U.S. patent application number 15/515861 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for duct-type air conditioning system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoshihisa KOJIMA.
Application Number | 20170299218 15/515861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56013438 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170299218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KOJIMA; Yoshihisa |
October 19, 2017 |
DUCT-TYPE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Abstract
A duct-type air conditioning system includes a plurality of
dampers in a plurality of duct bifurcation areas, which are
corresponding to a plurality air-conditioned spaces supplied with
conditioned air from an air conditioner, to bring an air trunk in
each of the duct bifurcation areas into an opened or closed state
individually, a plurality of outlets and a control device. The
control device includes a controlled air-volume calculation unit of
an indoor unit, based on an opening ratio, which is a ratio of the
sum of numbers or areas of opened outlets provided in the duct
having the damper in an opened state with respect to the sum of
numbers or areas of the outlets provided in the air-conditioned
spaces, and a temperature difference between a target temperature
and a temperature measured in the air-conditioned spaces where the
opened outlet is present, when the air conditioner performs
automatic air volume adjustment.
Inventors: |
KOJIMA; Yoshihisa; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
56013438 |
Appl. No.: |
15/515861 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
November 19, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/080647 |
371 Date: |
March 30, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/76 20180101;
F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 11/70 20180101; F24F 3/00 20130101; F24F
2110/10 20180101; F24F 13/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/053 20060101
F24F011/053; F24F 11/00 20060101 F24F011/00; F24F 11/00 20060101
F24F011/00; F24F 13/10 20060101 F24F013/10; F24F 3/00 20060101
F24F003/00 |
Claims
1. A duct-type air conditioning system comprising: an air
conditioner; a plurality of dampers respectively provided in a
plurality of ducts provided corresponding to a plurality
air-conditioned spaces, to which conditioned air from the air
conditioner is supplied, to bring an air trunk in each of the ducts
into an opened state or closed state individually; a plurality of
outlets respectively provided at ends of the ducts; and a control
device that controls the air conditioner and the dampers, wherein
the control device includes a controlled air-volume calculation
unit that, when the air conditioner performs automatic air volume
adjustment, calculates a controlled air volume of an indoor unit
constituting the air conditioner, on the basis of: an opening
ratio, which is a ratio of sum of numbers or areas of opened
outlets provided in the duct having the damper in an opened state
with respect to sum of numbers or areas of the outlets respectively
provided in the air-conditioned spaces; and a temperature
difference between a target temperature of the air-conditioned
space and a temperature measured in the air-conditioned space where
the opened outlet is present.
2. The duct-type air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit calculates the
controlled air volume by using a controlled air volume table in
which air volume variable speeds representing variable speeds of an
air volume of the indoor unit, the opening ratio, the temperature
difference, and a controlled air volume, which has a tendency such
that the air volume is increased as the opening ratio increases,
are set.
3. The duct-type air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit calculates the
controlled air volume by using a controlled air volume table in
which air volume variable speeds representing variable speeds of an
air volume of the indoor unit, the opening ratio, the temperature
difference, and a controlled air volume, which has a tendency such
that the air volume is increased as the temperature difference
increases, are set.
4. The duct-type air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit uses a
temperature difference between the target temperature and an
average value of a plurality of temperatures measured in a
plurality air-conditioned spaces where the opened outlet is
present.
5. The duct-type air conditioning system according to claim 1,
wherein the controlled air-volume calculation unit uses a
temperature difference between the target temperature and a
weighted average temperature obtained by weighted averaging of a
plurality of temperatures measured in the air-conditioned spaces
where the opened outlet is present, by number of opened outlets.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a duct-type air
conditioning system that supplies conditioned air to a plurality
air-conditioned spaces by a duct connected to an air
conditioner.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a conventional duct-type air conditioning system
described in Patent Literature 1, a total required air volume of
the entire system is decided by a variable air volume (VAV) control
unit and control of a damper opening degree and control of the
number of revolutions of an air blower are executed, in order to
maintain the room temperature in the air-conditioned spaces at a
set temperature. In Patent Literature 1, an air volume is finely
adjusted based on the damper opening degree and a change amount of
the total required air volume.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open
No. H8-28941
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
[0004] However, the VAV control unit used in Patent Literature 1
has a complicated configuration such that information required for
air conditioning control, such as excess and deficiency information
of static pressure and damper opening degree information, are
acquired and the pieces of information are fed back to the control
of the air conditioner. Therefore, the system becomes expensive as
a whole and the system is not easy to be widely used in general
houses. Further, in the conventional technique described in Patent
Literature 1, an air volume is adjusted by a damper opening degree,
and thus it is required that a damper to be used can finely control
the opening degree. Accordingly, the cost of the entire system
increases.
[0005] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above
problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a
duct-type air conditioning system that can realize air volume
control corresponding to the environment in a plurality
air-conditioned spaces, with an inexpensive configuration.
Solution to Problem
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention in order to
solve the above mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, there
is provided a duct-type air conditioning system including: an air
conditioner; a plurality of dampers respectively provided in a
plurality of ducts provided corresponding to a plurality
air-conditioned spaces, to which conditioned air from the air
conditioner is supplied, to bring an air trunk in each of the ducts
into an opened state or closed state individually; a plurality of
outlets respectively provided at ends of the ducts; and a control
device that controls the air conditioner and the dampers, wherein
the control device includes a controlled air-volume calculation
unit that, when the air conditioner performs automatic air volume
adjustment, calculates a controlled air volume of an indoor unit
constituting the air conditioner, on the basis of: an opening
ratio, which is a ratio of sum of numbers or areas of opened
outlets provided in the duct having the damper in an opened state
with respect to sum of numbers or areas of the outlets respectively
provided in the air-conditioned spaces; and a temperature
difference between a target temperature of the air-conditioned
space and a temperature measured in the air-conditioned space where
the opened outlet is present.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] The duct-type air conditioning system according to the
present invention can realize air volume control corresponding to
the environment in a plurality air-conditioned spaces, with an
inexpensive configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air
conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the
number of outlets is changed in the duct-type air conditioning
system illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of
a controlled air-volume calculation unit in a control device
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a controlled
air volume table illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control
device illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air
conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration
example of a controlled air-volume calculation unit in a control
device illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration
example of the controlled air-volume calculation unit in the
control device illustrated in FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Exemplary embodiments of a duct-type air conditioning system
according to the present invention will be explained below in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present
invention is not limited to the embodiments.
First Embodiment
[0017] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air
conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. A duct-type air conditioning system 1 includes an indoor
unit 2 constituting an air conditioner, an outdoor unit 3
constituting the air conditioner and connected to the indoor unit
2, a control device 4 that controls the air conditioner, a
controller 6 provided in an air-conditioned space 10-1 to transmit
various pieces of information to the control device 4 via a control
line 5, and a duct 7 connected to the indoor unit 2 to supply
conditioned air from the indoor unit 2 to a plurality
air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, . . . , and 10-n. The duct-type
air conditioning system 1 further includes a plurality of duct
bifurcation areas 7-1, 7-2, . . . , and 7-n branching from the duct
7 and provided corresponding to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1,
10-2, . . . , and 10-n, and a plurality of dampers 9-1, 9-2, . . .
, and 9-n respectively provided in the duct bifurcation areas 7-1,
7-2, . . . , and 7-n to open or close an air trunk in the duct
according to control of the control device 4. Further, the
duct-type air conditioning system 1 includes a plurality of outlets
8-1, 8-2, . . . , and 8-n respectively provided at ends of the duct
bifurcation areas 7-1, 7-2, . . . , and 7-n to discharge
conditioned air to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, . . . ,
and 10-n, where n is an integer equal to or larger than 1. In the
duct-type air conditioning system 1, one duct and the plurality of
duct bifurcation areas are used. However, the duct-type air
conditioning system 1 can have a configuration such that a
plurality of ducts are connected to the indoor unit 2 to supply
conditioned air from the indoor unit 2 to a plurality
air-conditioned spaces via the ducts.
[0018] The control device 4, the indoor unit 2, the outdoor unit 3,
the controller 6, and the dampers 9-1, 9-2, . . . , and 9-n are
connected by the control line 5, and the dampers 9-1, 9-2, . . . ,
and 9-n are individually controlled to an opened state or a closed
state by the control device 4. When the dampers 9-1, 9-2, . . . ,
and 9-n are in an opened state, conditioned air is supplied to the
air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, . . . , and 10-n, and when the
dampers 9-1, 9-2, . . . , and 9-n are in a closed state, supply of
the conditioned air to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, . . .
, and 10-n is stopped.
[0019] The controller 6 has a thermistor 11 that measures the room
temperature of the air-conditioned space 10-1, and information of
the measured room temperature is transmitted to the control device
4 via the control line 5. Further, the controller 6 performs
various settings for controlling air conditioning in the
air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, . . . , and 10-n. The contents
of the various settings are, for example, setting of the number of
outlets 8-1, 8-2, . . . , and 8-n respectively provided in the
air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, . . . , and 10-n, setting of a
target temperature in the air-conditioned spaces, and air volume
automatic/manual setting indicating whether the air volume of the
indoor unit 2 is adjusted automatically or manually. When these
settings are performed by the controller 6, the number-of-outlets
information a representing the number of outlets 8-1, 8-2, . . . ,
and 8-n, target temperature information b, and air-volume
automatic/manual setting information c representing the result of
air-volume automatic/manual setting are generated, and these pieces
of information are transmitted from the controller 6 to the control
device 4, together with room temperature information d detected by
the thermistor 11. In the following descriptions, these pieces of
information are referred to as "controller output information 6a".
The contents to be set by the controller 6 are not limited to the
setting contents described above.
[0020] The indoor unit 2 has a function of gradually changing a
discharge amount of conditioned air by gradually changing the
number of revolutions of an indoor unit fan (not illustrated), and
the indoor unit 2 manages air-volume variable speed information e
representing the variable speeds of the discharged air volume. The
air-volume variable speed information e is information set in the
indoor unit 2 beforehand at the time of, for example, factory
shipment of the indoor unit 2. In the present embodiment, it is
assumed that indoor-unit output information 2a including the
air-volume variable speed information e is transmitted from the
indoor unit 2 to the control device 4, so that the air-volume
variable speed information e is managed by the control device 4. A
specific example of the air-volume variable speed information e is
described later.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the
number of outlets is changed in the duct-type air conditioning
system illustrated in FIG. 1. In the air-conditioned space 10-1,
three outlets 8-1 are provided at the end of the duct bifurcation
area 7-1. In the air-conditioned space 10-2, two outlets 8-2 are
provided at the end of the duct bifurcation area 7-2. In the
air-conditioned space 10-3, one outlet 8-3 is provided at the end
of the duct bifurcation area 7-3. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the
damper 9-1 is in an opened state, and the dampers 9-2 and 9-3 are
in a closed state. In this case, conditioned air supplied from the
indoor unit 2 is conducted in the duct bifurcation area 7-1 and
supplied from three outlets 8-1 to the air-conditioned space 10-1,
but is not supplied to the air-conditioned spaces 10-2 and 10-3. At
this time, an opening ratio representing the degree of conditioned
air supplied to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 is
obtained, for example, by using the sum of the outlets 8-1, 8-2,
and 8-3, and the sum of opened outlets of the three outlets 8-1,
being opened outlets provided in the duct bifurcation area 7-1
having the damper 9-1 in the opened state. That is, in the example
in FIG. 2, the opening ratio, being the ratio of the sum of opened
outlets to the sum of outlets, becomes 50%. In the example of FIG.
2, it is also assumed that the room temperature detected by the
thermistor 11 is 29.degree. C., the target temperature is
27.degree. C., the indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling operation,
and the air volume variable speeds are five. In the following
descriptions, a function of the indoor unit 2 for calculating a
controlled air volume is described specifically by using the
example of the duct-type air conditioning system 1 illustrated in
FIG. 2.
[0022] In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the controller 6 is
installed in the air-conditioned space 10-1. However, the
controller 6 can be installed in an air-conditioned space other
than the air-conditioned space 10-1. Further, in the examples of
FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermistor 11 detects the room temperature of
the air-conditioned space 10-1. However, detection of the room
temperature is not limited to the detection by the thermistor 11,
and a temperature detection unit other than the thermistor 11 can
be used. Further, the thermistor 11 is not limited to the one
incorporated in the controller 6, and can be one provided in any
space of the air-conditioned spaces.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of
a controlled air-volume calculation unit in the control device
illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates only a controlled
air-volume calculation unit 400, being a function of calculating a
controlled air volume 48a of the indoor unit 2, of the functions of
the control device 4. However, it is assumed that the control
device 4 has a function other than the controlled air-volume
calculating function, such as a damper control function of
controlling opening/closing of the dampers 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3
illustrated in FIG. 2, for example.
[0024] The control device 4 includes an information reception unit
40 that receives the controller output information 6a from the
controller 6 and the indoor-unit output information 2a from the
indoor unit 2, and a storage unit 41 that stores therein the
number-of-outlets information a, the target temperature information
b, the air-volume automatic/manual setting information c, and the
room temperature information d included in the controller output
information 6a, as well as the air-volume variable speed
information e included in the indoor-unit output information 2a,
and damper opened/closed state information f managed by the damper
control function (not illustrated) and representing the
opened/closed state of the dampers 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3. The control
device 4 also includes an outlet sum calculation unit 43 that
calculates the sum of the outlets 8-1, 8-2, and 8-3 based on the
number-of-outlets information a, an opened-outlet sum calculation
unit 44 that calculates the sum of opened outlets provided in the
duct having a damper in an opened state, of the outlets 8-1, 8-2,
and 8-3, based on the number-of-outlets information a and the
damper opened/closed state information f, an opening ratio
calculation unit 45, and a temperature-difference calculation unit
46 that calculates a temperature difference between the target
temperature and the room temperature based on the target
temperature information b and the room temperature information d.
Further, the control device 4 includes an air-volume setting
determination unit 42 that determines whether it is set to perform
air volume adjustment automatically or manually based on the
air-volume automatic/manual setting information c, a controlled air
volume table 47 in which the air volume variable speeds, the
opening ratio, the temperature difference, and the controlled air
volume are associated with each other, and a controlled air-volume
decision unit 48 that decides and outputs the controlled air volume
48a by collating the temperature difference calculated by the
temperature-difference calculation unit 46, the opening ratio
calculated by the opening ratio calculation unit 45, and the air
volume variable speeds stored in the storage unit 41 with the
controlled air volume table 47, when it is determined that air
volume adjustment is performed automatically.
[0025] The opening ratio calculation unit 45 calculates the degree
of conditioned air supplied to the air-conditioned spaces 10-1,
10-2, and 10-3, that is, the opening ratio, being the ratio of the
sum of opened outlets to the sum of outlets, by using the sum of
outlets calculated by the outlet sum calculation unit 43 and the
sum of opened outlets calculated by the opened-outlet sum
calculation unit 44. In the example of FIG. 2, the opening ratio is
50%.
[0026] The temperature-difference calculation unit 46 calculates
the temperature difference, taking into consideration whether the
indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling operation or heating
operation. For example, when the indoor unit 2 is performing a
cooling operation, the temperature-difference calculation unit 46
calculates the temperature difference according to an equation (1),
and when the indoor unit 2 is performing a heating operation, the
temperature-difference calculation unit 46 calculates the
temperature difference according to an equation (2).
Temperature difference=room temperature-target temperature (1)
Temperature difference=target temperature-room temperature (2)
[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
controlled air volume table illustrated in FIG. 3. In the
controlled air volume table 47, the air volume variable speeds
ranging from a speed 1 to a speed 5, opening ratio stages R11 to
R55 representing one or a plurality of opening ratios associated
with the values of the air volume variable speeds, a plurality of
temperature difference stages S1 to S7 associated with the
temperature difference values, and a plurality of controlled air
volumes for controlling the discharged air volume of conditioned
air from the indoor unit 2 are associated with each other. The
controlled air volume is a control amount, which has a tendency
such that the air volume is increased as the opening ratio
increases or a tendency such that the air volume is increased as
the temperature difference increases. The degree of the controlled
air volume is represented by "very strong", "strong", "weak",
"quiet", "very quiet", and "maintain previous state". In FIG. 4, to
simplify the descriptions, the controlled air volume is expressed
by characters. However, in practice, it is assumed that a value
corresponding to the controlled air volume is set. It is assumed
that the contents of the controlled air volume table 47 can be
changed partially such that the intensity of the air volume can be
changed, for example, matched with the environment where the
controller 6 is installed.
[0028] For example, in the case where the air volume variable
speeds acquired from the air-volume variable speed information e
are five, the opening ratio calculated by the opening ratio
calculation unit 45 is from equal to or higher than 40% to lower
than 60%, and the temperature difference calculated by the
temperature-difference calculation unit 46 is equal to or higher
than 6.degree. C., the controlled air-volume decision unit 48
decides the controlled air volume 48a corresponding to "very
strong" indicated by (1) in FIG. 4. Similarly, in the case where
the air volume variable speeds are five, the opening ratio is lower
than 20%, and the temperature difference is lower than 1.degree.
C., the controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides the
controlled air volume 48a corresponding to "very quiet" indicated
by (2) in FIG. 4.
[0029] An operation of the control device is described below. FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device
illustrated in FIG. 1. If it is determined by the air-volume
setting determination unit 42 of the control device 4 that
automatic air volume adjustment is being set (YES at Step S1), the
outlet sum calculation unit 43 calculates the sum of outlets, the
opened-outlet sum calculation unit 44 calculates the sum of opened
outlets, and the temperature-difference calculation unit 46
determines whether the indoor unit 2 is performing a cooling
operation or heating operation and calculates the temperature
difference (Step S2). In the example of FIG. 2, the sum of outlets
is 6, the sum of opened outlets is 3, and the temperature
difference is 2.degree. C. The opening ratio calculation unit 45
calculates the opening ratio (Step S3), and in the example of FIG.
2, the opening ratio becomes 50%. The controlled air-volume
decision unit 48 decides the controlled air volume 48a by referring
to the controlled air volume table 47 (Step S4). Specifically,
because the air volume variable speeds are five, the opening ratio
is 50%, and the temperature difference is 2.degree. C., the
controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides the controlled air
volume 48a as "weak" corresponding to the opening ratio stage R53
and the temperature difference stage S3 in the controlled air
volume table 47. The decided controlled air volume 48a is
transmitted to the indoor unit 2 (Step S5).
[0030] If it is determined that the automatic air volume adjustment
is not being set (NO at Step S1), the controller 6 transmits an air
volume set by a user to the indoor unit 2 (Step S6).
[0031] In the duct-type air conditioning system 1 according to the
first embodiment, by focusing on the damper opened/closed state and
the number of outlets, such control can be realized that the air
volume is increased when the number of opened outlets is large or
the temperature difference is large, and the air volume is
decreased when the number of opened outlets is small or the
temperature difference is small, while using the damper controlled
to the opened state or closed state. Therefore, a damper whose
opening degree can be controlled finely and a VAV control unit for
acquiring excess and deficiency information of static pressure and
an opening degree of the damper do not need to be used, and a user
can establish a duct-type air conditioning system at a low
cost.
Second Embodiment
[0032] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a duct-type air
conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present
invention. The difference between the duct-type air conditioning
system according to the second embodiment and the duct-type air
conditioning system 1 according to the first embodiment is as
described below. In a duct-type air conditioning system 1A, a
thermistor 11-1 is provided in the controller 6, a thermistor 11-2
is provided in the air-conditioned space 10-2 of the
air-conditioned spaces 10-2, . . . , and 10-n other than the
air-conditioned space 10-1, and a thermistor 11-n is provided in
the air-conditioned space 10-n, where n is an integer equal to or
larger than 1. Pieces of room temperature information 11a
respectively detected by the thermistors 11-2, . . . , and 11-n are
transmitted to the control device 4 via a control line 12. While
parts identical to those of the first embodiment are denoted by
like reference signs and explanations thereof are omitted, only
different parts will be explained.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration
example of a controlled air-volume calculation unit in the control
device illustrated in FIG. 6. A controlled air-volume calculation
unit 410 includes an information reception unit 40A that receives
the controller output information 6a, the indoor-unit output
information 2a, and the pieces of room temperature information 11a
respectively detected by the thermistors 11-1, 11-2, . . . , and
11-n, and a storage unit 41A that stores therein the
number-of-outlets information a, the target temperature information
b, the air-volume automatic/manual setting information c, the room
temperature information d, the air-volume variable speed
information e, the damper opened/closed state information f, and
the room temperature information 11a. The controlled air-volume
calculation unit 410 also includes the air-volume setting
determination unit 42, the outlet sum calculation unit 43, the
opened-outlet sum calculation unit 44, and the opening ratio
calculation unit 45. The controlled air-volume calculation unit 410
further includes an average-temperature calculation unit 49 that
calculates an averaged temperature obtained by averaging
temperatures of air-conditioned spaces in which the outlets having
the damper in an opened state are provided, based on the room
temperature information d, the damper opened/closed state
information f, and the room temperature information 11a. Further,
the controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 includes a
temperature-difference calculation unit 46A that calculates a
temperature difference between the average temperature calculated
by the average-temperature calculation unit 49 and the target
temperature, the opening ratio calculation unit 45, the controlled
air volume table 47, and the controlled air-volume decision unit
48.
[0034] In the duct-type air conditioning system 1 according to the
first embodiment, the controlled air volume 48a is decided by using
the room temperature information d from the thermistor 11. However,
in the duct-type air conditioning system 1A, the controlled air
volume 48a is decided by using the temperatures detected in the
air-conditioned spaces in which the damper is in an opened state.
For example, in the case where only the dampers 9-1 and 9-2 in the
air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 illustrated in FIG. 6 are in
an opened state, the average-temperature calculation unit 49
specifies the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 in which the
outlets having the damper in the opened state are provided
according to the damper opened/closed state information f, to
calculate an average value of the room temperature detected by the
thermistor 11-1 provided in the air-conditioned space 10-1 and the
room temperature detected by the thermistor 11-2 provided in the
air-conditioned space 10-2. The temperature-difference calculation
unit 46A uses the average value calculated by the
average-temperature calculation unit 49 as the room temperature for
calculating the temperature difference. Accordingly, temperature
variation in the air-conditioned space 10-1 and the air-conditioned
space 10-2 can be reduced.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration
example of the controlled air-volume calculation unit in the
control device illustrated in FIG. 6. A controlled air-volume
calculation unit 420 includes the information reception unit 40A,
the storage unit 41A, the air-volume setting determination unit 42,
the outlet sum calculation unit 43, the opened-outlet sum
calculation unit 44, and the opening ratio calculation unit 45. The
controlled air-volume calculation unit 420 further includes a
weighted-average temperature calculation unit 50 that calculates
temperatures by weighted averaging of temperatures of the
air-conditioned spaces in which the outlets having the damper in an
opened state are provided, based on the number-of-outlets
information a, the room temperature information d, the damper
opened/closed state information f, and the room temperature
information 11a. The controlled air-volume calculation unit 420
also includes a temperature-difference calculation unit 46B that
calculates a temperature difference between the weighted average
temperature calculated by the weighted-average temperature
calculation unit 50 and the target temperature, the opening ratio
calculation unit 45, the controlled air volume table 47, and the
controlled air-volume decision unit 48.
[0036] It is assumed that an air-conditioned space having a large
number of outlets has a large area and is difficult to be
air-conditioned. In a duct-type air conditioning system 1B,
temperature weighting based on the number of outlets in a plurality
air-conditioned spaces is performed by using a plurality of
temperatures detected in the air-conditioned spaces in which the
damper is in an opened state. As a weighting method, the number of
outlets and the weighted average of the room temperature are used.
For example, in the duct-type air conditioning system 1A in FIG. 6,
when the dampers 9-1 and 9-2 in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and
10-2 are in an opened state, the room temperature of the
air-conditioned space 10-1 is 30.degree. C. and the number of
outlets is five, and the room temperature of the air-conditioned
space 10-2 is 25.degree. C. and the number of outlets is one, the
weighted-average temperature calculation unit 50 obtains the number
of opened outlets in the air-conditioned spaces 10-1 and 10-2 in
which the outlets having the damper in an opened state are
provided, based on the number-of-outlets information a and the
damper opened/closed state information f, to obtain the weighted
average temperature according to an equation (3).
Weighted average temperature=(30.times.5+25.times.1)/6=29.2.degree.
C. (3)
[0037] For example, when it is supposed that the air volume
variable speeds are five, the opening ratio is 50%, the target
temperature is 25.degree. C., and the indoor unit 2 is performing a
cooling operation, the temperature calculated by the
average-temperature calculation unit 49 of the controlled
air-volume calculation unit 410 illustrated in FIG. 7 is
27.5.degree. C., and the temperature difference calculated by the
temperature-difference calculation unit 46A becomes 2.5.degree. C.
On the other hand, the temperature calculated by the
weighted-average temperature calculation unit 50 of the controlled
air-volume calculation unit 420 illustrated in FIG. 8 is
29.2.degree. C. Therefore, the temperature difference calculated by
the temperature-difference calculation unit 46B becomes 4.2.degree.
C. When the temperature difference is 2.5.degree. C., the
controlled air-volume decision unit 48 decides "weak" illustrated
in FIG. 4 as the controlled air volume. However, when the
temperature difference is 4.2.degree. C., the controlled air-volume
decision unit 48 decides "strong" illustrated in FIG. 4 as the
controlled air volume. In this manner, a decision of the air volume
taking into consideration the air-conditioned space 10-1 that is
difficult to be air-conditioned can be performed, and the room
temperature of the air-conditioned space 10-1 can be approximated
to the target temperature more quickly.
[0038] In the first and second embodiments, the example of
calculating the opening ratio by using the sum of outlets and the
sum of opened outlets has been described. However, the opening
ratio can be obtained by using the sum of outlet areas and the sum
of opened outlet areas, taking into consideration a case where
respective sectional areas of the outlets are different.
[0039] As described above, the duct-type air conditioning systems 1
and 1A according to the first and second embodiments include the
air conditioner, the dampers respectively provided in the ducts
provided corresponding to the air-conditioned spaces, to which
conditioned air from the air conditioner is supplied, to bring the
air trunk in each of the ducts into an opened state or closed state
individually, the outlets respectively provided at the ends of the
ducts, and the control device that controls the air conditioner and
the dampers. The control device includes the controlled air-volume
calculation unit 400 that decides the controlled air volume for
controlling the air volume of the indoor unit constituting the air
conditioner, based on the opening ratio, which is the ratio of the
sum of numbers or areas of the opened outlets provided in the duct
having a damper in an opened state with respect to the sum of
numbers or areas of the outlets respectively provided in the
air-conditioned spaces, and a temperature difference between the
target temperature of the air-conditioned space and the temperature
measured in the air-conditioned space where the opened outlet is
present, when the air conditioner performs automatic air volume
adjustment. Due to this configuration, the air volume control can
be executed without using a damper whose opening degree can be
controlled finely and a VAV control unit for acquiring excess and
deficiency information of static pressure and an opening degree of
the damper, and a user can establish a duct-type air conditioning
system at a low cost. Further, according to the duct-type air
conditioning systems 1 and 1A, because a VAV control unit does not
need to be used, the volume of the constituent components can be
reduced. Further, the damper only needs to perform an opening or
closing operation, and thus the device configuration is simplified
and a long life of the device can be realized.
[0040] The controlled air-volume calculation unit 410 according to
the second embodiment uses a temperature difference between the
target temperature and the average value of the temperatures
measured in the air-conditioned spaces where the opened outlet is
present. Due to this configuration, temperature variation in the
air-conditioned spaces can be reduced.
[0041] The controlled air-volume calculation unit 420 according to
the second embodiment uses a temperature difference between the
target temperature and the weighted average temperature obtained by
weighted averaging of the temperatures measured in the
air-conditioned spaces where the opened outlet is present, by the
number of opened outlets. Due to this configuration, the room
temperature of the air-conditioned space that is difficult to be
air-conditioned can be approximated to the target temperature more
quickly.
[0042] The configurations of the above embodiments are only an
example of the contents of the present invention. The
configurations can be combined with other well-known techniques,
and can be modified or a part the configuration can be omitted
without departing from the scope of the invention.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0043] 1, 1A duct-type air conditioning system, 2 indoor unit, 2a
indoor-unit output information, 3 outdoor unit, 4 control device, 5
control line, 6 controller, 6a controller output information, 7
duct, 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-n duct bifurcation area, 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-n
outlet, 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, 9-n dumper, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-n
air-conditioned space, 11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-n thermistor, 11a room
temperature information, 12 control line, 40, 40A information
reception unit, 41, 41A storage unit, 42 air-volume setting
determination unit, 43 outlet sum calculation unit, 44
opened-outlet sum calculation unit, opening ratio calculation unit,
46, 46A, 46B temperature-difference calculation unit, 47 controlled
air volume table, 48 controlled air-volume decision unit, 48a
controlled air volume, 49 average-temperature calculation unit, 50
weighted-average temperature calculation unit, 400, 410, 420
controlled air-volume calculation unit.
* * * * *