JP7811697B2 - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioning system.

Conventionally, in a highly insulated, airtight house with multiple rooms, an air conditioning system has been known in which at least one independently-provided air-conditioned room is provided to control the air conditioning within the air-conditioned room, and air supply ducts connect the air-conditioned room to each room, with controllers located in each room individually distributing and supplying conditioned room air (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-127845 A

In an air conditioning system that conditions air by transporting conditioned air from an air conditioner to each room through ducts, it is desirable to be able to grasp the increase or decrease in the number of people in at least one of the homes and rooms, and the timing of this increase or decrease. This is because people are a heat source that emits heat, and if the set temperature of the air conditioner and the airflow rate of the transport fan that transports conditioned air from the air conditioner to each room could be controlled in response to the increase or decrease in the number of people, it would be possible, for example, to save energy in the air conditioning system and prevent a decrease in occupant comfort.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning system that can grasp the increase or decrease in the number of people in at least one of the house and the rooms, and the timing of such increase or decrease, in order to promote energy conservation in the air conditioning system.

The air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner installed in an air-conditioned room in a residence and conditioning the air in the air-conditioned room, multiple transport fans that transport the air from the air-conditioned room to multiple living rooms independent of the air-conditioned room, and a system controller that controls the air conditioner and the transport fans . The system controller includes an entry/exit determination unit that determines entry and exit from each living room, a counting unit that counts the number of entry determinations and the number of exit determinations determined by the entry/exit determination unit, a data generation unit that tally and record the count values generated by the counting unit for each predetermined period, and an increase/decrease determination unit that determines an increase/decrease in the number of occupants in at least one of the residence and the living rooms and the timing of the increase/decrease based on the data generated by the data generation unit . The system controller also includes a living room temperature sensor that acquires the indoor temperature of each of the multiple living rooms and transmits the acquired information to the system controller, and a living room occupancy sensor that detects occupancy at the entrances and exits of each of the multiple living rooms and transmits the acquired information to the system controller. The entry/exit determination unit determines whether a person has entered the detected room when the room motion sensor detects human movement and the corresponding room temperature increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after the detection, and determines whether a person has left the detected room when the room motion sensor detects human movement and the corresponding room temperature decreases by more than the exit threshold within a predetermined time after the detection, thereby achieving the intended purpose.

The present invention provides an air conditioning system that can grasp the increase or decrease in the number of people in at least one of a house and a room, and the timing of such increase or decrease, in order to promote energy conservation in the air conditioning system.

1 is a system schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of a system controller and its peripherals according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a control according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a first calculation process. 10 is a flowchart showing a first air conditioning control content determination process. FIG. 10 is a schematic functional block diagram of a system controller and its peripherals according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a control according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a second calculation process. 10 is a flowchart showing a second air conditioning control content determination process.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment described below represents a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the components, their arrangement and connection, as well as the steps and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, any component not recited in an independent claim that represents the highest concept of the present invention will be described as an optional component. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
First, an air conditioning system according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a system schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to the present embodiment.

The air conditioning system includes transport fans 3a to 3d, collectively referred to as transport fans 3; air outlets 7a to 7d, collectively referred to as air outlets 7; room temperature sensors 11a to 11d, collectively referred to as room temperature sensors 11; room occupancy sensors 12a to 12d, collectively referred to as room occupancy sensors 12; air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14; air conditioner 9; system controller 10; and transport ducts 56a to 56d, collectively referred to as transport ducts 56.

The air conditioning system is installed in a residence 1. The residence 1 has multiple (four in this embodiment) living rooms 2a to 2d, collectively referred to as living rooms 2, as well as at least one air-conditioned room 18 that is independent of the living rooms 2. Here, a residence is a dwelling provided as a place for residents to live private lives, and living rooms 2 typically include a living room, dining room, bedroom, private room, children's room, etc. The living rooms served by the air-conditioning system may also include a toilet, bathroom, washroom, dressing room, etc.

The temperature of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 is controlled by an air conditioner 9 installed inside the air-conditioned room 18. The air conditioned in the air-conditioned room 18 is transported to rooms 2a to 2d by transport fans 3a to 3d.

Transport fan 3 transports air from air-conditioned room 18 to rooms 2, which are independent of air-conditioned room 18. Transport fans 3a to 3d are provided in air-conditioned room 18 corresponding to rooms 2a to 2d. Air from air-conditioned room 18 is transported by transport fan 3a to room 2a via transport duct 56a, by transport fan 3b to room 2b via transport duct 56b, by transport fan 3c to room 2c via transport duct 56c, and by transport fan 3d to room 2d via transport duct 56d. The number and combinations of each transport fan, each transport duct, and each room are not limited to those described above and may be different combinations.

Air outlet 7a is provided in room 2a, air outlet 7b in room 2b, air outlet 7c in room 2c, and air outlet 7d in room 2d. The combination of an air outlet 7 and a room 2 does not necessarily have to be a pair; multiple air outlets 7 may be installed for one room 2.

Living room temperature sensor 11a is installed in living room 2a, living room temperature sensor 11b in living room 2b, living room temperature sensor 11c in living room 2c, and living room temperature sensor 11d in living room 2d. Living room temperature sensor 11 is a sensor that acquires the indoor temperature (living room temperature) of each corresponding living room 2a-2d and transmits it to system controller 10. The combination of living room temperature sensor 11 and living room 2 does not necessarily have to be a pair; multiple living room temperature sensors 11 may be installed for one living room 2.

Room motion sensor 12a is provided in room 2a, room motion sensor 12b in room 2b, room motion sensor 12c in room 2c, and room motion sensor 12d in room 2d. Room motion sensors 12 are sensors that detect human movement at the entrances and exits of the corresponding rooms 2a to 2d and transmit the information to the system controller 10.

The air conditioner 9 conditions the air in the air-conditioned room 18 in the house 1. The air conditioner 9 cools or heats the air in the air-conditioned room 18 so that the temperature of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 reaches a set target temperature (air-conditioned room target temperature).

The air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14 is a sensor that acquires the temperature of the air in the air-conditioned room 18 and transmits the information to the system controller 10. The air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14 may be built into the air conditioner 9, but if it is built into the air conditioner 9, it will only be able to obtain information about the area around the air conditioner 9. It is preferable to install it independently of the air conditioner 9 so that information about the air-conditioned room 18 as a whole can be obtained.

The system controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire air conditioning system. The system controller 10 is wirelessly connected to the transport fans 3a to 3d, the room temperature sensors 11a to 11d, the room occupancy sensors 12a to 12d, the air-conditioned room temperature sensor 14, and the air conditioner 9. Connecting via wireless communication eliminates the need for complex wiring work. However, at least some of these may be connected via wired communication.

The system controller 10 controls the airflow rate of the transport fans 3a to 3b and the air conditioner 9. As a result, the air conditioned in the air-conditioned room 18 is transported to rooms 2a to 2d at the airflow rate set by the transport fans 3a to 3d. As a result, the indoor temperatures of rooms 2a to 2d approach the target temperatures for each room.

The functions of the system controller 10 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of the system controller 10 and its peripherals according to embodiment 1.

The system controller 10 has a number of people acquisition unit 118 and a control unit 110.

The number of occupants acquisition unit 118 acquires information about the number of occupants in residence 1. To explain one example of a method for acquiring occupancy information, for example, an input unit is provided within residence 1. The input unit has a user interface that can be operated by the residents of residence 1, and accepts occupancy information from the residents. The number of occupants acquisition unit 118 is communicatively connected to the input unit via wired or wireless communication, and acquires occupancy information input by the residents to the input unit. As another example of a method for acquiring occupancy information, the system controller 10 may have a storage unit as a memory, and occupancy information may be stored in advance in the storage unit, and the number of occupants acquisition unit 118 may acquire the occupancy information stored in the storage unit.

The control unit 110 includes an entry/exit determination unit 111, a counting unit 112, a data generation unit 113, an increase/decrease determination unit 114, and a set temperature change unit 115.

The entry/exit determination unit 111 determines whether a person has entered or left each of the rooms 2a-2d. Specifically, when a room human presence sensor 12 detects human movement and the indoor temperature of the room temperature sensor 11 corresponding to the detected room 2 increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after detection, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an entry determination for the detected room 2.

In this embodiment, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an entry determination for room 2a when human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12a and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 11a increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

Similarly, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an entry determination for room 2b when human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12b and the room temperature of the room temperature sensor 11b increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

Similarly, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an entry determination for room 2c when human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12c and the room temperature of the room temperature sensor 11c increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

Similarly, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an entry determination for room 2d when human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12d and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 11b increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

First, we will explain how the entry/exit determination unit 111 detects and determines human movement. The room human presence sensor 12 outputs an output signal based on human movement. For example, the greater the human movement, the larger the output signal the room human presence sensor 12 outputs. The entry/exit determination unit 111 determines that human movement has been detected if the output signal from the room human presence sensor 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined detection threshold. The detection threshold can be determined appropriately through experiments or simulations for each type of room human presence sensor so that human movement can be detected. This allows the entry/exit determination unit 111 to detect human movement. However, this alone does not determine whether a person has entered or left the room.

The entry/exit determination unit 111 therefore performs an entry determination for the detected occupant room 2 when human movement is detected and the indoor temperature of the room temperature sensor 11 corresponding to the detected occupant room 2 increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after detection. When a person enters a room, the indoor temperature of the room 2 corresponding to the person's entry rises due to the heat emitted by the person. In other words, if the indoor temperature corresponding to the detected occupant room 2 increases by more than the entry threshold within a predetermined time after human movement is detected, it can be determined that a person has entered the detected occupant room 2. The entry threshold and predetermined time can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations so that human entry can be determined.

In addition, if human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12 and the room temperature of the room temperature sensor 11 corresponding to the detected room 2 drops by more than the exit threshold within a predetermined time after detection, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an exit determination for the detected room 2.

In this embodiment, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an exit determination for room 2a when human movement is detected by the room occupancy sensor 12a and the room temperature measured by the room temperature sensor 11a drops by more than the exit threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

Similarly, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an exit determination for room 2b when human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12b and the room temperature of the room temperature sensor 11b drops by more than the exit threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

Similarly, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an exit determination for room 2c when human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12c and the room temperature of the room temperature sensor 11c drops by more than the exit threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

Similarly, the entry/exit determination unit 111 performs an exit determination for room 2d when human movement is detected by the room human presence sensor 12d and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 11d drops by more than the exit threshold within a predetermined time after detection.

When a person leaves a room, the indoor temperature of the corresponding room 2 decreases due to a decrease in the amount of heat emitted by the person. When a person leaves a room, the indoor temperature of the corresponding room 2 decreases due to a decrease in the amount of heat emitted by the person. In other words, if the indoor temperature corresponding to the detected room 2 within a predetermined time after human movement is detected decreases by more than the exit threshold, it can be determined that a person has left the detected room 2. The exit threshold and predetermined time can be determined appropriately through experiments or simulations so that it can be determined that a person has left the room. The entry/exit determination unit 111 may install cameras in each of rooms 2a-2d and determine entry/exit from camera footage.

The counting unit 112 counts the number of entry and exit determinations made by the entry/exit determination unit 111. The counting unit 112 counts the number of entry and exit determinations for each of the living rooms 2a to 2d.

The data generation unit 113 aggregates and records the count values generated by the counting unit 112 for each specified period.

For example, a specified period is one period when a day is divided into multiple parts. In this embodiment, as an example, a day is divided into 96 15-minute periods. That is, the first period is from 00:00:00 to 00:14:59, and the second period is from 00:15:00 to 00:29:59. The third to 96th periods are similarly set every 15 minutes, with the 95th period being from 23:30:00 to 23:44:59, and the 96th period being from 23:45:00 to 23:59:59. In this embodiment, as an example, one divided period is set to 15 minutes, but it does not have to be 15 minutes. The data generation unit 113 tally and record the count values by the counting unit 112 for each of the first to 96th periods.

The data generation unit 113 tally and record the count values for each of the rooms 2a-2d. In this embodiment, there are four rooms 2, rooms 2a-2d. That is, the data generation unit 113 tally the count values for each of the first through 96th periods for the four rooms 2a-2d. That is, the data generation unit 113 tally the count values for room 2a for each of the first through 96th periods, the count values for room 2b for each of the first through 96th periods, the count values for room 2c for each of the first through 96th periods, and the count values for room 2d for each of the first through 96th periods. The data generation unit 113 stores the tally data in the memory unit.

The data generation unit 113 also accumulates the count values for each of the first through ninety-sixth periods every day. For example, suppose the number of entry determinations for room 2a during the first period on the first day was 2. The data generation unit 113 calculates the number of entry determinations for room 2a during the first period at the end of the first day as 2. Then, suppose the number of entry determinations for room 2a during the first period on the second day as 3. The data generation unit 113 accumulates the number of entry determinations for room 2a during the first period on the first and second days, and calculates the number of entry determinations for room 2a during the first period at the end of the second day as 5. The data generation unit 113 similarly accumulates the number of entry determinations for room 2a during the first period from the third day onwards. The data generation unit 113 performs the accumulation in the same way for the second through ninety-sixth periods. The data generation unit 113 also performs the accumulation in the same way for rooms 2b, 2c, and 2d. The data generation unit 113 also performs the accumulation in the same way for the number of exit determinations.

The increase/decrease determination unit 114 determines the increase/decrease in the number of people in at least one of the residence 1 and the living room 2 for each of a plurality of predetermined periods, and the timing at which this increase/decrease occurred, based on the data generated by the data generation unit 113. In embodiment 1, the increase/decrease determination unit 114 determines the increase/decrease in the number of people in the residence 1 and the timing at which this increase/decrease occurred, and includes a residential movement determination unit 201.

The residential movement determination unit 201 determines the increase or decrease in the number of people in residence 1 for each of multiple predetermined periods and the timing of the increase or decrease, based on the data generated by the data generation unit 113. The determination method used by the residential movement determination unit 201 will be described in detail below.

First, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates a total room difference value for each of a plurality of predetermined periods using the total number of room entries, which is the sum of the number of entry determinations for all rooms during the predetermined period, and the total number of room exits, which is the sum of the number of exit determinations for all rooms during the predetermined period.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the residential movement determination unit 201 first calculates the total number of room entries for the first period, which is the total number of entry determinations for all rooms in the first period. The calculation formula for the total number of room entries for the first period is
Total number of entries into rooms in the first period = Number of entry determinations for room 2a in the first period + Number of entry determinations for room 2b in the first period + Number of entry determinations for room 2c in the first period + Number of entry determinations for room 2d in the first period.

Next, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates the total number of room entries for the second period, which is the total number of entry determinations for all rooms in the second period. The calculation formula for the total number of room entries for the second period is
Total number of entries into rooms during the second period = Number of entry determinations for room 2a during the second period + Number of entry determinations for room 2b during the second period + Number of entry determinations for room 2c during the second period + Number of entry determinations for room 2d during the second period.

Similarly, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates the total number of room entries for the third period through the total number of room entries for the 96th period, which is the sum of the number of entry determinations for all rooms for the third period through the 96th period.

Next, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates the total number of room exits for the first period, which is the total number of exits determined for all rooms in the first period. The calculation formula for the total number of room exits for the first period is
Total number of room exits in the first period = number of exit determinations for room 2a in the first period + number of exit determinations for room 2b in the first period + number of exit determinations for room 2c in the first period + number of exit determinations for room 2d in the first period.

Next, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates the total number of room exits for the second period, which is the total number of exits determined for all rooms in the second period. The calculation formula for the total number of room exits for the second period is
Total number of exits from rooms in the second period = Number of exit determinations for room 2a in the second period + Number of exit determinations for room 2b in the second period + Number of exit determinations for room 2c in the second period + Number of exit determinations for room 2d in the second period.

Similarly, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates the total number of room exits in the third period through the total number of room exits in the 96th period, which is the sum of the number of exit determinations for all rooms in the third period through the 96th period.

Next, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates the total room difference value. Specifically, the residential movement determination unit 201 first calculates the first period total room difference value, which is the total room difference value for the first period. The calculation formula for the first period total room difference value is
The difference value of all rooms in the first period = the number of entries into all rooms in the first period - the number of exits into all rooms in the first period.

Then, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates a second period total room difference value, which is a total room difference value for the second period. The calculation formula for the second period total room difference value is
Second period total room difference value = second period total room entry count - second period total room exit count.

Similarly, the residential movement determination unit 201 calculates the total room difference values for the third period to the 96th period, which are the total room difference values for the third period to the 96th period.

The residential movement determination unit 201 then determines, from among multiple predetermined periods, all of the predetermined periods located up to the number of top occupants in descending order of total room difference value as an increase in the number of people in House 1 and the timing at which that increase occurred. Specifically, the residential movement determination unit 201 sorts the first period total room difference value through the 96th period total room difference value in descending order of total room difference value. The residential movement determination unit 201 acquires the number of people in House 1 acquired by the number of people acquisition unit 118. The residential movement determination unit 201 determines, from among multiple predetermined periods located up to the number of top occupants in descending order of total room difference value as an increase in the number of people in House 1 and the timing at which that increase occurred.

For example, if the number of residents is four, the residential movement determination unit 201 determines that all of the specified periods that are ranked in the top four in order of largest total room difference value are the increase in the number of people in House 1 and the timing at which that increase occurred. If the 73rd total room difference value is one of the top four in order of largest total room difference value, the residential movement determination unit 201 determines that the increase in the number of people in House 1 and the timing at which that increase occurred are between 18:00:00, which is the 73rd period, and 18:14:59. The increase in the number of people in House 1 means that people have returned home to House 1, and the timing at which the increase occurred means the timing at which people returned home to House 1.

The residential movement determination unit 201 then determines all of the multiple predetermined periods, in descending order of total room difference value, up to the number of the top occupants, as times when the number of people in House 1 decreased and when that decrease occurred. Specifically, the residential movement determination unit 201 first sorts the first period total room difference value through the 96th period total room difference value in descending order of total room difference value. The residential movement determination unit 201 determines all of the predetermined periods, in descending order of total room difference value, up to the number of the top occupants, as times when the number of people in House 1 decreased and when that decrease occurred.

For example, if the number of residents is four, the residential movement determination unit 201 determines that all of the four specified periods with the smallest total room difference value are the time periods when the number of people in House 1 decreased and the time periods when the decrease occurred. If the 29th total room difference value is one of the four periods with the smallest total room difference value, the residential movement determination unit 201 determines that the 29th period, from 7:00:00 to 7:14:59, is the time period when the number of people in House 1 decreased and the time periods when the decrease occurred. A decrease in people in House 1 means that people have left House 1, and the time periods when the decrease occurred means that people have left House 1.

The set temperature change unit 115 changes the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 based on the determination result of the residential movement determination unit 201 (increase/decrease determination unit 114).

Specifically, the set temperature change unit 115 increases the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 by the increased temperature before the time to prepare to go out during the specified period determined by the residential movement determination unit 201 to be the time when the number of people in the residence 1 decreases and when this decrease occurs. The time to prepare to go out and the increased temperature can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations.

Here, we will explain the case where, for example, air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode during the Japanese summer and the set temperature change unit 115 does not increase the set temperature before the time to get ready to go out. Suppose that the number of people in House 1 decreases while air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode. Then, at the time the number of people in House 1 decreases, the amount of heat emitted by people inside House 1 decreases, causing the temperature of House 1 as a whole to decrease. In order to prevent the temperature of House 1 as a whole from decreasing, air conditioner 9 increases the set temperature after the number of people in House 1 decreases. However, because the set temperature is increased after the temperature of House 1 as a whole has started to decrease, the reduction in air conditioning energy occurs after the temperature of House 1 has started to increase.

Therefore, the set temperature change unit 115 increases the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 by the increased temperature when there is a decrease in the number of people in the house 1 and before the time to prepare to go out during the specified period determined by the residential movement determination unit 201 as the timing of the decrease. In other words, it is possible to increase the set temperature before the temperature of the entire house 1 starts to decrease, thereby expanding the reduction in air conditioning energy that accompanies a decrease in the number of people in the house 1. In other words, it is possible to save energy in the air conditioning system.

Next, we will explain a case where, for example, in the Japanese winter, the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation and the set temperature change unit 115 does not increase the set temperature before the time to get ready to go out. Suppose that a decrease in the number of people in House 1 occurs while the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation. Then, at the time the number of people in House 1 decreases, the amount of heat emitted by the people inside House 1 decreases, causing the temperature of House 1 as a whole to decrease. In order to prevent the temperature of House 1 as a whole from decreasing, the air conditioner 9 increases the set temperature after the number of people in House 1 decreases. However, because the set temperature is increased after the temperature of House 1 as a whole begins to decrease, a sudden increase in air conditioning energy occurs.

Therefore, the set temperature change unit 115 increases the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 by the increased temperature before the time to prepare to go out during the specified period determined by the residential movement determination unit 201 to be the time when the number of people in House 1 decreased and the decrease occurred. The increased temperature before the time to prepare to go out can be smaller than the increased temperature that would be obtained if the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 were not changed before the time to prepare to go out and instead was increased after the time when the number of people in House 1 decreased. In other words, it is possible to increase the set temperature before the temperature of the entire House 1 starts to decrease, preventing a sudden increase in air conditioning energy. In other words, energy savings can be achieved in the air conditioning system.

In addition, to save energy, the set temperature change unit 115 lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 by a reduction temperature when there is an increase in the number of people in the house 1 and before the return home preparation time during the specified period determined by the residential movement determination unit 201 as the timing of the increase. The return home preparation time and the reduction temperature can be determined appropriately through experiments or simulations.

Here, we will explain the case where, for example, air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode during the Japanese summer and the set temperature change unit 115 does not decrease the set temperature before the time people start getting ready to go home. Suppose that an increase in the number of people in House 1 occurs while air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode. Then, at the time the increase in people in House 1 occurs, the heat emitted by the people inside House 1 increases, causing the temperature of House 1 as a whole to tend to increase. In order to prevent the temperature of House 1 as a whole from increasing, air conditioner 9 decreases the set temperature after the increase in people in House 1 occurs. However, because the set temperature is decreased after the temperature of House 1 as a whole begins to increase, a sudden increase in air conditioning energy occurs.

Therefore, the set temperature change unit 115 lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 by the decrease temperature before the time to prepare for homecoming during the specified period determined by the residential movement determination unit 201 to be the time when an increase in the number of people in House 1 occurred. The decrease temperature before the time to prepare for homecoming can be smaller than the decrease temperature that would occur if the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 were not changed before the time to prepare for homecoming and instead was changed after the time when an increase in the number of people in House 1 occurred. In other words, it is possible to decrease the set temperature before the temperature of the entire House 1 starts to increase, preventing a sudden increase in air conditioning energy. In other words, energy savings can be achieved in the air conditioning system.

Next, we will explain a case where, for example, in the Japanese winter, the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation and the set temperature change unit 115 does not decrease the set temperature before the time to prepare to go home. Suppose that an increase in the number of people in House 1 occurs while the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation. Then, at the time the increase in the number of people in House 1 occurs, the amount of heat emitted by the people inside House 1 increases, causing the temperature of House 1 as a whole to tend to increase. In order to prevent the temperature of House 1 as a whole from tending to increase, the air conditioner 9 decreases the set temperature after the increase in the number of people in House 1 occurs. However, because the set temperature is decreased after the temperature of House 1 as a whole has begun to increase, the reduction in air conditioning energy occurs after the temperature of House 1 as a whole has begun to increase.

Therefore, the set temperature change unit 115 changes the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 lower by the decrease temperature before the increase in the number of people in House 1 and the preparation time for returning home during the specified period determined by the residential movement determination unit 201 to be the time when this increase occurred. In other words, it becomes possible to decrease the set temperature before the temperature of House 1 as a whole starts to increase, thereby expanding the reduction in air conditioning energy that accompanies an increase in the number of people in House 1. In other words, it is possible to achieve energy savings in the air conditioning system.

The functional blocks of the system controller 10 and control unit 110 can be realized as hardware using elements and mechanical devices such as a computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit), and as software using computer programs, etc., but here they are functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

In the above configuration, the control flow for embodiment 1 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 3. In the flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with the initial letter S. For example, S11 indicates a processing step. However, the magnitude of the numerical value indicating the processing step has no bearing on the processing order.

The number of occupants acquisition unit 118 acquires information about the number of occupants in house 1 (S11). The control unit 110 resets the elapsed time (S12). The control unit 110 starts measuring the elapsed time (S13). The data generation unit 113 tally and record the count values generated by the counting unit 112 for each specified period (S14).

If the elapsed time is not 24 hours, the data generation unit 113 continues generating data (No in S15 → S14). If the elapsed time is 24 hours, the control unit 110 increments the number of operating days by 1 (Yes in S15 → S16). The initial value of the number of operating days is 0. In other words, the control unit 110 increments the number of operating days from 0 to 1.

The control unit 110 performs a first calculation process (S17). The first calculation process will be described in detail using the flowchart shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the first calculation process.

The residential movement determination unit 201 calculates, for each of a plurality of predetermined periods, the total number of entries into each room in that predetermined period and the total number of exits from each room in that predetermined period based on the data generated by the data generation unit 113 (S21). The residential movement determination unit 201 calculates a total room difference value for each of a plurality of predetermined periods (S22).

The residential movement determination unit 201 sorts all the specified periods in descending order of the total room difference value (S23). The residential movement determination unit 201 acquires the number of residents of House 1 acquired by the number of people acquisition unit 118. The residential movement determination unit 201 determines all the specified periods with the highest total room difference value up to the highest number of residents as an increase in the number of people in House 1 and the timing when this increase occurred (S24).

The residential movement determination unit 201 sorts all the specified periods in ascending order of total room difference values (S25). The residential movement determination unit 201 determines all the specified periods, in descending order of total room difference values, up to the number of occupants with the highest number of residents as a decrease in the number of people in House 1 and the timing at which that decrease occurred (S26). This completes the first calculation process.

This allows you to understand the increase or decrease in the number of people in House 1 and the timing of when this increase or decrease occurred. It also allows you to understand in which specified period the increase or decrease in the number of people in House 1 occurred most frequently.

After performing the first calculation process, the control unit 110 performs a first air conditioning control content determination process (S18). The first air conditioning control content determination process will be explained in detail using the flowchart shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the first air conditioning control content determination process.

The set temperature change unit 115 determines that the number of people in the house 1 has decreased and that the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 should be increased by the increased temperature before the time to prepare to go out during the specified period determined by the residential movement determination unit 201 as the time when the decrease occurred (S31).

The set temperature change unit 115 determines to lower the set temperature of the air conditioner 9 by the decrease temperature when the residential movement determination unit 201 determines that an increase in the number of people in House 1 has occurred and before the time when people are preparing to return home during the specified period (S32). This completes the first air conditioning control content determination process.

The set temperature change unit 115 changes the set temperature in accordance with the details determined in the first air conditioning control details determination process. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in air conditioning energy. It also makes it possible to increase the reduction in air conditioning energy. In other words, it is possible to achieve energy savings in the air conditioning system. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress sudden temperature changes throughout the entire house 1, it is possible to suppress a decrease in comfort for the occupants of the house 1. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the occupants to manually change the set temperature, improving convenience for the occupants.

After performing the first air conditioning control content determination process, the control unit 110 returns to step S12. The control unit 110 repeats the processes of steps S12 to S18. In other words, the data generation unit 113 accumulates the count values for each of multiple predetermined periods every day, and performs the first calculation process and the first air conditioning control content determination process each day. As a result, the accuracy of determining the increase or decrease in the number of people in house 1 and the timing at which this increase or decrease occurred can be improved as the number of operating days increases, i.e., the operating time increases.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment relates to determining the increase or decrease in the number of people in the room 2 and the timing at which the increase or decrease occurs, and controlling the transport fan 3. The second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The system schematic diagram of the air conditioning system in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. The schematic functional block diagram of the system controller 10 and the control unit 110 in the second embodiment is partially different from that in the first embodiment.

The functions of the system controller 10 according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic functional block diagram of the system controller 10 and its peripherals according to embodiment 2.

The system controller 10 includes a control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes an entry/exit determination unit 111, a counting unit 112, a data generation unit 113, an increase/decrease determination unit 114, and an airflow volume change unit 116.

The entry/exit determination unit 111, counting unit 112, and data generation unit 113 are the same as in embodiment 1, so their explanation will be omitted. In embodiment 2, the first period to the 96th period are also used as examples of multiple predetermined periods.

The increase/decrease determination unit 114 determines the increase/decrease in the number of people in at least one of the house 1 and the living room 2 for each of a plurality of predetermined periods, and the timing at which this increase/decrease occurred, based on the data generated by the data generation unit 113. In embodiment 2, the increase/decrease determination unit 114 determines the increase/decrease in the number of people in living room 2, and the timing at which this increase/decrease occurred, and includes a room movement determination unit 202.

The room movement determination unit 202 determines the increase or decrease in the number of people in each of the rooms 2a-2d over multiple predetermined periods and the timing of the increase or decrease, based on the data generated by the data generation unit 113. The determination method used by the room movement determination unit 202 will be described in detail below.

First, for each of multiple predetermined periods, the room movement determination unit 202 performs a process to calculate a room difference value for each of rooms 2a to 2d using the total number of entries, which is the sum of the number of entry determinations during the predetermined period, and the total number of exits, which is the sum of the number of exit determinations during that predetermined period.

Here, in the data generated by the data generation unit 113, the total number of entry determinations for room 2a in the first period is referred to as the total number of entry determinations for room 2a in the first period. Similarly, the total number of entry determinations for room 2a in the second period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of entry determinations for room 2a in the second period through the 96th period. Similarly, the total number of entry determinations for room 2b in the first period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of entry determinations for room 2b in the first period through the 96th period. Similarly, the total number of entry determinations for room 2c in the first period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of entry determinations for room 2c in the first period through the 96th period. Similarly, the total number of entry determinations for room 2d in the first period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of entry determinations for room 2d in the first period through the 96th period.

Furthermore, in the data generated by the data generation unit 113, the total number of exit determinations for room 2a in the first period is referred to as the total number of exits for room 2a in the first period. Similarly, the total number of exit determinations for room 2a in the second period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of exits for room 2a in the second period through the 96th period. Similarly, the total number of exit determinations for room 2b in the first period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of exits for room 2b in the first period through the 96th period. Similarly, the total number of exit determinations for room 2c in the first period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of exits for room 2c in the first period through the 96th period. Similarly, the total number of exit determinations for room 2d in the first period through the 96th period is referred to as the total number of exits for room 2d in the first period through the 96th period.

First, the room change determination unit 202 performs a process of calculating a room difference value for the room 2a for each of a plurality of predetermined periods. The room change determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2a difference value, which is the room difference value for the room 2a in a first period. The calculation formula for the first period room 2a difference value is
First period room 2a difference value = first period room 2a total number of entries - first period room 2a total number of exits.

Next, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates a second period room 2a difference value, which is the room difference value for the room 2a in the second period. The calculation formula for the second period room 2a difference value is
Second period room 2a difference value = second period room 2a total number of entries - second period room 2a total number of exits.

Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates the room difference values for room 2a from the third period to the 96th period, that is, the third period room 2a difference value to the 96th period room 2a difference value.

Next, the room change determination unit 202 performs a process of calculating a room difference value for room 2b for each of a plurality of predetermined periods. The room change determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2b difference value, which is the room difference value for room 2b in the first period. The calculation formula for the first period room 2b difference value is
First period room 2b difference value = first period room 2b total number of entries - first period room 2b total number of exits.

Next, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates a second period room 2b difference value, which is the room difference value for the room 2b in the second period. The calculation formula for the second period room 2b difference value is
Second period room 2b difference value = second period room 2b total number of entries - second period room 2b total number of exits.

Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates the room difference values for room 2b from the third period to the 96th period, that is, the third period room 2b difference value to the 96th period room 2b difference value.

Next, the room change determination unit 202 performs a process of calculating a room difference value for room 2c for each of a plurality of predetermined periods. The room change determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2c difference value, which is the room difference value for room 2c in the first period. The calculation formula for the first period room 2c difference value is
First period room 2c difference value = first period room 2c total number of entries - first period room 2c total number of exits.

Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates the second period room 2c difference value to the 96th period room 2c difference value, which are the room difference values for room 2c from the second period to the 96th period.

Next, the room change determination unit 202 performs a process of calculating a room difference value for room 2d for each of a plurality of predetermined periods. The room change determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2d difference value, which is the room difference value for room 2d in the first period. The calculation formula for the first period room 2d difference value is
First period room 2d difference value = first period room 2d total number of entries - first period room 2d total number of exits.

Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates the second period room 2d difference value to the 96th period room 2d difference value, which are the room difference values for room 2d from the second period to the 96th period.

Next, the room movement determination unit 202 determines the increase or decrease in the number of people in each of the rooms 2a-2d over each of multiple predetermined periods, and the timing at which this increase or decrease occurred, based on the room difference value for each of the rooms 2a-2d and the number of operating days.

Specifically, first, the room movement determination unit 202 performs a process for each of rooms 2a to 2d to calculate a divided value by dividing the room difference value by the number of days of operation for each of multiple predetermined periods.

First, the room movement determination unit 202 performs a process in room 2a to calculate a divided value by dividing the room difference value by the number of days of operation for each of multiple predetermined periods.

The room movement determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2a division value by dividing the first period room 2a difference value, which is the room difference value for room 2a in the first period, by the number of operating days. The number of operating days is the number of operating days of the air conditioning system. The control unit 110 counts the number of operating days of the air conditioning system, which is the number of operating days.

Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates the second period room 2a division value through the 96th period room 2a division value by dividing the second period room 2a difference value through the 96th period room 2a difference value, which are the room difference values for room 2a in the second period through the 96th period, by the number of operating days.

Next, the room movement determination unit 202 performs a process for room 2b to calculate a division value by dividing the room difference value by the number of operating days for each of multiple predetermined periods. The room movement determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2b division value by dividing the first period room 2b difference value, which is the room difference value for room 2b in the first period, by the number of operating days. Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates second period room 2b division values through 96th period room 2b division values by dividing the second period room 2b difference value through 96th period room 2b difference value, which are the room difference values for room 2b in the second period through 96th periods, by the number of operating days.

Next, the room movement determination unit 202 performs a process for room 2c to calculate a division value by dividing the room difference value by the number of operating days for each of multiple predetermined periods. The room movement determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2c division value by dividing the first period room 2c difference value, which is the room difference value for room 2c in the first period, by the number of operating days. Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates second period room 2c division values through 96th period room 2c division values by dividing the second period room 2c difference value through 96th period room 2c difference value, which are the room difference values for room 2c in the second period through 96th periods, by the number of operating days.

Next, the room movement determination unit 202 performs a process for room 2d to calculate a division value by dividing the room difference value by the number of operating days for each of multiple predetermined periods. The room movement determination unit 202 calculates a first period room 2d division value by dividing the first period room 2d difference value, which is the room difference value for room 2d in the first period, by the number of operating days. Similarly, the room movement determination unit 202 calculates second period room 2d division values through 96th period room 2d division values by dividing the second period room 2d difference value through 96th period room 2d difference value, which are the room difference values for room 2d in the second period through 96th periods, by the number of operating days.

The room movement determination unit 202 then performs entry determination processing for each of rooms 2a-2d, determining that a predetermined period during which the divided value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold greater than zero is an increase in the number of people in room 2 and the timing at which this increase occurred. The entry determination threshold can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations.

The entry determination process will be explained in detail. Specifically, if the first period room 2a division value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when the number of people in room 2a increased and that this increase occurred. If the second period room 2a division value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the second period is the time when the number of people in room 2a increased and that this increase occurred. Similarly, if any of the third period room 2a division values through the 96th period room 2a division values is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the specified period corresponding to the division value equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold is the time when the number of people in room 2a increased and that this increase occurred.

Next, if the first period room 2b division value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when the number of people in room 2b increased and that this increase occurred. Similarly, if any of the second period room 2b division values through the 96th period room 2b division values is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the specified period corresponding to the division value equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold is the time when the number of people in room 2b increased and that this increase occurred.

Next, if the first period room 2c division value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when the number of people in room 2c increased and that this increase occurred. Similarly, if any of the second period room 2c division values through the 96th period room 2c division values is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the specified period corresponding to the division value equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold is the time when the number of people in room 2c increased and that this increase occurred.

Next, if the first period room 2d division value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when an increase in people in room 2d occurred and that this increase occurred. Similarly, if any of the second period room 2d division values through the 96th period room 2d division values is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the specified period corresponding to the division value equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold is the time when an increase in people in room 2d occurred and that this increase occurred. This completes the entry determination process.

Here, if the number of entry determinations into room 2 in a specified period is greater than the number of exit determinations from room 2 in that specified period, the divisor value will be greater than zero. Furthermore, the more entry determinations into room 2 in a specified period, the greater the divisor value. Furthermore, the fewer exit determinations from room 2 in a specified period, the greater the divisor value. Therefore, the room movement determination unit 202 determines a specified period in which the divisor value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold value greater than zero as an increase in the number of people in room 2 and the timing at which this increase occurred. An increase in the number of people in room 2 means that people have entered room 2, and the timing at which the increase occurred means the timing at which people entered room 2.

The room movement determination unit 202 then performs an exit determination process for each of rooms 2a-2d, determining that a predetermined period during which the divided value is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold (which is less than zero) is a decrease in the number of people in room 2 and the timing at which this decrease occurred. The exit determination threshold can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations.

The exit determination process will be explained in detail. Specifically, if the first period room 2a division value is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when the number of people in room 2a decreased and that this decrease occurred. If the second period room 2a division value is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the second period is the time when the number of people in room 2a decreased and that this decrease occurred. Similarly, if any of the third period room 2a division values through the 96th period room 2a division values has a division value equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the specified period corresponding to the division value equal to or less than the exit determination threshold is the time when the number of people in room 2a decreased and that this decrease occurred.

Next, if the first period room 2b division value is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when the number of people in room 2b decreased and that this decrease occurred. Similarly, if any of the second period room 2b division values through the 96th period room 2b division values is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the specified period corresponding to the division value equal to or less than the exit determination threshold is the time when the number of people in room 2b decreased and that this decrease occurred.

Next, if the first period room 2c division value is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when the number of people in room 2c decreased and that this decrease occurred. Similarly, if any of the second period room 2c division values through the 96th period room 2c division values is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the specified period corresponding to the division value equal to or less than the exit determination threshold is the time when the number of people in room 2c decreased and that this decrease occurred.

Next, if the first-period occupant room 2d division value is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the first period is the time when the number of people in room 2d decreased and that this decrease occurred. Similarly, if any of the second-period occupant room 2d division values through the 96th-period occupant room 2d division values is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that the predetermined period corresponding to the division value equal to or less than the exit determination threshold is the time when the number of people in room 2d decreased and that this decrease occurred. This completes the exit determination process. Here, if the number of exit determinations from room 2 in a predetermined period is greater than the number of entry determinations into room 2 in that predetermined period, the division value will be less than zero. Furthermore, the more exit determinations from room 2 in a predetermined period, the smaller the division value. Furthermore, the fewer entry determinations into room 2 in a predetermined period, the smaller the division value. Therefore, the room movement determination unit 202 determines that a predetermined period during which the division value is less than zero and equal to or less than the exit determination threshold is a decrease in the number of people in room 2 and the timing at which the decrease occurred. A decrease in the number of people in room 2 means that people have left room 2, and the timing at which the decrease occurred means the timing at which people have left room 2.

The airflow rate change unit 116 changes the airflow rate of the transport fan 3 based on the determination result of the room movement determination unit 202 (increase/decrease determination unit 114).

Specifically, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 increases the airflow rate of the transport fan 3 that transports air to the room 2 corresponding to the determined result of an increase in the number of people in the room 2 and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the predetermined period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred. The entry preparation time can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling mode, the airflow rate change unit 116 increases the airflow rate of the transport fan 3a that transports air to the room 2a corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in room 2a and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time of the specified period determined to be the time at which the increase occurred, in order to suppress a sudden increase in transport fan energy due to an increase in the number of people in room 2a.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 increases the airflow rate of the transport fan 3b that transports air to the room 2b corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in the room 2b and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 increases the airflow rate of the transport fan 3c that transports air to the room 2c corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in the room 2c and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 increases the airflow rate of the transport fan 3d that transports air to the room 2d corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in the room 2d and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred.

Here, we will explain a case where, for example, in the Japanese summer, the air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode and the airflow rate change unit 116 does not increase the airflow rate before the entry preparation time. Suppose that someone enters room 2 while the air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode. Then, at the time the number of people in room 2 increases, the heat generated by the people is added to room 2, causing the temperature in room 2 to tend to increase. In order to prevent the temperature in room 2 from increasing, the transport fan 3 increases its airflow rate after the increase in people in room 2 occurs. However, because the airflow rate is increased after the temperature in room 2 begins to increase, a sudden increase in transport fan energy occurs.

Therefore, the airflow volume change unit 116 increases the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 before the entry preparation time of the specified period determined by the room movement determination unit 202 to be the time when an increase in the number of people in room 2 occurs. The increase in the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 before the entry preparation time can be smaller than the increase if the airflow volume were not increased before the entry preparation time and instead increased after the time when an increase in the number of people in room 2 occurs. In other words, it is possible to increase the airflow volume before the temperature in room 2 starts to increase, which prevents a sudden increase in the transport fan energy. In other words, energy savings can be achieved in the air conditioning system.

In addition, in order to increase the reduction in transport fan energy associated with a decrease in the number of occupants in room 2, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling mode, the airflow volume change unit 116 reduces the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 that transports air to room 2 corresponding to the determination of the decrease in the number of occupants in room 2 and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the exit preparation time of the specified period at which the decrease in the number of occupants in room 2 and the timing at which the decrease occurred. The exit preparation time can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 reduces the airflow volume of the transport fan 3a that transports air to the room 2a corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2a and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 reduces the airflow rate of the transport fan 3b that transports air to the room 2b corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2b and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 reduces the airflow rate of the transport fan 3c that transports air to the room 2c corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2c and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 reduces the airflow rate of the transport fan 3d that transports air to the room 2d corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2d and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Here, we will explain a case where, for example, in the Japanese summer, the air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode and the airflow rate change unit 116 does not reduce the airflow rate before the room exit preparation time. Suppose that people leave room 2 while the air conditioner 9 is operating in cooling mode. Then, at the time the number of people in room 2 decreases, the amount of heat emitted by the people in room 2 decreases, causing the temperature in room 2 to start decreasing. In order to prevent the temperature in room 2 from starting to decrease, the transport fan 3 reduces its airflow rate after the number of people in room 2 decreases. However, because the airflow rate is reduced after the temperature in room 2 starts to decrease, the reduction in transport fan energy occurs after the temperature in room 2 starts to decrease.

Therefore, the airflow volume change unit 116 reduces the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 when the number of people in room 2 decreases and before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined by the room movement determination unit 202 to be the time when this decrease occurred. In other words, it is possible to reduce the airflow volume before the temperature in room 2 starts to decrease, thereby amplifying the reduction in transport fan energy associated with a decrease in the number of people in room 2. In other words, it is possible to save energy in the air conditioning system.

Furthermore, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 reduces the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 that transports air to the room 2 corresponding to the determined result of an increase in the number of people in the room 2 and the timing at which that increase occurred, before the entry preparation time of the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred, in order to increase the reduction in transport fan energy associated with a decrease in the number of people in the room 2. The entry preparation time can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 reduces the airflow volume of the transport fan 3a that transports air to the room 2a corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in the room 2a and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 reduces the airflow rate of the transport fan 3b that transports air to the room 2b corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in room 2b and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 reduces the airflow rate of the transport fan 3c that transports air to the room 2c corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in the room 2c and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 reduces the airflow rate of the transport fan 3d that transports air to the living room 2d corresponding to the determined result of the increase in the number of people in the living room 2d and the timing at which the increase occurred, before the entry preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the increase occurred.

Here, we will explain a case where, for example, in the Japanese winter, the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation and the airflow rate change unit 116 does not reduce the airflow rate before the entry preparation time. Suppose that someone enters room 2 while the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation. Then, at the time the number of people in room 2 increases, the heat generated by the people is added to room 2, causing the temperature in room 2 to tend to increase. To prevent the temperature in room 2 from increasing, the transport fan 3 reduces its airflow rate after the increase in people in room 2 occurs. However, because the airflow rate is reduced after the temperature in room 2 starts to increase, the reduction in transport fan energy occurs after the temperature in room 2 starts to increase.

Therefore, the airflow volume change unit 116 reduces the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 before the increase in occupants in room 2 and the entry preparation time within the specified period determined by the room movement determination unit 202 as the timing of this increase. In other words, it is possible to reduce the airflow volume before the temperature in room 2 starts to increase, thereby amplifying the reduction in transport fan energy associated with an increase in occupancy in room 2. In other words, it is possible to save energy in the air conditioning system.

Furthermore, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 increases the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 that transports air to the room 2 corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in occupancy in the room 2 and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the exit preparation time of the specified period determined to be the time at which the decrease occurred, in order to suppress a sudden increase in transport fan energy due to a decrease in occupancy in the room 2. The exit preparation time can be determined as appropriate through experiments or simulations.

In this embodiment, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 increases the airflow volume of the transport fan 3a that transports air to the room 2a corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2a and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 increases the airflow volume of the transport fan 3b that transports air to the room 2b corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2b and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 increases the airflow volume of the transport fan 3c that transports air to the room 2c corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2c and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Similarly, when the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, the airflow volume change unit 116 increases the airflow volume of the transport fan 3d that transports air to the room 2d corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in the number of people in the room 2d and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the room exit preparation time within the specified period determined to be the timing at which the decrease occurred.

Here, we will explain a case where, for example, in the Japanese winter, the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation and the airflow volume change unit 116 does not increase the airflow volume before the room exit preparation time. Suppose that people leave room 2 while the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation. Then, at the moment the number of people in room 2 decreases, the amount of heat emitted by the people in room 2 decreases, causing the temperature of room 2 to decrease. To prevent the temperature in room 2 from decreasing, the transport fan 3 increases its airflow volume after the number of people in room 2 decreases. However, because the airflow volume is increased after the temperature in room 2 begins to decrease, a sudden increase in transport fan energy occurs.

Therefore, the airflow volume change unit 116 increases the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 before the exit preparation time of the specified period determined by the room movement determination unit 202 as the decrease in occupancy in room 2 and the timing at which this decrease occurred. The increase in the airflow volume of the transport fan 3 before the exit preparation time can be smaller than the increase if the airflow volume were not increased before the exit preparation time and instead increased after the timing at which the decrease in occupancy in room 2 occurred. In other words, it is possible to increase the airflow volume before the temperature in room 2 starts to decrease, which prevents a sudden increase in the transport fan energy. In other words, energy savings can be achieved in the air conditioning system.

In the above configuration, the control flow for embodiment 2 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 7.

The control unit 110 resets the elapsed time (S41). The control unit 110 starts measuring the elapsed time (S42). The data generation unit 113 tally and record the count values generated by the counting unit 112 every predetermined period (S43).

If the elapsed time is not 24 hours, the data generation unit 113 continues generating data (No in S44 → S43). If the elapsed time is 24 hours, the control unit 110 increments the number of operating days by 1 (Yes in S44 → S45). The initial value of the number of operating days is 0. In other words, the control unit 110 increments the number of operating days from 0 to 1.

The control unit 110 performs a second calculation process (S46). The second calculation process will be described in detail using the flowchart shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the second calculation process.

For each of multiple predetermined periods, the room movement determination unit 202 performs a process to calculate a room difference value for each of rooms 2a to 2d using the total number of entries, which is the sum of the number of entry determinations during the predetermined period, and the total number of exits, which is the sum of the number of exit determinations during the predetermined period (S51).

The room movement determination unit 202 performs a process for each of the rooms 2a-2d to calculate a divided value by dividing the room difference value by the number of operating days for each of a plurality of predetermined periods (S52). The room movement determination unit 202 performs an entry determination process for each of the rooms 2a-2d to determine that a predetermined period in which the divided value is equal to or greater than the entry determination threshold is an increase in the number of people in the room 2 and the timing at which this increase occurred (S53). The room movement determination unit 202 performs an exit determination process for each of the rooms 2a-2d to determine that a predetermined period in which the divided value is equal to or less than the exit determination threshold is a decrease in the number of people in the room 2 and the timing at which this decrease occurred (S54). This completes the second calculation process.

This makes it possible to grasp the increase or decrease in the number of people in each of the rooms 2a-2d and the timing of this increase or decrease. It also makes it possible to grasp in which predetermined period of time the increase or decrease in the number of people in each of the rooms 2a-2d occurs most frequently.

After performing the second calculation process, the control unit 110 performs the second air conditioning control content determination process (S47). The second air conditioning control content determination process will be explained in detail using the flowchart shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the second air conditioning control content determination process.

The control unit 110 checks whether the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation (S61). If the air conditioner 9 is in cooling operation, the airflow rate change unit 116 performs airflow transfer fan determination processing (Yes in S61 → S62). As the airflow transfer fan determination processing, the airflow rate change unit 116 performs the following. The airflow rate change unit 116 determines to increase the airflow rate of the transfer fan 3 that transfers air to the room 2 corresponding to the determination result of the increase in occupancy in the room 2 and the timing of the increase, before the entry preparation time of the predetermined period determined to be the timing when the increase occurred. Furthermore, the airflow rate change unit 116 determines to decrease the airflow rate of the transfer fan 3 that transfers air to the room 2 corresponding to the determination result of the decrease in occupancy in the room 2 and the timing of the decrease, before the exit preparation time of the predetermined period determined to be the timing when the decrease occurred.

If the air conditioner 9 is not in cooling operation, the control unit 110 determines that the air conditioner 9 is in heating operation, and the airflow rate change unit 116 performs heating conveying fan determination processing (No in S61 → S63). As part of the heating conveying fan determination processing, the airflow rate change unit 116 performs the following: In order to amplify the reduction in conveying fan energy due to a decrease in occupancy in room 2, the airflow rate change unit 116 determines to reduce the airflow rate of the conveying fan 3 that conveys air to the room 2 corresponding to the determination result of an increase in occupancy in room 2 and the timing of the increase, before the entry preparation time of the specified period determined to be the timing when the increase occurred. Furthermore, the airflow rate change unit 116 determines to increase the airflow rate of the conveying fan 3 that conveys air to the room 2 corresponding to the determination result of a decrease in occupancy in room 2 and the timing of the decrease, before the exit preparation time of the specified period determined to be the timing when the decrease occurred. This completes the second air conditioning control content determination processing.

The airflow volume change unit 116 changes the airflow volume in accordance with the content determined in the second air conditioning control content determination process. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in transport fan energy. It also makes it possible to increase the reduction in transport fan energy. In other words, it is possible to achieve energy savings in the air conditioning system. Furthermore, since it is possible to suppress sudden temperature changes in room 2, it is possible to suppress a decrease in comfort for the occupants in room 2. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the occupants to manually change the airflow volume, improving convenience for the occupants.

After performing the second air conditioning control content determination process, the control unit 110 returns to step S41. The control unit 110 repeats the processes of steps S41 to S47. In other words, the data generation unit 113 accumulates the count values for each of multiple predetermined periods every day, and performs the second calculation process and the second air conditioning control content determination process each day. As a result, the accuracy of determining the increase or decrease in the number of occupants in room 2 and the timing at which this increase or decrease occurred can be improved as the number of operating days increases, i.e., the operating time increases.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments, and it is readily apparent that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

For example, although the control content of the system controller 10 has been described independently for the first and second embodiments, the system controller 10 may perform control that combines the control content of the first and second embodiments. This allows for further energy savings in the air conditioning system. It also makes it possible to further prevent a decrease in occupant comfort. It also makes it possible to further improve occupant convenience.

Furthermore, the number of occupants information stored in the storage unit may be preset to a value obtained by multiplying the number of predetermined periods by a predetermined ratio. In this embodiment, the predetermined ratio is set to 5%, and the following is given:
Number of occupants information = number of multiple specified periods × specified ratio = 96 × 0.05
= 4.8
This becomes:
For example, this number is rounded off and set in advance as 5. The number-of-residents information acquisition unit 118 acquires 5 as the number-of-residents information from the storage unit.

In addition, in this embodiment, the transport fans 3 are provided in correspondence with the number of rooms 2, but the number may be less than the number of rooms 2. For example, one transport fan 3 may transport air to both rooms 2a and 2b, and a second transport fan may transport air to both rooms 2c and 2d. In this case, the sum of the room 2a differential value and the room 2b differential value is set as the room 2ab differential value, and the room movement determination unit 202 determines the increase or decrease in the number of people in rooms 2a and 2b and the timing of this increase or decrease based on the room 2ab differential value and the number of days of operation. The airflow volume change unit 116 changes the airflow volume of the first transport fan 3 based on the increase or decrease in the number of people in rooms 2a and 2b and the timing of this increase or decrease. Similarly, the sum of the room 2c difference value and the room 2d difference value is set to the room 2cd difference value, and the room movement determination unit 202 determines the increase or decrease in the number of people in rooms 2c and 2d and the timing of this increase or decrease based on the room 2cd difference value and the number of operating days. The airflow volume change unit 116 changes the airflow volume of the second transport fan 3 based on the increase or decrease in the number of people in rooms 2c and 2d and the timing of this increase or decrease. This simplifies the configuration.

In addition, instead of the set temperature change unit 115 that changes the set temperature of the air conditioner 9, a set air volume change unit that changes the air volume of the air conditioner 9 may be provided. During heating operation, the set air volume change unit increases the air volume instead of raising the set temperature, and decreases the air volume instead of lowering the set temperature. Furthermore, during cooling operation, the set air volume change unit decreases the air volume instead of raising the set temperature, and increases the air volume instead of lowering the set temperature. This makes it possible to control using the air volume of the air conditioner 9.

(Summary of the Invention)
The air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner installed in an air-conditioned room in a home and conditioning the air in the air-conditioned room, multiple transport fans that transport the air from the air-conditioned room to multiple living rooms independent of the air-conditioned room, and a system controller that controls the air conditioner and the transport fans. The system controller also includes an entry/exit determination unit that determines entry and exit from each living room, a counting unit that counts the number of entry determinations and the number of exit determinations determined by the entry/exit determination unit, a data generation unit that tally and records the count values generated by the counting unit for each predetermined period, and an increase/decrease determination unit that determines an increase/decrease in the number of occupants in at least one of the home and the living rooms and the timing of the increase/decrease for each of the predetermined periods based on the data generated by the data generation unit. This makes it possible to grasp the increase/decrease in the number of occupants in at least one of the home and the living rooms and the timing of the increase/decrease, in order to promote energy conservation of the air conditioning system.

The specified period may also be one of several periods when a day is divided into multiple parts. This makes it possible to determine at what point in a day's multiple parts an increase or decrease in the number of people in at least one of the house and the rooms occurs.

The system may further include a room temperature sensor that acquires the indoor temperature of each of a plurality of rooms and transmits the acquired temperature data to the system controller, and a room occupancy sensor that detects human movement at the entrances and exits of each of the plurality of rooms and transmits the acquired temperature data to the system controller. The entry/exit determination unit may perform an entry determination for the detected room if the room occupancy sensor detects human movement and the indoor temperature corresponding to the detected room increases by an entry threshold or more within a predetermined time period after the detection, and may perform an exit determination for the detected room if the room occupancy sensor detects human movement and the indoor temperature corresponding to the detected room decreases by an exit threshold or more within a predetermined time period after the detection. This allows for the detection of an occupant's entry into the room. Furthermore, this system may also allow for the detection of an occupant's exit from the room. The increase/decrease determination unit may determine an increase/decrease in the occupancy of the residence and the timing of the increase/decrease, and the increase/decrease determination unit may include a residential movement determination unit that determines an increase/decrease in the occupancy of the residence and the timing of the increase/decrease based on the data generated by the data generation unit. This allows for the detection of an increase/decrease in the occupancy of the residence and the timing of the increase/decrease.

The system may also include a number acquisition unit that acquires information about the number of residents in the residence, and the residential movement determination unit may calculate an all-room difference value for each of a plurality of specified periods based on the total number of room entries, which is the sum of the number of entry determinations for all rooms in the specified period, and the total number of room exits, which is the sum of the number of exit determinations for all rooms in that specified period. The system may determine, among the plurality of specified periods, all of the specified periods ranked in descending order of the total room difference value up to the number of residents as an increase in the number of residents in the residence and times when that increase occurred, and may determine, among the plurality of specified periods ranked in descending order of the total room difference value up to the number of residents as a decrease in the number of residents in the residence and times when that decrease occurred. This makes it possible to determine increases or decreases in the number of residents in the residence and the times when those increases or decreases occurred. It may also be possible to determine which specified periods are experiencing the most increases or decreases in the number of residents in the residence.

The increase/decrease determination unit may also be configured to determine whether the number of people in the home has increased or decreased and the timing at which this occurred, and may include a set temperature change unit that changes the set temperature of the air conditioner based on the determination results of the increase/decrease determination unit. This allows the increase/decrease in the number of people in the home and the timing at which this occurred to be determined, and the set temperature of the air conditioner to be adjusted to correspond to the increase/decrease in the home.

Furthermore, to save energy, the set temperature change unit may change the set temperature of the air conditioner higher by the increase temperature before the time to prepare to go out during the specified period determined by the increase/decrease determination unit to be the time when the number of occupants in the home decreases and when that decrease occurs, and may change the set temperature of the air conditioner lower by the decrease temperature before the time to prepare to go home during the specified period determined by the increase/decrease determination unit to be the time when the number of occupants in the home increases and when that increase occurs. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in air conditioning energy. In other words, it is possible to save energy in the air conditioning system. Furthermore, because sudden temperature changes in the home can be suppressed, a decrease in comfort for the occupants of the home can be suppressed. Furthermore, there is no need for the occupants to manually change the set temperature, improving convenience for the occupants.

The increase/decrease determination unit may also determine the increase/decrease in the number of people in a room and the timing at which this increase/decrease occurred, and the increase/decrease determination unit may also include a room movement determination unit that determines the increase/decrease in the number of people in each room for each of a plurality of predetermined periods and the timing at which this increase/decrease occurred, based on the data generated by the data generation unit. This makes it possible to determine the increase/decrease in the number of people in a room and the timing at which this increase/decrease occurred.

The room movement determination unit may also perform a process for each room during each of a plurality of predetermined periods to calculate a room difference value using the total number of entries, which is the sum of the number of entry determinations during the predetermined period, and the total number of exits, which is the sum of the number of exit determinations during that predetermined period, and determine the increase or decrease in the number of people in each room during each of the plurality of predetermined periods and the timing at which this increase or decrease occurred based on the room difference value and the number of operating days for each room. This makes it possible to determine the increase or decrease in the number of people in the room and the timing at which this increase or decrease occurred.

The room movement determination unit also performs a process for each room to calculate a divided value by dividing the room difference value by the number of operating days for each of multiple specified periods, and performs an entry determination process for each room to determine that a specified period in which the divided value is equal to or greater than an entry determination threshold greater than zero is an increase in the number of people in the room and the timing at which this increase occurred, and performs an exit determination process for each room to determine that a specified period in which the divided value is equal to or less than an exit determination threshold less than zero is a decrease in the number of people in the room and the timing at which this decrease occurred. This makes it possible to determine the increase or decrease in the number of people in the room and the timing at which this increase or decrease occurred. It also makes it possible to determine which specified periods are experiencing the most increases or decreases in the number of people in the room.

The increase/decrease determination unit may also be equipped with an airflow volume change unit that determines whether the number of people in the room has increased or decreased and the timing at which this occurred, and changes the airflow volume of the transport fan based on the determination results of the increase/decrease determination unit. This makes it possible to determine whether the number of people in the room has increased or decreased and the timing at which this occurred, and to adjust the airflow volume of the transport fan to correspond to the increase/decrease in the number of people in the room.

In addition, when the air conditioner is in cooling operation, the airflow volume change unit increases the airflow volume of the transport fan that transports air to the room corresponding to the determined result of an increase in the number of people in the room and the timing of the increase, before the entry preparation time of the specified period determined to be the timing when the increase occurred, in order to suppress a sudden increase in the transport fan energy due to an increase in the number of people in the room, and decreases the airflow volume of the transport fan that transports air to the room corresponding to the determined result of a decrease in the number of people in the room and the timing of the decrease, before the exit preparation time of the specified period determined to be the timing when the decrease occurred, in order to increase the decrease in the transport fan energy due to a decrease in the number of people in the room. In addition, when the air conditioner is in heating operation, the airflow rate of the transport fan that delivers air to the room corresponding to the determined increase in occupancy and the timing of the increase may be reduced before the entry preparation time of the predetermined period determined to be the time when the increase in occupancy occurred, in order to increase the reduction in transport fan energy associated with an increase in occupancy in the room. Furthermore, the airflow rate of the transport fan that delivers air to the room corresponding to the determined decrease in occupancy and the timing of the decrease may be increased before the exit preparation time of the predetermined period determined to be the time when the decrease in occupancy occurred, in order to suppress a sudden increase in transport fan energy associated with a decrease in occupancy in the room. This suppresses a sudden increase in transport fan energy and also increases the reduction in transport fan energy. This results in energy savings for the air conditioning system. Furthermore, by suppressing sudden temperature changes in the room, a decrease in comfort for the occupants in the room can be suppressed. Furthermore, the occupants do not need to manually adjust the airflow rate, improving convenience for the occupants.

The present invention is useful as an air conditioning system equipped with an air conditioner and a conveying fan.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 House 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Living room 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d Transport fan 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d Air outlet 9 Air conditioner 10 System controller 11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Living room temperature sensor 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Living room occupancy sensor 14 Air-conditioned room temperature sensor 18 Air-conditioned room 56, 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d Transport duct 110 Control unit 111 Entry/exit determination unit 112 Counting unit 113 Data generation unit 114 Increase/decrease determination unit 115 Set temperature change unit 116 Air flow rate change unit 118 Number of people acquisition unit 201 Household movement determination unit 202 Room movement determination unit

Claims (5)

an air conditioner that is installed in an air-conditioned room in the house and conditions the air in the air-conditioned room;
a plurality of conveying fans that convey air from the air-conditioned room to a plurality of rooms independent of the air-conditioned room; and a system controller that controls the air conditioners and the conveying fans;
The system controller
an entry/exit determination unit that determines entry and exit from each room;
a counting unit that counts the number of entry determinations and the number of exit determinations determined by the entry /exit determination unit;
a data generating unit that aggregates and records the count values generated by the counting unit for each predetermined period;
an increase/decrease determination unit that determines an increase/decrease in the number of people in at least one of the house and the living room during each of the plurality of predetermined periods and the timing at which the increase/decrease occurred, based on the data generated by the data generation unit ;
a room temperature sensor that acquires the room temperature of each of the plurality of rooms and transmits the acquired room temperature to the system controller;
a room motion sensor that detects human movement at an entrance or exit of each of the plurality of rooms and transmits the detected movement to the system controller;
The entry/exit determination unit
When the room motion sensor detects the human movement and the indoor temperature corresponding to the detected room increases by more than an entry threshold within the predetermined time after the detection, an entry determination is made for the detected room;
An air conditioning system in which human movement is detected by the room occupancy sensor, and if the indoor temperature corresponding to the detected room within the specified time after detection decreases by more than an exit threshold, an exit determination is made for the detected room . The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the specified period is one of the periods into which a day is divided. an air conditioner that is installed in an air-conditioned room in the house and conditions the air in the air-conditioned room;
a plurality of conveying fans that convey air from the air-conditioned room to a plurality of rooms independent of the air-conditioned room; and a system controller that controls the air conditioners and the conveying fans;
a number of people acquisition unit that acquires information about the number of people in the house,
The system controller
an entry/exit determination unit that determines entry and exit from each room;
a counting unit that counts the number of entry determinations and the number of exit determinations determined by the entry/exit determination unit;
a data generating unit that aggregates and records the count values generated by the counting unit for each predetermined period;
a residential movement determination unit that determines an increase or decrease in the number of people in the residence and the timing of the increase or decrease for each of the plurality of predetermined periods based on the data generated by the data generation unit,
The residential move determination unit
For each of the plurality of predetermined periods, a total room difference value is calculated based on the total number of entry times of all rooms, which is the sum of the number of entry determination times of all rooms during the predetermined period, and the total number of exit times of all rooms, which is the sum of the number of exit determination times of all rooms during the predetermined period;
determining all of the predetermined periods located up to the number of occupants in the top order of the total room difference value as times when an increase in the number of people in the residence occurred, and
An air conditioning system that determines all of the multiple specified periods that are located up to the number of occupants in the top occupancy numbers in order of smallest total room difference value as a decrease in the number of people in the home and the timing when that decrease occurred. an air conditioner that is installed in an air-conditioned room in the house and conditions the air in the air-conditioned room;
a plurality of conveying fans that convey air from the air-conditioned room to a plurality of rooms independent of the air-conditioned room; and a system controller that controls the air conditioners and the conveying fans;
The system controller
an entry/exit determination unit that determines entry and exit from each room;
a counting unit that counts the number of entry determinations and the number of exit determinations determined by the entry/exit determination unit;
a data generating unit that aggregates and records the count values generated by the counting unit for each predetermined period;
an increase/decrease determination unit that determines an increase/decrease in the number of people in the residence and the timing of the increase/decrease for each of the plurality of predetermined periods based on the data generated by the data generation unit;
a set temperature change unit that changes the set temperature of the air conditioner based on the determination result of the increase/decrease determination unit,
In order to save energy, the set temperature changing unit
changing the set temperature of the air conditioner to be higher by an increased temperature before the time for getting ready to go out during the predetermined period determined by the increase/decrease determination unit as the time when the number of people in the house has decreased and the decrease has occurred;
An air conditioning system that lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner by a decrease temperature before the time for preparing to return home during the specified period, when the increase/decrease determination unit determines that the number of people in the house has increased and that this increase has occurred. an air conditioner that is installed in an air-conditioned room in the house and conditions the air in the air-conditioned room;
a plurality of conveying fans that convey air from the air-conditioned room to a plurality of rooms independent of the air-conditioned room; and a system controller that controls the air conditioners and the conveying fans;
The system controller
an entry/exit determination unit that determines entry and exit from each room;
a counting unit that counts the number of entry determinations and the number of exit determinations determined by the entry/exit determination unit;
a data generating unit that aggregates and records the count values generated by the counting unit for each predetermined period;
an increase/decrease determination unit that determines an increase/decrease in the number of people in the room and the timing at which the increase/decrease occurred for each of the plurality of predetermined periods based on the data generated by the data generation unit;
An airflow rate change unit that changes the airflow rate of the transport fan based on the determination result of the increase/decrease determination unit.
a section;
The airflow rate change unit is
When the air conditioner is in cooling operation,
In order to suppress a sudden increase in the transport fan energy due to an increase in the number of people in the room, before the entry preparation time of the predetermined period determined as the time when the increase in the number of people in the room occurred, the airflow rate of the transport fan that transports the air to the room corresponding to the determination result of the increase in the number of people in the room and the time when the increase occurred is increased,
In order to increase the reduction in the energy consumption of the transport fan associated with the reduction in the number of people in the room, the airflow rate of the transport fan that transports the air to the room corresponding to the determination result of the reduction in the number of people in the room and the timing at which the reduction occurred is reduced before the room exit preparation time of the predetermined period at which the reduction in the number of people in the room and the timing at which the reduction occurred are determined,
When the air conditioner is in heating operation,
In order to increase the reduction in the energy consumption of the transport fan associated with an increase in the number of people in the room, the airflow rate of the transport fan that transports the air to the room corresponding to the determination result of the increase in the number of people in the room and the timing at which the increase occurred is reduced before the entry preparation time of the predetermined period determined as the timing at which the increase occurred;
In order to suppress a sudden increase in transport fan energy due to a decrease in the number of people in the room, an air conditioning system increases the airflow volume of the transport fan that transports air to the room corresponding to the determined result of the decrease in the number of people in the room and the timing at which the decrease occurred, before the exit preparation time of the specified period at which the decrease in the number of people in the room and the timing at which the decrease occurred.