U.S. patent application number 13/395280 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-04 for air control system.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Masaru Hashimoto, Atsushi Mise, Izumi Usuki.
Application Number | 20120247748 13/395280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43856403 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120247748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mise; Atsushi ; et
al. |
October 4, 2012 |
AIR CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
In an air-conditioning control system, a ventilating device
performs ventilation between an indoor space and an outdoor space,
and an absence detecting unit for detecting absence of a human
within the indoor space. An air conditioning controller adapted to
operated, when the absence of the human is detected by the absence
detecting unit, the ventilating device during at least a part of an
absence period to control a thermal environment within the indoor
space.
Inventors: |
Mise; Atsushi; (Osaka City,
JP) ; Hashimoto; Masaru; (Osaka City, JP) ;
Usuki; Izumi; (Osaka City, JP) |
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
43856403 |
Appl. No.: |
13/395280 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 30, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB10/02119 |
371 Date: |
May 25, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/237 ;
454/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/46 20180101;
F24F 11/65 20180101; Y02B 10/20 20130101; Y02B 30/70 20130101; F24F
2005/0067 20130101; F24F 2120/10 20180101; Y02B 10/24 20130101;
F24F 11/30 20180101; Y02A 30/272 20180101; F24F 2011/0006 20130101;
F24F 11/0001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/237 ;
454/239 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/02 20060101
F24F011/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 2009 |
JP |
2009-210851 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioning control system, comprising: a ventilating
device for performing ventilation between an indoor space and an
outdoor space; an absence detecting unit for detecting absence of a
human within the indoor space; and an air conditioning controller
adapted to operate, when the absence of the human is detected by
the absence detecting unit, the ventilating device during at least
a part of an absence period to control a thermal environment within
the indoor space.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an air conditioning
device for cooling or heating the indoor space, wherein the air
conditioning controller is adapted to operate, when the absence of
the human is detected by the absence detecting unit, operate the
ventilating device during at least a part of the absence period
such that, when operating the air conditioning device next time,
the thermal environment within the indoor space is controlled in
such a way as to reduce a power consumption of the air conditioning
device.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the absence detecting unit is
adapted to, when the absence of the human is detected by the
absence detecting unit, make determination whether the absence
period is a long period equal to or longer than a threshold or a
short period shorter than the threshold, and the air conditioning
controller is adapted to control the ventilating device in
different control patterns depending on whether the absence period
is the long period or the short period.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the threshold is varied with at
least one of year, month, day and hour at which the determination
is made.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the absence detecting unit
determines whether the absence period is the long period or the
short period by estimating an end time of the absence period, and
the air conditioning controller is adapted to continuously operate
the ventilating device throughout the absence period if the absence
period is the short period, and start an operation of the
ventilating device a specified time earlier than the end time of
the absence period if the absence period is the long period.
6. The system of claim 5, further comprising: a photovoltaic power
generating device for generating electric power by using sunlight
to supply the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device, wherein the air conditioning controller is
adapted to operate the air conditioning device and the ventilating
device throughout the absence period if the absence period is the
long period and the electric power generated by the photovoltaic
power generating device is equal to or greater than a predetermined
value, and operate the ventilating device a specified time earlier
than the end time of the absence period regardless of the magnitude
of the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power
generating device.
7. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a photovoltaic power
generating device for generating electric power by using sunlight
to supply the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; a battery for storing the electric power
generated by the photovoltaic power generating device and supplying
the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; and a reverse power flow control unit for
reversely supplying the electric power generated by the
photovoltaic power generating device to a commercial power supply
system, wherein the air conditioning controller is adapted to
control, if the absence period is the long period, the reverse
power flow control unit to reversely supply the electric power
generated by the photovoltaic power generating device to the
commercial power supply system instead of supplying the electric
power to the battery.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a photovoltaic power
generating device for generating electric power by using sunlight
to supply the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; a battery for storing the electric power
generated by the photovoltaic power generating device and supplying
the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; and a reverse power flow control unit for
reversely supplying the electric power generated by the
photovoltaic power generating device to a commercial power supply
system, wherein the absence detecting unit estimates an end time of
the absence period and makes determination whether the absence
period is a short period shorter than a first threshold, a first
long period equal to or longer than the first threshold but shorter
than a second threshold, or a second long period longer than the
second threshold, and wherein the air conditioning controller is
adapted to continuously operate the ventilating device throughout
the absence period if the absence period is the short period, start
an operation of the ventilating device a specified time earlier
than the end time of the absence period if the absence period is
the first long period or the second long period, and control the
reverse power flow control unit to reversely supply the electric
power generated by the photovoltaic power generating device to the
commercial power supply system instead of supplying the electric
power to the battery if the absence period is the second long
period,
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the air conditioning controller
is adapted to control the ventilating device in different control
patterns depending on whether the absence period is the short
period, the first long period or the second long period.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first and the second
threshold is varied with at least one of year, month, day and hour
at which the determination is made.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and the second
threshold is varied with at least one of year, month, day and hour
at which the determination is made.
12. The system of claim 4, wherein the absence detecting unit
determines whether the absence period is the long period or the
short period by estimating an end time of the absence period, and
the air conditioning controller is adapted to continuously operate
the ventilating device throughout the absence period if the absence
period is the short period, and start an operation of the
ventilating device a specified time earlier than the end time of
the absence period if the absence period is the long period.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a photovoltaic
power generating device for generating electric power by using
sunlight to supply the electric power to the air conditioning
device and the ventilating device, wherein the air conditioning
controller is adapted to operate the air conditioning device and
the ventilating device throughout the absence period if the absence
period is the long period and the electric power generated by the
photovoltaic power generating device is equal to or greater than a
predetermined value, and operate the ventilating device a specified
time earlier than the end time of the absence period regardless of
the magnitude of the electric power generated by the photovoltaic
power generating device.
14. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a photovoltaic power
generating device for generating electric power by using sunlight
to supply the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; a battery for storing the electric power
generated by the photovoltaic power generating device and supplying
the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; and a reverse power flow control unit for
reversely supplying the electric power generated by the
photovoltaic power generating device to a commercial power supply
system, wherein the air conditioning controller is adapted to
control, if the absence period is the long period, the reverse
power flow control unit to reversely supply the electric power
generated by the photovoltaic power generating device to the
commercial power supply system instead of supplying the electric
power to the battery.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning control
system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a house, there is available an air-conditioning control
system that turns off air conditioning devices such as an air
conditioner to seek energy saving when a dweller is absent within a
home or turns on the air conditioner pursuant to a command from a
cellular phone to maintain the home as a comfortable space before
the dweller comes back home (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2008-138902).
[0003] The conventional air-conditioning control system essentially
controls home appliances, and there has disclosed no system that
can effectively use natural energy such as an ambient air to
provide a comfortable indoor space to a home-coming family member
while seeking energy saving.
[0004] In some cases, a dweller is absent within a home for a short
time period, e.g., about two or three hours. In other cases, a
dweller does not exist within a home for a long time period, e.g.,
about two or three days. In the event that natural energy is used
to provide a comfortable indoor space to a home-coming family
member while saving energy, an air conditioner needs to be
differently controlled depending on the length of absence time
period. However, the conventional air-conditioning control system
remains silent on this point.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the above, the present invention provides an
air-conditioning control system capable of providing a comfortable
indoor space to a home-coming family member while using natural
energy to seek energy saving.
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an air-conditioning control system including a
ventilating device for performing ventilation between an indoor
space and an outdoor space; an absence detecting unit for detecting
absence of a human within the indoor space; and an air conditioning
controller adapted to operate, when the absence of the human is
detected by the absence detecting unit, the ventilating device
during at least a part of an absence period to control a thermal
environment within the indoor space.
[0007] The system may further include an air conditioning device
for cooling or heating the indoor space. The air conditioning
controller may be adapted to operate, when the absence of the human
is detected by the absence detecting unit, the ventilating device
during at least a part of the absence period such that, when
operating the air conditioning device next time, the thermal
environment within the indoor space is controlled in such a way as
to reduce a power consumption of the air conditioning device.
[0008] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a
comfortable indoor space to a home-coming family member while using
natural energy to seek energy saving.
[0009] The absence detecting unit may be adapted to, when the
absence of the human is detected by the absence detecting unit,
make determination whether the absence period is a long period
equal to or longer than a predetermined time period or a short
period shorter than the predetermined time period, and the air
conditioning controller is adapted to control the ventilating
device in different control patterns depending on whether the
absence period is the long period or the short period.
[0010] With this configuration, the air conditioning control
throughout the absence period can be adaptively performed depending
on whether the absence period is the long period or the short
period.
[0011] The absence detecting unit may determine whether the absence
period is the long period or the short period by comparing the
length of the absence period with a threshold, and the threshold
may be varied with at least one of year, month, day and hour at
which the determination is made.
[0012] With this configuration, it is possible to set the threshold
in accordance with the life pattern of family members which varies
depending on the seasons and the time zone.
[0013] The absence detecting unit may determine whether the absence
period is the long period or the short period by estimating an end
time of the absence period, and the air conditioning controller may
be adapted to continuously operate the ventilating device
throughout the absence period if the absence period is the short
period, and start an operation of the ventilating device a
specified time earlier than the end time of the absence period if
the absence period is the long period.
[0014] With this configuration, if the absence period is the long
period, the ventilating device is not operated throughout the
entire absence period but is operated for a minimum period
immediately before a family member comes home. This makes it
possible to prevent an unnecessary power consumption through the
absence period and to effectively perform the control of the
thermal environment within the home using the ventilating
device.
[0015] The system may further include a photovoltaic power
generating device for generating electric power by using sunlight
to supply the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device. The air conditioning controller may be adapted
to operate the air conditioning device and the ventilating device
throughout the absence period if the absence period is the long
period and the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power
generating device is equal to or greater than a predetermined
value, and operate the ventilating device a specified time earlier
than the end time of the absence period regardless of the magnitude
of the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power
generating device.
[0016] With this configuration, if the electric power generated by
the photovoltaic power generating device is equal to or greater
than a predetermined value, the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device are operated to control the thermal environment
within the home beforehand in such a way as to make the home
comfortable. This makes it possible to more effectively operate the
ventilating device immediately before a family member comes
home.
[0017] The system may further include a photovoltaic power
generating device for generating electric power by using sunlight
to supply the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; a battery for storing the electric power
generated by the photovoltaic power generating device and supplying
the electric power to the air conditioning device and the
ventilating device; and a reverse power flow control unit for
reversely supplying the electric power generated by the
photovoltaic power generating device to a commercial power supply
system. The air conditioning controller may be adapted to control,
if the absence period is the long period, the reverse power flow
control unit to reversely supply the electric power generated by
the photovoltaic power generating device to the commercial power
supply system instead of supplying the electric power to the
battery.
[0018] With this configuration, the DC power generated by the
photovoltaic power generating device is charged to the battery
throughout the absence period. However, if the absence period is
the long period, the power loss is increased due to the discharge
of the battery. In this case, the DC power generated by the
photovoltaic power generating device is reversely supplied and sold
to other consumers, whereby the generated power can be effectively
used in case of the long-term absence.
[0019] The absence detecting unit may estimate an end time of the
absence period and make determination whether the absence period is
a short period shorter than a first predetermined time period, a
first long period equal to or longer than the first predetermined
time period but shorter than a second predetermined time period, or
a second long period longer than the second predetermined time
period, and the air conditioning controller may be adapted to
continuously operate the ventilating device throughout the absence
period if the absence period is the short period, to start an
operation of the ventilating device a specified time earlier than
the end time of the absence period if the absence period is the
first long period or the second long period, and control the
reverse power flow control unit to reversely supply the electric
power generated by the photovoltaic power generating device to the
commercial power supply system instead of supplying the electric
power to the battery if the absence period is the second long
period.
[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to more carefully
perform the reverse power flow control and the control of the
ventilating device throughout the absence period.
[0021] As stated above, the present invention is capable of
providing a comfortable indoor space to a home-coming family member
while using natural energy to seek energy saving.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of embodiments,
given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an air-conditioning
control system in accordance with first and second embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an air-conditioning
control system in accordance with a third embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of an air-conditioning
control system in accordance with a fourth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which forms a
part of the subject specification. Identical or similar components
throughout the drawings will be designated by like reference
symbols and will not be described repeatedly.
First Embodiment
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an air-conditioning
control system for houses in accordance with the present
embodiment. The air-conditioning control system includes an air
conditioning controller 1 for performing an air conditioning
control within a home; an air conditioning device 2 having an air
conditioner and designed to cool or heat the home; a ventilating
device 3 for performing ventilation between the home and the
outside; a human sensor 4 for detecting a human existing within the
home; a setting unit 5 operated by a family member; a temperature
sensor 6 for measuring a temperature within the home; a
photovoltaic power generating device 7 for generating an electric
power with sunlight; a battery 8 for storing the electric power
generated by the photovoltaic power generating device 7 and
supplying the electric power to the air conditioning device 2 and
the ventilating device 3; and a heat accumulator 9 for accumulating
heat using the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power
generating device 7.
[0028] The air conditioning controller 1 includes an absence
detecting unit 1a serving as an absence detecting unit for
detecting the absence of a human within the home, the human sensor
4 and the setting unit 5 being connected to the absence detecting
unit 1a; a control pattern determining unit 1b for determining
operation control patterns of the air conditioning device 2 and the
ventilating device 3, the temperature sensor 6 being connected to
the control pattern determining unit 1b; and a control signal
transmitting unit 1c for transmitting control signals to the air
conditioning device 2 and the ventilating device 3 pursuant to the
control patterns determined by the control pattern determining unit
1b.
[0029] Description will now be made on the cooling operation in
summer by way of example.
[0030] First, if a human exists within the home, the human sensor 4
transmits a human sensing signal to the air conditioning controller
1. In response to the human sensing signal, the absence detecting
unit 1a of the air conditioning controller 1 determines that a
human exists within the home and outputs an existence signal to the
control pattern determining unit 1b. Responsive to the existence
signal, the control pattern determining unit 1b determines, e.g., a
control pattern in which the air conditioning device 2 is operated,
if necessary, in combination with the ventilating device 3. Upon
receiving the control pattern, the control signal transmitting unit
1c transmits control signals corresponding to the control pattern
to the ventilating device 3 and the air conditioning device 2,
thereby controlling the startup operations of the ventilating
device 3 and the air conditioning device 2. In this manner, the air
conditioning controller 1 performs an air conditioning control to
cool the home.
[0031] In the air conditioning control, the measured temperature of
the temperature sensor 6 is feedback controlled to become equal to
a target temperature (26.degree. C. in the present embodiment) set
by a user through the use of the setting unit 5.
[0032] Next, if a human goes out and does not exist within the
home, the human sensing signal outputted by the human sensor 4 is
cut off. The absence detecting unit 1a of the air conditioning
controller 1 determines that a human does not exist within the home
and outputs an absence signal to the control pattern determining
unit 1b. Responsive to the absence signal, the control pattern
determining unit 1b determines, e.g., a control pattern in which
the air conditioning device 2 is stopped throughout an absence
period and the ventilating device 3 is operated to ventilate the
home during at least a part of the absence period. Upon receiving
the control pattern, the control signal transmitting unit 1c
transmits control signals corresponding to the control pattern to
the ventilating device 3 and the air conditioning device 2, thereby
controlling the startup operations of the ventilating device 3 and
the air conditioning device 2. In this manner, the air conditioning
controller 1 performs an air conditioning control.
[0033] In this air conditioning control, the ventilating device 3
performs ventilation throughout the absence period by which the
indoor air heated to a high temperature within the closed home is
exchanged with the outdoor air having a temperature lower than that
of the indoor air. Thus, the thermal environment is controlled in
such a way as to reduce the indoor temperature. The power
consumption of the ventilating device 3 is lower than the power
consumption of the air conditioning device 2 that performs cooling.
As compared with a case where the air conditioning device 2 is
operated throughout the absence period, it is therefore possible to
save energy.
[0034] Next, when a family member who went out comes back home, the
human sensor 4 transmits a human sensing signal to the air
conditioning controller 1. In response to the human sensing signal,
the air conditioning controller 1 performs again an air
conditioning control to cool the home using the air conditioning
device 2, if necessary, in combination with the ventilating device
3. In this manner, throughout the absence period, the thermal
environment within the home is controlled in such a way as to make
the home comfortable (e.g., to reduce the indoor temperature in
summer) using the outdoor air as natural energy. Thus, with a
reduced power consumption, the air conditioning device 2 restarted
by a home-coming family member can perform a cooling operation to
make the indoor temperature equal to a target temperature.
[0035] In the present embodiment, as described above, it is
possible to provide a comfortable indoor space to a home-coming
family member by using the outdoor air as natural energy to seek
energy saving.
[0036] In addition to the afore-mentioned detection method in which
the absence of a human within the home is detected pursuant to the
human sensing signal from the human sensor 4, it may be possible to
use a detection method in which the setting unit 5 is operated by a
family member to set one of the existence and the absence and,
then, the absence of a human within the home is detected pursuant
to the setting in the setting unit 5.
Second Embodiment
[0037] Just like the first embodiment, the air-conditioning control
system of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The same
components as those of the first embodiment will be designated by
like reference symbols and will not be described.
[0038] In the air conditioning controller 1 of the present
embodiment, the absence detecting unit 1a serves not only as an
absence detecting unit but also as an absence period determining
unit for estimating the end time of the absence period (i.e.,, the
home-coming time) and then determining whether the absence period
is a long period equal to or longer than a predetermined time
period or a short period shorter than the predetermined time
period.
[0039] The process of estimating the home-coming time and the
process of determining the long period or the short period are
performed based on the settings inputted by a family member through
the setting unit 5 before the family member leaves home. For
example, the setting unit 5 includes a unit for inputting the
length of the absence period or the expected home-coming time. The
home-coming time is estimated from the length of the absence period
or the expected home-coming time thus inputted. The absence period
equal to or longer than the predetermined time period is determined
as the long period. The absence period shorter than the
predetermined time period is determined as the short period. The
threshold used in determining whether the absence period is the
long period or the short period varies depending on the air
conditioning characteristics of a building and the capacity of the
ventilating device 3. As an example, the threshold is set equal to
about two hours.
[0040] Alternatively, the absence detecting unit 1a may store a
history of past absence periods. The absence detecting unit 1a may
estimate the length of the absence period based on the absence
occurring time and day in the absence period history and may
perform, pursuant to the length of the absence period, the process
of estimating, the home-coming time and the process of determining
whether the absence period is the long period or the short
period.
[0041] The threshold, which is compared with the length of the
absence period to determine whether the absence period is the long
period or the short period, may vary with at least one of the year,
month, day and hour indicating the seasons and the time zone at
which the determination is made. This makes it possible to set the
threshold based on the life pattern of family members which varies
depending on the seasons and the time zone.
[0042] Depending on whether the absence period is the long period
or the short period, the control pattern determining unit 1b
changes the control pattern of the ventilating device 3 throughout
the absence period. In other words, the air conditioning control
throughout the absence period can be adaptively performed depending
on whether the absence period is the long period or the short
period.
[0043] If the absence period is the short period, the control
pattern determining unit 1b performs, throughout the entire absence
period, the air conditioning control by which the air conditioning
device 2 is stopped and the ventilating device 3 is operated to
ventilate the home as in the first embodiment.
[0044] If the absence period is the long period, the control
pattern determining unit 1b stops the operations of the air
conditioning device 2 and the ventilating device 3 after detecting
the absence state. The air conditioning device 2 is kept stopped
throughout the entire absence period. However, the ventilating
device 3 is controlled to start its operation a specified time
(e.g., two hours) earlier than the home-coming time of a family
member. In other words, if the absence period is the long period,
the ventilating device 3 is not operated throughout the entire
absence period but is operated for a minimum period immediately
before a family member comes back home. This makes it possible to
prevent unnecessary power consumption throughout the absence period
and to effectively perform the control of the thermal environment
within the home using the ventilating device 3.
Third Embodiment
[0045] In the air-conditioning control system of the present
embodiment, the control relying on the electric power generated by
the photovoltaic power generating device 7 is added to the thermal
environment control of the second embodiment. The same components
as those of the second embodiment will be designated by like
reference symbols and will not be described.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the air conditioning controller 1 of
the present embodiment includes a power measuring unit 1d for
measuring the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power
generating device 7. The value of the generated power measured by
the power measuring unit 1d is outputted to the control pattern
determining unit 1b. As in the second embodiment, the control
pattern determining unit 1b changes the control pattern of the
ventilating device 3 throughout the absence period, depending on
whether the absence period is the long period or the short
period.
[0047] If the absence period is the short period, the control
pattern determining unit 1b performs, throughout the entire absence
period, the air conditioning control by which the air conditioning
device 2 is stopped and the ventilating device 3 is operated to
ventilate the home.
[0048] If the absence period is the short period, the control
pattern determining unit 1b controls the operations of the air
conditioning device 2 and the ventilating device 3 depending on the
value of the generated power measured by the generated power
measuring unit 1d, for example. Specifically, if the value of the
generated power is smaller than a predetermined value, the control
pattern determining unit 1b stops the air conditioning device 2 and
the ventilating device 3. If the value of the generated power
becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the
control pattern determining unit 1b operates the air conditioning
device 2 and the ventilating device 3.
[0049] In an alternative example, the surplus power of the
photovoltaic power generating device 7 is measured. If the
generated power has no surplus, the control pattern determining
unit 1b stops the air conditioning device 2 and the ventilating
device 3. If the generated power is surplus, the control pattern
determining unit 1b operates the air conditioning device 2 and the
ventilating device 3 through the effective use of the surplus power
and controls the thermal environment within the home beforehand in
such a way as to make the home comfortable.
[0050] The surplus power of the photovoltaic power generating
device 7 referred to herein means the electric power excluding the
power charged to the battery 8, the power supplied to the heat
accumulator 9 and the power used in operating the home appliances.
The power measuring unit 1d can measure not only the value of the
generated power but also the power charged to the battery 8, the
power supplied to the heat accumulator 9 and the power used in
operating the home appliances. Accordingly, it is possible to
calculate the surplus power.
[0051] Regardless of the magnitude of the generated power of the
photovoltaic power generating device 7, the operation of the
ventilating device 3 is started a specified time (e.g., two hours)
earlier than the home-coming time of a family member. Regardless of
existence of the surplus power, the thermal environment within the
home is controlled by the ventilating device 3 in such a way as to
make the home comfortable immediately before the home-coming of a
family member. If the generated power of the photovoltaic power
generating device 7 is surplus immediately before the home-coming
of a family member, the air conditioning device 2 is also operated
in combination with the ventilating device 3.
[0052] Accordingly, in the event that the air conditioning device 2
and the ventilating device 3 were operated by the surplus power
throughout the absence period, it is possible to more effectively
operate the ventilating device 3 immediately before the home-coming
of a family member. Moreover, immediately before the home-coming of
a family member, the air conditioning device 2 can be operated
through the effective use of the surplus power so as to effectively
improve the thermal environment.
Fourth Embodiment
[0053] In the air-conditioning control system of the present
embodiment, the reverse power flow control of the photovoltaic
power generating device 7 is added to the thermal environment
control of the second embodiment. The same components as those of
the second embodiment will be designated by like reference symbols
and will not be described.
[0054] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the
air-conditioning control system includes a power conditioner 10 for
converting the DC power generated by the photovoltaic power
generating device 7 to an AC power. The air-conditioning control
system has a function (a reverse power flow unit) of causing the
generated power to reversely flow toward a commercial power supply
system. The air conditioning controller 1 includes a reverse power
flow control unit le for controlling the reverse power flow
operation of the power conditioner 10.
[0055] Depending on the length of the absence period, the absence
detecting unit 1a assorts the absence period into three patterns,
e.g., a short period corresponding to the absence period of less
than one hour, a first long period corresponding to the absence
period of not less than one hour but less than two days, and a
second long period corresponding to the absence period of not less
than two days. The thresholds (i.e., one hour and two days), which
are compared with the length of the absence period to assort the
three patterns, may vary with at least one of the year, month, day
and hour indicating the seasons and. the time zone at which the
determination is made. The control pattern determining unit 1b
changes the control pattern of the ventilating device 3 throughout
the absence period, depending on whether the absence period is the
short period, the first long period or the second long period.
[0056] If the absence period is the short period, the control
pattern determining unit 1b performs, throughout the entire absence
period, the air conditioning control by which the air conditioning
device 2 is stopped and the ventilating device 3 is operated to
ventilate the home.
[0057] If the absence period is the first long period or the second
long period, the control pattern determining unit 1b stops the
operations of the air conditioning device 2 and the ventilating
device 3 after detecting the absence state. The air conditioning
device 2 is kept stopped throughout the entire absence period.
However, the ventilating device 3 is controlled to start its
operation a specified time earlier than the home-coming time of a
family member.
[0058] If the absence period is the second long period, the reverse
power flow control unit 1e operates the power conditioner 10 to
reversely supply the DC power generated by the photovoltaic power
generating device 7 to the commercial power supply system instead
of the battery 8 and the heat accumulator 9. In other words, the DC
power generated by the photovoltaic power generating device 7 is
charged to the battery 8 and thermally accumulated in the heat
accumulator 9 throughout the absence period. However, if the
absence period is the second long period, i.e., the longest period,
the power loss is increased due to the discharge of the battery 8
or the heat dissipation of the heat accumulator 9. In this case,
the DC power generated by the photovoltaic power generating device
7 is reversely supplied and sold to other customers, whereby the
generated power can be effectively used during the long-term
absence.
[0059] In the first through fourth embodiments, a summer cooling
operation has been taken as an example to describe the
configuration of providing a comfortable indoor space to a
home-coming family member while using the outdoor air as natural
energy to seek energy saving. In a winter heating operation, it is
equally possible to obtain the same effect by using the outdoor air
having a temperature higher than the indoor temperature.
[0060] An outdoor temperature measuring unit may be provided to
measure the outdoor temperature. The ventilating device 3 may be
operated if a human does not exist within the home and the indoor
temperature measured a specified time earlier than the expected
home-coming time is higher than or lower than the manually-set
target temperature and the outdoor temperature. The ventilating
device 3 may not be operated in other cases. This is to keep the
ventilating device 3 stopped when the indoor temperature is lower
than the outdoor temperature in summer or when the indoor
temperature is higher than the outdoor temperature in winter. It
may also be possible to stop the ventilating device 3 when the
indoor temperature reaches a target temperature.
[0061] In the embodiments described above, the ventilating device 3
is a ventilating fan. The ventilating device 3 may include other
devices capable of introducing the outdoor air into the home, e.g.,
an electric window.
[0062] In the embodiments described above, the air-conditioning
control system is installed in a house by way of example. However,
the air-conditioning control system may be installed in any place
where the indoor space and the outdoor space are divided, e.g., in
a residential complex, an apartment, an office, a shopping arcade
and a factory.
[0063] While the invention has been shown and described with
respect to the embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
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