Blow branching device

Abstract

To provide a blow branching device for improving energy saving performance with a simple construction.SOLUTION: A blow branching device 10 for supplying air via a duct 50 into each of a plurality of air conditioning zones, includes: a plurality of air outlets 31 to which corresponding ducts 50 are connected in each of the air conditioning zones; a fan part 21 for blowing air to the plurality of air outlets 31; a plurality of dampers 32 installed for each of the air outlets 31 to make their openings variable; a plurality of airflow setters 13 for setting an airflow to be supplied for each of the air conditioning zones; and a control part 40 for controlling the operations of the fan part 21 and the plurality of dampers 32 on the basis of airflow amount setting information acquired from each of the air flow setters 13. The control part 40 uniforms a difference in airflow which results from duct resistance in each of the corresponding ducts 50 in each of the air conditioning zones by adjusting the opening of each of the dampers 32, and controls the opening of the damper 32 and the blast volume of the fan part 21 in the state that the difference in airflow is uniformed during normal operation, to adjust the airflow to be supplied to each of the air conditioning zones.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air branching device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, central air conditioning systems, in which one air conditioner cools an entire building or an entire floor, have been adopted in detached houses. In detached houses, central air conditioning systems can cause temperature unevenness due to the location of rooms and windows in the house or the heat load inside the house.

[0003] In response to this, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a distribution air supply system that can be used as a central air conditioning system to condition multiple air conditioning zones. This distribution air supply system has the advantage that an air speed sensor is installed in each duct that supplies air to each air conditioning zone, and the measured value is referred to when adjusting the opening of the damper for adjusting the air volume to adjust the air volume, thereby improving the air conditioning efficiency. It is also conceivable that such a distribution air supply system can be used in a detached house. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-46833 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the air distribution supply system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prepare an air velocity sensor for each room assumed to be an air conditioning zone. This makes the system structure complicated and the control of the damper complicated, so that, for example, it is not possible to easily suppress the increase in pressure loss in the duct, making it practically difficult to adopt the system in a detached house.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an air distribution device that has a simple structure and improves energy saving performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an air supply branching device that supplies air through ducts for each of a number of air conditioning zones, and includes a number of air outlets connecting ducts corresponding to each air conditioning zone, a fan unit that blows air to the multiple air outlets, a number of dampers installed at each of the air outlets and with variable opening degrees, a number of air volume setting devices that set the supply air volume for each air conditioning zone, and a control unit that controls the operation of the fan unit and the multiple dampers based on air volume setting information obtained from each of the air volume setting devices, and the control unit equalizes the difference in air volume caused by duct resistance in each duct corresponding to each air conditioning zone by adjusting the opening degree of each damper, and during normal operation, adjusts the supply air volume for each air conditioning zone by controlling the opening degree of the dampers and the air volume of the fan unit with the difference in air volume equalized. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air distribution device that has a simple structure and improves energy saving performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a building in which an air distribution device according to an embodiment is installed. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air blowing system including an air blowing branching device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an air branching device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit included in the air distribution device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of an air volume adjustment process during construction. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a damper control process during normal operation. [Figure 7]11 is a table showing the actual damper opening degree for each air volume setting for each damper. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a fan motor control process during normal operation. [Figure 9] 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the total air volume and the rotation speed of a fan motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the dimensions and other specific numerical values ​​shown in the embodiment are merely examples and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a building 100 in which an air blowing and branching device 10 according to one embodiment is installed as a part of an air blowing system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0012] In this embodiment, the building 100 is a two-story detached house. The building 100 has, as an internal structure, a plurality of rooms 110, a first floor toilet 121, a second floor toilet 122, a bathroom 123, and a storeroom 130. The plurality of rooms 110 are air-conditioned zones by the air blowing system 1. As an example, six rooms 110 are present in the building 100, including a first room 110a, a second room 110b, a third room 110c, a fourth room 110d, a fifth room 110e, and a sixth room 110f. Note that the fifth room 110e and the sixth room 110f are omitted from FIG. 1.

[0013] The building 100 also has an air conditioner 200 and a ventilation device 210 in a storeroom 130 provided in a part of the second floor of the building 100 as equipment related to air conditioning by the air blowing system 1. The air conditioner 200 is, for example, a room air conditioner, and adjusts the temperature of the air in the storeroom 130. The ventilation device 210 is an outside air processing device that supplies and exhausts air between the storeroom 130 and the outdoors. The ventilation device 210 operates together with the air conditioner 200 to adjust humidity by season or time of day, and to assist the air conditioning by the air conditioner 200. The building 100 is provided with a ventilation fan 220 in each of the first floor toilet 121, the second floor toilet 122, and the bathroom 123, for example, so that air is exhausted to the outdoors at each location in the building 100.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the air blowing system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0015] The air supply system 1 individually supplies air conditioned by the air conditioners 200 to a plurality of rooms 110 set as air conditioning zones. In other words, the air supply system 1 can be employed as a central air conditioning system for air conditioning an entire building or an entire floor with one air conditioner 200. The air supply system 1 includes an air supply branching device 10, a plurality of ducts 50, and a plurality of room air outlets 51.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the air branching device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0017] The air supply branching device 10 is installed, for example, in the space under the floor of a storeroom 130, draws in air conditioned by an air conditioner 200 through an inlet 24 on the floor surface, and distributes and supplies the air to each room 110 via a plurality of ducts 50 installed under the floor. In this case, the storeroom 130 can also be considered as a chamber in which the air sent to the air supply branching device 10 is temporarily held. The air supply branching device 10 comprises an intake section 11, a branching section 12, a plurality of air volume setting devices 13, and a control circuit 14. Of these, the intake section 11, the branching section 12, and the control circuit 14 constitute the main body of the air supply branching device 10.

[0018] The suction unit 11 is disposed under the floor of the storeroom 130 facing the floor surface, and draws in air within the storeroom 130. The suction unit 11 includes a first housing unit 20 and a fan unit 21.

[0019] The first housing unit 20 is a housing formed of a combination of metal plates, and has a flow path from top to bottom, i.e., a direction vertical to the floor of the storeroom 130. The cross section of the flow path in the first housing unit 20 is roughly rectangular. The upper opening of the first housing unit 20 is the suction port 24 that faces the floor of the storeroom 130. Although not shown in FIG. 3, a filter may be attached to the suction port 24. The lower opening of the first housing unit 20 is continuous with the upper opening of the second housing unit 30 of the branching unit 12.

[0020] Fan unit 21 is, for example, a turbofan, and is installed in the center of first housing unit 20. Fan unit 21 includes fan 22 and fan motor 23. Fan 22 draws in air from upper suction port 24 and blows it out laterally, and the blown air flows downward from the side of fan 22 and is introduced into branching unit 12. Fan motor 23 is a motor that rotates fan 22, and is, for example, a DC brushless motor whose rotation speed is controllable.

[0021] The branching section 12 branches and blows out the air sent from the upper suction section 11 toward the sides. The branching section 12 includes a second housing section 30, a plurality of air outlets 31, and a plurality of dampers 32.

[0022] The second housing 30 is a housing formed by a combination of metal plates, and has an upper opening continuous with the lower opening of the first housing 20. The second housing 30 has four side walls 30a and a bottom wall 30b facing the upper opening. The flow path cross section surrounded by the four side walls 30a and perpendicular to the direction continuous with the first housing 20 is approximately rectangular.

[0023] The multiple air outlets 31 are formed so that several are assigned to each of the four side walls 30a, and air is blown out from the inside of the second housing part 30 to the outside. For example, one to three air outlets 31 may be formed in one side wall 30a, and a total of about ten air outlets 31 may be formed in the four side walls 30a as a whole. Here, in this embodiment, since there are six rooms 110 set in the air conditioning zones, the number of air outlets 31 actually used is six, corresponding to the number of air conditioning zones. In this case, of the approximately ten air outlets 31 formed in advance in the second housing part 30, the air outlets 31 that are not actually used are sealed with a lid.

[0024] The dampers 32 are each installed at one of the air outlets 31, and adjust the opening degree by driving the damper motor 34 to adjust the volume of air passing through the air outlets 31. In this embodiment, since there are six air outlets 31 actually used, there are also six dampers 32. Specifically, the air distribution device 10 includes a first damper 32a, a second damper 32b, a third damper 32c, a fourth damper 32d, a fifth damper 32e, and a sixth damper 32f. For example, the first damper 32a is the damper 32 used for air conditioning the first living room 110a. As an example, the damper 32 adjusts the opening degree by rotating a disk that matches the cross-sectional shape of the flow path inside the damper with the damper motor 34, based on a rotation axis perpendicular to the flow path direction. The damper motor 34 is, for example, a stepping motor. Furthermore, a duct connection port 33 for connecting a duct 50 may be provided at the open end of each damper 32 .

[0025] The airflow rate setting device 13 is installed on the wall of each room 110 set in the air conditioning zone, and is appropriately operated by a person in the room 110 to set the supply airflow rate in the room 110. Here, the supply airflow rate refers to the airflow rate actually supplied from the room air outlet 51 installed in each room 110. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the airflow rate setting device 13 does not directly set the supply airflow rate as a specific numerical value, but rather allows the user to select one of four airflow settings, for example, "strong," "medium," "weak," and "stop," to roughly set the supply airflow rate. In this embodiment, there are six rooms 110 set in the air conditioning zone, and therefore there are six airflow rate setting devices 13. Specifically, the air supply branching device 10 includes a first airflow rate setting device 13a, a second airflow rate setting device 13b, a third airflow rate setting device 13c, a fourth airflow rate setting device 13d, a fifth airflow rate setting device 13e, and a sixth airflow rate setting device 13f. For example, the first air volume setting device 13a is the air volume setting device 13 installed in the first living room 110a.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control circuit 14.

[0027] The control circuit 14 is installed inside the air-broadcasting device 10, and controls the overall operation of the air-broadcasting device 10. The control circuit 14 has a control unit 40, an input unit 41, and an output unit .

[0028] The control unit 40 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and executes at least an air volume adjustment process S100 during construction, a damper control process S200, and a fan motor control process S300 during normal operation, which will be described in detail below.

[0029] The input unit 41 includes an air volume setting unit 43. The air volume setting unit 43 acquires air volume setting information from each air volume setting device 13 installed in each living room 110, and transmits it to the control unit 40. Here, the air volume setting information refers to information on the air volume setting, which is either "strong", "medium", "weak" or "stopped".

[0030] The output unit 42 has a fan motor control unit 44 and a damper motor control unit 45. The fan motor control unit 44 controls the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 based on a command from the control unit 40. The fan motor control unit 44 can also detect the power consumption, duty ratio, current, voltage, etc. of the fan motor 23 and send them to the control unit 40. The damper motor control unit 45 controls the opening degree of each damper 32 individually based on a command from the control unit 40.

[0031] The ducts 50 are installed in the underfloor space according to the installation location of the air distribution branching device 10, and send the air branched by the air distribution branching device 10 to each room 110. The ducts 50 have different layout paths from the air distribution branching device 10 to each room 110, that is, the overall shapes of the ducts 50 are different from each other. In this embodiment, since there are six rooms 110 set in the air conditioning zones, there are six ducts 50 corresponding to the number of air conditioning zones. Specifically, the air distribution system 1 includes a first duct 50a, a second duct 50b, a third duct 50c, a fourth duct 50d, a fifth duct 50e, and a sixth duct 50f. For example, the first duct 50a is a duct 50 that sends air from the air distribution branching device 10 to the first room 110a.

[0032] Here, for the following explanation of pressure loss, a flow path 2 including the damper 32 and the duct 50 is defined between the air outlet 31 of the air blowing and branching device 10 and the living room 110. That is, the flow path 2 includes a damper flow path inside the damper 32 and a duct flow path inside the duct 50. In this embodiment, there are six combinations of the damper 32 and the duct 50, so there are six flow paths 2. Specifically, the air blowing system 1 includes a first flow path 2a, a second flow path 2b, a third flow path 2c, a fourth flow path 2d, a fifth flow path 2e, and a sixth flow path 2f. For example, the first flow path 2a is the flow path 2 including the first damper 32a and the first duct 50a.

[0033] The multiple room air outlets 51 are installed in the walls of each room 110 set in the air conditioning zone in accordance with the openings of each duct 50, and blow out conditioned air into the room 110. In this embodiment, since there are six rooms 110 set in the air conditioning zone, there are six room air outlets 51. Specifically, the air blowing system 1 includes a first room air outlet 51a, a second room air outlet 51b, a third room air outlet 51c, a fourth room air outlet 51d, a fifth room air outlet 51e, and a sixth room air outlet 51f. For example, the first room air outlet 51a is the room air outlet 51 installed in the first room 110a.

[0034] Next, air volume adjustment using the air branching device 10 in the air blowing system 1 will be described.

[0035] The control unit 40 of the air blowing and branching device 10 executes at least the following three steps. The first step is an air volume adjustment step S100 that is executed when the building 100 in which the air blowing system 1 is installed is constructed. The second step is a damper control step S200 that is executed during normal operation after construction. The third step is a fan motor control step S300 that is also executed during normal operation after construction. Each of these steps will be described in detail below.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the air volume adjustment process S100 during construction.

[0037] When the building 100 is constructed, that is, when the air supply system 1 is installed in the building 100, a total of six ducts 50 are routed from the air supply branching device 10 to six rooms 110. Since each duct 50 has a different duct resistance, which is a pressure loss caused by the length or bends of the duct, the air volume differs for each duct 50 even if the opening degrees of the six dampers 32 corresponding to each duct 50 are all set to the same. Therefore, the control unit 40 of the air supply branching device 10 performs an air volume adjustment step S100 at the construction stage to adjust in advance so that the air volumes in the six flow paths 2 including the dampers 32 and the ducts 50 are all the same.

[0038] In the air volume adjustment step S100, first, the control unit 40 detects the duct 50 having the largest duct resistance among the six ducts 50.

[0039] When the control unit 40 starts the air volume adjustment process S100, it acquires information on the characteristics of the fan 22 and the fan motor 23 (step S101). The air volume of the fan 22 is approximately proportional to the power consumption, duty ratio, current, voltage, etc. (hereinafter abbreviated as "power consumption, etc.") of the fan motor 23. Therefore, the control unit 40 can estimate the air volume of the fan 22 based on information on the power consumption, etc. of the fan motor 23 by using the characteristics related to the air volume of the fan 22 and the rotation speed of the fan motor 23. Note that the characteristics are measured in advance in a factory or the like before construction of the building 100. Then, the control unit 40 acquires information on the characteristics in advance from outside.

[0040] Next, the control unit 40 determines the reference rotation speed Rs of the fan motor 23 (step S102). Specifically, the control unit 40 rotates the fan motor 23 at an initial rotation speed Rst [rpm / min] with the first damper 32a fully open and all other dampers 32 fully closed. Additionally, the control unit 40 obtains a first air volume Q1 for the first duct 50a, which is estimated from the power consumption of the fan motor 23, etc. Then, the control unit 40 calculates the first air volume Q1 in relation to the reference air volume Qs [m 3 The rotation speed of the fan motor 23 is adjusted so that the reference air volume Qs is reached, and the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 at which the reference air volume Qs is reached is stored as the reference rotation speed Rs [rpm / min].

[0041] Next, the control unit 40 refers to the second damper 32b indicating the second damper 32 (N=2: step S103). Hereinafter, N is a natural number indicating the Nth damper 32.

[0042] Next, the control unit 40 obtains the second air volume Q2 related to the second duct 50b (step S104). Specifically, the control unit 40 rotates the fan motor 23 at the reference rotation speed Rs with the opening degree of the second damper 32b fully open and the opening degrees of all other dampers 32 fully closed, and sets the air volume at that time as the second air volume Q2. In the loop after "N = 2", the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 remains at the reference rotation speed Rs.

[0043] Next, the control unit 40 determines whether the second air volume Q2 is smaller than the reference air volume Qs (Q2 < Qs?: step S105). Here, when the control unit 40 determines that the second air volume Q2 is smaller than the reference air volume Qs (YES), it sets the value of the second air volume Q2 as the new reference air volume Qs (step S106). On the other hand, when the control unit 40 determines that the second air volume Q2 is larger than the reference air volume Qs (NO), it proceeds to step S107.

[0044] Next, the control unit 40 determines whether "N = 6", that is, whether the comparison target has reached the sixth damper 32 (step S107). Here, since "N = 2", the control unit 40 continues to proceed to step S108, newly sets "N = 3", and repeats the steps from step S104 and below.

[0045] In the case of "N = 3", the control unit 40 rotates the fan motor 23 at the reference rotation speed Rs with the opening degree of the third damper 32c fully open and the opening degrees of all other dampers 32 fully closed, and obtains the third air volume Q3 at that time (step S104). When the control unit 40 determines in the determination of step S105 (Q3 < Qs?) that the third air volume Q3 is smaller than the reference air volume Qs (YES), it sets the value of the third air volume Q3 as the new reference air volume Qs (step S106). On the other hand, when the control unit 40 determines that the third air volume Q3 is larger than the reference air volume Qs (NO), it proceeds to step S107.

[0046] Then, the control unit 40 repeats the steps from step S104 to step S106 until the sixth damper 32f, which is the sixth damper 32 (step S107).

[0047] Through the steps up to this point, the duct 50 whose air volume at the reference rotation speed Rs is the reference air volume Qs is finally detected. The detected duct 50 is the duct 50 with the greatest duct resistance among the six ducts 50. On the other hand, the air volumes in the other ducts 50 are greater than the reference air volume Qs.

[0048] Next, in the air volume adjustment process S100, the control unit 40 adjusts the air volume in all other flow paths 2 so that the air volume is the same as the air volume in the flow path 2 that includes the duct 50 identified as having the greatest duct resistance among the six ducts 50.

[0049] First, the control unit 40 refers to the first damper 32a indicating the first damper 32 (N=1: step S109).

[0050] Next, the control unit 40 rotates the fan motor 23 at the reference rotation speed Rs in a state in which the first damper 32a is fully opened and all the other dampers 32 are fully closed (step S110).

[0051] Next, the control unit 40 adjusts the opening degree of the first damper 32a so that the first air volume Q1 for the first duct 50a becomes the reference air volume Qs (step S111). Specifically, when the first air volume Q1 obtained in step S102 is larger than the reference air volume Qs, the control unit 40 gradually closes the first damper 32a, and adjusts the first air volume Q1 to finally become the reference air volume Qs.

[0052] Next, the control unit 40 stores the first opening degree D1 of the first damper 32a when the first air volume Q1 becomes the reference air volume Qs (step S112). The first opening degree D1 at this time is in a state of being closed to some extent, that is, the first damper 32a is not fully open in terms of structure. On the other hand, when the first air volume Q1 is the reference air volume Qs, that is, when the first air volume Q1 when the opening degree of the first damper 32a is fully open in terms of structure is the reference air volume Qs, the control unit 40 stores the first opening degree D1 as "fully open". Note that the reference air volume Qs is the minimum air volume in all the ducts 50, so the actual measured air volume will not be smaller than the reference air volume Qs.

[0053] Next, the control unit 40 determines whether "N=6", that is, whether up to the sixth damper 32 have been compared (step S113). Since "N=1" in this example, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S114, newly sets "N=2", and repeats the process from step S110 onwards.

[0054] In the case of "N=2", the control unit 40 rotates the fan motor 23 at the reference rotation speed Rs with the second damper 32b fully open and all other dampers 32 fully closed (step S110). Next, the control unit 40 adjusts the opening of the second damper 32b so that the second air volume Q2 for the second duct 50b becomes the reference air volume Qs (step S111). Specifically, when the second air volume Q2 obtained in step S104 is larger than the reference air volume Qs, the control unit 40 gradually closes the second damper 32b, and adjusts the second air volume Q2 to finally become the reference air volume Qs. Next, the control unit 40 stores the second opening D2 of the second damper 32b when the second air volume Q2 becomes the reference air volume Qs (step S112). On the other hand, when the second air volume Q2 is the reference air volume Qs, the control unit 40 stores the second opening degree D2 as "fully open."

[0055] Next, the control unit 40 repeats the process from step S110 to step S112 up to the sixth damper 32f, which is the sixth damper 32 (step S113). Through the process up to this point, the first opening degree D1, the second opening degree D2, the third opening degree D3, the fourth opening degree D4, the fifth opening degree D5, and the sixth opening degree D6 are derived and stored. Then, when the control unit 40 determines in step S113 that "N=6" (YES), it ends the air volume adjustment process S100.

[0056] Here, the first opening degree D1, the second opening degree D2, the third opening degree D3, the fourth opening degree D4, the fifth opening degree D5, and the sixth opening degree D6 are the fully open opening degrees in terms of control of each damper 32. Of these, one opening degree is the fully open opening degree in terms of structure of the damper 32 connected to the duct 50 having the largest duct resistance among the six ducts 50. On the other hand, all the other opening degrees are the fully open opening degrees in terms of setting, which are slightly closed from the fully open opening degrees in terms of structure of the corresponding damper 32. Then, by setting the fully open opening degree in terms of control of each damper 32 as described above, even if the duct resistance differs for each duct 50, the air volume is uniformed for each entire flow path 2 including the damper 32. In other words, if the pressure loss caused by the structure of the damper 32 is expressed as the damper resistance, the sum of the duct resistance and the damper resistance at the fully open opening degree in terms of control is the same in each flow path 2.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the damper control process S200 during normal operation.

[0058] Even during normal operation, which assumes that people are present in the building 100 and the air blowing system 1 is actually operating, many of the multiple rooms 110 have a low supply air volume setting. In such a case, many of the dampers 32 are in a throttled state, and if the air blowing branching device 10 is operated in this state without taking any measures, pressure loss during air blowing will increase and power consumption of the fan motor 23 may be wasted. Therefore, the control unit 40 of the air blowing branching device 10 executes the damper control step S200 during normal operation to control the opening degree of each damper 32 so that the dampers 32 are open as much as possible.

[0059] When the control unit 40 starts the damper control process S200, it acquires each air volume setting information from the air volume setting device 13 in each living room 110 (step S201). As described above, the air volume setting information includes any one of "strong", "medium", "weak" or "stop" as the air volume setting that can be preset by the air volume setting device 13.

[0060] Next, the control unit 40 determines whether all air volume settings corresponding to all rooms 110 are "stopped" based on the air volume setting information obtained in step S201 (step S202). If the control unit 40 determines that all air volume settings are "stopped" (YES), there is no longer any need to adjust the opening degree of each damper 32, and so the damper control process S200 ends. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that all air volume settings are not "stopped" (NO), the control unit 40 proceeds to the following step S203.

[0061] Next, the control unit 40 judges whether or not "strong" is included in any of the air volume settings (step S203). If the control unit 40 judges that "strong" is not included in any of the air volume settings (NO), the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 judges that "strong" is included in any of the air volume settings (YES), the process proceeds to step S205.

[0062] In step S204, the control unit 40 forcibly changes the setting levels of each air volume setting set by each air volume setting device 13 other than "stop" to a higher setting level. In the case of this embodiment, the fact that the process has proceeded to this step means that there is no "strong" air volume setting, and each air volume setting is either "medium," "weak," or "stop." Here, the control unit 40 processes the air volume setting set by the air volume setting device 13 to be "medium" thereafter as if it had been set to "strong." Similarly, the control unit 40 processes the air volume setting set by the air volume setting device 13 to be "weak" thereafter as if it had been set to "medium." On the other hand, the control unit 40 does not change the air volume setting set by the air volume setting device 13 to be "stop."

[0063] After step S204, the control unit 40 returns to step S203 and judges again whether any of the air volume settings includes "strong". Here, if any of the air volume settings have been changed from "medium" to "strong" by the processing in step S204, then any of the air volume settings includes "strong" (YES), and the control unit 40 proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if no of the air volume settings have been changed from "medium" to "strong" by the processing in step S204, then none of the air volume settings includes "strong" (NO), and the control unit 40 proceeds again to step S204. In the subsequent step S204, since each of the air volume settings is either "medium" or "stop", the control unit 40 may thereafter process any of the air volume settings set to "medium" by the air volume setting device 13 as if it had been set to "strong".

[0064] Next, the control unit 40 determines, for each damper 32, an actual damper opening degree that is actually adjusted during normal operation and corresponds to the air volume setting (step S205).

[0065] FIG. 7 is a table showing the actual damper opening for each air volume setting determined for each damper 32. In FIG. 7, damper No. 1 corresponds to the first damper 32a. Damper No. 2 corresponds to the second damper 32b. Damper No. 3 corresponds to the third damper 32c. Damper No. 4 corresponds to the fourth damper 32d. Damper No. 5 corresponds to the fifth damper 32e. Damper No. 6 corresponds to the sixth damper 32f. Note that for all dampers 32, when the air volume setting is "stopped", the actual damper opening is "closed (fully closed)".

[0066] Here, the control unit 40 sets the first opening degree D1, the second opening degree D2, the third opening degree D3, the fourth opening degree D4, the fifth opening degree D5, and the sixth opening degree D6 obtained in the air volume adjustment process S100 as the actual damper opening degree when the air volume setting in the living room 110 corresponding to each damper 32 is "strong." As described above, the first opening degree D1, the second opening degree D2, the third opening degree D3, the fourth opening degree D4, the fifth opening degree D5, and the sixth opening degree D6 are the fully open opening degrees in terms of control for each damper 32.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 40 sets 2 / 3 of each opening degree determined in the air volume adjustment process S100 as the actual damper opening degree when the air volume setting is "medium" in the living room 110 corresponding to each damper 32. For example, the actual damper opening degree when the air volume setting is "medium" in the first living room 110a corresponding to the first damper 32a is 2 / 3 of the first opening degree D1.

[0068] Furthermore, the control unit 40 sets 1 / 3 of each opening degree calculated in the air volume adjustment process S100 as the actual damper opening degree when the air volume setting is "weak" in the living room 110 corresponding to each damper 32. For example, the actual damper opening degree when the air volume setting is "weak" in the first living room 110a corresponding to the first damper 32a is 1 / 3 of the first opening degree D1.

[0069] Then, the control unit 40 thereafter causes the damper motor control unit 45 to control the opening degree of each damper 32 so that the dampers 32 are opened at the actual damper opening degree based on the air volume setting information set by each air volume setting device 13 (step S206). Then, the control unit 40 ends the damper control process S200 in accordance with the stopping of the air supply branching device 10.

[0070] In controlling the opening degree of each damper 32 by this damper control process S200, if the air volume setting information acquired from each air volume setter 13 includes at least one "strong" setting, the actual damper opening degree of each damper 32 is determined as is based on the table of Fig. 7. On the other hand, if the air volume setting information acquired from each air volume setter 13 does not include even one "strong" setting, the air volume setting for each damper 32 is changed to a higher setting level, so that ultimately, the air volume setting for any damper 32 includes "strong." In other words, during normal operation of the air supply and branching device 10, at least one damper 32 is opened at the controlled full open opening degree.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the fan motor control process S300 during normal operation.

[0072] The rotation speed of the fan motor 23 for rotating the fan 22 that blows air to each duct 50 is controlled so as to obtain an airflow volume that satisfies the sum of the airflow setting information acquired from each airflow setting device 13, i.e., the total required airflow. However, the rotation speed and airflow volume of the fan motor 23 are not uniquely determined by the duct resistance in each duct 50 or the opening degree of each damper 32. Therefore, the control unit 40 of the air distribution device 10 executes the fan motor control step S300 during normal operation to control the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 so as to obtain a more appropriate total required airflow.

[0073] When the control unit 40 starts the fan motor control process S300, it calculates the total air volume from the air volume settings included in the air volume setting information acquired from the air volume setting devices 13 in each room 110 (step S301). Note that the air volume setting referred to when calculating the air volume is one that has not been changed to a higher setting level as in step S204.

[0074] Here, for a room 110 having an air volume setting device 13 with the air volume setting set to "high", the control unit 40 defines the air volume in the flow path 2 connected to the room 110 as the reference air volume Qs. For a room 110 having an air volume setting device 13 with the air volume setting set to "medium", the control unit 40 defines the air volume in the flow path 2 connected to the room 110 as 2 / 3 of the reference air volume Qs. For a room 110 having an air volume setting device 13 with the air volume setting set to "low", the control unit 40 defines the air volume in the flow path 2 connected to the room 110 as 1 / 3 of the reference air volume Qs. Furthermore, for a room 110 having an air volume setting device 13 with the air volume setting set to "stop", the control unit 40 defines the air volume in the flow path 2 connected to the room 110 as "0 (zero)". Then, the control unit 40 calculates the total air volume that the fan 22 should blow by adding up all of these air volumes.

[0075] Next, the control unit 40 performs weighting to convert the air volume settings of each air volume setting device 13 into an air volume level, and obtains the total air volume level (step S302). Note that the air volume settings referred to when converting into the air volume level are those that have not been changed to a higher setting level, as in the case of step S301.

[0076] Here, the control unit 40 assigns, for example, an air volume level of "3" for an air volume setting of "strong", an air volume level of "2" for an air volume setting of "medium", and an air volume level of "1" for an air volume setting of "weak". For an air volume setting of "stop", the air volume level is set to "0 (zero)". The control unit 40 then derives the air volume level based on each air volume setting actually set by each air volume setting device 13, and calculates the total air volume level by adding up all of these air volume levels. The total air volume level actually represents the duct resistance of the entire air blowing system 1. In other words, a small total air volume level means that the duct resistance of the entire air blowing system 1 is large, and a large total air volume level means that the duct resistance of the entire air blowing system 1 is small.

[0077] Next, the control unit 40 creates a graph showing the relationship between the total air volume and the rotation speed of the fan motor 23, including an air volume level curve based on the group of total air volume levels (step S303).

[0078] FIG. 9 is an example of a graph showing the relationship between the total air volume and the rotation speed of the fan motor 23. In FIG.

[0079] The control unit 40 adjusts the total air volume [m 3 / h] to the number of revolutions of the fan motor 23 [min -1] is obtained and processed, the graph shown in FIG. 9 can be created. Here, in this embodiment, since the total number of ducts 50 in the ventilation system 1 is "6", the total airflow level can take values ​​from "0" to "18". Therefore, the total airflow level groups may be simply divided into six groups so as to form the following six airflow level curves. That is, the total airflow levels "1" to "3" are the first group that forms the airflow level curve I. The total airflow levels "4" to "6" are the second group that forms the airflow level curve II. The total airflow levels "7" to "9" are the third group that forms the airflow level curve III. The total airflow levels "10" to "12" are the fourth group that forms the airflow level curve IV. The total airflow levels "13" to "15" are the fifth group that forms the airflow level curve V. The total airflow levels from "16" to "18" constitute the sixth group of airflow level curve VI. Note that the total airflow level of "0" is not included in the allocation.

[0080] Next, the control unit 40 applies the total airflow level calculated in step S302 to FIG. 9 to select an airflow level curve, and applies the total airflow calculated in step S301 to the airflow level curve, thereby determining the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 (step S304).

[0081] Then, the control unit 40 thereafter drives the fan motor 23 at the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 determined in step S304 (step S305). Then, the control unit 40 ends the fan motor control process S300 in synchronization with the stopping of the air distribution device 10.

[0082] Next, the effects of the air branching device 10 will be described.

[0083] The air supply branching device 10 supplies air through a duct 50 for each of the air conditioning zones. The air supply branching device 10 includes a plurality of air outlets 31 connecting the ducts 50 corresponding to each of the air conditioning zones, a fan unit 21 for blowing air to the plurality of air outlets 31, and a plurality of dampers 32 installed for each of the air outlets 31 and having variable opening degrees. The air supply branching device 10 also includes a plurality of air volume setting devices 13 for setting the supply air volume for each of the air conditioning zones, and a control unit 40 for controlling the operation of the fan unit 21 and the plurality of dampers 32 based on air volume setting information acquired from each of the air volume setting devices 13. The control unit 40 equalizes the difference in air volume caused by the duct resistance in each of the ducts 50 corresponding to each of the air conditioning zones by adjusting the opening degree of each of the dampers 32. Then, during normal operation, the control unit 40 adjusts the supply air volume for each of the air conditioning zones by controlling the opening degree of the damper 32 and the air volume of the fan unit 21 in a state in which the difference in air volume is equalized.

[0084] Here, the multiple air conditioning zones correspond to the multiple rooms 110 in the above example. Also, the control for equalizing the difference in air volume caused by each duct resistance corresponds to the air volume adjustment process S100 during construction in the above example. Furthermore, the control for adjusting the supply air volume for each air conditioning zone during normal operation corresponds to the damper control process S200 and the fan motor control process S300 executed during normal operation.

[0085] Generally, in the above-mentioned example building 100 in which the air supply branching device 10 can be installed, the routing paths of the ducts 50 to the rooms 110 corresponding to the multiple air conditioning zones are different, and therefore the duct resistance is different for each duct. Therefore, unless any measures are taken, the difference in air volume that can occur in each duct 50 may cause an increase in pressure loss depending on the supply air volume set by each air volume setting device 13, resulting in wasteful power consumption of the fan unit 21.

[0086] In contrast, in the air supply branching device 10, the control unit 40 equalizes the difference in air volume caused by the duct resistance in each duct 50 before normal operation in which the supply air volume for each air conditioning zone is actually adjusted, that is, during construction when the air supply branching device 10 is installed. As a result, the air supply branching device 10 can prevent an increase in pressure loss in each duct 50 regardless of how the supply air volume is set by each air volume setting device 13, which can reduce wasteful power consumption of the fan unit 21 and ultimately contribute to improved energy efficiency.

[0087] Moreover, in the air supply branching device 10, the control unit 40 controls the operation of the multiple dampers 32 based on the air volume setting information acquired from each air volume setting device 13. In other words, the control unit 40 does not need to perform complex control such as acquiring wind speed information from a wind speed sensor installed in each duct 50 and controlling the dampers 32 based on the wind speed information. As described above, the air supply branching device 10 does not have a wind speed sensor, so it has a simple structure and does not need complex control, making it easy to install and reducing costs. Another advantage is that it is easy to repair, for example, during renovation.

[0088] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the air supply / branching device 10 that improves energy saving performance with a simple structure.

[0089] Furthermore, in the air supply branching device 10, when equalizing the difference in air volume caused by each duct resistance, the control unit 40 may first detect the duct 50 having the largest duct resistance among the ducts 50. Next, the control unit 40 may adjust the controlled fully open opening degree of the damper 32 connected to the other ducts 50 to a set fully open opening degree that provides the same air volume as the structurally fully open opening degree of the damper 32 connected to the duct 50 having the largest duct resistance. Here, the other ducts 50 refer to ducts 50 other than the duct 50 having the largest duct resistance.

[0090] Here, the control for detecting the duct 50 having the largest duct resistance among the ducts 50 corresponds to the processes from step S101 to step S107 in the above example. Also, the control for adjusting the opening degree of the dampers 32 connected to the other ducts 50 that is to be fully open in the control to the fully open opening degree in the setting corresponds to the processes from step S109 to step S113 in the above example.

[0091] According to this air supply branching device 10, the control unit 40 can control at least one damper 32 to be set to full open regardless of how the supply air volume is set by each air volume setting device 13. Therefore, air can be supplied at an air volume close to the set supply air volume while suppressing the influence of duct resistance. In addition, the total duct resistance of all ducts 50 can be reduced, so the power consumption of the fan unit 21 can be reduced. In connection with reducing the power consumption of the fan unit 21, the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 included in the fan unit 21 can be reduced, so the noise level can also be reduced.

[0092] Furthermore, in the air supply / branching device 10, the fan section 21 may include a fan 22 and a fan motor 23 that rotates the fan 22. When equalizing the difference in air volume caused by each duct resistance, the control section 40 may obtain information on characteristics related to the relationship between the air volume blown by the fan 22 and the rotation speed of the fan motor 23 before detecting the duct 50 having the largest duct resistance.

[0093] Here, this control corresponds to step S101 in the above example.

[0094] According to this air supply branching device 10, the control unit 40 can use the acquired characteristics to set a reference air volume Qs that serves as a criterion for detecting the duct 50 with the highest duct resistance, so that detection can be easily performed through the following steps.

[0095] Furthermore, in the air supply branching device 10, when adjusting the supply air volume for each air conditioning zone during normal operation, the control unit 40 may first acquire air volume setting information from each air volume setting device 13. Next, the control unit 40 may determine the opening degree of each damper 32 based on the air volume setting included in each piece of air volume setting information. Next, the control unit 40 may determine the air volume of the fan unit 21 based on the sum of each air volume setting.

[0096] Here, the control of acquiring air volume setting information from each air volume setting device 13 corresponds to step S201 in the above example. The control of determining the opening degree of each damper 32 based on the air volume setting included in each air volume setting information corresponds to the processes from step S203 to step S205 in the above example. Moreover, the control of determining the air volume of the fan unit 21 based on the sum of each air volume setting corresponds to the processes from step S301 to step S305 in the above example.

[0097] According to this air supply branching device 10, the increase in pressure loss can be suppressed by controlling the opening degree of the damper 32, while the total required air volume can be more appropriately satisfied by controlling the air volume of the fan section 21.

[0098] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10. Air distribution device 13 Air volume setting device 21 Fan Club 22 Fan 23 Fan motor 31 Air outlet 32 Damper 40 Control section 50 Duct

Claims

1. An air distribution device that supplies air through ducts to each of a plurality of air conditioning zones, A plurality of air outlets connecting the ducts corresponding to each of the air conditioning zones; A fan unit that blows air to the plurality of air outlets; A plurality of dampers each installed at each of the air outlets and each having a variable opening degree; A plurality of air volume setting devices for setting the supply air volume for each of the air conditioning zones; a control unit that controls operations of the fan unit and the dampers based on air volume setting information acquired from each of the air volume setting devices, The control unit is A difference in air volume caused by duct resistance in each of the ducts corresponding to each of the air conditioning zones is equalized by adjusting the opening degree of each of the dampers; During normal operation, the air supply branching device adjusts the supply air volume for each air conditioning zone by controlling the opening degree of the damper and the air blowing volume of the fan section while the air volume difference is equalized.

2. When the control unit equalizes the difference in airflow caused by each of the duct resistances, Detecting the duct having the largest duct resistance among the ducts; 2. The air supply branching device according to claim 1, wherein the opening degree at which the damper connected to the duct other than the duct with the greatest duct resistance is fully opened in terms of control is adjusted to the fully opened opening degree in terms of setting that obtains the same air volume as the opening degree at which the damper connected to the duct with the greatest duct resistance is fully opened in terms of structure.

3. The fan unit includes a fan and a fan motor that rotates the fan. When the control unit equalizes the difference in airflow caused by each of the duct resistances, The air distribution device according to claim 2 , further comprising: acquiring information regarding a characteristic relating to a relationship between the amount of air blown by the fan and a rotation speed of the fan motor before detecting the duct having the largest duct resistance.

4. When adjusting the supply air volume for each air conditioning zone during the normal operation, the control unit: Acquiring the air volume setting information from each of the air volume setting devices; determining the opening degree of each of the dampers based on an air volume setting included in each of the air volume setting information; The air distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the airflow rate of the fan section is determined based on a sum of the airflow rate settings of each of the fan sections.

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