Air conditioning system

Abstract

To prevent germs from entering an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system includes an air conditioner, a flow passage, an air blowing system, and a sterilization / deodorization device. The air conditioner is installed in an installation space which is above or below a predetermined floor space. The flow passage allows the air to pass from a suction port opening in the floor space to the air conditioner. The air blowing system blows the air in the installation space to the floor space. The sterilization / deodorization device is installed in the intermediate part in the length direction of the flow passage, and performs sterilization and deodorization of the air which is allowed to pass from the suction port to the air conditioner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning system.

Background Art

[0002] Some air conditioning systems include an air conditioner and a sterilization and deodorization device. The air conditioner performs air conditioning in a predetermined air-conditioned space. The sterilization and deodorization device is installed in the air-conditioned space and sterilizes and deodorizes the air in the air-conditioned space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to such an air conditioning system, air conditioning can be performed by the air conditioner, and sterilization and deodorization can be performed by the sterilization and deodorization device. However, the present inventors have focused on the following problems.

[0005] That is, since the sterilization and deodorization device is outside the air conditioner, in some cases, the air conditioner may once diffuse bacteria and viruses into the air-conditioned space, and then the sterilization and deodorization device may sterilize and deodorize the air in the air-conditioned space. In addition, once bacteria and viruses are taken into the air conditioner, there is a risk that the bacteria and viruses will grow in the air conditioner. Therefore, the efficiency of sterilization and deodorization may decrease.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to efficiently perform sterilization and deodorization.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure is an air conditioner installed in an installation space above or below a predetermined floor space, a flow path for passing air from an intake port opening into the predetermined floor space to the air conditioner, a blowing system for blowing air in the installation space into the predetermined floor space, a sterilization and deodorization device installed at an intermediate portion in the length direction of the flow path for sterilizing and deodorizing the air passing from the intake port to the air conditioner, and includes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] [First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment is installed in a house 300 which is a single-family house. In addition to the air conditioning system 100, a ventilation system 200 is also provided for this house 300.

[0011] Hereinafter, two directions orthogonal to each other in the horizontal plane are referred to as the "X direction" and the "Y direction". Also, one side in the X direction is referred to as the "X- side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "X+ side". Also, one side in the Y direction is referred to as the "Y- side", and the opposite side is referred to as the "Y+ side".

[0012] Inside the house 300, a basement space Sa, a first-floor space S1, a mezzanine space Sb, and a second-floor space S2 are formed in order from the bottom. The basement space Sa is a space formed under the floor of the first floor. The first-floor space S1 is a space formed between the floor surface of the first floor and the ceiling surface of the first floor. "The first-floor space S1" may be read as "a predetermined floor space". The mezzanine space Sb is a space formed between the first floor and the second floor. "The mezzanine space Sb" may be read as "an installation space". The second-floor space S2 is a space formed between the floor surface of the second floor and the ceiling surface of the second floor. "The second-floor space S2" may be read as "another floor space".

[0013] Hereinafter, the first-floor space S1 and the second-floor space S2 are referred to as "floor spaces S1, S2". Most of the floor spaces S1, S2 are living spaces Ls. However, the first-floor space S1 includes a machine room Ms in addition to the living space Ls. Here, the living space Ls includes, for example, an entrance, a corridor, a kitchen, a dining area, a bathroom, a toilet, a staircase, a living room, a bedroom, and other rooms.

[0014] The ventilation system 200 includes an intake path 220, an exhaust path 280, and a heat exchanger 250. The heat exchanger 250 is provided in the machine room Ms. In the first-floor space S1, a gap 25 connecting the machine room Ms and the living space Ls is provided between them. Thus, the air in the living space Ls can flow into the machine room Ms.

[0015] The intake passage 220 extends from the outdoors, passes through the heat exchanger 250, and then extends to the intermediate floor space Sb. The exhaust passage 280 extends from each of the underfloor space Sa and the machine room Ms, merges, passes through the heat exchanger 250, and then extends outdoors.

[0016] A fan is provided inside the heat exchanger 250. Therefore, the ventilation system 200 is configured to be able to intake outdoor air from the intake passage 220 into the intermediate floor space Sb and exhaust the air in the underfloor space Sa and the living space Ls outdoors from the exhaust passage 280.

[0017] The heat exchanger 250 performs heat exchange between the air passing through the exhaust passage 280 and the air passing through the intake passage 220.

[0018] The air conditioning system 100 is a whole-building air conditioning system that air-conditions all or substantially all of the living spaces Ls in the floor spaces S1 and S2. The air conditioning system 100 includes an intake port 20, a first flow path 30, a sterilization and deodorization device 40, a second flow path 50, an air conditioner 60, and a ventilation system 70. Hereinafter, the first flow path 30 and the second flow path 50 are referred to as "flow paths 30 and 50".

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the intake port 20 opens in the first floor space S1 from the machine room Ms toward the living space Ls. The first flow path 30 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40 are installed in the machine room Ms. The second flow path 50 is installed in a range straddling the machine room Ms and the intermediate floor space Sb. The air conditioner 60 and the ventilation system 70 are installed in the intermediate floor space Sb.

[0020] Specifically, the first flow path 30 connects the suction port 20 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40. The second flow path 50 connects the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and the air conditioner 60. Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is installed at the intermediate portion in the length direction of the flow paths 30 and 50. More specifically, the second flow path 50 is longer than the first flow path 30. Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is provided on the suction port 20 side rather than at the center in the length direction of the flow paths 30 and 50. In this way, the flow paths 30 and 50 extend from the suction port 20 through the sterilization and deodorization device 40 to the air conditioner 60, and pass the air in the living space Ls in the first floor space S1 to the air conditioner 60.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 7, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 includes a housing 41, an ultraviolet generator 42, and a photocatalyst 45. The ultraviolet generator 42 and the photocatalyst 45 are installed inside the housing 41. As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 47 for replacing the photocatalyst 45 is provided in the housing 41. A rubber-like packing material 48 is attached to the opening 47 via an attachment member 49 so that ultraviolet rays Uv do not leak. Specific examples of the material of the packing material 48 include EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 7, the air flowing into the sterilization and deodorization device 40 from the first flow path 30 flows out to the second flow path 50 after passing through the photocatalyst 45. At that time, the ultraviolet generator 42 irradiates the photocatalyst 45 with ultraviolet rays Uv such as ultraviolet C waves. When the photocatalyst 45 receives the ultraviolet rays Uv, an oxidizing power is generated on the surface. By this oxidizing power, harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses that come into contact with the photocatalyst 45 are decomposed into water and carbon dioxide. By the above mechanism, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 sterilizes and deodorizes the air supplied from the suction port 20 to the air conditioner 60.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, the suction port 20 penetrates the wall between the machine room Ms and the living space Ls in the X direction. The first flow path 30 includes a suction chamber 32 and a conduit 35. The suction chamber 32 is installed at a position adjacent to the suction port 20 within the machine room Ms. Specifically, the suction chamber 32 is provided on the X - side of the suction port 20. The conduit 35 extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the conduit 35 is connected to the upper surface of the suction chamber 32, and the upper end of the conduit 35 is connected to the lower surface of the sterilization and deodorization device 40. That is, the conduit 35 connects the suction chamber 32 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40.

[0024] From the above, air inhaled into the suction port 20 flows into the suction chamber 32 on the X - side. The conduit 35 extends upward from the suction chamber 32. Therefore, the first flow path 30 including the suction chamber 32 and the conduit 35 bends in the middle. Thus, ultraviolet rays leaking out from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the first flow path 30 do not reach the suction port 20 linearly. That is, the first flow path 30 is configured so that ultraviolet rays do not leak into the living space Ls by utilizing the fact that ultraviolet rays travel straight.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5, which is a view of the flow paths 30, 50 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40 shown in Fig. 4 as seen from the X + side, the axis A4 at the upper end of the conduit 35 and the axis A3 at the lower end of the conduit 35 are offset from each other in the Y direction. Therefore, ultraviolet rays leaking out from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the conduit 35 do not even reach the suction chamber 32 linearly. That is, the conduit 35 is configured so that ultraviolet rays do not even leak into the suction chamber 32 by utilizing the fact that ultraviolet rays travel straight. Ultraviolet rays deteriorate fibers, plastics, etc. Therefore, the conduit 35 is an aluminum flexible duct or the like that is not deteriorated by ultraviolet rays.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the second flow path 50 is a pipe that extends upward from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and then extends toward the X+ side to reach the air conditioner 60. Therefore, the second flow path 50 bends midway. As a result, the ultraviolet rays leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the second flow path 50 are configured not to reach the air conditioner 60 linearly. That is, the second flow path 50 is configured so that the ultraviolet rays do not enter the air conditioner by utilizing the fact that the ultraviolet rays only travel straight. Therefore, there is no concern that the air conditioner will be deteriorated by the ultraviolet rays. The second flow path 50 is also made of an aluminum flexible duct or the like that will not be deteriorated by ultraviolet rays, similar to the conduit 35 of the first flow path 30.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioner 60 warms or cools the air supplied from the suction port 20 through the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and blows it into the intermediate floor space Sb. The ventilation system 70 includes a downward fan 71 and an upward fan 72. The downward fan 71 sends the air in the intermediate floor space Sb to the first floor space S1. The upward fan 72 sends the air in the intermediate floor space Sb to the second floor space S2. Hereinafter, the downward fan 71 and the upward fan 72 are referred to as "fans 71, 72".

[0028] From the above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air conditioning system 100 air - conditions the entire living space Ls in the floor spaces S1 and S2 on both the upper and lower sides by the radiant heat Rh from the second - floor floor surface, the radiant heat Rh from the first - floor ceiling surface, the convection by the upward fan 72 from the second - floor floor surface, and the convection by the downward fan 71 from the first - floor ceiling surface.

[0029] Specifically, in winter Wi shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 60 warms the air supplied to the air conditioner 60 from the suction port 20 through the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and blows it into the intermediate floor space Sb. The ventilation system 70 relatively weakly sends the air in the intermediate floor space Sb toward the second floor space S2 by the upward fan 72, while relatively strongly sending it toward the first floor space S1 by the downward fan 71. This is because the warmed air tends to rise.

[0030] On the other hand, in the summer Su shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 60 cools the air supplied from the suction port 20 through the sterilization and deodorization device 40 to the air conditioner 60 and blows it into the intermediate space Sb. The ventilation system 70 sends the air in the intermediate space Sb relatively strongly toward the second floor space S2 by the upward fan 72, while sending it relatively weakly toward the first floor space S1 by the downward fan 71. This is because the cooled air tends to descend.

[0031] The configuration and effects of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air conditioning system 100 conditions the intermediate space Sb with the air conditioner 60 and blows the air to each living space Ls in the floor spaces S1 and S2 on the upper and lower sides by the fans 71 and 72. Thereby, the duct from the air conditioner 60 to each living space Ls, which is originally necessary, can be made unnecessary. That is, by utilizing the intermediate space Sb as a chamber for air conditioning, ductless can be achieved, and construction can be saved and dew condensation in the duct can be prevented. Moreover, by adjusting the air volume to each living space Ls by each fan 71 and 72, the temperature can be adjusted for each living space Ls.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 decomposes harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses into water and carbon dioxide and inactivates them. The inactivated clean air is supplied to the air conditioner 60 as shown in FIG. 4. The air is supplied to each living space Ls in the floor spaces S1 and S2 on the upper and lower sides by each fan 71 and 72 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thereby, the air in all the living spaces Ls can be made clean.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is installed in the middle part of the length direction of the flow paths 30 and 50, and performs sterilization and deodorization of the air passing from the suction port 20 to the air conditioner 60. Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 sterilizes and deodorizes the air before it is inhaled by the air conditioner 60. Therefore, it is possible to prevent drawbacks such as bacteria and viruses invading the air conditioner 60 and multiplying inside the air conditioner 60, and the air conditioner 60 diffusing bacteria and viruses into the living space Ls once. Therefore, sterilization and deodorization can be performed efficiently.

[0035] Moreover, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is provided on the suction port 20 side rather than the center in the length direction in the flow paths 30 and 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the invasion of bacteria and viruses in more than half of the range in the flow paths 30 and 50. Therefore, the growth of bacteria and viruses in the flow paths 30 and 50 can be suppressed.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 performs sterilization and deodorization by irradiating the photocatalyst 45 with ultraviolet rays Uv by the ultraviolet ray generation device 42. Thereby, sterilization and deodorization can be performed more efficiently and powerfully.

[0037] Specifically, in the following sterilization test, as shown in FIG. 8, it was confirmed that substantially all lactic acid bacteria died 60 minutes after the start of operation of the air conditioning system 100. That is, in this sterilization test, the dining room in the house 300 was sealed, and lactic acid bacteria were supplied to the dining room. Then, the air conditioning system 100 was operated, and the number of lactic acid bacteria adhering in the dining room was sampled at 0 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes after the start of operation. The results are as shown in this FIG. 8. From this result, as described above, it was confirmed that substantially all lactic acid bacteria died 60 minutes after the start of operation of the air conditioning system 100.

[0038] In addition, in the deodorization test shown below, as shown in Fig. 9, it was confirmed that the odor decayed to a level where it was hardly noticeable 60 minutes after the start of operation of the air conditioning system 100. That is, in this deodorization test, ammonia was sprayed at nine locations in the floor spaces S1 and S2. Then, the air conditioning system 100 was operated, and the odor in the floor spaces S1 and S2 was sampled at 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes after the start of operation. The odor was analyzed by a six-stage odor intensity display method. The results are as shown in this Fig. 9. From these results, as described above, it was confirmed that the odor decayed to a level where it was hardly noticeable 60 minutes after the start of operation of the air conditioning system 100.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the first flow path 30 extends from the suction port 20 toward the X-side and then upward to reach the sterilization and deodorization device 40. That is, the first flow path 30 bends midway. Thereby, the ultraviolet rays leaking out from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the first flow path 30 are configured not to reach the suction port 20 linearly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking out from the suction port 20 into the living space Ls.

[0040] Moreover, as shown in Fig. 5, the axis A4 of the end portion of the conduit 35 on the side of the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and the axis A3 of the end portion of the conduit 35 on the side of the suction chamber 32 are offset from each other. Thereby, the ultraviolet rays leaking out from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the conduit 35 are configured not to reach even the suction chamber 32 linearly. Therefore, it is possible to more firmly prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking out from the suction port 20 into the first-floor space S1 and to prevent the deterioration of the suction chamber 32 due to the ultraviolet rays.

[0041] Also, as shown in Fig. 4, the second flow path 50 extends upward from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and then extends toward the X+ side to reach the air conditioner 60. That is, also for the second flow path 50, it bends midway. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays leaking out from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the second flow path 50 do not reach the air conditioner 60 linearly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the air conditioner 60 due to the ultraviolet rays.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is provided in the machine room Ms provided in the first-floor space S1. Therefore, residents and workers can easily perform maintenance on the sterilization and deodorization device 40.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, since there is a ventilation system 200, the carbon dioxide concentration in the floor spaces S1 and S2 can be sufficiently suppressed. Specifically, in the carbon dioxide load test shown below, it was confirmed that the carbon dioxide concentration became the normal value 60 minutes after the start of operation of the ventilation system 200. That is, in this carbon dioxide load test, carbon dioxide was generated in the floor spaces S1 and S2 using dry ice. As a result, the carbon dioxide concentration in the floor spaces S1 and S2 was set to 1200 ppm. Then, the ventilation system 200 was operated, and the carbon dioxide concentration in the floor spaces S1 and S2 was sampled 30 minutes and 60 minutes after the start of operation, respectively. The results were 600 ppm 30 minutes after the start of operation of the ventilation system 200 and 400 ppm 60 minutes after the start of operation. From this result, as described above, it was confirmed that the carbon dioxide concentration became the normal value 60 minutes after the start of operation of the ventilation system 200.

[0044] [Other Embodiments] The above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications, for example. The sterilization and deodorization device 40 shown in FIG. 1 may be provided with sterilization and deodorization means other than photocatalyst.

[0045] An air conditioner 60 and a ventilation system 70 may also be installed in the underfloor space Sa shown in FIG. 1. That is, in addition to the inter-floor space Sb, the underfloor space Sa may also be utilized as an installation space and an air-conditioning chamber.

[0046] The house 300 shown in FIG. 1 may be made into a three-story building, and an air conditioner 60 and a ventilation system 70 may also be installed between the second floor and the third floor. That is, in addition to the inter-floor space Sb between the first floor and the second floor, the inter-floor space between the second floor and the third floor may also be utilized as an installation space and an air-conditioning chamber.

[0047] 1 may be a one-story house, and the air conditioner 60 and the blower system 70 may be installed in the underfloor space Sa or the attic space (the space from the ceiling to the roof of the first floor). In other words, the underfloor space Sa or the attic space, rather than the inter-floor space Sb, may be used as the installation space and the chamber for air conditioning.

[0048] 1 may be provided in the second floor space S2 instead of the first floor space S1. Also, the house 300 may be three or more stories tall, and the machine room Ms may be provided in the third or fourth floor space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 20 intake port, 30 first flow path (flow path), 32 intake chamber, 35 conduit, 40 sterilization and deodorization device, 50 second flow path (flow path), 60 air conditioner, 70 ventilation system, 100 air conditioning system, Ms machine room, S1 first floor space (specified floor space), S2 second floor space (another floor space), Sb inter-floor space (installation space).

Claims

1. An air conditioner installed in an installation space above or below a predetermined floor space, a flow path for allowing air to pass from an intake port opening into the predetermined floor space to the air conditioner, a blowing system for blowing air in the installation space into the predetermined floor space, a sterilization and deodorization device installed at an intermediate portion in the length direction of the flow path for sterilizing and deodorizing the air passing from the intake port to the air conditioner, and an air conditioning system comprising the same.

2. The installation space is an intermediate space between the predetermined floor space and another floor space above or below the predetermined floor space, and the blowing system blows air in the intermediate space into the predetermined floor space and the other floor space, The air conditioning system according to claim 1.

3. The flow path includes a first flow path connecting the intake port and the sterilization and deodorization device, and a second flow path connecting the sterilization and deodorization device and the air conditioner, the sterilization and deodorization device includes an ultraviolet ray generating device and a photocatalyst, and the air flowing into the sterilization and deodorization device from the first flow path passes through the photocatalyst and flows out into the second flow path, and the sterilization and deodorization device performs the sterilization and deodorization by irradiating the photocatalyst with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet ray generating device. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first flow path is configured such that ultraviolet rays leaking into the first flow path from the sterilization and deodorization device do not reach the intake port linearly due to the first flow path being bent midway. The air conditioning system according to claim 3.

5. The first flow path includes an intake chamber into which the air inhaled by the intake port flows, and a conduit connecting the intake chamber and the sterilization and deodorization device, and the axis of the end portion of the conduit on the sterilization and deodorization device side and the axis of the end portion of the conduit on the intake chamber side are offset from each other, so that ultraviolet rays leaking into the conduit from the sterilization and deodorization device do not reach the intake chamber linearly. The air conditioning system according to claim 3.

6. The second flow path is configured such that ultraviolet rays leaking into the second flow path from the sterilization and deodorization device do not reach the air conditioner linearly due to the second flow path being bent midway. The air conditioning system according to claim 3.

7. The sterilization and deodorization device is provided in a machine room provided in the floor space. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

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