Humidity conditioning ventilation device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023130118
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-21
AI Technical Summary
【0007】 本開示における調湿換気装置は、デシカントロータの表面積を維持しつつ、水平方向における調湿換気装置の寸法を小さくできる。そのため、調湿換気装置の施工性を向上できる。
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Figure 2025025391000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a humidity control ventilation device. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that replaces indoor air with outdoor air. This air conditioner includes water adsorption means having a horizontal rotor surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-249485 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The present disclosure provides a humidity control ventilation system that can improve workability. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The humidity control and ventilation device of the present disclosure comprises an intake air flow path for flowing air from a first space to a second space, an exhaust air flow path for flowing air from the second space to the first space, a temperature regulator disposed in the intake air flow path or the exhaust air flow path and configured to cool or heat air, and a plurality of cylindrical desiccant rotors disposed downstream of the temperature regulator across the intake air flow path and the exhaust air flow path and configured to adsorb and dehumidify one of the intake air flow path or the exhaust air flow path and regenerate and humidify the other, wherein the rotation axes of the plurality of desiccant rotors are disposed approximately horizontally and the plurality of desiccant rotors are disposed side by side in a horizontal first direction along the radial direction, the intake air flow path and the exhaust air flow path are disposed side by side vertically in the range from the temperature regulator to the plurality of desiccant rotors, and the longitudinal direction of the temperature regulator is the first direction.
[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a humidity control ventilator is a humidity control ventilator that replaces air in a first space with air in a second space, the humidity control ventilator comprising: a first flow path through which air flows in from one of the first space or the second space, a second flow path through which air flows in from the other of the first space or the second space, an upper temperature regulator provided in the first flow path, a lower temperature regulator provided in the second flow path, and a plurality of cylindrical desiccant rotors that are provided downstream of the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator, straddling the first flow path and the second flow path, and adsorbing and dehumidifying one of the first flow path or the second flow path and regenerating and humidifying the other, the plurality of desiccant rotors have their rotation axes arranged approximately horizontally and are arranged side by side in a first direction that is horizontal along the radial direction, the second flow path is arranged below the first flow path in a range from the lower temperature regulator to the plurality of desiccant rotors, and the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator are arranged side by side in the vertical direction in positions where they overlap in a plan view. Effect of the Invention
[0007] The humidity control ventilator according to the present disclosure can reduce the horizontal dimension of the humidity control ventilator while maintaining the surface area of the desiccant rotor, thereby improving the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilator. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidity control and ventilation device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] Cross-sectional view of humidity control ventilation system [Diagram 3] Plan view of humidity control ventilation system [Figure 4] A schematic diagram of the IV-IV cross section of Figure 2. [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional view of a humidity control and ventilation device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] Plan view of a humidity control and ventilation device according to a second embodiment [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of the VII-VII cross section of Figure 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the humidity control ventilator in an operation mode for dehumidifying the second space; [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in the operation mode for dehumidifying the second space DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] (The knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, a humidity control ventilation system had been proposed that had a desiccant rotor that repeatedly adsorbs and releases water in the air in order to adjust the humidity of the air in the air supply passage. Therefore, in the industry, humidity control ventilation systems were designed to have a desiccant rotor with a large surface area to enhance the humidity control ability. Under such circumstances, the inventors discovered a problem that if a single desiccant rotor with a large surface area is provided, the installation dimensions of the humidity control ventilation system become large and the workability deteriorates, and in order to solve this problem, the subject of the present disclosure was formed. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a humidity control ventilation system that can improve workability.
[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming more redundant than necessary and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.
[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Composition of each part] 1 is a perspective view of a humidity control ventilator 1 according to embodiment 1, showing the internal configuration of the humidity control ventilator 1. In the figure, the symbol X indicates the right direction of the humidity control ventilator 1, the symbol Y indicates the front direction of the humidity control ventilator 1, and the symbol Z indicates the upward direction. In the following description, directions such as up / down, left / right, and front / back refer to directions based on the humidity control ventilator 1 unless otherwise specified.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the humidity control ventilator 1 has a housing 10 whose external shape is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. In detail, the external shape of the housing 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having the longest side along the front-rear direction, the second longest side along the left-right direction, and the shortest side along the up-down direction. The housing 10 is made of sheet metal. The housing 10 is hollow, and various devices of the humidity control ventilator 1 are provided inside. Note that FIG. 1 shows the humidity control ventilator 1 in a state in which a top surface portion 11, which is a horizontal plate-like member facing upward in the housing 10, has been removed.
[0013] The rear surface portion 12 of the housing 10 is provided with a first suction port 12a. The rear surface portion 12 is a plate-like member of the housing 10 that faces rearward and is parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. The first suction port 12a is hollow and has a substantially cylindrical shape, and protrudes rearward from the left side of the rear surface portion 12. The rear surface portion 12 has an opening that communicates the inside of the first suction port 12a with the inside of the housing 10. A duct (not shown) that communicates with the first space is connected to the first suction port 12a. That is, the inside of the housing 10 communicates with the first space through the first suction port 12a. In this embodiment, the first space is a space that serves as a supply source of air and a destination of exhaust air during ventilation by the humidity control and ventilation device 1. The first space in this embodiment is, for example, an outdoor space.
[0014] The second suction port 12b is provided in the rear surface portion 12 of the housing 10. The second suction port 12b is provided on the right side of the first suction port 12a. The second suction port 12b has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape and protrudes rearward from the rear surface portion 12. An opening is formed in the rear surface portion 12 that communicates the inside of the second suction port 12b with the inside of the housing 10. A duct (not shown) that communicates with the second space is connected to the second suction port 12b. That is, the inside of the housing 10 communicates with the second space through the second suction port 12b. In this embodiment, the second space is a space that is a destination of the supply air from the first space during ventilation by the humidity control and ventilation device 1 and is a source of exhaust air to the first space. The second space in this embodiment is, for example, a room in a house, a conference room, a room in a hotel, or a space for storing items, such as a warehouse or a cargo room.
[0015] A first outlet 13a is provided in the front surface 13 of the housing 10. The front surface 13 is a plate-like member of the housing 10 that faces forward and is parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. The first outlet 13a is hollow and has a generally cylindrical shape, and protrudes forward from the left side of the front surface 13. The front surface 13 has an opening that communicates between the inside of the first outlet 13a and the inside of the housing 10. A duct (not shown) that communicates with the first space is connected to the first outlet 13a. That is, the inside of the housing 10 communicates with the first space via the first outlet 13a.
[0016] The second outlet 13b is provided in the front surface 13 of the housing 10. The second outlet 13b is provided to the right of the first outlet 13a, aligned at the same height as the first outlet 13a. The second outlet 13b has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape, and protrudes forward from the front surface 13. The front surface 13 has an opening that communicates between the inside of the second outlet 13b and the inside of the housing 10. A duct (not shown) that communicates with the second space is connected to the second outlet 13b. That is, the inside of the housing 10 communicates with the second space via the second outlet 13b.
[0017] Inside the housing 10, air flowing in through the intake ports 12a, 12b of the rear surface portion 12 flows out through the exhaust ports 13a, 13b of the front surface portion 13. That is, in the humidity control and ventilation device 1, the upstream side in the air flow direction is the rear side. Also, in the humidity control and ventilation device 1, the downstream side in the air flow direction is the front side.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the humidity control ventilator 1, showing the humidity control ventilator 1 in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a total heat exchanger 20 is provided inside the housing 10. The total heat exchanger 20 is, for example, a stationary total heat exchanger. The total heat exchanger 20 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape having a pair of square bottom surfaces 21 and four rectangular side surfaces 22, 23, 24, and 25. The total heat exchanger 20 is formed in a shape in which the distance between the pair of bottom surfaces 21 is greater than each side of the square bottom surface 21.
[0019] The total heat exchanger 20 is provided with its square bottom surface 21 perpendicular to the left-right direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the total heat exchanger 20 is the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the left-right dimension of the total heat exchanger 20 is substantially the same as the left-right dimension of the housing 10. The total heat exchanger 20 is provided with one of two diagonals L1 of the square bottom surface 21 horizontal. That is, each of the side surfaces 22 to 25 of the total heat exchanger 20 is inclined up and down by approximately 45° with respect to the front-rear direction.
[0020] In the total heat exchanger 20, air flow paths are formed from the side surfaces 22, 23 on the rear side of the total heat exchanger 20 to the side surfaces 24, 25 parallel to the side surfaces 22, 23. The total heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the air flowing through the flow path between the parallel side surfaces 22, 24 on one side and the air flowing through the flow path between the parallel side surfaces 23, 25 on the other side. In other words, the total heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the air flowing upward toward the front inside and the air flowing downward toward the front inside. In the total heat exchanger 20, the flow path that is inclined upward toward the front from the side surface 22 to the side surface 24 is called the first heat exchanger flow path 26. In the total heat exchanger 20, the flow path that is inclined downward toward the front from the side surface 23 to the side surface 25 is called the second heat exchanger flow path 27. The sides 24, 25 each correspond to the "outlet surface of the total heat exchanger".
[0021] A sensible heat exchanger 31 is provided inside the housing 10. In this embodiment, the sensible heat exchanger 31 is a fin-tube type heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flows inside the sensible heat exchanger 31. The sensible heat exchanger 31 is connected to an outdoor unit or the like arranged outside the housing 10 via a refrigerant pipe. The sensible heat exchanger 31 and the outdoor unit or the like form a refrigeration circuit. The sensible heat exchanger 31 selectively performs a heating operation for heating the air inside the housing 10 and a cooling operation for cooling the air by exchanging heat between a high-temperature refrigerant or a low-temperature refrigerant flowing inside the housing 10 and the air inside the housing 10. In this embodiment, the sensible heat exchanger 31 is an example of a "temperature regulator."
[0022] 1 and 2, the external shape of sensible heat exchanger 31 is a substantially rectangular plate shape. Sensible heat exchanger 31 is disposed with its longitudinal direction facing the left-right direction. The left-right dimension of sensible heat exchanger 31 is substantially the same as the left-right dimension of housing 10.
[0023] Sensible heat exchanger 31 is located in front of and above total heat exchanger 20. Sensible heat exchanger 31 is disposed in a position inclined by approximately 45° in a direction in which the front side is positioned downward. In other words, sensible heat exchanger 31 is provided along side surface 24 located in front of and above total heat exchanger 20.
[0024] Furthermore, the sensible heat exchanger 31 is disposed in a position where it overlaps vertically with the total heat exchanger 20. In other words, a portion of the sensible heat exchanger 31 is disposed in a position where it overlaps with a portion of the total heat exchanger 20 in a plan view. Furthermore, the sensible heat exchanger 31 is disposed in a position where it overlaps front-to-back with the total heat exchanger 20. In other words, a portion of the sensible heat exchanger 31 is disposed in a position where it overlaps with a portion of the total heat exchanger 20 in a front-to-back view. Therefore, the total heat exchanger 20 and the sensible heat exchanger 31 are disposed compactly together in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions.
[0025] An upper drain pan 33 is provided inside the housing 10. The upper drain pan 33 is a tray-shaped member. The upper drain pan 33 stores condensation water generated in the sensible heat exchanger 31. The upper drain pan 33 is located below the sensible heat exchanger 31. A portion of the upper drain pan 33 is provided at a position where it vertically overlaps with the lower end of the sensible heat exchanger 31. In other words, a portion of the upper drain pan 33 overlaps with the lower end of the sensible heat exchanger 31 in a plan view. A drain hose (not shown) extending to the outside of the housing 10 is connected to the upper drain pan 33. The upper drain pan 33 drains the stored condensation water via the drain hose.
[0026] The upper drain pan 33 is disposed substantially horizontally. The longitudinal direction of the upper drain pan 33 is the left-right direction. The dimension of the upper drain pan 33 in the left-right direction substantially matches the dimension of the housing 10 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the upper drain pan 33 divides the internal space of the housing 10 into an upper space S1 above the upper drain pan 33 and a lower space S2 below the upper drain pan 33. The upper drain pan 33 receives condensation water dripping from the sensible heat exchanger 31 in the upper space S1. Therefore, it can be said that the upper drain pan 33 is disposed in the upper space S1.
[0027] The upper drain pan 33 is provided at the same height as the horizontal diagonal line L1 on the bottom surface 21 of the total heat exchanger 20. More specifically, the position of the upper drain pan 33 in the up-down direction overlaps with the position of the horizontal diagonal line L1 on the bottom surface 21 of the total heat exchanger 20 in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the rear end of the upper drain pan 33 is connected to the front end of the total heat exchanger 20. Therefore, air that flows in an upward direction toward the front through the first inner heat exchanger flow passage 26 of the total heat exchanger 20 flows into the upper space S1. Air that flows in a downward direction toward the front through the second inner heat exchanger flow passage 27 of the total heat exchanger 20 flows into the lower space S2.
[0028] A lower drain pan 35 is provided inside the housing 10. The lower drain pan 35 receives and stores condensed water from the upper drain pan 33. The lower drain pan 35 is a tray-shaped member. The lower drain pan 35 is located below the upper drain pan 33. The lower drain pan 35 is disposed on the bottom surface portion 14 of the housing 10. A drain hose (not shown) that extends to the outside of the housing 10 is connected to the lower drain pan 35. The lower drain pan 35 drains the stored condensed water via the drain hose.
[0029] The lower drain pan 35 overlaps vertically with the entire upper drain pan 33. In other words, the lower drain pan 35 overlaps with the entire upper drain pan 33 in a plan view. The front end of the lower drain pan 35 is at the same position in the front-rear direction as the front end of the upper drain pan 33. In other words, the downstream ends of the air in the upper drain pan 33 and the lower drain pan 35 are provided flush with each other in the front-rear direction of air flow.
[0030] As described above, each of the side surfaces 22 to 25 of the total heat exchanger 20 is inclined upward and downward in the front-rear direction. Therefore, a space having a substantially triangular prism shape is formed between the lower side of the side surface 25 located on the front side and the lower side of the total heat exchanger 20 and the bottom surface portion 14 of the housing 10. The bottom surface portion 14 is a surface parallel to the upper surface portion 11 and is a plate-like portion located at the lower end of the housing 10. The lower drain pan 35 has a shape that extends backward to the inside of this substantially triangular prism-shaped space. Therefore, the rear end of the lower drain pan 35 is located rearward of the rear end of the upper drain pan 33. That is, the dimension of the lower drain pan 35 in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the upper drain pan 33 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the amount of condensation water that can be stored in the lower drain pan 35 is larger than the amount of condensation water that can be stored in the upper drain pan 33. In addition, a part of the lower drain pan 35 overlaps the total heat exchanger 20 in a plan view.
[0031] The upper drain pan 33 is provided with a transport flow passage 33a that allows the accumulated condensed water to flow to the lower drain pan 35. In the present embodiment, the transport flow passage 33a is a hollow structure that extends downward from the bottom of the upper drain pan 33 toward the lower drain pan 35.
[0032] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, two desiccant rotors 40 are provided inside the housing 10. The desiccant rotor 40 is made of an adsorbent that adsorbs water in the air. The desiccant rotor 40 adsorbs water in the air to dehumidify it. In addition, the desiccant rotor 40 releases the adsorbed water to humidify the air as the humidity decreases. In other words, the desiccant rotor 40 performs adsorption dehumidification and regenerative humidification of the air.
[0033] The desiccant rotor 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape having curved side surfaces and a pair of circular bottom surfaces 41, more specifically, in a disk shape. The desiccant rotor 40 is formed in a structure having voids, such as a honeycomb structure or a corrugated structure. The desiccant rotor 40 is configured to be ventilated through the voids. The desiccant rotor 40 allows air flowing into the interior from one bottom surface 41 to flow out from the other bottom surface 41. In this embodiment, the two desiccant rotors 40 have the same outer shape, material, and structure. Also, in this embodiment, the diameter of each desiccant rotor 40 is approximately the same as the dimension in the up-down direction of the housing 10.
[0034] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the two desiccant rotors 40 are fixed to rod-shaped shaft members 43. Each shaft member 43 passes through the center of the circular bottom surface 41 of each desiccant rotor 40 and is fixed to the desiccant rotor 40 in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 41. Each shaft member 43 is rotated by power transmitted from an output shaft of a motor (not shown) via a transmission (not shown) having gears or the like. In this embodiment, the shaft member 43 to which the desiccant rotor 40 is fixed is provided along the front-rear direction. Therefore, the desiccant rotor 40 rotates around the front-rear direction, which is a horizontal direction, as a rotation axis by driving the motor.
[0035] The two desiccant rotors 40 are provided at the same position in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. That is, the two desiccant rotors 40 are arranged side by side on the left and right. Here, the left-right direction is a horizontal direction and a direction along the radial direction of the desiccant rotor 40. The left-right direction is also perpendicular to the front-rear direction, which is the direction of the rotation axis of the desiccant rotor 40. In this embodiment, the left-right direction corresponds to the "first direction."
[0036] The desiccant rotor 40 is provided in front of the upper drain pan 33 and the lower drain pan 35. The rear end of the desiccant rotor 40 is close to the front ends of the upper drain pan 33 and the lower drain pan 35 in the front-rear direction. The position of the upper drain pan 33 in the vertical direction overlaps with the position of the rotation shaft of the desiccant rotor 40 in the vertical direction. The bottom surface 41 on the upstream side of the desiccant rotor 40 is divided into an upper part and a lower part by an inflow partition plate. Air that has flowed through the upper space S1 flows into the upper part of the desiccant rotor 40 through the upper part of the bottom surface 41. Air that has flowed through the lower space S2 flows into the lower part of the desiccant rotor 40 through the lower part of the bottom surface 41.
[0037] A first blower 51 is provided inside the housing 10. The first blower 51 blows air inside the housing 10 forward, and causes the air to flow into the first space via the first outlet 13a and the duct. In this embodiment, the first blower 51 is disposed at the front end inside the housing 10, and is connected to the first outlet 13a via an opening in the front portion 13.
[0038] A second blower 53 is provided inside the housing 10. The second blower 53 blows air inside the housing 10 forward, and causes the air to flow into the second space via the second outlet 13b and the duct. In this embodiment, the second blower 53 is disposed at the front end inside the housing 10, and is connected to the second outlet 13b via an opening in the front portion 13. In this embodiment, each of the blowers 51 and 53 is a centrifugal sirocco fan that has high static pressure and is not easily affected by flow path resistance.
[0039] The humidity control ventilator 1 is controlled by a control device (not shown). The control device may be provided inside the housing 10 or outside the housing 10. The control device has a processor. The processor is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or other arithmetic processing device. The control device includes the above-mentioned processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls the humidity control ventilator 1 by executing a program with the processor. The control device may include a memory (not shown). The memory is a storage device that non-volatilely stores the programs and data executed by the processor. The memory is configured by a magnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage element, or other types of non-volatile storage devices. Specifically, the memory is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash ROM, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like.
[0040] [1-1-2. Flow path configuration] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the humidity control ventilator 1, and shows the humidity control ventilator 1 with the top surface part 11 removed. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the IV-IV cross section of Fig. 2. In the figure, the air flowing into the housing 10 from the first air inlet 12a is indicated by a white arrow, and the air flowing into the housing 10 from the second air inlet 12b is indicated by a black arrow.
[0041] A first partition 15 is provided in the housing 10 on the rear side of the total heat exchanger 20. The first partition 15 is made of, for example, sheet metal. The first partition 15 divides the space inside the housing 10 from the rear surface 12 to the two side surfaces 22, 23 on the rear side of the total heat exchanger 20 into two spaces, a first upstream space S3 and a second upstream space S4.
[0042] The first upstream space S3 is a space that communicates between the first suction port 12a and the side surface 22 on the rear and lower side of the total heat exchanger 20. The first upstream space S3 occupies the left side of the space within the housing 10 near the rear surface portion 12, and occupies the lower side of the space within the housing 10 near the total heat exchanger 20.
[0043] The second upstream space S4 is a space that communicates between the second suction port 12b and the side surface 23 on the rear and upper side of the total heat exchanger 20. The second upstream space S4 occupies the right side of the space within the housing 10 in the vicinity of the rear surface portion 12, and occupies the upper side of the space within the housing 10 in the vicinity of the total heat exchanger 20.
[0044] As described above, the space from the two front side surfaces 24, 25 of the total heat exchanger 20 to the desiccant rotor 40 is vertically divided into an upper space S1 and a lower space S2 by the upper drain pan 33. Air that flows into the total heat exchanger 20 from the first upstream space S3 and flows upward toward the front through the first heat exchanger inner flow passage 26 of the total heat exchanger 20 flows into the upper space S1. Air that flows into the total heat exchanger 20 from the second upstream space S4 and flows downward toward the front through the second heat exchanger inner flow passage 27 of the total heat exchanger 20 flows into the lower space S2.
[0045] In this embodiment, a partition plate 45 perpendicular to the front-rear direction is provided at a position flush with the bottom surface 41 on the rear side of the desiccant rotor 40. The partition plate 45 divides the housing 10 into front and rear. The partition plate 45 has two circular holes formed therein, which overlap with the entirety of each desiccant rotor 40 when viewed from the front. The partition plate 45 ensures that air in the upper space S1 and the lower space S2 passes through the desiccant rotor 40 and flows forward.
[0046] A second partition 16 is provided on the front side of the partition plate 45. The second partition 16 is made of, for example, sheet metal. The second partition 16 divides the space inside the housing 10 from the front side of the partition plate 45 to the front surface 13 of the housing 10 into two spaces: a first downstream space S5 and a second downstream space S6.
[0047] The first downstream space S5 is a space that communicates a part of the upper side of the desiccant rotor 40 with the second discharge port 13b. The first downstream space S5 occupies the upper side of the space in the housing 10 near the partition plate 45, and occupies the right side of the space in the housing 10 near the front part 13. In the present embodiment, the first downstream space S5 includes a second blower 53.
[0048] The second downstream space S6 is a space that communicates a part of the lower side of the desiccant rotor 40 with the first discharge port 13a. The second downstream space S6 occupies the lower side of the space within the housing 10 near the partition plate 45, and occupies the left side of the space within the housing 10 near the front part 13. In this embodiment, the first downstream space S5 includes a first blower 51.
[0049] That is, the first suction port 12a is connected to the second discharge port 13b through the first upstream space S3, the first heat exchanger flow path 26, the upper space S1, and the first downstream space S5, in that order. The second suction port 12b is connected to the first discharge port 13a through the second upstream space S4, the second heat exchanger flow path 27, the lower space S2, and the second downstream space S6, in that order. Hereinafter, the upper space S1 and the first downstream space S5 are regarded as one air flow path and are referred to as the air supply flow path S7. The air supply flow path S7 flows air from the first space to the second space. The lower space S2 and the second downstream space S6 are regarded as one air flow path and are referred to as the exhaust flow path S8. The exhaust flow path S8 flows air from the second space to the first space. In this embodiment, the air supply passage S7 corresponds to the “upper passage.” In this embodiment, the exhaust passage S8 corresponds to the “lower passage.”
[0050] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the humidity control and ventilation system 1 configured as above will now be described.
[0051] [1-2-1. Ventilation and humidity control operations] When the humidity control ventilation system 1 is operating, the first fan device 51 and the second fan device 53 are driven. By driving the first blower 51, air flows from the second space into the second suction port 12b through the duct. The air that flows into the second suction port 12b reaches the first discharge port 13a through the second upstream space S4, the second heat exchanger inner flow path 27, and the exhaust flow path S8. The air that reaches the first discharge port 13a flows into the first space through the duct. By driving the second blower 53, air flows from the first space into the first suction port 12a through the duct. The air that flows into the first suction port 12a reaches the second discharge port 13b through the first upstream space S3, the first heat exchanger inner flow path 26, and the air supply flow path S7. The air that reaches the second discharge port 13b flows into the second space through the duct. In this way, the first space and the second space are ventilated by driving the humidity control and ventilation device 1.
[0052] During operation of the humidity control ventilator 1, the air flowing through the first upstream space S3 and the air flowing through the second upstream space S4 exchange heat with each other in the total heat exchanger 20. As a result, when the temperature of the air in the first space and the temperature of the air in the second space are different, the temperature of the air in the intake air flow path S7 on the outlet side of the total heat exchanger 20 approaches the temperature of the air in the second space. Also, the temperature of the air in the exhaust air flow path S8 approaches the temperature of the air in the first space.
[0053] After passing through the total heat exchanger 20, the air in the intake air flow path S7 reaches the sensible heat exchanger 31. The sensible heat exchanger 31 heats or cools the air in the intake air flow path S7 by the operation of the refrigeration circuit. When the air is at a low temperature, the amount of saturated water vapor is small, so that the air in the intake air flow path S7 increases in relative humidity when it is cooled, and decreases in relative humidity when it is heated. The sensible heat exchanger 31 performs a cooling operation to cool the air in the intake air flow path S7 when the humidity control and ventilation device 1 is in an operation mode in which the second space is dehumidified. The sensible heat exchanger 31 performs a heating operation to heat the air in the intake air flow path S7 when the humidity control and ventilation device 1 is in an operation mode in which the second space is humidified.
[0054] The air in the intake air flow path S7 passes through the sensible heat exchanger 31 and then reaches the upper part of the desiccant rotor 40. The air in the exhaust air flow path S8 passes through the total heat exchanger 20 and then reaches the lower part of the desiccant rotor 40. The desiccant rotor 40 releases water to air with high temperature and low relative humidity, and adsorbs water from air with low temperature and high relative humidity.
[0055] When the humidity control and ventilation device 1 is in an operation mode for dehumidifying the second space, low-temperature air with high relative humidity cooled by the sensible heat exchanger 31 flows into the upper part of the desiccant rotor 40. Therefore, the upper part of the desiccant rotor 40 adsorbs water from the air in the intake air passage S7. That is, the desiccant rotor 40 adsorbs and dehumidifies the air in the intake air passage S7. The part of the desiccant rotor 40 that adsorbs water from the intake air passage S7 rotates by the drive of the motor and moves downward, and is exposed to the air in the exhaust air passage S8. The part of the desiccant rotor 40 exposed to the air in the exhaust air passage S8 releases the adsorbed water from the intake air passage S7 to the air in the exhaust air passage S8, and returns to a state where it is easy to adsorb water again. That is, the desiccant rotor 40 regenerates and humidifies the air in the exhaust air passage S8.
[0056] When the humidity control and ventilation device 1 is in an operation mode for humidifying the second space, high-temperature air with low relative humidity heated by the sensible heat exchanger 31 flows into the upper part of the desiccant rotor 40. Therefore, the upper part of the desiccant rotor 40 releases water to the air in the intake air passage S7. That is, the desiccant rotor 40 regenerates and humidifies the air in the intake air passage S7. The part of the desiccant rotor 40 that released water into the intake air passage S7 rotates by the drive of the motor and moves downward, and is exposed to the air in the exhaust air passage S8. The part of the desiccant rotor 40 exposed to the air in the exhaust air passage S8 is dry, so it adsorbs water from the air in the exhaust air passage S8 and returns to a state where it can release water again. That is, the desiccant rotor 40 adsorbs and dehumidifies the air in the exhaust air passage S8.
[0057] In this way, by distributing the water in the air in the air supply passage S7 and the exhaust passage S8 via the desiccant rotor 40, the humidity control ventilation device 1 ventilates the second space and adjusts the relative humidity.
[0058] [1-2-2. Operation regarding condensation water] When sensible heat exchanger 31 cools the air in exhaust passage S8, such as in the case where humidity control and ventilation device 1 is in an operation mode for dehumidifying the second space, condensation water may occur on the surface of sensible heat exchanger 31. In this case, the condensation water drips into upper drain pan 33.
[0059] Condensed water dripping into the upper drain pan 33 is stored in the upper drain pan 33. A portion of the condensed water stored in the upper drain pan 33 flows downward through the transport flow passage 33a and flows into the lower drain pan 35. As described above, the amount of condensed water that can be stored in the lower drain pan 35 is greater than the amount of condensed water that can be stored in the upper drain pan 33. For this reason, even if the amount of condensed water generated exceeds the capacity of the upper drain pan 33 for storage and drainage, the condensed water can be stored in the lower drain pan 35.
[0060] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in the present embodiment, the humidity control and ventilation system 1 comprises an intake air flow path S7 that flows air from the first space to the second space, an exhaust air flow path S8 that flows air from the second space to the first space, a sensible heat exchanger 31 that is arranged in the intake air flow path S7 or the exhaust air flow path S8 and cools or heats the air, and a plurality of cylindrical desiccant rotors 40 that are arranged downstream of the sensible heat exchanger 31, straddling the intake air flow path S7 and the exhaust air flow path S8, and adsorbing and dehumidifying one of the intake air flow path S7 or the exhaust air flow path S8 and regenerating and humidifying the other, the multiple desiccant rotors 40 are arranged with their rotation axes substantially horizontal and are lined up in the left-right direction, the intake air flow path S7 and the exhaust air flow path S8 are arranged lined up vertically in the range from the sensible heat exchanger 31 to the multiple desiccant rotors 40, and the longitudinal direction of the sensible heat exchanger 31 is the left-right direction. This allows the area occupied by the desiccant rotor 40 in a plan view to be reduced while maintaining the surface area of the desiccant rotor 40. Also, the direction in which the multiple desiccant rotors 40 are arranged coincides with the longitudinal direction of the sensible heat exchanger 31, reducing the horizontal dimension of the humidity control ventilation device 1. This improves the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilation device 1.
[0061] As in this embodiment, the humidity control and ventilation system 1 includes a total heat exchanger 20 that is provided upstream of the sensible heat exchanger 31 and exchanges heat between the air flowing into the intake air flow path S7 and the exhaust air flow path S8, an upper drain pan 33 that receives condensation water from the sensible heat exchanger 31, a lower drain pan 35 that is provided in the lower flow path of the intake air flow path S7 or the exhaust air flow path S8 and overlaps with the upper drain pan 33 in a plan view, and a transport flow path 33a that flows the condensation water from the upper drain pan 33 to the lower drain pan 35. The sensible heat exchanger 31 is provided upstream of the intake air flow path S7 or the exhaust air flow path S8. The total heat exchanger 20 is provided in the upper flow path S8 and has a rectangular prism shape with each side 22-25 parallel to the left-right direction and one diagonal L1 of the bottom surface 21 running horizontally, with air flowing between one of the parallel side surfaces 22, 24 flowing into the air intake flow path S7 and air flowing between the other parallel side surfaces 23, 25 flowing into the exhaust flow path S8, with the upper drain pan 33 positioned at the same height as the one diagonal L1 and the lower drain pan 35 extending to a position overlapping the total heat exchanger 20 in a planar view. This makes it less likely that the upper drain pan 33 will impede the outflow of air from the total heat exchanger 20. Also, since the lower drain pan 35 can be enlarged by utilizing the space left below the total heat exchanger 20, the amount of water that can be stored by the lower drain pan 35 can be increased without increasing the dimensions of the humidity control and ventilation device 1. This makes it easier to store condensation water generated in the sensible heat exchanger 31 while maintaining the ease of installation of the humidity control and ventilation device 1.
[0062] As in this embodiment, in the humidity control and ventilation system 1, the sensible heat exchanger 31 is arranged in an orientation parallel to the side 24 located in the upper air intake flow path S7, of the sides 24, 25 on the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger 20, the upper drain pan 33 is arranged in a position overlapping the lower end of the sensible heat exchanger 31 in a planar view, and the lower drain pan 35 overlaps the entire upper drain pan 33 in a planar view. This allows for a compact installation of sensible heat exchanger 31. Furthermore, no matter where transport flow passage 33a is provided in upper drain pan 33, condensation water can be easily made to flow into lower drain pan 35, and there are fewer restrictions on the location of transport flow passage 33a, allowing upper drain pan 33 and lower drain pan 35 to be installed compactly. This makes it easier to store condensation water generated in sensible heat exchanger 31 while maintaining the ease of installation of humidity control and ventilation device 1.
[0063] As in the present embodiment, in the humidity control and ventilation system 1, the upper drain pan 33 and the lower drain pan 35 may be configured so that their ends on the downstream side of the air flow are flush with each other. This allows the upper drain pan 33 and the lower drain pan 35 to be moved closer to the desiccant rotor 40, thereby reducing the dimensions of the humidity control and ventilation system 1. This improves the ease of installation of the humidity control and ventilation system 1.
[0064] (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Note that only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.
[0065] [2-1. Configuration] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101 according to embodiment 2, showing a cross section corresponding to FIG. 2. In embodiment 2, humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101 is provided with upper sensible heat exchanger 131 and lower sensible heat exchanger 137. Upper sensible heat exchanger 131 has a configuration similar to that of sensible heat exchanger 31 in embodiment 1, and is provided in upper space S1. Lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is provided in lower space S2. In this embodiment, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is a fin-tube type heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flows inside. Lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is connected to an outdoor unit or the like arranged outside housing 10 via a refrigerant piping. Lower sensible heat exchanger 137 and the outdoor unit or the like form a refrigeration circuit. Lower sensible heat exchanger 137 selectively performs a heating operation for heating the air in housing 10 and a cooling operation for cooling the air by exchanging heat between a high-temperature refrigerant or a low-temperature refrigerant flowing inside and the air in housing 10. Upper sensible heat exchanger 131 and lower sensible heat exchanger 137 may be components of a single common refrigeration circuit, or may be components of independent refrigeration circuits. In this embodiment, upper sensible heat exchanger 131 is an example of an "upper temperature regulator." In this embodiment, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is an example of a "lower temperature regulator."
[0066] 5, the outer shape of lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is a substantially rectangular plate shape. Lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed with its longitudinal direction facing the left-right direction. The left-right dimension of sensible heat exchanger 31 is substantially the same as the left-right dimension of housing 10.
[0067] Lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is located in front of and below total heat exchanger 20. Lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed in a position inclined by approximately 45° in a direction in which the front side is located upward. In other words, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is provided along side surface 25 located in front of and below total heat exchanger 20.
[0068] Furthermore, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed at a position overlapping vertically with total heat exchanger 20. In other words, a portion of lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed at a position overlapping a portion of total heat exchanger 20 in a plan view. Furthermore, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed at a position overlapping front-rear with total heat exchanger 20. In other words, a portion of lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed at a position overlapping a portion of total heat exchanger 20 in a front view. Furthermore, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed at a position overlapping vertically with upper sensible heat exchanger 131. In other words, a portion of lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is disposed at a position overlapping a portion of the upper kennel exchanger in a plan view. Therefore, total heat exchanger 20, upper sensible heat exchanger 131, and lower sensible heat exchanger 137 are disposed compactly together in the front-rear and up-down directions.
[0069] Lower drain pan 35 overlaps with the entirety of lower sensible heat exchanger 137 in a plan view. Therefore, condensation water adhering to lower sensible heat exchanger 137 drips into lower drain pan 35.
[0070] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, and shows the humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101 in a state where the upper surface part 11 is removed. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 5.
[0071] 5 to 7, the humidity control and ventilation device 101 is provided with an upstream switching mechanism 160 instead of the first partition portion 15 of the first embodiment. The upstream switching mechanism 160 is provided inside the housing 10, on the front side of the first suction port 12a and the second suction port 12b. The upstream switching mechanism 160 is provided inside the housing 10, on the rear side of the total heat exchanger 20.
[0072] The upstream switching mechanism 160 includes an upstream damper device 161. The upstream damper device 161 has a plate-shaped upstream main body portion 162 that divides the inside of the housing 10 into front and rear. The upstream main body portion 162 is provided with a total of four dampers 163, 164, 165, and 166, two of which are arranged in the vertical direction and two in the horizontal direction. The upstream damper device 161 opens each of the dampers 163 to 166 to communicate the space behind the upstream damper device 161 with the space in front of it. Each of the dampers 163 to 166 is, for example, an arbitrary damper such as a butterfly damper.
[0073] The upstream main body 162 is provided in contact with the rear end of the total heat exchanger 20. Among the dampers 163-166, the upper two dampers 163, 164 are located above the horizontal diagonal line L1 of the bottom surface 21 of the total heat exchanger 20. Among the dampers 163-166, the lower two dampers 165, 166 are located below the horizontal diagonal line L1 of the bottom surface 21 of the total heat exchanger 20. Therefore, the air flowing forward through the upper two dampers 163, 164 flows into the second heat exchanger flow path 27. Furthermore, the air flowing forward through the lower two dampers 165, 166 flows into the first heat exchanger flow path 26.
[0074] The upstream switching mechanism 160 has an upstream partition plate 167. The upstream partition plate 167 is a plate-shaped member that divides the space rearward of the upstream main body portion 162 into left and right. In the left space divided by the upstream partition plate 167, the first suction port 12a, the left and upper damper 163, and the left and lower damper 165 are located. In the right space divided by the upstream partition plate 167, the second suction port 12b, the right and upper damper 164, and the right and lower damper 166 are located.
[0075] That is, the upstream switching mechanism 160 can allow the air flowing in from the first suction port 12a to flow into the first heat-exchanger flow path 26 of the total heat exchanger 20 by opening the left and upper damper 163 and closing the left and lower damper 165. The upstream switching mechanism 160 can allow the air flowing in from the first suction port 12a to flow into the second heat-exchanger flow path 27 of the total heat exchanger 20 by closing the left and upper damper 163 and opening the left and lower damper 165. In addition, the upstream switching mechanism 160 can allow the air flowing in from the second suction port 12b to flow into the first heat-exchanger flow path 26 of the total heat exchanger 20 by opening the right and upper damper 164 and closing the right and lower damper 166. The upstream switching mechanism 160 closes the right-side and upper damper 164 and opens the right-side and lower damper 166, thereby allowing the air flowing in from the second suction port 12b to flow into the second heat exchanger passage 27 of the total heat exchanger 20.
[0076] The upstream switching mechanism 160 can be switched between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the upstream switching mechanism 160 closes the left and upper damper 163, opens the right and upper damper 164, opens the left and lower damper 165, and closes the right and lower damper 166. As a result, when the upstream switching mechanism 160 is in the first state, the air in the second space flows into the second heat exchanger inner flow passage 27 through the second suction port 12b, and the air in the first space flows into the first heat exchanger inner flow passage 26 through the first suction port 12a. In the second state, the upstream switching mechanism 160 opens the left and upper damper 163, closes the right and upper damper 164, closes the left and lower damper 165, and opens the right and lower damper 166. As a result, when the upstream switching mechanism 160 is in the second state, air in the first space flows into the second heat exchanger inner flow passage 27 through the first suction port 12a, and air in the second space flows into the first heat exchanger inner flow passage 26 through the second suction port 12b.
[0077] 5 to 7, the humidity control and ventilation device 101 is provided with a downstream-side switching mechanism 170 instead of the second partition unit 16 of the first embodiment. The downstream-side switching mechanism 170 is provided inside the housing 10, on the front side of the partition plate 45. The downstream-side switching mechanism 170 is provided inside the housing 10, on the rear side of the first outlet 13a and the second outlet 13b.
[0078] The downstream switching mechanism 170 includes a downstream upper and lower partition plate 171. The downstream upper and lower partition plate 171 is a plate-shaped member extending rearward from the partition plate 45, and divides the inside of the housing 10 into upper and lower spaces. Air that has passed through the desiccant rotor 40 via the upper space S1 flows into the upper space divided by the downstream upper and lower partition plate 171. Air that has passed through the desiccant rotor 40 via the lower space S2 flows into the lower space divided by the downstream upper and lower partition plate 171. In this embodiment, the downstream upper and lower partition plate 171 is provided at the same height as the upper drain pan 33.
[0079] The downstream switching mechanism 170 includes a downstream damper device 172. The downstream damper device 172 has a plate-shaped downstream main body portion 173 that divides the inside of the housing 10 into front and rear. The downstream main body portion 173 is provided with a total of four dampers 174, 175, 176, and 177, two of which are arranged in the vertical direction and two in the horizontal direction. The downstream damper device 172 communicates between a space behind the downstream damper device 172 and a space in front of the downstream damper device 172 by opening each of the dampers 174 to 177. Each of the dampers 174 to 177 is, for example, an arbitrary damper such as a butterfly damper.
[0080] The downstream main body 173 is provided in contact with the rear end of the total heat exchanger 20. Among the dampers 174-177, the upper two dampers 174, 175 are located above the downstream upper and lower partition plate 171. Among the dampers 174-177, the lower two dampers 176, 177 are located below the downstream upper and lower partition plate 171.
[0081] The downstream switching mechanism 170 has a downstream left / right partition plate 178. The downstream left / right partition plate 178 is a plate-shaped member that divides the space in front of the downstream main body portion 173 into left and right. In the left space divided by the downstream left / right partition plate 178, the first discharge port 13a, the left and upper damper 174, and the left and lower damper 176 are located. In the right space divided by the downstream left / right partition plate 178, the second discharge port 13b, the right and upper damper 175, and the right and lower damper 177 are located.
[0082] That is, the downstream switching mechanism 170 can allow the air flowing in from the upper space S1 to flow to the first discharge port 13a by opening the left and upper damper 174 and closing the right and upper damper 175. The downstream switching mechanism 170 can allow the air flowing in from the upper space S1 to flow to the second discharge port 13b by closing the left and upper damper 174 and opening the right and upper damper 175. In addition, the downstream switching mechanism 170 can allow the air flowing in from the lower space S2 to flow to the first discharge port 13a by opening the left and lower damper 176 and closing the right and lower damper 177. The downstream switching mechanism 170 can allow the air flowing in from the lower space S2 to flow to the second discharge port 13b by closing the left and lower damper 176 and opening the right and lower damper 177.
[0083] The downstream switching mechanism 170 can be switched between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the downstream switching mechanism 170 closes the left and upper damper 174, opens the right and upper damper 175, opens the left and lower damper 176, and closes the right and lower damper 177. As a result, when the downstream switching mechanism 170 is in the first state, the air in the upper space S1 flows into the second space through the second discharge port 13b, and the air in the lower space S2 flows into the first space through the first discharge port 13a. In the second state, the downstream switching mechanism 170 opens the left and upper damper 174, closes the right and upper damper 175, closes the left and lower damper 176, and opens the right and lower damper 177. As a result, when the downstream switching mechanism 170 is in the second state, the air in the upper space S1 flows into the first space through the first outlet 13a, and the air in the lower space S2 flows into the second space through the second outlet 13b. In the present embodiment, the downstream switching mechanism 170 is an example of a "switching mechanism."
[0084] [2-2. Operation] The operation of the humidity control ventilator 101 of the second embodiment configured as above in an operation mode for dehumidifying the second space will be described below. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the humidity control ventilator 101, and shows the humidity control ventilator 101 in a state in which the upper surface part 11 is removed in the operation mode for dehumidifying the second space. Fig. 9 shows a schematic cross section taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 5 in the operation mode for dehumidifying the second space.
[0085] In the operation mode for dehumidifying the second space, the control device controls the refrigeration circuit to cause a high-temperature refrigerant to flow through upper sensible heat exchanger 131 to perform a heating operation and heat the air in the upper space S1. The control device also controls the refrigeration circuit to cause a low-temperature refrigerant to flow through lower sensible heat exchanger 137 to perform a cooling operation and cool the air in the lower space S2.
[0086] In the operation mode for dehumidifying the second space, the control device switches the upstream switching mechanism 160 and the downstream switching mechanism 170 to the second state. As a result, the air in the first space flows in order through the first suction port 12a, the second heat exchanger inner flow path 27, the lower space S2, the lower part of the desiccant rotor 40, and the second discharge port 13b, and then flows into the second space. The air in the second space also flows in order through the second suction port 12b, the first heat exchanger inner flow path 26, the upper space S1, the upper part of the desiccant rotor 40, and the first discharge port 13a, and then flows into the first space. In this embodiment, the upper space S1 corresponds to a “first flow path.” In this embodiment, the lower space S2 corresponds to a “second flow path.”
[0087] As described above, in the operating mode for dehumidifying the second space, the lower sensible heat exchanger 137 cools the air in the lower space S2, so that the air flowing into the second space is dehumidified as it passes through the lower part of the desiccant rotor 40.
[0088] Furthermore, a large amount of condensed water is generated in lower sensible heat exchanger 137 which performs the cooling operation, but lower drain pan 35, which can store a larger amount of condensed water than upper drain pan 33, is provided below lower sensible heat exchanger 137. Therefore, there is no need to enlarge upper drain pan 33, and enlargement of upper drain pan 33 can be suppressed.
[0089] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in the present embodiment, humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101 replaces the air in a first space with the air in a second space, and includes upper space S1 into which air flows in from one of the first space or the second space, lower space S2 into which air flows in from the other of the first space or the second space, upper sensible heat exchanger 131 provided in upper space S1, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 provided in lower space S2, and a heat exchanger 138 provided downstream of upper sensible heat exchanger 131 and lower sensible heat exchanger 137 that spans upper space S1 and lower space S2. and multiple cylindrical desiccant rotors 40 that adsorb and dehumidify one of the upper space S1 or the lower space S2 and regenerate and humidify the other, with the rotation axes of the multiple desiccant rotors 40 being arranged substantially horizontally and aligned in the left-right direction along the radial direction, the lower space S2 being aligned below the upper space S1 in the range from the lower sensible heat exchanger 137 to the multiple desiccant rotors 40, and the upper sensible heat exchanger 131 and the lower sensible heat exchanger 137 being aligned in the vertical direction in positions that overlap in a plan view. This reduces the area occupied by the desiccant rotor 40 in a plan view while maintaining the surface area of the desiccant rotor 40, thereby reducing the horizontal dimensions of the humidity control ventilation device 101. This improves the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilation device 101.
[0090] As in the present embodiment, humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101 includes total heat exchanger 20, which is provided upstream of upper sensible heat exchanger 131 and lower sensible heat exchanger 137, and exchanges heat with air flowing in from the first space and the front second space, upper drain pan 33 which receives condensation water from upper sensible heat exchanger 131, and lower drain pan 35 which receives condensation water from lower sensible heat exchanger 137. Total heat exchanger 20 has each side surface 22 to 25 parallel to the first direction, and one diagonal line L1 of bottom surface 21 aligned parallel to the water line. The upper drain pan 33 may be configured to be a rectangular prism extending in the horizontal direction, with air from either the first space or the second space flowing between the parallel side surfaces 22, 24 on one side and flowing into the upper space S1, and air from the other of the first space or the second space flowing between the parallel side surfaces 23, 25 on the other side and flowing into the lower space S2, with the upper drain pan 33 positioned at the same height as one diagonal line L1, and the lower drain pan 35 extending to a position overlapping the total heat exchanger 20 in a plan view. This makes it difficult for the upper drain pan 33 to impede the outflow of air from the total heat exchanger 20. Also, since the lower drain pan 35 can be enlarged by utilizing the space left below the total heat exchanger 20, the amount of water that can be stored by the lower drain pan 35 can be increased without increasing the dimensions of the humidity control ventilation device 101. This makes it easier to store condensation water generated in the sensible heat exchanger 31 while maintaining the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilation device 101.
[0091] As in this embodiment, the upper sensible heat exchanger 131 is arranged in a parallel position to the side 24 located in the upper space S1, among the side surfaces 24, 25 on the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger 20, and the lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is arranged in a parallel position to the side surface 25 located in the lower space S2, among the side surfaces 24, 25 on the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger 20, the upper drain pan 33 is arranged in a position overlapping the lower end of the upper sensible heat exchanger 131 in a planar view, the lower drain pan 35 overlaps the entire lower sensible heat exchanger 137 in a planar view, and the upper drain pan 33 and the lower drain pan 35 are arranged so that their ends downstream of the air flow are flush with each other. This allows the upper sensible heat exchanger 131, the lower sensible heat exchanger 137, and the total heat exchanger 20 to be arranged compactly, making it easier to reduce the size of the humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101. The upper drain pan 33 and the lower drain pan 35 can be moved closer to the desiccant rotor 40, making the dimensions of the humidity control and ventilation apparatus 101 smaller.
[0092] As in this embodiment, humidity control ventilation device 101 is provided downstream of multiple desiccant rotors 40, and is equipped with a switching mechanism capable of switching between a first state in which air in the upper space S1 is caused to flow into the second space and air in the lower space S2 is caused to flow into the first space, and a second state in which air in the upper space S1 is caused to flow toward the first space and air in the lower space S2 is caused to flow into the second space, and a control device that controls the switching mechanism, and upper sensible heat exchanger 131 and lower sensible heat exchanger 137 are capable of switching between cooling operation and heating operation, and the control device may be configured to switch the switching mechanism to the second state in an operating mode for dehumidifying the second space, causing lower sensible heat exchanger 137 to perform a cooling operation and upper sensible heat exchanger 131 to perform a heating operation. As a result, during defrosting when a large amount of condensation water is generated in sensible heat exchanger 31 which performs cooling, lower sensible heat exchanger 137 is made to perform a cooling operation, so that the condensation water in lower sensible heat exchanger 137 can be stored directly in lower drain pan 35 which has a large water storage capacity. Therefore, the dimensions of upper drain pan 33 can be reduced, and the dimensions of humidity control ventilation device 101 can be reduced.
[0093] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below. It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.
[0094] In the above embodiment, the outer shape of the total heat exchanger 20 has been described as a quadrangular prism with a square bottom surface 21, but this is merely an example. For example, the outer shape of the total heat exchanger 20 may be a quadrangular prism with a diamond-shaped bottom surface 21. The outer shape of the total heat exchanger 20 may be a quadrangular prism with a bottom surface 21 of any quadrangle other than a square or diamond. However, when the bottom surface 21 of the total heat exchanger 20 is square or diamond-shaped, the second heat exchanger inner flow passage 27 with a downward front and the first heat exchanger inner flow passage 26 with an upward front in the total heat exchanger 20 have the same length, and the air in each flow passage can be efficiently heat-exchanged.
[0095] In the above embodiment, the blowers 51, 53 are described as centrifugal sirocco fans, but each of the blowers 51, 53 may be any blower capable of blowing air between the first space and the second space through the housing 10. For this reason, each of the blowers 51, 53 may be a blower other than a centrifugal sirocco fan, such as an axial flow fan. Furthermore, the number of blowers 51, 53 is not limited, and the humidity control ventilation system 1 may be provided with one blower or three or more blowers.
[0096] In the above embodiment, it has been described that each of the air blowers 51, 53 is disposed at the front end inside the housing 10, but this is just an example. The positions at which each of the air blowers 51, 53 is provided are not limited to the front end inside the housing 10. In addition, each of the air blowers 51, 53 may be configured to be located outside the housing 10, for example, inside a duct.
[0097] In the above embodiment, the humidity control ventilator 1, 101 is provided with two desiccant rotors 40 having the same outer shape, material, and structure, but the configuration of the humidity control ventilator 1, 101 is not limited to this. Two or more desiccant rotors 40 may be provided in one humidity control ventilator 1, 101, and each rotation axis may be in the same horizontal direction, and each may be arranged in a horizontal direction along the radial direction. For example, the humidity control ventilator 1, 101 may be configured to be provided with any number of desiccant rotors 40, three or more. Also, for example, the outer shape, structure, and material of each desiccant rotor 40 may be different from each other.
[0098] In the above embodiment, it has been described that sensible heat exchanger 31, upper sensible heat exchanger 131, and lower sensible heat exchanger 137 are each a part of a refrigeration circuit, and that the air in housing 10 is cooled and heated by exchanging heat between the internal refrigerant and the air in housing 10, but this is only an example. Each of sensible heat exchangers 31, 131, and 137 may be configured to at least one of cooling and heating the air. In addition, each of sensible heat exchangers 31, 131, and 137 is not limited to those that change the temperature of the air in housing 10 by exchanging heat with the internal refrigerant. Each of sensible heat exchangers 31, 131, and 137 may be, for example, a heater equipped with an electric heating wire or the like, or a cooling device equipped with a Peltier element or the like.
[0099] In the second embodiment, the humidity control ventilator 101 is described as being provided with the upstream switching mechanism 160 instead of the first partitioning section 15, but the configuration of the humidity control ventilator 101 is not limited thereto. For example, in the second embodiment, the first partitioning section 15 may be provided instead of the upstream switching mechanism 160. In this case, when the humidity control ventilator 101 is in an operation mode in which the second space is dehumidified, air that has passed through the second suction port 12b, the second upstream space S4, the second heat exchanger inner flow path 27, the lower space S2, and the second discharge port 13b flows into the second space. That is, in this case, the humidity control ventilator 101 dehumidifies the air in the second space while circulating it, and does not ventilate the air.
[0100] In the above-described embodiments, descriptions of directions such as horizontal, vertical, and perpendicular, various numerical values, shapes, materials, and ranges such as the whole, include ranges that have the same action and effect as those directions, numerical values, shapes, materials, and ranges (so-called equivalent ranges), unless otherwise specified.
[0101] [Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.
[0102] (Additional Note) (Technology 1) A humidity control ventilation device comprising: an air intake flow path that flows air from a first space toward a second space; an exhaust flow path that flows air from the second space toward the first space; a temperature regulator that is disposed in the air intake flow path or the exhaust flow path and that cools or heats air; and a plurality of cylindrical desiccant rotors that are disposed downstream of the temperature regulator across the air intake flow path and the exhaust flow path and that adsorb and dehumidify one of the air intake flow path or the exhaust flow path and regenerate and humidify the other, wherein the plurality of desiccant rotors have their rotation axes disposed approximately horizontally and are arranged side by side in a horizontal first direction along a radial direction, the air intake flow path and the exhaust flow path are arranged side by side one above the other in a range from the temperature regulator to the plurality of desiccant rotors, and a longitudinal direction of the temperature regulator is the first direction. This allows the area occupied by the desiccant rotor in a plan view to be reduced while maintaining the surface area of the desiccant rotor. Also, the direction in which the multiple desiccant rotors are arranged coincides with the longitudinal direction of the temperature regulator, reducing the horizontal dimensions of the humidity control ventilation device. This improves the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilation device.
[0103] (Technology 2) A total heat exchanger is provided upstream of the temperature regulator, and exchanges heat between air flowing into the air intake passage and the air exhaust passage; an upper drain pan that receives condensation water from the temperature regulator; a lower drain pan that is provided in a lower passage of the air intake passage or the air exhaust passage and overlaps with the upper drain pan in a plan view; and a transport passage that flows condensation water from the upper drain pan to the lower drain pan. The temperature regulator is provided upstream of the air intake passage or the air exhaust passage. the total heat exchanger is a rectangular prism with each side surface parallel to the first direction and one diagonal of a bottom surface aligned along the horizontal direction, air flowing between one of the parallel side surfaces is made to flow into the air intake flow path, and air flowing between the other parallel side surfaces is made to flow into the exhaust flow path, the upper drain pan is disposed at the same height as the one diagonal, and the lower drain pan extends to a position overlapping the total heat exchanger in a plan view. This makes it difficult for the upper drain pan to obstruct the outflow of air from the total heat exchanger. Also, the lower drain pan can be enlarged by utilizing the space below the total heat exchanger, so the amount of water that can be stored in the lower drain pan can be increased without increasing the dimensions of the humidity control ventilation device. This makes it easier to store condensation water generated in the temperature controller while maintaining the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilation device.
[0104] (Technology 3) A humidity control and ventilation device according to Technology 2, wherein the temperature regulator is provided in a position parallel to the side surface of the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger that is located in the upper flow path, the upper drain pan is provided in a position overlapping a lower end of the temperature regulator in a planar view, and the lower drain pan overlaps the entire upper drain pan in a planar view. This allows the temperature regulator to be installed compactly. In addition, no matter where the transport flow passage is installed in the upper drain pan, the condensed water can be easily drained to the lower drain pan, and there are fewer restrictions on the location of the transport flow passage, so the upper and lower drain pans can be installed compactly. This makes it easier to store the condensed water generated in the temperature regulator while maintaining the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilation system.
[0105] (Technical 4) The humidity control and ventilation device according to Technical 2 or 3, wherein the upper drain pan and the lower drain pan are provided with their ends on the downstream side of the air flow flush with each other. This allows the upper and lower drain pans to be closer to the desiccant rotor, reducing the dimensions of the humidity control ventilator, and thus improving the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilator.
[0106] (Technology 5) A humidity control ventilation device that replaces air of a first space with air of a second space, the humidity control ventilation device comprising: a first flow path into which air flows in from one of the first space or the second space, a second flow path into which air flows in from the other of the first space or the second space, an upper temperature regulator provided in the first flow path, a lower temperature regulator provided in the second flow path, and a plurality of cylindrical desiccant rotors that are provided downstream of the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator and straddle the first flow path and the second flow path, adsorbing and dehumidifying one of the first flow path or the second flow path and regenerating and humidifying the other, wherein the plurality of desiccant rotors have their rotation axes arranged approximately horizontally and are arranged side by side in a first direction that is horizontal along a radial direction, the second flow path is arranged below the first flow path in a range from the lower temperature regulator to the plurality of desiccant rotors, and the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator are arranged side by side in the vertical direction at positions where they overlap in a plan view. This reduces the area occupied by the desiccant rotor in a plan view while maintaining the surface area of the desiccant rotor, thereby reducing the horizontal dimensions of the humidity control ventilator. This improves the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilator.
[0107] (Technology 6) A humidity control and ventilation device according to Technology 5, comprising: a total heat exchanger that is provided upstream of the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator and exchanges heat between the air flowing in from the first space and the second space; an upper drain pan that receives condensation water from the upper temperature regulator; and a lower drain pan that receives condensation water from the lower temperature regulator, wherein the total heat exchanger has a rectangular prism shape with each side surface parallel to the first direction and one diagonal of a bottom surface along the horizontal direction, and causes air from one of the first space or the second space to flow between one of the parallel side surfaces and into the first flow path, and causes air from the other of the first space or the second space to flow between the other parallel side surfaces and into the second flow path, the upper drain pan is disposed at the same height as the one diagonal, and the lower drain pan extends to a position overlapping the total heat exchanger in a plan view. This makes it difficult for the upper drain pan to obstruct the outflow of air from the total heat exchanger. Also, the lower drain pan can be enlarged by utilizing the space below the total heat exchanger, so the amount of water that can be stored in the lower drain pan can be increased without increasing the dimensions of the humidity control ventilation device. This makes it easier to store condensation water generated in the temperature controller while maintaining the ease of installation of the humidity control ventilation device.
[0108] (Technology 7) A humidity control and ventilation device according to Technology 6, wherein the upper temperature regulator is provided in a position parallel to one of the side surfaces of the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger that is located in the first flow path, the lower temperature regulator is provided in a position parallel to the one of the side surfaces of the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger that is located in the second flow path, the upper drain pan is provided in a position overlapping a lower end of the upper temperature regulator in a planar view, the lower drain pan overlaps the entire lower temperature regulator in a planar view, and the upper drain pan and the lower drain pan are provided with their ends on the downstream side of the air flow flush with each other. This allows the upper and lower thermoregulators and the total heat exchanger to be arranged compactly, making it easier to miniaturize the humidity control and ventilation device.The upper and lower drain pans can be moved closer to the desiccant rotor, making the dimensions of the humidity control and ventilation device smaller.
[0109] (Technology 8) A humidity control and ventilation device according to any one of Technologies 5 to 7, comprising: a switching mechanism provided downstream of the plurality of desiccant rotors and capable of switching between a first state in which air in the first flow path is caused to flow into the second space and the air in the second flow path is caused to flow into the first space, and a second state in which air in the first flow path is caused to flow toward the first space and the air in the second flow path is caused to flow into the second space; and a control device that controls the switching mechanism, wherein the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator are capable of switching between a cooling operation and a heating operation, and the control device switches the switching mechanism to the second state in an operation mode for dehumidifying the second space, causes the lower temperature regulator to perform the cooling operation, and causes the upper temperature regulator to perform the heating operation. As a result, during defrosting when a large amount of condensation occurs in the thermoregulator that performs cooling, the lower thermoregulator performs cooling operation, so that the condensation water from the lower thermoregulator can be stored directly in the lower drain pan, which has a large water storage capacity. This allows the size of the upper drain pan to be reduced, and the size of the humidity control ventilation device to be reduced. [Industrial Applicability]
[0110] The present disclosure is applicable to humidity control and ventilation devices. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to humidity control and ventilation devices for commercial use installed in buildings or commercial facilities, and humidity control and ventilation devices for home use. [Explanation of symbols]
[0111] 1 Humidity control ventilation system 10. Chassis 11 Top part 12 Rear part 12a First suction port 12b Second suction port 13 Front part 13a 1st discharge port 13b 2nd discharge port 14 Bottom part 15 First partition 16 Second partition 20 Total heat exchanger 21 Bottom 22 Side 23 Side 24 Side 25 Side 26 1st heat exchanger flow path 27 2nd heat exchanger internal flow path 31 Sensible heat exchanger (temperature controller) 33 Upper drain pan 33a Transport Channel 35 Lower drain pan 40 Desiccant Rotor 41 Bottom 43 Shaft member 45 Partition 51 First ventilation device 53 Second Blower 101 Humidity control ventilation system 131 Upper sensible heat exchanger (upper temperature controller) 137 Lower sensible heat exchanger (lower temperature controller) 160 Upstream switching mechanism 161 Upstream damper device 162 Upstream main body 163 Damper 164 Damper 165 Damper 166 Damper 167 Upstream partition plate 170 Downstream switching mechanism 171 Downstream upper and lower partition plates 172 Downstream damper device 173 Downstream main body 174 Damper 175 Damper 176 Damper 177 Damper 178 Downstream left and right partition plates L1 diagonal S1 Upper space (first flow path) S2 Lower space (second flow path) S3 First upstream space S4 Second upstream space S5 1st downstream space S6 2nd downstream space S7 Air supply channel (upper channel) S8 Exhaust passage (lower passage)
Claims
1. an air supply passage for allowing air to flow from the first space toward the second space; an exhaust flow path that allows air to flow from the second space toward the first space; a temperature regulator disposed in the air intake passage or the air exhaust passage and configured to cool or heat air; a plurality of cylindrical desiccant rotors disposed downstream of the temperature regulator across the air intake passage and the exhaust passage, and adapted to adsorb and dehumidify one of the air intake passage and the exhaust passage and regenerate and humidify the other, The plurality of desiccant rotors are arranged such that their rotation axes are substantially horizontal and that they are arranged side by side in a horizontal first direction along a radial direction, The air supply passage and the exhaust passage are arranged vertically in a range from the temperature regulator to the plurality of desiccant rotors, The longitudinal direction of the temperature controller is the first direction. Humidity control ventilation system.
2. a total heat exchanger provided upstream of the temperature regulator and configured to exchange heat between air flowing into the air intake passage and air flowing into the exhaust passage; an upper drain pan for receiving condensation water from the temperature controller; a lower drain pan provided in a lower flow passage of the air supply flow passage or the exhaust flow passage and overlapping with the upper drain pan in a plan view; A transport flow path for flowing condensation water from the upper drain pan to the lower drain pan, The temperature regulator is provided in an upper flow path of the air supply flow path or the exhaust flow path, The total heat exchanger is Each side surface is parallel to the first direction, and one diagonal of the bottom surface is parallel to the horizontal direction. The air flowing between the parallel sides on one side is caused to flow into the intake air flow passage, and the air flowing between the parallel sides on the other side is caused to flow into the exhaust air flow passage, The upper drain pan is disposed at the same height as the one diagonal line, The lower drain pan extends to a position overlapping the total heat exchanger in a plan view. The humidity control ventilation system according to claim 1.
3. The temperature regulator is provided in a position parallel to the side surface located in the upper flow path among the side surfaces on the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger, The upper drain pan is provided at a position overlapping a lower end of the temperature regulator in a plan view, The lower drain pan overlaps the entire upper drain pan in a plan view. The humidity control ventilation system according to claim 2.
4. The upper drain pan and the lower drain pan are provided so that their ends on the downstream side of the air flow are flush with each other. The humidity control ventilation system according to claim 2 or 3.
5. In a humidity control ventilation device that replaces air in a first space with air in a second space, a first flow path into which air flows in from one of the first space or the second space; a second flow path into which air flows in from the other of the first space or the second space; an upper temperature regulator provided in the first flow path; A lower temperature regulator provided in the second flow path; a plurality of cylindrical desiccant rotors provided across the first flow path and the second flow path downstream of the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator, adsorbing and dehumidifying one of the first flow path and the second flow path and regenerating and humidifying the other, wherein the rotation axes of the plurality of desiccant rotors are arranged substantially horizontally and the rotors are arranged side by side in a first direction that is horizontal along a radial direction, The second flow path is arranged below the first flow path in a range from the lower temperature controller to the plurality of desiccant rotors, The upper temperature controller and the lower temperature controller are arranged vertically in a position where they overlap in a plan view. Humidity control ventilation system.
6. a total heat exchanger provided upstream of the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator, for exchanging heat between the air flowing in from the first space and the second space; an upper drain pan for receiving condensation water from the upper temperature regulator; a lower drain pan for receiving condensation water from the lower temperature regulator; The total heat exchanger is Each side surface is parallel to the first direction, and one diagonal of the bottom surface is parallel to the horizontal direction. Air from one of the first space or the second space is caused to flow between the parallel side surfaces of one of the spaces and enter the first flow path, and air from the other of the first space or the second space is caused to flow between the parallel side surfaces of the other of the spaces and enter the second flow path, The upper drain pan is disposed at the same height as the one diagonal line, The lower drain pan extends to a position overlapping the total heat exchanger in a plan view. The humidity control ventilation system according to claim 5.
7. The upper temperature adjuster is provided in a position parallel to the side surface located in the first flow path among the side surfaces of the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger, The lower temperature adjuster is provided in a position parallel to the side surface located in the second flow path among the side surfaces of the air outlet side of the total heat exchanger, The upper drain pan is provided at a position overlapping a lower end of the upper thermoregulator in a plan view, the lower drain pan overlaps the entire lower thermoregulator in a plan view, The upper drain pan and the lower drain pan are provided so that their ends on the downstream side of the air flow are flush with each other. The humidity control ventilation system according to claim 6.
8. a switching mechanism provided downstream of the plurality of desiccant rotors and capable of switching between a first state in which the air in the first flow path is caused to flow into the second space and the air in the second flow path is caused to flow into the first space, and a second state in which the air in the first flow path is caused to flow toward the first space and the air in the second flow path is caused to flow into the second space; A control device that controls the switching mechanism, the upper temperature regulator and the lower temperature regulator are switchable between a cooling operation and a heating operation, the control device, in an operation mode for dehumidifying the second space, switches the switching mechanism to a second state, causes the lower thermoregulator to perform the cooling operation, and causes the upper thermoregulator to perform the heating operation. The humidity control ventilation system according to any one of claims 5 to 7.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Air conditioner and air conditioning system
JP2010249485A