Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system for cooling a target space using outside air with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system (1) includes: a supply passage (10) for supplying air (A) outside (O) of a target space (C) to the target space (C); an evaporative cooler (30) that is provided in the supply passage (10) and cools the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) by heat of vaporization of water (W); and a discharge passage (20) that discharges the air (A) from the target space (C) to the outside (O) of the target space (C). In the evaporative cooler (30), water (W) comes into direct contact with the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) and evaporates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] The air conditioning system disclosed in Patent Document 1 cools a target space by supplying air outside the target space (outside air) to the target space.

[0003] The air conditioning system includes a chiller unit and an air conditioner. In the air conditioning system, a water circuit and a refrigerant circuit are configured independently of each other. The water circuit is provided across the chiller unit and the air conditioner. Water for cooling outside air circulates in the water circuit. The refrigerant circuit is provided in the chiller unit. A refrigerant for cooling water in the water circuit circulates in the refrigerant circuit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-173221 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An air conditioning system that uses outside air to cool a target space requires the installation of a chiller unit and an air conditioner, as well as the construction of a water circuit and a refrigerant circuit, as shown in Patent Document 1. Such an air conditioning system is inevitably complex and large-scale, resulting in high initial and running costs.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to realize an air conditioning system that uses outside air to cool a target space with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an air conditioning system (1). The air conditioning system (1) includes a supply passage (10) that supplies air (A) present outside (O) of a target space (C) to the target space (C), an evaporative cooler (30) that is provided in the supply passage (10) and that cools the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) using the heat of vaporization of water (W), and a discharge passage (20) that discharges the air (A) from the target space (C) to the outside (O) of the target space (C), and in the evaporative cooler (30), the water (W) comes into direct contact with the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) and evaporates.

[0008] According to the first aspect, an air conditioning system (1) that cools a target space (C) using air (A) (outside air) outside (O) of the target space (C) can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0009] A second aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the air conditioning system (1) according to the first aspect. The air conditioning system (1) includes a first branch passage (40) that branches off from a midpoint (22) of the discharge passage (20) and returns the air (A) to a downstream side (10b) of the supply passage (10) relative to the evaporative cooler (30), and a first branch valve (45) that opens and closes the first branch passage (40).

[0010] According to the second aspect, air (A) having a high temperature and a low relative humidity is supplied from the discharge passage (20) through the first branch passage (40) to the target space (C) without passing through the evaporative cooler (30) in the supply passage (10). An increase in the relative humidity of the air (A) in the target space (C) can be suppressed.

[0011] A third aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the air conditioning system (1) according to the second aspect. The air conditioning system (1) includes a temperature sensor (60) that measures a temperature (T) of the air (A) in the target space (C), a humidity sensor (65) that measures a relative humidity (RH) of the air (A) in the target space (C), and a first control device (71) that opens a first branch valve (45) when a measurement value (TI) of the temperature sensor (60) is smaller than a first value (TK) and a measurement value (RHI) of the humidity sensor (65) is larger than a second value (RHK).

[0012] According to the third aspect, when the temperature (T) of the air (A) in the target space (C) is high or the relative humidity (RH) of the air (A) in the target space (C) is low, reducing the temperature (T) can be prioritized over reducing the relative humidity (RH).

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the air conditioning system (1) according to any one of the first to third aspects. The air conditioning system (1) includes a second branch passage (50) that branches off from a midpoint (22) of the discharge passage (20) and returns the air (A) to the evaporative cooler (30) or to a portion (10a) of the supply passage (10) upstream of the evaporative cooler (30), and a second branch valve (55) that opens and closes the second branch passage (50).

[0014] According to the fourth aspect, air (A) having a high temperature and a low relative humidity passes from the discharge passage (20) through the second branch passage (50) and through the evaporative cooler (30) in the supply passage (10). The evaporative cooler (30) can be dried.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the air conditioning system (1) according to the fourth aspect. The air conditioning system (1) includes a second control device (72), and the evaporative cooler (30) includes a cooling element (31) containing water (W) and a water supply mechanism (32) that supplies the water (W) to the cooling element (31), and the second control device (72) opens the second branch valve (55) while stopping the supply of water (W) to the cooling element (31) by the water supply mechanism (32) in order to dry the cooling element (31).

[0016] According to the fifth aspect, when the cooling element (31) is dried, the supply of water (W) to the cooling element (31) by the water supply mechanism (32) is stopped, so that the cooling element (31) can be dried efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an air conditioning system (1) in normal mode (M1). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows an evaporative cooler (30). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a simplified psychrometric chart. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the air conditioning system (1) in the humidity suppression mode (M2). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the air conditioning system (1) in the drying mode (M3). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure. Since the drawings are intended to conceptually explain the present disclosure, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary to facilitate understanding.

[0019] (Air conditioning system) FIG. 1 shows an air conditioning system (1). The air conditioning system (1) is used to cool the interior (I) of a test chamber (C). The test chamber (C) is an example of a target space. The interior (I) of the test chamber (C) houses an engine (E). The interior (I) of the test chamber (C) also houses precision equipment (D) related to the engine (E). The precision equipment (D) includes, for example, sensors for measuring the operating conditions of the engine (E) (such as rotation speed and temperature) and a controller for controlling the engine (E) based on information from the sensors.

[0020] The engine (E) generates heat during operation. Precision equipment (D) is sensitive to high temperatures. If heat from the engine (E) is transferred to precision equipment (D) and the precision equipment (D) becomes too hot, it may be damaged. It is also undesirable for the engine (E) itself to become extremely hot. In order to prevent the engine (E) and precision equipment (D) from becoming too hot, the air (A) (also called "inside air (AI)") inside (I) of the test room (C) must be kept below a specified temperature.

[0021] As will be explained in more detail later, precision instruments (D) are also sensitive to high humidity, so the air (A) inside (I) of the test room (C) must be kept below a specified humidity level.

[0022] The air conditioning system (1) includes a supply passage (10), a supply fan (15), a discharge passage (20), a discharge fan (25), an evaporative cooler (30), a first branch passage (40), a first branch valve (45), a second branch passage (50), a second branch valve (55), a temperature sensor (60), a humidity sensor (65), a first control device (71), and a second control device (72).

[0023] The supply passage (10) supplies air (A) (also referred to as "outside air (AO)") outside (O) of the test chamber (C) to the interior (I) of the test chamber (C). The supply passage (10) is configured as a duct. One end of the supply passage (10) penetrates a wall (e.g., a ceiling) of the test chamber (C) and faces the interior (I) of the test chamber (C). The other end of the supply passage (10) is provided as a supply port (11) in the wall of the building (including the test chamber (C)).

[0024] The supply fan (15) is provided in the supply passage (10). The supply fan (15) sends the air (A) taken in through the supply port (11) and flowing through the supply passage (10) to the test chamber (C).

[0025] The exhaust passage (20) exhausts air (A) from the test chamber (C) to the outside (O) of the test chamber (C). The exhaust passage (20) exhausts air (A) in the interior (I) of the test chamber (C) to the outside (O) of the test chamber (C). One end of the exhaust passage (20) penetrates a wall (e.g., a ceiling) of the test chamber (C) and faces the interior (I) of the test chamber (C). The other end of the exhaust passage (20) is provided as an exhaust port (21) in the wall of the building (including the test chamber (C)).

[0026] The exhaust fan (25) is provided in the exhaust passage (20). The exhaust fan (25) sends the air (A) in the exhaust passage (20) (hereinafter also referred to as "exhaust air (AF)") to the exhaust port (21).

[0027] The evaporative cooler (30) is provided in the supply passage (10). The evaporative cooler (30) cools the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) by using the heat of vaporization of the water (W). The heat of vaporization is the heat required to evaporate the water (W). The evaporative cooler (30) will be described in detail later.

[0028] The first branch passage (40) branches off from the discharge passage (20) at a position (22) along the way. The first branch passage (40) returns the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) in the discharge passage (20) to a portion (10b) of the supply passage (10) downstream of the evaporative cooler (30).

[0029] The first branch valve (45) opens and closes the first branch passage (40). The first branch valve (45) is, for example, a butterfly damper. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first branch valve (45) closes the first branch passage (40), and FIGS. 4 and 5, which will be described later, show a state in which the first branch valve (45) opens the first branch passage (40). Note that even when the first branch valve (45) is closed, a small amount of air (A) may flow through the first branch passage (40) through a small gap between the first branch valve (45) and the first branch passage (40).

[0030] The second branch passage (50) branches off from the discharge passage (20) at a position (22). The second branch passage (50) returns the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) in the discharge passage (20) to the supply passage (10) upstream (10a) of the evaporative cooler (30).

[0031] The second branch valve (55) opens and closes the second branch passage (50). The second branch valve (55) is, for example, a butterfly damper. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the second branch valve (55) closes the second branch passage (50), and FIGS. 4 and 5, which will be described later, show a state in which the second branch valve (55) opens the second branch passage (50). Even when the second branch valve (55) is closed, a small amount of air (A) may flow through the second branch passage (50) through a small gap between the second branch valve (55) and the second branch passage (50).

[0032] In this example, the first branch passage (40) and the second branch passage (50) are formed by branching into two passages from a basic branch passage (23) that branches off from the discharge passage (20) at a point (22). The first branch passage (40) and the second branch passage (50) may be completely separate passages.

[0033] The upstream side (10a) and downstream side (10b) of the supply passage (10) are defined based on the flow direction of the air (A) in the supply passage (10).

[0034] The temperature sensor 60 is disposed inside the test chamber C. The temperature sensor 60 measures the temperature T of the air A (inside air AI) inside the test chamber C.

[0035] The humidity sensor 65 is disposed inside the test chamber C. The humidity sensor 65 measures the relative humidity (RH) of the air A (inside air AI) inside the test chamber C. The relative humidity indicates the ratio of the actual amount of water vapor to the saturated amount of water vapor. The saturated amount of water vapor varies depending on the temperature, but is constant at the same temperature.

[0036] The first control device (71) and the second control device (72) are disposed outside (O) of the test chamber (C). In this example, the first control device (71) and the second control device (72) are integrated into one control unit (70). The control unit (70) is configured with, for example, a microcomputer and a program. The first control device (71) and the second control device (72) may be provided separately. The first control device (71) and the second control device (72) will be described in detail later.

[0037] (Evaporative Cooler) 2 shows the evaporative cooler (30). As described above, the evaporative cooler (30) is provided in the supply passage (10). The evaporative cooler (30) cools the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) by the heat of evaporation of the water (W). The evaporative cooler (30) has a cooling element (31) and a water supply mechanism (32).

[0038] The cooling element (31) contains water (W). The cooling element (31) is made of, for example, paper or resin. The cooling element (31) has a fine mesh-like structure. The cooling element (31) absorbs the water (W).

[0039] The water supply mechanism 32 includes a tank 32 a, a water passage 32 b, and an on-off valve 32 c. The tank 32 a stores water W. The tank 32 a may be connected to a water supply so that the water W can be supplied.

[0040] The water (W) in the tank (32a) is sent to the cooling element (31) through the water passage (32b).

[0041] The on-off valve (32c) opens and closes the water passage (32b). When the on-off valve (32c) is closed, the water (W) does not flow through the water passage (32b) and is not supplied to the cooling element (31). When the on-off valve (32c) is open, the water (W) flows through the water passage (32b) and is supplied to the cooling element (31).

[0042] In summary, the water supply mechanism (32) supplies water (W) to the cooling element (31).

[0043] Air (A) passing through supply passage (10) passes through cooling element (31) of evaporative cooler (30). Water (W) contained in cooling element (31) comes into direct contact with air (A). Water (W) receives heat from air (A) and evaporates. The heat required to evaporate water (W) at this time is called heat of vaporization.

[0044] In summary, in the evaporative cooler (30), the water (W) contained in the cooling element (31) evaporates by directly contacting the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10). The evaporative cooler (30) cools the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) by the heat of evaporation of the water (W).

[0045] (psychrometric chart) Figure 3 shows a simplified psychrometric chart. The horizontal axis shows the dry-bulb temperature. The dry-bulb temperature corresponds to the temperature (T) of air (A). The unit of dry-bulb temperature (temperature (T)) is [°C]. The vertical axis shows absolute humidity. Absolute humidity is the mass of water vapor contained in air (A), that is, the mass of water vapor contained in 1 [kg] of dry air. The unit of absolute humidity is [kg / kg].

[0046] The curve in Figure 3 shows the amount of saturated water vapor. The unit of saturated water vapor is [kg]. The amount of saturated water vapor is positively correlated with the dry-bulb temperature. As the dry-bulb temperature increases, the amount of saturated water vapor also increases. As mentioned above, relative humidity (RH) is the ratio of the actual amount of water vapor to the amount of saturated water vapor. The amount of saturated water vapor corresponds to a relative humidity (RH) of 100 [%].

[0047] The temperature (T) of the air (A) (outside air (AO)) outside (O) of the test room (C) is the outside air temperature (TX). As an example, the outside air temperature (TX) is 35°C. The relative humidity (RH) of the air (A) (outside air (AO)) outside (O) of the test room (C) is the outside air relative humidity (RHX). As an example, the outside air relative humidity (RHX) is 55%.

[0048] The temperature (T) of the air (A) immediately after it is vaporized by the evaporative cooler (30) and before it is supplied to the interior (I) of the test chamber (C) through the supply passage (10) is defined as the temperature immediately after vaporization (TY). The temperature immediately after vaporization (TY) is lower than the outside air temperature (TX). As an example, the temperature immediately after vaporization (TY) is set to 28°C.

[0049] The relative humidity (RH) of air (A) immediately after it is evaporated by evaporative cooler (30) in supply passage (10) and before it is supplied from supply passage (10) to interior (I) of test chamber (C) is defined as the relative humidity immediately after evaporation (RHY). The relative humidity immediately after evaporation (RHY) is greater than the relative humidity of outside air (RHX). As an example, the relative humidity immediately after evaporation (RHY) is set to 90%.

[0050] Because the temperature (T) of the air (A) simply decreases (moves left on the graph in FIG. 3) when cooled by the evaporative cooler (30), the relative humidity (RHY) immediately after evaporation increases. In addition, in the evaporative cooler (30), the water (W) contained in the cooling element (31) comes into direct contact with the air (A). Because the amount of water vapor in the air (A) increases (moves up on the graph in FIG. 3), the relative humidity (RHY) immediately after evaporation increases even further.

[0051] The temperature (T) of the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) that is heated by heat exchange with the engine (E) inside the test chamber (C) and then discharged to the outside (O) of the test chamber (C) through the discharge passage (20) is defined as the discharge temperature (TZ). The discharge temperature (TZ) is higher than the temperature immediately after evaporation (TY) and the outside air temperature (TX). As an example, the discharge temperature (TZ) is set to 40°C.

[0052] The relative humidity (RH) of the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) that is heated by heat exchange with the engine (E) inside (I) of the test chamber (C) and then discharged to the outside (O) of the test chamber (C) through the discharge passage (20) is defined as the discharge relative humidity (RHZ). The discharge relative humidity (RHZ) is smaller than the relative humidity immediately after evaporation (RHY). The discharge relative humidity (RHZ) may be smaller than the outside air relative humidity (RHX). As an example, the discharge relative humidity (RHZ) is 45%.

[0053] (Each mode of the air conditioning system) The air conditioning system (1) operates in a normal mode (M1), a humidity suppression mode (M2), and a dry mode (M3). Figure 1 shows the air conditioning system (1) in the normal mode (M1). Figure 4 shows the air conditioning system (1) in the humidity suppression mode (M2). Figure 5 shows the air conditioning system (1) in the dry mode (M3).

[0054] (Normal mode) The normal mode (M1) will be explained with reference to Figure 1. In the normal mode (M1), the engine (E) inside the test chamber (C) is often operating at a high load. The temperature (T) of the air (inside air (AI)) inside the test chamber (C) is likely to rise.

[0055] Air (A) (outside air (AO)) outside (O) of the test chamber (C) is taken into the supply passage (10) through the supply port (11) and flows through the supply passage (10). At this time, the air (A) has an outside air temperature (TX) and an outside air relative humidity (RHX).

[0056] Air (A) passes through evaporative cooler (30) in supply passage (10). Water (W) contained in cooling element (31) of evaporative cooler (30) comes into direct contact with air (A) passing through supply passage (10) and evaporates. Evaporative cooler (30) cools air (A) passing through supply passage (10) by the heat of evaporation of water (W). At this time, air (A) reaches temperature (TY) and relative humidity (RHY) immediately after evaporation.

[0057] Air (A) flowing through supply passage (10) passes through evaporative cooler (30) and is then supplied to interior (I) of test chamber (C). Air (A) supplied from supply passage (10) to interior (I) of test chamber (C) exchanges heat with engine (E) in interior (I) of test chamber (C). Engine (E) is cooled. Air (A) is heated.

[0058] The heated air (A) passes through the discharge passage (20) from the inside (I) of the test chamber (C) and is discharged to the outside (O) of the test chamber (C). At this time, the air (A) has a discharge temperature (TZ) and a discharge relative humidity (RHZ). The air (A) is finally sent to the discharge port (21).

[0059] In the normal mode (M1), the first branch valve (45) closes the first branch passage (40), and the second branch valve (55) closes the second branch passage (50). The air (A) passing through the discharge passage (20) is not branched into the first branch passage (40) or the second branch passage (50), and is entirely sent to the discharge port (21).

[0060] The temperature sensor (60) measures the temperature (T) of the air (inside air (AI)) inside (I) of the test chamber (C) as a temperature measurement value (TI). The temperature measurement value (TI) is an example of a measurement value. The temperature measurement value (TI) is greater than the temperature immediately after evaporation (TY) and less than the exhaust temperature (TZ).

[0061] The humidity sensor (65) measures the relative humidity (RH) of the air (inside air (AI)) inside the test chamber (C) as a relative humidity measurement value (RHI). The relative humidity measurement value (RHI) is an example of a measurement value. The relative humidity measurement value (RHI) is smaller than the relative humidity immediately after evaporation (RHY) and larger than the exhaust relative humidity (RHZ).

[0062] In normal mode (M1), air (A) with a high relative humidity (RH) (relative humidity immediately after evaporation (RHY)) due to direct contact with water (W) in evaporative cooler (30) is supplied to interior (I) of test chamber (C). In normal mode (M1), the relative humidity (RH) (relative humidity measurement value (RHI)) of the air (inside air (AI)) in interior (I) of test chamber (C) is likely to be high. A high relative humidity (RH) (relative humidity measurement value (RHI)) is undesirable for precision equipment (D) (attached to engine (E)) in interior (I) of test chamber (C) and may cause malfunction.

[0063] (humidity suppression mode) The humidity suppression mode (M2) will be explained with reference to Figure 4. In the humidity suppression mode (M2), the engine (E) inside the test chamber (C) is often operating at a low load. The temperature (T) of the air (inside air (AI)) inside the test chamber (C) is unlikely to rise.

[0064] In the humidity suppression mode (M2), the first control device (71) of the control unit (70) opens the first branch valve (45) when the temperature measurement value (TI) of the temperature sensor (60) is smaller than a predetermined temperature value (TK) and the relative humidity measurement value (RHI) of the humidity sensor (65) is larger than a predetermined relative humidity value (RHK). The predetermined temperature value (TK) is an example of a first value. The predetermined relative humidity value (RHK) is an example of a second value. For example, the predetermined temperature value (TK) is 32°C. For example, the predetermined relative humidity value (RHK) is 70%.

[0065] In the humidity suppression mode (M2), the first branch valve (45) opens the first branch passage (40), and therefore, a portion of the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) flowing through the discharge passage (20) branches off midway (22) in the discharge passage (20), passes through the first branch passage (40), and is returned to the supply passage (10) downstream (10b) of the evaporative cooler (30).

[0066] In humidity suppression mode (M2), air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) having a high temperature (T) and a low relative humidity (RH) is additionally supplied from exhaust passage (20) through first branch passage (40) to interior (I) of test chamber (C) without passing through cooling element (31) of evaporative cooler (30) in supply passage (10). An increase in the relative humidity (RH) of the air (interior air (AI)) in interior (I) of test chamber (C) is suppressed.

[0067] Other aspects of the humidity suppression mode (M2) are the same as those of the normal mode (M1).

[0068] (Drying mode) The drying mode (M3) will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the drying mode (M3), the engine (E) inside (I) of the test chamber (C) is stopped.

[0069] In the drying mode (M3), the second control device (72) of the control unit (70) opens the second branch valve (55) while stopping the supply of water (W) from the water supply mechanism (32) to the cooling element (31) in order to dry the cooling element (31) of the evaporative cooler (30). Specifically, the second branch valve (55) opens the second branch passage (50) while the on-off valve (32c) closes the water passage (32b).

[0070] In the drying mode (M3), the second branch valve (55) opens the second branch passage (50), and therefore, a portion of the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) flowing through the discharge passage (20) branches off midway (22) in the discharge passage (20), passes through the second branch passage (50), and is returned to the supply passage (10) on the upstream side (10a) of the evaporative cooler (30).

[0071] In the dry mode (M3), air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) having a high temperature (T) and a low relative humidity (RH) passes through the cooling element (31) of the evaporative cooler (30) in the supply passage (10) from the discharge passage (20) through the second branch passage (50), and is additionally supplied to the interior (I) of the test chamber (C). In the dry mode (M3), the cooling element (31) of the evaporative cooler (30) dries.

[0072] (Action and effect) In the air conditioning system (1), an evaporative cooler (30) is provided in a supply passage (10). The supply passage (10) supplies air (A) (outside air (AO)) located outside (O) of the test chamber (C) to the interior (I) of the test chamber (C). The evaporative cooler (30) cools the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) by the heat of vaporization of water (W). In particular, in the evaporative cooler (30), the water (W) evaporates by directly contacting the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10).

[0073] The air conditioning system (1) does not require the installation of a chiller unit or air conditioner. The air conditioning system (1) does not require the configuration of a water circuit or a refrigerant circuit. The configuration of the air conditioning system (1) is simple. The air conditioning system (1) can reduce initial costs and running costs.

[0074] An air conditioning system that cools the inside (I) of the test room (C) using air (A) (outside air (AO)) outside (O) of the test room (C) can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0075] The water (W) in the evaporative cooler (30) comes into direct contact with the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10). The air (A) that passes through the evaporative cooler (30) in the supply passage (10) and is supplied to the interior (I) of the test chamber (C) has a high relative humidity (RH). A high relative humidity (RH) is undesirable for the precision instruments (D) in the interior (I) of the test chamber (C).

[0076] In such a case, the first branch valve (45) opens the first branch passage (40), so that a part of the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) flowing through the discharge passage (20) branches off midway (22) in the discharge passage (20), passes through the first branch passage (40), and is returned to the supply passage (10) downstream (10b) of the evaporative cooler (30).

[0077] Air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) having a high temperature (T) and a low relative humidity (RH) is additionally supplied from the exhaust passage (20) through the first branch passage (40) to the interior (I) of the test chamber (C) without passing through the cooling element (31) of the evaporative cooler (30) in the supply passage (10). This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the relative humidity (RH) of the air (inside air (AI)) in the interior (I) of the test chamber (C).

[0078] Only when the temperature measurement value (TI) of the temperature sensor (60) is smaller than the predetermined temperature value (TK), the first branch valve (45) opens the first branch passage (40). In other words, when the temperature measurement value (TI) of the temperature sensor (60) is larger than the predetermined temperature value (TK), the first branch valve (45) closes the first branch passage (40).

[0079] Only when the relative humidity measurement value (RHI) of the humidity sensor (65) is greater than the predetermined relative humidity value (RHK), the first branch valve (45) opens the first branch passage (40). In other words, when the relative humidity measurement value (RHI) of the humidity sensor (65) is less than the predetermined relative humidity value (RHK), the first branch valve (45) closes the first branch passage (40).

[0080] When the temperature (T) of the air (A) in the interior (I) of the test room (C) is high or when the relative humidity (RH) of the air (A) in the interior (I) of the test room (C) is low, a reduction in the temperature (T) can be prioritized over a reduction in the relative humidity (RH).

[0081] When the second branch valve (55) opens the second branch passage (50), a part of the air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) flowing through the discharge passage (20) branches off midway (22) in the discharge passage (20), passes through the second branch passage (50), and is returned to the supply passage (10) on the upstream side (10a) of the evaporative cooler (30).

[0082] Air (A) (exhaust air (AF)) having a high temperature (T) and a low relative humidity (RH) passes through the second branch passage (50) from the discharge passage (20) and through the cooling element (31) of the evaporative cooler (30) in the supply passage (10). The cooling element (31) of the evaporative cooler (30) can be dried.

[0083] When drying the cooling element (31), the supply of water (W) to the cooling element (31) by the water supply mechanism (32) is stopped, so that the cooling element (31) can be dried efficiently.

[0084] (Other embodiments) The second branch passage (50) may return the air (A) in the discharge passage (20) directly to the evaporative cooler (30). That is, the second branch passage (50) may return the air (A) in the discharge passage (20) to the evaporative cooler (30) or to a portion (10a) upstream of the evaporative cooler (30) in the supply passage (10). The first branch passage (40) and the second branch passage (50) may be omitted.

[0085] The target space is not limited to the test room (C).

[0086] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, elements of the above embodiments, modifications, and other embodiments may be combined or substituted as appropriate.

[0087] The terms "first," "second," etc. mentioned above are used to distinguish the words to which these terms are attached, and do not limit the number or order of the words. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Air conditioning system 10 Supply passage 10a Upstream 10b Downstream 11 Supply port 15 Supply Fan 20 Discharge passage 21 Outlet 22 On the way 23 Basic Branching Passage 25 Exhaust fan 30 Evaporative Cooler 31 Cooling element 32 Water supply mechanism 32a Tank 32b water passage 32c On-off valve 40 First Branch Passage 45 First branch valve 50 Second Branch Passage 55 Second branch valve 60 Temperature Sensor 65 Humidity Sensor 70 Control Unit 71 First control device 72 Second control device C Test room (target space) O External I inside A. Air AO Outside Air AI Shyness AF Exhaust D Precision equipment E-Engine W water T temperature TX Outside temperature TY Temperature immediately after vaporization TZ discharge temperature TI temperature measurement value (measurement value) TK Predetermined temperature value (first value) RH Relative Humidity RHX Outside air relative humidity RHY Relative humidity immediately after evaporation RHZ discharge relative humidity RHI Relative Humidity Measurement Value (Measurement Value) RHK Predetermined relative humidity value (second value) M1 Normal mode M2 Humidity suppression mode M3 Drying Mode

Claims

1. a supply passage (10) for supplying air (A) present outside (O) of the target space (C) to the target space (C); an evaporative cooler (30) provided in the supply passage (10) and configured to cool the air (A) passing through the supply passage (10) by the heat of evaporation of water (W); a discharge passage (20) for discharging the air (A) from the target space (C) to the outside (O) of the target space (C), In the evaporative cooler (30), water (W) evaporates by directly contacting with air (A) passing through the supply passage (10). Air conditioning system.

2. a first branch passage (40) branching from a midpoint (22) of the discharge passage (20) and returning the air (A) to a downstream side (10b) of the supply passage (10) relative to the evaporative cooler (30); a first branch valve (45) that opens and closes the first branch passage (40). The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. a temperature sensor (60) that measures a temperature (T) of the air (A) in the target space (C); a humidity sensor (65) for measuring the relative humidity (RH) of the air (A) in the target space (C); a first control device (71) that opens the first branch valve (45) when the measurement value (TI) of the temperature sensor (60) is smaller than a first value (TK) and the measurement value (RHI) of the humidity sensor (65) is larger than a second value (RHK). The air conditioning system according to claim 2 .

4. a second branch passage (50) branching from a midpoint (22) of the discharge passage (20) to return the air (A) to the evaporative cooler (30) or to a side (10a) of the supply passage (10) upstream of the evaporative cooler (30); a second branch valve (55) that opens and closes the second branch passage (50).

4. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a second control device (72); The evaporative cooler (30) a cooling element (31) containing water (W); a water supply mechanism (32) that supplies water (W) to the cooling element (31); the second control device (72) opens the second branch valve (55) while stopping the supply of water (W) to the cooling element (31) by the water supply mechanism (32) in order to dry the cooling element (31); The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

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