Building environment monitoring mechanism

Abstract

To provide a building environment monitoring mechanism capable of monitoring a building environment, especially the presence or absence of the generation of dew condensation water at a low cost.SOLUTION: A building environment monitoring mechanism 10 of the present invention includes a hole provided in an interior material that partitions a predetermined space of a building, and a detector 20 at least a part of which is exposed to an outside of the predetermined space through the hole, and is configured such that a color of a portion of the detector 20 that is exposed to the outside of the predetermined space changes when the detector 20 is impregnated with dew condensation water W generated in the predetermined space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a building environment monitoring mechanism, and more particularly to a building environment monitoring mechanism for monitoring the occurrence of condensation water. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial buildings, such as stores, air conditioners are typically installed in the ceiling, with refrigerant piping connecting the air conditioner to the outdoor unit installed above the ceiling. When the dew point temperature above the ceiling is high, condensation forms on the surface of the refrigerant piping, causing the condensed water to drip onto the ceiling board, leading to the growth of mold. Furthermore, if mold growth is not detected early, there is a risk that the mold will spread to the interior of the building. Furthermore, if mold growth spreads over a wide area, it will be necessary to replace the interior materials, which will incur significant costs. Therefore, common countermeasures include periodic visual inspection of the attic space to check for condensation and mold, strengthening the insulation of refrigerant piping, installing temperature and humidity sensors in the attic for indoor monitoring, etc. Another method is to install a device to detect condensation in the attic.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for detecting condensation on the surface of an object using an infrared receiver. Patent document 2 proposes a technology in which a condensation detection unit is provided that consists of a water-repellent processing section that has been treated with a water-repellent treatment on the surface of the object to be judged and a non-water-repellent processing section that has not been treated with a water-repellent treatment, and determines whether condensation has occurred in the condensation detection unit based on an image captured by the condensation detection unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-002346 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2007-322340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, the rise in humidity caused by climate change has led to an increase in cases of condensation and mold occurring inside buildings. Early detection of condensation and countermeasures can prevent mold growth and reduce the burden of after-sales measures, such as the cost of replacing interior materials. However, when there are a large number of cases requiring countermeasures, introducing the above techniques or general countermeasures would require extensive work and a large amount of expensive equipment, resulting in a large financial burden.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its object is to provide a building environment monitoring mechanism that can monitor the building environment, particularly the occurrence of condensation water, at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is solved by the building environment monitoring mechanism of the present invention, which comprises a hole provided in an interior material that separates a specified space of a building, and a detection element at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the specified space through the hole, and which is configured so that the state of the portion of the detection element that is exposed to the outside of the specified space changes when condensation water generated in the specified space is impregnated into the detection element.

[0008] The building environment monitoring mechanism of the present invention configured as described above can monitor the occurrence of condensation water in a specified space with a simple configuration, without requiring expensive equipment such as sensors.

[0009] In the above-described building environment monitoring mechanism, it is preferable that the part of the sensing element that is exposed outside the predetermined space changes color when condensed water is impregnated into the sensing element. According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily confirm from outside the predetermined space that condensation water has occurred in the predetermined space.

[0010] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the above-described building environment monitoring mechanism further comprises a connecting part that connects the low-temperature part where condensation water occurs in the predetermined space to the sensing element. With the above configuration, even if the low-temperature section and the sensing element are separated, the condensation water generated in the low-temperature section can be guided to the sensing element, making it possible to monitor the occurrence of condensation water in a specified space with a simple configuration.

[0011] In the above-described building environment monitoring mechanism, it is more preferable that the connecting portion is made of a fibrous material. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the capillary action in the fibrous body can be utilized to effectively guide the condensation water generated in the low-temperature area to the sensing element, thereby making it possible to monitor the occurrence of condensation water in a specified space with a simple configuration.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above-described building environment monitoring mechanism, it is more preferable that the sensing element is disposed in the hole in a replaceable state. According to the above configuration, maintenance work, specifically, the work of replacing the sensing element, can be easily performed, and as a result, the occurrence of condensation water in a specified space can be monitored at low cost.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-described building environment monitoring mechanism, it is even more preferable that the detection element is fitted into a through-hole provided in a plate material that seals the hole. According to the above configuration, the sensing element can be replaced more easily, and as a result, the occurrence of condensation water in a predetermined space can be monitored at low cost.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-described building environment monitoring mechanism, it is even more preferable that the predetermined space is an attic space of the building and the interior material is a ceiling wall. According to the above configuration, it is possible to monitor the occurrence of condensation water in the attic space with a simple configuration, without requiring expensive equipment such as sensors.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned building environment monitoring mechanism, it is more preferable if a tray is placed below the low-temperature section and if the mechanism further has a connecting section extending from a position above the bottom of the tray to connect the inside of the tray with the detection body. According to the above configuration, the amount of condensed water generated can be checked with a simple configuration.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-described building environment monitoring mechanism, it is even more preferable that the communication section is made of a fibrous material. With this configuration, the capillary action of the fibrous material can be utilized to guide condensation water generated in the low-temperature area from the inside of the tray to the detector, making it possible to monitor the presence or absence of condensation water in a specified space with a simpler configuration.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned building environment monitoring mechanism, it is even more preferable that the detector is exposed to the indoor space located below the attic space. According to the above configuration, it is possible to check whether or not condensation has occurred in the attic space from the indoor space located below the ceiling, without having to directly see (inspect) the attic space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the building environment monitoring mechanism of the present invention, it is possible to monitor the occurrence of condensation water in a specified space of a building at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a view from below of a ceiling on which a building environment monitoring mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a building environment monitoring mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing the state when the door of the ceiling inspection hatch in FIG. 2 is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sensing element according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a ceiling inspection hatch door on which a detector according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed, as viewed from above the ceiling. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the state in which the sensing element and the fibrous body in FIG. 2 are connected, showing the state in which the ink-filled core material has changed color. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a building environment monitoring mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] These are diagrams showing the area around the tray, with Figure 8(a) showing the state when the level of condensed water accumulated in the tray is at a low level, and Figure 8(b) showing the state when the level of condensed water accumulated in the tray is at a high level. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] <<About a Building Environment Monitoring Mechanism According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention>> A building environment monitoring mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, each component is shown somewhat simplified and schematic to make the explanation easier to understand, and the size (dimensions) of each component and the spacing between components shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones.

[0021] The building environment monitoring mechanism of the present invention is used to monitor the building environment, specifically, to monitor the presence or absence of condensation water occurring in a predetermined space of a building.

[0022] In the following description, an attic space will be cited as an example of a predetermined space. However, the predetermined space of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a space partitioned by interior materials and where condensation occurs, and may be, for example, an underfloor space or an interior space such as a warehouse that is a non-habitable space. Furthermore, the outside of the predetermined space is not particularly limited as long as it is a space where a detecting element, which will be described later, is exposed, and may be, for example, an indoor space including an indoor space, or an outdoor space. Furthermore, the building of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has equipment in a predetermined space that generates condensation water. For example, it may be a residential house, a store (tenant) such as a convenience store, an office, an accommodation facility, a hospital, a factory, etc. An example of a building according to this embodiment is a building in which an air conditioner is installed in the ceiling and refrigerant piping connecting the air conditioner (indoor unit) and the outdoor unit is installed above the ceiling. For example, the building has an above-ceiling space S1 and an indoor space S2 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a building has an air conditioner AC attached to a ceiling wall C, and there is an attic space S1 and an indoor space S2 located below the attic space S1. The ceiling wall C corresponds to the "interior material separating a predetermined space of the building" of the present invention. The indoor space S2 is maintained at a constant temperature by the installed air conditioner AC. On the other hand, since there is no device for controlling temperature and humidity in the attic space S1, only humid air exists in the summer. In addition, a refrigerant pipe RP that connects the air conditioner AC to the outdoor unit is installed in the attic space S1, and condensation occurs on the surface of the pipe due to the high dew point temperature in the attic space S2.

[0024] A ceiling inspection hatch 12 is provided in the ceiling wall C of the building near the air conditioner AC. The ceiling inspection hatch 12 comprises an outer frame member 14 fixed to the ceiling wall C, and a door (inner frame member) 16 that can be opened and closed relative to the outer frame member 14. The ceiling inspection hatch 12 has an opening 17, as shown in Figure 3, that is large enough for a person to insert their head through, and the state of the attic space S1 can be observed through this opening 17. The door 16 is made of a plate material large enough to seal the opening 17, and is provided with a through-hole 18 having a diameter of about 10 mm. A detection element 20, which will be described later, is fitted into this through-hole 18.

[0025] The building environment monitoring mechanism 10 according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as building environment monitoring mechanism 10) comprises the above-mentioned opening 17, the detection element 20, and a fibrous body 22 that connects the detection element 20 to the refrigerant piping RP, and can be easily installed and used in an existing ceiling inspection hatch 12. The above-mentioned opening 17 corresponds to the "hole provided in the interior material that separates a specified space of a building" of the present invention, and the fibrous body 22 constitutes the "connecting part" of the present invention.

[0026] 2 to 6, the sensing element 20 is composed of a cylindrical member 24, an ink-containing core material 26 housed inside the cylindrical member 24, and a non-water-repellent material 28 covering the top of the cylindrical member 24. The sensing element 20, together with the fibrous body 22, is placed in the through-hole 18 in a replaceable state.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, the cylindrical member 24 is open at the top, and as shown in Fig. 2, the bottom surface is exposed to the outside of the attic space S1, i.e., to the indoor space S2 side, through the through-hole 18 of the door 16. The bottom surface is made of a transparent material and is configured so that the inside of the cylindrical member 24 can be seen from the indoor space S2 side.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, ink-filled core material 26 is a rod-shaped body having a length approximately equal to the thickness of door 16, and is arranged so that both ends are in contact with the bottom surface of cylindrical member 24 and non-water-repellent material 28 covering the top surface, and a bundle of ink-filled core material 26 is stored inside cylindrical member 24. The ink is not particularly limited as long as it changes color when wet with water. For example, the same material as that used for moisture detection stickers can be used. The color change of ink-filled core material 26 can be seen through the bottom of the cylindrical member from the interior space S2 side.

[0029] Note that the configuration is not particularly limited to the cylindrical member 24 having a transparent bottom surface and the ink-filled core material 26, as long as the color change due to moisture can be confirmed from the indoor space S2 side. For example, the bottom surface of the cylindrical member 24 may be configured to change color as condensed water is impregnated into the detection element 20.

[0030] The non-water-repellent member 28 is a sheet-like member connected to the fibrous body 22, and is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a material that can be penetrated by moisture transmitted by the fibrous body 22. The moisture that has penetrated the non-water-repellent member 28 is impregnated into the ink-filled core material 26 that is in contact with the surface opposite to the surface connected to the fibrous body 22.

[0031] The fibrous body 22 is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a material that generates capillary action, such as spun yarn or processed yarn made of water-absorbent material such as cotton, rayon, or polyester, or yarn made of hydrophilically treated fiber. 2 and 3, one end of the fibrous body 22 is arranged with a water-repellent member such as a clip so as to contact the surface of the refrigerant pipe RP, specifically the surface of the insulating material wrapped around the refrigerant pipe RP, and is arranged so as to connect the surface of the refrigerant pipe RP with the surface of the non-water-repellent member 28 of the detection element 20. The fibrous body 22 is attached in a loose manner to utilize capillary action. As shown in FIG. 6, when condensation water generated on the surface of the refrigerant pipe RP comes into contact with the fibrous body 22, it flows down the fibrous body 22 and penetrates the non-water-repellent member 28 due to capillary action.

[0032] Next, a method of using the building environment monitoring mechanism 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The detection body 20, which houses the ink-filled core material 26 before discoloration, is fitted into the through-hole 18 in the door of the ceiling inspection hatch 12, and then the top of the detection body 20 is covered with a non-water-repellent material 28, and one end of the fibrous body 22 is fixed to the non-water-repellent material 28. The other end is fixed to the surface of the refrigerant piping RP with a clip or the like.

[0033] When condensation occurs on the surface of the refrigerant pipe RP, the condensed water penetrates the non-water-repellent member 28 through the fibrous body 22 by capillary action, and then penetrates the ink-filled core material 26 housed inside the detection element 20, as shown in Figure 6. The ink-filled core material 26 discolors when exposed to moisture. The discolored ink-filled core material 26 can be seen from the indoor space S2 through the transparent bottom of the cylindrical member, making it possible to detect the occurrence of condensed water.

[0034] The used sensing element 20 and fibrous body 22 are replaced with new ones. Specifically, after removing the used fibrous body 22 from the refrigerant piping RP, the sensing element 20 housing the discolored ink-containing core material 26 is removed from the through-hole 18, and a new sensing element 20 housing a new ink-containing core material 26 is fitted into the through-hole 18. After replacing with a new sensing element 20, the new fibrous body 22 is attached to the sensing element 20 and the refrigerant piping RP, completing the replacement work.

[0035] As described above, the building environment monitoring mechanism 10 according to this embodiment allows the color change caused by condensation water W on the ink-filled core material 26 in the attic space S1 to be visually recognized from the indoor space S2 side. This makes it possible to detect the occurrence of condensation water W in the attic space S1 early on, thereby preventing mold growth in the attic space S1. Furthermore, since the risk of mold growth can be reduced, it is possible to reduce health hazards caused by mold and improve the quality and hygiene management of products and guest rooms placed in the indoor space S2.

[0036] Furthermore, by simply periodically visually checking the detection object 20 from the indoor space S2 side directly below the ceiling, it is possible to monitor whether or not condensation water W has occurred in the attic space S1, thereby reducing the burden of checking for the occurrence of condensation water W.

[0037] While one embodiment of the building environment monitoring mechanism of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

[0038] Regarding the present invention, other embodiments (variations) different from the above-described embodiment may be considered. The following describes the variations. Note that the following mainly describes the differences from the above-described embodiment, and omits a description of the commonalities.

[0039] (Modification of the connecting portion) The building environment monitoring mechanism 10 according to the present embodiment described above has a fibrous body 22 (connecting portion) that connects the surface of the refrigerant piping RP and the sensing element 20. However, this is not limited to this, and as shown in Fig. 7, a tray 30 may be placed below the refrigerant piping RP, and in addition to a fibrous body 22a (connecting portion) that connects the surface of the refrigerant piping RP and the sensing element 20, the mechanism may further have fibrous bodies 22b and 22c that extend from a position above the bottom of the tray 30 and connect the interior of the tray 30 and the sensing element 20. The fibrous bodies 22b and 22c correspond to the "connecting portion" of the present invention.

[0040] The fibrous bodies 22a, 22b, and 22c are connected to corresponding sensing elements, for example, first to third sensing elements, and each sensing element detects the occurrence of condensation water via the fibrous bodies 22a, 22b, and 22c. Note that a configuration in which a plurality of sensing elements are provided as described above may be adopted, or a single sensing element may be configured to change color depending on the amount of condensation water running down the fibrous body. Note that although the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is assumed to have a plurality of sensing elements, for convenience of illustration, only one sensing element (sensing element 20) is shown in FIG. 7.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 7, the building environment monitoring mechanism 10A includes a fibrous body 22a having one end fixed to the surface of the refrigerant pipe RP, a fibrous body 22b fixed to a position inside the tray 30 above the bottom (for example, 10 mm from the bottom), and a fibrous body 22c fixed to the inside bottom of the tray 30. The building environment monitoring mechanism 10A also includes multiple detection elements, with the fibrous body 22a connected to a first detection element, the fibrous body 22b connected to a second detection element, and the fibrous body 22c connected to a third detection element. In the configurations shown in Figs. 7, 8(a), and 8(b), the fibrous bodies 22b and 22c connected to the detection elements are connected from the opening (above the side wall) of the tray 30 to the inside bottom and the bottom, respectively, but for convenience of illustration, they are shown as penetrating the side wall.

[0042] The tray 30 has a shape with a width and depth larger than the diameter of the refrigerant pipe RP, and is made of resin, metal, or a non-water-absorbent material. As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), a water-absorbing material 32 is attached near the opening of the tray 30 to prevent condensed water from overflowing. As shown in Fig. 8(a), when condensed water W generated on the surface of the refrigerant pipe RP drips into the tray 30 and collects a small amount at the bottom, the condensed water W penetrates through the fibrous body 22c into the non-water-repellent member 28 of the second detection element. As shown in Fig. 8(b), when a certain amount of condensed water W accumulates in the tray 30 and the water level rises, the condensed water W penetrates through the fibrous body 22b into the non-water-repellent member 28 of the third detection element. In this way, the capillary action of the fibrous bodies 22b and 22c can be utilized to guide the condensed water W collected in the tray 30 to each detection element. When condensed water W penetrates the non-water-repellent material 28 of each detection element connected to the inside of the tray 30 via the fibrous bodies 22a, 22b, and 22c, the ink-filled core material 26 contained in each detection element changes color, thereby detecting the occurrence of condensed water W.

[0043] Providing the tray 30 below the refrigerant pipe RP where condensation water W is likely to occur can prevent the condensation water W from dripping directly onto the ceiling wall. Furthermore, since the fibrous bodies 22b and 22c are arranged according to the height of the tray 30, it is possible to detect changes in the level of the condensation water in the tray 30 (i.e., the amount of condensation water accumulated in the tray 30). In other words, it is possible to detect the amount of condensation water generated in the attic space S1 in stages. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10, 10A Building Environment Monitoring Organization 12 Ceiling inspection hatch 14 Outer frame member 16 Door (inner frame member) 17 Open mouth 18 Through holes 20 Detector 22, 22a, 22b, 22c Fibrous body 24 Cylindrical member 26 Ink-filled core 28 Non-water-repellent material 30 saucer 32 Water absorbing material AC Air Conditioner C Ceiling wall S1 Attic space S2 interior space RP refrigerant piping W Condensation water

Claims

1. A hole provided in an interior material that separates a predetermined space of a building; a detection element at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside of the predetermined space through the hole, A building environment monitoring mechanism in which the state of the portion of the detection body that is exposed outside the specified space changes when condensation water generated in the specified space is impregnated into the detection body.

2. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the detection element that is exposed outside the predetermined space is discolored by the condensation water being impregnated into the detection element.

3. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a connecting part that connects the low-temperature part in which the condensation water occurs in the predetermined space to the detection element.

4. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting portion is made of a fibrous material.

5. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing element is disposed in the hole in a replaceable state.

6. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the detection element is disposed in the hole by being fitted into a through-hole provided in a plate material that seals the hole.

7. 2. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined space is an attic space of the building, and the interior material is a ceiling wall.

8. A tray for receiving the condensed water is disposed below the low-temperature section, The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 3, further comprising a communication section extending from a position above the bottom of the tray to communicate the inside of the tray with the detector.

9. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 8 , wherein the communication section is made of a fibrous material.

10. The building environment monitoring mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the detector is exposed to an indoor space located below the ceiling space.

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