Device and method for managing the air quality in a dwelling, with daytime and nighttime modes

Abstract

Air management system in a dwelling, comprising: – a fan unit (8); – a plurality of air management openings (10A, 10B) of which at least one air management opening (10A) of a first type, intended for a bedroom (2), and at least one air management opening (10B) of a second type, intended for a room other than a bedroom; – ducts (9) connecting the fan unit (8) and the air management openings (10A, 10B); – a control module (13); – an airflow control actuator adapted to fluidly connect an air management opening (10A) of the first type with an air management opening (10B) of the second type.The control module (13) has at least two operating modes: a daytime operating mode; and a nighttime operating mode in which the air management device is adapted to extract air through at least one second-type air management opening (10B) and reinject it through at least one first-type air management opening (10A). See Fig. 1 for abbreviated figures.

Description

Title of the invention: Device and method for managing the air in a dwelling, with daytime and nighttime modes technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of air management in buildings, or in any other structure that requires the maintenance of healthy air in its interior spaces. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and methods for improving air breathability in the rooms of a dwelling. PREVIOUS ART

[0002] Many devices are known whose function is to blow fresh air into interior spaces of buildings, or to extract stale air from these interior spaces.

[0003] Conventional controlled mechanical ventilation systems include fans or extraction turbines that draw stale air from rooms called "wet rooms" or "service rooms" of a dwelling (such as kitchen, bathroom, WC) and include air inlets in the living rooms (living room, bedrooms), with fresh replacement air entering through these air inlets due to the negative pressure created by the air extraction.

[0004] Other known devices, of similar construction, are designed on the contrary to blow fresh air into certain rooms and let stale air out through other rooms.

[0005] A sweeping phenomenon is thus created within a dwelling, to ensure the renewal of air in all rooms.

[0006] These devices are responses to regulations generally in force in the building sector, which mandate means of air renewal in order to limit humidity and ensure the longevity of the building. These regulations are often outdated and, although the objective of preserving the building is generally satisfactory, these regulations are currently insufficient to guarantee air quality in terms of breathability.

[0007] It appears that a majority of dwellings exhibit poor performance with regard to indoor air breathability. In particular, a significant proportion of dwellings, even those complying with current regulations, suffer from periods of high carbon dioxide levels in the indoor air, which deteriorates breathability. These conditions directly affect the comfort and health of the people living in the dwelling.

[0008] Furthermore, it appears not only that regulations concerning the ventilation of dwellings have changed little over several decades, but also that these regulations have rarely been adapted to the evolution of construction techniques, which tend towards increasing airtightness of buildings, both externally (between the building and the outside) and internally (between the rooms of the same dwelling). Natural ventilation, which was once ensured by a certain porosity in buildings, is no longer occurring, and we are witnessing a decline in the average breathability of the air in dwellings.

[0009] It is desirable to improve existing devices and processes in order to improve overall air quality from a breathability standpoint and to prepare for future regulations that will undoubtedly incorporate or strengthen this breathability criterion. These improvements are desirable for both new construction and the renovation of existing buildings. Description of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to improve air management devices and methods in dwellings.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to an air management device in a dwelling, comprising: - a fan device; - a plurality of air management openings, including at least one air management opening of the first type, intended for a bedroom, and at least one air management opening of the second type, intended for a room other than a bedroom; - ducts connecting the fan unit and the air management openings; - a control module.

[0012] This device includes an airflow control actuator adapted to fluidly connect an air management opening of the first type with an air management opening of the second type, and the control module includes at least two operating modes: a daytime operating mode; and a nighttime operating mode in which the air management device is adapted to extract air through at least one air management opening of the second type, and to reinject it through at least one air management opening of the first type.

[0013] According to another object, the invention relates to a method of air management in a dwelling equipped with an air management device as described above, this method comprising the following two phases: - a daytime phase in which the control module is in its daytime operating mode; - a night phase comprising a stage in which the control module is in its night operating mode, air being extracted through at least one second type air management opening, and being reinjected into at least one chamber through at least one first type air management opening.

[0014] The term "room" means a room in the dwelling which is equipped with sleeping facilities and which is intended for the sleeping phases of the occupants.

[0015] The fan device here refers to any element adapted to create an airflow.

[0016] Furthermore, daytime mode and nighttime mode refer to phases of the home's life and are not limited to a specific time. The control module can, for example, be programmed so that nighttime mode corresponds to the time period from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. However, these phases can be adapted to a particular lifestyle of the home. For occupants who work at night, for example, the nighttime phase can even be shifted to daytime hours.

[0017] The invention improves air quality by taking advantage of the alternating phases of life in a dwelling. The air quality in rooms where people sleep is thus improved by utilizing the available air in rooms that are not normally occupied.

[0018] The invention improves the breathability of occupied rooms beyond what is possible with conventional controlled mechanical ventilation. In the operation of conventional humidity-controlled mechanical ventilation, the dwelling generally benefits from minimal air circulation during nighttime periods, given that wet rooms are not in use. However, bedrooms in which people sleep are subject to a continuous production of carbon dioxide. This phenomenon is amplified in newer dwellings, which exhibit a high degree of airtightness.

[0019] The invention makes it possible to take advantage of the air in service rooms (kitchens, bathrooms, WCs) at a time when humidity is not produced there a priori, as well as in living rooms at a time when they do not receive individuals (living room, dining room, and any other room outside of bedrooms) to promote the quality of the air available to the occupants when they sleep.

[0020] The invention does not necessarily improve air quality dynamically at every instant in every living situation, as is the case for certain prior art devices that require significant resources in terms of sensors, control means, and actuators. The invention guarantees an increase in air quality over the average occupancy time of a dwelling, while requiring very few resources.

[0021] The invention is suitable for integration into systems enabling complementary functions, such as room humidity management, or thermal management.

[0022] In an embodiment where the invention is integrated into a humidity management system, this system allows a classic sweep (as would a classic controlled mechanical ventilation) of the dwelling, while not presenting the disadvantages of these classic sweeps.

[0023] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the invention is integrated into a thermal management system, for example, an air-to-air heat pump. The invention then has a virtually zero footprint, using the means of the thermal management system to implement the night-time operating mode.

[0024] The device according to the invention may include the following additional features, alone or in combination:

[0025] - the airflow control actuator is integrated into the fan unit and allows to connect fluidly, in night operating mode, at least one air management opening of the first type with at least one air management opening of the second type, via ventilation means creating an airflow from the air management opening of the second type to the air management opening of the first type;

[0026] - during daytime operating mode, the fan unit is deactivated;

[0027] - the fan device includes a first-type sweep outlet intended to be connected to an external duct, and at least one second type sweep vent intended for a service room, and, during daytime operating mode, the air management device is further adapted to produce a sweep between the first type sweep vent and at least one second type sweep vent;

[0028] - it includes means for thermal management of the air, and, during the mode of During daytime operation, the air management system is adapted to supply thermally regulated air into the air management openings;

[0029] - the device is adapted, during nighttime operating mode, to insufflate thermally regulated air in the air management openings, alternating with the extraction of air through at least one second type air management opening, and its reinjection through at least one first type air management opening.

[0030] The method according to the invention may include the following additional features, alone or in combination:

[0031] - during the step in which the control module is in its mode of During nighttime operation, the airflow control actuator fluidly connects at least one air management opening of the first type with a management opening of air of the second type, via ventilation means of the fan device, creating an airflow from the air management opening of the second type to the air management opening of the first type;

[0032] - during the daytime phase, the fan unit is deactivated;

[0033] - during the daytime phase, the process includes a scanning step between a first type sweeping inlet connected to an external duct, and at least one second type sweeping inlet opening into a service room;

[0034] - the device includes means for thermal management of the air, and, during the phase During the daytime, the process includes a step of supplying thermally regulated air through the air management openings;

[0035] - during the night phase, the process includes an air insufflation step thermally regulated in the air management openings, alternating with the stage in which the control module is in its night operating mode;

[0036] - the method includes a step of detecting the occupancy of the dwelling, and the step in which the control module is in its night operating mode is implemented when the dwelling is occupied;

[0037] - the device includes carbon dioxide sensors, and, in the phase nighttime, the stage in which the control module is in its nighttime operating mode is implemented when the carbon dioxide level in the room is higher than that of the other rooms;

[0038] - the device includes carbon dioxide sensors and several openings of first type air management, and, during the stage in which the control module is in its night operating mode, a distribution of flow rates for each room is implemented in proportion to the carbon dioxide level of each room. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] - [Fig. 1] is a plan view illustrating an example of a dwelling equipped with a air management device according to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0041] - Figure 2 illustrates a fan unit of the air management device of the [Fig.l];

[0042] - [Fig. 3] is a view similar to [Fig. 2], for a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0043] - [Fig. 4] is a plan view illustrating an example of a dwelling equipped with a air management device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0044] - [Fig. 5] is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the process of air management according to the invention;

[0045] - [Fig. 6] is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the process according to the invention.

[0046] Similar elements common to the various embodiments are identified by the same reference numbers in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The description relates to various aspects of air management devices according to the invention. These devices provide an air mixing function that is preferably complementary to the conventional hygienic air renewal function. The conventional hygienic air renewal function can be fulfilled either by controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) with extraction from service rooms, or by positive pressure ventilation (PPV). However, these two functions (air mixing according to the invention, and hygienic air renewal) are independent. In some embodiments, the function of the device according to the invention and the hygienic air renewal function can be centralized in the same device, but nevertheless remain independent.

[0048] Fig. 1 illustrates a dwelling 1, seen in plan, equipped with an air management device according to the invention, as well as conventional controlled mechanical ventilation, by extraction or insufflation of air.

[0049] The dwelling 1 which is illustrated here as an example comprises a bedroom 2, a hallway 3, an office 4, a living room 5, a kitchen 6, and a bathroom 7.

[0050] In this first embodiment, the air management device comprises a fan unit 8 with several inlets / outlets, each of which is connected to a duct 9. Each duct 9 fluidly connects the fan unit 8 with an air management opening 10A, 10B located in one of the rooms of the dwelling.

[0051] The view in [Fig. 1] is a schematic plan view of the dwelling, and the air management system is shown superimposed on this plan. It is understood that the fan unit 8 must be located within an available space in the dwelling and that the ducts 9 must be routed along any suitable path. The installation can be visible, for example suspended from the ceiling, or concealed, for example in a false ceiling or within partition walls.

[0052] The air management openings 10A, 10B are formed by mouths at the end of the ducts 9, and open into each room to draw in or blow in air.

[0053] The air supply openings 10A and 10B are differentiated according to the room into which they open. The air supply openings that open into the bedroom(s) are designated as "first-class air supply opening 10A". type”, and the air management openings that lead into other rooms are called “second type 10B air management opening”.

[0054] The dwelling in [Fig. 1] also includes a conventional controlled mechanical ventilation system (by air extraction or supply). In this example, the ventilation system extracts stale air from the service rooms (kitchen 6 and bathroom 7) through second-type exhaust vents 17, expelling this air to the outside, so that fresh air sweeps through the dwelling by entering through fresh air inlets 18 located in the living areas. In [Fig. 1], only the vents 17 and the fresh air inlets 18 are shown; the controlled mechanical ventilation system also includes its own fluid ducts and air circulation means, it being understood that the structure and operation of a conventional controlled mechanical ventilation system are well known and will not be described in further detail here.

[0055] The fan device 8 according to the invention, illustrated alone in [Fig.2], contains ventilation means and includes inlet / outlet passages 11, each of which is intended to be connected to one of the conduits 9.

[0056] The ventilation means of the fan unit 8 can be of any known type, allowing the creation of an airflow between ducts 9, such as: propeller fans, centrifugal fans of the "snail" type, volumetric pumps, etc.

[0057] The air management device further includes an airflow control actuator allowing selection to set one or the other of the air management openings 10A, 10B in air intake or air supply mode. The airflow control actuator may consist of any device enabling fluidic communication between several air management openings 10A, 10B via the ventilation means present in the fan unit 8. The airflow control actuator thus constitutes a selection and / or switching means allowing air to be drawn in through some of the air management openings 10A, 10B, and this air to be reinjected through other air management openings 10A, 10B.

[0058] In the present example, the airflow control actuator includes flaps 12 adapted to close or open the inlet / outlet passages 11. Any other complementary means may be provided within the airflow control actuator, such as valves, flaps, flaps, etc., and these means may be housed inside or outside the fan unit 8.

[0059] In the present example, the airflow control actuator is housed in the fan unit 8, and therefore allows the inlet / outlet passages 11 to be selectively connected to each other by allowing air circulation between these inlet / outlet passages 11 via the ventilation means of the fan unit 8.

[0060] The air management device further comprises a control module 13 (schematically shown in [Fig. 2] by an electronic board mounted in the fan unit 8) adapted to control the airflow control actuator, as well as the ventilation means of the fan unit 8. The control module 13 can be implemented by any known control means, in particular any programmable electronic device.

[0061] According to this first embodiment, the control module 13 is programmed to include two operating modes: - a daytime operating mode in which the fan unit 8 is off; - a nighttime operating mode in which air is extracted through the second type air management openings 10B and this air is reinjected through the first type air management openings 10A.

[0062] These two modes of operation are independent of the controlled mechanical ventilation, which continues to perform its function.

[0063] The air management device is therefore adapted not to intervene in the management of the air during the daytime phase, while in the nighttime phase, it extracts air from one or more rooms 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, which are not bedrooms, and reinjects this air into the bedroom or bedrooms 2 of the dwelling 1, independently of the operation of the conventional controlled mechanical ventilation.

[0064] The breathability of the air is thus improved in the bedrooms, which are a priori the only occupied rooms and in which carbon dioxide is produced continuously, by the injection of air from rooms that are a priori unoccupied, and therefore have a lower carbon dioxide level.

[0065] Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the air management device. This second embodiment is illustrated with reference to the same dwelling as Figure 1, and with the same arrangement of the fan unit 8, the ducts 9, and the air management openings 10A, 10B. However, in this second embodiment, the fan unit 8 is different. This fan unit 8 is shown alone in Figure 3.

[0066] According to this second embodiment, the fan unit 8 has a first type sweep vent 14 (which, in this example, is an air extraction vent) which is connected to an external duct (an extraction chimney, in this example, not shown) of the dwelling 1 allowing the fan unit 8 to exhaust air to the outside of the dwelling 1. The fan unit 8 also has additional ducts allowing it to be connected to the second type sweep vents 17 (air extraction vents in this example).

[0067] The air management device according to this second embodiment also includes ventilation means and an airflow control actuator, as in the first embodiment, except that in addition to allowing air to be drawn in and supplied from an air management opening 10A, 10B to The other, the device also allows the creation of a sweep between the second type sweep vents 17 and the first type sweep vent 14. In this example, it is a matter of air extraction through the second type sweep vent 17 and an expulsion of this air to the outside through the second type sweep vent 14. The fan device 8 is thus adapted to fulfill the functions of controlled mechanical ventilation, by extraction or insufflation of air, in addition to its air mixing functions according to the invention, and this independently.

[0068] The airflow control actuator is therefore adapted not only to put into fluidic communication, via the ventilation means, the different inlet / outlet passages 11 of the fan unit 8 between themselves, but also with the first type sweeping mouth 14.

[0069] According to this second embodiment, the control module 13 is programmed to include two operating modes: - a daytime operating mode in which the fan unit 8 plays a role of conventional controlled mechanical ventilation, by extraction or insufflation of air, and in this example by drawing air (continuously or intermittently) from the service rooms (here kitchen 6 and bathroom 7), and expelling this air from the dwelling 1 through the first type sweep vent 14; - a night operating mode in which the controlled mechanical ventilation function is maintained or interrupted, and in which air is extracted through the second type air management openings 10B and this air is reinjected through the first type air management openings 10A.

[0070] The air management system is therefore complemented here by conventional controlled mechanical ventilation, thanks to the vents 17 and the air inlet openings 18. Thus, in daytime operating mode, a sweep of the dwelling 1 is implemented by the circulation between these air inlets 18 and the suction which takes place in the vents 17 of the service rooms.

[0071] However, during night mode, this sweeping may continue or be interrupted, while, independently, the fan device 8 ensures operation where air is extracted from one or more rooms 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 which are not bedrooms, and is reinjected into the bedroom or rooms 2.

[0072] As in the first embodiment, air breathability is thus improved in the bedrooms, which are a priori the only occupied rooms and in which carbon dioxide is continuously produced. This breathability is improved by injecting air from rooms that are a priori unoccupied, and therefore have a lower carbon dioxide level. Furthermore, in the case of a thermally regulated apartment (heated or air-conditioned), the night mode makes it possible to reduce heat exchange with the outside, thereby limiting or even eliminating it. the controlled mechanical ventilation sweep, and thus allows energy savings, in addition to improving breathability.

[0073] Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention in which the air management device is arranged in the same example of a dwelling 1 as in Figure 1.

[0074] According to this third embodiment, the air management device is integrated within a heat pump. In the present example, this is an air-to-air heat pump comprising an outdoor unit 15 located outside the dwelling 1, and an indoor unit 16 located centrally within the dwelling 1. The indoor unit 16 includes a fan 8 which is connected to the air management openings 10A, 10B by ducts 9 to selectively distribute an airflow into the rooms of the dwelling 1.

[0075] The indoor unit 16 is thus adapted to extract air or to blow air, selectively, into each of the air management openings 10A, 10B.

[0076] This arrangement is preferably complemented by conventional controlled mechanical ventilation, by extraction or insufflation of air (not shown in this [Fig.4]), as in the embodiment of [Fig.1].

[0077] Regardless of the arrangement of the air-to-air heat pump, the latter includes ventilation means housed in the indoor unit 16 and capable of drawing in or blowing air into each of the rooms. Internal elements of the indoor unit 16 constitute the airflow control actuator for this purpose, capable of producing an airflow, with one or more air management openings 10A, 10B upstream and one or more air management openings 10A, 10B downstream.

[0078] To integrate the air management device according to the invention, the heat pump also includes a control module which is programmed according to at least the following two operating modes: - a daytime operating mode in which it provides thermal regulation of the dwelling, by blowing hot or cold air into one or more rooms of the dwelling; - a night operating mode in which air is extracted through the second type air management openings 10B and this air is reinjected through the first type air management openings 10A.

[0079] These operating modes are independent of controlled mechanical ventilation, by extraction or insufflation of air, if it is provided.

[0080] In night mode, air extraction and reinjection can be either continuous or intermittent, as thermal regulation is no longer ensured during this mode. Alternatively, during night mode, extraction and reinjection Air can be extracted intermittently, and thermal regulation can be achieved alternatively with this air extraction and reinjection operation.

[0081] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating different steps according to a first embodiment of the invention for the method of managing the air in the dwelling.

[0082] This process comprises at least two phases: - a daytime phase in which the air management device is either inactive (as in the first embodiment of the device), or active to provide a controlled mechanical ventilation function, by extraction or insufflation of air (as in the second embodiment of the device), or a thermal management function (as in the third embodiment of the device), or any other known function; - a night phase in which air is extracted through the second type 10B air management openings and this air is reinjected through the first type 10A air management openings, so that air with a priori low carbon dioxide level, from rooms that are not bedrooms, is reinjected into the bedroom(s), improving breathability.

[0083] The method according to the embodiment of [Fig. 5] is an example in which no regulation is necessary, making it a particularly robust method, requiring few resources at the control module level, and requiring neither the installation nor management of sensors. According to this method, the day and night phases are defined by a time range programmed in the control module 13, which is preferably adaptable to the lifestyle of a particular dwelling. The method thus operates without direct measurement of carbon dioxide levels, and it is therefore possible, at certain times, that the breathability of a room may not be improved (for certain times outside the norm, such as occupancy during the night phase of rooms receiving the second type of air management openings, or any other phenomenon outside the norm of alternating day and night phases).However, as the day / night cycle repeats many times a year, this process greatly improves the average breathability of the rooms where residents sleep throughout the year, with a positive impact on their comfort and health.

[0084] With reference to [Fig. 5], in a first step El, the control module 13 detects whether the dwelling 1 is occupied. This detection may involve presence sensors, or, alternatively, an indication given by the occupants (a button to be activated when leaving or arriving at the dwelling or a programmable schedule, for example).

[0085] If the dwelling is unoccupied, the process loops back to step El, preferably with a delay (for example, ten minutes). No air breathability management is Therefore, implementation. However, any other ancillary function of the air management system (such as controlled mechanical ventilation, or thermal management) can be implemented independently.

[0086] If the dwelling is occupied, the process proceeds to step E2 consisting of reading the time.

[0087] Step E3 then determines whether the time it is corresponds to a night phase (for example between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. or any other time range defined as night range for this dwelling).

[0088] If the time is outside the night time range, the process loops back to step El preferably with a delay (for example of ten minutes).

[0089] If the time corresponds to a night phase, the process proceeds to step E4A in which the management of air breathability is implemented, by activating the night operating mode of the control module 13, with air then being drawn in through the second type air management openings 10B and blown out through the first type air management openings 10B.

[0090] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating different stages of the process of managing the air in the dwelling, according to a second embodiment of this process.

[0091] As with the previous embodiment, this process comprises at least two phases: - a daytime phase in which the air management device is either inactive (as in the first embodiment of the device), or active to provide a controlled mechanical ventilation function (as in the second embodiment of the device), or a thermal management function (as in the third embodiment of the device), or any other known function; - a night phase in which air is extracted through the second type 10B air management openings and this air is reinjected through the first type 10A air management openings, so that air with a priori low carbon dioxide level, from rooms that are not bedrooms, is reinjected into the bedroom(s), improving breathability.

[0092] The process according to the embodiment of [Fig.6] is a process requiring carbon dioxide sensors, and appropriate information management, and which allows finer regulation of chamber breathability.

[0093] With reference to [Fig. 6], in a first step E1, the control module 13 detects whether the dwelling 1 is occupied. This detection may involve presence sensors, or, alternatively, an indication given by the occupants (a button to be activated when leaving or arriving at the dwelling, or a programmable schedule, for example).

[0094] If the dwelling is unoccupied, the process loops back to step El, preferably with a delay (for example, ten minutes). No air breathability management is Therefore, implementation. However, any other ancillary function of the air management system (such as controlled mechanical ventilation, or thermal management) can be implemented independently.

[0095] If the dwelling is occupied, the process proceeds to step E2 consisting of reading the time.

[0096] Step E3 then determines whether the time corresponds to a night phase (for example between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. or any other range suitable for this dwelling).

[0097] If the time is outside the night time range, the process loops back to step El preferably with a delay (for example of ten minutes).

[0098] If the time corresponds to a night phase, the process proceeds to step E4B in which the results of the measurement of carbon dioxide sensors placed in the different rooms of the dwelling are recorded by the control module 13.

[0099] The process then proceeds to step E5 in which it is determined whether the carbon dioxide level in each chamber is higher than that in the other rooms:

[0100] - if this is not the case, the process loops back to step El, preferably with a delay (for example, ten minutes). Air extraction and injection will then not improve the breathability of the rooms, and is therefore not implemented;

[0101] - if this is indeed the case, the process proceeds to step E6 in which the dioxide levels carbon from each of the rooms (in the case where there are several rooms in dwelling 1) are compared.

[0102] According to a first embodiment, several levels of carbon dioxide sensor equipment could be included in order to reduce the cost and intrusiveness of the invention. For example, only the night rooms could be equipped with carbon dioxide sensors, and the activation / deactivation of the air breathability management (the mixing of air from one room to another) would then be based on programmable or predefined high and low carbon dioxide thresholds.

[0103] According to a second variant, it is possible to provide that the failure of one or more carbon dioxide sensors (lack of communication and / or inconsistent value) is reported but allows the management of breathability (the mixing of air from one room to another) in all or part of the dwelling on the basis of operational carbon dioxide measurements taken in at least one similar room, of the same use, as the room or rooms containing the faulty carbon dioxide sensors.

[0104] According to a third variant, in the event of a failure of all the carbon dioxide sensors located in the rooms equipped with the same type of air management opening (either 10A or 10B), the breathability management switches to an operating mode according to the first variant defined above, automatically or after validation by the occupant.

[0105] Furthermore, in the event of a fault (absence of communication and / or inconsistent value) of all the carbon dioxide sensors, the control module 13 can switch the process to operation according to the first embodiment of the process (corresponding to [Fig.5]), automatically or after validation by the occupant.

[0106] The process then proceeds to step E7 in which the control module 13 determines a distribution of flow rates allowing the air from the other rooms to be injected into each chamber, in proportion to the need, i.e. that the chambers with a higher carbon dioxide level will benefit from an injection of air at a higher flow rate.

[0107] The process then proceeds to step E8 in which the management of air breathability is implemented, by activating the night operating mode of the control module 13, with air then being drawn in through the second type air management openings 10B and blown out through the first type air management openings 10A, according to the flow rates determined in step E8.

[0108] Variants of the device and method can be implemented. For example, the first type of air management openings 10A and the second type of air management openings 10B can be of identical or different constructions, their character as "first type" and "second type" being determined by the rooms for which these openings are intended (rooms for the first type, and other rooms for the second type).

[0109] Furthermore, in all embodiments of the device, the night operating mode can be set to fixed time slots (although configurable, in accordance with the first embodiment of the process), or controlled on the basis of carbon dioxide sensors (in accordance with the second embodiment of the process).

[0110] In the examples described, the airflow control actuator is integrated into the fan unit. However, alternatively, the airflow control actuator can be located outside the fan unit, for example, by consisting of pilot-operated valves mounted on the ducts 9.

Claims

Demands

1. Air management device in a dwelling, comprising: - a fan unit (8); - a plurality of air management openings (10A, 10B) of which at least one air management opening (10A) of a first type, intended for a bedroom (2), and at least one air management opening (10B) of a second type, intended for a room other than a bedroom; - ducts (9) connecting the fan unit (8) and the air management openings (10A, 10B); - a control module (13);this device being characterized in that it comprises an airflow control actuator adapted to fluidly connect an air management opening (10A) of the first type with an air management opening (10B) of the second type, the airflow control actuator allowing selection to put one or the other of the air management openings of the first and second type (10A, 10B) in air intake or air supply, and in that the control module (13) comprises at least two operating modes: a daytime operating mode; and a nighttime operating mode in which the air management device is adapted to extract air through at least one air management opening (10B) of the second type, and to reinject it through at least one air management opening (10A) of the first type.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the airflow control actuator is integrated into the fan device (8) and allows to connect fluidly, in the night operating mode, at least one air management opening (10A) of the first type with at least one air management opening of the second type (10B), via ventilation means creating an airflow from the air management opening of the second type (10B) to the air management opening of the first type (10A).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, during daytime operating mode, the fan device (8) is deactivated.

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the fan apparatus (8) comprises a sweeping outlet of first type (14) intended to be connected to an external duct, and at least one sweeping outlet of the second type intended for a service room (6,7); and, during daytime operating mode, the air management device is further adapted to produce a sweep between the sweeping outlet of the first type (14) and at least one sweeping outlet of the second type (17).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means for thermal management of the air, and in that, during the daytime operating mode, the air management device is adapted to blow thermally regulated air into the air management openings (10A, 10B).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is adapted, during night operating mode, to blow thermally regulated air into the air management openings (10A, 10B), alternating with the extraction of air through at least one second type air management opening (10B), and its reinjection through at least one first type air management opening (10A).

7. A method for managing air in a dwelling equipped with an air management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, this method being characterized in that it comprises the following two phases: - a daytime phase in which the control module (13) is in its daytime operating mode; - a nighttime phase comprising a step in which the control module (13) is in its nighttime operating mode, air being extracted by at least one second-type air management opening (10B), and being reinjected into at least one room (2) by at least one first-type air management opening (10A), the airflow control actuator making a selection, to put at least one second-type air management opening (10B) in air extraction mode, and to put at least one first-type air management opening (10A) in air supply mode.

8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that, during the step in which the control module (13) is in its night operating mode, the airflow control actuator fluidly connects at least one air management opening (10A) of the first type with an air management opening (10B) of the second type, via ventilation means of the fan device (8), creating an airflow from the air management opening (10B) of the second type to the air management opening (10A) of the first type.

9. A method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that, during the daytime phase, the fan device (8) is deactivated.

10. A method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that, during the daytime phase, it comprises a sweeping step between a first-type sweeping mouth (14) connected to an external duct, and at least one second-type sweeping mouth (17) opening into a service room (6,7).

11. A method according to any one of claims 7 or 8, the device comprising means for thermal management of the air, characterized in that, during the daytime phase, it comprises a step of supplying thermally regulated air through the air management openings (10A, 10B).

12. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that, during the night phase, it comprises a step of supplying thermally regulated air into the air management openings (10A, 10B), alternating with the step in which the control module (13) is in its night operating mode.

13. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it includes a step of detecting the occupancy of the dwelling (1), and in that the step in which the control module (13) is in its night operating mode is implemented when the dwelling (1) is occupied.

14. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 13, the device comprising carbon dioxide sensors, characterized in that, in the night phase, the stage in which the control module (13) is in its night operating mode is implemented when the carbon dioxide level in the chamber (1) is higher than that in the other rooms.

15. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 14, the device comprising carbon dioxide sensors and several air management openings (10A) of the first type, characterized in that, during the stage in which the control module (13) is in its night operating mode, a distribution of flow rates for each chamber are implemented in proportion to the carbon dioxide level in each chamber.

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