Patent Description:
When a ventilation operation is performed by using a ventilator, there is a possibility that outside air supplied to an air conditioning target space along with ventilation may change temperature and humidity of air in the air conditioning target space.

To solve such a problem, there is conventionally known an air conditioner as disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> (<CIT>) that controls an air conditioning capacity according to a temperature of supplied outdoor air when the outdoor air is supplied to the air conditioning target space.

<CIT> discloses an air conditioning ventilation system comprising: an air conditioner; a ventilator; an indoor environment sensor configured to detect an indoor environment; and a control unit configured to control operations of the air conditioner and the ventilator, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the air conditioner to perform a compensation operation for compensating for a change in indoor temperature and/or humidity due to a ventilation operation prior to the ventilation operation to be performed by the ventilator.

In the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM>, the air conditioning capacity is controlled when outdoor air is supplied. Therefore, the temperature and humidity of the air in the air conditioning target space temporarily change, and there is a possibility that the change may impair comfort of a user.

An air conditioning ventilation system according to the invention is set out in the claims.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning ventilation system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessarily detailed description may be omitted. For example, a detailed description of already well-known matters and duplicate description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy of the following description and to facilitate understanding of those skilled in the art.

Each drawing is not necessarily strictly illustrated. In each drawing, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference signs, and duplicate description is omitted or simplified.

First, an air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment. The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> is a system that performs a compensation operation prior to a ventilation operation to moderate a temperature change in an indoor space IS (which corresponds to "indoor" described in the claims). The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> mainly includes an air conditioner <NUM>, a ventilator <NUM>, an indoor environment sensor <NUM>, and an outdoor sensor <NUM> (see <FIG>). The air conditioner <NUM> is a device capable of performing the compensation operation. The ventilator <NUM> is a device capable of performing the ventilation operation. The indoor environment sensor <NUM> is a sensor unit capable of detecting environment of the indoor space IS. In the embodiment, the indoor environment sensor <NUM> is incorporated in a controller <NUM>. The outdoor sensor <NUM> is a sensor unit capable of detecting an outdoor temperature.

In the embodiment, the air conditioner <NUM> includes a first wireless LAN adapter <NUM>, the ventilator <NUM> includes a second wireless LAN adapter <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> includes a third wireless LAN adapter <NUM>. As a result, an air conditioning control unit <NUM>, a ventilation control unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM> described later can perform wireless communication via a wireless LAN router <NUM>. The air conditioning control unit <NUM>, the ventilation control unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> can mutually transmit and receive control signals, information, and the like by performing wireless communication.

The air conditioner <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> performs air conditioning of the indoor space IS by performing a cooling operation, a heating operation, or a dehumidifying operation. The air conditioner <NUM> according to the embodiment is a device capable of performing the compensation operation. Hereinafter, a state in which the air conditioner <NUM> is performing the compensation operation may be referred to as a compensation operating mode. Furthermore, a state in which the air conditioner <NUM> is performing an operation other than the compensation operation may be referred to as a normal operating mode.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the air conditioner <NUM> mainly includes an outdoor unit <NUM> installed in an outdoor space OS (which corresponds to "outdoor" in the claims), and an indoor unit <NUM> attached to a wall WL or the like of the indoor space IS. The outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> are connected by refrigerant connection pipes <NUM> and <NUM>. In the air conditioner <NUM>, the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor unit <NUM> are connected by the refrigerant connection pipes <NUM> and <NUM> to constitute a refrigerant circuit <NUM> (see <FIG>). The air conditioner <NUM> performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> is compressed, condensed, decompressed, evaporated, and then compressed again.

The operation of the air conditioner <NUM> is controlled by the air conditioning control unit <NUM>. The air conditioning control unit <NUM> is configured by connecting an outdoor-side control unit 10a and an indoor-side control unit 20a via a transmission line 8a, for example.

The outdoor unit <NUM> is a device installed in the outdoor space OS. The outdoor unit <NUM> mainly includes a compressor <NUM>, a four-way switching valve <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM>, an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, an outdoor fan <NUM>, an electric expansion valve <NUM>, and the outdoor-side control unit 10a.

The compressor <NUM> sucks the refrigerant from a suction pipe through a suction port, and compresses the sucked refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant is discharged from the compressor <NUM> through a discharge port. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM> is sent to a first port 15a of the four-way switching valve <NUM> through a discharge pipe.

The four-way switching valve <NUM> is a mechanism that switches a flow direction of the refrigerant. When the air conditioner <NUM> performs the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve <NUM> causes the refrigerant to flow between the first port 15a and a second port 15b and simultaneously causes the refrigerant to flow between a third port 15c and a fourth port 15d (see a solid line in <FIG>). When the air conditioner <NUM> performs the heating operation, the four-way switching valve <NUM> causes the refrigerant to flow between the first port 15a and the fourth port 15d and simultaneously causes the refrigerant to flow between the second port 15b and the third port 15c (see a broken line in <FIG>).

The accumulator <NUM> is provided in the suction pipe connecting the third port 15c of the four-way switching valve <NUM> and the suction port of the compressor <NUM>. In the accumulator <NUM>, the refrigerant flowing from the third port 15c of the four-way switching valve <NUM> to the compressor <NUM> is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The gas refrigerant is mainly supplied from the accumulator <NUM> to the suction port of the compressor <NUM>.

The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat between outdoor air and refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a condenser for the refrigerant during the cooling operation. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a condenser for the refrigerant during the heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> according to the embodiment is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer tubes and a plurality of heat transfer fins.

The outdoor fan <NUM> is a fan that generates a flow of outdoor air flowing into the outdoor unit <NUM>, passing through the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and flowing out to the outside of the outdoor unit <NUM>. The outdoor fan <NUM> according to the embodiment is, for example, a propeller fan. The outdoor fan <NUM> is not limited to a propeller fan and may be appropriately selected.

The electric expansion valve <NUM> is a valve for adjusting a refrigerant pressure between the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, adjusting a refrigerant flow rate, and the like. In the embodiment, the electric expansion valve <NUM> is adopted as an expansion mechanism, but the expansion mechanism is not limited to the electric expansion valve as long as being a mechanism capable of adjusting the refrigerant pressure, adjusting the refrigerant flow rate, and the like.

The outdoor-side control unit 10a controls an operation of each component constituting the outdoor unit <NUM>.

The outdoor-side control unit 10a is implemented by a microcomputer, a memory, or the like. The microcomputer includes a control calculator and a storage. The control calculator may include a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The control calculator reads a program stored in the storage and performs predetermined calculation processing in accordance with the program. The control calculator can write a calculation result to the storage and read information stored in the storage in accordance with the program. The outdoor-side control unit 10a is electrically connected to the compressor <NUM>, the four-way switching valve <NUM>, the outdoor fan <NUM>, the electric expansion valve <NUM>, and the like included in the outdoor unit <NUM> so as to be able to transmit and receive control signals, information, and the like. The outdoor-side control unit 10a is connected to the indoor-side control unit 20a via the transmission line 8a so as to be able to transmit and receive control signals, information, and the like. The outdoor-side control unit 10a and the indoor-side control unit 20a are connected to constitute the air conditioning control unit <NUM> that controls the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> according to the embodiment is a wall-mounted indoor unit. However, the indoor unit <NUM> is not limited to this type, and the indoor unit <NUM> may be, for example, an indoor unit installed on a ceiling or a floor. The indoor unit <NUM> mainly includes the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>, an indoor fan <NUM>, and the indoor-side control unit 20a.

The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat between indoor air and refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a refrigerant evaporator and cools indoor air during the cooling operation. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a condenser for the refrigerant and heats the indoor air during the heating operation. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> according to the embodiment is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer tubes and a plurality of heat transfer fins.

The indoor fan <NUM> is a fan that sucks indoor air into the indoor unit <NUM> and supplies air subjected to heat exchange with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> into the room. The indoor fan <NUM> according to the embodiment is a cross-flow fan that generates an air flow in a direction intersecting an axis by being rotationally driven. The indoor fan <NUM> is not limited to a cross-flow fan and may be appropriately selected.

The indoor-side control unit 20a controls the operation of each component constituting the indoor unit <NUM>.

The indoor-side control unit 20a is implemented by a microcomputer, a memory, or the like. The microcomputer includes a control calculator and a storage. The control calculator may include a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control calculator reads a program stored in the storage and performs predetermined calculation processing in accordance with the program. The control calculator can write a calculation result to the storage and read information stored in the storage in accordance with the program. The indoor-side control unit 20a is electrically connected to the indoor fan <NUM> and the like so as to be able to transmit and receive control signals, information, and the like. The indoor-side control unit 20a is connected to the outdoor-side control unit 10a of the outdoor unit <NUM> via the transmission line 8a so as to be able to transmit and receive control signals, information, and the like. The indoor-side control unit 20a and the outdoor-side control unit 10a are connected to constitute the air conditioning control unit <NUM> that controls the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>. Note that the indoor-side control unit 20a and the outdoor-side control unit 10a are not connected by the physical transmission line 8a, but may be connected to be communicable wirelessly.

The indoor-side control unit 20a is configured to be able to receive various signals transmitted from a remote controller <NUM> for operating the indoor unit <NUM>. The various signals include signals related to operation and stop of the indoor unit <NUM> and signals related to various settings. The signals related to the various settings include, for example, a switching signal of the operating modes and target temperatures of the cooling operation and the heating operation.

The first wireless LAN adapter <NUM> is incorporated in the indoor unit <NUM> according to the embodiment (see <FIG>). The indoor-side control unit 20a can communicate with the wireless LAN router <NUM> by using the first wireless LAN adapter <NUM>.

The ventilator <NUM> ventilates the indoor space IS by performing a ventilation operation described later. As illustrated in <FIG>, the ventilator <NUM> according to the embodiment is attached to the wall WL of the indoor space IS. However, the ventilator <NUM> may be installed on a ceiling, a floor surface, or the like of the indoor space IS.

The ventilator <NUM> according to the embodiment mainly includes a ventilation fan <NUM> that generates an air flow for supplying air, a ventilation fan motor (not shown) that drives the ventilation fan <NUM>, and a ventilation control unit <NUM> that controls start, stop, and a number of rotations (air volume) of the ventilation fan motor. Note that the configuration of the ventilator <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration, and the ventilator <NUM> may include, for example, a total heat exchanger or an active species generator.

The ventilation control unit <NUM> includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like for controlling the operation of each component constituting the ventilator <NUM>.

The second wireless LAN adapter <NUM> is incorporated in the ventilator <NUM> according to the embodiment (see <FIG>). The ventilation control unit <NUM> can communicate with the wireless LAN router <NUM> by using the second wireless LAN adapter <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is a device installed in the indoor space IS. The controller <NUM> mainly includes the indoor environment sensor <NUM>, a notifier <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM>.

The indoor environment sensor <NUM> is a sensor unit capable of detecting environment of the indoor space IS. The indoor environment sensor <NUM> according to the embodiment is a CO2 sensor capable of detecting a CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS. The CO2 concentration detected by the indoor environment sensor is transmitted to the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> is implemented by a microcomputer, a memory, or the like. The control unit <NUM> includes a control calculator and a storage. The control calculator of the control unit <NUM> may include a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control calculator of the control unit <NUM> reads a program stored in the storage and performs predetermined calculation processing in accordance with the program. The control calculator can write a calculation result to the storage and read information stored in the storage in accordance with the program. The storage can be used as database. The control unit <NUM> according to the embodiment transmits and receives control signals, information, and the like to and from the air conditioning control unit <NUM> and the ventilation control unit <NUM> to control the operation of the air conditioner <NUM> and the ventilator <NUM>.

The notifier <NUM> is a device that notifies the user of a start and an end of the compensation operation. The notifier <NUM> according to the embodiment is, for example, a speaker incorporated in the controller <NUM>. However, the example of the notifier <NUM> is not limited the speaker, and for example, the remote controller <NUM> including a display <NUM> may have a function as the notifier.

The third wireless LAN adapter <NUM> is incorporated in the controller <NUM> according to the embodiment (see <FIG>). The control unit <NUM> can communicate with the wireless LAN router <NUM> by using the third wireless LAN adapter <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the outdoor sensor <NUM> is a sensor unit disposed in the outdoor space OS. The outdoor sensor <NUM> is a sensor unit capable of detecting a temperature of the outdoor space OS. The outdoor sensor <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM> via a transmission line 8b so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals and information. The temperature of the outdoor space OS detected by the outdoor sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the control unit <NUM> of the controller <NUM> via the transmission line 8b.

Hereinafter, the ventilation operation performed by the ventilator <NUM> and the compensation operation performed by the air conditioner <NUM> will be described in detail.

The ventilation operation is an operation implemented by the ventilator <NUM> supplying the air of the outdoor space OS to the indoor space IS. When the ventilation operation is performed, the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS decreases.

In the embodiment, a start timing of the ventilation operation is determined by the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> determines the start timing of the ventilation operation on the basis of a detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> starts the ventilation operation when the detection value detected by the indoor environment sensor <NUM> as a CO2 sensor exceeds a first threshold value. The first threshold value is a numerical value related to the CO2 concentration, and is herein, for example, <NUM> ppm. Therefore, the control unit <NUM> according to the embodiment starts the ventilation operation when the CO2 concentration in the room exceeds <NUM> ppm. The control unit <NUM> that has determined the start timing of the ventilation operation sends a control signal to the ventilation control unit <NUM> so as to start the ventilation operation at the start timing.

The ventilation operation according to the embodiment is continued until the CO2 concentration in the room decreases to a predetermined concentration. For example, the ventilation operation is continued until the CO2 concentration in the room becomes less than <NUM> ppm.

As described above, when the ventilation operation is performed, the air (outside air) in the outdoor space OS is supplied to the indoor space IS. At this time, there is a possibility that the outside air supplied to the indoor space IS may be air having a higher temperature or a lower temperature than the indoor air. For example, when the air conditioner <NUM> is performing the cooling operation (in a cooling season), there is a possibility that high-temperature outside air may be supplied to the indoor space IS along with the ventilation operation. Alternatively, when the air conditioner <NUM> is performing the heating operation (in a heating season), there is a possibility that low-temperature outside air may be supplied to the indoor space IS along with the ventilation operation. When high-temperature or low-temperature outside air is supplied to the indoor space IS, there is a possibility that the change may impair comfort of the user.

The compensation operation is an operation performed prior to the ventilation operation. The compensation operation is an operation for compensating for a change in indoor temperature due to the ventilation operation. By performing the compensation operation, a temperature change of the indoor air accompanying the ventilation operation becomes moderate.

In the embodiment, a content of the compensation operation is determined by the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> determines the content of the compensation operation on the basis of a detection value of the outdoor sensor <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> determines a second target temperature on the basis of the detection value of the outdoor sensor <NUM>. The second target temperature is a target temperature different from a first target temperature set at the start (immediately before the start) of the compensation operation by a predetermined temperature. The compensation operation is performed on the basis of the second target temperature. Note that the first target temperature is substantially the same as a target temperature set in the normal operating mode. Therefore, it can be interpreted that the compensation operation is an operation performed prior to the ventilation operation and is an operation performed on the basis of a target temperature different by a predetermined temperature from the target temperature set in the normal operating mode.

For example, it is assumed that the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor sensor <NUM> is <NUM>, and the target temperature set in the air conditioner <NUM> at the start of the compensation operation is <NUM> (the first target temperature is <NUM>). As described above, in a case where there is a possibility that the temperature of the indoor air may rise due to the ventilation operation, the control unit <NUM> performs the compensation operation by performing the cooling operation based on the target temperature (for example, <NUM>) lower than the first target temperature by a predetermined temperature. Alternatively, it is assumed that the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor sensor <NUM> is <NUM>, and the target temperature set in the air conditioner <NUM> at the start of the compensation operation is <NUM>. As described above, in a case where there is a possibility that the temperature of the indoor air may decrease due to the ventilation operation, the control unit <NUM> performs the compensation operation by performing the heating operation based on the target temperature (for example, <NUM>) higher than the first target temperature by a predetermined temperature. Note that these numerical values are examples and can be changed as appropriate.

A start timing of the compensation operation is determined by the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> determines the start timing of the ventilation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. Specifically, the control unit <NUM> determines the start timing of the compensation operation on the basis of the CO2 concentration detected by the indoor environment sensor <NUM> as a CO2 sensor and a change rate of the CO2 concentration. For example, when it is predicted that the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS exceeds the first threshold value after ten minutes, the control unit <NUM> determines to execute the compensation operation after five minutes, for example. Note that these numerical values are examples and can be changed as appropriate.

With the fact that the CO2 concentration in the room exceeds the second threshold value as a trigger, the control unit <NUM> according to the embodiment predicts after how many minutes the CO2 concentration in the room exceeds the first threshold value (after how many minutes the ventilation operation is started) on the basis of the change rate of the CO2 concentration. The second threshold value is a numerical value related to the CO2 concentration, and is herein, for example, <NUM> ppm. The change rate of the CO2 concentration can be calculated by confirming a transition of the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS. For example, the storage of the control unit <NUM> according to the embodiment stores in advance a program by which the control unit <NUM> confirms the detection value (CO2 concentration) of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> every five minutes. The CO2 concentration referred to by the control unit <NUM> is stored in the storage of the control unit <NUM> in chronological order. As a result, the storage of the control unit <NUM> stores the CO2 concentration <NUM> minutes before, the CO2 concentration <NUM> minutes before, and the CO2 concentration <NUM> minutes before,. The control unit <NUM> can calculate the change rate of the CO2 concentration by performing predetermined calculation on the basis of the above data.

The control unit <NUM> that has determined the start timing of the compensation operation sends a control signal to the air conditioning control unit <NUM> so as to start the compensation operation at the start timing.

The compensation operation according to the embodiment ends on the basis of the start of the ventilation operation. For example, the compensation operation ends simultaneously with the start of the ventilation operation.

The control unit <NUM> may resume the normal operating mode after the end of the compensation operating mode.

Next, an operation of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment will be described. The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> that has received an operation command from the user is controlled by the control unit <NUM> to operate in a flow as illustrated in a flowchart of <FIG>. Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. Note that the flow of the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> is merely an example, and may be appropriately changed within a range without contradiction. For example, other steps not illustrated may be included before and after each step, and the order of the steps may be appropriately changed within a range not contradictory to each other.

In step S1, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> starts the operation of the air conditioner <NUM>. Specifically, the normal operating mode is started.

In step S2, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> confirms the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. Specifically, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> confirms the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS.

In step S3, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> determines whether the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. When the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> proceeds to step S4. When the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS is less than the second threshold value, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> returns to step S2.

In step S4, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> determines the start timing of the compensation operation on the basis of the change rate of the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS.

In step S5, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> confirms the detection value of the outdoor sensor <NUM>. Specifically, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> confirms the temperature of the outdoor air.

In step S6, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> determines the content of the compensation operation on the basis of the detection value of the outdoor sensor <NUM>.

In step S7, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> compares the start timing determined in step S4 with a current time. The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> starts the compensation operation when the current time coincides with the start timing determined in step S4. In step S7, the notifier <NUM> notifies the user of the start of the compensation operation.

In step S8, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> determines whether the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS is greater than or equal to the first threshold value on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. When the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> proceeds to step S9. When the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS is less than the first threshold value, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> continues the compensation operation until the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS becomes greater than or equal to the first threshold value.

In step S9, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> ends the compensation operation and starts the ventilation operation. In step S9, the notifier <NUM> notifies the user of the end of the compensation operation.

In step S10, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> confirms whether the CO2 concentration in the room is less than a predetermined value. When the CO2 concentration in the room is less than the predetermined value, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> proceeds to step S11. When the CO2 concentration in the room is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> continues the ventilation operation until the CO2 concentration in the room becomes less than the predetermined value.

In step S11, the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> ends the ventilation operation.

In this manner, the operation of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> is performed. The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> that has performed the operation in step S11 may repeat the operations in steps S2 to S11 until receiving an operation end command from the user.

When a ventilation operation is performed by using a ventilator, there is a possibility that outside air supplied to an air conditioning target space along with ventilation may change temperature of air in the air conditioning target space.

To solve such a problem, there is conventionally known an air conditioner as disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> that controls an air conditioning capacity according to a temperature of supplied outdoor air when the outdoor air is supplied to the air conditioning target space.

However, in the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM>, the air conditioning capacity is controlled when the outdoor air is supplied. Therefore, the temperature of the air conditioning target space temporarily changes, and there is a possibility that the change may impair comfort of the user. In particular, immediately after the supply of outdoor air is started, there is a possibility that the temperature of the air conditioning target space may change significantly.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment includes the air conditioner <NUM>, the ventilator <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> controls the operations of the air conditioner <NUM> and the ventilator <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> causes the air conditioner <NUM> to perform the compensation operation prior to the ventilation operation to be performed by the ventilator <NUM>. The compensation operation is an operation for compensating for a change in indoor temperature due to the ventilation operation.

The control unit <NUM> of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment performs the compensation operation for compensating for a change in the indoor temperature due to the ventilation operation. The compensation operation is performed prior to the ventilation operation. This configuration can adjust the temperature of the indoor air in advance in accordance with the temperature of the air introduced along with the ventilation operation. Thus, even when the outdoor air is supplied to the indoor space IS along with the ventilation operation, the temperature change of the indoor air becomes moderate. Therefore, comfort of a user is maintained.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
As described above, there is a possibility that the ventilation operation may change the temperature of the indoor air. Thus, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the temperature of the indoor air, the ventilation operation is preferably performed less frequently. However, in Patent Literature <NUM>, the timing at which the ventilation operation is performed has not been studied in detail. For this reason, in the air conditioner according to Patent Literature <NUM>, there is a possibility that the ventilation operation may be performed at a timing at which it is supposed to be unnecessary to perform the ventilation operation.

The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment further includes the indoor environment sensor <NUM> that detects an indoor environment. The control unit <NUM> determines the start timing of the ventilation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>.

This configuration allows the control unit <NUM> to start the ventilation operation at an appropriate timing. It is therefore possible to minimize a frequency at which the temperature change of the indoor air occurs. Accordingly, the temperature of the indoor air is stabilized.

The stabilization of the temperature of the indoor air maintains the comfort of the user.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment further includes the indoor environment sensor <NUM> that detects the indoor environment. The control unit <NUM> determines the start timing of the compensation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>.

This configuration allows the control unit <NUM> to start the compensation operation at an appropriate timing.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment further includes the outdoor sensor <NUM> that detects the outdoor temperature. The control unit <NUM> determines the content of the compensation operation on the basis of a detection value of the outdoor sensor <NUM>.

This configuration allows the control unit <NUM> to determine the content of the compensation operation on the basis of the outdoor temperature.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The indoor environment changes under an influence of various factors. Therefore, when the start timing of the compensation operation is uniformly determined, operation time of the compensation operation is considered to be excessively long or insufficient. When the operation time of the compensation operation is excessively long, there is a risk of causing an increase in power consumption. In addition, when the operation time of the compensation operation is insufficient, there is a possibility that the outdoor air may be started to be supplied in a state where the adjustment of the air temperature of the indoor space IS is insufficient.

In the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment, the control unit <NUM> determines the start timing of the compensation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> and the change rate of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>.

This configuration allows the control unit <NUM> to start the compensation operation at an appropriate timing. Specifically, the control unit <NUM> can start the compensation operation at a timing at which the operation time of the compensation operation does not become excessively long. In addition, the control unit <NUM> can start the compensation operation at a timing at which the operation time of the compensation operation does not become insufficient.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment, the compensation operation is a cooling operation or a heating operation based on the second target temperature different by a predetermined temperature from the first target temperature set at the start of the compensation operation.

This configuration allows the compensation operation to be performed at a target temperature higher or lower than the target temperature set at the start of the compensation operation.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
In the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment, the control unit <NUM> ends the compensation operation on the basis of the start of the ventilation operation.

(<NUM>-<NUM>)
The air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> according to the embodiment further includes the notifier <NUM> that notifies the user of the start and the end of the compensation operation.

Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. Any of the following modifications may be combined where appropriate within a range causing no contradiction.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit <NUM> causes the air conditioner <NUM> to perform the compensation operation to moderate the change in the temperature of the indoor air due to the ventilation operation. However, the example of the compensation operation is not limited to this example. For example, when there is a possibility that outdoor air having high humidity may be supplied to the indoor space IS along with the ventilation operation, the following operation may be performed.

(<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>)
For example, the control unit <NUM> may cause the air conditioner <NUM> to perform the compensation operation to moderate the change in the humidity of the indoor air due to the ventilation operation. In the compensation operation according to this modification, the dehumidifying operation may be performed. Here, the outdoor sensor <NUM> may be a sensor that detects outdoor humidity.

Even when the outdoor air is supplied to the indoor space IS along with the ventilation operation, the air conditioning ventilation system according to this modification can moderate the change in the humidity of the indoor air. Therefore, comfort of a user is maintained.

(<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>)
For example, the control unit <NUM> may cause the air conditioner <NUM> to perform the compensation operation to moderate the change in the indoor temperature and humidity due to the ventilation operation. In the compensation operation according to this modification, the cooling operation or the heating operation and the dehumidifying operation may be performed. For example, in the compensation operation according to this modification, the cooling operation may be performed for a predetermined time after the dehumidifying operation is performed for a predetermined time. Here, the outdoor sensor <NUM> may be a sensor that detects outdoor temperature and humidity.

Even when the outdoor air is supplied to the indoor space IS along with the ventilation operation, the air conditioning ventilation system according to this modification can moderate the changes in the temperature and humidity of the indoor air. Therefore, comfort of a user is maintained.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit <NUM> determines the start timing of the compensation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> and the change rate of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. However, an example of control by the control unit <NUM> should not be limited to the above example. For example, the control unit <NUM> may start the compensation operation when the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> exceeds the second threshold value, and may start the ventilation operation when the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> exceeds the first threshold value higher than the second threshold value.

For example, it is assumed that the second threshold value is <NUM> ppm and the first threshold value is <NUM> ppm. In this case, the control unit <NUM> starts the compensation operation when the CO2 concentration exceeds <NUM> ppm, and starts the ventilation operation when the CO2 concentration exceeds <NUM> ppm.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit <NUM> ends the compensation operation simultaneously with the start of the ventilation operation. However, the example of the control by the control unit <NUM> is not limited to the above example, and the control unit <NUM> may end the compensation operation after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the ventilation operation. In this case, the control unit <NUM> may confirm whether the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the ventilation operation by measuring with a timer (not shown) or the like.

Alternatively, the control unit <NUM> may end the compensation operation on the basis of the elapsed time from the start of the compensation operation. Specifically, the compensation operation may be terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the compensation operation. In this case, the control unit <NUM> may confirm whether the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the compensation operation by measuring with a timer (not shown) or the like.

Alternatively, the control unit <NUM> may end the compensation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> may end the compensation operation when the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> does not increase after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the compensation operation.

In the above embodiment, the paired air conditioner <NUM> in which one outdoor unit and one indoor unit are connected in parallel by the refrigerant connection pipes <NUM> and <NUM> has been described. However, the configuration of the air conditioner is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the air conditioner may be a multi-type air conditioner 1a in which a plurality of indoor units <NUM> is connected to one outdoor unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In the above embodiment, the ventilator <NUM> communicating with the outdoor space OS has been described. However, the configuration of the ventilator is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the ventilator <NUM> may include a device body <NUM> connected to an intake duct <NUM> connected to an intake port 107a for taking the outdoor air into the indoor space IS, an air supply duct <NUM> connected to an air supply port 108a for supplying the outdoor air to the indoor space IS, an extraction duct <NUM> connected to an extraction port 109a for extracting the indoor air from the indoor space IS, and an exhaust duct <NUM> connected to a discharge port 110a for discharging the indoor air to the outdoor space OS (see <FIG>).

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> includes the indoor environment sensor <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> determines the start timing of the compensation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> and the change rate of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit <NUM> starts the ventilation operation when the CO2 concentration detected by the indoor environment sensor <NUM> exceeds the first threshold value. However, the configuration of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration, and the air conditioning ventilation system is not required to include the indoor environment sensor <NUM>, for example. In this case, the start timing of the compensation operation and the ventilation operation may be stored in advance in the storage of the control unit <NUM>.

For example, the storage of the control unit <NUM> may store a program that causes the ventilator <NUM> to perform the ventilation operation every time a predetermined time elapses. Specifically, the storage of the control unit <NUM> may store a program that causes the ventilation operation to be performed once per hour. The storage of the control unit <NUM> may store a program that causes the compensation operation to be performed ten minutes before the ventilation operation.

Furthermore, the storage of the control unit <NUM> may store in advance an execution time (for example, ten minutes) of the ventilation operation and an execution time (for example, five minutes) of the compensation operation.

The air conditioning ventilation system according to this modification does not include the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. Therefore, a manufacturing cost of the air conditioning ventilation system is reduced.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> includes the indoor environment sensor <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> determines the start timing of the compensation operation on the basis of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> and the change rate of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. However, the configuration of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration. The air conditioning ventilation system may include, for example, a human sensor capable of detecting the number of users present in the indoor space IS, instead of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. In this case, the control unit <NUM> may schematically calculate the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS on the basis of the number of users present in the indoor space IS, a staying time length of each user present in the indoor space IS, a floor area of the indoor space IS, and the like. The start timing of the compensation operation and the ventilation operation may be determined on the basis of the CO2 concentration in the indoor space IS calculated by the control unit <NUM>.

Alternatively, the air conditioning ventilation system may further include a human sensor in addition to the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. In this case, the control unit <NUM> may consider the number of users present in the indoor space IS when calculating the change rate of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM>. This configuration can correct the change rate of the detection value of the indoor environment sensor <NUM> in accordance with an increase or decrease of the user present in the indoor space IS. It is therefore possible to start the compensation operation at an appropriate timing.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the ventilator <NUM> is installed in the indoor space IS and the ventilator <NUM> performs the ventilation operation. However, the configuration of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the ventilator <NUM> may be integrated with the air conditioner.

The air conditioner according to this modification may include an outdoor unit including the ventilator <NUM> and an suction and exhaust hose, for example. The suction and exhaust hose is a hose that allows the indoor space IS and the outdoor unit to communicate with each other, and serves as a passage for an air flow generated by the ventilator <NUM>. The air conditioner can supply the outdoor air to the indoor space IS through the suction and exhaust hose by driving the ventilator <NUM> included in the outdoor unit.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the controller <NUM> includes the control unit <NUM>. However, the configuration of the air conditioning ventilation system <NUM> is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the air conditioner <NUM> or the ventilator <NUM> may include the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is not required to have some or all of the functions described in the above embodiment. For example, some or all of the functions of the control unit <NUM> described in the above embodiment may be implemented by a server or the like installed in a place different from the air conditioning ventilation system. In other words, the functions of the control unit <NUM> is not required to be executed only by the air conditioning ventilation system, and may be implemented by a server (not shown) or the like installed separately from the air conditioning ventilation system.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the air conditioning control unit <NUM>, the ventilation control unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> mutually transmit and receive control signals, information, and the like by performing wireless communication via the wireless LAN router <NUM>. However, an example of the air conditioning ventilation system is not limited to this example. For example, the air conditioning control unit <NUM>, the ventilation control unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> may be connected by physical wires (communication lines). The air conditioning control unit <NUM>, the ventilation control unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> may mutually transmit and receive control signals, information, and the like via physical wires.

Claim 1:
An air conditioning ventilation system (<NUM>) comprising:
an air conditioner (<NUM>);
a ventilator (<NUM>);
an indoor environment sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect an indoor environment; and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to control operations of the air conditioner and the ventilator,
wherein
the control unit is configured to cause the air conditioner to perform a compensation operation for compensating for a change in indoor temperature and/or humidity due to a ventilation operation prior to the ventilation operation to be performed by the ventilator,
characterized in that
the control unit is configured to
determine a start timing of the compensation operation based on a detection value of the indoor environment sensor to start the compensation operation when the detection value of the indoor environment sensor exceeds a second threshold value, and
determine a start timing of the ventilation operation based on a detection value of the indoor environment sensor to start the ventilation operation when the detection value of the indoor environment sensor exceeds a first threshold value higher than the second threshold value.