Ventilation systems and methods for predicting condensation

Abstract

To acquire a ventilation system which can prevent generation of dew condensation on a window beforehand, by predicting dew condensation on the window and changing an operation state of the ventilation system.SOLUTION: A ventilation system 100a includes: a ventilation fan 20 for performing ventilation in a room including a window; an environmental information acquisition part for detecting environmental information which is the information regarding the environment of the air around the window; and a determination part 2 which predicts generation of dew condensation on the window at future first time, based on a prediction value of the surface temperature of the window at the future first time and a prediction value of a dew point temperature of the indoor air at the future first time, calculated based on the environmental information detected by the environmental information acquisition part. In the case where generation of dew condensation on the window at the first time is predicted, the determination part 2 controls first dew condensation suppression operation mode in which an exhaust air amount of the ventilation fan is increased at second time before the first time. The ventilation system 100a can prevent generation of dew condensation on the window automatically beforehand, without troubling a human.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ventilation system and a dew condensation prediction method capable of preventing dew condensation on building windows.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional ventilation system, Patent Document 1 describes a ventilation system provided with an arithmetic means for calculating the amount of water vapor contained in a room from the relationship between the temperature detected by a temperature detection means and the humidity detected by a humidity detection means, and for calculating a temperature difference at which the water vapor becomes saturated and leads to dew condensation. When the ventilation system determines that the temperature difference is one at which dew condensation occurs by the arithmetic means, it exhausts or supplies air by a fan so as to prevent dew condensation in the room.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 2 describes a dew condensation prediction system provided with a risk determination means for estimating the surface temperature of a window based on the indoor temperature predicted by a prediction means, the outside air temperature outside the forecast, and the virtual heat transfer coefficient of the window, and for determining the presence or absence of a dew condensation risk of the window using the estimated surface temperature of the window.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and aims to provide a ventilation system that can prevent window condensation from occurring in advance by predicting window condensation and changing the operating state of the ventilation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the ventilation system according to this disclosure comprises: a ventilation fan for ventilating a room with a window; an environmental information acquisition unit for detecting environmental information, which is information about the air environment around the window; and a determination unit for predicting the occurrence of condensation on the window at a future first time, based on a predicted value of the window surface temperature at a future first time and a predicted value of the dew point temperature of the indoor air at a future first time, calculated based on the environmental information detected by the environmental information acquisition unit. If the determination unit predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window at a future first time, it controls a first condensation suppression operation mode at a second time prior to the first time, which increases the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, by predicting window condensation and changing the operating state of the ventilation system, it is possible to prevent window condensation from occurring in advance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ventilation fan in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the information used by the determination unit of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1 to predict whether or not condensation will occur on a window at each time of day. [Figure 4]Figure showing an example of information on indoor temperature at each time in a predetermined past period retained by the data retention unit of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Figure showing an example of environmental information when the predicted value of environmental information is corrected by the current value of environmental information in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the procedure of the operation for preventing dew condensation on the window in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 2 [Figure 8] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 9] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 10] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the remote controller included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 11] Figure showing an example of the remote controller of the air conditioner included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 12] Flowchart showing the procedure of the operation in which the ventilation fan shifts to the dew condensation suppression operation mode when the air conditioner shifts to the dew condensation suppression operation mode by the operation of the user in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3 [Figure 13] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 14] Flowchart showing the procedure of the operation in the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner when there is a person in the room in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 4 [Figure 15] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 5 [Figure 16] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6 [Figure 17] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6 [Figure 18]Schematic diagram of an indoor image displayed on the terminal display unit of the terminal device included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6 [Figure 19] First figure showing an example of the display screen of the terminal display unit of the terminal device included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6 [Figure 20] Second figure showing an example of the display screen of the terminal display unit of the terminal device included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6 [Figure 21] In the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6, flowchart showing the procedure of the operation in which the air conditioner follows and shifts to the dew condensation suppression operation mode when the ventilation fan shifts to the dew condensation suppression operation mode by the operation of the terminal device [Figure 22] In the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6, flowchart showing the procedure of the operation for releasing the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner that has shifted to the dew condensation suppression operation mode following the ventilation fan that has shifted to the dew condensation suppression operation mode by the operation of the terminal device [Figure 23] In the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6, flowchart showing the procedure of the operation for releasing the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan that has shifted to the dew condensation suppression operation mode following the air conditioner that has shifted to the dew condensation suppression operation mode by the operation of the remote controller [Figure 24] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 7 [Figure 25] Figure showing an example of the predicted value of the surface temperature of the window when the predicted value of the surface temperature of the window is corrected by the current value of the predicted value of the surface temperature of the window in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 7 [Figure 26] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 8 [Figure 27] In the ventilation system according to Embodiment 8, flowchart for finding the appropriate wind direction of the heating air in the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner [Figure 28] Figure showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 9 [Figure 29] Schematic diagram showing a state where the window is not reflected in the indoor image displayed on the terminal device included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 9 [Figure 30]Diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 10 [Figure 31] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a heat exchange type ventilation fan included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 10. [Figure 32] Characteristic diagram showing an example of the relationship between supply air volume and exchange efficiency in a heat exchange type ventilation fan equipped in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 10. [Figure 33] Figure 32 shows the temperature exchange efficiency and humidity exchange efficiency values ​​extracted and presented in a table format for when the supply air volume is 100 m³ / h and when the supply air volume is 200 m³ / h. [Figure 34] Diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11 [Figure 35] Conceptual diagram showing the flow of exhaust gas during heat exchange ventilation operation of a heat exchange type ventilation fan in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11. [Figure 36] Conceptual diagram showing the flow of exhaust gas during non-heat exchange ventilation operation of a heat exchange type ventilation fan in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11. [Figure 37] This figure shows an example of a characteristic diagram illustrating the relationship between elapsed time and the absolute humidity of the room when non-heat exchange ventilation operation and heat exchange ventilation operation are combined in the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11. [Figure 38] Diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 12 [Figure 39] This diagram shows the configuration in which each function of the control unit according to Embodiments 1 to 12 is implemented in hardware. [Figure 40] This diagram shows the configuration in which each function of the control unit according to Embodiments 1 to 12 is implemented in software. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The ventilation system and condensation prediction method according to the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ventilation fan provided in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1. The ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 is a ventilation system that ventilates the interior of a building, which is the space to be ventilated, and is a ventilation system that can prevent condensation on the windows of the building.

[0013] The ventilation system 100a comprises a system main unit 1, an indoor temperature acquisition unit 6, an indoor humidity acquisition unit 7, an outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8, and a ventilation fan 20. Each of the above components constituting the ventilation system 100a is electrically connected and can transmit and receive information from one another. The components of the ventilation system 100a will be described in detail below.

[0014] The main system unit 1 is installed inside the building and controls the indoor ventilation operation of the ventilation system 100a. The main system unit 1 comprises a determination unit 2, a data holding unit 3, a system communication unit 4, and a system control unit 5. Each of the above components constituting the main system unit 1 is electrically connected and can send and receive information from each other. In this embodiment 1, the determination unit 2 and the data holding unit 3 are located inside the main system unit 1, but one of the determination unit 2 and the data holding unit 3 may be located outside the main system unit 1.

[0015] The determination unit 2 remotely controls the operation of equipment such as the ventilation fan 20 in the ventilation system 100a, including operation, stopping, and adjustment of airflow. Specifically, the determination unit 2 can give instructions to the ventilation fan 20 to increase or decrease the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan 20.

[0016] The data storage unit 3 stores and retains various types of information used to control the ventilation system 100a for a predetermined retention period. The data storage unit 3 can acquire various types of information from outside the system main unit 1 via the system communication unit 4. The data storage unit 3 stores and retains various types of information used to control the operation of equipment such as the ventilation fan 20 provided by the ventilation system 100a for a predetermined retention period, including indoor temperature data acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6, indoor humidity data acquired by the indoor humidity acquisition unit 7, and outdoor temperature data acquired by the outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8.

[0017] Furthermore, the data storage unit 3 stores operating status information transmitted from the ventilation fan 20, which indicates the operating status of the ventilation fan 20. The operating status of the ventilation fan 20 includes information such as whether it is stopped, operating at a low notch with relatively low airflow, or operating at a high notch with relatively high airflow.

[0018] The data storage unit 3 has a non-volatile storage medium, such as a semiconductor storage medium like flash memory, as its storage medium. The data storage unit 3 has a storage function that stores and retains various types of information. The data storage unit 3 also has a storage control function that performs processes such as acquiring various types of information from external devices or components, storing and deleting various types of information from the storage unit, and transmitting the various types of information stored in the storage unit to external devices or components. Note that the storage function and the storage control function of the data storage unit 3 may be independent components.

[0019] The system communication unit 4 communicates with external equipment of the system main unit 1. The system communication unit 4 communicates with the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6, indoor humidity acquisition unit 7, outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8, and ventilation fan 20. The system communication unit 4 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external equipment of the system main unit 1 to the system control unit 5 or data storage unit 3. The system communication unit 4 transmits information received from the system control unit 5 or data storage unit 3 to the communication unit of the external equipment of the indoor unit 30a.

[0020] The system control unit 5 controls the entire system main unit 1.

[0021] The indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 measures the temperature of the indoor air to detect the indoor temperature. The indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 can transmit information to the system main unit 1. The indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 transmits the acquired indoor temperature information to the data storage unit 3. Alternatively, the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 may be directly electrically connected to the data storage unit 3 and transmit indoor temperature information directly to the data storage unit 3. The indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 is an environmental information acquisition unit that detects environmental information, which is information about the air environment around the window.

[0022] The indoor humidity acquisition unit 7 measures the humidity of the indoor air to detect the indoor humidity. The indoor humidity acquisition unit 7 can transmit information to the system main unit 1. The indoor humidity acquisition unit 7 transmits the acquired indoor humidity information to the data storage unit 3. Alternatively, the indoor humidity acquisition unit 7 may be directly electrically connected to the data storage unit 3 and transmit indoor humidity information directly to the data storage unit 3. The indoor humidity acquisition unit 7 may acquire the absolute humidity of the room or the relative humidity of the room. The indoor humidity acquisition unit 7 is an environmental information acquisition unit that detects environmental information, which is information about the air environment around the window.

[0023] The outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8 measures the temperature of the outside air and detects the outdoor temperature, which is the temperature of the outside air. The outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8 can transmit information to the system main unit 1. The outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8 transmits the acquired outdoor temperature information to the data storage unit 3. Alternatively, the outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8 may be directly electrically connected to the data storage unit 3 and directly transmit the outdoor temperature information to the data storage unit 3. The outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8 is an environmental information acquisition unit that detects environmental information, which is information about the air environment around the window.

[0024] The ventilation fan 20 is installed on the indoor side of a building, such as on a wall or ceiling. The ventilation fan 20 has an exhaust air passage (not shown) and ventilates the room by exhausting air through the exhaust air passage. The ventilation fan 20 and the system main unit 1 are able to communicate with each other. That is, the ventilation fan 20 and the system main unit 1 are able to send and receive information from each other.

[0025] The ventilation fan 20 comprises an exhaust fan 21, a ventilation fan memory unit 22, a ventilation fan communication unit 23, and a ventilation fan control unit 24.

[0026] The exhaust fan 21 consists of an electric motor (not shown) and an impeller coupled to the drive shaft of the electric motor. The impeller rotates when driven by the electric motor, forming an airflow that exhausts the air from the room. The electric motor drives the impeller. The airflow of the exhaust fan 21, i.e., the airflow of the ventilation fan 20, is controlled by controlling the rotational speed of the electric motor.

[0027] The ventilation fan memory unit 22 stores various types of information used for operating the ventilation fan 20.

[0028] The ventilation fan communication unit 23 communicates with external equipment of the ventilation fan 20. The ventilation fan communication unit 23 communicates with the system communication unit 4 of the system main unit 1. The ventilation fan communication unit 23 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external equipment of the ventilation fan 20 to the ventilation fan control unit 24. The ventilation fan communication unit 23 transmits information received from the ventilation fan control unit 24 to the communication unit of the external equipment of the ventilation fan 20. The communication method between the ventilation fan communication unit 23 and the system communication unit 4 may be wired communication or wireless communication.

[0029] The ventilation fan control unit 24 controls the operation of the ventilation fan 20. Specifically, the ventilation fan control unit 24 controls the operation of the exhaust blower 21 by controlling the drive of the electric motor. The ventilation fan control unit 24 also switches the operating mode and airflow rate of the ventilation operation of the ventilation fan 20 according to instructions from the determination unit 2. The ventilation fan control unit 24 controls the airflow rate of the exhaust blower 21, i.e., the airflow rate of the ventilation fan 20, by adjusting the output of the electric motor and controlling the rotation speed of the electric motor.

[0030] Next, an overview of the operation of the ventilation system 100a for preventing condensation on building windows will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the information used by the determination unit of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1 to predict whether or not condensation will occur on windows at different times of day. The various pieces of information shown in Figure 3 are stored in the data storage unit 3. As shown in Figure 3, the data storage unit 3 stores information in a table format for each predetermined time interval, including the predicted value of the window surface temperature [°C], the predicted value of the indoor air dew point temperature [°C], and the result of the window condensation prediction.

[0031] The determination unit 2 compares the predicted window surface temperature and the predicted indoor air dew point temperature, both stored in the data holding unit 3, at each given time. The methods for calculating the predicted window surface temperature and the predicted indoor air dew point temperature will be described later.

[0032] The determination unit 2 determines that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future if the predicted value of the window surface temperature is smaller than the predicted value of the indoor air dew point temperature, that is, if the relationship "predicted value of window surface temperature < predicted value of indoor air dew point temperature" holds true.

[0033] The determination unit 2 determines that condensation will not occur on the window at a specific time in the future if the predicted value of the window surface temperature is greater than or equal to the predicted value of the indoor air dew point temperature, that is, if the relationship "predicted value of window surface temperature ≥ predicted value of indoor air dew point temperature" holds true.

[0034] If the determination unit 2 determines that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future, it controls the ventilation fan 20 to increase the exhaust airflow at a pre-control time that is predetermined to occur a certain amount of time earlier than that specific time. That is, if the determination unit 2 determines that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future, it transmits an airflow increase instruction to the ventilation fan 20 at a pre-control time that is predetermined to occur a certain amount of time earlier than that specific time, instructing it to increase the exhaust airflow. When the ventilation fan 20 receives the airflow increase instruction, it increases the exhaust airflow based on the airflow increase instruction. Here, increasing the exhaust airflow includes starting the operation of the ventilation fan 20 if it was stopped. If the specific time in the future is considered the first future time, then the pre-control time can be considered the second time, which is a time after the present and before the first time.

[0035] Here, when increasing the exhaust airflow, if the ventilation fan 20 is a model with two notches, such as a high notch and a low notch, it will be increased by one notch. Also, if the difference between the predicted window surface temperature and the predicted indoor air dew point temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the fan will operate at the highest notch instead of being increased by one notch. Furthermore, when starting the ventilation fan 20 after it has been stopped, it will be increased by one notch, for example.

[0036] As a result, the ventilation system 100a can prevent window condensation by removing moisture from the room before condensation occurs on the windows, thereby maintaining an environment where window condensation is less likely to occur.

[0037] The advance time is the amount of time, for example, one hour, during which it is possible to prevent window condensation from occurring at a specific future time when it is predicted to occur, by increasing the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan 20 in advance. The advance time information is predetermined and stored in the determination unit 2. Here, the advance time is not limited to one hour, but can be changed to any time, as long as it is possible to prevent window condensation from occurring at a specific future time when it is predicted to occur, by increasing the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan 20 in advance. The advance time information may also be stored in the data holding unit 3.

[0038] The operating state of the ventilation fan 20 after it has switched to increasing the exhaust airflow to prevent condensation on the window is referred to as the condensation suppression operating mode of the ventilation fan 20. In other words, the condensation suppression operating mode of the ventilation fan 20 is an operating mode of the ventilation fan 20 that increases the exhaust airflow when the occurrence of condensation on the window at a specific time in the future is predicted.

[0039] Next, we will explain how the determination unit 2 calculates a predicted value for the window surface temperature and a predicted value for the indoor air dew point temperature, which are used by the determination unit 2 to predict the occurrence of condensation on the window at a specific time in the future.

[0040] (Method for calculating predicted window surface temperature) The determination unit 2 uses the following formula (1) to determine the window surface temperature t gi Calculate.

[0041]

number

[0042] In equation (1) above, the heat transfer coefficient depends on conditions such as the material of the window, but for example, if the window glass is a single sheet of float glass with a thickness of 5 mm, it can be calculated assuming it is 5.9. In equation (1) above, the indoor heat transfer coefficient can be calculated assuming, for example, 8.6. The information on the heat transfer coefficient and indoor heat transfer coefficient is stored in the determination unit 2 in advance, for example, the above values. The information on the heat transfer coefficient and indoor heat transfer coefficient can be input and changed by the user using an external device that can access the system main unit 1. The information on the heat transfer coefficient and indoor heat transfer coefficient may also be stored in the data storage unit 3. Alternatively, by selecting the window glass conditions, such as the material and number of panes of glass, using an external device, the heat transfer coefficient and indoor heat transfer coefficient can be automatically set in the data storage unit 3 from the external device.

[0043] Therefore, the determination unit 2 determines the indoor temperature t acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6. i The outdoor temperature t acquired by the outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8 o By obtaining this information, the surface temperature of the window on the inside can be calculated.

[0044] The determination unit 2 then uses the indoor temperature as the predicted indoor temperature for a specific future time, and the outdoor temperature as the predicted outdoor temperature for a specific future time, thereby calculating the predicted window surface temperature for that specific future time. The methods for determining the predicted indoor temperature and the predicted outdoor temperature will be described later.

[0045] (Method for calculating the predicted dew point temperature of indoor air) The determination unit 2 calculates the dew point temperature of the indoor air using the following equations (2) to (7). The information from equations (2) to (7) is stored in the determination unit 2 in advance.

[0046] (First calculation method: When the absolute temperature T [°C] of the room and the relative humidity U [%RH] of the room are known) The determination unit 2 calculates the dew point temperature of the indoor air using the following equations (2) to (6).

[0047]

number

[0048]

number

[0049]

number

[0050] (If y≧0)

number

[0051] (If y < 0)

number

[0052] (Second calculation method: When the relative humidity U [%RH] in the room is unknown, but the absolute humidity D [kg / kg(DA)] in the room is known) The second calculation method differs from the first calculation method described above only in the method for calculating water vapor pressure. That is, the determination unit 2 calculates the dew point temperature of the indoor air using the above equations (2), (4), (5), and (6), and the following equation (7), which is the method for calculating water vapor pressure. The atmospheric pressure may be assumed to be, for example, 1013 hPa for the calculation.

[0053]

number

[0054] Therefore, the determination unit 2 can calculate the dew point temperature of the indoor air by obtaining the absolute temperature T of the indoor temperature obtained by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 and the indoor humidity obtained by the indoor humidity acquisition unit 7, which is either the relative humidity U [%RH] or the absolute humidity D of the indoor air.

[0055] The determination unit 2 then uses the predicted indoor temperature as the predicted indoor temperature for a specific future time, and the predicted indoor humidity as the predicted indoor humidity for a specific future time, thereby calculating the predicted dew point temperature of the indoor air at a specific future time. The methods for determining the predicted indoor temperature and indoor humidity will be described later.

[0056] Next, we will explain how to calculate the predicted indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature. Below, we will explain how to calculate the predicted indoor temperature as a representative example.

[0057] Figure 4 shows an example of indoor temperature information for each time period over a predetermined past period, which is held by the data holding unit of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1. Here, the predetermined past period is the most recent past week. As shown in Figure 4, the data holding unit 3 holds, for example, indoor temperature data at 9:00 for the most recent past week.

[0058] The determination unit 2 calculates the average value of the indoor temperature at 9:00 for the most recent past week, which is stored in the data storage unit 3. The determination unit 2 uses the calculated average value of the indoor temperature as the predicted value of the indoor temperature at 9:00.

[0059] As described above, the determination unit 2 uses the average indoor temperature for the past week at 9:00 AM as the predicted indoor temperature at 9:00 AM. In other words, the determination unit 2 uses the average indoor temperature for a specific time within a predetermined period in the past as the predicted indoor temperature at that specific time.

[0060] Furthermore, if the data storage unit 3 stores indoor temperature data for the most recent past year, rather than indoor temperature data for the most recent past week, the determination unit 2 may use the indoor temperature at the corresponding specific time on the same day one year ago, or the average of the indoor temperatures at specific times in the same week one year ago, as the predicted value of the indoor temperature at that specific time.

[0061] The determination unit 2 can also determine the predicted indoor humidity and predicted outdoor temperature using the same method as the predicted indoor temperature described above.

[0062] Indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature are collectively referred to as environmental information.

[0063] Environmental information is information about the environment surrounding the window, which the determination unit 2 uses to calculate the predicted window surface temperature and the predicted indoor air dew point temperature in order to predict the occurrence of condensation on the window at a specific time in the future. Environmental information may include items other than indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature.

[0064] Environmental information is stored in the data storage unit 3. The environmental information stored in the data storage unit 3 may be limited to a predetermined retention period. That is, environmental information older than the predetermined retention period stored in the data storage unit 3 may be deleted, and the environmental information stored in the data storage unit 3 may be overwritten with relatively newer environmental information. As a result, even if the season changes and the trend of environmental information changes, the predicted value of the environmental information will be updated to a relatively new value. In other words, by limiting the environmental information stored in the data storage unit 3 to a predetermined period, the predicted value of the environmental information can be automatically made to follow seasonal changes.

[0065] Furthermore, the predicted outdoor temperature may be based on the predicted outdoor temperature in the weather information. When using the predicted outdoor temperature in the weather information to predict the outdoor temperature, the predicted outdoor temperature will be based on the actual weather forecast at the present time. In this case, the predicted outdoor temperature can also respond to sudden temperature changes such as typhoons, and a more accurate prediction can be obtained than the outdoor temperature prediction described above, which simply uses past data, thus improving the accuracy of the outdoor temperature prediction.

[0066] Furthermore, the predicted values ​​of the environmental information may be corrected using the current values ​​of the environmental information. That is, the determination unit 2 may calculate the predicted values ​​of the environmental information by correcting them using the current values ​​of the environmental information. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of environmental information in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1 when the predicted values ​​of the environmental information are corrected with the current values ​​of the environmental information.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, for example, suppose the average indoor temperature for the past week at 7:00 is 22°C. Also, suppose the average indoor temperature for the past week at 6:00 is 21°C. And suppose the indoor temperature at 6:00 acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 is 23°C. The indoor temperature at 6:00 acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 is the current indoor temperature. In this case, the difference between the average indoor temperature at 6:00 acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 and the average indoor temperature for the past week at 6:00 is +2°C. The determination unit 2 then adds the difference of +2°C from the average indoor temperature at 7:00 (22°C), which is one hour later, to calculate 24°C as the predicted indoor temperature at 7:00.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, for example, let's assume that the average indoor temperature for the past week immediately preceding 8:00 is 20°C. Let's also assume that the average indoor temperature for the past week immediately preceding 7:00 is 22°C. And let's assume that the indoor temperature acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 at 7:00 is 25°C. The indoor temperature acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 at 7:00 is the current indoor temperature. In this case, the difference between the average indoor temperature acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6 at 7:00 and the average indoor temperature for the past week immediately preceding 7:00 is +3°C. The determination unit 2 then adds the difference of +3°C from the average indoor temperature at 8:00 (20°C), which is one hour later, to calculate 23°C as the predicted indoor temperature at 8:00.

[0069] As described above, the predicted indoor temperature, corrected using current environmental data, will be based on the actual indoor temperature at the present time. Therefore, by correcting the predicted indoor temperature with the current indoor temperature, a more accurate predicted indoor temperature can be obtained than one that simply uses past indoor temperature data. In other words, by correcting the predicted environmental information calculated based on past environmental data with the current environmental data, a more accurate predicted environmental information can be obtained than one that simply uses past data, thereby improving the accuracy of environmental information predictions.

[0070] Next, the operation and effects of preventing window condensation in the ventilation system 100a will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for preventing window condensation in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 1.

[0071] In step S110, the data storage unit 3 stores environmental information. Specifically, the data storage unit 3 acquires and stores environmental information such as indoor temperature data acquired by the indoor temperature acquisition unit 6, indoor humidity data acquired by the indoor humidity acquisition unit 7, and outdoor temperature data acquired by the outdoor temperature acquisition unit 8 at predetermined time intervals.

[0072] In step S120, the determination unit 2 calculates predicted values ​​of environmental information for a specific time in the future for a predetermined future period. Using the environmental information for a predetermined retention period stored in the data holding unit 3, the determination unit 2 calculates the predicted values ​​of indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature, which are environmental information as described above.

[0073] In step S130, the determination unit 2 uses the predicted values ​​of environmental information for a specific future time calculated in step S120 to calculate the predicted values ​​of the window surface temperature and the predicted values ​​of the indoor air dew point temperature.

[0074] In step S140, the determination unit 2 determines whether or not condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future.

[0075] The determination unit 2 determines that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future if the predicted value of the window surface temperature is lower than the predicted value of the indoor air dew point temperature. In other words, the determination unit 2 predicts that condensation will occur on the window at a given time if the relationship "predicted window surface temperature < predicted indoor air dew point temperature" holds true.

[0076] Furthermore, the determination unit 2 determines that condensation will not occur on the window at a specific time in the future if the predicted value of the window surface temperature is equal to or greater than the predicted value of the indoor air dew point temperature. In other words, the determination unit 2 predicts that condensation will not occur on the window at a given time if the relationship "predicted value of window surface temperature ≥ predicted value of indoor air dew point temperature" holds true.

[0077] In step S140, the determination unit 2 determines whether or not condensation will occur on the window for each of a predetermined number of specific future times, for example, in order from earliest to latest.

[0078] If it is determined that condensation will not occur on the window at a specific time in the future, the result in step S140 is No, and the process returns to step S140 and the determination is repeated. If it is determined that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future, the result in step S140 is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S150.

[0079] In step S150, the determination unit 2 controls the ventilation fan 20 in condensation suppression operation mode at a pre-control time predetermined to a specific future time when it is determined that condensation will occur on the window. Specifically, the determination unit 2 transmits an airflow increase instruction to the ventilation fan 20 at a pre-control time predetermined to a specific future time when it is determined that condensation will occur on the window, thereby controlling the ventilation fan 20 in condensation suppression operation mode.

[0080] In step S160, the determination unit 2 determines whether or not condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future. After the ventilation fan 20 starts operating in the ventilation fan 20 condensation suppression operation mode, the determination unit 2 determines whether or not condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future, in the same manner as in steps S120 to S140 described above. New environmental information is stored in the data holding unit 3 even after the ventilation fan 20 has switched to the ventilation fan 20 condensation suppression operation mode.

[0081] If it is determined that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time in the future, the result in step S160 is Yes, and the process returns to step S160 and the determination is repeated. If it is determined that condensation will not occur on the window at a specific time in the future, the result in step S160 is No, and the process proceeds to step S170.

[0082] In step S170, the determination unit 2 cancels the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 at a specific future time when it has determined that condensation will not occur on the window. That is, the determination unit 2 sends a cancellation instruction to the ventilation fan 20 at a specific future time when it has determined that condensation will not occur on the window, instructing the ventilation fan 20 to cancel the condensation suppression operation mode. In accordance with the cancellation instruction, the ventilation fan 20 switches its operation back to its original operating state before it transitioned to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0083] As described above, in the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1, when the determination unit 2 predicts the occurrence of condensation on a window at a specific time in the future, it controls the ventilation fan 20 to operate in the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 at a pre-control time predetermined to a certain amount of time before that specific time, and controls the exhaust air volume of the ventilation fan 20 to increase. As a result, the ventilation system 100a can prevent condensation on windows by removing moisture from the room before condensation occurs and maintaining a space where condensation on windows is less likely to occur.

[0084] Furthermore, if the determination unit 2 predicts that condensation will not occur on the window at a specific time in the future, it controls the ventilation fan 20 to release the condensation suppression operation mode at that time and return the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan 20 to its original value. As a result, the ventilation system 100a can prevent an unnecessary increase in the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan 20, thereby preventing condensation on the window while saving energy.

[0085] Therefore, according to the ventilation system 100a of Embodiment 1, the condensation on the window can be predicted and the operating state of the ventilation system can be changed to prevent condensation from occurring in advance. The ventilation system 100a can automatically prevent condensation from occurring on the window without requiring any human intervention.

[0086] Embodiment 2. Figure 7 shows the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1. The ventilation system 100b according to Embodiment 2 differs from the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 in that it includes a server 1a instead of the system main body 1.

[0087] The ventilation fan 20 and the server 1a are capable of communication. Furthermore, the ventilation fan 20 and the server 1a are connected to each other via a global information and communication network such as the Internet 200. In other words, the ventilation fan 20 and the server 1a are connected to a network and are capable of sending and receiving information from each other. Server 1a can be either a cloud server or an on-premises server. Regardless of whether a cloud server or an on-premises server is used, the servers 1a are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet 200, enabling communication.

[0088] Server 1a comprises a determination unit 2, a data storage unit 3, a server communication unit 4a, and a server control unit 5b. Each of the above components constituting Server 1a is electrically connected and can send and receive information from each other.

[0089] The server communication unit 4a communicates with external devices of the server 1a. The server communication unit 4a also communicates with the ventilation fan 20.

[0090] The server control unit 5b controls the entire server 1a.

[0091] In other words, in the ventilation system 100b, the determination unit 2 and the data holding unit 3 are not located in the system main body 1, but are located in the server 1a which functions as the system main body 1. The ventilation system 100b configured as described above has the same configuration and functions as the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1, except that the determination unit 2 and the data holding unit 3 are located in the server 1a.

[0092] The ventilation system 100b according to Embodiment 2 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 described above.

[0093] Furthermore, since the determination unit 2 and data storage unit 3 of the ventilation system 100b are located on a server 1a that can be accessed via a network such as the Internet 200, there is no need to physically install the determination unit 2 and data storage unit 3 near the ventilation fan 20. As a result, fewer devices are installed in the building, and the flexibility of installing the ventilation system 100b in the building is improved. In addition, the ventilation system 100b can also expand the remote control function of the ventilation fan 20 by linking terminal devices such as smartphones with control application software for remotely controlling the operation of the ventilation fan 20 installed with the server 1a.

[0094] Embodiment 3. Figure 8 shows the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3. Embodiment 3 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1. The ventilation system 100c according to Embodiment 3 differs from the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 in that it further includes an air conditioner 30 and a remote controller 40.

[0095] The air conditioner 30, the remote controller 40, and the system main unit 1 are capable of communicating with each other. In other words, the air conditioner 30, the remote controller 40, and the system main unit 1 are capable of sending and receiving information from each other.

[0096] The air conditioner 30 is installed in the room where the ventilation fan 20 is installed in the building. Alternatively, the air conditioner 30 may be installed in another room that is connected to the room where the ventilation fan 20 is installed.

[0097] The air conditioner 30 comprises an indoor unit 30a installed indoors, an outdoor unit (not shown) installed outdoors, and a remote controller 40. The indoor unit 30a is capable of communicating with the outdoor unit via a communication line. The remote controller 40 is an operating device that allows the user to remotely control the air conditioner 30 by setting control commands to the air conditioner 30, and transmits the control commands operated by the user to the indoor unit 30a of the air conditioner 30. Hereafter, the remote controller may be referred to as a remote control.

[0098] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3. As shown in Figure 9, the indoor unit 30a includes an indoor unit sensor 31, an airflow direction adjustment unit 32, an indoor unit memory unit 33, an indoor unit communication unit 34, and an indoor unit control unit 35. Each component of the indoor unit 30a can exchange information with each other.

[0099] The indoor unit sensor 31 is a detector that detects the status of the air conditioner 30 and the operating environment of the air conditioner 30 in order to control the air conditioner 30. Examples of indoor unit sensors 31 include an indoor temperature sensor 311 that detects the indoor temperature and an indoor humidity sensor 312 that detects the indoor humidity.

[0100] The airflow adjustment unit 32 adjusts the direction in which the conditioned air is sent out from the indoor unit 30a. The airflow adjustment unit 32 adjusts the direction in which the conditioned air is sent out from the indoor unit 30a according to the control of the indoor unit control unit 35.

[0101] The indoor unit memory unit 33 is a memory unit that stores various control setting values ​​and control programs for controlling the air conditioner 30. The indoor unit memory unit 33 is a non-volatile memory unit and is composed of a semiconductor memory medium such as flash memory.

[0102] The indoor unit communication unit 34 communicates with external devices of the indoor unit 30a. The indoor unit communication unit 34 communicates with the system communication unit 4 of the system main unit 1. The indoor unit communication unit 34 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 30a to the indoor unit control unit 35. The indoor unit communication unit 34 transmits information received from the indoor unit control unit 35 to the communication unit of the external device of the indoor unit 30a.

[0103] The communication method between the communication unit of the external device and the indoor unit communication unit 34 may be wired communication, or it may be wireless communication using infrared communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0104] The indoor unit control unit 35 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the indoor unit 30a, and controls the operation of the indoor unit 30a and the outdoor unit to control the operation of the air conditioner 30. The indoor unit control unit 35 receives various information transmitted from the communication unit of an external device of the indoor unit 30a via the indoor unit communication unit 34. The indoor unit control unit 35 transmits various information related to the air conditioner 30 to an external device of the indoor unit 30a via the indoor unit communication unit 34. The indoor unit control unit 35 transmits information such as the current operating mode of the air conditioner 30 and the operating status of the air conditioner 30 via the indoor unit communication unit 34 to the system control unit 5 or data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1.

[0105] Furthermore, the indoor unit control unit 35 controls the airflow adjustment unit 32 to adjust the direction in which the conditioned air is sent out from the indoor unit 30a. When the indoor unit control unit 35 receives airflow change instruction information from the determination unit 2 that instructs a change in the direction of the conditioned air (heating air), it controls the airflow adjustment unit 32 according to the airflow change instruction information to adjust the direction in which the conditioned air (heating air) is blown out from the indoor unit 30a so that it hits the window and raises the surface temperature of the window.

[0106] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the remote controller included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3. The remote control 40 comprises a remote controller operation unit 41, a remote controller display unit 42, a remote controller storage unit 43, a remote controller communication unit 44, and a remote controller control unit 45. Each component of the remote control 40 can exchange information with each other.

[0107] The remote control unit 41 is an interface for remotely controlling the operation of the air conditioner 30 and receives operations related to the operation of the air conditioner 30 from the user. When the remote control unit 41 receives an operation from the user, it transmits operation information, which is information corresponding to the user's operation, to the remote control control unit 45.

[0108] The remote control display unit 42 displays various information related to the air conditioner 30. The remote control display unit 42 receives information transmitted from the remote control control unit 45 and displays various information based on that information.

[0109] The remote control memory unit 43 stores various information related to the ventilation operation of the air conditioner 30, and temporarily or permanently stores information such as settings to be displayed on the remote control display unit 42 and image data related to those settings.

[0110] The remote control communication unit 44 communicates with external devices of the remote control 40. The remote control communication unit 44 communicates with the indoor unit communication unit 34 of the indoor unit 30a. The remote control communication unit 44 transmits information received from the communication unit of the external device of the remote control 40 to the remote control control unit 45. The remote control communication unit 44 transmits information received from the remote control control unit 45 to the communication unit of the external device of the remote control 40.

[0111] The communication between the remote control 40 and the external device and the remote control communication unit 44 may be wireless or wired. In Embodiment 3, the remote control 40 and the external device are wirelessly connected, and the communication between the remote control 40 and the external device and the remote control communication unit 44 is wireless.

[0112] The remote control unit 45 controls the operation of the entire remote control 40. The remote control unit 45 controls the remote control 40 based on the operation information transmitted from the remote control operation unit 41. The remote control unit 45 controls the transmission of control instructions regarding the control of the air conditioner 30 based on the user's operation to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The remote control unit 45 controls the display of various information on the remote control display unit 42.

[0113] In the ventilation system 100c according to Embodiment 3 having the configuration described above, when the ventilation fan 20 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode, the air conditioner 30 changes the direction of the heating airflow to raise the surface temperature of the window. By directing the heating air from the air conditioner 30 onto the window in this way and raising the surface temperature of the window, the possibility of the indoor air reaching the dew point temperature is further reduced. For this reason, the ventilation system 100c according to Embodiment 3 has an even better window condensation prevention effect compared to the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1.

[0114] The operating state of the air conditioner 30 after it switches to directing warm air onto the window to raise the window surface temperature in order to prevent condensation on the window is referred to as the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30. Therefore, in the ventilation system 100c, when the ventilation fan 20 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20, the air conditioner 30 also switches to the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30.

[0115] If the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 is considered the first condensation suppression operation mode in the ventilation system 100c, then the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 can be considered the second condensation suppression operation mode in the ventilation system 100c.

[0116] Furthermore, the air conditioner 30 can be switched to the condensation suppression operation mode at any time by the user inputting operation switching instruction information to the remote control 40 to instruct the air conditioner 30 to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode. In other words, in the ventilation system 100c, the air conditioner 30 can be switched to the condensation suppression operation mode not only when the determination unit 2 predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window and the ventilation fan 20 switches to the ventilation fan 20's condensation suppression operation mode, but also at any time instructed by the user.

[0117] Figure 11 shows an example of a remote controller for an air conditioner equipped with a ventilation system according to Embodiment 3. As shown in Figure 11, the remote control operation section 41 of the remote control 40 is provided with a condensation suppression button 411. The condensation suppression button 411 is a button on which the user inputs operation switching instruction information to the remote control 40, instructing the air conditioner 30 to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0118] When the user presses the condensation suppression button 411, the air conditioner 30 switches to its condensation suppression operation mode. In other words, when the user presses the condensation suppression button 411, operation switching instruction information instructing the air conditioner 30 to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode is transmitted from the remote control 40 to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a. The indoor unit control unit 35 switches the operation of the air conditioner 30 to the condensation suppression operation mode according to the operation switching instruction information.

[0119] When the user presses the condensation suppression button 411 again, the air conditioner 30 deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode. When the user presses the condensation suppression button 411 again, deactivation instruction information is sent from the remote control 40 to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a, instructing the air conditioner 30 to deactivate its condensation suppression operation mode. The indoor unit control unit 35 deactivates the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 according to the deactivation instruction information and switches the operation of the air conditioner 30 back to its original operation mode before it switched to the condensation suppression operation mode. In other words, when the condensation suppression button 411 on the remote control 40 is pressed while the air conditioner 30 is operating in its condensation suppression operation mode, the air conditioner 30 deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode.

[0120] Furthermore, when the air conditioner 30 switches to its condensation suppression operation mode at the user's instruction, the ventilation fan 20 may automatically switch to its condensation suppression operation mode in response. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure for when the ventilation fan switches to the condensation suppression operation mode when the air conditioner switches to the condensation suppression operation mode at the user's operation in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 3. In the example shown in Figure 12, the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 is deactivated by pressing the condensation suppression button 411 on the remote control 40 twice.

[0121] In step S210, the remote control unit 41 of the remote control 40 receives an operation of the condensation suppression button 411 from the user. The remote control unit 41 transmits operation switching instruction information to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a as operation information corresponding to the operation of the condensation suppression button 411, instructing the air conditioner 30 to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0122] In step S220, the air conditioner 30 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode. Specifically, the indoor unit control unit 35 switches the operation of the air conditioner 30 to the condensation suppression operation mode according to the operation switching instruction information.

[0123] In step S230, the indoor unit control unit 35 transmits information about the state switching of the air conditioner 30 to the condensation suppression operation mode to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The information about the state switching of the air conditioner 30 to the condensation suppression operation mode indicates that the operating state of the air conditioner 30 has switched to the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30.

[0124] In step S240, the data holding unit 3 transmits the operating status information of the air conditioner 30 in condensation suppression mode to the determination unit 2 based on the state switching information of the air conditioner 30 to condensation suppression mode transmitted from the indoor unit control unit 35. The operating status information of the air conditioner 30 in condensation suppression mode is information indicating that the operating status of the air conditioner 30 is in condensation suppression mode.

[0125] In step S250, the determination unit 2 transmits operation switching instruction information to the ventilation fan control unit 24 of the ventilation fan 20, instructing it to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0126] In step S260, the ventilation fan 20 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode. Specifically, the ventilation fan control unit 24 switches the operation of the ventilation fan 20 to the condensation suppression operation mode according to the operation switching instruction information transmitted from the determination unit 2.

[0127] In step S270, the remote control unit 41 of the remote control 40 receives another request from the user to operate the condensation suppression button 411. The remote control unit 41 transmits a release instruction to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a as operation information corresponding to the second operation of the condensation suppression button 411, instructing the air conditioner 30 to cancel the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0128] In step S280, the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 is deactivated. Specifically, the indoor unit control unit 35 deactivates the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 in accordance with the deactivation instruction information, and switches the operation of the air conditioner 30 back to its original operating state before it entered the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0129] In step S290, the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 is deactivated. Specifically, the indoor unit control unit 35 transmits information that the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 has been deactivated to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The information that the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 has been deactivated indicates that the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 has been deactivated. When the data holding unit 3 receives the information that the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 has been deactivated, it transmits this information to the determination unit 2.

[0130] When the determination unit 2 receives information that the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 has been deactivated, it transmits deactivation instruction information to the ventilation fan control unit 24 of the ventilation fan 20, instructing it to deactivate the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20. The ventilation fan control unit 24, in accordance with the deactivation instruction information transmitted from the determination unit 2, switches the operation of the ventilation fan 20 back to its original operating state before it transitioned to the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20.

[0131] The ventilation system 100c according to Embodiment 3 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 described above.

[0132] Furthermore, in the ventilation system 100c, when the ventilation fan 20 switches to its condensation suppression operation mode, the air conditioner 30 also switches to its condensation suppression operation mode. In other words, when the ventilation fan 20 switches to its condensation suppression operation mode and starts dehumidifying the room, the ventilation system 100c directs the warm air from the air conditioner 30 onto the window to raise the window surface temperature, further reducing the possibility of the indoor air reaching the dew point temperature. As a result, the ventilation system 100c has an even better window condensation prevention effect compared to the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1.

[0133] Embodiment 4. Figure 13 shows the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 4. Embodiment 4 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100c according to Embodiment 3. The ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4 differs from the ventilation system 100c according to Embodiment 3 in that it further includes an indoor image acquisition unit 9.

[0134] The indoor image acquisition unit 9 is equipped with an imaging device and photographs objects within the monitoring range of the room, acquiring information about the objects in the room as an indoor image. The indoor image acquisition unit 9 periodically photographs objects in the room at predetermined intervals and acquires indoor images. The indoor image acquisition unit 9 is electrically connected to the data storage unit 3 of the system main unit 1 and can transmit information to the data storage unit 3. The indoor image acquisition unit 9 transmits the acquired indoor image data to the data storage unit 3. The data storage unit 3 transmits the indoor image data to the determination unit 2.

[0135] The determination unit 2 can identify the location of the windows in the room and the location of people in the room based on the indoor image data acquired from the data holding unit 3. Based on the information about the location of the windows in the room acquired from the image data, the determination unit 2 can generate airflow direction change instruction information that instructs the air conditioner 30 to send warm air towards the location of the windows in the room. As a result, when the air conditioner 30 switches to its condensation suppression operation mode, the determination unit 2 can adjust the airflow direction of the warm air from the air conditioner 30 so that the air conditioner 30 sends warm air towards the location of the windows in the room.

[0136] Furthermore, when there are people in the room, the ventilation system 100d can deactivate the condensation suppression mode of the air conditioner 30 and direct the warm air towards the people in the room. This allows the system to prioritize warming people over windows, even when the air conditioner 30 is operating in its condensation suppression mode, thus preventing people from feeling cold.

[0137] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the air conditioner in the condensation suppression operation mode when there are people in the room in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 4.

[0138] In step S310, the air conditioner 30 operates in its condensation suppression operation mode.

[0139] In step S320, the indoor image acquisition unit 9 acquires indoor images at predetermined intervals and transmits the data of the indoor images to the data storage unit 3.

[0140] In step S330, the data holding unit 3 transmits the indoor image data to the determination unit 2.

[0141] In step S340, the determination unit 2 determines whether or not a person is present in the indoor image.

[0142] If it is determined that there are no people in the indoor image, the result in step S340 is No, and the process returns to step S340, repeating the determination for the new indoor image transmitted from the data holding unit 3. If it is determined that there are people in the indoor image, the result in step S340 is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S350.

[0143] In step S350, the air conditioner 30 deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode and adjusts the direction of the heating airflow to direct the heating air towards people in the room. Specifically, the determination unit 2 transmits deactivation instruction information to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a, instructing the air conditioner 30 to deactivate its condensation suppression operation mode. The determination unit 2 also transmits airflow direction change instruction information to the indoor unit control unit 35, based on the location information of people in the room obtained from the indoor image, instructing the unit to send heating air towards the location of people in the room, thereby controlling the direction of the heating airflow.

[0144] The indoor unit control unit 35 cancels the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 according to the cancellation instruction information, and switches the operation of the air conditioner 30 back to its original operating state before it switched to the condensation suppression operation mode. The indoor unit control unit 35 also controls the airflow direction adjustment unit 32 to send warm air towards the position of people in the room according to the airflow direction change instruction information.

[0145] In step S360, the determination unit 2 determines whether or not a person is present in the indoor image during a predetermined waiting period. The determination unit 2 monitors the indoor image data transmitted from the data holding unit 3 at predetermined intervals and determines whether or not a person is present in the indoor image over the predetermined waiting period.

[0146] If it is determined that a person is present in the indoor image during the predetermined waiting time, the result in step S360 is Yes, and the process returns to step S360. The determination unit 2 repeats the determination for new indoor images transmitted from the data holding unit 3, using the point in time when it was determined that a person was present in the indoor image during the waiting time as a reference. If it is determined that no person is present in the indoor image during the predetermined waiting time, the result in step S360 is No, and the process proceeds to step S370.

[0147] In step S370, the air conditioner 30 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode. Specifically, the determination unit 2 transmits operation switching instruction information to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a of the air conditioner 30, instructing it to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode. The indoor unit control unit 35 switches the operation of the air conditioner 30 to the condensation suppression operation mode according to the operation switching instruction information.

[0148] The ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100c according to Embodiment 3 described above.

[0149] Furthermore, when there are people in the room, the ventilation system 100d can deactivate the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 and direct the warm air towards the people in the room. As a result, even when the air conditioner 30 is operating in its condensation suppression operation mode, the ventilation system 100d can prioritize warming people rather than windows, preventing people from feeling cold due to the air conditioner 30 operating in its condensation suppression operation mode.

[0150] Embodiment 5. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 5. Embodiment 5 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4. The ventilation system 100e according to Embodiment 5 differs from the ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4 in that it is equipped with an infrared sensor 10 instead of an indoor image acquisition unit 9.

[0151] The infrared sensor 10 measures the surface temperature of the room within its monitoring range. The infrared sensor 10 periodically detects the infrared intensity within the monitoring range at predetermined intervals. By performing a predetermined conversion process on the detected infrared intensity, the infrared sensor 10 converts the detected infrared intensity within the monitoring range into temperature and generates temperature distribution information that shows the temperature distribution of the room's surface temperature. The infrared sensor 10 then generates thermal image information from the temperature distribution information, which is thermal image information that represents the temperature distribution of the room's surface temperature using color temperature. Thermal image information is information that shows the temperature information of the room as an image.

[0152] The infrared sensor 10 is electrically connected to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1 and can transmit information to the data holding unit 3. The infrared sensor 10 transmits the acquired thermal image information to the data holding unit 3. The data holding unit 3 transmits the acquired thermal image information to the determination unit 2.

[0153] The determination unit 2 compares the temperature in the thermal image, which is shown by the thermal image information acquired from the data holding unit 3, with the predicted value of the window surface temperature, and determines that the location in the room where the difference between the two is within a predetermined range is the location of the window. In other words, the determination unit 2 can determine and identify the location of a window in a room based on the thermal image information and the predicted value of the window surface temperature.

[0154] The determination unit 2 can generate wind direction change instruction information that instructs the air conditioner 30 to send warm air towards the windows in the room, based on the information about the location of the windows in the room obtained from the thermal image information. As a result, the determination unit 2 can adjust the wind direction of the warm air from the air conditioner 30 so that when the air conditioner 30 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode, the air conditioner 30 sends warm air towards the windows in the room.

[0155] The ventilation system 100e according to Embodiment 5 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4 described above.

[0156] Embodiment 6. Figure 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6. Embodiment 6 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4. The ventilation system 100f according to Embodiment 6 differs from the ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4 in that it further includes a terminal device 50.

[0157] The terminal device 50 and the system main unit 1 are capable of communication. Furthermore, the terminal device 50 and the system main unit 1 are connected to each other via a global information and communication network such as the Internet 200. In other words, the terminal device 50 and the system main unit 1 are connected to a network and are capable of sending and receiving information from each other.

[0158] The terminal device 50 allows the user to set control commands for the ventilation fan 20 in order to control the ventilation fan 20, and transmits the control commands operated by the user to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The data holding unit 3 transmits the control commands transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the determination unit 2 of the system main unit 1. The determination unit 2 transmits the control commands transmitted from the data holding unit 3 to the ventilation fan control unit 24 of the ventilation fan 20. The ventilation fan control unit 24 controls the operation of the ventilation fan 20 by controlling the exhaust blower 21 according to the control commands transmitted from the determination unit 2.

[0159] Furthermore, the terminal device 50 allows the user to set control commands for the air conditioner 30 in order to control the air conditioner 30, and transmits the control commands operated by the user to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The data holding unit 3 transmits the control commands transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the determination unit 2 of the system main unit 1. The determination unit 2 transmits the control commands transmitted from the data holding unit 3 to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a of the air conditioner 30. The indoor unit control unit 35 controls the operation of the air conditioner 30 according to the control commands transmitted from the determination unit 2.

[0160] The terminal device 50 has control application software installed for remotely controlling the operation of the ventilation fan 20 and control application software for remotely controlling the operation of the air conditioner 30. By using the control application software, the terminal device 50 can receive control operations from the user to remotely control the operation of the ventilation fan 20 or the air conditioner 30, and transmit the received control operations to the system main unit 1. In other words, the terminal device 50 functions as a remote control terminal for the ventilation system 100f.

[0161] The terminal device 50 displays various information acquired from the main system unit 1, presents various information to the user, and also receives various instruction information from the user regarding the operation of the ventilation fan 20 or air conditioner 30. A mobile device such as a smartphone can be used as the terminal device 50. The functions of the terminal device 50 can be realized, for example, by a smartphone application or a communication device that can connect to the World Wide Web.

[0162] Figure 17 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device provided in a ventilation system according to Embodiment 6. The terminal device 50 includes a terminal operation unit 51, a terminal display unit 52, a terminal storage unit 53, a terminal communication unit 54, and a terminal control unit 55. Information can be exchanged between the various components of the terminal device 50.

[0163] The terminal operation unit 51 is an operation reception unit that receives user operations, that is, operations from the user. When the terminal operation unit 51 receives an operation from the user, it transmits operation information, which is information corresponding to the user's operation, to the terminal control unit 55. When the terminal operation unit 51 receives an operation to remotely control the operation of the ventilation fan 20 or the air conditioner 30, it transmits operation information corresponding to that operation to the terminal control unit 55. The terminal operation unit 51 is composed of input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and a touch panel display with touch panel functionality, and operations on the terminal device 50 are performed by the user.

[0164] The terminal display unit 52 is a display unit that displays various information from within the terminal device 50. The terminal display unit 52 also displays various information acquired from external devices of the terminal device 50. In Embodiment 6, the terminal display unit 52 is composed of a touch panel display together with the terminal operation unit 51. The touch panel display of the terminal display unit 52 allows for general operations on a touch panel display, such as touch operations by touching the screen with a finger and tap operations by tapping the screen with a finger.

[0165] The terminal storage unit 53 is a storage unit that stores various types of information from within the terminal device 50.

[0166] The terminal communication unit 54 connects to the internet 200 and communicates with the system main unit 1. The terminal communication unit 54 transmits various information sent from the system main unit 1 to the terminal control unit 55. The terminal communication unit 54 transmits operation information sent from the terminal control unit 55 to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1.

[0167] The terminal control unit 55 controls the overall processing of the terminal device 50. The terminal control unit 55 also controls the transmission of operation information based on user input to the system main unit 1. The terminal control unit 55 also controls the transmission of control instructions for the ventilation fan 20 or the air conditioner 30 based on user input to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 55 functions as a display control unit that controls the display of information on the terminal display unit 52.

[0168] The terminal device 50 having the above configuration can acquire indoor image data acquired by the indoor image acquisition unit 9 from the system main unit 1 and display the indoor image. The user can then specify the position of a window in the indoor image displayed on the terminal display unit 52 of the terminal device 50.

[0169] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of an indoor image displayed on the terminal display unit of a terminal device equipped with a ventilation system according to Embodiment 6. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the indoor image 521 displayed on the terminal display unit 52 is virtually divided into nine regions, R1 to R9, by dashed lines. Each of the regions R1 to R9 can be selected by the user by touching the screen of the terminal display unit 52. The indoor image 521 is acquired by the indoor image acquisition unit 9 and transmitted to the terminal device 50 via the data holding unit 3.

[0170] For example, as shown in Figure 18, if a window in the indoor image 521 is visible in area R3, which is labeled "window," within the areas R1 to R9 of the terminal display unit 52, the user can select area R3 to adjust the airflow direction of the air conditioner 30 so that it blows warm air towards area R3.

[0171] In other words, when region R3 is selected by the user on the touch panel, the terminal operation unit 51 generates positional information for the location corresponding to region R3 in the room image 521 as window positional information, and transmits the window positional information to the data holding unit 3. The data holding unit 3 transmits the window positional information to the determination unit 2.

[0172] The determination unit 2 can identify the location of the windows in the room based on the window location information acquired from the data holding unit 3 and the indoor image data. Based on the window location information, the determination unit 2 generates airflow direction change instruction information that instructs the air conditioner 30 to send warm air towards the location of the windows in the room. As a result, when the air conditioner 30 switches to its condensation suppression operation mode, the determination unit 2 can adjust the airflow direction of the warm air from the air conditioner 30 so that the air conditioner 30 sends warm air towards the location of the windows in the room.

[0173] As described above, the ventilation system 100f according to Embodiment 6 can generate positional information for the location corresponding to region R3 in the indoor image 521 that shows the room, as window positional information. The determination unit 2 then generates wind direction change instruction information that instructs the system to send warm air towards the window in the room based on the window positional information. As a result, the ventilation system 100f according to Embodiment 6 can send warm air from the air conditioner 30 towards the window more accurately than the ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4.

[0174] Furthermore, the ventilation system 100f allows the user to switch the ventilation fan 20 to the condensation suppression operation mode at any time by inputting switching instruction information to the terminal device 50. In other words, with the ventilation system 100f, the ventilation fan 20 can be switched to the condensation suppression operation mode not only when the determination unit 2 predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window, but also at any time instructed by the user.

[0175] Figure 19 is a first diagram showing an example of the display screen of the terminal display unit of the terminal device of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6. Figure 20 is a second diagram showing an example of the display screen of the terminal display unit of the terminal device of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6. As shown in Figure 19, the touch panel, which is the terminal display unit 52 of the terminal device 50, displays an operation switching button 522. The operation switching button 522 is a button on which the user inputs operation switching instruction information to the terminal device 50, instructing the user to switch the operating mode of the ventilation fan 20. When the user presses the operation switching button 522, a selection screen 523 is displayed, as shown in Figure 20, which allows the user to select the operating state of the ventilation fan 20 to be instructed.

[0176] In the selection screen 523 shown in Figure 20, a ventilation strong button 524, a ventilation weak button 525, a condensation suppression button 526, and a stop button 527 are displayed. The ventilation strong button 524 is a button into which the user inputs operation switching instruction information to the terminal device 50 to switch the ventilation fan 20 to ventilation operation at the strong setting. The ventilation weak button 525 is a button into which the user inputs operation switching instruction information to the terminal device 50 to switch the ventilation fan 20 to ventilation operation at the weak setting. The condensation suppression button 526 is a button into which the user inputs operation switching instruction information to the terminal device 50 to switch the ventilation fan 20 to condensation suppression operation mode. The stop button 527 is a button into which the user inputs operation switching instruction information to the terminal device 50 to stop the ventilation fan 20.

[0177] When the user selects the condensation suppression button 526, the ventilation fan 20 can be switched to its condensation suppression operation mode. Also, when the ventilation fan 20 is operating in its condensation suppression operation mode, the user can deactivate the condensation suppression operation mode by selecting a button other than the condensation suppression button 526 on the selection screen 523.

[0178] When the user presses the condensation suppression button 526 on the selection screen 523 shown in Figure 20, the ventilation fan 20 switches to the ventilation fan 20 condensation suppression operation mode. That is, when the user presses the condensation suppression button 526, operation switching instruction information instructing the ventilation fan 20 to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode is transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The data holding unit 3 transmits the operation switching instruction information to the determination unit 2. The determination unit 2 transmits the operation switching instruction information to the ventilation fan control unit 24 of the ventilation fan 20. The ventilation fan control unit 24 switches the operation of the ventilation fan 20 to the ventilation fan 20 condensation suppression operation mode according to the operation switching instruction information.

[0179] As a result, the ventilation system 100f can switch the operation of the ventilation fan 20 to the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 not only when the determination unit 2 predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window, but also at any time instructed by the user.

[0180] In the ventilation system 100f, when the user switches the ventilation fan 20 to its condensation suppression operation mode by operating the terminal device 50, the air conditioner 30 automatically switches to its condensation suppression operation mode as well. Furthermore, in the ventilation system 100f, the user can select an operation mode other than the condensation suppression operation mode for the ventilation fan 20 from the terminal device 50 to deactivate the condensation suppression operation mode for the ventilation fan 20.

[0181] In the selection screen 523 shown in Figure 20, if the user presses an operation button other than the condensation suppression button 526, the ventilation fan 20 will deactivate its condensation suppression operation mode. That is, when the user presses an operation button other than the condensation suppression button 526, operation switching instruction information instructing the user to switch to the operation mode corresponding to that operation button is transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The data holding unit 3 transmits the operation switching instruction information to the determination unit 2. The determination unit 2 transmits the operation switching instruction information to the ventilation fan control unit 24 of the ventilation fan 20. The ventilation fan control unit 24 controls the operation of the ventilation fan 20 to the operation mode corresponding to the operation button pressed by the user, according to the operation switching instruction information. Therefore, in this case, the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 is deactivated.

[0182] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the operation in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6, in which the air conditioner follows suit when the ventilation fan switches to the condensation suppression operation mode due to the operation of a terminal device.

[0183] In step S410, the terminal operation unit 51 of the terminal device 50 receives an operation of the condensation suppression button 526 from the user on the selection screen 523 shown in Figure 20.

[0184] In step S420, the ventilation fan 20 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0185] In step S430, the ventilation fan control unit 24 of the ventilation fan 20 transmits state switching information for the ventilation fan 20 to the condensation suppression operation mode to the data holding unit 3 of the system main unit 1. The state switching information for the ventilation fan 20 to the condensation suppression operation mode indicates that the operating state of the ventilation fan 20 has switched to the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20.

[0186] In step S440, the data holding unit 3 transmits the operating status information of the condensation suppression operating mode of the ventilation fan 20 to the determination unit 2 based on the state switching information of the ventilation fan 20 to the condensation suppression operating mode transmitted from the ventilation fan control unit 24. The operating status information of the condensation suppression operating mode of the ventilation fan 20 is information indicating that the operating state of the ventilation fan 20 is the condensation suppression operating mode of the ventilation fan 20.

[0187] In step S450, the determination unit 2 transmits operation switching instruction information to the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a of the air conditioner 30, instructing the air conditioner 30 to switch to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0188] In step S460, the air conditioner 30 switches to the condensation suppression operation mode. Specifically, the indoor unit control unit 35 switches the operation of the air conditioner 30 to the condensation suppression operation mode according to the operation switching instruction information transmitted from the determination unit 2.

[0189] In step S470, the terminal operation unit 51 of the terminal device 50 accepts operation from the user on the selection screen 523 shown in Figure 20, for operation buttons other than the condensation suppression button 526.

[0190] In step S480, the ventilation fan 20 deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode.

[0191] In step S490, the air conditioner 30 subsequently deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode and switches its operation back to the original operation mode it was in before transitioning to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0192] Furthermore, in the ventilation system 100f, the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30 can also be deactivated from the air conditioner 30's remote control 40.

[0193] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure for canceling the condensation suppression operation mode of an air conditioner that has switched to condensation suppression operation mode in accordance with the operation of a terminal device, in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6.

[0194] First, steps S410 to S460 described above are performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S510.

[0195] In step S510, the remote control operation unit 41 of the remote control 40 receives an operation of the condensation suppression button 411 shown in Figure 11.

[0196] In step S520, the air conditioner 30 deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode and switches its operation back to the original operation mode it was in before transitioning to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0197] In step S530, the ventilation fan 20 subsequently deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode.

[0198] Furthermore, in the ventilation system 100f, as shown in the flowchart in Figure 12, the user can switch the air conditioner 30 to condensation suppression operation mode at any time by operating the remote control 40, and then deactivate the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 by selecting the operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 using an operation button other than the condensation suppression button 526 on the selection screen 523 of the terminal device 50 shown in Figure 20.

[0199] Figure 23 is a flowchart showing the procedure for canceling the condensation suppression operation mode of a ventilation fan that has switched to the condensation suppression operation mode in accordance with the operation of the remote controller of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 6.

[0200] First, steps S210 to S260 described above are performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S610.

[0201] In step S610, the terminal operation unit 51 of the terminal device 50 accepts operation from the user on the selection screen 523 shown in Figure 20, for operation buttons other than the condensation suppression button 526.

[0202] In step S620, the ventilation fan 20 deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode.

[0203] In step S630, the air conditioner 30 subsequently deactivates its condensation suppression operation mode and switches its operation back to the original operation mode it was in before transitioning to the condensation suppression operation mode.

[0204] The ventilation system 100f according to Embodiment 6 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100d according to Embodiment 4 described above.

[0205] Furthermore, since the operation of the ventilation fan 20 can be controlled using the terminal device 50, the usability of the ventilation system 100f by the user is improved.

[0206] Embodiment 7. Figure 24 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 7. Embodiment 7 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1. The ventilation system 100g according to Embodiment 7 differs from the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 in that it further includes a thermometer 11.

[0207] The thermometer 11 is installed so as to be in contact with the window on the inside and detects the surface temperature of the window on the inside. The thermometer 11 can transmit information to the system main unit 1. The thermometer 11 transmits the acquired window surface temperature information to the data holding unit 3. The data holding unit 3 transmits the window surface temperature information to the determination unit 2. Alternatively, the thermometer 11 may be directly electrically connected to the data holding unit 3 and transmit the window surface temperature information directly to the data holding unit 3.

[0208] The determination unit 2 can improve the accuracy of predicting the window surface temperature by correcting the predicted value of the window surface temperature calculated using the above-described formula (1) with the current value of the window surface temperature detected by the thermometer 11. The correction of the predicted value of the window surface temperature using the current value of the window surface temperature detected by the thermometer 11 can be performed in the same manner as shown in Figure 5 above. That is, the predicted value of the window surface temperature is corrected using the difference between the predicted value of the window surface temperature calculated in the data holding unit 3 and the current value of the window surface temperature obtained by the thermometer 11.

[0209] Figure 25 shows an example of the predicted window surface temperature in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 7, where the predicted window surface temperature is corrected by the current predicted window surface temperature.

[0210] As shown in Figure 25, for example, suppose the predicted window surface temperature at 7:00 is 7.7°C. Also, suppose the predicted window surface temperature at 6:00 is 6.7°C. And suppose the window surface temperature at 6:00 obtained by thermometer 11 is 6.0°C. The window surface temperature at 6:00 obtained by thermometer 11 is the current value of the window surface temperature. In this case, the difference between the predicted window surface temperature at 6:00 and the window surface temperature obtained by thermometer 11 at 6:00 is -0.7°C. The determination unit 2 then adds the difference of -0.7°C to the predicted window surface temperature at 7:00, which is 7.7°C, and calculates 7.0°C as the predicted window surface temperature at 7:00.

[0211] As described above, the predicted window surface temperature, corrected using the current window surface temperature, will be based on the actual window surface temperature at the present time. Therefore, by correcting the predicted window surface temperature with the current window surface temperature, a more accurate predicted window surface temperature can be obtained than a predicted window surface temperature calculated simply using the predicted indoor temperature and predicted outdoor temperature. In other words, by correcting the predicted window surface temperature calculated using equation (1) above with the current window surface temperature, a more accurate predicted window surface temperature can be obtained, improving the accuracy of the window surface temperature prediction.

[0212] The ventilation system 100g according to Embodiment 7 described above has the same effect as the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 described above.

[0213] Furthermore, the ventilation system 100g can obtain a more accurate prediction of the window surface temperature by correcting the predicted value of the window surface temperature calculated using the above-described formula (1) with the current value of the window surface temperature. Compared to the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1, the accuracy of predicting the window surface temperature is improved.

[0214] Embodiment 8. Figure 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 8. Embodiment 8 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100g according to Embodiment 7. The ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8 differs from the ventilation system 100g according to Embodiment 7 in that it further includes an air conditioner 30 and a remote control 40.

[0215] The ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8 can find an appropriate direction for the heating air from the air conditioner 30 to raise the surface temperature of the window, even when the air conditioner 30 cannot direct the heating air directly onto the window. As a result, even when the air conditioner 30 cannot direct the heating air directly onto the window, the ventilation system 100h can effectively raise the surface temperature of the window by setting the direction of the heating air from the air conditioner 30 to an optimal direction in the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30.

[0216] Figure 27 is a flowchart for finding the appropriate airflow direction of the heating air in the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 8. When the heating air cannot be directed directly at the window, the air conditioner 30 performs heating operation in one of several predetermined airflow directions to find the appropriate airflow direction of the heating air to raise the surface temperature of the window.

[0217] In step S710, the air conditioner 30 starts operating in its condensation suppression mode.

[0218] In step S720, the air conditioner 30, under the control of the determination unit 2, starts heating operation with an arbitrary airflow direction that does not direct the heating air directly onto the window for a predetermined airflow time.

[0219] In step S730, the thermometer 11 detects the surface temperature of the window and transmits the detected information of the window surface temperature to the data holding unit 3. The data holding unit 3 transmits the information of the window surface temperature to the determination unit 2.

[0220] In step S740, the air conditioner 30, under the control of the determination unit 2, starts heating operation with a wind direction other than that which does not direct the heating air directly onto the window for a predetermined airflow time.

[0221] In step S750, the thermometer 11 detects the surface temperature of the window and transmits the detected window surface temperature information to the data holding unit 3. The data holding unit 3 transmits the window surface temperature information to the determination unit 2.

[0222] In step S760, the determination unit 2 determines whether or not heating operation was performed in all predetermined airflow directions.

[0223] If it is determined that heating operation has not been performed in all predetermined airflow directions, the result in step S760 is No, and the system returns to step S740. If it is determined that heating operation has been performed in all predetermined airflow directions, the result in step S760 is Yes, and the system proceeds to step S770.

[0224] In step S770, the determination unit 2 determines that the wind direction in which the window surface temperature was highest among multiple wind directions is the appropriate wind direction, which is the appropriate wind direction for the heating air from the air conditioner 30 to raise the window surface temperature.

[0225] In step S780, the air conditioner 30 starts heating operation with an appropriate airflow direction that does not direct the heating air directly onto the window, under the control of the determination unit 2. In other words, the determination unit 2 controls the direction of the heating air to the airflow direction in which the window surface temperature was highest among multiple airflow directions.

[0226] The thermometer 11 may acquire its own position information. The thermometer 11 transmits the acquired position information to the data storage unit 3. The data storage unit 3 transmits the position information of the thermometer acquired from the thermometer 11 to the determination unit 2. The determination unit 2 controls the air conditioner 30 to send heating air with the direction of airflow facing the position of the thermometer acquired from the thermometer 11 as the appropriate airflow direction. This makes it easier to find the optimal airflow direction for heating air. The thermometer 11 is installed so as to be in contact with the window on the interior side. Therefore, the position information of the thermometer 11 can be treated as the position information of the window.

[0227] The ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8 described above has the same effect as the ventilation system 100g according to Embodiment 7 described above.

[0228] Furthermore, even when the heating air from the air conditioner 30 cannot be directed directly onto the window, the ventilation system 100h can effectively raise the window surface temperature by operating the heating system in the condensation suppression mode of the air conditioner 30 with the appropriate airflow direction, which is the appropriate airflow direction for raising the window surface temperature.

[0229] Embodiment 9. Figure 28 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 9. Embodiment 9 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8. The ventilation system 100i according to Embodiment 9 differs from the ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8 in that it further includes an indoor image acquisition unit 9 and a terminal device 50. That is, the ventilation system 100i according to Embodiment 9 has a configuration that combines the ventilation system 100f according to Embodiment 6 and the ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8.

[0230] The ventilation system 100i according to Embodiment 9 can quickly find the optimal airflow direction for the heating air of the air conditioner 30 in the condensation suppression operation mode of the air conditioner 30, following the flowchart in Figure 27, when no windows are visible in the indoor image 521 shown in Figure 18 displayed on the terminal device 50.

[0231] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which no window is visible in the indoor image displayed on the terminal device of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 9. In Figure 18 described above, the window in the indoor image 521 is visible at the location of region R3, which is labeled "window". On the other hand, in the example of Figure 29, no window is visible in the indoor image 521. In Figure 29, for example, if the indoor image 521 were virtually expanded, it would be assumed that the window is located further to the right of the location of region R6 in the indoor image 521, that is, around the location marked with a star in Figure 29.

[0232] When area R6 is selected by the user on the touch panel, the air conditioner 30 first blows warm air towards the indoor location corresponding to area R6 in the indoor image 521 of Figure 29. Area R6 is the area in the indoor image 521 that is closest to the location marked with a star in Figure 29, assuming that there is a window there.

[0233] As described above, in Embodiment 8, the air conditioner 30 is controlled according to the flowchart in Figure 27 in order to find the optimal direction of the heating air from the air conditioner 30. On the other hand, in Embodiment 9, the air conditioner 30 is controlled according to the flowchart in Figure 27 in order to find the optimal direction of the heating air from the air conditioner 30, but since the user specifies the approximate location of the window in the room using the terminal device 50, the air conditioner 30 first blows heating air towards the location in the room specified by the user.

[0234] Then, in the ventilation system 100i, for example, after blowing heated air towards the area of ​​the room corresponding to region R6 in the indoor image 521 of Figure 29, the airflow direction of the heated air is changed to compare the window surface temperatures in the areas of the room corresponding to regions R3, R5, and R9, which are adjacent to region R6 in the indoor image 521, and the optimal airflow direction of the heated air from the air conditioner 30 is found. In other words, if no window is visible in the indoor image, the determination unit 2 obtains information about the location of region 6 in the indoor image 521, which is information about a location close to the window in the indoor image, from the terminal device 50. The air conditioner then performs heating operation with multiple different airflow directions towards the area surrounding the location of region 6, which is a location close to the window in the room. The determination unit 2 then controls the airflow direction of the heated air with the airflow direction that showed the highest window surface temperature among the multiple airflow directions.

[0235] As a result, the ventilation system 100i can quickly find the optimal direction of the heating air from the air conditioner 30 without having to blow heating air in all controllable airflow directions. In other words, when the ventilation system 100i controls the air conditioner 30 according to the flowchart in Figure 27 to find the optimal direction of the heating air from the air conditioner 30, it is not necessary to blow heating air in all controllable airflow directions, and the optimal direction of the heating air from the air conditioner 30 can be efficiently found.

[0236] The ventilation system 100i according to Embodiment 9 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100f according to Embodiment 6 and the ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8 described above.

[0237] Furthermore, the ventilation system 100i can more quickly find the optimal airflow direction for the heating air from the air conditioner 30 compared to the ventilation system 100h according to Embodiment 8.

[0238] Embodiment 10. Figure 30 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 10. Embodiment 10 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1. The ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10 differs from the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 in that it is equipped with a heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 instead of a ventilation fan 20.

[0239] Figure 31 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a heat exchange type ventilation fan in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 10. Note that the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 is shown in a simplified form in Figure 31.

[0240] As shown in Figure 31, the heat exchange ventilation fan 60 comprises a main body 61. The main body 61 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 61a made of sheet metal and contains a heat exchanger 66 inside. The heat exchanger 66 exchanges heat or humidity between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow. The heat exchanger 66 may be a sensible heat exchanger or a total heat exchanger.

[0241] In addition to the aforementioned heat exchanger 66, the main body 61 includes an exhaust port 61g and an outside air intake port 61d arranged side by side on one end face 61b in the longitudinal direction of the housing 61a, and a supply air outlet 61e and an indoor air intake port 61f arranged side by side on the other end face 61c facing the one end face 61b in the longitudinal direction of the housing 61a. The main body 61 includes a supply air passage 62 connecting the outside air intake port 61d and the supply air outlet 61e via the heat exchanger 66, and an exhaust air passage 63 connecting the indoor air intake port 61f and the exhaust port 61g via the heat exchanger 66. The supply air passage 62 and the exhaust air passage 63 intersect in the heat exchanger 66.

[0242] The main unit 61 is equipped with an air supply fan 64 in the air supply passage 62 that generates an air supply flow from the inlet end to the outlet end of the air supply passage 62, that is, an air supply flow from the outside air intake port 61d to the air supply outlet port 61e. When the air supply fan 64 is operated, an air supply flow is generated, and outside air can be taken into the room via the heat exchange ventilation fan 60. In other words, the air supply fan 64 is a fan that draws in outside air from outside the building and sends the outside air, after heat exchange, into the room for heat exchange air supply. An air supply motor (not shown) for driving the air supply fan 64 is provided inside.

[0243] Furthermore, the main unit 61 is equipped with an exhaust fan 65 in the exhaust air passage 63 that generates an exhaust flow from the inlet end to the outlet end of the exhaust air passage 63, that is, an exhaust flow from the indoor air intake port 61f to the exhaust outlet port 61g. When the exhaust fan 65 is operated, an exhaust flow is generated, and indoor air can be discharged to the outside via the heat exchange ventilation fan 60. In other words, the exhaust fan 65 is a fan that draws in air from inside the building and performs ventilation for heat exchange exhaust, sending the air from inside the building after heat exchange to the outside of the building and discharging it. The exhaust fan 65 is equipped with an exhaust motor (not shown) inside for driving the exhaust fan 65.

[0244] In addition, the main body 61 is provided with a heat exchange type ventilation fan control unit 67 which is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60. The heat exchange type ventilation fan control unit 67 controls the operation of the components including the supply air blower 64 and the exhaust air blower 65 to control the operation of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60.

[0245] In Embodiment 10, the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 in the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 becomes the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 in the ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10. That is, the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 is an operation mode in which the exhaust air volume is increased and the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 is operated when the occurrence of window dew condensation at a specific future time is predicted.

[0246] The dew condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 is an operation mode in the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 where the exhaust air volume is larger than the supply air volume, that is, the operation mode where the exhaust air volume > the supply air volume.

[0247] In the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60, the method of making the exhaust air volume larger than the supply air volume, that is, the method of making the exhaust air volume > the supply air volume, can be any of the methods of only increasing the exhaust air volume, only decreasing the supply air volume, and increasing the exhaust air volume while decreasing the supply air volume.

[0248] Then, when the determination unit 2 predicts the occurrence of window dew condensation for a specific future time, it performs control to operate the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 in the dew condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan at a pre-control time that is a predetermined lead time before the specific time.

[0249] Thereby, in the ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10 as well, similar to the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1, dehumidification of the indoor air is performed before window dew condensation occurs, and by maintaining a space where window dew condensation is unlikely to occur, it is possible to prevent window dew condensation.

[0250] Further, when the determination unit 2 predicts that no window condensation will occur at a specific future time, it performs control to return the exhaust air volume of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 to its original value at that time. That is, when the determination unit 2 predicts that no window condensation will occur at a specific future time, it performs control to解除 the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 at that time.

[0251] Compared with the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1, the ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10 can prevent the occurrence of window condensation while suppressing the temperature drop inside the room.

[0252] FIG. 32 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the relationship between the supply air volume and the exchange efficiency in the heat exchange type ventilation fan included in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 10. In FIG. 32, for example, when the exhaust air volume of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 is kept constant at 150 m 3 / h and the supply air volume of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60 is changed, the transition of the temperature exchange efficiency and the humidity exchange efficiency is shown. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing in tabular form the numerical values of the temperature exchange efficiency and the humidity exchange efficiency when the supply air volume is 100 m 3 / h and when the supply air volume is 200 m 3 / h, which are extracted from FIG. 32.

[0253] As shown in the rightmost column of the table in FIG. 33, the doubling ratio of the value at the time of a supply air volume of 100 m 3 / h from the value at the time of a supply air volume of 200 m 3 / h is 1.5 times for the temperature exchange efficiency and 1.4 times for the humidity exchange efficiency. As described above, in the heat exchange type ventilation fan 6, by making the exhaust rich, both the temperature exchange efficiency and the humidity exchange efficiency are improved, but the increase rate of the temperature exchange efficiency is larger. Therefore, with the heat exchange type ventilation fan, it is possible to dehumidify the air inside the room while maintaining the indoor temperature. As a result, the ventilation system 100j can prevent the occurrence of window condensation while suppressing the temperature drop inside the room.

[0254] Exhaust-rich refers to a state where the exhaust airflow is greater than the intake airflow, i.e., exhaust airflow > intake airflow. Intake-rich refers to a state where the exhaust airflow is less than the intake airflow, i.e., exhaust airflow < intake airflow.

[0255] The ventilation system 100j according to the above-described embodiment 10 has the same effects as the ventilation system 100a according to the above-described embodiment 1.

[0256] Furthermore, compared to the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1, the ventilation system 100j can prevent condensation on windows while suppressing a decrease in indoor temperature.

[0257] Embodiment 11. Figure 34 shows the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11. Embodiment 11 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10. The ventilation system 100k according to Embodiment 11 differs from the ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10 in that it is equipped with a heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a instead of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60.

[0258] Figure 35 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of exhaust gas during heat exchange ventilation operation of the heat exchange fan in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11. Figure 36 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of exhaust gas during non-heat exchange ventilation operation of the heat exchange fan in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11. The arrows in Figures 35 and 36 indicate the flow of air. Note that the heat exchange fan 60a is shown in a simplified form in Figures 35 and 36. In Figures 35 and 36, components similar to those of the heat exchange fan 60 shown in Figure 31 are given the same reference numerals as in Figure 31, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0259] Inside the enclosure 61a, an exhaust-side bypass air passage 68 is formed, which bypasses the heat exchanger 66, adjacent to the air passage that passes through the heat exchanger 66 in the exhaust air passage 63, which is a heat-exchange exhaust air passage. The exhaust-side bypass air passage 68 is an air passage that bypasses the heat exchanger 66 and connects the indoor air intake port 61f and the exhaust outlet port 61g, and is a bypass air passage for directing the exhaust airflow to the exhaust outlet port 61g without passing through the heat exchanger 66. The exhaust-side bypass air passage 68 is a non-heat-exchange air passage that does not pass through the heat exchanger 66.

[0260] The heat exchange ventilation fan 60a can perform heat exchange ventilation involving heat exchange between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow by directing the exhaust airflow, which is the airflow of indoor air drawn in from the indoor air intake port 61f, through the exhaust airflow passage 63, which is a heat exchange exhaust air passage, and passing it through the heat exchanger 66. On the other hand, the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a can perform normal ventilation without heat exchange between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow by directing the exhaust airflow, which is the airflow of indoor air drawn in from the indoor air intake port 61f, through the exhaust-side bypass air passage 68 and not passing it through the heat exchanger 66. Normal ventilation is non-heat exchange ventilation, which is ventilation without heat exchange between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow.

[0261] Inside the housing 61a, at the point where the exhaust air passage 63 and the exhaust-side bypass air passage 68 diverge, there is an electrically operated exhaust air passage switching damper 69, which is a damper for switching between the air passage passing through the heat exchanger 66 in the exhaust air passage 63 and the exhaust-side bypass air passage 68. The exhaust air passage switching damper 69 can be rephrased as a damper for switching between the exhaust air passage 63 and the exhaust-side bypass air passage 68.

[0262] The exhaust airflow switching damper 69 can reduce or eliminate the proportion of the exhaust airflow passing through the heat exchanger 66. The exhaust airflow switching damper 69 has a rotating shaft at the branching point between the exhaust airflow 63 and the exhaust-side bypass airflow 68, and constitutes an airflow switching unit that switches whether or not indoor air drawn in from the indoor air intake port 61f passes through the heat exchanger 66, thereby switching between the exhaust airflow 63 and the exhaust-side bypass airflow 68. The exhaust airflow switching damper 69 is made of, for example, a rotating plate, and can switch between the exhaust airflow 63 and the exhaust-side bypass airflow 68 by changing its orientation. The operation of the exhaust airflow switching damper 69 is controlled by the heat exchange ventilation fan control unit 67.

[0263] Figure 35 shows the state in which the exhaust airflow is switched to the exhaust airflow passage 63 by placing the exhaust airflow switching damper 69 in the closed position that closes the exhaust bypass airflow passage 68. As shown in Figure 35, when the exhaust airflow switching damper 69 is in the closed position, the exhaust airflow passage 63 is opened and the exhaust bypass airflow passage 68 is closed. As a result, the exhaust airflow flows to the heat exchanger 66, and the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a can perform heat exchange ventilation operation in which heat exchange is performed between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow in the heat exchanger 66.

[0264] Figure 36 shows the state in which the exhaust airflow is switched to the exhaust bypass airflow passage 68 by positioning the exhaust airflow switching damper 69 in the open position, which opens the exhaust bypass airflow passage 68. As shown in Figure 36, when the exhaust airflow switching damper 69 is in the open position, the exhaust airflow passage 63 is closed and the exhaust bypass airflow passage 68 is opened. As a result, the exhaust airflow flows without passing through the heat exchanger 66, and the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a can perform normal ventilation operation, which is a non-heat exchange ventilation operation in which heat exchanger 66 does not perform heat exchange between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow.

[0265] Furthermore, by positioning the exhaust airflow switching damper 69 between the closed and open positions, the proportion of exhaust air flow passing through the heat exchanger 66 can be reduced, enabling heat exchange ventilation operation.

[0266] Normal ventilation operation can be described as bypass ventilation operation, where the exhaust flow bypasses the heat exchanger 66, and indoor air is exhausted outside without passing through the heat exchanger 66.

[0267] In Embodiment 11, the condensation suppression operation mode of the ventilation fan 20 in the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 becomes the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a in the ventilation system 100k according to Embodiment 11. That is, the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a is an operating mode of the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a that increases the exhaust airflow when the occurrence of condensation on the window at a specific time in the future is predicted.

[0268] The condensation suppression operating mode for the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a is an operating mode in which the exhaust airflow is greater than the supply airflow, i.e., the exhaust airflow > supply airflow.

[0269] In the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a, the method for making the exhaust airflow greater than the supply airflow, i.e., exhaust airflow > supply airflow, can be any of the following methods: increasing only the exhaust airflow, decreasing only the supply airflow, or increasing the exhaust airflow and decreasing the supply airflow.

[0270] In the ventilation system 100k according to Embodiment 11, when the determination unit 2 predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window and the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a switches to the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a, a bypass ventilation operation, i.e., a non-heat exchange ventilation operation, may be performed, in which indoor air is exhausted to the outside without passing through the heat exchanger 66. By performing bypass ventilation operation when the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a switches to the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a, the heat exchange ventilation fan 60a performs the same function as the ventilation fan 20 in Embodiment 1.

[0271] Also, in the ventilation system 100k, when the determination unit 2 predicts the occurrence of window condensation and the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a shifts to the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a, bypass ventilation operation can be performed, and an exhaust-rich state where the exhaust air volume is larger than the supply air volume can be set. In this case, when the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a shifts to the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a, compared with the case of performing heat exchange ventilation operation in the exhaust-rich state, dehumidification of the room can be performed without performing humidity exchange, so that dehumidification of the room can be performed more quickly.

[0272] Also, in the ventilation system 100k, in the condensation suppression operation mode of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a, bypass ventilation operation, that is, non-heat exchange ventilation operation, and heat exchange ventilation operation can be combined.

[0273] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the elapsed time and the absolute humidity in the room when non-heat exchange ventilation operation and heat exchange ventilation operation are combined in the condensation suppression operation mode in the ventilation system according to Embodiment 11. In FIG. 37, when the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a shifts to the condensation suppression operation mode, the case where bypass ventilation operation is first performed for a predetermined time and then heat exchange ventilation operation is performed in the exhaust-rich state is shown.

[0274] As can be seen from FIG. 37, by first performing bypass ventilation operation for a predetermined time by the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a, the absolute humidity in the room can be quickly reduced. Then, by switching the operation of the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a to heat exchange ventilation operation and performing exhaust-rich operation, dehumidification can be performed while suppressing a temperature drop in the room, and a space where the window is less likely to condense can be maintained.

[0275] The ventilation system 100k according to Embodiment 11 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10 described above.

[0276] Furthermore, the ventilation system 100k performs heat exchange ventilation operation with a rich exhaust when the heat exchange type ventilation fan 60a switches to condensation suppression operation mode, thereby removing moisture from the room without humidity exchange. This allows for faster removal of moisture from the room compared to the ventilation system 100j according to Embodiment 10.

[0277] Embodiment 12. Figure 38 shows the configuration of the ventilation system according to Embodiment 12. Embodiment 12 describes a modified version of the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1. The ventilation system 100l according to Embodiment 12 differs from the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 in that it further includes a pressure acquisition unit 12. The environmental information may include pressure information.

[0278] The pressure acquisition unit 12 detects the atmospheric pressure inside the room. The pressure acquisition unit 12 can transmit information to the system main unit 1. The pressure acquisition unit 12 transmits the acquired indoor atmospheric pressure information to the data storage unit 3. Alternatively, the pressure acquisition unit 12 may be directly electrically connected to the data storage unit 3 and directly transmit the indoor atmospheric pressure information to the data storage unit 3. The pressure acquisition unit 12 is an environmental information acquisition unit that detects environmental information, which is information about the air environment around the window.

[0279] When the indoor humidity acquisition unit 7 acquires the absolute humidity of the indoor air, the determination unit 2 can use the atmospheric pressure acquisition value from the atmospheric pressure acquisition unit 12 to calculate the water vapor pressure using the absolute humidity D according to the above-mentioned equation (7). When the determination unit 2 calculates the water vapor pressure using the above-mentioned equation (7), using the atmospheric pressure acquisition value from the atmospheric pressure acquisition unit 12, which is the current atmospheric pressure, rather than calculating by assuming the atmospheric pressure to be 1013 hPa or the like, improves the accuracy of the prediction of the dew point temperature of the indoor air and improves the accuracy of the prediction of condensation on windows.

[0280] Furthermore, the predicted values ​​for both the outdoor temperature and indoor atmospheric pressure may also be based on the atmospheric pressure forecast provided in the weather information. When using the atmospheric pressure forecast from the weather information, the predicted water vapor pressure will be based on the actual weather forecast at the present time. In this case, the predicted dew point temperature of the indoor air can accommodate sudden changes in atmospheric pressure such as typhoons, resulting in a more accurate prediction and improving the accuracy of the indoor air dew point temperature prediction.

[0281] The ventilation system 100l according to Embodiment 12 described above has the same effects as the ventilation system 100a according to Embodiment 1 described above.

[0282] Furthermore, when the determination unit 2 calculates the water vapor pressure using the formula (7) described above, the ventilation system 100l uses the atmospheric pressure value acquired by the atmospheric pressure acquisition unit 12, which is the current atmospheric pressure. This improves the accuracy of the prediction of the dew point temperature of the indoor air and thus the accuracy of the prediction of condensation on windows.

[0283] Next, the hardware configurations of the control units 80 according to Embodiments 1 to 12 will be described. The control units 80 according to Embodiments 1 to 12 correspond to the system control unit 5 of the system main unit 1, the ventilation fan control unit 24 of the ventilation fan 20, the server control unit 5b of the server 1a, the indoor unit control unit 35 of the indoor unit 30a of the air conditioner 30, the remote control control unit 45 of the remote control 40, and the terminal control unit 55 of the terminal device 50, respectively. The functions of each control unit 80 according to Embodiments 1 to 12 are realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware, or it may be a processing unit that executes a program stored in a memory device.

[0284] When the processing circuit is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit may be a single circuit, a complex circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or a combination thereof. Figure 39 is a diagram showing the hardware implementation of each function of the control unit according to Embodiments 1 to 12. The processing circuit 81 incorporates a logic circuit 81a that implements the function of the control unit 80.

[0285] If the processing circuit 81 is a processing unit, the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0286] Figure 40 shows a configuration in which the functions of each control unit according to Embodiments 1 to 12 are implemented by software. The processing circuit 81 includes a processor 811 that executes program 81b, a random access memory 812 used by the processor 811 as a work area, and a storage device 813 that stores program 81b. The processor 811 loads program 81b stored in the storage device 813 onto the random access memory 812 and executes it, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 80. The software or firmware is written in a programming language and stored in the storage device 813. The processor 811 can be a central processing unit, but is not limited to that. The storage device 813 can be a semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The semiconductor memory may be non-volatile memory or volatile memory. Furthermore, the storage device 813 can be a magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, minidisc, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) in addition to semiconductor memory. The processor 811 may output data such as calculation results to the storage device 813 for storage, or it may store such data in an auxiliary storage device (not shown) via the random access memory 812. By integrating the processor 811, random access memory 812, and storage device 813 onto a single chip, the functions of the control unit 80 can be realized by a microcomputer.

[0287] The processing circuit 81 realizes the functions of the control unit 80 by reading and executing the program 81b stored in the memory device 813. The program 81b can also be described as instructing the computer to execute the procedures and methods for realizing the functions of the control unit 80.

[0288] Furthermore, the processing circuit 81 may implement some of the functions of the control unit 80 using dedicated hardware, and some of the functions of the control unit 80 using software or firmware.

[0289] Thus, the processing circuit 81 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0290] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and it is possible to combine them with other known technologies, combine different embodiments, and omit or modify parts of the configuration without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0291] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0292] (Note 1) A ventilation fan that provides ventilation to a room with a window, An environmental information acquisition unit that detects environmental information, which is information regarding the air environment around the aforementioned window, A determination unit predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window at a future first time, based on a predicted value of the surface temperature of the window at a future first time, calculated based on the environmental information detected by the environmental information acquisition unit, and a predicted value of the dew point temperature of the indoor air at the future first time; Equipped with, The determination unit, when it predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window at the first time, controls a first condensation suppression operation mode at a second time prior to the first time, which increases the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan. A ventilation system characterized by the following. (Note 2) The aforementioned environmental information acquisition unit is: An indoor temperature acquisition unit that detects the indoor temperature inside the aforementioned room, An indoor humidity acquisition unit for detecting the indoor humidity in the aforementioned room, An outdoor temperature acquisition unit that detects the outdoor temperature, The ventilation system according to Appendix 1, characterized by including the following: (Note 3) The determination unit is located on a server that can communicate with the ventilation fan via the internet. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 1, characterized by the above. (Note 4) The room is equipped with an air conditioner, The determination unit controls a second condensation suppression operation mode, which adjusts the direction of the heating air blown into the room by the air conditioner so that the heating air blown into the room is directed towards the window, when the ventilation fan increases the exhaust air volume at the second time. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 1, characterized by the above. (Note 5) The system includes a remote controller that transmits control instructions to the air conditioner for remote control of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner receives operation switching instruction information from the remote controller that instructs it to switch to the second condensation suppression operation mode, it switches to the second condensation suppression operation mode. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 4, characterized by the above. (Note 6) The ventilation fan switches to the first condensation suppression operation mode when the air conditioner switches to the second condensation suppression operation mode. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 4 or 5, characterized by the following: (Note 7) The aforementioned ventilation fan is equipped with a terminal device for remote control, The determination unit controls the first condensation suppression operation mode when it receives operation switching instruction information from the terminal device that instructs switching the operation state to the first condensation suppression operation mode. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 4, characterized by the above. (Note 8) The air conditioner switches to the second condensation suppression operation mode when the ventilation fan switches to the first condensation suppression operation mode. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 7, characterized by the following: (Note 9) The objects inside the aforementioned room bodyIt is equipped with an indoor image acquisition unit that acquires information as indoor images, The determination unit identifies the position of the window based on the indoor image and controls the second condensation suppression operation mode. A ventilation system as described in any one of appendices 4 to 8, characterized by the following: (Note 10) ) before The determination unit, when it determines that a person is present in the room based on the indoor image, cancels the second condensation suppression operation mode and controls the direction of the heating air to direct the heating air towards the person. Features Record 9 The ventilation system described above. (Note 11) The aforementioned ventilation fan is equipped with a terminal device for remote control, The terminal device displays the indoor image and acquires window position information, which is information about the position of the window in the indoor image. The determination unit identifies the position of the window in the room based on the indoor image and the window position information, and controls the second condensation suppression operation mode. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 9, characterized by the following: (Note 12) The system includes an infrared sensor that measures the surface temperature inside the room and generates a thermal image of the room. The determination unit determines that the location within the room where the difference between the temperature in the thermal image and the predicted value of the window surface temperature is within a predetermined range is the location of the window. A ventilation system as described in any one of appendices 4 to 10, characterized by the following: (Note 13) The system includes a thermometer for detecting the surface temperature of the window on the interior side, The determination unit corrects the predicted value of the window surface temperature with the current value of the window surface temperature detected by the thermometer. A ventilation system as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 9, characterized by the following: (Note 14) The system includes a thermometer for detecting the surface temperature of the window on the interior side, The air conditioner performs heating operation with multiple different airflow directions for the heating air. The determination unit controls the direction of the heating air using the wind direction in which the surface temperature of the window was highest among a plurality of wind directions. A ventilation system as described in any one of appendices 4 to 13, characterized by the following: (Note 15) The objects inside the aforementioned room body An indoor image acquisition unit that acquires information as an indoor image, A terminal device for remotely controlling the aforementioned ventilation fan, Equipped with, If the window is not visible in the indoor image, the determination unit obtains information from the terminal device about the location near the window in the indoor image. The air conditioner performs heating operation by directing the heating airflow in multiple different directions toward the area surrounding the window in the room. The determination unit controls the direction of the heating air using the wind direction in which the surface temperature of the window was highest among a plurality of wind directions. A ventilation system as described in Appendix 14, characterized by the following: (Note 16) The thermometer acquires the position information of the thermometer and transmits it to the determination unit. The determination unit determines the position of the thermometer as the position of the window. A ventilation system as described in any one of appendices 13 to 15, characterized by the following: (Note 17) The aforementioned ventilation fan is a heat exchange type ventilation fan. The determination unit controls the exhaust airflow of the heat exchange type ventilation fan to be greater than the supply airflow in the first condensation suppression operation mode. A ventilation system as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 16, characterized by the following: (Note 18) The aforementioned heat exchange type ventilation fan is A heat exchanger that exchanges heat or humidity between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow, A damper that reduces the ratio of the airflow volume of the exhaust flow passing through the heat exchanger, The ventilation system according to Appendix 17, characterized by comprising the following features. (Note 19) A method for predicting condensation on windows using a ventilation system, The ventilation system includes the steps of acquiring and storing environmental information, which is information about the air environment around the window, at predetermined intervals, The ventilation system includes the step of calculating a predicted value of the environmental information at a specific time in the future using the environmental information for a predetermined retention period, The ventilation system calculates a predicted value for the surface temperature of the window and a predicted value for the dew point temperature of the indoor air using predicted values ​​of environmental information at the specified time. The ventilation system predicts that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time if the predicted surface temperature of the window at that specific time is lower than the predicted dew point temperature of the indoor air. A method for predicting condensation, characterized by including [a certain element]. (Note 20) The aforementioned environmental information includes indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature. A method for predicting condensation as described in Appendix 19, characterized by the above. (Note 21) The aforementioned environmental information further includes atmospheric pressure information. A method for predicting condensation as described in Appendix 20, characterized by the above. (Note 22) Using weather information as information on outdoor temperature and atmospheric pressure, A method for predicting condensation as described in Appendix 21, characterized by the above. (Note 23) The ventilation system stores the environmental information for a predetermined retention period. A method for predicting condensation, as described in any one of appendices 19 to 22, characterized by the above. (Note 24) Correcting the predicted value of the environmental information with the current value of the environmental information, A method for predicting condensation, as described in any one of appendices 19 to 23, characterized by the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0293] 1 System main unit, 1a Server, 2 Judgment unit, 3 Data storage unit, 4 System communication unit, 4a Server communication unit, 5 System control unit, 5b Server control unit, 6 Indoor temperature acquisition unit, 7 Indoor humidity acquisition unit, 8 Outdoor temperature acquisition unit, 9 Indoor image acquisition unit, 10 Infrared sensor, 11 Thermometer, 12 Barometric pressure acquisition unit, 20 Ventilation fan, 21 Exhaust fan, 22 Ventilation fan memory unit, 23 Ventilation fan communication unit, 24 Ventilation fan control unit, 30 Air conditioner, 30a Indoor unit, 31 Indoor unit sensor, 32 Air direction adjustment unit, 33 Indoor unit memory unit, 34 Indoor unit communication unit, 35 Indoor unit control unit, 40 Remote controller, 41 Remote controller operation unit, 42 Remote controller display unit, 43 Remote controller memory unit, 44 Remote controller communication unit, 45 Remote controller control unit, 50 Terminal device, 51 Terminal operation unit, 52 Terminal display unit, 53 Terminal memory unit, 54 Terminal communication unit, 55 Terminal control unit, 60, 60a Heat exchange ventilation fan, 61 Main unit, 61a Housing, 61b One end face, 61c Other end face, 61d Outside air intake, 61e Supply air outlet, 61f Indoor air intake, 61g Exhaust outlet, 62 Supply air passage, 63 Exhaust air passage, 64 Supply air blower, 65 Exhaust blower, 66 Heat exchanger, 67 Heat exchange ventilation fan control unit, 68 Exhaust side bypass air passage, 69 Exhaust air passage switching damper, 80 Control unit, 81 Processing circuit, 81a Logic circuit, 81b Program, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, 100g, 100h, 100i, 100j, 100k, 100l Ventilation system, 200 Internet, 311 Indoor temperature sensor, 312 Indoor humidity sensor, 411 Condensation suppression button, 521 Indoor image, 522 Operation switching button, 523 Selection screen, 524 Strong ventilation button, 525 Weak ventilation button, 526 Condensation suppression button, 527 Stop button, 811 Processor, 812 Random access memory, 813 Storage device, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 Area.

Claims

1. A ventilation fan that provides ventilation to a room with a window, An environmental information acquisition unit that detects environmental information, which is information regarding the air environment around the aforementioned window, A determination unit predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window at a future first time, based on a predicted value of the surface temperature of the window at a future first time, calculated based on the environmental information detected by the environmental information acquisition unit, and a predicted value of the dew point temperature of the indoor air at the future first time. Equipped with, The determination unit, when it predicts the occurrence of condensation on the window at the first time, controls a first condensation suppression operation mode at a second time prior to the first time, which increases the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan. A ventilation system characterized by the following.

2. The aforementioned environmental information acquisition unit is: An indoor temperature acquisition unit that detects the indoor temperature inside the aforementioned room, An indoor humidity acquisition unit for detecting the indoor humidity in the aforementioned room, An outdoor temperature acquisition unit that detects the outdoor temperature, The ventilation system according to claim 1, characterized by including the following:

3. The determination unit is located on a server that can communicate with the ventilation fan via the internet. The ventilation system according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

4. The room is equipped with an air conditioner, The determination unit controls a second condensation suppression operation mode, which adjusts the direction of the heating air blown into the room by the air conditioner so that the heating air blown into the room is directed towards the window, when the ventilation fan increases the exhaust air volume at the second time. The ventilation system according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

5. The system includes a remote controller that transmits control instructions to the air conditioner for remote control of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner receives operation switching instruction information from the remote controller that instructs it to switch to the second condensation suppression operation mode, it switches to the second condensation suppression operation mode. The ventilation system according to claim 4, characterized by the following:

6. The ventilation fan switches to the first condensation suppression operation mode when the air conditioner switches to the second condensation suppression operation mode. The ventilation system according to claim 5, characterized by the following:

7. The aforementioned ventilation fan is equipped with a terminal device for remote control, The determination unit controls the first condensation suppression operation mode when it receives operation switching instruction information from the terminal device that instructs switching the operation state to the first condensation suppression operation mode. The ventilation system according to claim 4, characterized by the following:

8. The air conditioner switches to the second condensation suppression operation mode when the ventilation fan switches to the first condensation suppression operation mode. The ventilation system according to claim 7, characterized by the following:

9. The unit includes an indoor image acquisition unit that acquires information about objects inside the room as an indoor image, The determination unit identifies the position of the window based on the indoor image and controls the second condensation suppression operation mode. The ventilation system according to claim 4, characterized by the following:

10. When the determination unit determines, based on the indoor image, that a person is present in the room, it deactivates the second condensation suppression operation mode and controls the direction of the heating air to direct the heating air towards the person. The ventilation system according to claim 9, characterized by the following:

11. The aforementioned ventilation fan is equipped with a terminal device for remote control, The terminal device displays the indoor image and acquires window position information, which is information about the position of the window in the indoor image. The determination unit identifies the position of the window in the room based on the indoor image and the window position information, and controls the second condensation suppression operation mode. The ventilation system according to claim 9, characterized by the following:

12. The system includes an infrared sensor that measures the surface temperature inside the room and generates a thermal image of the room. The determination unit determines that the location within the room where the difference between the temperature in the thermal image and the predicted value of the window surface temperature is within a predetermined range is the location of the window. The ventilation system according to claim 4, characterized by the following:

13. The system includes a thermometer for detecting the surface temperature of the window on the interior side, The determination unit corrects the predicted value of the window surface temperature with the current value of the window surface temperature detected by the thermometer. The ventilation system according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

14. The system includes a thermometer for detecting the surface temperature of the window on the interior side, The air conditioner performs heating operation with multiple different airflow directions for the heating air. The determination unit controls the direction of the heating air using the wind direction in which the surface temperature of the window was highest among a plurality of wind directions. The ventilation system according to claim 4, characterized by the following:

15. An indoor image acquisition unit that acquires information about objects in the room as an indoor image, A terminal device for remotely controlling the aforementioned ventilation fan, Equipped with, If the window is not visible in the indoor image, the determination unit obtains information from the terminal device about the location near the window in the indoor image. The air conditioner performs heating operation by directing the heating airflow in multiple different directions toward the area surrounding the window in the room. The determination unit controls the direction of the heating air using the wind direction in which the surface temperature of the window was highest among a plurality of wind directions. The ventilation system according to claim 14, characterized by the following:

16. The thermometer acquires the position information of the thermometer and transmits it to the determination unit. The determination unit determines the position of the thermometer as the position of the window. The ventilation system according to claim 14, characterized by the following:

17. The aforementioned ventilation fan is a heat exchange type ventilation fan. The determination unit controls the exhaust airflow of the heat exchange type ventilation fan to be greater than the supply airflow in the first condensation suppression operation mode. The ventilation system according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

18. The aforementioned heat exchange type ventilation fan is A heat exchanger that exchanges heat or humidity between the supply airflow and the exhaust airflow, A damper that reduces the ratio of the airflow volume of the exhaust flow passing through the heat exchanger, The ventilation system according to claim 17, characterized by comprising the following:

19. A method for predicting condensation on windows using a ventilation system, The ventilation system includes the steps of acquiring and storing environmental information, which is information about the air environment around the window, at predetermined intervals, The ventilation system includes the step of calculating a predicted value of the environmental information at a specific time in the future using the environmental information for a predetermined retention period, The ventilation system calculates a predicted value for the surface temperature of the window and a predicted value for the dew point temperature of the indoor air using predicted values ​​of environmental information at the specified time. The ventilation system predicts that condensation will occur on the window at a specific time if the predicted surface temperature of the window at that specific time is lower than the predicted dew point temperature of the indoor air. The ventilation system increases the exhaust airflow of the ventilation fan equipped with the ventilation system at a pre-control time that is predetermined to occur a certain amount of time earlier than the specific time when condensation on the window is predicted to occur. A method for predicting condensation, characterized by including [a certain element].

20. The aforementioned environmental information includes indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature. A method for predicting condensation according to claim 19, characterized by the above.

21. The aforementioned environmental information further includes atmospheric pressure information. A method for predicting condensation according to claim 20, characterized by the above.

22. Using weather information as information on outdoor temperature and atmospheric pressure, A method for predicting condensation according to claim 21, characterized by the above.

23. The ventilation system stores the environmental information for a predetermined retention period. A method for predicting condensation according to claim 19, characterized by the above.

24. Correcting the predicted value of the environmental information with the current value of the environmental information, A method for predicting condensation according to claim 19, characterized by the above.

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