Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system that can restrain condensation in a space not to be air-conditioned.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system comprises an air conditioning device for heating or cooling a first space, a supply device for supplying air in the first space to a second space that is a space not to be air-conditioned, and an exhaust device for exhausting air in the second space to a third space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system that provides air conditioning and ventilation within a building. [Background technology]

[0002] In non-air-conditioned spaces such as the ceiling space in a building, condensation may occur on the refrigerant pipes of an air conditioner or on steel frames. Several methods have been known to suppress condensation in such non-air-conditioned spaces. The first method is to install a dehumidifier in the non-air-conditioned space to reduce the humidity in the space. The second method is to install a circulation device such as a fan in the non-air-conditioned space to circulate the air and eliminate stagnation of the air. The third method is to install an air intake vent, an exhaust vent, and a blower in the non-air-conditioned space and ventilate the non-air-conditioned space to eliminate stagnation of the air and obtain a heat and moisture exhaust effect (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-194830 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the first method requires piping to drain the drain water, and thus requires a lot of work to install the dehumidifier. In addition, during periods when high-temperature, high-humidity outside air is likely to enter non-air-conditioned spaces (for example, during the rainy season to summer), the dehumidifier is under heavy load and power consumption increases. The second method cannot reduce the temperature or humidity of the non-air-conditioned space. In addition, when high-temperature, high-humidity outside air enters, there is a possibility that condensation will be promoted by circulating the high-temperature, high-humidity air into the non-air-conditioned space using a circulation device. In the third method described in Patent Document 1, the high-temperature, high-humidity outside air that enters the non-air-conditioned space from the air intake port using a blower is also likely to promote condensation, and the condensation prevention effect may be reduced depending on the conditions of the outside air.

[0005] The present disclosure is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an air conditioning system that can suppress condensation in non-air conditioned spaces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure includes an air conditioning device that heats or cools a first space, a supply device that supplies air from the first space to a second space that is not to be air conditioned, and an exhaust device that exhausts air from the second space to a third space. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the air conditioning system of the present disclosure, dehumidified air from the first space flows through the non-air conditioned space, reducing the absolute humidity in the non-air conditioned space, thereby suppressing condensation in the non-air conditioned space regardless of the outside air conditions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment in a second space. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an air conditioning system according to a modified example in a second space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. In addition, the shape, size, arrangement, etc. of the configurations shown in each drawing may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment is installed in a building 200 such as a store. Fig. 1 shows a vertical cross section of the building 200 and each component of the air conditioning system 100 installed in the building 200. Also, dashed arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the flow of air.

[0011] The first space R1 is, for example, a sales floor of a store, and is a space to be air-conditioned by the air conditioning device 1. The second space R2 is, for example, an attic, and is a space not to be air-conditioned by the air conditioning device 1. If the building 200 has two or more floors, the second space R2 may be between floors. The third space R3 is, for example, outdoors.

[0012] 1, the air conditioning system 100 includes an air conditioner 1 that heats or cools a first space R1 of a building 200, a first air intake 2 that introduces outside air into the first space R1, and a supply device 3 that supplies air from the first space R1 to a second space R2. The air conditioning system 100 also includes a second air intake 4 that communicates with the first air intake 2, an exhaust device 5 that exhausts air from the second space R2 to a third space R3, and a control device 8 that controls the supply device 3 and the exhaust device 5.

[0013] The air conditioner 1 is installed on the ceiling 201 of the first space R1. The air conditioner 1 may be installed on a wall of the first space R1, or may be a floor-standing type. The air conditioner 1 is equipped with a refrigerant circuit consisting of a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger, and performs heating or cooling of the first space R1. A control unit (not shown) of the air conditioner 1 controls the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 1 by changing the operating frequency of the compressor, the air volume of the outdoor fan that sends air to the outdoor heat exchanger, and the air volume of the indoor fan that supplies air to the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0014] The compressor, four-way valve, outdoor heat exchanger, outdoor fan, and expansion valve of the air conditioner 1 are housed in an outdoor unit arranged in the third space R3, and the indoor heat exchanger and indoor fan are housed in an indoor unit arranged in the second space R2. In addition, refrigerant piping 11 connecting the indoor unit and outdoor unit of the air conditioner 1 is arranged in the second space R2. The surface temperature of the refrigerant piping 11 becomes low during cooling operation, etc., and is a component that can cause condensation.

[0015] The first air intake 2 is provided in the ceiling 201 of the first space R1. The first air intake 2 is connected to the second air intake 4 by a duct 21, and outside air drawn in from the second air intake 4 is supplied to the first space R1 from the first air intake 2 through the duct 21. The first air intake 2 may be provided in the wall of the first space R1. In this case, the second air intake 4 and the duct 21 are omitted. Also, the first air intake 2 may be provided with an intake fan for drawing outside air into the first space R1.

[0016] The supply device 3 includes an intake port 31 provided in the ceiling 201 of the first space R1, an exhaust port 32 arranged in the second space R2, and a fan 33 that draws in air from the first space R1 through the intake port 31 and blows it out into the second space R2 through the exhaust port 32. The supply device 3 includes a pressure loss detection means, and the output of the motor of the fan 33 is controlled according to the detection result of the pressure loss detection means, thereby keeping the supply air volume of the supply device 3 constant.

[0017] The second air intake 4 is provided in the wall of the second space R2 and communicates with the third space R3. The second air intake 4 may be provided in the ceiling of the second space R2. The second air intake 4 may be provided with an air intake fan for drawing outside air into the first space R1.

[0018] The exhaust device 5 includes an intake port 51 disposed in the second space R2, an exhaust port 52 provided in the wall of the second space R2 and communicating with the third space R3, and a fan 53 that draws in air from the second space R2 through the intake port 51 and blows it out into the third space R3 through the exhaust port 52. The exhaust device 5 includes a pressure loss detection means, and the output of the motor of the fan 53 is controlled according to the detection result of the pressure loss detection means, thereby keeping the exhaust air volume of the exhaust device 5 constant.

[0019] The control device 8 is connected to the air conditioning device 1, the supply device 3, and the exhaust device 5 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly with them, and controls the operation of the supply device 3 and the exhaust device 5. The control device 8 is composed of a computer equipped with a memory for storing data and programs necessary for control and a processor such as a CPU for executing programs, a dedicated processing circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA, or both.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement in the second space R2 of the air conditioning system 100 according to the embodiment 1. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the second space R2 of the building 200 and each component of the air conditioning system 100 arranged in the second space R2. Also, the dashed arrows in Fig. 2 indicate the flow of air.

[0021] 2, in a plan view of the second space R2, the second space R2 is divided into four regions R21, R22, R23, and R24 by a first boundary line L1 and a second boundary line L2 that pass through the center of the second space R2 and are perpendicular to each other. In this case, the supply device 3 is disposed in a region different from the exhaust device 5. More specifically, the supply device 3 is disposed in the region R21 diagonally opposite the region R24 in which the exhaust device 5 is disposed. By disposing the supply device 3 and the exhaust device 5 diagonally, it is possible to efficiently ventilate the air in the second space R2.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the supply device 3 is disposed so that the exhaust port 32 faces the refrigerant pipe 11 of the air conditioner 1. As a result, the air in the first space R1 sucked in from the intake port 31 of the supply device 3 is blown out from the exhaust port 32 toward the refrigerant pipe 11. The surface temperature of the refrigerant pipe 11 of the air conditioner 1 becomes lower than the dew point temperature of the air in the second space R2 depending on the operating state, which causes condensation. Therefore, by adjusting the wind direction of the supply device 3 so that the wind hits the refrigerant pipe 11, which causes condensation, the absolute humidity of the location at risk of condensation can be effectively reduced. Note that the member that causes condensation is not limited to the refrigerant pipe 11 of the air conditioner 1, but includes a steel frame or duct pipe disposed in the second space R2. The supply device 3 is disposed so that the air in the first space R1 is blown out toward the cause of condensation.

[0023] Furthermore, if the distance between the supply device 3 and the first air intake port 2 is short, air before it is dehumidified by the air conditioning device 1, i.e., air close to the outside air supplied from the first air intake port 2, will be supplied to the second space R2 by the supply device 3. For this reason, the supply device 3 is placed in an area different from the first air intake port 2. In this way, by placing the supply device 3 and the first air intake port 2 at positions separated from each other, it is possible to supply dehumidified air from the first space R1 to the second space R2.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a control block diagram of the air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 8 has an information acquisition unit 81, a supply control unit 82, and an exhaust control unit 83. The information acquisition unit 81, the supply control unit 82, and the exhaust control unit 83 are functional units that are realized by the processor of the control device 8 executing a program. Alternatively, at least any one of the information acquisition unit 81, the supply control unit 82, and the exhaust control unit 83 may be realized by a processing circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0025] The information acquisition unit 81 acquires operation information from the air conditioner 1. The operation information of the air conditioner 1 is information related to the operation mode of the air conditioner 1, such as operation, stop, cooling or heating, and the operation state, such as continuous operation or intermittent operation. Continuous operation is a state in which the compressor of the air conditioner 1 operates continuously, and intermittent operation is a state in which the compressor intermittently operates and stops when the air conditioning load is low. The information acquisition unit 81 acquires operation information from the air conditioner 1 periodically (for example, every few minutes) and outputs it to the supply control unit 82.

[0026] The supply control unit 82 controls the operation and stop of the fan 33 of the supply device 3 and the supply air volume during operation based on the operation information of the air conditioner 1 acquired by the information acquisition unit 81. Specifically, the supply control unit 82 operates the fan 33 of the supply device 3 when the air conditioner 1 is performing cooling operation, and stops the fan 33 of the supply device 3 when the air conditioner 1 is performing heating operation or is stopped. The supply air volume during operation of the supply device 3 is set to an air volume that satisfies the ventilation rate of the first space R1 of 0.5 times / h, for example. This makes it possible to supply the cooled and dehumidified air of the first space R1 to the second space R2 during periods when the second space R2 is hot and humid (rainy season to summer).

[0027] The supply control unit 82 may operate the fan 33 of the supply device 3 only when the air conditioning device 1 is performing cooling operation and a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition is that the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioning device 1 has spare capacity, in other words, that the air conditioning load in the first space R1 is small. This prevents a situation in which the first space R1 cannot be sufficiently air-conditioned and the comfort of users in the first space R1 decreases due to air being supplied to the second space R2 when the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioning device 1 has no spare capacity.

[0028] The exhaust control unit 83 controls the operation and stop of the fan 53 of the exhaust device 5, and the exhaust air volume during operation, based on the operating state of the supply device 3 and the air volume of the supply device 3. Specifically, the exhaust control unit 83 operates the fan 53 of the exhaust device 5 when the fan 33 of the supply device 3 is operating, and stops the fan 53 of the exhaust device 5 when the fan 33 of the supply device 3 is stopped. That is, the exhaust control unit 83 controls the exhaust device 5 to be linked with the supply device 3. By linking the operations of the supply device 3 and the exhaust device 5, it is possible to suppress stagnation of air in the second space R2. In addition, by linking the operations of the supply device 3 and the exhaust device 5, it is possible to reduce the number of operating members (such as switches).

[0029] In addition, the exhaust control unit 83 controls the rotation speed of the fan 53 so that the exhaust air volume of the exhaust device 5 is equal to or less than the supply air volume of the supply device 3. This makes the amount of air supplied from the first space R1 to the second space R2 equal to or greater than the amount of air exhausted from the second space R2 to the third space R3. As a result, it is possible to prevent outside air from entering the second space R2 from the third space R3 through gaps in the roof 202 or building materials, and to improve the thermal environment of the second space R2.

[0030] As described above, in the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, the air in the first space R1 conditioned by the air conditioner 1 is forcibly supplied to the second space R2 by the supply device 3, and the air in the second space R2 is forcibly exhausted to the third space R3 by the exhaust device 5. This makes it possible to generate a flow of conditioned air in the second space R2 without introducing outside air into the second space R2. As a result, the absolute humidity in the second space R2 is reduced, and the occurrence of condensation in the second space R2, which is a non-air-conditioned space, can be suppressed regardless of the outside air conditions.

[0031] In addition, the thermal environment of the second space R2 can be improved by supplying conditioned air from the first space R1 to the second space R2 and exhausting the high-temperature, high-humidity air that causes condensation from the second space R2. Furthermore, the supply device 3 supplies air from the first space R1 to the second space R2, preventing air from entering from the third space R3 and efficiently improving the thermal environment of the second space R2. Furthermore, the improvement of the thermal environment of the second space R2 eliminates the temperature difference between the second space R2 and the first space R1, and the load on the air conditioning device 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, the supply device 3 blows air into the second space R2, and does not require the installation of ducts or the like, so it can be easily introduced as a condensation prevention measure not only in new buildings but also in existing buildings.

[0032] Embodiment 2 An air conditioning system 100A according to the second embodiment will be described. The air conditioning system 100A according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a transport device 6. The other configurations of the air conditioning system 100A are the same as those of the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning system 100A according to embodiment 2. Fig. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional schematic diagram of a building 200 and each component of the air conditioning system 100A installed in the building 200. The dashed arrows in Fig. 4 indicate the flow of air. The air conditioning system 100A according to embodiment 2 includes a transport device 6 in addition to an air conditioner 1, a first air inlet 2, a supply device 3, a second air inlet 4, an exhaust device 5, and a control device 8.

[0034] The transport device 6 is disposed in the second space R2, and includes an intake port 61, an exhaust port 62, and a fan 63 that draws in air from the second space R2 through the intake port 61 and blows it out into the second space R2 through the exhaust port 62. The transport device 6 includes a pressure loss detection means, and the output of the motor of the fan 63 is controlled according to the detection result of the pressure loss detection means, thereby keeping the supply air volume of the supply device 3 constant.

[0035] The conveying device 6 is disposed between the supplying device 3 and the exhausting device 5, or in a location where air stagnation is likely to occur in the second space R2. If the second space R2 is large or has a complex shape, the air supplied from the supplying device 3 may not reach the second space R2, resulting in some locations where the dehumidified air does not reach. In this case, condensation may occur in those locations. Therefore, the conveying device 6 forces the air supplied from the supplying device 3 to flow, thereby ventilating every corner of the second space R2.

[0036] As described above, in the air conditioning system 100A of this embodiment, in addition to the effects of embodiment 1, by providing a conveying device 6 in the second space R2, it is possible to improve the thermal environment in the second space R2 and suppress the occurrence of condensation regardless of the size and shape of the second space R2.

[0037] Although the above is a description of the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, an exhaust port or a ventilation device that exhausts air from the first space R1 to the third space R3 without passing through the second space R2 may be provided on the wall of the first space R1.

[0038] In addition, at least any one of the air conditioning devices 1, the supply devices 3, the exhaust devices 5, and the transport devices 6 may be plural in number. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an arrangement in the second space R2 of an air conditioning system 100B according to a modified example. The dashed arrows in Fig. 5 indicate the flow of air.

[0039] 5, two each of air conditioning devices 1, supply devices 3, exhaust devices 5, and transport devices 6 are arranged in the second space R2. The number of at least any of the air conditioning devices 1, supply devices 3, exhaust devices 5, and transport devices 6 may be three or more. The numbers of the air conditioning devices 1, supply devices 3, exhaust devices 5, and transport devices 6 are set according to the size or shape of the first space R1 and the second space R2 so as to achieve air conditioning of the first space R1 and suppression of condensation in the second space R2.

[0040] Furthermore, the first space R1 may be divided into multiple spaces, and each divided space may be conditioned by an air conditioning device 1. For example, the first space R1 may be divided into two, and each divided space may be conditioned by two air conditioning devices 1. In this case, the number of supply devices 3, exhaust devices 5, and conveying devices 6 arranged in the second space R2 may be two, the same as the air conditioning devices 1, or may be one.

[0041] Furthermore, the supply device 3 may be provided with multiple exhaust ports 32 and a Y-shaped pipe or a branching chamber, and may blow air from the first space R1 in multiple directions. This allows air from the first space R1 to be blown out toward multiple components that cause condensation from a single supply device 3. Therefore, even in buildings where it is difficult to install multiple supply devices 3 due to construction constraints, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation without increasing the number of devices installed.

[0042] Furthermore, the configuration and affiliation of the control device 8 are not limited to those in the above embodiment. For example, the control device 8 may be a control device of the air conditioning device 1, or a control device built into the supply device 3 or the exhaust device 5. Furthermore, each functional unit of the control device 8 may be realized by a different control device. For example, the supply control unit 82 may be realized by a control device built into the supply device 3, and the exhaust control unit 83 may be realized by a control device built into the exhaust device 5.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the supply control unit 82 of the control device 8 controls the operation of the supply device 3 according to the operating state of the air conditioning device 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the supply control unit 82 may control the operation of the supply device 3 based on at least one of the temperature and humidity of the second space R2, or an instruction from a user. Specifically, the supply control unit 82 may start the operation of the supply device 3 when the second space R2 becomes high temperature or high humidity at which condensation is likely to occur. The temperature and humidity of the second space R2 are measured by a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor provided in the second space R2. Alternatively, the supply control unit 82 may start the operation of the supply device 3 when an instruction to start the operation of the supply device 3 is received from a user via a remote controller or the like. In these cases, the information acquisition unit 81 of the control device 8 can be omitted.

[0044] In addition, the term "outdoors" in the above description may include not only the outside of the building 200 but also the outside of a space that is not subject to air conditioning, such as a parking lot within the building 200. Furthermore, the term "outdoor air" may include not only the air outside the building 200 but also the outside air that is not subject to air conditioning.

[0045] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0046] (Appendix 1) An air conditioning device that heats or cools the first space; an air supply port for supplying outside air to the first space; A supply device that supplies air from the first space to a second space that is a non-air-conditioned space; an exhaust device that exhausts air from the second space to a third space. (Appendix 2) An air conditioning system as described in Appendix 1, wherein when the second space is divided into four regions by a first boundary line and a second boundary line that pass through the center of the second space and are perpendicular to each other when viewed in a plan view, the supply device is arranged in a region diagonally opposite the region in which the exhaust device is provided. (Appendix 3) 3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transport device installed in the second space and transporting air in the second space. (Appendix 4) 4. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control device that links the supply device and the exhaust device. (Appendix 5) 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the supply volume of the supply device is equal to or larger than the exhaust volume of the exhaust device. (Appendix 6) 6. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the supply device blows out air from the first space toward a member that is disposed in the second space and that is a cause of condensation. (Appendix 7) 7. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the supply device blows out air from the first space in a plurality of directions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 air conditioning unit, 2 first air intake port, 3 supply unit, 4 second air intake port, 5 exhaust unit, 6 conveying unit, 8 control unit, 11 refrigerant piping, 21 duct, 31, 51, 61 intake port, 32, 52, 62 exhaust port, 33, 53, 63 fan, 81 information acquisition unit, 82 supply control unit, 83 exhaust control unit, 100, 100A, 100B air conditioning system, 200 building, 201 ceiling, 202 roof, R1 first space, R2 second space, R3 third space.

Claims

1. An air conditioning device that heats or cools the first space; A supply device that supplies air from the first space to a second space that is a non-air-conditioned space; an exhaust device that exhausts air from the second space to a third space.

2. 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein when the second space is divided into four regions by a first boundary line and a second boundary line which pass through the center of the second space and are perpendicular to each other when viewed in a plan view, the supply device is arranged in a region diagonally opposite the region in which the exhaust device is provided.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transport device installed in the second space and configured to transport air in the second space.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control device that links the supply device and the exhaust device.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply volume of the supply device is equal to or larger than the exhaust volume of the exhaust device.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply device blows out the air in the first space toward a component that is disposed in the second space and that is a cause of condensation.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply device blows out the air from the first space in a plurality of directions.

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