JP7640361B2 - VAV air conditioning system and air conditioning control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a VAV air conditioning system that adjusts the heating and cooling capacity by changing the amount of supply air discharged in response to fluctuations in the heat load of the indoor space.

Conventionally, in a VAV (Variable Air Volume) air conditioning system, a variable air supply volume adjustment unit (VAV unit) is provided for each controlled area, and the volume of air blown out from this VAV unit is controlled by a VAV controller according to the load condition of the controlled area (see Patent Document 1).

Variable air volume control in VAV air conditioning systems uses inverter-type air conditioners that can control the air volume (fan rotation speed) according to the required air volume of each VAV unit. The fan rotation speed is proportional to the inverter frequency.

The fan speed F of the air conditioner is calculated from the total required air volume Σvi obtained by adding up the required air volumes vi of each VAV unit, using the following formula (FIG. 15).
F = a × Σvi + b (where Vmin ≦ Σvi ≦ Vmax) ... (1)
F=Fmin(Σvi<Vmin)...(2)
F=Fmax(Σvi>Vmax)...(3)

In formula (1), a and b are predefined constants. Formula (2) means that if the total required airflow Σvi is smaller than the lower limit Vmin, the fan speed F is limited to the lower limit Fmin. Formula (3) means that if the total required airflow Σvi is larger than the upper limit Vmax, the fan speed F is limited to the upper limit Fmax.

In addition, in a VAV air conditioning system, total static pressure surplus/deficiency information is created based on static pressure surplus/deficiency information (status) sent from the VAV controller that controls each VAV unit, and the fan rotation speed F is increased or decreased based on the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information.

Each VAV controller outputs one of the following static pressure surplus/deficiency information: "insufficient static pressure," "appropriate," or "excessive static pressure" depending on the damper opening of the VAV unit it controls. If there is even one "insufficient static pressure" among the static pressure surplus/deficiency information sent from each VAV controller, the air conditioning control device sets the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information to "insufficient static pressure." If there is a mixture of "appropriate" and "excessive static pressure" among the static pressure surplus/deficiency information sent from each VAV controller, the air conditioning control device sets the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information to "appropriate." If all the static pressure surplus/deficiency information sent from each VAV controller is "excessive static pressure," the air conditioning control device sets the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information to "excessive static pressure."

If the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "insufficient static pressure", the air conditioning control device corrects the air conditioner's fan speed F by increasing it by α% (α is a specified value). If the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "appropriate", the air conditioning control device maintains the current fan speed F. If the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "excessive static pressure", the air conditioning control device corrects the fan speed F by decreasing it by α%.

The problems with the conventional technology are explained below.

[First problem]
Each VAV controller determines the required air volume based on the indoor temperature and the indoor temperature set value, as shown in Fig. 16. In the example of Fig. 16, when cooling, if the indoor temperature is higher than the indoor temperature set value for cooling, the required air volume increases according to the characteristics of Fig. 16, and when the indoor temperature is equal to or lower than the indoor temperature set value for cooling, the required air volume becomes the minimum air volume. Also, when heating, if the indoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature set value for heating, the required air volume increases according to the characteristics of Fig. 16, and when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the indoor temperature set value for heating, the required air volume becomes the minimum air volume.

The VAV controller controls the opening of the damper in the VAV unit to ensure the determined required air volume. Specifically, the VAV controller receives feedback of the measured air volume measured by the air volume sensor in the VAV unit, and controls the damper opening so that the required air volume and the measured air volume are equal.

Each VAV controller outputs static pressure surplus/deficiency information, either "insufficient static pressure," "adequate," or "excessive static pressure," depending on the damper opening of the VAV unit. However, even when the static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "insufficient static pressure," the indoor temperature may be good (the absolute value of the difference between the indoor temperature set value and the indoor temperature is within Δ°C). Figure 17 shows an example when the indoor temperature is PV. Figure 17 shows an example during cooling, but the phenomenon of insufficient static pressure can also occur during heating even when the indoor temperature is good. Note that because the direction of indoor temperature control (heating, cooling) changes, the absolute value of the difference between the indoor temperature set value and the indoor temperature is used to determine whether the indoor temperature is good.

The problem of insufficient static pressure even when the indoor temperature is good (the absolute value of the difference between the indoor temperature setpoint and the indoor temperature is within Δ°C) is caused by the measured air volume not meeting the required air volume even when the indoor temperature is good, i.e. the required air volume is small. Possible causes for the measured air volume not meeting the required air volume include insufficient fan rotation speed, or insufficient air volume for the target VAV unit due to a large required air volume for another VAV unit. As a result, even if the indoor temperature is good, the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information indicates "insufficient static pressure," and the fan rotation speed is increased, resulting in problems of increased energy and costs.

[Second problem]
Furthermore, by setting a temperature higher than the generally comfortable temperature (e.g., 25-27°C in summer) (e.g., the room temperature setting is 20°C), the required airflow of the VAV unit may always be the maximum airflow (Fig. 18). In this case, the static pressure excess/insufficiency information of "insufficient static pressure" continues to be output, causing a problem that the fan rotation speed is continually increased.

Patent No. 3334069

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a VAV air conditioning system and air conditioning control method that can reduce the number of times the fan rotation speed is increased and corrected, thereby realizing energy savings and cost savings.

The VAV air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner, a VAV unit provided for each controlled area, a first control unit configured to control an opening of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure excess/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure excess/deficiency information of each VAV unit, and a second control unit configured to control the fan of the air conditioner to the fan rotation speed determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit and corrected by the fan rotation speed correction unit, and The _static pressure information change unit is configured to change the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit based on the judgment result of the re-judgment unit before integrating the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit, and is characterized in that the re-judgment unit judges that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure sufficiency/excess information indicates a static pressure deficiency is within an allowable temperature range .

In addition , in one configuration example of the VAV air conditioning system of the present invention, the allowable temperature range comprises a first allowable temperature range in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value during cooling is a range from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature, and in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value during heating is a range from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature to infinity, and in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area during cooling is a range from negative infinity to a positive third predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and the re-determination unit is characterized in that when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure excess/deficiency information indicates a static pressure deficiency is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range, the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure deficiency information indicates a static pressure deficiency is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range.
Furthermore, the VAV air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner, a VAV unit provided for each controlled area, a first control unit configured to control an opening of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure excess/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure excess/deficiency information of each VAV unit, and a second control unit configured to control the fan of the air conditioner to the fan rotation speed determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit and corrected by the fan rotation speed correction unit, and The static pressure saturation/deficiency information storing unit includes a re-determination unit configured to re-determine the static pressure saturation/deficiency information based on _two concentrations, and a static pressure saturation/deficiency information changing unit configured to change the static pressure saturation/deficiency information of each VAV unit based on the determination result of the re-determination unit before integrating the static pressure saturation/deficiency information of each VAV unit, wherein the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration of the corresponding controlled area and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value is within a range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration.

Furthermore, the VAV air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner, a VAV unit provided for each controlled area, a first control unit configured to control an opening of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure excess/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure excess/deficiency information of each VAV unit, and a second control unit configured to control the fan of the air conditioner to the fan rotation speed determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit and corrected by the fan rotation speed correction unit, and The present invention is characterized in that the method includes a re-determination unit configured to re-determine the static pressure sufficiency/excess information based on the _two concentrations, a static pressure sufficiency/excess information change unit configured to change the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit based on the determination result of the re-determination unit before integrating the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit, and an indoor temperature prediction unit configured to predict the indoor temperature at a future time in each controlled area, wherein the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure sufficiency/excess information indicates a static pressure deficiency is within an allowable temperature range.
In one configuration example of the VAV air conditioning system of the present invention, the allowable temperature range comprises a first allowable temperature range in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value during cooling is a range from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature, and in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value during heating is a range from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature to infinity, and in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area during cooling is a range from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and the re-determination unit is characterized in that when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure excess/deficiency information indicates a static pressure deficiency is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range.
In addition, in one configuration example of the VAV air conditioning system of the present invention, the re-evaluation unit is characterized in that when the predicted indoor temperature value of the controlled area corresponding to a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/deficiency information indicates appropriate is outside the allowable temperature range, it determines that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient.

Furthermore, the VAV air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner, a VAV unit provided for each controlled area, a first control unit configured to control an opening of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure excess/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure excess/deficiency information of each VAV unit, and a second control unit configured to control the fan of the air conditioner to the fan rotation speed determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit and corrected by the fan rotation speed correction unit, and the static pressure sufficiency information change unit configured to change the static pressure sufficiency information of each VAV unit based on the judgment result of the re-determination unit before integrating the static pressure sufficiency information of each VAV unit; and an indoor CO2 concentration prediction unit configured to predict the _{indoor CO2} concentration at a future time in each controlled area, wherein the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration or _the indoor _CO2 concentration predicted value of the corresponding controlled area and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value for a VAV unit for which the static pressure sufficiency information indicates insufficient static pressure is within a range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration.
Furthermore, in one configuration example of the VAV air conditioning system of the present invention, the re-evaluation unit is characterized in that, for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/deficiency information indicates appropriate, when the difference between the predicted indoor _CO2 concentration value and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value in the corresponding controlled area is outside the range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration, the re-evaluation unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient.

Further, an air conditioning control method of the present invention includes a first step of controlling the opening of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a second step of sending static pressure surplus/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner supplying supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit, a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step, and a sixth step of re-evaluating the static pressure deficiency/overage information based on _{the two} concentrations; a seventh step of changing the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit based on the judgment result of the sixth step before integrating the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit; and the sixth step is characterized by including a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure deficiency/overage information indicates a static pressure deficiency is within an allowable temperature range .

Furthermore , in one configuration example of the air conditioning control method of the present invention, the allowable temperature range comprises a first allowable temperature range in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from the negative first predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and a second allowable temperature range in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from a positive third predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and the sixth step is characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure excess/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range.
Further, an air conditioning control method of the present invention includes a first step of controlling the opening of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a second step of sending static pressure surplus/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner supplying supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit, a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step, and The method includes a sixth step of re-evaluating the static pressure deficiency/overage information based on _{the two} concentrations, and a seventh step of changing the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit based on the judgment result of the sixth step before integrating the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit, wherein the sixth step includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration of the corresponding controlled area and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value is within the range from negative infinity to a positive predetermined concentration for a VAV unit for which the static pressure deficiency/overage information indicates insufficient static pressure.

Further, an air conditioning control method of the present invention includes a first step of controlling the opening of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a second step of sending static pressure surplus/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner supplying supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit, a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step, and The method includes a sixth step of re-evaluating the static pressure deficiency/overage information based on _{the two} concentrations, a seventh step of changing the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit based on the judgment result of the sixth step before integrating the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit, and an eighth step of predicting the indoor temperature at a future time in each controlled area, wherein the sixth step is characterized in that, for a VAV unit for which the static pressure deficiency/overage information indicates a static pressure deficiency, when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area is within an allowable temperature range, it is determined that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate.
Furthermore, in one configuration example of the air-conditioning control method of the present invention, the allowable temperature range comprises a first allowable temperature range in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is a range from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature during cooling and a range in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is a range from the negative first predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and a second allowable temperature range in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is a range from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature during cooling and a range in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is a range from a positive third predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and the sixth step is characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure excess/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range.
Furthermore, in one configuration example of the air conditioning control method of the present invention, the sixth step is characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient when the predicted indoor temperature value of the controlled area corresponding to a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/deficiency information indicates appropriate is outside the allowable temperature range.

Further, an air conditioning control method of the present invention includes a first step of controlling the opening of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area, a second step of sending static pressure surplus/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening of the damper, a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner supplying supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the values of the required air volumes of each VAV unit, a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit, a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step, and The method includes a sixth step of re-evaluating the static pressure deficiency/overage information based on _{the two} concentrations; a seventh step of changing the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit based on the judgment result of the sixth step before integrating the static pressure deficiency/overage information of each VAV unit; and an eighth step of predicting the indoor _CO2 concentration at a future time in each controlled area, wherein the sixth step includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration or the predicted indoor _CO2 concentration value of the corresponding controlled area and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value is within the range from negative infinity to a positive predetermined concentration for the VAV unit for which the static pressure deficiency/overage information indicates a static pressure deficiency.
Furthermore, in one configuration example of the air conditioning control method of the present invention, the sixth step is characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient when the difference between the predicted indoor _CO2 concentration value and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value in the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates appropriate is outside the range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration.

According to the present invention, by providing a re-determination unit and a static pressure surplus/deficiency information change unit, the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of insufficient static pressure can be reduced, so that the number of times the fan rotation speed is increased can be reduced, thereby realizing energy savings and cost savings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the allowable temperature range during cooling according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the allowable temperature range during heating according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of re-determination of static pressure excess/deficiency information according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of re-determination of static pressure excess/deficiency information according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a VAV air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a VAV controller of the VAV air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner of a VAV air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner controller of the VAV air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the VAV controller of the VAV air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner controller of the VAV air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the analysis device for the VAV air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a VAV air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the analysis device for a VAV air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer that realizes the VAV air conditioning system according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the relationship between the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner and the total required air volume of each VAV unit. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining a required air volume based on the room temperature and the room temperature setting value. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the static pressure is insufficient even when the indoor temperature is good. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an excessive temperature setting causes insufficient static pressure.

[Principle of the Invention]
In the present invention, re-determination is performed by changing the static pressure excess/deficiency information from "insufficient static pressure" to "appropriate" or from "appropriate" to "insufficient static pressure" based on temperature (actual measurement value or predicted value) information. More specifically, even if a VAV unit is determined to have "insufficient static pressure," it is re-determined to be "appropriate" if the actual measurement value of the indoor temperature is within the allowable temperature range. Also, even if a VAV unit is determined to have "appropriate," it is re-determined to be "insufficient static pressure" if the predicted value of the indoor temperature is outside the allowable temperature range.

Here, in the present invention, two types of allowable temperature ranges are assumed: a first allowable temperature range A1 and a second allowable temperature range A2. The first allowable temperature range A1 is a range in which the difference PV-SP between the indoor temperature PV and the indoor temperature set value SP ranges from negative infinity to Δ°C (positive first predetermined temperature) during cooling, and is a range in which the difference PV-SP between the indoor temperature PV and the indoor temperature set value SP ranges from -Δ°C (negative first predetermined temperature) to infinity during heating. The first allowable temperature range A1 is intended to solve the first problem mentioned above.

The second allowable temperature range A2 is the range where the energy consumption increases at a specified temperature (upper limit of the optimum indoor temperature during cooling or lower limit of the optimum indoor temperature during heating) set within the generally comfortable indoor temperature range (e.g. 25-27°C in summer, 20-24°C in winter). The second allowable temperature range A2 is intended to solve the second problem mentioned above. Figure 1 shows the allowable temperature ranges A1 and A2 during cooling, and Figure 2 shows the allowable temperature ranges A1 and A2 during heating.

Note that even if the indoor temperature is outside the temperature range generally considered comfortable, the second allowable temperature range A2 does not include the range where energy consumption is reduced (the range where the indoor temperature setting is increased during cooling, and the range where the indoor temperature setting is decreased during heating). In other words, the second allowable temperature range A2 during cooling is the temperature range from negative infinity to the upper limit of the optimal indoor temperature during cooling (the second predetermined positive temperature), and the second allowable temperature range A2 during heating is the temperature range from the lower limit of the optimal indoor temperature during heating (the third predetermined positive temperature) to infinity.

In the present invention, an example of re-determining from "insufficient static pressure" to "adequate" during cooling will be described with reference to FIG. 3. t1 to t8 in FIG. 3 represent the times at which the measured indoor temperature values are obtained. Also, for simplicity of explanation, FIG. 3 only illustrates the case where the allowable temperature range A1 is used.

At times t1 and t2, the indoor temperature is outside the allowable temperature range A1, so the static pressure surplus/shortage information is not changed from "insufficient static pressure" to "appropriate." At times t3 to t7, the indoor temperature is within the allowable temperature range A1, so the static pressure surplus/shortage information is changed from "insufficient static pressure" to "appropriate." At time t8, the indoor temperature is outside the allowable temperature range A1, so the re-determination result is "insufficient static pressure."
In this way, in the present invention, the number of VAV units that are determined to have "insufficient static pressure" is reduced by re-determination, and therefore the opportunities for correcting the fan rotation speed to be increased are also reduced.

By using the predicted indoor temperature value one step ahead in addition to the current value as the indoor temperature, the static pressure deficiency/overage information can be reassessed taking into account the trend of temperature change. In this case, if at least one of the measured indoor temperature value and the predicted value one step ahead is within the allowable temperature range, it is reassessed as "appropriate."

In the present invention, an example of re-determining from "insufficient static pressure" to "adequate" during cooling will be described with reference to Figure 4. In Figure 4, t1 to t8 represent the times at which the measured and predicted indoor temperature values are obtained. A circle indicates the measured indoor temperature value, and a square indicates the predicted indoor temperature value. Also, for simplicity of explanation, Figure 4 only illustrates the case where the allowable temperature range A1 is used.

At time t1, the measured indoor temperature is outside the allowable temperature range A1, so the static pressure deficiency/overage information is not changed from "insufficient static pressure" to "appropriate". At time t2, the measured indoor temperature is outside the allowable temperature range A1, but the predicted value is within the allowable temperature range A1, so the static pressure deficiency/overage information is changed from "insufficient static pressure" to "appropriate". At times t3 to t6, both the measured indoor temperature and predicted indoor temperature are within the allowable temperature range A1, so the static pressure deficiency/overage information is changed from "insufficient static pressure" to "appropriate". At time t7, the predicted value is outside the allowable temperature range A1, but the measured value is within the allowable temperature range A1, so the static pressure deficiency/overage information is changed from "insufficient static pressure" to "appropriate". At time t8, both the measured and predicted values are outside the allowable temperature range A1, so the re-evaluation result is "insufficient static pressure".

The advantage of using the predicted indoor temperature is that even if the measured indoor temperature is outside the allowable temperature range, as at time t2, the predicted value is judged to be "appropriate" if it is within the allowable temperature range, allowing the fan speed to be reduced and corrected one step earlier, contributing to energy and cost savings.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a VAV air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The VAV air conditioning system is composed of a VAV unit 1, which is a variable supply air amount adjustment unit provided for each controlled area (air conditioning zone) and controls the amount of supply air supplied to each controlled area, a VAV controller 2 provided for each VAV unit 1 and controls the corresponding VAV unit 1, an air conditioner 3, an air supply duct 4 that supplies the supply air from the air conditioner 3 to each VAV unit 1, an air conditioner controller 5 that controls the air conditioner 3, and an analyzer 6 provided in a central system 7.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the VAV controller 2. Each VAV controller 2 includes a required air volume calculation unit 20 that calculates the required air volume of the VAV unit 1 based on the deviation between the indoor temperature of the corresponding controlled area and the indoor temperature set value set by the resident of the controlled area or the manager of the air conditioning system, an air volume control unit 21 (first control unit) that controls the opening of a damper that adjusts the supply air blowing volume of the VAV unit 1 so as to ensure the required air volume calculated by the required air volume calculation unit 20, a required air volume notification unit 22 that notifies the air conditioner controller 5 of the value of the required air volume, a status notification unit 23 that sends static pressure excess/deficiency information for each controlled area to the air conditioner controller 5, and an indoor temperature notification unit 24 that notifies the air conditioner controller 5 of the indoor temperature of the corresponding controlled area.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner 3. The air conditioner 3 is equipped with a cooling coil 30, a heating coil 31, and a fan 32. It goes without saying that the configuration shown in Figure 7 is just one example, and configurations other than that shown in Figure 7 may also be used.

Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner controller 5. The air conditioner controller 5 includes an operation amount output unit 50 that outputs an operation amount for controlling the air conditioner 3 based on the deviation between the supply air temperature and the supply air temperature set value, an air volume calculation unit 51 that calculates the value of the total required air volume of the entire system from the value of the required air volume notified from each VAV controller 2, a fan rotation speed determination unit 52 that determines the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner 3 based on the calculated total required air volume value, an air volume control unit 53 (second control unit) that controls the fan 32 of the air conditioner 3, an information creation unit 54 that creates total static pressure excess/deficiency information based on the static pressure excess/deficiency information notified from each VAV controller 2, and a fan rotation speed correction unit 55 that corrects the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner 3 based on the total static pressure excess/deficiency information.

As shown in FIG. 1, the analysis device 6 includes a data storage unit 60 that stores data on the indoor temperature, static pressure surplus/shortage information, and indoor temperature set value for each controlled area, a re-judgment unit 61 that re-judges the static pressure surplus/shortage information based on the indoor temperature of the controlled area before integrating the static pressure surplus/shortage information of each VAV unit 1, and a static pressure surplus/shortage information change unit 62 that changes the static pressure surplus/shortage information of each VAV unit 1 based on the judgment result of the re-judgment unit 61 before integrating the static pressure surplus/shortage information of each VAV unit 1.

A VAV unit 1 and a VAV controller 2 are provided for each controlled area. Air (supply air) cooled or heated by an air conditioner 3 is supplied to the VAV unit 1 of each controlled area via an air supply duct 4, and passes through the VAV unit 1 before being supplied to each controlled area. A damper (not shown) is provided within the VAV unit 1, allowing the amount of supply air passing through the VAV unit 1 to be adjusted.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the VAV controller 2, and Figure 10 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the air conditioner controller 5.

The indoor temperature notification unit 24 of the VAV controller 2 notifies the air conditioner controller 5 of the indoor temperature PV measured by the indoor temperature sensor in the corresponding controlled area and the indoor temperature set value SP (step S100 in FIG. 9). Note that if the indoor temperature set value SP is set by the air conditioning system administrator and notified to each VAV controller 2 from the air conditioner controller 5, there is no need to notify the indoor temperature set value SP from each VAV controller 2 to the air conditioner controller 5.

The required air volume calculation unit 20 of the VAV controller 2 calculates the required air volume vi of the VAV unit 1 to be controlled according to the heat load condition of the corresponding controlled area (FIG. 9, step S101). Specifically, the required air volume calculation unit 20 calculates the required air volume vi of the VAV unit 1 so that the indoor temperature PV of the corresponding controlled area matches the indoor temperature setting value SP set by the resident of the controlled area or the administrator of the air conditioning system.

The requested air volume notification unit 22 of the VAV controller 2 notifies the air conditioner controller 5 of the value of the requested air volume vi calculated by the requested air volume calculation unit 20 (step S102 in FIG. 9).
The air volume control unit 21 of the VAV controller 2 controls the opening degree of a damper (not shown) in the VAV unit 1 to be controlled so as to ensure the required air volume calculated by the required air volume calculation unit 20 (step S103 in FIG. 9).

The status notification unit 23 of the VAV controller 2 sends static pressure surplus/deficient information indicating the current cooling/heating control state of the corresponding controlled area to the air conditioner controller 5 (step S104 in Fig. 9). The status notification unit 23 creates static pressure surplus/deficient information that is either "insufficient static pressure," "adequate," or "excessive static pressure," for example, based on the damper opening of the VAV unit 1.

Specifically, if the damper opening of the VAV unit 1 is fully open, the status notification unit 23 determines that there is "insufficient static pressure." If the damper opening of the VAV unit 1 is not fully open but is equal to or greater than a predetermined opening (e.g., 85%), the status notification unit 23 determines that there is "appropriate." If the damper opening of the VAV unit 1 is less than the predetermined opening, the status notification unit 23 determines that there is "excessive static pressure."

The pair of VAV controller 2 and VAV unit 1 performs the above-described steps S100 to S104 at regular intervals until air conditioning is stopped (YES in step S105 in Figure 9).

Meanwhile, the manipulated variable output unit 50 of the air conditioner controller 5 calculates the manipulated variable using a predetermined control calculation algorithm (e.g., PID) so that the supply air temperature matches the supply air temperature set value, and outputs the manipulated variable to the air conditioner 3 (step S200 in Fig. 10). In this way, the amount of heat transfer medium (cold water or hot water) supplied to the cooling coil 30 or heating coil 31 of the air conditioner 3 is adjusted according to the manipulated variable, and the supply air temperature is controlled.

The air volume calculation unit 51 of the air conditioner controller 5 calculates a total required air volume Σvi by adding up the values of the required air volumes vi notified from each VAV controller 2 (step S201 in FIG. 10).
The fan rotation speed determination unit 52 of the air conditioner controller 5 determines the fan rotation speed F of the air conditioner 3 based on the value of the total required air volume Σvi (step S202 in FIG. 10). The fan rotation speed determination unit 52 determines the fan rotation speed F corresponding to the total required air volume Σvi based on the relational expressions shown in the above equations (1) to (3).

The information creation unit 54 of the air conditioner controller 5 creates total static pressure surplus/deficiency information based on the static pressure surplus/deficiency information notified from each VAV controller 2, and checks whether the static pressure surplus/deficiency information has been changed by the analysis device 6 as described below (Figure 10, step S203).

If the static pressure over/under information has not been changed by the analysis device 6, the information creation unit 54 creates total static pressure over/under information using the static pressure over/under information notified from each VAV controller 2 as is (step S204 in FIG. 10). As in the past, if there is even one "static pressure under" in the static pressure over/under information sent from each VAV controller 2, the information creation unit 54 sets the total static pressure over/under information to "static pressure under". If there is a mixture of "appropriate" and "static pressure over/under" in the static pressure over/under information sent from each VAV controller 2, the information creation unit 54 sets the total static pressure over/under information to "appropriate". If all the static pressure over/under information sent from each VAV controller 2 is "static pressure over/under", the information creation unit 54 sets the total static pressure over/under information to "static pressure over/under".

In addition, when the static pressure over/shortage information is changed by the analysis device 6, the information creation unit 54 creates total static pressure over/shortage information using the changed static pressure over/shortage information and the static pressure over/shortage information notified from each VAV controller 2 that has not been changed by the analysis device 6 (step S205 in FIG. 10). If there is at least one "static pressure under" in the changed static pressure over/shortage information and the unchanged static pressure over/shortage information, the information creation unit 54 sets the total static pressure over/shortage information to "static pressure under" If there is a mixture of "appropriate" and "static pressure over" in the changed static pressure over/shortage information and the unchanged static pressure over/shortage information, the information creation unit 54 sets the total static pressure over/shortage information to "appropriate". If all of the changed static pressure over/shortage information and the unchanged static pressure over/shortage information are "static pressure over", the information creation unit 54 sets the total static pressure over/shortage information to "static pressure over".

The fan rotation speed correction unit 55 of the air conditioner controller 5 corrects the fan rotation speed F of the air conditioner 3 based on the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information (step S206 in FIG. 10). As in the past, when the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "insufficient static pressure", the fan rotation speed correction unit 55 corrects the fan rotation speed F determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit 52 by increasing it by α% (α is a predetermined positive real number). When the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "appropriate", the fan rotation speed correction unit 55 maintains the current state of the fan rotation speed F determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit 52. When the total static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "excessive static pressure", the fan rotation speed correction unit 55 corrects the fan rotation speed F determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit 52 by decreasing it by α%.

The air volume control unit 53 of the air conditioner controller 5 controls the fan 32 of the air conditioner 3 so as to achieve the fan rotation speed F determined by the fan rotation speed determination unit 52 and corrected as necessary by the fan rotation speed correction unit 55 (step S207 in FIG. 10). In this way, the volume of the supply air sent out from the air conditioner 3 is controlled.
The air conditioner controller 5 performs the above-mentioned processing of steps S200 to S207 at regular intervals until air conditioning stops (YES in step S208 in FIG. 10). Each air conditioner controller 5 performs the processing of FIG. 10 for each corresponding air conditioner 3. Therefore, each air conditioner controller 5 performs the processing of FIG. 10 for the VAV units 1 and VAV controllers 2 that belong to the same air conditioning system (same air conditioner 3).

Figure 11 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the analysis device 6. The data storage unit 60 of the analysis device 6 constantly collects and stores the indoor temperature PV and static pressure excess/deficiency information notified from each VAV controller 2, and the indoor temperature set value SP, from the air conditioner controller 5 during air conditioning operation (Figure 11, step S300).

The re-determination unit 61 of the analysis device 6 re-determines the latest static pressure surplus/shortage information notified from each VAV controller 2. Specifically, the re-determination unit 61 acquires the latest data stored in the data storage unit 60 (FIG. 11, step S301). The re-determination unit 61 then extracts the static pressure surplus/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" from the latest static pressure surplus/shortage information acquired in step S301 (FIG. 11, step S302).

Next, the re-evaluation unit 61 re-evaluates the static pressure surplus/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" extracted in step S302 (step S303 in FIG. 11). To clarify the explanation, let the VAV unit whose latest static pressure surplus/shortage information is "insufficient static pressure" be 1-i, the latest indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-i be PVi, the indoor temperature set value be SPi, the first allowable temperature range of the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-i be A1i, and the second allowable temperature range be A2i.

The re-determination unit 61 sets a first allowable temperature region A1i and a second allowable temperature region A2i for a VAV unit 1-i whose static pressure excess/shortage information is "insufficient static pressure" based on the indoor temperature set value SPi, the cooling optimum indoor temperature upper limit, and the heating optimum indoor temperature lower limit. If the indoor temperature PVi is within at least one of the first allowable temperature region A1i and the second allowable temperature region A2i, the re-determination unit 61 determines that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should be changed to "appropriate". If the indoor temperature PVi is outside the first allowable temperature region A1i and the second allowable temperature region A2i, the re-determination unit 61 determines that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should not be changed. The re-determination unit 61 performs the above-described re-determination of the static pressure excess/shortage information for each VAV unit 1 (each controlled area) whose static pressure is "insufficient".

When the re-determination unit 61 determines that the static pressure surplus/shortage information "insufficient static pressure" should be changed to "appropriate" (YES in step S304 in FIG. 11), the static pressure surplus/shortage information change unit 62 of the analysis device 6 changes the information held by the air conditioner controller 5 to "appropriate" (step S305 in FIG. 11). Furthermore, when there is no static pressure surplus/shortage information determined to be changed to "appropriate" (NO in step S304), the static pressure surplus/shortage information change unit 62 notifies the air conditioner controller 5 that there is no change in the static pressure surplus/shortage information (step S306 in FIG. 11).

As described above, if there is no change in the static pressure surplus/deficiency information, the information creation unit 54 of the air conditioner controller 5 creates total static pressure surplus/deficiency information using the static pressure surplus/deficiency information notified from each VAV controller 2 as is (step S204). In addition, if the static pressure surplus/deficiency information has been changed, the information creation unit 54 creates total static pressure surplus/deficiency information using the changed static pressure surplus/deficiency information and the static pressure surplus/deficiency information notified from each VAV controller 2 that has not been changed by the analysis device 6 (step S205).

The analysis device 6 performs the above-described steps S300 to S306 at regular intervals until air conditioning is stopped (YES in step S307 in FIG. 11). The analysis device 6 performs the process in FIG. 11 for each air conditioner controller 5 (each air conditioner 3).

In this way, in this embodiment, the amount of static pressure excess/deficiency information for "insufficient static pressure" can be reduced, which reduces the number of times the fan speed needs to be increased, resulting in energy savings and cost savings.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a VAV air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The VAV air conditioning system of this embodiment is composed of a VAV unit 1, a VAV controller 2, an air conditioner 3, an air supply duct 4, an air conditioner controller 5, and an analyzer 6a provided in a central system 7.

The configurations of the VAV unit 1, the VAV controller 2, the air conditioner 3, and the air conditioner controller 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the analysis device 6a includes a data storage unit 60, a re-evaluation unit 61a, a static pressure surplus/deficiency information change unit 62, and an indoor temperature prediction unit 63 that predicts the indoor temperature at a future time in each controlled area.

Figure 13 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the analysis device 6a. The data accumulation unit 60 of the analysis device 6a constantly collects and accumulates data on the indoor temperature PV and static pressure surplus/deficiency notified from each VAV controller 2, the indoor temperature set value SP, the required air volume vi notified from each VAV controller 2, and the supply air temperature APV from the air conditioner controller 5 during air conditioning operation (Figure 13, step S300a).

The re-evaluation unit 61a of the analysis device 6a acquires the latest data stored in the data storage unit 60 (step S301a in FIG. 13). The re-evaluation unit 61a extracts static pressure surplus/deficiency information of "insufficient static pressure" and static pressure surplus/deficiency information of "appropriate" from the latest static pressure surplus/deficiency information acquired in step S301a (step S302a in FIG. 13).

Meanwhile, the indoor temperature prediction unit 63 predicts the indoor temperature PV' one step ahead (after a predetermined time) for each controlled area (step S308 in FIG. 13). The indoor temperature PV' one step ahead is the indoor temperature PV after the re-evaluation period has elapsed from the present, and is the indoor temperature PV at the time of the next re-evaluation.

The indoor temperature prediction unit 63 predicts the indoor temperature PV' of the controlled area, for example by a neural network, based on the latest outdoor air temperature TO measured by an outdoor air temperature sensor (not shown), the latest outdoor air humidity HO measured by an outdoor air humidity sensor (not shown), the latest required air volume vi obtained in step S301a, the latest indoor temperature PV of the controlled area obtained in step S301a, and the latest supply air temperature APV obtained in step S301a.

In the indoor temperature prediction unit 63, a neural network is constructed in advance that models the relationship between the outdoor temperature TO, outdoor humidity HO, required air volume vi, supply air temperature APV, indoor temperature PV, and the indoor temperature PV' one step ahead for each controlled area. The neural network is trained in advance to obtain the desired output variable by using the time series data of the outdoor temperature TO, the time series data of the outdoor humidity HO, the time series data of the required air volume vi, the time series data of the supply air temperature APV, and the time series data of the indoor temperature PV, which are among the time series data recorded during the past data collection period, as input variables of the neural network, and the time series data of the indoor temperature PV' one step ahead for these input variables as the output variable of the neural network. Note that the method of predicting the indoor temperature PV' may be a method other than that of this embodiment.

Next, the re-determination unit 61a re-determines the static pressure surplus/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" extracted in step S302a and the static pressure surplus/shortage information of "appropriate" (step S303a in FIG. 13). To clarify the explanation, the VAV unit whose latest static pressure surplus/shortage information is "insufficient static pressure" is denoted as 1-i, the latest indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-i is denoted as PVi, the indoor temperature set value is denoted as SPi, the first allowable temperature range of the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-i is denoted as A1i, the second allowable temperature range is denoted as A2i, and the predicted value of the indoor temperature predicted by the indoor temperature prediction unit 63 for the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-i is denoted as PVi'. Also, the VAV unit whose latest static pressure surplus/deficiency information is "appropriate" is 1-j, the latest indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-j is PVj, the indoor temperature set value is SPj, the first allowable temperature range of the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-j is A1j, the second allowable temperature range is A2j, and the predicted value of the indoor temperature predicted by the indoor temperature prediction unit 63 for the controlled area corresponding to VAV unit 1-j is PVj'.

The re-determination unit 61a sets a first allowable temperature range A1i and a second allowable temperature range A2i for a VAV unit 1-i whose static pressure excess/shortage information is "insufficient static pressure" based on the indoor temperature set value SPi, the cooling optimum indoor temperature upper limit, and the heating optimum indoor temperature lower limit. If at least one of the indoor temperature PVi and the one-step-ahead predicted value PVi' is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range A1i and the second allowable temperature range A2i, the re-determination unit 61a determines that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should be changed to "appropriate". If the indoor temperature PVi and the one-step-ahead predicted value PVi' are outside the first allowable temperature range A1i and the second allowable temperature range A2i, the re-determination unit 61a determines that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should not be changed.

The re-determination unit 61a also sets a first allowable temperature region A1j and a second allowable temperature region A2j for a VAV unit 1-j with static pressure deficiency/surplus information of "appropriate" based on the indoor temperature set value SPj, the cooling appropriate indoor temperature upper limit, and the heating appropriate indoor temperature lower limit. If the predicted value PVj' of the indoor temperature one step ahead is outside the first allowable temperature region A1j and the second allowable temperature region A2j, the re-determination unit 61a determines that the "appropriate" static pressure deficiency/surplus information should be changed to "static pressure deficiency". If the predicted value PVj' of the one step ahead is within at least one of the first allowable temperature region A1j and the second allowable temperature region A2j, the re-determination unit 61a determines that the "appropriate" static pressure deficiency/surplus information should not be changed. The re-evaluation unit 61a performs the above-described re-evaluation of the static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit 1 with "insufficient static pressure" and for each VAV unit 1 with "adequate" static pressure.

The processing of steps S304 to S306 in FIG. 13 is as explained in the first embodiment. The analysis device 6a performs the processing of steps S300a to S302a, S308, S303a, and S304 to S306 as described above at regular intervals until air conditioning is stopped (YES in step S307 in FIG. 13). The analysis device 6a performs the processing of FIG. 13 for each air conditioner controller 5 (each air conditioner 3).

In the first and second embodiments, each VAV controller 2 calculates the required air volume of the VAV unit 1 so that the indoor temperature of the corresponding controlled area coincides with the indoor temperature set value, and controls the opening degree of the damper of the VAV unit 1 to ensure the required air volume. Alternatively, each VAV controller 2 may calculate the required air volume of the VAV unit 1 so that the indoor _CO2 concentration measured by the _CO2 sensor in the corresponding controlled area coincides with the _CO2 concentration set value, and control the opening degree of the damper of the VAV unit 1 to ensure the required air volume.

When performing such _CO2 concentration control, only the allowable _CO2 concentration region A1 is used as the allowable _CO2 concentration region. The allowable _CO2 concentration region A1 is a region in which the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value is from negative infinity to Δppm (a positive predetermined concentration). In the first embodiment, the re-determination unit 61 determines that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should be changed to "appropriate" if the indoor _CO2 concentration PVi is within the allowable _CO2 concentration region A1i for the VAV unit 1-i whose static pressure excess/shortage information is "insufficient static pressure". In addition, if the indoor CO2 concentration PVi is outside the allowable _CO2 concentration region A1i, the re-determination unit ₆₁ may determine that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should not be changed (FIG. 11 step S303).

In addition, when _CO2 concentration control is performed, an indoor _CO2 concentration prediction unit that predicts the indoor _CO2 concentration at a future time in each controlled area may be provided instead of the indoor temperature prediction unit 63 of the second embodiment. For the prediction of _{the CO2} concentration, for example, an autoregressive model, a neural network, or the like may be used.

In the second embodiment, the re-determination unit 61a determines that for a VAV unit 1-i whose static pressure excess/shortage information is "insufficient static pressure", if at least one of the indoor _CO2 concentration PVi and the one-step-ahead indoor _CO2 concentration predicted value PVi' is within the allowable _CO2 concentration region A1i, the re-determination unit 61a determines that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should be changed to "appropriate". Also, if the indoor _CO2 concentration PVi and the one-step-ahead indoor _CO2 concentration predicted value PVi' are outside the first allowable temperature region A1i, the re-determination unit 61a may determine that the static pressure excess/shortage information of "insufficient static pressure" should not be changed (step S303a in FIG. 13).

In addition, for a VAV unit 1-j whose static pressure excess/deficiency information is "appropriate", if the one-step-ahead indoor _CO2 concentration predicted value PVi' is outside the allowable _CO2 concentration region A1j, the redetermination unit 61a determines that the "appropriate" static pressure excess/deficiency information should be changed to "insufficient static pressure". Furthermore, if the one-step-ahead indoor _CO2 concentration predicted value PVi' is within the allowable _CO2 concentration region A1j, the redetermination unit 61a may determine that the "appropriate" static pressure excess/deficiency information should not be changed (step S303a in FIG. 13).

The VAV controller 2, air conditioner controller 5, and analysis devices 6, 6a in the first and second embodiments can each be realized by a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device, and an interface with the outside, and a program that controls these hardware resources. An example of the configuration of this computer is shown in FIG. 14. The computer is equipped with a CPU 300, a storage device 301, and an interface device (I/F) 302.

In the case of the VAV controller 2, the VAV unit 1, the air conditioner controller 5, and a temperature sensor in the controlled area are connected to the I/F 302. In the case of the air conditioner controller 5, the air conditioner 3, the VAV controller 2, and an analysis device 6, 6a, etc. are connected to the I/F 302. In the case of the analysis device 6, 6a, the air conditioner controller 5, etc. are connected to the I/F 302. A program for realizing the air conditioning control method of the present invention is stored in the storage device 301. The CPU 300 of each device executes the processing described in the first and second embodiments according to the program stored in the storage device 301.

The present invention can be applied to VAV air conditioning systems.

1...VAV unit, 2...VAV controller, 3...air conditioner, 4...air supply duct, 5...air conditioner controller, 6, 6a...analysis device, 7...central system, 20...required air volume calculation unit, 21...air volume control unit, 22...required air volume notification unit, 23...status notification unit, 24...indoor temperature notification unit, 30...cooling coil, 31...heating coil, 32...fan, 50...operational quantity output unit, 51...air volume calculation unit, 52...fan speed determination unit, 53...air volume control unit, 54...information creation unit, 55...fan speed correction unit, 60...data accumulation unit, 61, 61a...re-determination unit, 62...static pressure excess/deficiency information change unit, 63...indoor temperature prediction unit.

Claims (16)

Air conditioners and
A VAV unit provided for each controlled area;
a first control unit configured to control an opening degree of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a second control unit configured to control a fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve a fan speed determined by the fan speed determination unit and corrected by the fan speed correction unit;
A re-determination unit configured to re-determine the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor _CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit;
a static pressure surplus/shortage information changing unit configured to change the static pressure surplus/shortage information of each VAV unit based on a determination result of the re-determination unit before integrating the static pressure surplus/shortage information of each VAV unit ;
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within an allowable temperature range . 2. The VAV air conditioning system according to claim 1 ,
The allowable temperature region comprises a first allowable temperature region in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from the negative first predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and a second allowable temperature region in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from a positive third predetermined temperature to infinity during heating;
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range. Air conditioners and
A VAV unit provided for each controlled area;
a first control unit configured to control an opening degree of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a second control unit configured to control a fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve a fan speed determined by the fan speed determination unit and corrected by the fan speed correction unit;
A re-determination unit configured to re-determine the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit _;
a static pressure surplus/shortage information changing unit configured to change the static pressure surplus/shortage information of each VAV unit based on a determination result of the re-determination unit before integrating the static pressure surplus/shortage information of each VAV unit;
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration in the corresponding controlled area and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within the range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration. Air conditioners and
A VAV unit provided for each controlled area;
a first control unit configured to control an opening degree of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a second control unit configured to control a fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve a fan speed determined by the fan speed determination unit and corrected by the fan speed correction unit;
A re-determination unit configured to re-determine the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit _;
a static pressure sufficiency/excess information changing unit configured to change the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit based on a determination result of the re-determination unit before integrating the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit;
an indoor temperature prediction unit configured to predict an indoor temperature at a future time in each controlled area;
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/deficiency information indicates insufficient static pressure is within an allowable temperature range. 5. The VAV air conditioning system according to claim 4 ,
The allowable temperature region comprises a first allowable temperature region in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from the negative first predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and a second allowable temperature region in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from a positive third predetermined temperature to infinity during heating;
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range. 6. The VAV air conditioning system according to claim 4 ,
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-evaluation unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient when the predicted indoor temperature value of the controlled area corresponding to a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/deficiency information indicates appropriate is outside the allowable temperature range. Air conditioners and
A VAV unit provided for each controlled area;
a first control unit configured to control an opening degree of a damper of the VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a status notification unit configured to send static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a fan rotation speed determination unit configured to determine a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fan rotation speed correction unit configured to correct a fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a second control unit configured to control a fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve a fan speed determined by the fan speed determination unit and corrected by the fan speed correction unit;
A re-determination unit configured to re-determine the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit _;
a static pressure sufficiency/excess information changing unit configured to change the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit based on a determination result of the re-determination unit before integrating the static pressure sufficiency/excess information of each VAV unit;
An indoor _CO2 concentration prediction unit configured to predict an indoor _CO2 concentration at a future time in each controlled area,
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration or the predicted indoor _CO2 concentration value and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value in the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within a range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration. 8. The VAV air conditioning system according to claim 7 ,
The VAV air conditioning system is characterized in that the re-determination unit determines that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient when the difference between the predicted indoor _CO2 concentration value and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value in the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/deficiency information indicates appropriate is outside the range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration. A first step of controlling an opening degree of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a second step of transmitting static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner that supplies supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step;
A sixth step of re-determining the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor _CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit;
and a seventh step of changing the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit based on a result of the determination in the sixth step before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit ;
The air conditioning control method is characterized in that the sixth step includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within an allowable temperature range . The air conditioning control method according to claim 9 ,
The allowable temperature region comprises a first allowable temperature region in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from the negative first predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and a second allowable temperature region in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from a positive third predetermined temperature to infinity during heating;
The air conditioning control method is characterized in that the sixth step includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the indoor temperature of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure excess/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range. A first step of controlling an opening degree of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a second step of transmitting static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner that supplies supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step;
A sixth step of re-determining the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information _of each VAV unit ;
and a seventh step of changing the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit based on a result of the determination in the sixth step before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit;
The sixth step is an air conditioning control method characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration of the corresponding controlled area and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within a range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration. A first step of controlling an opening degree of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a second step of transmitting static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner that supplies supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step;
A sixth step of re-determining the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information _of each VAV unit ;
a seventh step of changing the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit based on a result of the determination in the sixth step before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit;
and an eighth step of predicting an indoor temperature at a future time in each controlled area,
The sixth step is an air conditioning control method characterized in that, for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates a static pressure deficiency, when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area is within an allowable temperature range, it is determined that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate. The air conditioning control method according to claim 12 ,
The allowable temperature region comprises a first allowable temperature region in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from negative infinity to a positive first predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the difference between the indoor temperature of the controlled area and the indoor temperature set value is from the negative first predetermined temperature to infinity during heating, and a second allowable temperature region in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from negative infinity to a positive second predetermined temperature during cooling and in which the indoor temperature of the controlled area is from a positive third predetermined temperature to infinity during heating;
The sixth step is an air conditioning control method characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when at least one of the indoor temperature and the predicted indoor temperature value of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within at least one of the first allowable temperature range and the second allowable temperature range. The air conditioning control method according to claim 12 or 13 ,
The air conditioning control method is characterized in that the sixth step includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient when the predicted indoor temperature value of the controlled area corresponding to the VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates appropriate is outside the allowable temperature range. A first step of controlling an opening degree of a damper of a VAV unit for each controlled area in accordance with a required air volume determined according to a load condition of the controlled area;
a second step of transmitting static pressure excess/deficiency information for each VAV unit based on the opening degree of the damper;
a third step of determining a fan rotation speed of an air conditioner that supplies supply air to the VAV unit based on a total required air volume obtained by adding up the required air volumes of the VAV units;
a fourth step of correcting the fan rotation speed of the air conditioner based on total static pressure surplus/deficiency information obtained by integrating the static pressure surplus/deficiency information of each VAV unit;
a fifth step of controlling the fan of the air conditioner so as to achieve the fan rotation speed determined in the third step and corrected in the fourth step;
A sixth step of re-determining the static pressure excess/shortage information based on an indoor temperature or an indoor CO2 concentration in the controlled area before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information _of each VAV unit ;
a seventh step of changing the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit based on a result of the determination in the sixth step before integrating the static pressure excess/shortage information of each VAV unit;
and an eighth step of predicting the indoor _CO2 concentration at a future time in each controlled area;
The sixth step is an air conditioning control method characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from insufficient to appropriate when the difference between the indoor _CO2 concentration or the predicted indoor _CO2 concentration value and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value in the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates insufficient static pressure is within a range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration. The air conditioning control method according to claim 15 ,
The sixth step is an air conditioning control method characterized in that it includes a step of determining that the static pressure should be changed from appropriate to insufficient when the difference between the predicted indoor _CO2 concentration value and the indoor _CO2 concentration set value of the corresponding controlled area for a VAV unit for which the static pressure surplus/shortage information indicates appropriate is outside the range from negative infinity to a predetermined positive concentration.

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