presence sensor acquires information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the air quality sensor during a period in which the human presence sensor continues to acquire human detection information indicating the presence of a person, the human presence sensor is assigned to the room to which the air quality sensor is assigned.
Air conditioning system throughout the building. a control device;
an air conditioner controlled by the control device;
a blower that sends the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct;
an air intake device provided in each of the plurality of rooms for taking in the air sent from the duct;
The control device
When information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms is acquired due to the operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, the sensor is assigned to the room in which the first sensor value has changed;
When information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms is acquired, the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms are operated in sequence, and when information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor as a result of the air intake devices operating in sequence is acquired, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the predetermined room and the new sensor installed in the predetermined room are linked and registered;
when acquiring information indicating that a new device has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms and acquiring information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigning the new device to the predetermined room in which the first sensor value has changed, and registering the predetermined room and the new device in association with each other;
The new device is at least one of a ventilation device, an air supply device, and an air purifier,
the sensor is an air quality sensor;
The first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of a temperature and a particulate concentration in each of the plurality of rooms.
Air conditioning system throughout the building . a control device;
an air conditioner controlled by the control device;
a blower that sends the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct;
an air intake device provided in each of the plurality of rooms for taking in the air sent from the duct;
The control device
When information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms is acquired due to the operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, the sensor is assigned to the room in which the first sensor value has changed;
When information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms is acquired, the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms are operated in sequence, and when information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor as a result of the air intake devices operating in sequence is acquired, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the predetermined room and the new sensor installed in the predetermined room are linked and registered;
when acquiring information indicating that a new device has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms and acquiring information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigning the new device to the predetermined room in which the first sensor value has changed, and registering the predetermined room and the new device in association with each other;
the sensor is an air quality sensor that measures the carbon dioxide concentration in a room ;
The new device is an air purifier,
The first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least a carbon dioxide concentration in each of the plurality of rooms.
Air conditioning system throughout the building . The control device operates the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms in sequence, and when the control device acquires information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor pre-installed in the room due to the operation of the air intake device, the control device assigns the sensor pre-installed in the room to the room in which the first sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device.A whole-building air conditioning system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 . a control device;
an air conditioner controlled by the control device;
a blower that sends the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct;
A method for controlling a central air-conditioning system including an air intake device provided in each of a plurality of rooms and taking in air sent from the duct,
The control device
When information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms is acquired due to the operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, the sensor is assigned to the room in which the first sensor value has changed;
When information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms is acquired, the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms are operated in sequence, and when information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor as a result of the air intake devices operating in sequence is acquired, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the predetermined room and the new sensor installed in the predetermined room are linked and registered;
when acquiring information indicating that a new device has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms and acquiring information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigning the new device to the predetermined room in which the first sensor value has changed, and registering the predetermined room and the new device in association with each other;
the sensor is an air quality sensor;
the first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of a carbon dioxide concentration, a temperature, and a particulate concentration in each of the plurality of rooms;
The new device is a human presence sensor,
The control device
acquiring information indicating that the presence of the human presence sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms;
When the human presence sensor acquires information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the air quality sensor during a period in which the human presence sensor continues to acquire human detection information indicating the presence of a person, the human presence sensor is assigned to the room to which the air quality sensor is assigned.
How to control a whole-building air conditioning system. a control device;
an air conditioner controlled by the control device;
a blower that sends the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct;
A method for controlling a central air-conditioning system including an air intake device provided in each of a plurality of rooms and taking in air sent from the duct,
The control device
When information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms is acquired due to the operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, the sensor is assigned to the room in which the first sensor value has changed;
When information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms is acquired, the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms are operated in sequence, and when information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor as a result of the air intake devices operating in sequence is acquired, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the predetermined room and the new sensor installed in the predetermined room are linked and registered;
when acquiring information indicating that a new device has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms and acquiring information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigning the new device to the predetermined room in which the first sensor value has changed, and registering the predetermined room and the new device in association with each other;
The new device is at least one of a ventilation device, an air supply device, and an air purifier,
the sensor is an air quality sensor;
The first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least one of a temperature and a particulate concentration in each of the plurality of rooms.
How to control a whole-building air conditioning system. a control device;
an air conditioner controlled by the control device;
a blower that sends the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner through a duct;
A method for controlling a central air-conditioning system including an air intake device provided in each of a plurality of rooms and taking in air sent from the duct,
The control device
When information indicating a change in a first sensor value based on a first sensor value detected by a sensor provided in each of the plurality of rooms is acquired due to the operation of an air intake device already assigned to a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, the sensor is assigned to the room in which the first sensor value has changed;
When information indicating that a new sensor has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms is acquired, the air intake devices assigned to each of the plurality of rooms are operated in sequence, and when information indicating a change in the second sensor value based on the second sensor value detected by the new sensor as a result of the air intake devices operating in sequence is acquired, the new sensor is assigned to the room in which the second sensor value has changed due to the operation of the air intake device, and the predetermined room and the new sensor installed in the predetermined room are linked and registered;
when acquiring information indicating that a new device has been detected in a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms and acquiring information indicating a change in the first sensor value detected by the sensor, assigning the new device to the predetermined room in which the first sensor value has changed, and registering the predetermined room and the new device in association with each other;
the sensor is an air quality sensor that measures the carbon dioxide concentration in a room;
The new device is an air purifier,
The first sensor value and the second sensor value indicate at least a carbon dioxide concentration in each of the plurality of rooms.
How to control a whole-building air conditioning system.