Patent Publication Number: US-10788225-B2

Title: Air-conditioning system, controller, and program

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a U.S. national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2015/071464 filed on Jul. 29, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system, a control device, and a program that are used for performing air conditioning of a target space to be air conditioned. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Mold and/or odor is caused by moisture attached to an internal component of an air conditioner such as a heat exchanger. Thus an air conditioner is known that prevents the occurrence of such mold and/or odor, by running (maintenance operation) the air conditioner in a maintenance mode after stopping of a cooling operation, and evaporating water droplets attached to the heat exchanger. 
     Patent Literature 1 describes an air conditioner that, when an operation is performed causing the air conditioner to halt, displays contents of the maintenance operation and an operation time of the maintenance operation on a remote controller. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2012-149855 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Performing of the maintenance operation results in an increase in humidity of the room in which the air conditioner is installed, and this increased humidity causes a problem in that user comfort decreases. 
     The present disclosure is developed in consideration of the aforementioned circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioning system and the like that are capable of improving comfort of the user during the maintenance operation. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to attain the aforementioned object, the air conditioning system of the present disclosure includes: 
     an air conditioning device configured to condition air in a target space to be air conditioned; 
     a ventilator configured to ventilate the target space to be air conditioned; and 
     a ventilation controller configured to control the ventilator to operate during a maintenance operation of the air conditioning device. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, the air conditioning system is controlled such that the ventilator operates during the maintenance operation of the air conditioner, thereby enabling prevention of an unnecessary increase of humidity during the maintenance operation. Thus user comfort can be increased during the maintenance operation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating configuration of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating layout of a building in which an air conditioning device and a ventilator are installed; 
         FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating configuration of the air conditioning device; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a control device; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart for description of operation of ventilation control processing; 
         FIG. 6  is a drawing illustrating an example of a processing result screen; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart for description of operation of ventilation control processing according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating an example configuration of a control table; and 
         FIG. 9  is a drawing illustrating configuration of an air conditioning system according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in detail with reference to drawings. In the drawings, components that are the same or equivalent are assigned the same reference signs. 
     An air conditioning system  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below. The air conditioning system  1  is a system for performing air conditioning of a target space to be air conditioned. Further, the term “air conditioning” here includes actions such as heating, cooling, dehumidifying, humidifying, purifying, and the like of the target space to be air conditioned. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the air conditioning system I includes air conditioning devices  20  ( 20 A and  20 B), ventilators  30  ( 30 A and  30 B), a sensor group  40 , an operation terminal  50 , and a control device  60  installed in a building  10 . Further, the control device  60 , the air conditioning devices  20 , the ventilators  30 , the sensor group  40 , and the operation terminal  50  are communicatively interconnected via an indoor network N 1  such as a local area network (LAN). 
     The air conditioning devices  20  are, for example, air conditioners and have a function for air conditioning the target space to be air conditioned. The air conditioning devices  20  have multiple operation modes and perform a type of air conditioning corresponding to a presently set operation mode. For example, the air conditioning devices  20  have operation modes such as a maintenance mode in which the heat exchanger is heated to vaporize attached moisture, a cooling mode for cooling operation, a heating mode for heating operation, an air blowing mode for air blowing operation, a dehumidification mode for dehumidification operation, and the like. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a first floor portion of a building  10  has a living-dining-kitchen room (LDK)  11 , a private room  12 , a sink room  13 , a bathing room  14 , and a toilet room  15 . The air conditioning device  20 A is installed in a wall of the LDK  11 . The air conditioning device  20 B is installed in a wall of the private room  12  that is the target space to be air conditioned. The air conditioning device  20 A sucks air into the LDK  11 , blows the air conditioned (cooled, heater, dehumidified, humidified, and the like) air into the LDK  11 , and thus air conditions the interior of the LDK  11 . The air conditioning device  20 B sucks air into the private room  12 , which is the target space to be air conditioned, and blows the air conditioned air into the private room  12 , thereby air conditioning the interior of the private room  12 . 
     Configuration of the air conditioning device  20  is described below. The air conditioning device  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , includes an indoor unit  21 , an outdoor unit  22 , and a remote controller  23 . 
     The indoor unit  21  is installed in a wall of a room (LDK  11 , private room  12 ) within the building  10  and performs heating and cooling by hot and cold air blown out by the indoor unit  21 . Further, the air conditioning device  20  is equipped with a vapor-compression type heat pump, and the indoor unit  21  and the outdoor unit  22  are interconnected via a communication line  25  and a refrigerant line  24  through which refrigerant flows. 
     The indoor unit  21  is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger  21 A. The outdoor unit  22  is equipped with a compressor  22 A, an outdoor heat exchanger  22 B, an expansion valve  22 C, and a four-way valve  22 D. A refrigeration cycle is formed by connecting together these devices in a loop by a refrigerant line  24 . 
     Further, the indoor unit  21  is equipped with an indoor blower  21 B that blows air through the indoor heat exchanger  21 A and into the building  10 , an indoor unit controller  21 C that controls operation of various components of the indoor unit  21 , a temperature sensor  21 D that measures temperature of the intake air, an infrared sensor  21 E that measures temperature within the building  10 , and the like. Further, the outdoor unit  22  is equipped with an outdoor blower  22 E that sucks in and blows out exterior air, and an outdoor unit controller  22 F that controls various components of the outdoor unit  22 . 
     The remote controller  23  is equipped with multiple buttons and the like. The remote controller  23  is operated by a user and sends to the indoor unit controller  21 C a control command in accordance with the operation. The indoor unit controller  21 C executes processing in accordance with the received control command. For example, upon receiving a cooling-start command from the remote controller  23 , the indoor unit controller  21 C controls the various components and starts the cooling operation. 
     Operation during each of the operating modes of the air conditioning device  20  is described below. For example, in the case of operation of the air conditioning device  20  in the cooling mode or dehumidification mode, by control of the outdoor unit controller  22 F and the indoor unit controller  21 C, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor  22 A passes through the four-way valve  22 D and flows to the outdoor heat exchanger  22 B. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger  22 B exchanges heat and condenses, and then flows to the expansion valve  22 C. After depressurization of the refrigerant by the expansion valve  22 C, the refrigerant flows to the indoor heat exchanger  21 A. Further, the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger  21 A exchanges heat and evaporates, and then passes through the four-way valve  22 D and again is sucked into the compressor  22 A. 
     Thus the refrigerant at low pressure and low temperature flows within the tubing of the indoor heat exchanger  21 A, the surface of the indoor heat exchanger  21 A becomes cold, and the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger  21 A is cooled. Further, under the control of the indoor unit controller  21 C, the indoor blower  21 B blows cold air passing through the indoor heat exchanger  21 A to perform cooling or dehumidification. Further, droplets of water obtained from the air attach to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger  21 A during such operation, and such water droplets cause the generation of unpleasant air. 
     Further, in the case of operation of the air conditioning device  20  in the air blowing mode, the indoor unit controller  21 C performs control such that only the indoor blower  21 B operates (blows air). In this case, the compressor  22 A does not operate, and thus temperature of the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger  21 A does not change. 
     Further, in the case of operation of the air conditioning device  20  in the heating mode, by control of the outdoor unit controller  22 F and the indoor unit controller  21 C, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor  22 A passes through the four-way valve  22 D and flows to the indoor heat exchanger  21 A. The refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger  21 A exchanges heat, condenses, and flows to the expansion valve  22 C. After decompression by the expansion valve  22 C, the refrigerant flows to the outdoor heat exchanger  2213 . Then the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger  22 B exchanges heat with the air, evaporates, then passes through the four-way valve  22 D, and again enters the compressor  22 A. 
     Thus the refrigerant at high pressure and high temperature flows within the tubing of the indoor heat exchanger  21 A, the surface of the indoor heat exchanger  21 A becomes hot, and the air flowing therethrough is heated. Then wider control of the indoor unit controller  21 C, the indoor blower  21 B performs heating by blowing the hot hair passing through the indoor heat exchanger  21 A. 
     Further, in the case of operation of the air conditioning device  20  in the maintenance mode, by control of the outdoor unit controller  22 F and the indoor unit controller  21 C, the air conditioning device  20  performs the heating operation or the air blowing operation. Such operation evaporates the water droplets attached to the surface of the indoor heat exchanger  21 A during the cooling operation and/or dehumidifying operation, and prevents growth of mold and the like. Further, the air conditioning device  20  may automatically execute the maintenance operation when the cooling operation and/or the dehumidifying operation stops. Further, a problem occurs during the maintenance operation due to blowing out of humid air. 
     Again with reference to  FIG. 1 , the ventilator  30  is a range hood fan, a bathing room ventilation fan, a toilet ventilation fan, an indoor ventilation fan, or the like, and exchanges indoor and outdoor air (ventilates). 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a ventilator  30 A is installed in a wall of the LDK  11 . Further, the wall of the LDK  11  is equipped with an air supply port  16 A. The ventilator  30 A discharges air inside the LDK  11  to the exterior. Further, due to this discharge of air, pressure within the LDK  11  is low in comparison to exterior pressure, and thus exterior air is supplied from the air supply port  16 A, and air within the LDK  11  is exchanged. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a ventilator  30 B is installed in the wall of the bathing room  14 . Further, the wall of the private room  12  is equipped with an air supply port  16 B. The ventilator  30 B discharges air from the bathing room  14  to the exterior. Further, due to this discharge of air, pressure within the entire house is low in comparison to exterior pressure, and thus exterior air is supplied from the air supply port  16 A and the air supply port  169 , and air is exchanged throughout the entire house. 
     Again with reference to  FIG. 1 , the sensor group  40  is a group of sensors installed in the building  10 , such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a human-presence sensor, an odor sensor, a dust sensor, and the like, which senses various types of information and transmits the sensing result to the control device  60  as required. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sensor group  40  is installed in the LDK  11  and the private room  12  equipped with the air conditioning devices  20 A and  20 B. Further, the temperature sensor  21 D and/or the infrared sensor  21 E included in the air conditioning devices  20  may be taken to be a part of the sensor group  40 . 
     Again with reference to  FIG. 1 , the operation terminal  50  is, for example, a dedicated remote controller, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, a wall-mounted monitor, a mobile phone, a television, or a personal computer (PC). The operation terminal  50  includes components such as a touch panel, and is used for sending to the control device  60  an operation signal for operating the air conditioning devices  20 , displaying various types of conditions, and the like. Further, the operation terminal  50  is used for inputting a schedule of the user, transmitting the inputted schedule to the control device  60 , and recording the transmitted schedule as schedule data. Further, the schedule data includes information such as times at which each user goes outside, times at which each room is occupied, and the like. Further, in below-described ventilation control processing, the operation terminal  50  functions as the display of the present disclosure for display that associates the information relating to the operation of the air conditioning devices  20  with information relating to operation of the ventilators  30  that have operation triggered by operation of the air conditioning devices  20 . 
     The control device  60  is a computer that performs control and monitoring of operation of the air conditioning devices  20  and the ventilators  30 . The control device  60 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is equipped with a communicator  61 , a storage  62 , and a controller  63 . 
     The communicator  61  is equipped with a communication interface such as a network interface card (NIC) or the like, for example. Under the control of the controller  63 , the communicator  61  performs data communication via the indoor network N 1  with the air conditioning devices  20 , the ventilators  30 , the operation terminal  50 , and the sensor group  40 . 
     The storage  62  performs the role of a so-called secondary memory device (auxiliary memory device), and includes memory such as readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory. For example, the storage  62  contains schedule data indicating presence or absence of a user in various rooms of the building  10 , data indicating names and types of the air conditioning devices  20  and the ventilators  30 , installation locations and the like of the air conditioning devices  20  and the ventilators  30  within the building  10 , and data indicating layout and the like of the building  10 . Further, the storage  62  sequentially stores the newest information sensed by the sensor group  40 . Further, the storage  62  stores data specifying sets of the air conditioning devices  20  and the ventilators  30  operated in conjunction by the below-described ventilation control processing. Specifically, the storage  62  stores data specifying a set of the air conditioning device  20 A and the ventilator  30 A and a set of the air conditioning device  20 B and the ventilator  30 B. 
     The controller  63  is equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like, none of which are illustrated, and the CPU uses the RAM as working memory to control the aforementioned various components by suitable execution of various types of programs stored in the ROM and/or the storage  62 . Further, the controller  63 , is equipped with, as a functional configuration according to the present disclosure, an air conditioning controller  631  and a ventilation controller  632 . 
     The air conditioning controller  631  controls the operation of the air conditioning devices  20 . For example, when the air conditioning devices  20  are given an operation instruction from the operation terminal  50 , the air conditioning controller  631  creates an operation command in accordance with the instruction and transmits the operation command to air conditioning devices  20  to control the air conditioning devices  20 . 
     The ventilation controller  632  controls operation of the ventilator  30 . For example, when the ventilators  30  are given an operation instruction from the operation terminal  50 , the ventilation controller  632  creates an operation command in accordance with the instruction and transmits the operation command to ventilators  30  to control the ventilators  30 . Further, the ventilation controller  632  controls the operation of the ventilators  30  in conjunction with the operation of the air conditioning devices  20 . 
     Next, ventilation control processing is described in which, when operation of the air conditioning devices  20  is started, the control device  60  controls operation of the ventilators  30  in accordance with the operation mode. 
     At a prescheduled timing or when an instruction to start operation is received from the operation terminal  50 , the air conditioning controller  631  of the control device  60  transmits to the air conditioning devices  20  an operation start command commanding start of operation in a specific operation mode. After the start of operation in the operation mode as instructed by the operation start command, the air conditioning devices  20  transmit an operation start notification to the control device  60 . Upon receiving the operation start notification from the air conditioning devices  20 , the ventilation controller  632  of the control device  60  executes the ventilation control processing illustrated in the flow chart of  FIG. 5 . Further, the ventilation control processing may be executed even in the case in which the air conditioning devices  20  start operation due to the control command from the remote controller  23  of the air conditioning devices  20 , and notification of the start is sent to the control device  60 . 
     Firstly, the ventilation controller  632  refers to the received operation start notification and determines whether the operation mode of operation started by the air conditioning device  20  is the maintenance mode (step S 101 ). 
     In the case in which the operation mode is the maintenance mode (YES in step S 101 ), during the time period in which the air conditioning device  20  operates, the ventilation controller  632  causes operation of the ventilator  30  associated so as to operate in conjunction with the air conditioning device  20 . That is to say, the ventilation controller  632  transmits to the ventilator  30  the operation start command commanding the start of operation, and causes the ventilator  30  to start operation (step S 102 ). Then the ventilation controller  632  waits until operation of the air conditioning device  20  stops (NO in step S 103 ), and when operation of the air conditioning device  20  is stopped (YES in step S 103 ), the ventilation controller  632  transmits an operation stop command commanding that the ventilator  30  stop operation, and the ventilation controller  632  causes the ventilator  30  to stop operation (step S 104 ). 
     Thereafter the ventilation controller  632  creates processing result screen data that indicates associations between information relating to operation of the air conditioning device  20  serving as the trigger for the present ventilation control processing and the information relating to operation of the ventilator  30  operated in conjunction with operation of this air conditioning device  20 , the ventilation controller  632  transmits to the operation terminal  50  and causes display of the screen data (step S 105 ), and then ventilation control processing ends. Further, the ventilation controller  632  may cause display of the processing result screen by a PC, smartphone, or the like of the user, rather than by the operation terminal  50 . 
     Here,  FIG. 6  illustrates an example screen of the processing result screen. As may be understood from this screen, during the maintenance operation of the air conditioning device  20 A installed in the LDK  11 , the ventilator  30 A installed in the LDK  11  is operated in conjunction with the maintenance operation of the air conditioning device  20 A. 
     Again with reference to  FIG. 5 , however, in the case of prior start of operation of the air conditioning device  20  in an operation mode other than the maintenance mode, that is, in the cooling mode, heating mode, or the like (NO in step S 101 ), the ventilation controller  632  causes operation of the ventilator  30  associated so as to operate in conjunction with the air conditioning device  20  for which there is prior start of operation at a predetermined time. That is to say, the ventilation controller  632  transmits the operation start command to the ventilator  30 , thereby causing the start of operation (step S 106 ). Then the ventilation controller  632  waits until the predetermined time period (for example, 10 minutes) elapses (NO in step S 107 ), and upon passage of the time period (YES in step S 107 ), the ventilation controller  632  transmits the operation stop command to the ventilator  30 , thereby causing stoppage of operation (step S 104 ). Further, the aforementioned processing screen is then displayed (step S 105 ), and the ventilation control processing ends. 
     In this manner, in accordance with the present embodiment, the control device  60  controls the ventilator  30  to operate during the maintenance operation. Such control enables prevention of unnecessary increase of humidity by the maintenance operation. Thus user comfort during the maintenance operation can be improved. Further, due to the ventilator  30  being controlled in conjunction with operation of the air conditioning device  20 , the user can be saved from the time and effort of operating the ventilator  30 . 
     Further, according to the present embodiment, in the case in which there is the prior start of the operation other than the maintenance operation such as the cooling operation, heating operation, or the like, the ventilation by the ventilator  30  is performed only for the predetermined time period after the start of operation. Thus the unpleasant air that has a problem of being generated immediately after the start of operation of the air conditioning device  20  can be vented. Further, the ventilator  30  is operated only for the predetermined time period after the start of operation, thereby enabling prevention of lowering of efficiency of the cooling operation or warming operation of the air conditioning device  20  due to operation (venting) of the ventilator  30 . 
     Modified Example 
     The present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, and naturally the present disclosure includes various types of modifications of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, although operation of the ventilator  30  is started and stopped immediately after the starting and stopping of the maintenance operation of the air conditioning device  20  in the aforementioned embodiment, the operation of the ventilator  30  may be started and stopped after passage of a predetermined time period (for example, 5 minutes). Further, temperature of the air blown out from the air conditioning device  20  during the start of the maintenance mode can be determined from the sensor group  40 , or the temperature sensor  21 D, the infrared sensor  21 E, or the like with which the air conditioning device  20  is equipped, and start of operation may be limited to only when the temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold. 
     For example, if the result of sensing by the sensor group  40  enables the determination of the whether unpleasant air is generated, then the ventilation control processing may be executed while taking into consideration the results of the determination.  FIG. 7  is a drawing illustrating one example of a flow chart of ventilation control processing taking into consideration whether the unpleasant air is generated. Further, in the below description, the same numbers are assigned to steps that are the same as the steps of the ventilation control processing illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and description of such steps is suitably simplified. 
     Upon the start of ventilation control processing, the ventilation controller  632  determines the operation mode of the air conditioning device  20  for which there is prior start of operation (step S 101 ), and in the case of the maintenance mode (YES in step S 101 ), in the same manner as the flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the ventilation controller  632  causes the ventilator  30  to operate during the operation of the maintenance mode (steps S 102  to S 105 ). 
     Alternatively, in the case in which the operation mode of the air conditioning device  20  is not the maintenance mode (NO in step S 101 ), the ventilation controller  632 , on the basis of the sensing result of the sensor group  40 , determines whether the unpleasant air is generated from this air conditioning device  20  (step S 108 ). For example, in the case of the dust level and/or odor level of the air sensed by the sensor group  40  being greater than or equal to a threshold, the ventilation controller  632  may determine that the unpleasant air is being generated. 
     In the case of determination that the unpleasant air is not being generated (NO in step S 108 ), performance of ventilation is unnecessary, and thus the ventilation control processing ends. Alternatively, in the case of determination that the unpleasant air is being generated (YES in step S 108 ), the ventilation controller  632 , in the same manner as in the flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 5 , at a predetermined time causes operation of the ventilator  30 , which is installed in the same room as that in which of the air conditioning device  20  that previously starting operation (steps S 106 , S 107 , S 104 , and S 105 ). 
     In this manner, the ventilation control processing is performed while taking into consideration the occurrence of the generation of the unpleasant air, and thus in the case in which the unpleasant air is not generated when operation of the air conditioning device  20  starts in the operation mode other than the maintenance mode, control is possible that does not cause operation of the ventilator  30 . Thus reduction of electricity expense is possible. Further, in the case in which detailed distinction is possible of the extent (degree of unpleasantness) of the unpleasant air on the basis of the sensing result of the sensor group  40 , the ventilation controller  632  may perform control such as control that lengthens an operation time period of the ventilator  30  with increasing degree of unpleasantness, that operates at increasing air flow rate with increasing degree of unpleasantness, and the like. 
     Further, in the aforementioned embodiment, determination is made as to whether the operation mode of the air conditioning device  20  is the maintenance mode or is a mode other than the maintenance mode, and control of the ventilator  30  is performed as two types of control in accordance with the determination result. However, the ventilator  30  may be controlled more finely in accordance with the operation mode. For example, the storage  62  may contain a control table illustrated in  FIG. 8 , and the ventilation controller  632  may execute the ventilation controller processing in accordance with the control table. 
     That is to say, the ventilation controller  632  references this control table, and in the case in which the maintenance operation is being performed by the air conditioning device  20 , during the time period of such operation, controls the ventilator  30  (in-operation control) so as to operate the at a high (strong) air flow strength. Unpleasantness during the maintenance operation can be further prevented by this means. 
     Further, the ventilation controller  632  references this control table, and in the case in which the air conditioning device  20  is performing the heating operation or the cooling operation, controls the ventilator  30  (start-up control) so as to operate at an medium air flow strength during a fixed time period after the start of such operation. Further, at fixed time intervals thereafter (for example, at each hour thereafter), the ventilation controller  632  controls the ventilator  30  so as to operate at the medium air flow strength for a predetermined time period (for example, 5 minutes). In addition to removing the unpleasant air, the generation of which is problematic at the startup of operation of the air conditioning device  20 , this enables automatic performance also of periodic ventilation of the room during the time period of the cooling or heating operation. 
     Further, the ventilation controller  632  refers to this control table, and in the case in which the dehumidifying operation or air blowing operation is previously started by the air conditioning device  20 , controls (startup control) the ventilator  30  such that the air flow strength is “medium” or “low” for a fixed time period after the start of such dehumidifying operation or air blowing operation. This enables removal of the unpleasant air, the generation of which is problematic at the startup of operation of the air conditioning device  20 . 
     Further, the aforementioned control table may be configured such that the control table is freely editable by the user operating the operation terminal  50 . 
     Further, the control device  60  may execute different types of control depending on whether the user is present in the room or absent from the room. For example, the air conditioning controller  631  of the control device  60  determines that the user is absent from the LDK  11  or the private room  12  by referring to the sensing result of the human-presence sensor or the like of the sensor group  40 , or by referring to the schedule data of the user stored in the storage  62 . Also, the air conditioning controller  631  may control the air conditioning device  20  so as to operate in the maintenance mode when the user is absent. By performing control in this manner, the maintenance operation can be executed automatically, thus enabling a lessening of the time and effort of operation by the user. Further, the maintenance operation is performed when the user is absent, thus enabling further improvement of comfort of the user. 
     Further, in the aforementioned ventilation control processing, the ventilation controller  632  of the control device  60  may control the ventilator  30 , in the case in which the user is absent, so as to operate at a higher ventilation rate (air flow rate) than when the user is present. The performance of control in this manner when the user is absent enables efficient ventilation at high air flow rate regardless of noise. 
     Further, although in the aforementioned embodiments the case is described in which the air conditioning device  20  is an air conditioner, the air conditioning device  20  of the present disclosure is not limited to an air conditioner. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to a floor heating system, a radiation type heating system, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an air purifier, or the like that has multiple operation modes. 
     Further, although the case is described above in which the control device  60  is disposed in the building  10 , the control device  60  may be disposed outside of the building  10 . For example, a server  70  on the Internet N 2  may be made to function as the control device  60 . 
     For example as in  FIG. 9 , within the building  10 , a router  80  is disposed rather than the control device  60 . Alternatively, the server  70  functioning as the aforementioned control device  60  is located on the Internet N 2  outside of the building  10 . In this case, the router  80  and the server  70  cooperatively perform the role of the control device  60 . 
     Further, by an existing personal computer, information terminal, or the like using an operational program specifying operation of the control device  60  according to the present embodiment, the personal computer or the like can be made to function as the control device  60  according to the present disclosure. 
     Further, any method may be used for distribution of such a program, and for example, the program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto-optical (MO) disc, a memory card, or the like, and then the computer-readable recording medium storing the program may be distributed through a communication network such as the Internet. 
     The foregoing describes some example embodiments for explanatory purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the included claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present disclosure can be used with advantage for a system such as a home energy management system (HEMS) or the like. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1  Air conditioning system 
           10  Building 
           11  LDK (living room, dining room, and kitchen) 
           12  Private room 
           13  Sink room 
           14  Bathing room 
           15  Toilet room 
           16 A,  16 B Air supply port 
           20 ,  20 A,  20 B Air conditioning device 
           21  Indoor unit 
           21 A Indoor heat exchanger 
           21 B Indoor blower 
           21 C Indoor unit controller 
           21 D Temperature sensor 
           21 E Infrared sensor 
           22  Outdoor unit 
           22 A Compressor 
           22 B Outdoor heat exchanger 
           22 C Expansion valve 
           22 D Four-way valve 
           22 E Outdoor blower 
           22 F Outdoor unit controller 
           23  Remote controller 
           24  Refrigerant line 
           25  Communication line 
           30 ,  30 A,  30 B Ventilator 
           40  Sensor group 
           50  Operation terminal 
           60  Control device 
           61  Communicator 
           62  Storage 
           63  Controller 
           631  Air conditioning controller 
           632  Ventilation controller 
           70  Server 
           80  Router 
         N 1  Indoor network 
         N 2  Internet