U.S. patent application number 14/763503 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-09 for ventilation control device, ventilation system, and program.
The applicant listed for this patent is PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Naoki MURO, Hayato TAKAHASHI, Nobuaki YABUNOUCHI.
Application Number | 20170321922 14/763503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51227343 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170321922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKAHASHI; Hayato ; et
al. |
November 9, 2017 |
VENTILATION CONTROL DEVICE, VENTILATION SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM
Abstract
In a ventilation control device, a ventilation-path setting unit
is configured to set a ventilation path based on environmental
information acquired by an information acquisition unit. A
ventilation-quantity setting unit is configured to set a
ventilation quantity based on the environmental information and the
ventilation path. The ventilation-path setting unit sets a
plurality of candidate paths having priorities in descending order
of expected ventilation effects. In the case where a first
candidate path having the highest priority is identical with a
previously set ventilation path, the ventilation-path setting unit
sets the first candidate path as the ventilation path, when a
difference value between a room temperature previously acquired and
a room temperature presently acquired is equal to or more than a
threshold. The ventilation-path setting unit sets, as the
ventilation path, a second candidate path having the second highest
priority, when the difference value is less than the threshold.
Inventors: |
TAKAHASHI; Hayato; (Hyogo,
JP) ; YABUNOUCHI; Nobuaki; (Kyoto, JP) ; MURO;
Naoki; (Nara, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
51227343 |
Appl. No.: |
14/763503 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
January 23, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/000322 |
371 Date: |
July 24, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/00 20180101;
F24F 2110/32 20180101; F24F 13/08 20130101; F24F 2110/22 20180101;
F24F 2110/10 20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2110/12 20180101;
F24F 11/70 20180101; F24F 11/74 20180101; F24F 2110/20 20180101;
F24F 11/0001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/00 20060101
F24F011/00; F24F 11/00 20060101 F24F011/00; F24F 11/00 20060101
F24F011/00; F24F 11/00 20060101 F24F011/00; F24F 13/08 20060101
F24F013/08; F24F 11/04 20060101 F24F011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 24, 2013 |
JP |
2013-011444 |
Claims
1. A ventilation control device configured, at predetermined
intervals, to switch to a ventilation path in a building and to set
a ventilation quantity of air passing through the ventilation path,
the ventilation control device comprising: an information
acquisition unit configured to acquire environmental information,
the environmental information comprising: weather information
comprising wind pertinent information about wind flowing outside
the building, and air temperature and air humidity outside the
building; and indoor environmental information comprising room
temperature and room humidity in the building, the air temperature
outside the building being an outside air temperature, the air
humidity outside the building being an outside air humidity; a
ventilation-path setting unit configured to set the ventilation
path based on the environmental information acquired by the
information acquisition unit; a ventilation-quantity setting unit
configured to set the ventilation quantity based on the
environmental information acquired by the information acquisition
unit and the ventilation path that is set by the ventilation-path
setting unit; and an output unit configured to output the
ventilation path that is set by the ventilation-path setting unit
and the ventilation quantity that is set by the
ventilation-quantity setting unit, wherein the ventilation-path
setting unit is configured: to set a plurality of candidate paths
based on the environmental information, the plurality of candidate
paths having priorities in descending order of expected ventilation
effects; and in a case where a first candidate path having a
highest priority of the plurality of candidate paths is identical
with a previously set ventilation path, to set the first candidate
path as the ventilation path, when a difference value between a
room temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition
unit and a room temperature presently acquired by the information
acquisition unit is equal to or more than a predetermined
threshold, and to set, as the ventilation path, a second candidate
path having a second highest priority of the plurality of candidate
paths, when the difference value is less than the predetermined
threshold.
2. The ventilation control device according to claim 1, wherein the
ventilation-path setting unit is configured to always set the
second candidate path as the ventilation path after the difference
value in the first candidate path is less than the predetermined
threshold predetermined times.
3. The ventilation control device according to claim 1, further
comprising an opening control unit configured to control an opening
control device configured to control opening/closing of an opening
formed in the building, based on the ventilation path and the
ventilation quantity that are output from the output unit.
4. The ventilation control device according to claim 3, further
comprising: a state determining unit configured to determine a
state of a ventilation auxiliary device configured to assist
ventilation through the ventilation path according to the
ventilation path and the ventilation quantity that are output from
the output unit; and an auxiliary-control unit configured to
control the ventilation auxiliary device so that the ventilation
auxiliary device is in the state determined by the state
determining unit.
5. The ventilation control device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first determining unit configured to determine
whether or not a first absolute difference, which indicates an
absolute difference between the room temperature and the outside
air temperature that are acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a first specified value; a second determining
unit configured, when the first absolute difference is less than
the first specified value, to determine whether or not a second
absolute difference, which indicates an absolute difference between
the room temperature acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a preset temperature in the ventilation path, is less than a
second specified value; a third determining unit configured, when
the second absolute difference is less than the second specified
value, to determine whether or not a third absolute difference,
which indicates an absolute difference between the room temperature
presently acquired by the information acquisition unit and the room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a third specified value; and a
switching-interval setting unit configured: to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a first time period, when the first
absolute difference is equal to or more than the first specified
value, when the second absolute difference is equal to or more than
the second specified value, or when the third absolute difference
is equal to or more than the third specified value; and to set each
of the predetermined intervals to a second time period longer than
the first time period when the third absolute difference is less
than the third specified value.
6. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation control device
according to claim 1; and an opening control device configured to
control opening/closing of an opening of the building by control of
the ventilation control device.
7. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for, at
predetermined intervals, switching to a ventilation path in a
building and setting a ventilation quantity of air passing through
the ventilation path, the program causing a computer to function
as: a ventilation-path setting unit configured to set the
ventilation path based on environmental information acquired by an
information acquisition unit, the environmental information
comprising: weather information comprising wind pertinent
information about wind flowing outside the building, and air
temperature and air humidity outside the building; and indoor
environmental information comprising room temperature and room
humidity in the building, the air temperature outside the building
being an outside air temperature, the air humidity outside the
building being an outside air humidity; a ventilation-quantity
setting unit configured to set the ventilation quantity based on
the environmental information acquired by the information
acquisition unit and the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit; and an output unit configured to
output the ventilation path that is set by the ventilation-path
setting unit and the ventilation quantity that is set by the
ventilation-quantity setting unit, wherein the program causes the
computer, as the ventilation-path setting unit: to set a plurality
of candidate paths based on the environmental information, the
plurality of candidate paths having priorities in descending order
of expected ventilation effects; and to set, in a case where a
first candidate path having a highest priority of the plurality of
candidate paths is identical with a previously set ventilation
path, the first candidate path as the ventilation path, when a
difference value between a room temperature previously acquired by
the information acquisition unit and a room temperature presently
acquired by the information acquisition unit is equal to or more
than a predetermined threshold, and to set, as the ventilation
path, a second candidate path having a second highest priority of
the plurality of candidate paths, when the difference value is less
than the predetermined threshold.
8. The ventilation control device according to claim 2, further
comprising an opening control unit configured to control an opening
control device configured to control opening/closing of an opening
formed in the building, based on the ventilation path and the
ventilation quantity that are output from the output unit.
9. The ventilation control device according to claim 8, further
comprising: a state determining unit configured to determine a
state of a ventilation auxiliary device configured to assist
ventilation through the ventilation path according to the
ventilation path and the ventilation quantity that are output from
the output unit; and an auxiliary-control unit configured to
control the ventilation auxiliary device so that the ventilation
auxiliary device is in the state determined by the state
determining unit.
10. The ventilation control device according to claim 2, further
comprising: a first determining unit configured to determine
whether or not a first absolute difference, which indicates an
absolute difference between the room temperature and the outside
air temperature that are acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a first specified value; a second determining
unit configured, when the first absolute difference is less than
the first specified value, to determine whether or not a second
absolute difference, which indicates an absolute difference between
the room temperature acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a preset temperature in the ventilation path, is less than a
second specified value; a third determining unit configured, when
the second absolute difference is less than the second specified
value, to determine whether or not a third absolute difference,
which indicates an absolute difference between the room temperature
presently acquired by the information acquisition unit and the room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a third specified value; and a
switching-interval setting unit configured: to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a first time period, when the first
absolute difference is equal to or more than the first specified
value, when the second absolute difference is equal to or more than
the second specified value, or when the third absolute difference
is equal to or more than the third specified value; and to set each
of the predetermined intervals to a second time period longer than
the first time period when the third absolute difference is less
than the third specified value.
11. The ventilation control device according to claim 3, further
comprising: a first determining unit configured to determine
whether or not a first absolute difference, which indicates an
absolute difference between the room temperature and the outside
air temperature that are acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a first specified value; a second determining
unit configured, when the first absolute difference is less than
the first specified value, to determine whether or not a second
absolute difference, which indicates an absolute difference between
the room temperature acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a preset temperature in the ventilation path, is less than a
second specified value; a third determining unit configured, when
the second absolute difference is less than the second specified
value, to determine whether or not a third absolute difference,
which indicates an absolute difference between the room temperature
presently acquired by the information acquisition unit and the room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a third specified value; and a
switching-interval setting unit configured: to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a first time period, when the first
absolute difference is equal to or more than the first specified
value, when the second absolute difference is equal to or more than
the second specified value, or when the third absolute difference
is equal to or more than the third specified value; and to set each
of the predetermined intervals to a second time period longer than
the first time period when the third absolute difference is less
than the third specified value.
12. The ventilation control device according to claim 4, further
comprising: a first determining unit configured to determine
whether or not a first absolute difference, which indicates an
absolute difference between the room temperature and the outside
air temperature that are acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a first specified value; a second determining
unit configured, when the first absolute difference is less than
the first specified value, to determine whether or not a second
absolute difference, which indicates an absolute difference between
the room temperature acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a preset temperature in the ventilation path, is less than a
second specified value; a third determining unit configured, when
the second absolute difference is less than the second specified
value, to determine whether or not a third absolute difference,
which indicates an absolute difference between the room temperature
presently acquired by the information acquisition unit and the room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a third specified value; and a
switching-interval setting unit configured: to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a first time period, when the first
absolute difference is equal to or more than the first specified
value, when the second absolute difference is equal to or more than
the second specified value, or when the third absolute difference
is equal to or more than the third specified value; and to set each
of the predetermined intervals to a second time period longer than
the first time period when the third absolute difference is less
than the third specified value.
13. The ventilation control device according to claim 8, further
comprising: a first determining unit configured to determine
whether or not a first absolute difference, which indicates an
absolute difference between the room temperature and the outside
air temperature that are acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a first specified value; a second determining
unit configured, when the first absolute difference is less than
the first specified value, to determine whether or not a second
absolute difference, which indicates an absolute difference between
the room temperature acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a preset temperature in the ventilation path, is less than a
second specified value; a third determining unit configured, when
the second absolute difference is less than the second specified
value, to determine whether or not a third absolute difference,
which indicates an absolute difference between the room temperature
presently acquired by the information acquisition unit and the room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a third specified value; and a
switching-interval setting unit configured: to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a first time period, when the first
absolute difference is equal to or more than the first specified
value, when the second absolute difference is equal to or more than
the second specified value, or when the third absolute difference
is equal to or more than the third specified value; and to set each
of the predetermined intervals to a second time period longer than
the first time period when the third absolute difference is less
than the third specified value.
14. The ventilation control device according to claim 9, further
comprising: a first determining unit configured to determine
whether or not a first absolute difference, which indicates an
absolute difference between the room temperature and the outside
air temperature that are acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a first specified value; a second determining
unit configured, when the first absolute difference is less than
the first specified value, to determine whether or not a second
absolute difference, which indicates an absolute difference between
the room temperature acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a preset temperature in the ventilation path, is less than a
second specified value; a third determining unit configured, when
the second absolute difference is less than the second specified
value, to determine whether or not a third absolute difference,
which indicates an absolute difference between the room temperature
presently acquired by the information acquisition unit and the room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition
unit, is less than a third specified value; and a
switching-interval setting unit configured: to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a first time period, when the first
absolute difference is equal to or more than the first specified
value, when the second absolute difference is equal to or more than
the second specified value, or when the third absolute difference
is equal to or more than the third specified value; and to set each
of the predetermined intervals to a second time period longer than
the first time period when the third absolute difference is less
than the third specified value.
15. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation control device
according to claim 2; and an opening control device configured to
control opening/closing of an opening of the building by control of
the ventilation control device.
16. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation control device
according to claim 3; and the opening control device configured to
control opening/closing of the opening of the building by control
of the ventilation control device.
17. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation control device
according to claim 4; and the opening control device configured to
control opening/closing of the opening of the building by control
of the ventilation control device.
18. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation control device
according to claim 5; and an opening control device configured to
control opening/closing of an opening of the building by control of
the ventilation control device.
19. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation control device
according to claim 8; and an opening control device configured to
control opening/closing of an opening of the building by control of
the ventilation control device.
20. A ventilation system comprising: the ventilation control device
according to claim 9; and an opening control device configured to
control opening/closing of an opening of the building by control of
the ventilation control device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation control
device, a ventilation system, and a program that are used to
control ventilation in a building.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a system configured to
allow wind to flow from the outside of the building to the inside
of a building so that one or more persons existing in the building
(hereinafter referred to as "one or more persons in rooms") can
live in a comfortable environment (for example, see JP 2012-122285
A, hereinafter referred to as "Document 1").
[0003] The system described in Document 1 is configured to select a
ventilation path in the building based on: information such as a
wind direction and a wind speed outside the building, and outside
air temperature; information such as room temperature inside the
building; and information such as arrangement of rooms, and
positions of openings.
[0004] However, the conventional system described in Document 1 has
a problem that, when the difference between expected ventilation
effect and actual ventilation effect is large, the conventional
system selects a ventilation path having a small actual ventilation
effect. That is, the conventional system described in Document 1
may select the ventilation path in which the actual ventilation
effect is small although the expected ventilation effect is
large.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention has been made in the light of the
above-mentioned problem, and it is an object thereof to provide a
ventilation control device, a ventilation system, and program that
can precisely set a ventilation path having a large actual
ventilation effect.
[0006] A ventilation control device according to the present
invention is configured, at predetermined intervals, to switch to a
ventilation path in a building and a ventilation quantity of air
passing through the switched ventilation path. The ventilation
control device includes an information acquisition unit, a
ventilation-path setting unit, a ventilation-quantity setting unit,
and an output unit. The information acquisition unit is configured
to acquire environmental information. The environmental information
includes weather information and indoor environmental information.
The weather information includes wind pertinent information, and
air temperature and air humidity outside the building. The air
temperature outside the building is an outside air temperature. The
air humidity outside the building is an outside air humidity. The
wind pertinent information is information about wind flowing
outside the building. The indoor environmental information includes
room temperature and room humidity in the building. The
ventilation-path setting unit is configured to set the ventilation
path based on the environmental information acquired by the
information acquisition unit. The ventilation-quantity setting unit
is configured to set the ventilation quantity based on the
environmental information acquired by the information acquisition
unit and the ventilation path that is set by the ventilation-path
setting unit. The output unit is configured to output the
ventilation path that is set by the ventilation-path setting unit
and the ventilation quantity that is set by the
ventilation-quantity setting unit. The ventilation-path setting
unit is configured to set a plurality of candidate paths based on
the environmental information. The plurality of candidate paths
have priorities in descending order of expected ventilation
effects. The ventilation-path setting unit is configured, in the
case where a first candidate path having the highest priority of
the plurality of candidate paths is identical with a previously set
ventilation path, to set the first candidate path as the
ventilation path, when a difference value between a room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a room temperature presently acquired by the information
acquisition unit is equal to or more than a predetermined
threshold, and to set, as the ventilation path, a second candidate
path having the second highest priority of the plurality of
candidate paths, when the difference value is less than the
predetermined threshold.
[0007] In the ventilation control device, the ventilation-path
setting unit is preferably configured to always set the second
candidate path as the ventilation path after the difference value
in the first candidate path is less than the predetermined
threshold predetermined times.
[0008] Preferably, the ventilation control device further includes
an opening control unit. The opening control unit is configured to
control an opening control device. The opening control device is
configured to control opening/closing of an opening formed in the
building, based on the ventilation path and the ventilation
quantity that are output from the output unit.
[0009] Preferably, the ventilation control device further includes
a state determining unit and an auxiliary-control unit. The state
determining unit is configured to determine a state of a
ventilation auxiliary device according to the ventilation path and
the ventilation quantity that are output from the output unit. The
ventilation auxiliary device is configured to assist ventilation
through the ventilation path. The auxiliary-control unit is
configured to control the ventilation auxiliary device so that the
ventilation auxiliary device is in the state determined by the
state determining unit.
[0010] Preferably, the ventilation control device further includes
a first determining unit, a second determining unit, a third
determining unit, and a switching-interval setting unit. The first
determining unit is configured to determine whether or not a first
absolute difference is less than a first specified value. The first
absolute difference indicates an absolute difference between the
room temperature and the outside air temperature that are acquired
by the information acquisition unit. The second determining unit is
configured, when the first absolute difference is less than the
first specified value, to determine whether or not a second
absolute difference is less than a second specified value. The
second absolute difference indicates an absolute difference between
the room temperature acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a preset temperature in the ventilation path. The third
determining unit is configured, when the second absolute difference
is less than the second specified value, to determine whether or
not a third absolute difference is less than a third specified
value. The third absolute difference indicates an absolute
difference between room temperature presently acquired by the
information acquisition unit and room temperature previously
acquired by the information acquisition unit. The
switching-interval setting unit is configured to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a first time period, when the first
absolute difference is equal to or more than the first specified
value, when the second absolute difference is equal to or more than
the second specified value, or when the third absolute difference
is equal to or more than the third specified value. The
switching-interval setting unit is configured to set each of the
predetermined intervals to a second time period longer than the
first time period when the third absolute difference is less than
the third specified value.
[0011] A ventilation system according to the present invention
includes the ventilation control device and an opening control
device. The opening control device is configured to control
opening/closing of an opening of the building by control of the
ventilation control device.
[0012] A program according to the present invention is used for, at
predetermined switching intervals, switching to a ventilation path
in a building and setting a ventilation quantity of air passing
through the switched ventilation path. The program causes a
computer to function as a ventilation-path setting unit, a
ventilation-quantity setting unit, and an output unit. The
ventilation-path setting unit is configured to set the ventilation
path based on environmental information acquired by an information
acquisition unit. The environmental information includes: wind
pertinent information about wind flowing outside the building;
weather information including air temperature and air humidity
outside the building; and indoor environmental information
including room temperature and room humidity in the building. The
air temperature outside the building is an outside air temperature.
The air humidity outside the building is an outside air humidity.
The ventilation-quantity setting unit is configured to set the
ventilation quantity based on the environmental information
acquired by the information acquisition unit and the ventilation
path that is set by the ventilation-path setting unit. The output
unit is configured to output the ventilation path that is set by
the ventilation-path setting unit and the ventilation quantity that
is set by the ventilation-quantity setting unit. The program causes
the computer, as the ventilation-path setting unit, to set a
plurality of candidate paths based on the environmental
information. The plurality of candidate paths have priorities in
descending order of expected ventilation effects. The program
causes the computer, as the ventilation-path setting unit, to set,
in the case where a first candidate path having the highest
priority of the plurality of candidate paths is identical with a
previously set ventilation path, the first candidate path as the
ventilation path, when a difference value between a room
temperature previously acquired by the information acquisition unit
and a room temperature presently acquired by the information
acquisition unit is equal to or more than a predetermined
threshold. The program causes the computer, as the ventilation-path
setting unit, to set, as the ventilation path, a second candidate
path having the second highest priority of the plurality of
candidate paths, when the difference value is less than the
predetermined threshold. The present invention is not limited to
the program. The present invention may be a computer-readable
recording medium recording the program.
[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to
precisely set the ventilation path having the large actual
ventilation effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in further details. Other features and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings where:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
ventilation control device according to an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
ventilation system according to the embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an operation of the
ventilation control device according to the embodiment; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a setting-operation of a
ventilation path of the ventilation control device according to the
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In a ventilation system according to an embodiment described
below, a ventilation control device is configured to set a
ventilation state (ventilation path, ventilation quantity) in a
building at predetermined intervals (switching intervals).
[0020] When setting the ventilation path, first, the ventilation
control device is configured to set a plurality of candidate paths
having priorities in descending order of expected ventilation
effects. Second, in the case where a first candidate path having
the highest priority is identical with a previously set ventilation
path, the ventilation control device is configured to set, as the
ventilation path, not a first candidate path but a second candidate
path having the second highest priority coming after that of the
first candidate path, when a difference value between a previous
room temperature and a present room temperature is less than a
threshold.
[0021] That is, when the present room temperature is substantially
equal to the previous room temperature, the ventilation control
device according to the present embodiment is configured to
determine that actual ventilation effect of the previously set
ventilation path is small and to prevent the ventilation path
having the small ventilation effect from being set
continuously.
[0022] In the present embodiment, the ventilation path is set so
that air passes through a space (room, passage, stairs, for
example) in the building from the outside of the building. The
ventilation quantity is the quantity of the air that passes through
the ventilation path.
[0023] In the present embodiment, the high ventilation effect means
that one or more persons in the building can feel comfort by the
ventilation. Specifically, first, in the case where a difference
between a room temperature before the ventilation and a room
temperature after the ventilation is large, it is said that the
ventilation effect is high. In this case, there is a theory that it
should be considered that the case is preferable, in which the room
temperature before the ventilation is higher than one or more
persons' body temperature in the building and the room temperature
after the ventilation decreases a temperature near the body
temperature. Second, in the case where one or more persons'
effective temperature in the building decreases, after the
ventilation, from a high temperature at which one or more persons
in the building is uncomfortable, it is said that the ventilation
effect is high. Third, in the case where room concentration of
carbon dioxide decreases, after the ventilation, from a very high
state in which one or more persons in the building is
unconformable, it is said that the ventilation effect is high. The
inventors consider that the ventilation effect is high if any of
these three cases occurs. On the other hand, if any one of these
three cases does not occur, the ventilation effect is low. The low
ventilation path means that no one in the building can feel comfort
by the ventilation. Specifically, in the case where the difference
between the room temperature before the ventilation and the room
temperature after the ventilation is small and one or more persons'
effective temperature in the building does not decrease and carbon
dioxide in room(s) maintains a high state in which one or more
persons in the building is uncomfortable does not decrease, it is
said that the ventilation effect is low.
[0024] Hereinafter, the ventilation system according to the present
embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
drawings.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the ventilation system according to the
present embodiment includes a ventilation control device 1, a
plurality of opening control devices 2, and a plurality of
ventilation auxiliary devices 3. The ventilation system further
includes an anemometer 4, a first thermo-hygrometer 5, a second
thermo-hygrometer 6, and an input device 7.
[0026] Hereinafter, although the case where the ventilation system
is used for the common single house will be described as an
example, the ventilation system may be used not only for the single
house but also for each dwelling unit in a collective housing for
example. The ventilation system may be used for an office, a store,
an institution, a factory, or the like.
[0027] Each opening control device 2 is configured to control
opening/closing of an opening 81 formed in a building 8. Each
opening control device 2 is a window opening/closing device
configured to open/close a window as the opening 81 by operating a
fitting (window glass, window shutter, or the like), for example,
or a door opening/closing device configured to open/close an
entrance as the opening 81 by operating a door. Examples of the
door include an entrance door disposed at an entrance and a door
disposed in the building 8. Each opening control device 2 is
controlled by the ventilation control device 1.
[0028] The anemometer 4 is installed outside the building 8. The
anemometer 4 is configured to measure a direction (wind direction)
and a speed (wind speed) of wind flowing outside the building
8.
[0029] The first thermo-hygrometer 5 is installed outside the
building 8. The first thermo-hygrometer 5 is configured to measure
air temperature outside the building 8 (outside air temperature)
and humidity outside the building 8 (outside air humidity).
[0030] The second thermo-hygrometer 6 is installed in the building
8. The second thermo-hygrometer 6 is configured to measure air
temperature in the building 8 (room temperature) and humidity in
the building 8 (room humidity).
[0031] The input device 7 is used, for example, for one person or
any one of more persons in the building 8 (hereinafter "one or more
persons in rooms") inputting an instruction to the ventilation
control device 1. The input device 7 is configured to receive an
input of the preset temperature (target temperature) in the
building 8, for example, by an input operation by one or more
persons in rooms. The input device 7 may be also configured to
receive inputs of various instructions other than the preset
temperature.
[0032] The ventilation control device 1 is a controller(s) that
includes, as a main component, a computer(s) (including a
microcomputer(s)) in which a CPU(s) (Central Processing Unit(s))
and a memory(-ies) are mounted, for example. As shown in FIG. 1,
the ventilation control device 1 includes an information
acquisition unit 11, a preset-temperature acquisition unit 12, a
storage unit 13, and an arithmetic processor 14.
[0033] The information acquisition unit 11 is configured to acquire
environmental information (environment data). The environmental
information (environment data) includes weather information
(weather data) and indoor environmental information (indoor
environment data). The weather information (weather data) includes
wind pertinent information (wind permanent data), and air
temperature and air humidity outside the building 8. The wind
pertinent information is information about wind blowing outside the
building 8, and includes a wind direction and wind speed of the
wind. The indoor environmental information includes room
temperature and room humidity in the building 8.
[0034] The information acquisition unit 11 includes a first
acquisition unit (wind-pertinent-information acquisition unit) 111,
a second acquisition unit (outside-air-temperature-and-humidity
acquisition unit) 112, and a third acquisition unit
(room-temperature-and-humidity acquisition unit) 113.
[0035] The first acquisition unit 111 includes an interface unit
(not shown) for connecting with the anemometer 4. The first
acquisition unit 111 is configured to acquire a measuring result of
the anemometer 4, which is connected to the interface unit, from
the anemometer 4. For example, the first acquisition unit 111 is
configured to acquire the measuring result from the anemometer 4 at
a cycle shorter than the switching interval for setting the
ventilation state. Then, the first acquisition unit 111 is
configured to select a wind direction based on the highest
frequency from distribution of the wind directions acquired during
the cycle (time period) from the time point when the previous
ventilation state was set. The first acquisition unit 111 is
configured to calculate an average value of wind speeds acquired
during the cycle (time period) from the time point when the
previous ventilation path and the previous ventilation quantity
were set. Therefore, the first acquisition unit 111 can acquire, as
the wind pertinent information, the selected wind direction and the
calculated wind speed (average value). The first acquisition unit
111 may acquire the wind pertinent information from the anemometer
4 by wireless communication through a transmission medium of an
electric wave instead of a cable.
[0036] The second acquisition unit 112 includes an interface unit
(not shown) for connecting with the first thermo-hygrometer 5. The
second acquisition unit 112 is configured to acquire a measuring
result of the first thermo-hygrometer 5, which is connected to the
interface unit, from the first thermo-hygrometer 5. That is, the
second acquisition unit 112 is configured to acquire an outside air
temperature and an outside air humidity from the first
thermo-hygrometer 5. The second acquisition unit 112 may acquire
the outside air temperature and the outside air humidity from the
first thermo-hygrometer 5 by wireless communication through a
transmission medium of an electric wave instead of a cable.
[0037] The third acquisition unit 113 includes an interface unit
(not shown) for connecting with the second thermo-hygrometer 6. The
third acquisition unit 113 is configured to acquire a measuring
result of the second thermo-hygrometer 6, which is connected to the
interface unit, from the second thermo-hygrometer 6. That is, the
third acquisition unit 113 is configured to acquire indoor
environmental information from the second thermo-hygrometer 6. The
third acquisition unit 113 may acquire the indoor environmental
information from the second thermo-hygrometer 6 by wireless
communication through a transmission medium of an electric wave
instead of a cable.
[0038] The preset-temperature acquisition unit 12 includes an
interface unit (not shown) for connecting with the input device 7.
The preset-temperature acquisition unit 12 is configured to acquire
the preset temperature inputted by an input operation to the input
device 7, which is connected to the interface unit, from the input
device 7. The preset-temperature acquisition unit 12 may acquire
the preset temperature from the input device 7 by wireless
communication through a transmission medium of an electric wave
instead of a cable.
[0039] The storage unit 13 includes a first storage unit
(weather-information-history storage unit) 131, a second storage
unit (indoor-environmental-information-history storage unit) 132,
and a third storage unit (control-log storage unit) 133.
[0040] The first storage unit 131 is configured to store a history
of the wind pertinent information that has been ever acquired by
the first acquisition unit 111. Whenever the first acquisition unit
111 acquires the wind pertinent information, the wind pertinent
information is stored in the first storage unit 131 by control of
the arithmetic processor 14 so as to be associated with an
acquisition date and an acquisition time. The first storage unit
131 is configured to store a history of the outside air temperature
and the outside air humidity that have ever been acquired by the
second acquisition unit 112. Whenever the second acquisition unit
112 acquires the outside air temperature and the outside air
humidity, the outside air temperature and the outside air humidity
are stored in the first storage unit 131 by control of the
arithmetic processor 14 so as to be associated with an acquisition
date and an acquisition time.
[0041] The second storage unit 132 is configured to store a history
of the indoor environmental information that has been ever acquired
by the third acquisition unit 113. Whenever the third acquisition
unit 113 acquires the indoor environmental information, the indoor
environmental information is stored in the second storage unit 132
by control of the arithmetic processor 14 so as to be associated
with an acquisition date and an acquisition time.
[0042] The third storage unit 133 is configured to store, by
control of the arithmetic processor 14, a history of a control
content, that is, the control log, to each opening control device
2. Whenever the opening control unit 144 of the arithmetic
processor 14 controls each opening control device 2 according to
the control content of each opening control device 2, the control
content is stored in the third storage unit 133 by control of the
arithmetic processor 14 so as to be associated with a control date
and a control time.
[0043] The arithmetic processor 14 includes a ventilation-path
setting unit 141, a ventilation-quantity setting unit 142, an
output unit 143, and an opening control unit 144. The arithmetic
processor 14 further includes a state determining unit 145, and an
auxiliary-control unit 146. The arithmetic processor 14 further
includes a first determining unit 151, a second determining unit
152, a third determining unit 153, and a switching-interval setting
unit 154. The arithmetic processor 14 can execute various programs
to perform various processes. The various programs are stored in
the storage unit 13.
[0044] The ventilation-path setting unit 141 is configured to set
the ventilation path in the building 8 based on the environmental
information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and the
history information stored in the storage unit 13. The
ventilation-path setting unit 141 of the present embodiment is
configured to set the ventilation path in the building 8 by
executing a ventilation-path setting program for setting the
ventilation path. When the ventilation-path setting program is
executed, building information about room arrangement (including a
position of an opening 81) in the building 8 is preliminarily input
in the storage unit 13. The ventilation-path setting program is
stored in the storage unit 13.
[0045] The ventilation-quantity setting unit 142 is configured to
set the ventilation quantity of air that passes through the
ventilation path that is set by the ventilation-path setting unit
141, based on the environmental information acquired by the
information acquisition unit 11, the ventilation path that is set
by the ventilation-path setting unit 141, and the history
information stored in the storage unit 13. The ventilation-quantity
setting unit 142 of the present embodiment is configured to set the
ventilation quantity of the ventilation through the ventilation
path by executing a ventilation-quantity setting program for
setting the ventilation quantity. When the ventilation-quantity
setting program is executed, the building information about the
room arrangement (including the position of the opening 81) in the
building 8 is preliminarily input. The ventilation-quantity setting
program is stored in the storage unit 13. The ventilation-quantity
setting unit 142 has a function as a timer configured to clock the
switching-interval. The switching-interval period is a time period
between the previous switch timing and the present switch timing.
The switch timing is a predetermined time point within a
predetermined time period from a time point when the ventilation
path and the ventilation quantity are set. The predetermined time
point includes a time point when the ventilation path and the
ventilation quantity are set. That is, the predetermined time point
may be the time point when the ventilation path and the ventilation
quantity are set, and a specific time point within the
predetermined time period from the time point when the ventilation
path and the ventilation quantity are set. The timer is configured
to clock an elapsed time period from the predetermined time
point.
[0046] The output unit 143 is configured to output, to the opening
control unit 144, the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit 141 and the ventilation quantity that
is set by the ventilation-quantity setting unit 142.
[0047] The opening control unit 144 is configured to determine the
control content of each opening control device 2 based on the
ventilation path and ventilation quantity outputted from the output
unit 143. The opening control unit 144 is configured to determine
the control content of each opening control device 2 so that the
ventilation path through which the air of the ventilation quantity
passes may actually be formed in the building 8. Then, the opening
control unit 144 is configured to control each opening control
device 2 according to the control content.
[0048] In the arithmetic processor 14, the ventilation-path setting
unit 141 is configured to execute the ventilation-path setting
program to set the ventilation path by the following operations.
First, the ventilation-path setting unit 141 sets the plurality of
candidate paths having the priorities in descending order of the
expected ventilation effects, based on the environmental
information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11. Next,
in the case where the first candidate path, which has the highest
priority of the plurality of candidate paths, is identical with the
previously set ventilation path, the ventilation-path setting unit
141 is configured to set the first candidate path as the
ventilation path, when a difference value (T2-T1) between room
temperature T2, which is previously acquired by the information
acquisition unit 11, and a room temperature T1, which is presently
acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 is equal to or more
than a predetermined threshold .delta.1. On the other hand, in this
case, the ventilation-path setting unit 141 is configured to set,
as the ventilation path, the second candidate path having the
second highest priority of the plurality of candidate paths when
the difference value (T2-T1) is less than the threshold
.delta.1.
[0049] After the difference value (T2-T1) has been ever less than
the threshold .delta.1 a predetermined times about the first
candidate path having the highest priority, the ventilation-path
setting unit 141 of the present embodiment is configured to always
set the second candidate path as the ventilation path.
[0050] Incidentally, when the sufficient ventilation quantity is
not acquired with the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit 141, it is necessary to operate a
plurality of ventilation auxiliary devices 3 to ventilate
forcibly.
[0051] Examples of each ventilation auxiliary device 3 include a
fan (ventilation fan 31, ceiling fan 32) and an air conditioner 33.
Each ventilation auxiliary device 3 is configured to assist the
ventilation through the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit 141. The ventilation fan 31 is
disposed in, for example, a kitchen or a bathroom in the building
8. The ceiling fan 32 is disposed, for example, on a ceiling of a
room or above stairs in the building 8. The air conditioner 33 is
disposed in a room in the building 8.
[0052] The state determining unit 145 is configured to determine a
state of each ventilation auxiliary device 3 according to the
ventilation path and the ventilation quantity that are outputted
from the output unit 143.
[0053] The auxiliary-control unit 146 is configured to control each
ventilation auxiliary device 3 to be in the state of each
ventilation auxiliary device 3, which is determined by the state
determining unit 145. Each ventilation auxiliary device 3 is
configured to work according to control of the auxiliary-control
unit 146.
[0054] The third storage unit 133 of the present embodiment is
configured to store not only the history of the control content of
each opening control device 2 but also a history of the state of
each ventilation auxiliary device 3. Whenever the auxiliary-control
unit 146 controls each ventilation auxiliary device 3, the state of
each ventilation auxiliary device 3 is stored in the third storage
unit 133 by the control of the arithmetic processor 14 so as to be
associated with a control date and a control time.
[0055] Incidentally, since the wind direction and the wind speed
change every moment, the ventilation control device 1 needs to
switch the ventilation state (ventilation path, ventilation
quantity) according to change in the wind direction and the wind
speed. The switching interval at which the ventilation control
device 1 switches the ventilation state is about ten minutes.
[0056] However, if the ventilation state is switched at a short
time period more than necessary, discomfort to one or more persons
in rooms may increase. On the contrary, even if the switching
interval of the ventilation state is long, the room temperature may
not reach the preset temperature, or the room temperature may
exceed the preset temperature, which may result in decreasing
comfort to one or more persons in rooms.
[0057] Then, the ventilation control device 1 according to the
present embodiment can switch the switching interval of the
ventilation state (ventilation path, ventilation quantity)
according to the following determination condition, without fixing
the switching interval.
[0058] The first determining unit 151 is configured to compare the
room temperature (present room temperature T1) and the outside air
temperature (present outside air temperature T3) that have been
acquired by the information acquisition unit 11. The first
determining unit 151 is configured to determine whether or not an
absolute difference (hereinafter referred to as a "first absolute
difference") |T1-T3| between the present room temperature T1 and
the present outside air temperature T3 is less than a first
specified value A1.
[0059] The second determining unit 152 is configured to compare the
room temperature (present room temperature T1) acquired by the
information acquisition unit 11 with the preset temperature T4 in
the ventilation path when the first absolute difference |T1-T3| is
less than the first specified value A1. The second determining unit
152 is configured to determine whether or not an absolute
difference (hereinafter referred to as a "second absolute
difference") |T1-T4| between the present room temperature T1 and
the preset temperature T4 is less than a second specified value
A2.
[0060] The third determining unit 153 is configured to compare the
room temperature (present room temperature T1) acquired by the
information acquisition unit 11 with the previously acquired room
temperature T2 stored in the second storage unit 132 when the
second absolute difference |T1-T4| is less than the second
specified value A2. The third determining unit 153 is configured to
determine whether or not an absolute difference (hereinafter
referred to as a "third absolute difference") |T1-T2| between the
present room temperature T1 and the previous room temperature T2 is
less than a third specified value A3.
[0061] The switching-interval setting unit 154 is configured to set
the switching interval, that is, a next control start timing, for
the ventilation state (ventilation path, ventilation quantity).
When the first absolute difference |T1-T2| is equal to or more than
the first specified value A1, the switching-interval setting unit
154 is configured to set the switching interval to the first time
period. That is, in this case, the switching-interval setting unit
154 will set a next switch timing after the first time period
passes from the present switch timing. Also, when the second
absolute difference |T1-T3| is equal to or more than the second
specified value A2, the switching-interval setting unit 154 is
configured to set the switching interval to the first time period.
Further, when the third absolute difference |T1-T4| is equal to or
more than the third default value A3, the switching-interval
setting unit 154 is configured to set the switching interval to the
first time period.
[0062] On the other hand, when the third absolute difference
|T1-T4| is less than the third specified value A3, the
switching-interval setting unit 154 is configured to set the
switching interval to the second time period. That is, in this
case, the switching-interval setting unit 154 will set the next
switch timing after the second time period passes from the present
switch timing. A time period longer than the first time period is
employed as the second time period.
[0063] That is, the ventilation control device 1 is configured to
comparatively shorten the switching interval when any of the first
absolute difference |T1-T2|, the second absolute difference
|T1-T3|, and the third absolute difference |T1-T4| is equal to or
more than the specified value (first specified value A1, second
specified value A2, third specified value A3). On the other hand,
the ventilation control device 1 is configured to comparatively
lengthen the switching interval when the first absolute difference
|T1-T2|, the second absolute difference |T1-T3|, and the third
absolute difference |T1-T4| are less than the specified values.
[0064] Incidentally, the storage unit 13 is configured to store not
only the history of the weather information, the history of the
indoor environmental information, and the control log, but also
various kinds of information if necessary.
[0065] The storage unit 13 is configured to store a program for
causing the ventilation control device (computer) 1 to perform
various functions. That is, the storage unit 13 is configured to
store a program(s) that causes the ventilation control device 1 to
function as the ventilation-path setting unit 141, the
ventilation-quantity setting unit 142, the output unit 143, the
opening control unit 144, the state determining unit 145, the
auxiliary-control unit 146, the first determining unit 151, the
second determining unit 152, the third determining unit 153, and
the switching-interval setting unit 154. The program is
preliminarily stored in the storage unit 13 at the time of shipment
of the ventilation control device 1. However, when the ventilation
control device 1 acquires the program after the shipment, as an
example of the technique with which the ventilation control device
1 acquires the program, there is a technique using a
computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. In the
case of the technique using the computer-readable recording medium,
the ventilation control device 1 need only to include a reader (not
shown) for reading data in the recording medium. Examples of the
recording medium include an optical disc and a memory card.
Examples of the reader include a drive device configured to read
out information on the optical disc, and a memory card reader
configured to read out information in the memory card. As another
technique with which the ventilation control device 1 acquires the
program, there is a technique with which the ventilation control
device 1 downloads the program from another device (for example,
server) through a network. In the case of the technique of
downloading the program through the network, the ventilation
control device 1 need only to have a communication function for
communicating with the above-mentioned other device through the
network.
[0066] Next, a ventilation control method with the ventilation
control device 1 according to the present embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 3. The ventilation control method
is realized by executing the program stored in the storage unit 13
of the ventilation control device 1.
[0067] First, the information acquisition unit 11 acquires the
environmental information (S1). Next, the ventilation-path setting
unit 141 of the arithmetic processor 14 sets the ventilation path
based on the environmental information acquired in step S1 and the
history information stored in the storage unit 13 (S2).
[0068] Here, a setting-operation of the ventilation path will be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. In step S2, the
ventilation-path setting unit 141 sets the plurality of candidate
paths having priorities in descending order of expected ventilation
effect (S21).
[0069] When the first candidate path having the highest priority of
the plurality of ventilation paths is not identical with the
previously set ventilation path (NO at S22), the ventilation-path
setting unit 141 sets the first candidate path as the ventilation
path (S24).
[0070] On the other hand, in the case where the first candidate
path is identical with the previously set ventilation path (YES at
S22), the ventilation-path setting unit 141 sets the first
candidate path as the ventilation path (S24), when the difference
value (T2-T1) between the previous room temperature T2 and the
present room temperature T1 is equal to or more than the threshold
.delta.1 (NO at S23).
[0071] On the other hand, when the difference value (T2-T1) is less
than the threshold .delta.1 (YES at S23), the ventilation-path
setting unit 141 sets, as the ventilation path, the second
candidate path having the second highest priority of the plurality
of ventilation paths (S25).
[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, after step S2, the ventilation-quantity
setting unit 142 of the arithmetic processor 14 sets the
ventilation quantity based on the environmental information
acquired in step S1, the ventilation path that is set in step S2,
and the history information stored in the storage unit 13 (S3).
[0073] Then, the state determining unit 145 of the arithmetic
processor 14 determines the state of each ventilation auxiliary
device 3 according to the ventilation path that is set in step S2
and the ventilation quantity that is set in step S3 (S4). When the
operation of each ventilation auxiliary device 3 is unnecessary,
the state determining unit 145 determines the state of each
ventilation auxiliary device 3 as an OFF state.
[0074] Then, the opening control unit 144 of the arithmetic
processor 14 controls each opening control device 2 based on the
ventilation path that is set in step S2 and the ventilation
quantity that is set in step S3 (S5). The auxiliary-control unit
146 of the arithmetic processor 14 controls each ventilation
auxiliary device 3 so as to be in the state determined in step
S4.
[0075] Then, the first determining unit 151 determines whether or
not the first absolute difference |T1-T2| is less than the first
specified value A1 (S6). When the first absolute difference |T1-T2|
is less than the first specified value A1 (YES at S6), the second
determining unit 152 determines whether or not the second absolute
difference |T1-T3| is less than the second specified value A2 (S7).
When the second absolute difference |T1-T3| is less than the second
specified value A2 (YES at S7), the third determining unit 153
determines whether or not the third absolute difference |T1-T4| is
less than the third specified value A3 (S8).
[0076] In step S6, when the first absolute difference |T1-T2| is
equal to or more than the first specified value A1 (NO at S6), the
switching-interval setting unit 154 of the arithmetic processor 14
sets the switching interval to the first time period (S9). In step
S7, when the second absolute difference |T1-T3| is also equal to or
more than the second specified value A2 (NO at S7), the
switching-interval setting unit 154 sets the switching interval to
the first time period. When the third absolute difference |T1-T4|
is also equal to or more than the third specified value A3 (NO at
S8), the switching-interval setting unit 154 sets the switching
interval to the first time period.
[0077] On the other hand, when the third absolute difference
|T1-T4| is less than the third specified value A3 (YES at S8), the
switching-interval setting unit 154 sets the switching interval to
the second time period longer than the first time period (S10).
[0078] Then, in steps S2 and S3, after the first time period passes
from the predetermined time point within the predetermined time
period from the time point at which the ventilation path and the
ventilation quantity are set (YES at S11), the ventilation control
device 1 returns to step S1 and performs the operation for
switching the ventilation state. Also, after the second time period
passes from the predetermined time point (YES at 512), the
ventilation control device 1 returns to step S1 and performs the
operation for switching the ventilation state.
[0079] The ventilation control device 1 according to the present
embodiment described above is configured, at the predetermined
intervals, to switch to the ventilation path in the building 8 and
to set the ventilation quantity of the air passing through the
switched ventilation path. The ventilation control device 1
includes the information acquisition unit 11, the ventilation-path
setting unit 141, the ventilation-quantity setting unit 142, and
the output unit 143. The information acquisition unit 11 is
configured to acquire the environmental information. The
environmental information includes the weather information and the
indoor environmental information. The weather information includes
the wind pertinent information, and the air temperature and the air
humidity outside the building 8. The air temperature outside the
building 8 is the outside air temperature. The air humidity outside
the building 8 is the outside air humidity. The wind pertinent
information is information about the wind flowing outside the
building 8. The indoor environmental information includes the room
temperature and the room humidity in the building 8. The
ventilation-path setting unit 141 is configured to set the
ventilation path based on the environmental information acquired by
the information acquisition unit 11. The ventilation-quantity
setting unit 142 is configured to set the ventilation quantity
based on the environmental information acquired by the information
acquisition unit 11 and the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit 141. The output unit 143 is
configured to output the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit 141 and the ventilation quantity that
is set by the ventilation-quantity setting unit 142. The
ventilation-path setting unit 141 is configured to set the
plurality of candidate paths based on the environmental
information. The plurality of candidate paths have the priorities
in descending order of the expected ventilation effects. In the
case where the first candidate path having the highest priority of
the plurality of candidate paths is identical with the previously
set ventilation path, the ventilation-path setting unit 141 is
configured to set the first candidate path as the ventilation path,
when the difference value (T2-T1) between the room temperature T2
previously acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and the
room temperature T1 presently acquired by the information
acquisition unit 11 is equal to or more than the predetermined
threshold .delta.1. On the other hand, in this case, the
ventilation-path setting unit 141 is configured to set, as the
ventilation path, the second candidate path having the second
highest priority of the plurality of candidate paths, when the
difference value (T2-T1) is less than the threshold .delta.1.
[0080] The ventilation system includes the ventilation control
device 1 and the opening control device 2. The opening control
device 2 is configured to control the opening/closing of the
opening 81 of the building 8 by the control of the ventilation
control device 1.
[0081] The program is for, at predetermined intervals, switching to
the ventilation path in the building 8 and setting the ventilation
quantity of the air passing through the switched ventilation path.
The program causes the computer to function as the ventilation-path
setting unit 141, a ventilation-quantity setting unit 142, and the
output unit 143. The ventilation-path setting unit 141 is
configured to set the ventilation path based on the environmental
information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11. The
environmental information includes the weather information and the
indoor environmental information. The weather information includes
the wind pertinent information, and the air temperature and the air
humidity outside the building 8. The air temperature outside the
building 8 is the outside air temperature. The air humidity outside
the building 8 is the outside air humidity. The wind pertinent
information is information about the wind flowing outside the
building 8. The indoor environmental information includes the room
temperature and the room humidity in the building 8. The
ventilation-path setting unit 141 is configured to set the
ventilation path based on the environmental information acquired by
the information acquisition unit 11. The ventilation-quantity
setting unit 142 is configured to set the ventilation quantity
based on the environmental information acquired by the information
acquisition unit 11 and the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit 141. The output unit 143 is
configured to output the ventilation path that is set by the
ventilation-path setting unit 141 and the ventilation quantity that
is set by the ventilation-quantity setting unit 142. The program
causes the computer, as the ventilation-path setting unit 141, to
perform the following operations. The ventilation-path setting unit
141 is configured to set the plurality of candidate paths based on
the environmental information. The plurality of candidate paths
have the priorities in descending order of the expected ventilation
effects. In the case where the first candidate path having the
highest priority of the plurality of candidate paths is identical
with the previously set ventilation path, the ventilation-path
setting unit 141 is configured to set the first candidate path as
the ventilation path, when the difference value (T2-T1) between the
room temperature T2 previously acquired by the information
acquisition unit 11 and the room temperature T1 presently acquired
by the information acquisition unit 11 is equal to or more than a
predetermined threshold .delta.1. On the other hand, in this case,
the ventilation-path setting unit 141 is configured to set, as the
ventilation path, the second candidate path having the second
highest priority of the plurality of candidate paths, when the
difference value (T2-T1) is less than the threshold .delta.1.
[0082] In the ventilation system according to the present
embodiment described above, the ventilation control device 1, when
the difference value (T2-T1) between the room temperature T2
previously acquired and the room temperature T1 presently acquired
is less than the threshold .delta.1 while the first candidate path
having the highest priority is identical with the previously set
ventilation path, the ventilation control device 1 is configured to
set, as the ventilation path, not the first candidate path but the
second candidate path having the second highest priority.
Therefore, in the ventilation control device 1 according to the
present embodiment, when the actual ventilation effect is small
although the first large candidate path, in which the expected
ventilation effect is large, has been previously set as the
ventilation path last time, the second path can be presently set as
the ventilation path instead of the first candidate path in which
the actual ventilation effect is small. As a result, it is possible
to precisely set the ventilation path having the actual large
ventilation effect. That is, it is possible to confirm the actual
ventilation effect and set an appropriate ventilation path. For
example, even if there is no information about the detailed room
arrangement (including the position of the opening 81) of the
building 8, it is possible to confirm the actual ventilation effect
and set the appropriate ventilation path.
[0083] As in the present embodiment, the ventilation-path setting
unit 141 is preferably configured to always set the second
candidate path as the ventilation path after the difference value
(T2-T1) in the first candidate path is less than the threshold
.delta.1 the predetermined times.
[0084] In the ventilation system according to the present
embodiment, the ventilation control device 1 is configured to
always set, as the ventilation path, the second candidate path
having the second highest priority, after the difference value
(T2-T1) between the room temperature T2 previously acquired and the
room temperature T1 presently acquired in the first candidate path
having the highest priority is less than the threshold .delta.1 the
predetermined times. Therefore, in the ventilation control device 1
according to the present embodiment, it is possible to securely
exclude the ventilation path in which the actual small ventilation
effect is small.
[0085] The ventilation-path setting unit 141 is preferably
configured to always set the second candidate path as the
ventilation path after the difference value (T2-T1) in the first
candidate path is less than the threshold .delta.1 the
predetermined times.
[0086] In the ventilation system according to the present
embodiment, the ventilation control device 1 is configured to
control the opening control device 2 configured to control the
opening/closing of the opening 81 based on the ventilation path and
the ventilation quantity that are output from the output unit 143.
Therefore, in the ventilation control device 1 according to the
embodiment, since the opening 81 can be made to open/close
automatically, it is possible to perform the ventilation compared
with the case where the opening 81 is made to open/close
manually.
[0087] The ventilation control device 1 further includes the state
determining unit 145 and the auxiliary-control unit 146. The state
determining unit 145 is configured to determine the state of the
ventilation auxiliary device 3 according to the ventilation path
and the ventilation quantity that are output from the output unit
143. The ventilation auxiliary device 3 is configured to assist the
ventilation through the ventilation path. The auxiliary-control
unit 146 is configured to control the ventilation auxiliary device
3 so that the ventilation auxiliary device 3 is in the state
determined by the state determining unit 145.
[0088] In the ventilation control system according to the present
embodiment, the ventilation control device 1 is configured to
control each ventilation auxiliary device 3, which is configured to
assist the ventilation through the ventilation path, according to
the ventilation path that is set by the ventilation-path setting
unit 141 and the ventilation quantity that is set by the
ventilation-quantity setting unit 142. Therefore, in the
ventilation control device 1 according to the embodiment, even if
the sufficient ventilation is not obtained with the presently set
ventilation path, it is possible to operate each ventilation
auxiliary device 3 to prompt the ventilation. As a result, it is
possible to improve in the comfort by the ventilation even the case
of no wind.
[0089] Preferably, the ventilation control device 1 further
includes the first determining unit 151, the second determining
unit 152, the third determining unit 153, and the
switching-interval determining unit 154. The first determining unit
151 is configured to determine whether or not the first absolute
difference |T1-T3|, which indicates the absolute difference between
the room temperature T1 and the outside air temperature T3 that are
acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, is less than the
first specified value A1. The second determining unit 152 is
configured, when the first absolute difference |T1-T3| is less than
the first specified value A1, to determine whether or not the
second absolute difference |T1-T4|, which indicates the absolute
difference between the room temperature T1 acquired by the
information acquisition unit 11 and the preset temperature T4 in
the ventilation path, is less than the second specified value A2.
The third determining unit 153 is configured, when the second
absolute difference |T1-T4| is less than the second specified value
A2, to determine whether or not the third absolute difference
|T1-T2|, which indicates the absolute difference between the room
temperature T1 presently acquired by the information acquisition
unit 11 and the room temperature T2 previously acquired by the
information acquisition unit 11, is less than the third specified
value A3. The switching-interval setting unit 154 is configured to
set each of the predetermined intervals to the first time period,
when the first absolute difference |T1-T3| is equal to or more than
the first specified value A1, when the second absolute difference
|T1-T4| is equal to or more than the second specified value A2, or
when the third absolute difference |T1-T2| is equal to or more than
the third specified value A3. On the other hand, the
switching-interval setting unit 154 is configured to set each of
the predetermined intervals to the second time period longer than
the first time period when the third absolute difference |T1-T2| is
less than the third specified value A3.
[0090] In the ventilation system according to the present
embodiment, the ventilation control device 1 is configured to
comparatively shorten the switching interval when any of the first
absolute difference |T1-T2|, the second absolute difference
|T1-T3|, or the third absolute difference |T1-T4| is equal to or
more than the specified value (the first to third specified values
A1 to A3). On the other hand, the ventilation control device 1
according to the present embodiment is configured to comparatively
lengthen the switching interval when all of the first absolute
difference |T1-T2|, the second absolute difference |T1-T3|, and the
third absolute difference |T1-T4| are less than the specified
values A1 to A3. Therefore, in the ventilation control device 1
according to the embodiment, it is possible to perform the
ventilation at switching intervals as long as possible while
maintaining temperature environment in which one or more persons
existing in the building 8 (one or more persons in rooms) do not
feel discomfort if necessary. As a result, it is possible to
improve energy saving and comfort by the ventilation without giving
one or more persons in rooms discomfort by frequent switching.
[0091] In the present embodiment, the first acquisition unit 111 of
the information acquisition unit 11 is configured to acquire the
wind pertinent information from the anemometer 4. However, as a
modification of the present embodiment, the first acquisition unit
111 may be configured to acquire the wind pertinent information
from an external device (not shown). The external device should
just be, for example, a device configured to acquire and hold the
wind pertinent information periodically.
[0092] In the present embodiment, the second acquisition unit 112
of the information acquisition unit 11 is configured to acquire the
outside air temperature and outside air humidity from the first
thermo-hygrometer 5 installed outside the building 8. However, as a
modification of the present embodiment, the second acquisition unit
112 may be configured to acquire the outside air temperature and
outside air humidity from an external device (not shown). The
external device should just be, for example, a device configured to
acquire the outside air temperature and outside air humidity
periodically.
[0093] In the present embodiment, the third acquisition unit 113 of
the information acquisition unit 11 is configured to acquire the
indoor environmental information from the second thermo-hygrometer
6 installed in the building 8. However, as a modification of the
present embodiment, the third acquisition unit 113 may be
configured to acquire the indoor environmental information from an
external device (not shown). The external device may be, for
example, a device configured to acquire the indoor environmental
information periodically.
[0094] As a modification of the present embodiment, the output unit
143 may be configured to output the ventilation state (ventilation
path, ventilation quantity) that is presently set not only to the
opening control unit 144 and the auxiliary-control unit 146 but
also to a report device 9. In the case of the present modification,
the report device 9 is configured to report the ventilation state
that is output from the output unit 143. Therefore, it is possible
to report the presently set ventilation state to one or more
persons in rooms. The report device 9 configured to report the
ventilation state may be a display device configured to display the
ventilation state on a screen thereof, and may be a sound-output
device configured to output the ventilation state with a sound. The
sound-output device is, for example, a speaker.
[0095] In the present embodiment, the opening control unit 144 is
configured to control the plurality of opening control devices 2.
However, as a modification of the present embodiment, the output
unit 143 may be configured to output the ventilation state
(ventilation path, ventilation quantity) that is presently set to a
management device (not shown) that is configured to manage the
plurality of opening control devices 2. In the case of the present
modification, if acquiring the ventilation state from the output
unit 143, the management device is configured to determine, based
on the ventilation state, a control content of each opening control
device 2. Then, the management device is configured to control each
opening control device 2 according to the control content.
[0096] In the present embodiment, the ventilation-quantity setting
unit 142 has the function as the timer. However, as a modification
of the present embodiment, the configuration of the ventilation
control device 1 other than the ventilation-quantity setting unit
142 may have the function as the timer.
[0097] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to a certain preferred embodiment, numerous modifications
and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention, namely
claims.
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