air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner that reduces unusual noise.SOLUTION: An air conditioner comprises an indoor machine and an outdoor machine, and comprises: a hose constituting an air flow passage for performing ventilation between an outdoor space and an indoor space; a fan arranged in the outdoor machine, and for generating an air flow; a damper arranged in the outdoor machine, and for changing the direction of the air flow in the hose; and a control unit for controlling the fan and the damper. The control unit executes an air supply ventilation operation for controlling the damper so that air flows in the hose from the outdoor space to the indoor space, rotating the fan, and introducing air in the outdoor space into the indoor space, and an air exhaust ventilation operation for controlling the damper so that air flows in the hose from the indoor space to the outdoor space, rotating the fan, and discharging air in the indoor space into the outdoor space, acquires indoor temperature / humidity information including at least one of temperature and humidity in the indoor space, and outdoor temperature / humidity information including at least one of temperature and humidity in the outdoor space, and executes either the air supply ventilation operation or the air exhaust ventilation operation on the basis of the indoor temperature / humidity information and the outdoor temperature / humidity information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, air conditioners that can ventilate between an indoor space to be air-conditioned and the outside have been developed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that can send outdoor air into a room and discharge indoor air to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that condensation occurs in the air flow path for ventilation and abnormal noise is generated.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an air conditioner with reduced abnormal noise.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, a hose that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and constitutes an air flow path for ventilation between the outside and the inside, a fan disposed in the outdoor unit that generates an air flow in the hose, a damper disposed in the outdoor unit that changes the direction of the air flow in the hose, a control unit that controls the fan and the damper. Equipped with, The control unit, The damper is controlled to allow air to flow from outside to outside within the hose, and the fan is rotated to bring outside air into the room in an air supply ventilation operation. Exhaust ventilation operation is performed by controlling the damper so that air flows from the inside to the outside within the hose, and by rotating the fan to discharge indoor air to the outside. Execute, The system acquires indoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the indoor temperature or humidity, and outdoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the outdoor temperature or humidity. Based on the indoor temperature and humidity information and the outdoor temperature and humidity information, either the supply air ventilation operation or the exhaust ventilation operation is performed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an air conditioner that reduces abnormal noise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during supply air ventilation operation. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during exhaust ventilation operation. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during humidification operation. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during dehumidification operation. [Figure 7] Block diagram showing the configuration for controlling an air conditioner. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating the control of ventilation operation in an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 9] A flowchart illustrating the process of acquiring indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity information. [Figure 10]Flowchart for explaining the process of determining whether to execute the exhaust ventilation operation [Figure 11] Block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 12] Flowchart for explaining the control of the ventilation operation in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure [Figure 13] Flowchart for explaining the process of determining whether to execute the exhaust ventilation operation

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment includes an indoor unit 20 disposed in the indoor space Rin to be air-conditioned and an outdoor unit 30 disposed in the outdoor space Rout.

[0013] The indoor unit 20 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 22 that exchanges heat with the indoor air A1, and an indoor fan 24 that draws the indoor air A1 into the indoor unit 20 and blows out the indoor air A1 that has exchanged heat with the indoor heat exchanger 22 into the indoor space Rin.

[0014] The outdoor unit 30 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger 32 that exchanges heat with the outdoor air A2, and a fan 34 that draws the outdoor air A2 into the outdoor unit 30 and blows out the outdoor air A2 that has exchanged heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 32 into the outdoor space Rout. The outdoor unit 30 is also provided with a compressor 36, an expansion valve 38, and a four-way valve  40 that execute a refrigeration cycle with the indoor heat exchanger 22 and the outdoor heat exchanger 32.

[0015] The indoor heat exchanger 22, outdoor heat exchanger 32, compressor 36, expansion valve 38, and four-way valve 40 are each connected by refrigerant piping through which the refrigerant flows. In cooling and dehumidifying (weak cooling) operation, the air conditioner 10 performs a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows sequentially from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, outdoor heat exchanger 32, expansion valve 38, indoor heat exchanger 22, and back to the compressor 36. In heating operation, the air conditioner 10 performs a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows sequentially from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, indoor heat exchanger 22, expansion valve 38, outdoor heat exchanger 32, and back to the compressor 36.

[0016] In addition to air conditioning operation using a refrigeration cycle, the air conditioner 10 also performs air conditioning operation that supplies outdoor air A3 to indoor Rin and air conditioning operation that discharges indoor air A1 to outdoor Rout. For this purpose, the air conditioner 10 has a ventilation device 50. The ventilation device 50 is installed on the outdoor unit 30.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the ventilation device 50 is equipped with an absorbent material 52 through which the outdoor air A3 and A4 pass.

[0019] The absorbent material 52 is a member through which air can pass and which collects moisture from the passing air or adds moisture to the passing air. In this embodiment, the absorbent material 52 is disc-shaped and rotates around a rotation centerline C1 that passes through its center. The absorbent material 52 is rotationally driven by a motor 54.

[0020] The absorbent material 52 is preferably a polymer sorbent that adsorbs moisture from the air. The polymer sorbent is, for example, composed of a crosslinked sodium polyacrylate. Compared to adsorbents such as silica gel and zeolite, the polymer sorbent absorbs a larger amount of moisture per unit volume, can desorb the supported moisture at a low heating temperature, and can support moisture for a long period of time.

[0021] Inside the ventilation device 50, there are a first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2 through which outdoor air A3 and A4 flow, respectively, passing through the absorbent material 52. The first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2 pass through the absorbent material 52 at different locations. Furthermore, inside the ventilation device 50, there is a third flow path P3, the ends of which are connected to different parts of the first flow path P1.

[0022] The first flow path P1 is a flow path through which outdoor air A3 flows toward the indoor unit 20. The outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 is supplied to the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first flow path P1 includes a plurality of branch flow paths P1a and P1b upstream of the absorbent material 52. In this specification, "upstream" and "downstream" are used in relation to airflow.

[0024] Multiple branch channels P1a and P2a merge upstream of the absorbent material 52. Each of the branch channels P1a and P1b is equipped with first and second heaters 58 and 60 for heating the outdoor air A3.

[0025] The first and second heaters 58 and 60 may have the same heating capacity or different heating capacities. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first and second heaters 58 and 60 be PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heaters, which increase electrical resistance as current flows and the temperature rises, thus suppressing excessive increases in heating temperature. In the case of PTC heaters, the heater itself regulates the heating temperature within a certain temperature range, so monitoring the heating temperature is unnecessary. Alternatively, the first and second heaters 58 and 60 may be heaters using nichrome wire, carbon fiber, or the like.

[0026] The first flow path P1 is provided with a first fan 62 that generates a flow of outdoor air A3 toward the indoor unit 20. In this embodiment, the first fan 62 is positioned downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the first fan 62 operates, the outdoor air A3 flows from the outdoor Rout into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52.

[0027] Furthermore, the first flow path P1 is provided with a first damper device 64 that distributes the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to either the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20) or the outdoor Rout. In this embodiment, the first damper device 64 is located downstream of the first fan 62. The outdoor air A3 distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64 enters the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 and is blown out to the indoor Rin by the indoor fan 24.

[0028] Furthermore, a second damper device 66 is provided in the first flow path P1. In this embodiment, the second damper device 66 is positioned between the absorbent material 52 and the first fan 62. As will be described in detail later, the second damper device 66 selectively closes the first flow path P1.

[0029] Furthermore, a third flow path P3 is connected to the first flow path P1. The third flow path P3 connects the portion of the first flow path P1 between the first fan 62 and the second damper device 66 to the portion downstream of the first damper device 64. A third damper device 68 is provided in the third flow path P3. As will be described in detail later, the third damper device 68 selectively closes the third flow path P3.

[0030] The second flow path P2 is the flow path for outdoor air A4. Unlike the outdoor air A3 that flows through the first flow path P1, the outdoor air A4 that flows through the second flow path P2 does not go towards the indoor unit 20. After passing through the absorbent material 52, the outdoor air A4 that flows through the second flow path P2 flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0031] The second flow path P2 is provided with a second fan 70 that generates a flow of outdoor air A4. In this embodiment, the second fan 70 is positioned downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the second fan 70 operates, outdoor air A4 flows from the outdoor Rout into the second flow path P2, passes through the absorbent material 52, and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0032] The ventilation system 50 selectively uses the absorbent material 52 (motor 54), the first heater 58, the second heater 60, the first fan 62, the first damper device 64, the second damper device 66, the third damper device 68, and the second fan 70 to selectively perform ventilation, humidification, and dehumidification operations. Ventilation operations include supply air ventilation and exhaust air ventilation.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during supply air ventilation operation.

[0034] The supply air ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation that supplies outdoor air A3 to indoor Rin (i.e., indoor unit 20). As shown in Figure 3, during the supply air ventilation operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in the OFF state and are not heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is in the ON state, thereby allowing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 is in the closed state, thereby distributing the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is in the open state, thereby allowing the outdoor air A3 to flow from the absorbent material 52 towards the first fan 62. The third damper device 68 is in the closed state, thereby preventing the outdoor air A3 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is in the OFF state, and as a result, no flow of outdoor air A4 is generated in the second flow path P2.

[0035] In this type of supply air ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the first damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 is blown out into the indoor Rin by the indoor fan 24. With this type of supply air ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 is supplied directly to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is ventilated.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during exhaust ventilation operation.

[0037] Exhaust ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation that discharges indoor air A1 to the outdoor Rout. As shown in Figure 4, during exhaust ventilation operation, the motor 54 is in the OFF state and the absorbent material 52 is not rotating. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in the OFF state. The first fan 62 is in the ON state, thereby allowing indoor air A1 to flow through the ventilation conduit 56 and the third flow path P3 toward the first fan 62. The first damper device 64 is in the open state, thereby distributing the indoor air A1 in the first flow path P1 toward the outdoor Rout. The second damper device 66 is in the closed state, thereby preventing indoor air A1 from flowing toward the absorbent material 52. The third damper device 68 is in the open state, thereby allowing indoor air A1 to flow toward the first fan 62 via the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is in the OFF state, and as a result, no flow of outdoor air A4 is generated in the second flow path P2.

[0038] In this type of exhaust ventilation operation, when the first fan 62 is ON, indoor air A1 flows into the first flow path P1 between the absorbent material 52 and the first fan 62 via the ventilation conduit 56 and the third flow path P3. At this time, since the second damper device 66 is closed, the indoor air A1 does not flow toward the absorbent material 52. The indoor air A1 that has passed through the first fan 62 is diverted to the outdoor Rout by the first damper device 64 and discharged to the outdoor Rout. As a result, indoor Rin is ventilated.

[0039] Furthermore, due to the third flow path P3, the first fan 62 can rotate in the same direction as during supply air ventilation operation during exhaust ventilation operation. As a result, a sirocco fan can be used as the first fan 62.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during humidification operation.

[0041] Humidification operation is an air conditioning operation in which the outdoor air A3 is humidified and the humidified outdoor air A3 is supplied to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in Figure 5, during humidification operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in the ON state and heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is in the ON state, thereby causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is in the open state, thereby causing the outdoor air A3 to flow from the absorbent material 52 towards the first fan 62. The second damper device 66 is in the closed state, thereby preventing the outdoor air A3 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is in the ON state, causing the outdoor air A4 to flow through the second flow path P2.

[0042] In this humidification operation, outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60, and passes through the absorbent material 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 can absorb more moisture from the absorbent material 52 than if it were unheated. As a result, the outdoor air A3 carries a large amount of moisture. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 and carries a large amount of moisture is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the first damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 is blown into the indoor Rin by the indoor fan 24. Through this humidification operation, outdoor air A3 that carries a large amount of moisture is supplied to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is humidified.

[0043] Furthermore, by turning off either the first heater 58 or the second heater 60, the amount of moisture absorbed by the outdoor air A3 from the absorbent material 52 can be reduced, meaning that a weak humidification operation with less humidification of the indoor Rin can be performed.

[0044] As moisture is drawn away by the heated outdoor air A3, the water retention capacity of the absorbent material 52 decreases, meaning the absorbent material 52 dries out. When the absorbent material 52 dries out, the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first channel P1 can no longer draw moisture from the absorbent material 52. To compensate for this, the absorbent material 52 draws moisture from the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second channel P2. As a result, the water retention capacity of the absorbent material 52 is maintained at a nearly constant level, allowing the humidification operation to continue.

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during dehumidification operation.

[0046] Dehumidification operation is an air conditioning operation in which outdoor air A3 is dehumidified and the dehumidified outdoor air A3 is supplied to indoor Rin (i.e., indoor unit 20). As shown in Figure 6, in dehumidification operation, adsorption operation and regeneration operation are performed alternately.

[0047] The adsorption operation is an operation that dehumidifies the outdoor air A3 by adsorbing moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 onto the absorbent material 52. As shown in Figure 6, during the adsorption operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in the OFF state and are not heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is in the ON state, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is in the open state, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow from the absorbent material 52 towards the first fan 62. The third damper device 68 is in the closed state, preventing the outdoor air A3 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is in the OFF state, preventing the flow of outdoor air A4 into the second flow path P2.

[0048] In this adsorption operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60. At this time, the moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 is adsorbed by the absorbent material 52. As a result, the amount of moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 decreases, i.e., the outdoor air A3 is dried. The dried outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the first damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the first damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 is blown out into the indoor Rin by the indoor fan 24. Through this adsorption operation, dried outdoor air A3 is supplied to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is dehumidified.

[0049] As the adsorption operation continues, the amount of water absorbed by the absorbent material 52 continues to increase, and as a result, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 for moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 decreases. In order to restore this adsorption capacity, a regeneration operation is performed to regenerate the absorbent material 52.

[0050] During regeneration, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are ON, heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The first damper device 64 redirects the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout instead of the indoor unit 20. The second damper device 66 is open, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow from the absorbent material 52 towards the first fan 62. The third damper device 68 is closed, preventing the outdoor air A3 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The second fan 70 is OFF, preventing the flow of outdoor air A4 into the second flow path P2.

[0051] In this regeneration operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60, and passes through the absorbent material 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 removes a large amount of moisture from the absorbent material 52. As a result, a large amount of moisture is carried on the outdoor air A3. At the same time, the amount of moisture that the absorbent material 52 can hold decreases, that is, the absorbent material 52 dries out and its adsorption capacity is regenerated. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 and is carried on a large amount of moisture is distributed to the outdoor Rout by the first damper device 64 and discharged to the outdoor Rout. As a result, during the regeneration operation in dehumidification, outdoor air A3 that is carried on a large amount of moisture due to the regeneration of the absorbent material 52 is not supplied to the indoor Rin.

[0052] By alternating between this adsorption operation and regeneration operation, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 is maintained, and dehumidification operation can be performed continuously.

[0053] The above-mentioned air conditioning operations using the refrigeration cycle (cooling operation, dehumidification operation (weak cooling operation), heating operation) and air conditioning operations using the ventilation device 50 (ventilation operation (supply air ventilation operation, exhaust ventilation operation), humidification operation, dehumidification operation) can be performed separately or simultaneously. For example, by performing dehumidification operation using the refrigeration cycle and dehumidification operation using the ventilation device 50 simultaneously, it is possible to dehumidify the indoor Rin while maintaining a constant room temperature.

[0054] The air conditioning operation performed by the air conditioner 10 is selected by the user. For example, the air conditioner 10 performs the corresponding air conditioning operation based on the user's selection operation to the remote controller 72 shown in Figure 1.

[0055] [Ventilation operation control] Up to this point, we have provided a general overview of the configuration and operation of the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment. From here on, we will describe further features of the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment.

[0056] Conventionally, when an air conditioner is used for ventilation, condensation can occur inside the hose connecting the indoor and outdoor units due to temperature or humidity differences between the indoor and outdoor areas. When condensation occurs inside the hose, the air collides with the condensed water as it flows through the hose, causing a noise. This noise generated inside the hose can resonate, resulting in an abnormal noise inside the room.

[0057] Therefore, it is preferable to minimize condensation inside the hose. For example, if the indoor air Rin is hotter and more humid than the outdoor air Rout, performing exhaust ventilation may cause the hotter and more humid indoor air Rin to cool inside the hose 56, resulting in condensation. Conversely, if the outdoor air Rout is hotter and more humid than the indoor air Rin, performing supply ventilation may cause the hotter and more humid outdoor air Rout to cool inside the hose 56, resulting in condensation. In this embodiment, the system selects whether to perform exhaust ventilation or supply ventilation depending on the temperature and humidity conditions of the indoor air Rin and the outdoor air Rout.

[0058] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration for controlling the air conditioner 10.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7, the air conditioner 10 comprises an indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit 30. The air conditioner 10 also comprises a hose 56, a fan 62, dampers 64, 66, and 68, and a control unit 80. The hose 56 corresponds to the ventilation conduit 56 described above, the fan 62 corresponds to the first fan 62 described above, and the dampers 64, 66, and 68 correspond to the first damper device 64, the second damper device 66, and the third damper device 68 described above, respectively. The fan 62 and dampers 64, 66, and 68 are arranged in a ventilation device 50 provided on the outdoor unit 30.

[0060] Hose 56 connects the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30, forming an airflow path for ventilation between the indoor unit Rin and the outdoor unit Rout. Fan 62 generates airflow within hose 56. Dampers 64, 66, and 68 change the direction of airflow within hose 56.

[0061] The control unit 80 includes, for example, a memory that stores a program and a processing circuit corresponding to a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The functions of the control unit 80 may be configured solely with hardware, or they may be realized by a combination of hardware and software. The control unit 80 realizes predetermined functions by reading data and programs stored in memory and performing various arithmetic operations.

[0062] The control unit 80 controls the fan 62 and the dampers 64, 66, and 68. The control unit 80 also controls the dampers 64, 66, and 68 so that air flows from the outdoor Rout to the indoor Rin in the hose 56, and rotates the fan 62 to perform an air supply ventilation operation to draw air from the outdoor Rout into the indoor Rin. The control unit 80 also controls the dampers 64, 66, and 68 so that air flows from the indoor Rin to the outdoor Rout in the hose 56, and rotates the fan 62 to perform an exhaust ventilation operation to discharge the air from the indoor Rin to the outdoor Rout.

[0063] In this embodiment, the control unit 80 performs either a supply air ventilation operation or an exhaust ventilation operation based on indoor temperature and humidity information and outdoor temperature and humidity information. The indoor temperature and humidity information includes at least one of the indoor temperature or indoor humidity of indoor Rin, and the outdoor temperature and humidity information includes at least one of the outdoor humidity or outdoor temperature of outdoor Rout. In this embodiment, the indoor temperature and humidity information includes indoor temperature and indoor humidity, and the outdoor temperature and humidity information includes outdoor temperature.

[0064] In this embodiment, the air conditioner 10 is equipped with a first sensor 26 located in the indoor unit 20 that can detect the indoor temperature and humidity of the indoor unit Rin. The control unit 80 acquires indoor temperature and humidity information from the first sensor 26. The first sensor 26 can be located, for example, inside the indoor unit 20, near the nozzle outlet from which air is ejected to the indoor heat exchanger 22. Alternatively, the first sensor 26 may be located upstream in the airflow to the indoor heat exchanger 22 in order to measure the air being drawn into the indoor heat exchanger 22. In this embodiment, the air conditioner 10 is also equipped with a second sensor 42 located in the outdoor unit 30 that can detect the outdoor temperature of the outdoor unit Rout. A third sensor 44 may also be located near the outlet of the hose 56 on the outdoor unit 30 side. The third sensor 44 can detect the temperature of the air flowing through the hose 56. The control unit 80 acquires the outdoor temperature from the second sensor 42 and the temperature of the air flowing through the hose 56 from the third sensor 44 as outdoor temperature and humidity information. In this embodiment, the outdoor temperature may include the ambient temperature of the outdoor Rout and the temperature of the air discharged from the hose 56.

[0065] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control of ventilation operation in the air conditioner 10 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. The control of supply air ventilation operation and exhaust air ventilation operation in the air conditioner 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0066] For example, when a user operates the remote controller 72 and a signal to start ventilation operation is transmitted, the control unit 80 receives the signal to start ventilation operation and decides whether to perform supply air ventilation operation or exhaust ventilation operation.

[0067] Upon receiving a signal to start ventilation operation, in step S11, the control unit 80 acquires indoor temperature and humidity information and outdoor temperature and humidity information.

[0068] The step of acquiring indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity information in step S11 will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of acquiring indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity information.

[0069] First, in step S111, the control unit 80 acquires indoor temperature and humidity information from the first sensor 26. As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 80 acquires indoor temperature and indoor humidity from the first sensor 26 as indoor temperature and humidity information. In this embodiment, the control unit 80 also acquires information on the relative humidity of the room.

[0070] Next, in step S112, the control unit 80 acquires outdoor temperature and humidity information from the second sensor 42. In step S112, the control unit 80 acquires the outdoor temperature from the second sensor 42 as outdoor temperature and humidity information.

[0071] Next, in step S113, the control unit 80 acquires outdoor temperature and humidity information from the third sensor 44. In step S113, the control unit 80 acquires the temperature of the air flowing through the hose 56 from the third sensor 44 as outdoor temperature and humidity information.

[0072] Furthermore, in step S114, the control unit 80 calculates the indoor dew point temperature. The indoor dew point temperature is calculated based on the indoor temperature and indoor humidity. The control unit 80 can calculate the dew point temperature, for example, by calculating the water vapor pressure from the temperature and humidity and determining the temperature at which that water vapor pressure becomes the saturated water vapor pressure. Alternatively, the control unit 80 may obtain the dew point temperature using a dew point thermometer.

[0073] The control unit 80 may continuously acquire indoor temperature and humidity information, outdoor temperature and humidity information, and indoor dew point temperature, or at predetermined time intervals, while ventilation operation is being performed.

[0074] Next, in step S12, the control unit 80 determines whether to perform supply air ventilation operation or exhaust ventilation operation, that is, whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation, based on the acquired indoor temperature and humidity information and outdoor temperature and humidity information.

[0075] For example, if indoor Rin is hotter and more humid than outdoor Rout, running exhaust ventilation may cause the hot, humid air from indoor Rin to cool and condense inside hose 56, leading to the accumulation of condensed water inside hose 56. Conversely, if outdoor Rout is hotter and more humid than indoor Rin, running supply ventilation may cause the hot, humid air from outdoor Rout to cool and condense inside hose 56, leading to the accumulation of condensed water inside hose 56. Therefore, depending on the temperature and humidity conditions of indoor Rin and indoor Rout, running either supply ventilation or exhaust ventilation can suppress the occurrence of condensation inside hose 56 and reduce abnormal noise.

[0076] If the control unit 80 decides in step S12 to perform exhaust ventilation operation, the process proceeds to step S13. If the control unit 80 decides not to perform exhaust ventilation operation, the process proceeds to step S14. Whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation is determined by whether the exhaust stop flag is ON or OFF, as will be described later with reference to Figure 9. The control unit 80 decides to perform exhaust ventilation operation when the exhaust stop flag is OFF, and decides to perform supply air ventilation operation when the exhaust stop flag is ON.

[0077] The step of deciding whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation in step S12 will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process of deciding whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation.

[0078] In this embodiment, the exhaust stop flag is set to ON when the control unit 80 decides not to perform exhaust ventilation operation. When the exhaust stop flag is set to ON, the supply air ventilation operation is performed without performing exhaust ventilation operation.

[0079] In step S121, the control unit 80 determines whether the exhaust stop flag is OFF or OFF. The exhaust stop flag is stored in memory, for example, and the control unit 80 can determine whether the exhaust stop flag is OFF or OFF by reading whether the exhaust stop flag stored in memory is ON or OFF. If the exhaust stop flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S122; if the exhaust stop flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S124.

[0080] In step S122, the control unit 80 determines whether the difference between the temperature of the air flowing through the hose (hose temperature) obtained from the third sensor 44 and the indoor dew point temperature falls below a first threshold. The control unit 80 may determine that the difference between the hose temperature and the indoor dew point temperature is below the first threshold if the difference remains below the first threshold for a predetermined period of time. For example, the control unit 80 may determine that the difference between the hose temperature and the indoor dew point temperature is below the first threshold if the difference remains below 4°C for 6 minutes or more, or below 1°C for 3 minutes or more.

[0081] If the control unit 80 determines in step S122 that the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature is below the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S123. If the control unit 80 determines in step S122 that the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature is not below the first threshold, the process of determining whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation ends.

[0082] In step S123, the control unit 80 sets the exhaust stop flag to ON. If the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature falls below the first threshold, running the exhaust ventilation operation would make it easy for condensation to form in the hose 56 from the indoor Rin. Therefore, the control unit 80 sets the exhaust stop flag to ON to prevent the exhaust ventilation operation from being performed. When the exhaust stop flag is set to ON, the control unit 80 performs the supply air ventilation operation.

[0083] If the control unit 80 determines in step S121 that the exhaust stop flag is not OFF, then in step S124, the control unit 80 determines whether the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds the second threshold. For example, if the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds 5°C, the control unit 80 can determine that the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds the second threshold.

[0084] In step S124, if the control unit 80 determines that the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds the second threshold, the process proceeds to step S125. In step S124, if the control unit 80 determines that the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature does not exceed the second threshold, the process of determining whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation ends.

[0085] In step S125, the control unit 80 sets the exhaust stop flag to OFF. When the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds the second threshold, condensation is less likely to occur in the hose 56 even if exhaust ventilation is performed. Therefore, the control unit 80 sets the exhaust stop flag to OFF and controls the system to perform exhaust ventilation. When the exhaust stop flag is set to OFF, the control unit 80 performs exhaust ventilation.

[0086] Returning to Figure 8, if the control unit 80 determines in step S12 to perform exhaust ventilation operation, it performs exhaust ventilation operation in step S13.

[0087] When exhaust ventilation operation is performed, as shown in Figure 4, the control unit 80 opens damper 64, closes damper 66, and opens damper 68. The control unit 80 also rotates fan 62 to draw indoor air A1 from indoor Rin into hose 56. Due to the rotation of fan 62, indoor air A1 flows from hose 56 into third flow path P3. Due to the rotation of fan 62, indoor air A1 that has passed through the third flow path P3 is redirected by damper 64 to the outside Rout and discharged.

[0088] Returning to Figure 8, if the control unit 80 determines in step S12 that it will not perform exhaust ventilation operation, it will perform supply air ventilation operation in step S14.

[0089] When performing supply air ventilation operation, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 80 closes damper 64, opens damper 66, and closes damper 68. The control unit 80 also rotates fan 62 to draw outdoor air A3 from outdoor Rout into the first flow path P1. Due to the rotation of fan 62, the outdoor air A3 that has passed through the first flow path P1 is redirected to indoor Rin by damper 64 and introduced into indoor Rin.

[0090] [effect] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved.

[0091] The air conditioner 10 comprises an indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit 30, and includes a hose 56, a fan 62, dampers 64, 66, and 68, and a control unit 80. The hose 56 connects the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30, and ventilates the outdoor Rout and the indoor Rin. The fan 62 is located on the outdoor unit 30 and generates airflow within the hose 56. The dampers 64, 66, and 68 are located on the outdoor unit 30 and change the direction of airflow within the hose 56. The control unit 80 controls the fan 62 and the dampers 64, 66, and 68. The control unit 80 performs supply air ventilation operation and exhaust air ventilation operation. In supply air ventilation operation, the dampers 64, 66, and 68 are controlled so that air flows from the outdoor Rout to the indoor Rin within the hose 56, and the fan 62 is rotated to draw air from the outdoor Rout into the indoor Rin. In exhaust ventilation operation, dampers 64, 66, and 68 are controlled so that air flows from indoor Rin to outdoor Rout in hose 56, and fan 62 is rotated to discharge the air from indoor Rin to outdoor Rout. The control unit 80 acquires indoor temperature and humidity information and outdoor temperature and humidity information, and performs either supply air ventilation operation or exhaust ventilation operation based on the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity information. The indoor temperature and humidity information includes at least one of the temperature or humidity of indoor Rin. The outdoor temperature and humidity information includes at least one of the temperature or humidity of outdoor Rout.

[0092] This configuration makes it possible to provide an air conditioner that suppresses condensation in the hose 56 and reduces abnormal noise. By selecting between supply air ventilation operation and exhaust ventilation operation based on indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity information, and depending on whether conditions are likely to cause condensation in the hose 56, the occurrence of condensation in the hose 56 during ventilation operation can be suppressed. Since condensation in the hose 56 is a cause of abnormal noise, suppressing the occurrence of condensation in the hose 56 can reduce abnormal noise.

[0093] The indoor temperature and humidity information includes the indoor temperature and humidity, and the outdoor temperature and humidity information includes the outdoor temperature. The control unit 80 calculates the indoor dew point temperature based on the indoor temperature and humidity, and may perform either exhaust ventilation or supply ventilation based on the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature.

[0094] This configuration allows for a more accurate determination of whether or not conditions are likely to cause condensation within the hose 56.

[0095] The control unit 80 may perform supply air ventilation operation when the difference between the hose temperature and the indoor dew point temperature falls below the first threshold.

[0096] With this configuration, the air drawn in from indoor Rin to hose 56 is cooled and prone to condensation. Therefore, by performing air supply ventilation, condensation can be suppressed and noise can be reduced.

[0097] The control unit 80 may perform exhaust ventilation operation when the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds the second threshold.

[0098] This configuration makes it possible to suppress condensation within the hose 56 even when exhaust ventilation is performed.

[0099] The air conditioner 10 further includes a first sensor 26 located in the indoor unit 20 that detects at least one of the indoor temperature or humidity Rin, and the control unit 80 may acquire indoor temperature and humidity information from the first sensor 26.

[0100] This configuration allows for the continuous acquisition of indoor Rin temperature or humidity.

[0101] The air conditioner 10 is equipped with a second sensor 42 located on the outdoor unit 30 that detects at least one of the outdoor temperature or humidity, and the control unit 80 may acquire outdoor temperature and humidity information from the second sensor 42.

[0102] This configuration allows for continuous acquisition of the temperature or humidity of the outdoor router.

[0103] In the embodiment described above, an example was described in which the control unit 80 acquires outdoor temperature and humidity information from the second sensor 42, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioner 10 may further include a communication interface for communicating with an external device, and the control unit 80 may acquire outdoor temperature and humidity information from the external device via the communication interface.

[0104] With this configuration, information on the outdoor temperature or humidity can be obtained without having to place a sensor on the outdoor unit 30.

[0105] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described an example in which the third sensor 44 is located near the outlet of the hose 56 on the outdoor unit 30 side, the embodiment is not limited to this. The third sensor 44 is not an essential component and may not be present.

[0106] (Embodiment 2) This section describes an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In Embodiment 2, the differences from Embodiment 1 will be primarily described. In Embodiment 2, components identical or equivalent to those in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, descriptions that overlap with those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0107] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 11, Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the air conditioner 10A is equipped with an indoor air quality sensor 28 located in the indoor unit 20.

[0108] The indoor air quality sensor 28 detects information regarding the air quality of indoor Rin. This information includes, for example, the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, or carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air of indoor Rin.

[0109] The control unit 80 acquires information regarding the indoor air quality of Rin and, based on the indoor air quality, performs either exhaust ventilation or supply ventilation. In this embodiment, the control unit 80 acquires information regarding the indoor air quality of Rin from the indoor air quality sensor 28.

[0110] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the control of ventilation operation in the air conditioner 10A according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. The control of supply air ventilation operation and exhaust air ventilation operation in the air conditioner 10A will be explained with reference to Figure 12. Steps S21 and S24-S25 are the same as steps S11 and S13-S14 in Figure 8, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0111] In this embodiment, in step S22, the control unit 80 acquires information regarding the air quality of indoor Rin. The control unit 80 acquires, for example, the carbon dioxide concentration in the air of indoor Rin from the indoor air quality sensor 28.

[0112] In step S23, the control unit 80 determines whether to perform supply air ventilation operation or exhaust ventilation operation, that is, whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation, based on the acquired indoor temperature and humidity information, outdoor temperature and humidity information, and information on the air quality of indoor Rin.

[0113] In this embodiment, the control unit 80 determines whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation based on indoor temperature and humidity information, outdoor temperature and humidity information, and information regarding the air quality of indoor Rin. For example, by performing exhaust ventilation operation when the carbon dioxide concentration in the air of indoor Rin is above a predetermined threshold, for example, 1000 ppm, the air of indoor Rin with a high carbon dioxide concentration can be discharged to the outdoor Rout, thereby lowering the carbon dioxide concentration in indoor Rin.

[0114] The step of deciding whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation in step S23 will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process of deciding whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation.

[0115] In step S231, the control unit 80 determines whether the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor Rin is less than 1000 ppm. If the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor Rin is less than 1000 ppm, the process proceeds to step S233. If the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor Rin is 1000 ppm or more, the process proceeds to step S232.

[0116] In step S232, the control unit 80 turns off the exhaust stop flag. When the carbon dioxide concentration in indoor Rin is 1000 ppm or higher, turning off the exhaust stop flag enables exhaust ventilation operation, allowing indoor Rin air to be discharged to the outdoor Rout. In step S232, when the control unit 80 turns off the exhaust stop flag, the process of deciding whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation is completed.

[0117] Steps S233 to S237 are identical to steps S121 to S125 in Figure 10, so their explanation is omitted.

[0118] If the control unit 80 turns on the exhaust stop flag in step S235, or if the control unit 80 turns on the exhaust stop flag in step S237, the process of determining whether or not to perform exhaust ventilation operation is terminated.

[0119] Returning to Figure 12, if the exhaust stop flag is OFF, the control unit 80 decides in step S23 to perform exhaust ventilation operation and performs exhaust ventilation operation in step S24. On the other hand, if the exhaust stop flag is ON, the control unit 80 decides in step S23 not to perform exhaust ventilation operation and performs supply air ventilation operation in step S25.

[0120] [effect] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be achieved.

[0121] The control unit 80 may acquire information regarding the indoor air quality of Rin and, based on this information, perform either exhaust ventilation or supply ventilation.

[0122] With this configuration, for example, if the air quality of the indoor Rin deteriorates, the air from the indoor Rin can be discharged to the outdoor Rout.

[0123] The air conditioner 10A is further equipped with an indoor air quality sensor 28 located in the indoor unit 20 that detects information regarding the air quality of indoor Rin, and the control unit 80 may acquire information regarding the air quality of indoor Rin from the indoor air quality sensor 28.

[0124] This configuration allows for the continuous acquisition of information regarding indoor RI air quality.

[0125] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which an indoor air quality sensor 28 is placed in the indoor unit 20 and the control unit 80 performs either exhaust ventilation operation or supply air ventilation operation based on information regarding the air quality of the indoor Rin, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 80 may acquire information regarding the outdoor air quality and perform either exhaust ventilation operation or supply air ventilation operation based on information regarding the air quality of the outdoor Rout. In this case, the control unit 80 may acquire information regarding the outdoor air quality from an outdoor air quality sensor placed in the outdoor unit 30 that detects information regarding the air quality of the outdoor Rout.

[0126] Information regarding the air quality of the outdoor Rout includes, for example, the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), or particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air outside the Rout. The control unit 80 may, for example, control the system to perform exhaust ventilation operation instead of supply air exhaust operation if the concentration of these substances in the air outside the Rout exceeds a predetermined value. Alternatively, the control unit 80 may control the system to perform either exhaust ventilation operation or supply air ventilation operation based on the air quality of both the indoor Rin and the outdoor Rout.

[0127] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the control unit 80 selects exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation based on air quality, and further selects exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation based on indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity information, but the system is not limited to this. The control unit 80 may select exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation based on air quality. That is, the control unit 80 may select exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation based on indoor and outdoor air quality information without acquiring indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity information. For example, if the air quality of indoor Rin is poor, the air quality of indoor Rin can be improved by performing exhaust ventilation operation and discharging the air from indoor Rin to outdoor Rout. Conventional air conditioners have room for improvement in terms of improving the air quality of indoor Rin, but the air quality of indoor Rin can be improved by performing exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation based on indoor and outdoor air quality.

[0128] As described above, the above embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that are modified, replaced, added to, or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the processing steps described in the above embodiments may be divided or combined, and the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate, as long as it does not impede the spirit of this disclosure.

[0129] (Summary of the embodiment) (1) The air conditioner of the present disclosure is an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, comprising a hose connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and constituting an air passage for ventilating the outdoors and the indoor unit, a fan disposed on the outdoor unit and generating an airflow in the hose, a damper disposed on the outdoor unit and changing the direction of the airflow in the hose, and a control unit that controls the fan and the damper, wherein the control unit performs an air supply ventilation operation in which it controls the damper to rotate the fan so that air flows from the outdoors to the indoor in the hose and brings outdoor air into the indoor, and an exhaust ventilation operation in which it controls the damper to rotate the fan so that air flows from the indoor to the outdoors in the hose and discharges indoor air to the outdoor, and acquires indoor temperature and humidity information including at least one of indoor temperature or humidity and outdoor temperature and humidity information and performs either the air supply ventilation operation or the exhaust ventilation operation based on the indoor temperature and humidity information and the outdoor temperature and humidity information.

[0130] (2) In the air conditioner described in (1), the indoor temperature and humidity information includes the indoor temperature and humidity, and the outdoor temperature and humidity information includes the outdoor temperature. The control unit may calculate the indoor dew point temperature based on the indoor temperature and humidity, and perform either exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation based on the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature.

[0131] (3) In the air conditioner described in (2), the control unit may perform supply air ventilation operation when the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature falls below the first threshold.

[0132] (4) In the air conditioner of (2) or (3), the control unit may perform exhaust ventilation operation when the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds the second threshold.

[0133] (5) In any one of the air conditioners described in (1) to (4), the indoor unit further comprises a first sensor that is located in the indoor unit and detects at least one of the indoor temperature or humidity, and the control unit may acquire indoor temperature and humidity information from the first sensor.

[0134] (6) In any one of the air conditioners described in (1) to (5), the outdoor unit further comprises a second sensor that is located on the outdoor unit and detects at least one of the outdoor temperature or humidity, and the control unit may acquire outdoor temperature and humidity information from the second sensor.

[0135] (7) In any one of the air conditioners described in (1) to (6), a communication interface for communicating with an external device is further provided, and the control unit may acquire outdoor temperature and humidity information from the external device via the communication interface.

[0136] (8) In any one of the air conditioners described in (1) to (7), the control unit may acquire information regarding the indoor air quality and, based on the information regarding the indoor air quality, perform either exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation.

[0137] (9)(8) The air conditioner further includes an indoor air quality sensor located in the indoor unit that detects information regarding the indoor air quality, and the control unit may acquire information regarding the indoor air quality from the indoor air quality sensor.

[0138] (10) In any one of the air conditioners described in (1) to (9), the control unit may acquire information regarding the outdoor air quality and, based on the information regarding the outdoor air quality, perform either exhaust ventilation operation or supply ventilation operation.

[0139] (11)(10) The air conditioner further includes an outdoor air quality sensor located in the outdoor unit that detects information regarding the outdoor air quality, and the control unit may acquire information regarding the outdoor air quality from the outdoor air quality sensor. [Industrial applicability]

[0140] This disclosure can be applied to air conditioners capable of performing exhaust ventilation operation and supply ventilation operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 10, 10A air conditioner 20 Indoor unit 22 Indoor heat exchanger 24 Indoor Fan 26 First Sensor 28 Indoor air quality sensor 30 Outdoor unit 32 Outdoor heat exchanger 34 Fans 36 Compressor 38 Expansion valve 40 Square valve 42. Second Sensor 50 Ventilation system 52 Absorbent material 54 Motor 56 Ventilation conduits 56 Hose 58. First heater 60 Second heater 62. The first fan 64. First damper device (damper) 66. Second damper device (damper) 68. Third damper device (damper) 70 Second Fan 72 Remote Controllers

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, A hose that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and constitutes an air passage for ventilation between the outdoors and the indoors, A fan is placed in the outdoor unit and generates airflow within the hose, A damper is placed in the outdoor unit and changes the direction of the airflow in the hose, A control unit that controls the fan and the damper, Equipped with, The control unit, The damper is controlled to allow air to flow from outside to inside the hose, and the fan is rotated to bring outside air into the room in an air supply ventilation operation. Exhaust ventilation operation is performed by controlling the damper so that air flows from the inside to the outside within the hose, and by rotating the fan to discharge indoor air to the outside. Execute, The system obtains indoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the indoor temperature or humidity, and outdoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the outdoor temperature or humidity. Based on the indoor temperature and humidity information and the outdoor temperature and humidity information, either the supply air ventilation operation or the exhaust ventilation operation is performed. The aforementioned indoor temperature and humidity information includes the indoor temperature and humidity. The aforementioned outdoor temperature and humidity information includes the outdoor temperature, The control unit calculates the indoor dew point temperature based on the indoor temperature and humidity, and executes either the exhaust ventilation operation or the supply ventilation operation based on the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature. Air conditioner.

2. The control unit executes the air supply ventilation operation when the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature falls below a first threshold. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. The control unit executes the exhaust ventilation operation when the difference between the outdoor temperature and the indoor dew point temperature exceeds a second threshold. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

4. A first sensor is placed in the indoor unit and detects at least one of the indoor temperature or humidity. Furthermore, The control unit acquires the indoor temperature and humidity information from the first sensor. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

5. A second sensor is placed in the outdoor unit and detects at least one of the outdoor temperature or humidity. Furthermore, The control unit acquires the outdoor temperature and humidity information from the second sensor. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

6. A communication interface for communicating with external devices. Furthermore, The control unit acquires the outdoor temperature and humidity information from the external device via the communication interface. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

7. An air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, A hose that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and constitutes an air passage for ventilation between the outdoors and the indoors, A fan is placed in the outdoor unit and generates airflow within the hose, A damper is placed in the outdoor unit and changes the direction of the airflow in the hose, A control unit that controls the fan and the damper, Equipped with, The control unit, The damper is controlled to allow air to flow from outside to inside the hose, and the fan is rotated to bring outside air into the room in an air supply ventilation operation. Exhaust ventilation operation is performed by controlling the damper so that air flows from the inside to the outside within the hose, and by rotating the fan to discharge indoor air to the outside. Execute, The system obtains indoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the indoor temperature or humidity, and outdoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the outdoor temperature or humidity. Based on the indoor temperature and humidity information and the outdoor temperature and humidity information, either the supply air ventilation operation or the exhaust ventilation operation is performed. The control unit acquires information regarding the indoor air quality, Based on the information regarding the indoor air quality, either the exhaust ventilation operation or the supply ventilation operation is performed. Air conditioner.

8. An indoor air quality sensor is placed in the indoor unit and detects information regarding the indoor air quality. Furthermore, The control unit acquires information regarding the air quality of the room from the indoor air quality sensor. The air conditioner according to claim 7.

9. An air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, A hose that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and constitutes an air passage for ventilation between the outdoors and the indoors, A fan is placed in the outdoor unit and generates airflow within the hose, A damper is placed in the outdoor unit and changes the direction of the airflow in the hose, A control unit that controls the fan and the damper, Equipped with, The control unit, The damper is controlled to allow air to flow from outside to inside the hose, and the fan is rotated to bring outside air into the room in an air supply ventilation operation. Exhaust ventilation operation is performed by controlling the damper so that air flows from the inside to the outside within the hose, and by rotating the fan to discharge indoor air to the outside. Execute, The system obtains indoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the indoor temperature or humidity, and outdoor temperature and humidity information, which includes at least one of the outdoor temperature or humidity. Based on the indoor temperature and humidity information and the outdoor temperature and humidity information, either the supply air ventilation operation or the exhaust ventilation operation is performed. The control unit acquires information regarding the outdoor air quality, Based on the information regarding the outdoor air quality, either the exhaust ventilation operation or the supply ventilation operation is performed. Air conditioner.

10. An outdoor air quality sensor is placed in the outdoor unit and detects information regarding the outdoor air quality. Furthermore, The control unit acquires information regarding the outdoor air quality from the outdoor air quality sensor. The air conditioner according to claim 9.

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