AIR-CONDITIONING CONTROL SYSTEM

An air-conditioning control system (1) includes: an air conditioner (10) having an outer air cooling coil (11) for cooling outer air and a return air cooling coil (12) for cooling return air in a room; a central heat source device (40) for supplying cold water to each coil (11, 12) of the air conditioner (10); and an air-conditioning linkage controller (50) for calculating a set value of the air conditioner (10) so that the total necessary consumption energy in the air-conditioning control system (1) is the minimum value within a preset range of a comfort index.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning control system for controlling air in an office, a living space, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Energy with regard to air conditioning occupies a half of energy consumed in a whole construction facility such as an office and a living space. Therefore, a promotion of energy conservation with regard to an air-conditioning control greatly contributes saving of energy in the whole construction facility.

In view of such a situation, Patent Citation 1 describes a technique using an air-conditioning control system for operating air conditioning so as to achieve optimum energy saving in the construction facility.

Due to the technique of Patent Citation 1, it is possible to operate air conditioning with high efficiency energy saving by calculating a coil temperature object value of an air-conditioning coil and a cold/hot water temperature object value of a heat source device so that each air-conditioning required-consumption energy, including consumption energy of the heat source device for generating cold/hot water, consumption energy of a fan for delivering air treated with heat exchange by the air-conditioning coil, and consumption energy of a pump for delivering the cold/hot water from the heat source device, is configured to be minimum energy.

Citation List Patent Literature [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-069134 SUMMARY OF INVENTION

While energy conservation has been promoted as described above, so-called ensuring comfort has been required concurrently in order to satisfy a sensation of warmth for people in a room that is subject to the air-conditioning control. Meanwhile, the “promotion of energy conservation” and “ensuring comfort for people in the room” are in a trade-off relation. Namely, promotion of energy conservation results in comfort reduction of people in the room.

However, ineffective energy consumption can be suppressed by reducing excessive energy consumption exceeding a range of comfort of people in the room.

The present invention has been made focusing on the above-described circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning control system capable of achieving energy saving of consumption energy efficiently while considering comfort of people in a room.

To achieve the above-mentioned object, a air-conditioning control system of a first aspect of the present invention includes an air conditioner, a central heat source device, an air-conditioning controller for controlling operations the air conditioner and the central heat source device, and a measurement device provided for a room or control zones divided in the room subject to an air-conditioning control, the measurement device for measuring temperature and humidity subject to the air-conditioning control, and the air conditioner, the central heat source device, the air-conditioning controller, and the measurement device are connected. The measurement device includes a measured value transmitter for obtaining a temperature measured value and a humidity measured value measured in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, so as to send the obtained values to the air-conditioning controller. The air conditioner includes: an outer air coil for introducing a certain amount of outer air, the outer air coil for controlling temperature and humidity of the introduced outer air based on a temperature set value and a humidity set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; a return air coil for introducing a certain amount of return air from the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, the return air coil for controlling temperature of the introduced return air based on the temperature set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; and a blast fan for producing a mixed air of the outer air of which the temperature and humidity are controlled by the outer air cooling coil and the return air of which the temperature is controlled by the return air cooling coil, the blast fan for supplying the mixed air to the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control. The central heat source device includes: a cold/hot water controller comprising a refrigerator and a cooling tower, the cold/hot water controller for controlling a water temperature based on a water temperature set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller, thereby generating cold water or hot water to supply to the air conditioner; and a water pump for supplying the cold water or the hot water generated in the cold/hot water controller to at least one of the outer air coil and the return air coil of the air conditioner based on a flow rate value obtained from the air-conditioning controller. The air-conditioning controller includes: a measured value obtaining unit for obtaining the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value sent from the measured value transmitter of the measurement device; a comfort index range recorder for storing a preset target set range of a comfort index; an air conditioner set value calculator for calculating a temperature set value and a humidity set value of air supplied from the air conditioner within the target set range of the comfort index stored in the comfort index range recorder based on the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value obtained in the measured value obtaining unit, so that a sum of consumption energies of the refrigerator, the cooling tower, the outer air coil, the return air coil, the water pump, and the blast fan is a minimum value; a set value transmitter for sending the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air conditioner set value calculator to the air conditioner; and a control value transmitter for calculating a water temperature set value and a flow rate value of the cold water or the hot water according to the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air conditioner set value calculator, so as to send the calculated values to the central heat source device.

The air-conditioning control system of a second aspect of the present invention includes an air conditioner, a water pump, an air-conditioning controller for controlling operations the air conditioner and the water pump, and a measurement device provided for a room or control zones divided in the room subject to an air-conditioning control, the measurement device for measuring temperature and humidity subject to the air-conditioning control, and the air conditioner, the water pump, the air-conditioning controller, and the measurement device are connected. The measurement device includes a measured value transmitter for obtaining a temperature measured value and a humidity measured value measured in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, so as to send the obtained values to the air-conditioning controller. The air conditioner includes: an outer air coil for introducing a certain amount of outer air, the outer air coil for controlling temperature and humidity of the introduced outer air based on a temperature set value and a humidity set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; a return air coil for introducing a certain amount of return air from the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, the return air coil for controlling temperature of the introduced return air based on the temperature set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; and a blast fan for producing a mixed air of the outer air of which the temperature and humidity are controlled by the outer air cooling coil and the return air of which the temperature is controlled by the return air cooling coil, so as to supply the mixed air to the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control. The water pump includes a water supply unit for supplying externally supplied cold water or hot water to at least one of the outer air coil and the return air coil of the air conditioner based on a flow rate value obtained from the air-conditioning controller. The air-conditioning controller includes: a measured value obtaining unit for obtaining the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value sent from the measured value transmitter of the measurement device; a comfort index range recorder for storing a preset target set range of a comfort index; an air conditioner set value calculator for calculating a temperature set value and a humidity set value of air supplied from the air conditioner within the target set range of the comfort index stored in the comfort index range recorder based on the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value obtained in the measured value obtaining unit, so that a sum of consumption energies of the outer air coil, the return air coil, the water pump, and the blast fan is a minimum value; a set value transmitter for sending the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air-conditioner set value calculator to the air conditioner; and a control value transmitter for calculating a flow rate value of the cold water or the hot water according to the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air-conditioner set value calculator, so as to send the calculated values to the water pump.

According to the air-conditioning control system of the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to achieve energy saving of consumption energy efficiently while considering comfort of people in a room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall view illustrating a constitution of an air-conditioning control system according to a first embodiment to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a specific constitution of an air-conditioning control system according to the first embodiment to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of an air-conditioning control system according to the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a relationship between room temperature and room humidity when a PMV value used in an air-conditioning control system according to the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is determined as a comfortable condition.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a change of a damper aperture, according to an outer air intake amount, to supply air to an outer air cooling coil 11, a return air cooling coil 12, and a blast fan 13 in an air-conditioning control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a specific constitution of an air-conditioning control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a constitutional diagram illustrating a specific constitution of an air conditioner of an air-conditioning control system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating flow paths of cold water flowing in an outer air cooling coil and a return air cooling coil of an air conditioner according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A description will be made below of embodiments of an air-conditioning control system of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Many recent constructions such as an office building have high thermal insulation property, and have many PCs and OA equipments. Therefore, the buildings are usually under a cooling operation throughout the year. Thus, a description will be made of a case of operating air-conditioning controlling mainly with a cooling operation in the following embodiments.

First Embodiment (Constitution of Air-Conditioning Control System of First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of an air-conditioning control system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In a case of a large building, a size of each room is large. Therefore, a room is divided into a plurality of control zones, and a plurality of air conditioners corresponding to each of the control zones are installed in a mechanical room adjacent to the room. Hereinafter, even in such a case, each of the control zones is referred to as a room for convenience.

The air-conditioning control system 1 is configured to air-condition in a building A subject to air conditioning. The air-conditioning control system 1 includes air conditioners 10 installed in each room in the building A, temperature sensors 20 provided in each room to measure room temperature so as to send each measured value to each of the air conditioners 10, humidity sensors 30 provided in each room to measure room humidity so as to send each measured value to each of the air conditioners 10, a central heat source device 40 for controlling cold water supplied to each of the air conditioners 10, and a air-conditioning linkage controller 50 as an air-conditioning control device to receive the room temperature-measured values and the room humidity-measured values received by each of the air conditioners 10 so as to control operations of the central heat source device 40 and each of the air conditioners 10.

Each of the air conditioners 10 obtains the measured values from the temperature sensor 20 and humidity sensor 30 concerned and sends the measured values to the air-conditioning linkage controller 50. In addition, each of the air conditioners 10 includes, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an outer air cooling coil 11 for dehumidifying and cooling outer air by use of cold water supplied from the central heat source device 40, a return air cooling coil 12 for cooling sensible heat generated from lightings, OA equipments, human bodies, and the like in return air in each room by use of cold water supplied from the central heat source device 40, and a blast fan 13 for blowing mixed air of outer air cooled by the outer air cooling coil 11 and return air cooled by the return air cooling coil 12 into each room.

The central heat source device 40 includes a refrigerator 41 for generating cold water, a cooling tower 42 for cooling water by air so as to reuse the water heated by cooling of the refrigerator 41, and a water pump 43 for delivering cold water between the refrigerator 41 and each of the air conditioners 10 or the cooling tower 42.

The air-conditioning linkage controller 50 obtains the measured values of the temperature sensors 20 and the humidity sensors 30 sent from each of the air conditioners 10. Then, the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 calculates an optimum room temperature setting value and humidity setting value in each room within a preset range of a comfort index so that a sum of consumption energies in the cooling tower 42, the refrigerator 41 and the water pump 43 of the central heat source device 40 and the outer air cooling coil 11, the return air cooling coil 12 and the blast fan 13 of each air conditioner 10 is to be the minimum value. Further, the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 sends the calculation result to each of the air conditioners 10 and the central heat source device 40.

(Operations of Air-Conditioning Control System of First Embodiment)

Operations of the air-conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment will be explained with reference to a sequence diagram of FIG. 3.

First, air-conditioning control in the building A is started. Next, each of the temperature sensors 20 measures room temperature in each room, and each of the humidity sensors 30 measures room humidity in each room. Then, the measured temperature and humidity values in each room are sent to the air conditioners 10 provided in each room (S1).

The measured values are received in each of the air conditioners 10, and further sent from the air conditioners 10 to the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 (S2).

The air-conditioning linkage controller 50 calculates an optimum room temperature setting value and humidity setting value in each room from the received measured values, within a range in which a PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) level is evaluated as a comfort level so that a sum of consumption energies, as a total necessary consumption energies, in the cooling tower 42, the refrigerator 41 and the water pump 43 of the central heat source device 40 and the outer air cooling coil 11, the return air cooling coil 12 and the blast fan 13 of each of the air conditioners 10 is to be the minimum value.

The PMV used for the calculation of each value will be explained.

The PMV means a comfort index obtained by six variables, (a) an air temperature, (b) a relative humidity, (c) a mean radiation temperature, (d) a speed of airflow, (e) the amount of activity (the amount of internal heat generation from a human body), and (f) a volume of clothing, as variables to affect a sensation of warmth of human with respect to hotness and coldness.

The amount of heat generation from a human body is represented by a sum of the amount of radiation by convection flow, the amount of heat release by radiation, the amount of heat of vaporization from a human body, and the amounts of heat release and heat storage by breathing. When the amount of heat generation is in thermal equilibrium, a human body is thermally neutral. Therefore, a room with such a condition is in a comfortable state for a human body, which is neither hot nor cold. On the other hand, when the amount of heat generation is not in thermal equilibrium, a human body feels hot or cold.

In 1967, Professor Fanger of Technical University of Denmark presented an introduction of a comfort equation. From this point, Professor Fanger statistically started analyzing surveys of a number of test subjects, and connected a heat load of a human body and a human thermal sensitivity, thereby providing the PMV. Since ISO (International Organization for Standardization) employed the PMV in 1994, the PMV has been commonly used in recent years.

The PMV as a thermal index is represented by the following numerical numbers by a seven-grade evaluation scale, as

+3: hot,

+2: warm,

+1: slightly warm,

0: neutral or comfortable,

−1: slightly cool,

−2: cool, and

−3: cold.

Note that, a range of the PMV values in which a human body feels comfortable is between −0.5 to +0.5.

In the above six variables, a unit “met” is used in the amount of activity representing a work intensity, and a unit “clo” is used in the volume of clothing.

The unit “met” represents the amount of metabolism, in which a metabolic value at rest under a thermally comfortable condition is a standard value. Here, 1 met is represented by the following formula (1), as


(Math 1)


1 met=58.2 W/m2=50 kcal/m2·h.  (1)

In addition, the unit “clo” represents heat insulation of clothing. 1 clo represents a value in a clothed state, in which the amount of heat release from a surface of a human body is equivalent to the metabolic value of 1 met in a room at 21° C., 50% relative humidity, and 5 cm/s or less of airflow. When the value is converted to a normal thermal resistance value, 1 clo is represented by the following formula (2), as


(Math 2)


1 clo=0.155 m2·° C./W=0.180 m2·h·° C./kcal.  (2)

The following formula (3) represents a calculation formula of the PMV value, as


(Math 3)


PMV=(0.352e−0.042 M/A+0.032)·L.  (3)

Here, M is the amount of activity [kcal/h], A is a human body surface area [m2], and L is a human body heat load [kcal/m2 h] (calculated by the comfort equation of Fanger). Using the formula (3), the target PMV value is set to a PMV value in a hotter direction when cooling, and set to a PMV value in a colder direction when heating, respectively, within a comfortable range (−0.5<PMV<+0.5). As a result, an air-conditioning load is reduced, and energy saving is achieved.

Next, a calculation of an optimum set value of each of the air conditioners 10 will be explained.

As described above, the total consumption energy consumed in the air-conditioning control system 1 is a sum of the respective consumption energies in the cooling tower 42, the refrigerator 41 and the water pump 43 of the central heat source device 40 and the outer air cooling coil 11, the return air cooling coil 12 and the blast fan 13 of each of the air conditioners 10.

In order that the total consumption energy consumed in the air-conditioning control system 1 is to be the minimum value, a method described in the description of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-232507 as an algorithm for calculating the set value of each of the air conditioners 10 has been provided. In this method, a state quantity necessary to optimize air conditioning, such as an internal heat generation quantity, an internal water vapor generation quantity, and a physical quantity obtained by e.g. multiplication of an overall heat-transfer coefficient and a heat-transfer area in a heat exchanger, is estimated from measured values of each sensor used in the air-conditioning control. Accordingly, the optimum control can be achieved in view of the overall air-conditioning system. In addition, as another algorithm, a method as described in the description of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-256258 has been provided. In this method, a provisional total air-conditioning load is calculated from the amount of heat exchange between a present heat source device and cooling coil in an initial stage. Then, an air-conditioning device in an air-conditioning system is controlled by defining the total air-conditioning load as a variable, based on an optimum operation state quantity of the air-conditioning system. When a condition of air in a space subject to the air-conditioning control approximately corresponds to a set air-conditioning condition, a true total air-conditioning load is calculated, thereby determining the optimum operation state quantity. As a result, air conditioning is operated efficiently, whereby energy saving of the air-conditioning system is achieved.

In the first embodiment, as described above, the optimum set value of each of the air conditioners 10 is calculated within a range between −0.5 and +0.5 in which the PMV value is evaluated as a comfort level so that the total consumption energy of the air-conditioning control system 1 is to be the minimum value. Then, the set values are sent to the air conditioners 10 and the central heat source device 40 (S3).

When the optimum set values of the air conditioners 10 are provided to the central heat source device 40, cold water necessary for the air conditioners 10 is supplied based on the set values (S4). As a result, air controlled in consideration for comfort of people is supplied to each room subject to the air-conditioning control (S5).

Next, an operation of each of the air conditioners 10 when controlled air is supplied to each room subject to the air-conditioning control will be explained.

When a cooling process is performed by the air-conditioning control system, two functions, a function to dehumidify and cool flesh outer air introduced in a building for residents (latent heat cooling load) and a function to cool generated sensible heat from lightings, OA equipments, human bodies, and the like in the building (sensible heat cooling load), are performed by the air conditioners.

When a conventional air conditioner performed cooling, the above two functions were concurrently performed by mixing outer air and return air. However, only outer air is required to be dehumidified in this case. Thus, a required temperature and the flowing amount of cooling water are different in each function. Therefore, it is more effective to perform the two functions individually.

Accordingly, in the first embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer air cooling coil 11 for dehumidifying and cooling outer air and the return air cooling coil 12 for cooling return air are provided separately. In addition, cooling water with the optimum temperature and flowing amount for controlling each coil is supplied.

According to the above-described first embodiment, comfort of people in a room is considered, outer air and return air are controlled individually, and the total necessary consumption energy in the system is controlled so as to be the minimum value. Thus, it is possible to perform air-conditioning controlling so as to achieve energy saving of consumption energy effectively.

Second Embodiment (Constitution of Air-Conditioning Control System of Second Embodiment)

A constitution of an air-conditioning control system 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Thus, the specific explanation of the constitution of the second embodiment will not be repeated.

(Operations of Air-Conditioning Control System of Second Embodiment)

Operations of the air-conditioning control system 2 according to the second embodiment are similar to those according to the first embodiment except for the calculation of the set values of each of the air conditioners 10 in step S3 of FIG. 3. Thus, the specific explanations of the same portions as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

In the second embodiment, a process, in which the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 calculates the set values of each of the air conditioners 10 so that the necessary consumption energy is to be the minimum value within a range in which the PMV level is evaluated as a comfort level in step S3 of FIG. 3, will be explained.

FIG. 4 illustrates a relationship between room temperature and room humidity in which the PMV value has a comfort value between 0.3 and 0.5 while saving energy at cooling when a speed of airflow in a room is 0.1 m/s on the assumption of an office building. In FIG. 4, the PMV value is in the range between 0.3 and 0.5 when the room temperature and the room humidity are in a condition of a range “A” enclosed by a thick line (the humidity was limited to 20% to 80%).

Meanwhile, in order to reduce greenhouse gas, the Japanese government has recommended that a temperature of an air conditioner in summer be set to 28° C.

In this case, when the room temperature is 28° C., the PMV value exceeds +0.5 that is an upper limit of the comfortable range for people no matter how low the humidity is, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

However, when the speed of airflow in the room is 0.5 m/s, the PMV value is +0.5 or less (approximately 0.43) at 40% humidity even if the room temperature is 28° C.

Thus, in the second embodiment, the air conditioner 10 is configured to supply wavering air from a blast portion thereof to the room subject to the air-conditioning control so that a maximum speed of airflow is 0.5 m/s adjacent to 1 meter above a floor, which is the same level as the middle portion of the people's height.

Due to such wavering air to be supplied, an average speed of airflow can be set to less than 0.5 m/s. Therefore, it is possible to provide a comfortable air-conditioning operation for people in a room without significantly increasing consumption energy of the blast fan 13 even if a preset room temperature is 28° C.

According to the above-described second embodiment, the optimum set values of the air conditioners 10 are calculated in addition to the consideration of the speed of airflow of air from the air conditioners 10. Thus, it is possible to perform air-conditioning controlling so as to achieve energy saving of consumption energy more efficiently and comfort maintenance.

Third Embodiment (Constitution of Air-Conditioning Control System of Third Embodiment)

A constitution of an air-conditioning control system 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is provided with at least one of a carbon dioxide sensor (not illustrated) and a human body detection sensor (not illustrated) in each room subject to the air-conditioning control. The other constitutions are the same as those of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Thus, the specific explanations of the same portions as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

The carbon dioxide sensor measures a level of carbon dioxide in each room discharged from people, followed by sending the measured value to the air conditioners 10. Also, the human body detection sensor detects the number of people in each room subject to the air-conditioning control, followed by sending the detected value to the air conditioners 10.

(Operations of Air-Conditioning Control System of Third Embodiment)

Operations of the air-conditioning control system 3 according to the third embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

First, air conditioning control in the building A is started. Next, each of the temperature sensors 20 measures room temperature in each room, and each of the humidity sensors 30 measures room humidity in each room. In addition, the carbon dioxide sensor measures a level of carbon dioxide in each room, or the human body detection sensor detects the number of people in each room. The measured values measured by each sensor are sent to the air conditioners 10 installed in each room (S1).

Each of the air conditioners 10 receive the measured values sent from each sensor, followed by sending the received values to the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 (S2).

In the third embodiment, a process, in which the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 calculates the set values of each of the air conditioners 10 so that the necessary consumption energy is to be the minimum value within a range in which the PMV level is evaluated as a comfort level, will be explained.

In the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 according to the third embodiment, a damper aperture is controlled, so as to supply air to the outer air cooling coil 11, the return air cooling coil 12 and the blast fan 13 according to a graph illustrated in FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a damper for the return air cooling coil 12 is fully open, and a damper for the outer air cooling coil 11 is fully closed, at air-conditioning start-up (a). That means air in each room is not being exhausted outward. After a certain period of time, air exhausting into each room is started. Then, each damper aperture is controlled according to outer air temperature and humidity and return air temperature and humidity by selecting one of points, a point of the minimum outer air (b), a point of the mid-level outer air (c), and a point of the maximum outer air (d), so that the total consumption energy of each device is to be the minimum value.

When one of the points of the minimum outer air (b), the mid-level outer air (c) and the maximum outer air (d) is selected, each damper aperture is controlled so as to actively introduce outer air when air in each room is required to be cooled, and enthalpy of outer air is lower than enthalpy of inner room and thus it is better to let outer air in energetically. Accordingly, the used amount of cold water to be supplied to the return air cooling coil 12 is reduced.

Moreover, when a load of the outer air cooling coil 11 is larger than a certain level, each damper aperture is controlled according to FIG. 5. Then, the set values of each device are calculated, in addition to the consideration of the measured values obtained from the carbon dioxide sensor or the human body detection sensor.

Specifically, when the level of carbon dioxide becomes higher than a certain level, or when the number of people in each room reaches a certain number, each damper aperture is controlled to introduce the minimum amount of outer air so as to lower the level of carbon dioxide to less than a certain level, thereby lowering the level of carbon dioxide due to air ventilation. Thus, air ventilation is performed without excessively reducing the load of the outer air cooling coil 11.

As described above, when the set values of each of the air conditioners 10 are determined so that the necessary consumption energy of each device is to be the minimum value, the set values of each of the air conditioners 10 are controlled by the cooling operation by outer air, and the minimum outer air intake based on the level of carbon dioxide or the number of people in each room (S3). Then, based on the set values, the central heat source device 40 supplies necessary cold water to the air conditioners 10 (S4). As a result, controlled air in consideration of comfort for people in each room is supplied to each room subject to the air-conditioning control (S5).

According to the above-described third embodiment, the optimum set values of the air conditioners are calculated in consideration of the cooling operation by outer air, and the outer air intake based on the level of carbon dioxide or the number of people in each room. Therefore, it is possible to perform air-conditioning controlling so as to achieve energy saving of consumption energy more efficiently.

Fourth Embodiment (Constitution of Air-Conditioning Control System of Fourth Embodiment)

A constitution of an air-conditioning control system 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is provided with two systems of heat source devices, the central heat source device 40 and a second central heat source device 40′. The other constitutions are the same as those of the first embodiment. Thus, the specific explanations of the same portions as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

In the fourth embodiment, the central heat source device 40 supplies cold water to the outer air cooling coils 11, and the second central heat source device 40′ supplies cold water to the return air cooling coils 12.

(Operations of Air-Conditioning Control System of Fourth Embodiment)

Operations of the air-conditioning control system 4 according to the fourth embodiment are similar to those according to the first embodiment except for processing of supplying cold water in step S5 of FIG. 3. Thus, the specific explanations of the same portions as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

In step S6 in the fourth embodiment, when cold water is supplied to each of the air conditioners 10, the central heat source device 40 supplies cold water to the outer air cooling coils 11, and the second central heat source device 40′, which is a different system from the central heat source device 40, supplies cold water to the return air cooling coils 12.

In a conventional air-conditioning control system, cold water supplied to a cooling coil from a central heat source device is approximately 7° C. However, such cold water at 7° C. is required only when outer air is dehumidified and cooled. While, cold water may be approximately 13° C., which is enough to cool return air in each room subject to the air-conditioning control. The energy amount necessary to dehumidify and cool outer air (latent heat cooling load) is approximately 30% to 20% of the total energy amount necessary to perform air-conditioning controlling at cooling. Namely, 70% to 80% of the total energy amount is applied to the energy amount necessary to cool return air (sensible heat cooling load), which is used to excessively cool cold water. As a result, consumption energy is unnecessarily wasted.

In view of this, the fourth embodiment is provided with the two cold water supply source systems of the central heat source device 40 for supplying cold water to the outer air cooling coils 11 and the second central heat source device 40′ for supplying cold water to the return air cooling coils 12. In addition, cold water supplied to the outer air cooling coils 11 from the central hat source device 40 is configured to be approximately 7° C. While, cold water supplied to the return air cooling coils 12 from the second central heat source device 40′ is configured to be approximately 13° C.

According to the above-described fourth embodiment, the two systems of the central heat source devices 40 and 40′ are provided. Accordingly, energy consumption unnecessary wasted by adjusting cold water to excessively low temperature can be prevented. Thus, it is possible to perform air-conditioning controlling so as to achieve energy saving of consumption energy more efficiently.

Fifth Embodiment (Constitution of Air-Conditioning Control System of Fifth Embodiment)

A constitution of an air-conditioning control system 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the air-conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the outer air cooling coil 11 is connected to the return air cooling coil 12 in series in each air conditioner 10.

Each air conditioner 10 includes a plurality of valves as illustrated in FIG. 7. A first valve 14 controls the amount of cold water supplied to the outer air cooling coil 11 from the central heat source device 40 by an aperture thereof. A second valve 15 controls the amount of cold water supplied to the return air cooling coil 12 after being used in the outer air cooling coil 11. A third valve 16 is connected to the return air cooling coil 12 in parallel and controls the amount of cold water directly discharged after being used in the outer air cooling coil 11. A fourth valve 17 is connected to the outer air cooling coil 11 in parallel and connected to the valve 15 and the valve 16 in series provided so as to be located upstream of the valve 15 and the valve 16, and controls the amount of cold water directly supplied to the return air cooling coil 12 from the central heat source device 40.

(Operations of Air-Conditioning Control System of Fifth Embodiment)

Operations of the air-conditioning control system 5 according to the fifth embodiment are similar to those according to the first embodiment except for processing of supplying cold water in step S5 of FIG. 3. Thus, the specific explanations of the same portions as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

In step S5 in the fifth embodiment, when cold water is supplied to each of the air conditioners 10, cold water at 7° C. is first supplied to the outer air cooling coil 11 from the central heat source device 40. Then, cold water used in the outer air cooling coil 11 is reused in the return air cooling coil 12. As described in the fourth embodiment, cold water to be used in the return air cooling coil 12 is not necessarily as cold as that used in the outer air cooling coil 11. Therefore, the return air cooling coil 12 can reuse cold water after being used in the outer air cooling coil 11.

In this case, the amount of cold water supplied to the outer air cooling coil 11 from the central heat source device 40 is controlled by the aperture of the valve 14. In addition, the amount of cold water supplied to the return air cooling coil 12 after being used in the outer air cooling coil 11 is controlled by each aperture of the valve 15 and the valve 16. Moreover, when the amount of cold water used in the outer air cooling coil 11 is not enough for cold water to be used in the return air cooling coil 12, cold water is directly supplied to the return air cooling coil 12 from the central heat source device 40 by opening the valve 17.

FIG. 8(a) illustrates a flow of cold water by a thick line when cold water used in the outer air cooling coil 11 is all supplied to the return air cooling coil 12 by opening the valve 14 and the valve 15 equally. FIG. 8(b) illustrates a flow of cold water by a thick line when some of cold water used in the outer air cooling coil 11 is supplied to the return air cooling coil 12, and unnecessary cold water is discharged without being supplied to the return air cooling coil 12, by opening the valve 14, the valve 15, and the valve 16. FIG. 8(c) illustrates a flow of cold water by a thick line when cold water used in the outer air cooling coil 11 and cold water from the central heat source device 40 are supplied to the return air cooling coil 12 by opening the valve 14, the valve 15 and the valve 17.

According to the above-described fifth embodiment, the outer air cooling coil 11 is connected to the return air cooling coil 12 in series. Due to such a configuration, cold water used in the outer air cooling coil 11 can be reused in the return air cooling coil 12. Thus, it is possible to perform air-conditioning controlling so as to achieve energy saving of consumption energy more efficiently.

In the above first embodiment to fifth embodiment, the case where the central heat source device 40 is installed in the building A subject to the air-conditioning control has been explained. When the air-conditioning control is performed by a DHC (District Heating and Cooling) operation since the refrigerator 41 and the cooling tower 42 of the central heat source device 40 are not installed in the building, cold/hot water may be supplied externally (however, the water pump 43 for supplying cold/hot water to each air conditioner is provided in the building). In such a case, the total consumption energy in the air conditioning control system is a sum of consumption energies of the water pump, the outer air cooling coil, the return air cooling coil, and the blast fan.

In addition, in the above first embodiment to fifth embodiment, the case where each value measured by each sensor is sent to the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 from each sensor via each of the air conditioners 30 has been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. Each measured value may be sent to the air-conditioning linkage controller 50 directly from each sensor.

Moreover, in the above first embodiment to fifth embodiment, the PMV value has been used as a comfort index of a sensation of warmth of human. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. The air-conditioning control may be performed by using such as a standard effective temperature and a new effective temperature.

Furthermore, each embodiment may be performed in combination as long as it is available. It is possible to obtain much better effects by combining each embodiment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Due to the air-conditioning control system of the present invention, it is possible to suppress excessive energy consumption exceeding a comfortable range of people in a room and achieve energy saving of consumption energy efficiently while considering comfort of people in the room.

Claims

1. An air-conditioning control system, comprising:

an air conditioner;
a central heat source device;
an air-conditioning controller for controlling operations the air conditioner and the central heat source device; and
a measurement device provided for a room or control zones divided in the room subject to an air-conditioning control, the measurement device for measuring temperature and humidity subject to the air-conditioning control,
the air conditioner, the central heat source device, the air-conditioning controller, and the measurement device being connected, wherein the measurement device comprises a measured value transmitter for obtaining a temperature measured value and a humidity measured value measured in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, so as to send the obtained values to the air-conditioning controller;
the air conditioner comprises: an outer air coil for introducing a certain amount of outer air, the outer air coil for controlling temperature and humidity of the introduced outer air based on a temperature set value and a humidity set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; a return air coil for introducing a certain amount of return air from the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, the return air coil for controlling temperature of the introduced return air based on the temperature set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; and a blast fan for producing a mixed air of the outer air of which the temperature and humidity are controlled by the outer air cooling coil and the return air of which the temperature is controlled by the return air cooling coil, the blast fan for supplying the mixed air to the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control,
the central heat source device comprises: a cold/hot water controller comprising a refrigerator and a cooling tower, the cold/hot water controller for controlling a water temperature based on a water temperature set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller, thereby generating cold water or hot water to supply to the air conditioner; and a water pump for supplying the cold water or the hot water generated in the cold/hot water controller to at least one of the outer air coil and the return air coil of the air conditioner based on a flow rate value obtained from the air-conditioning controller, and
the air-conditioning controller comprises: a measured value obtaining unit for obtaining the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value sent from the measured value transmitter of the measurement device; a comfort index range recorder for storing a preset target set range of a comfort index; an air conditioner set value calculator for calculating a temperature set value and a humidity set value of air supplied from the air conditioner within the target set range of the comfort index stored in the comfort index range recorder based on the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value obtained in the measured value obtaining unit, so that a sum of consumption energies of the refrigerator, the cooling tower, the outer air coil, the return air coil, the water pump, and the blast fan is a minimum value; a set value transmitter for sending the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air conditioner set value calculator to the air conditioner; and a control value transmitter for calculating a water temperature set value and a flow rate value of the cold water or the hot water according to the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air conditioner set value calculator, so as to send the calculated values to the central heat source device.

2. The air-conditioning control system of claim 1, wherein

the central heat source device that is provided two systems, comprising: a first central heat source device for supplying cold water or hot water to the outer air coil; and a second central heat source device for supplying cold water or hot water to the return air coil.

3. An air-conditioning control system, comprising:

an air conditioner;
a water pump;
an air-conditioning controller for controlling operations the air conditioner and the water pump; and
a measurement device provided for a room or control zones divided in the room subject to an air-conditioning control, the measurement device for measuring temperature and humidity subject to the air-conditioning control,
the air conditioner, the water pump, the air-conditioning controller, and the measurement device being connected, wherein
the measurement device comprises a measured value transmitter for obtaining a temperature measured value and a humidity measured value measured in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, so as to send the obtained values to the air-conditioning controller;
the air conditioner comprises: an outer air coil for introducing a certain amount of outer air, the outer air coil for controlling temperature and humidity of the introduced outer air based on a temperature set value and a humidity set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; a return air coil for introducing a certain amount of return air from the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, the return air coil for controlling temperature of the introduced return air based on the temperature set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller; and a blast fan for producing a mixed air of the outer air of which the temperature and humidity are controlled by the outer air cooling coil and the return air of which the temperature is controlled by the return air cooling coil, so as to supply the mixed air to the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control,
the water pump comprises a water supply unit for supplying externally supplied cold water or hot water to at least one of the outer air coil and the return air coil of the air conditioner based on a flow rate value obtained from the air-conditioning controller,
the air-conditioning controller comprises: a measured value obtaining unit for obtaining the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value sent from the measured value transmitter of the measurement device; a comfort index range recorder for storing a preset target set range of a comfort index; an air conditioner set value calculator for calculating a temperature set value and a humidity set value of air supplied from the air conditioner within the target set range of the comfort index stored in the comfort index range recorder based on the temperature measured value and the humidity measured value obtained in the measured value obtaining unit, so that a sum of consumption energies of the outer air coil, the return air coil, the water pump, and the blast fan is a minimum value; a set value transmitter for sending the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air-conditioner set value calculator to the air conditioner; and a control value transmitter for calculating a flow rate value of the cold water or the hot water according to the temperature set value and the humidity set value calculated in the air-conditioner set value calculator, so as to send the calculated values to the water pump.

4. The air-conditioning control system of claim 1 or 3, wherein

the air conditioner set value calculator of the air-conditioning controller calculates a airflow speed set value in addition to the temperature set value and the humidity set value,
the set value transmitter of the air-conditioning controller sends the airflow speed set value in addition to the temperature set value and the humidity set value to the air conditioner, and
the blast fan of the air conditioner supplies the mixed air to the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control based on the airflow speed set value obtained from the air-conditioning controller.

5. The air-conditioning control system of claim 1 or 3, wherein

the measurement device further measures a level of carbon dioxide in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control,
the measured value transmitter of the measurement device further obtains a measured value of the level of carbon dioxide measured in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control, so as to send the obtained value to the air-conditioning controller,
the measured value obtaining unit of the air-conditioning controller further obtains the measured value of the level of carbon dioxide from the measured value transmitter of the measurement device,
the air conditioner set value calculator of the air-conditioning controller further calculates an outer air amount set value introduced by the outer air coil within the range of the comfort index stored in the comfort index range recorder, so as to increase an introduced amount of outer air when cooling is required by the air conditioner and when enthalpy of the outer air is lower than enthalpy in the room, and introduce a minimum amount of outer air to lower the level of carbon dioxide in the room to less than a preset carbon dioxide level limit value when a load of the outer air cooling coil is higher than a predetermined value and when the measured value of the level of carbon dioxide obtained in the measured value obtaining unit is higher than the carbon dioxide level limit value,
the set value transmitter of the air-conditioning controller sends the outer air amount set value to be introduced by the outer air coil calculated in the air conditioner set value calculator to the air conditioner, and
the outer air coil of the air conditioner introduces outer air based on the outer air amount set value sent from the set value transmitter of the air-conditioning controller.

6. The air-conditioning control system of claim 1 or 3, wherein

the measurement device further measures a number of people in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control,
the measured value transmitter of the measurement device further obtains a measured value of the number of people in the room or the control zones in the room subject to the air-conditioning control from, so as to send the obtained value to the air-conditioning controller,
the measured value obtaining unit of the air-conditioning controller further obtains the measure value of the number of people from the measured value transmitter of the measurement device,
the air conditioner set value calculator of the air-conditioning controller further calculates an outer air amount set value introduced by the outer air coil within the range of the comfort index stored in the comfort index range recorder, so as to increase an introduced amount of outer air when cooling is required by the air conditioner and when enthalpy of the outer air is lower than enthalpy in the room, and introduce a minimum amount of outer air to lower a level of carbon dioxide in the room to less than a preset carbon dioxide level limit value when a load of the outer air cooling coil is higher than a predetermined value and the measured value of the number of people is higher than a predetermined value,
the set value transmitter of the air-conditioning controller sends the outer air amount set value to be introduced by the outer air coil calculated in the air conditioner set value calculator to the air conditioner, and
the outer air coil of the air conditioner introduces outer air based on the outer air amount set value sent from the set value transmitter of the air-conditioning controller.

7. The air-conditioning control system of claim 1 or 3, wherein

the outer air coil and the return air coil are connected in series, and
cold water or hot water used in the outer air coil is reused in the return air coil.
Patent History
Publication number: 20100307731
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 9, 2010
Inventors: Kenzo Yonezawa (Tokyo), Yasuo Takagi (Kanagawa), Nobutaka Nishimura (Tokyo), Yuuichi Hanada (Saitama), Naoki Makino (Tokyo), Hiroshi Morimoto (Tokyo)
Application Number: 12/864,680
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Humidity Sensor Measures Humidity Of Air In Conditioned Space (165/223); Heat Generator (165/64); 236/44.00C
International Classification: F24F 3/14 (20060101); F25B 29/00 (20060101);