Ventilation system

Abstract

In a ventilation system that controls operation by switching between ventilation mode and circulation mode, the system sufficiently reduces the air pollution level in multiple areas when operating in ventilation mode, while maintaining an appropriately low level of air pollution throughout the entire building when operating in circulation mode. [Solution] Within the building 100, multiple areas X and Y are partitioned, and a separation exhaust port 74 is provided in a separation section C2 that allows indoor air to move from at least one specific area X through a connecting passage B. When the control means 80 is operating in ventilation mode, it opens a specific area exhaust valve 35 provided in the specific area X and closes a separation exhaust valve 75 provided in the separation section C2, and when the control means 80 is operating in circulation mode, it closes the specific area exhaust valve 35 and opens the separation exhaust valve 75.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation system that performs operation control by switching the operation mode between a ventilation mode and a circulation mode.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional ventilation system for ventilating a building, there is known one that performs operation control by switching the operation mode between a ventilation mode and a circulation mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The ventilation mode is a mode in which, while opening the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct to the outside, with the bypass air duct connecting these supply air duct and exhaust air duct closed, the indoor air taken in as return air from the building into the exhaust air duct through the exhaust port is discharged to the outside, and the outside air taken in from the outside is introduced into the supply air duct and supplied into the building as supply air through the supply air port. On the other hand, the circulation mode is a mode in which, while closing the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct to the outside and opening the bypass air duct, the indoor air taken in as return air from the building into the exhaust air duct through the exhaust port is introduced from the bypass air duct into the supply air duct and supplied into the building as supply air through the supply air port. Further, in the ventilation system described in Patent Document 1, the building is partitioned into a plurality of areas, and the operation mode is switched from the ventilation mode to the circulation mode only when the air pollution levels (such as carbon dioxide concentration) in all areas fall below a predetermined threshold value, thereby eliminating the introduction of outside air containing foreign substances or particulate matter from the outside into the building and extending the life of the filter for removing the objects to be removed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the ventilation system described in Patent Document 1, although air inlets connected to the air supply duct are provided in each of the multiple areas, exhaust inlets connected to the exhaust duct are provided in only some of the air supply and exhaust areas, and the remaining air supply area is provided with only air inlets. Therefore, when operating in ventilation mode, indoor air with increased air pollution in the air supply area moves to the air supply and exhaust area and is then taken into the exhaust duct as return air from the exhaust inlets, making it difficult to sufficiently reduce the air pollution level in the air supply and exhaust area. Furthermore, in order to resolve these issues, it is conceivable to install exhaust vents in each of the multiple areas, similar to the intake vents, and, when operating in ventilation mode, to individually introduce outside air as intake air through the intake vents and discharge indoor air as return air through the exhaust vents in each of the multiple areas. However, in this case, even when operating in circulation mode, indoor air will be individually introduced as intake air through the intake vents and discharged as return air through the exhaust vents in each of the multiple areas. While this can average out the air pollution level in each of the multiple areas and suppress the occurrence of areas with locally high air pollution levels, it is desirable to maintain an appropriately low level of air pollution throughout the entire building.

[0005] In light of this situation, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a technology for a ventilation system that controls operation by switching between a ventilation mode and a circulation mode, which sufficiently reduces the air pollution level in each of multiple areas when operating in ventilation mode, while maintaining an appropriately low level of air pollution throughout the entire building when operating in circulation mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first characteristic configuration of the present invention comprises an air intake and exhaust port provided inside a building, an air intake passage connecting the air intake port to the outdoors, an exhaust passage connecting the exhaust port to the outdoors, a bypass passage connecting the air intake passage and the exhaust passage, and a control means for controlling operation by switching the operating mode between a ventilation mode and a circulation mode. The ventilation mode is an operating mode in which, with the supply air passage and the exhaust air passage open to the outside and the bypass air passage closed, indoor air taken in from inside the building through the exhaust port as return air is discharged to the outside, while outside air taken in from outside is introduced into the supply air passage and supplied to the building as supply air through the supply port. The ventilation system is characterized in that the circulation mode is an operating mode in which, with the supply air passage and the exhaust air passage closed to the outside while the bypass air passage is open, indoor air taken into the exhaust air passage as return air from inside the building through the exhaust port is introduced from the bypass air passage into the supply air passage and supplied into the building as supply air through the supply port, Within the building, a plurality of areas are partitioned, each containing the air intake and exhaust ports, and the exhaust ports are located at a distance from at least one specific area among the plurality of areas, allowing for the movement of indoor air through a connecting passage. A specific area exhaust valve capable of opening and closing the specific area exhaust port, which is the exhaust port provided in the specific area, The system includes a separation exhaust valve that can open and close the separation exhaust port, which is the exhaust port provided in the separation portion, The control means opens the specific area exhaust valve and closes the separation area exhaust valve when operating in the ventilation mode, and closes the specific area exhaust valve and opens the separation area exhaust valve when operating in the circulation mode.

[0007] With this configuration, when operating in ventilation mode, the air intake and exhaust ports are opened in each of the multiple areas, including a specific area, allowing for the individual introduction of outside air as supply air through the intake port and the discharge of indoor air as return air through the exhaust port. This effectively reduces the level of air pollution, such as carbon dioxide concentration, in each of the multiple areas. On the other hand, when operating in circulation mode, the exhaust valve for the specific area, which was open in the ventilation mode, is closed, and the exhaust valve for the separation area, which was closed in the ventilation mode, is opened. As a result, in the specific area, indoor air is introduced as supply air through the intake port, but the discharge of indoor air as return air through the exhaust port is stopped, while in the separation area, indoor air is discharged as return air through the exhaust port. This creates an airflow within the building from the specific area through the connecting passage to the separation area. This airflow allows relatively polluted indoor air in a specific area to be diluted by mixing with relatively less polluted indoor air in connecting passages, etc., reducing its pollutant level. This diluted air is then taken into the exhaust duct as return air through the separation exhaust vents, and this returned indoor air is introduced into the supply air duct from the bypass duct and supplied back into the building as supply air through the supply vents. As a result, the air pollution level throughout the entire building can be kept appropriately low. Therefore, the present invention provides a technology for a ventilation system that controls operation by switching between a ventilation mode and a circulation mode, which sufficiently reduces the air pollution level in each of multiple areas when operating in ventilation mode, while maintaining an appropriately low level of air pollution throughout the entire building when operating in circulation mode.

[0008] A second characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the upper floor separation section, which is the separation section located on the upper floor side of the specific area within the building, is provided with an upper floor separation section exhaust port, which is the separation section exhaust valve, which is the separation section exhaust valve that can open and close the upper floor separation section exhaust port. Within the building, the lower floor separation section, which is located on the lower floor side of the specific area, is provided with a lower floor separation section exhaust port, which is the separation section exhaust port, and a lower floor separation section exhaust valve, which is the separation section exhaust valve that can open and close the lower floor separation section exhaust port. The control means, when operating in the circulation mode, closes the upper floor separation exhaust valve and opens the lower floor separation exhaust valve in the summer, and opens the upper floor separation exhaust valve and closes the lower floor separation exhaust valve in the winter.

[0009] In this configuration, during the summer when air conditioning is used in the building, when operating in circulation mode, the exhaust valve at the upper floor separation point is closed and the exhaust valve at the lower floor separation point is opened, generating a downward airflow from a specific area through the connecting passage to the lower floor separation point. Since the indoor air in the building is relatively dense and easily descends, this downward airflow of cold air is generated effectively, improving comfort within the building. Furthermore, during the winter when heating is used in the building, when operating in circulation mode, the exhaust valve at the upper floor separation point is opened and the exhaust valve at the lower floor separation point is closed, generating an upward airflow from a specific area through the connecting passage to the upper floor separation point. Since the indoor air in the building is relatively dense and easily rises, this upward airflow of warm air is generated effectively, improving comfort within the building.

[0010] A third characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the plurality of areas include a general area separate from the specific area from which the indoor air can move, and the separation portion is configured to allow the movement of indoor air from the general area through the connecting passage. A specific area air supply valve capable of opening and closing the specific area air supply port, which is the air supply port provided in the specific area, The system includes a general area air supply valve that can open and close the general area air supply port, which is the air supply port provided in the general area, The control means, when operating in the ventilation mode, performs ventilation control by adjusting the opening of the specific area air supply valve and the general area air supply valve provided at the air supply port in each area so that the air pollution level in the specific area and the general area is below a set air pollution level, respectively, and when operating in the circulation mode, closes the general area air supply valve and opens the specific area air supply valve to its maximum opening.

[0011] With this configuration, when operating in ventilation mode, the ventilation control described above is performed with adjustment of the opening degrees of the specific area air supply valve and the general area air supply valve for the specific area and the general area, respectively, thereby rationally reducing the level of air pollution in these specific and general areas. When switching from the ventilation mode in which ventilation control is performed to the circulation mode, the general area air supply valve, which was open in the ventilation mode, is closed, stopping the introduction of indoor air as supply air through the general area air inlet in the general area. At the same time, the specific area air supply valve, whose opening degree was adjusted in the ventilation mode, is opened to its maximum opening, increasing the amount of indoor air introduced as supply air through the specific area air inlet in the specific area. As a result, the flow rate of air generated within the building from the specific area through the connecting passage to the separation area is increased, so that the level of air pollution throughout the building can be kept at an even more appropriate low level. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the ventilation system of this embodiment and the operating state in ventilation mode. [Figure 2] This figure shows the configuration of the ventilation system of this embodiment and its operating state in summer circulation mode. [Figure 3] This figure shows the configuration of the ventilation system of this embodiment and its operating state in winter circulation mode. [Figure 4] This figure shows the processing flow of the operating mode switching control performed in the ventilation system of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] An embodiment of the ventilation system according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The ventilation system 90 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 (hereinafter referred to as "the present ventilation system") is configured as a ventilation system that ventilates the inside of the building 100. In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an open valve is shown in white, and a closed valve is shown in black. Also, in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a ventilated air duct is shown by a thick line, and a non-ventilated air duct is shown by a thin line.

[0014] The inside of the building 100 is partitioned into a plurality of areas A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 provided with air supply ports 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and exhaust ports 14, 24, 34, 44, 54. In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the building 100 to be ventilated is a five-story office building. The area on the first floor is called the first floor area A1, the area on the second floor is called the second floor area A2, the area on the third floor is called the third floor area A3, the area on the fourth floor is called the fourth floor area A4, and the area on the fifth floor is called the fifth floor area A5. These areas A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 are used, for example, as offices, reception rooms, conference rooms, and executive offices. Also, in the drawings, it is shown that there is one area on each floor, but there may be a plurality of areas in one area.

[0015] The present ventilation system 90 includes air supply ports 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and exhaust ports 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 provided in the building 100, an air supply air duct 2 connecting the air supply ports 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and the outdoors O, an exhaust air duct 4 connecting the exhaust ports 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74 and the outdoors O, and a control device 80 (an example of control means) that performs operation control of various fans and various valves described later.

[0016] The supply air duct 2 and the exhaust air duct 4 are connected to a ventilation device 1 such as an outdoor air treatment air conditioner. The ventilation device 1 is provided with an outdoor air introduction fan 3 that introduces outdoor air taken in from the outdoors O as supply air into the supply air duct 2, and an outdoor exhaust fan 5 that discharges the indoor air taken in as return air into the exhaust air duct 4 to the outdoors O. Further, at the connection portion of the supply air duct 2 to the outdoor air introduction fan 3 of the ventilation device 1, an outdoor air introduction valve 8 such as a motor damper that is closed when the outdoor air introduction fan 3 stops and is opened when the outdoor air introduction fan 3 operates is provided. Also, at the connection portion of the exhaust air duct 4 to the outdoor exhaust fan 5 of the ventilation device 1, an outdoor exhaust valve 9 that is closed when the outdoor exhaust fan 5 stops and is opened when the outdoor exhaust fan 5 operates is provided.

[0017] At the connection portions of the supply air duct 2 to the respective supply air ports 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, supply air valves 13, 23, 33, 43, 53 that can open and close and adjust the opening degree of the supply air ports 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 are provided. Also, at the connection portions of the exhaust air duct 4 to the respective exhaust air ports 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, exhaust air valves 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75 that can open and close and adjust the opening degree of the exhaust air ports 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74 are provided. Incidentally, the supply air valves 13, 23, 33, 43, 53 and the exhaust air valves 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75 can be constituted by air volume control devices such as VAV and CAV.

[0018] In addition to the supply air duct 2 and the exhaust air duct 4 described above, the present ventilation system 90 includes a bypass air duct 6 that connects the supply air duct 2 and the exhaust air duct 4. And in this bypass air duct 6, a circulation fan 7 that blows air from the exhaust air duct 4 side toward the supply air duct 2 side, and a bypass valve 10 such as a motor damper that is closed when the circulation fan 7 stops and is opened when the circulation fan 7 operates are provided.

[0019] Each area A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 is equipped with air pollution detection means 16, 26, 36, 46, and 56, such as carbon dioxide concentration sensors, which detect the degree of air pollution, including the carbon dioxide concentration, within that area. The air pollution levels detected by these air pollution detection means 16, 26, 36, 46, and 56 are input to the control device 80.

[0020] The control device 80 controls operation by switching between the ventilation mode and the circulation mode. The ventilation mode, as will be described in detail later, is an operating mode shown in Figure 1 in which the supply air passage 2 and exhaust air passage 4 are open to the outdoors O while the bypass air passage 6 is closed, and indoor air taken in from inside the building 100 as return air through the exhaust air passage 4 is discharged to the outdoors O, while outside air taken in from the outdoors O is introduced into the supply air passage 2 and supplied to the building 100 as supply air. On the other hand, the circulation mode, as will be described in detail later, is an operating mode shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which the supply air passage 2 and exhaust air passage 4 are closed to the outdoors O while the bypass air passage 6 is open, and indoor air taken in from inside the building 100 as return air through the exhaust air passage 4 is introduced from the bypass air passage 6 into the supply air passage 2 and supplied to the building 100 as supply air. The control device 80 also has a summer circulation mode (see Figure 2) which is set in the summer and a winter circulation mode (see Figure 3) which is set in the winter. Furthermore, the ventilation system 90 employs a special configuration that, when operating in the ventilation mode described above, sufficiently reduces the air pollution levels in each of the multiple areas A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, while when operating in the circulation mode described above, it maintains an appropriately low level of air pollution throughout the entire building 100. The special configuration is explained below.

[0021] In this embodiment, the 3rd floor area A3 is designated as a specific area X where the number of users is high, such as in a conference room, and the increase in air pollution levels is significant. The other areas A1, A2, A4, and A5 are designated as multiple general areas Y other than the specific area X. Furthermore, the air intake port 32 and air intake valve 33 located in the 3rd floor area A3, which is designated area X, are referred to as the designated area air intake port 32 and designated area air intake valve 33, and the exhaust port 34 and exhaust valve 35 located in the 3rd floor area A3, which is designated area X, are referred to as the designated area exhaust port 34 and designated area exhaust valve 35. On the other hand, the air intake ports 12, 22, 42, 52 and air intake valves 13, 23, 43, 53 provided in each of the general area Y areas A1 on the 1st floor, A2 on the 2nd floor, A4 on the 4th floor, and A5 on the 5th floor are referred to as general area air intake ports 12, 22, 42, 52 and general area air intake valves 13, 23, 43, 53, and the exhaust ports 14, 24, 44, 54 and exhaust valves 15, 25, 45, 55 provided in each of the general area Y areas A1 on the 1st floor, A2 on the 2nd floor, A4 on the 4th floor, and A5 on the 5th floor are referred to as general area exhaust ports 14, 24, 44, 54 and general area exhaust valves 15, 25, 45, 55.

[0022] Within building 100, separate areas C1 and C2, which allow the movement of indoor air from specific area X (3rd floor area A3) and general area Y (1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th floor areas A1, A2, A4, and A5) through connecting passages B such as atrium spaces and stairwells, are provided with separate area exhaust ports 64 and 74 and separate area exhaust valves 65 and 75 that can open and close these separate area exhaust ports 64 and 74. Furthermore, the separation sections C1 and C2 are located at the furthest points from the specific area X (3rd floor area A3). In this embodiment, the upper floor separation section C1, located on the upper floor side of the specific area X (3rd floor area A3), is set to be adjacent to the 5th floor area A1, and the upper floor separation section C1 is provided with the separation section exhaust port 64 and the upper floor separation section exhaust valve 65, which serve as the separation section exhaust port and the separation section exhaust valve. On the other hand, the lower floor separation section C2, located on the lower floor side of the specific area X (3rd floor area A3), is set to be adjacent to the 1st floor area A1, and the lower floor separation section C2 is provided with the separation section exhaust port 74 and the lower floor separation section exhaust valve 75, which serve as the separation section exhaust port and the separation section exhaust valve. In this embodiment, only the exhaust ports 64 and 74 are provided in the separation sections C1 and C2, and no air intake ports are provided, however, air intake ports may be provided as appropriate. Next, we will explain the operating conditions in ventilation mode and circulation mode (summer circulation mode and winter circulation mode).

[0023] [Ventilation mode] As shown in Figure 1, when operating in ventilation mode, in each area A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, all supply valves 13, 23, 33, 43, 53 and all exhaust valves 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 are opened, and all supply ports 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and all exhaust ports 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 are open. In the separation areas C1 and C2, the separation area exhaust valves 65 and 75 are closed, and the separation area exhaust ports 64 and 74 are closed.

[0024] Furthermore, when operating in ventilation mode, the outside air intake fan 3 is activated when the outside air intake valve 8 is opened, the outdoor exhaust fan 5 is activated when the outdoor exhaust valve 9 is opened, and the circulation fan 7 is stopped when the bypass valve 10 is closed. As a result, the air intake duct 2 is opened to the outdoors O via the outdoor air intake fan 3, and outside air taken in from the outdoors O is introduced into the air intake duct 2 and supplied as supply air to each area A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 within the building 100 through the open air intake ports 12, 22, 32, 42, and 52. On the other hand, the exhaust duct 4 is opened to the outdoors O via the outdoor exhaust fan 5, and indoor air taken in from inside the building 100 is discharged to the outdoors O as return air through the open exhaust ports 14, 24, 34, 44, and 54. In other words, when operating in this ventilation mode, the air intake vents 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and exhaust vents 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 are opened in each of the multiple areas A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, including the specific area X. This allows for the individual introduction of outside air as supply air through the air intake vents 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 and the discharge of indoor air as return air through the exhaust vents 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, resulting in a sufficient reduction in the air pollution level in each of the multiple areas A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5.

[0025] Furthermore, in this ventilation mode, predetermined ventilation control is performed. In this ventilation control, the ventilation volume is adjusted for each of the multiple areas A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 by adjusting the opening of the supply air valves 13, 23, 33, 43, and 53 so that the air pollution level detected by the air pollution level detection means 16, 26, 36, 46, and 56 is below a predetermined set air pollution level. This makes it possible to rationally reduce the air pollution level in the multiple areas A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. In this embodiment, in the ventilation control performed when operating in ventilation mode, the ventilation volume is adjusted for each of the multiple areas A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 by adjusting the opening of the supply air valves 13, 23, 33, 43, and 53. However, the opening of the exhaust valves 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 can also be adjusted in synchronization with the opening of the supply air valves 13, 23, 33, 43, and 53. Furthermore, in this embodiment, ventilation control was performed during operation in ventilation mode, but it is also possible to configure the system to perform ventilation in a manner in which the ventilation volume is set to a constant amount for each of the multiple areas A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, without performing ventilation control.

[0026] [Circulation mode] As shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, during operation in circulation mode, in specific area X (3rd floor area), the specific area exhaust valve 35 is closed, closing the specific area exhaust port 34, and the specific area supply air valve 33 is opened, opening the specific area supply air port 32. In general area Y (1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th floor areas A1, A2, A4, and A5), the general area supply air valves 13, 23, 43, and 53 are closed, closing the general area supply air ports 12, 22, 42, and 52, and the general area exhaust valves 15, 25, 45, and 55 are opened, opening the general area exhaust ports 14, 24, 44, and 54. In separation areas C1 and C2, the separation area exhaust valves 65 and 75 are opened, opening the separation area exhaust ports 64 and 74.

[0027] Furthermore, during operation in circulation mode, the outside air intake fan 3 is stopped when the outside air intake valve 8 is closed, the outdoor exhaust fan 5 is stopped when the outdoor exhaust valve 9 is closed, and the circulation fan 7 is activated when the bypass valve 10 is opened. As a result, the air intake duct 2 and the exhaust duct 4 are closed to the outside O, and the air intake duct 2 and the exhaust duct 4 are connected through the bypass duct 6. This allows indoor air taken into the exhaust duct 4 as return air from the general area Y and the separate areas C1 and C2 within the building 100 through the open general area exhaust ports 14, 24, 44, 54 and the separate area exhaust ports 64, 74, to be introduced into the air intake duct 2 through the bypass duct 6, where the operating circulation fan 7 is installed, and supplied as supply air to the specific area X within the building 100 through the open specific area air intake port 32.

[0028] Specifically, when operating in circulation mode, in specific area X, the specific area supply air valve 33, whose opening degree was adjusted by ventilation control in the ventilation mode, is opened, and the specific area exhaust valve 35, which was open in the ventilation mode, is closed. On the other hand, in general area Y, the general area supply air valves 13, 23, 43, and 53, which were open in the ventilation mode, are closed, and the general area exhaust valves 15, 25, 45, and 55, whose opening degree was adjusted by ventilation control in the ventilation mode, are opened to a predetermined degree. Furthermore, at least one of the separation exhaust valves 65 and 75, which were closed in the ventilation mode, is opened. In other words, in specific area X, indoor air is introduced as supply air through specific area air intake 32, but the discharge of indoor air as return air through specific area exhaust 34 is stopped. On the other hand, in at least one of separation sections C1 and C2, indoor air is discharged as return air through separation section exhaust 64 and 74. As a result, airflows Fu and Fd are generated within building 100, from specific area X through connecting passage B to separation sections C1 and C2. Due to these airflows Fu and Fd, the indoor air in specific area X, which has a relatively high degree of air pollution, is diluted by mixing with the indoor air in connecting passage B, etc., which has a relatively low degree of air pollution, thus reducing the level of air pollution. Then, the indoor air with reduced air pollution levels is taken into the exhaust air passage 4 as return air through at least one of the separation exhaust ports 64 and 74, and this indoor air is introduced from the bypass air passage 6 into the supply air passage 2 and supplied again into the building 100 as supply air through the specific area supply air port 32, so that the air pollution level remains appropriately low throughout the entire building 100. Furthermore, when operating in this circulation mode, energy efficiency is improved because there is no introduction of outside air, which increases the air conditioning load, compared to when operating in ventilation mode.

[0029] Furthermore, when operating in circulation mode, the general area air supply valves 13, 23, 43, and 53, which were open in the ventilation mode, are closed, thereby stopping the introduction of indoor air as supply air through the general area air inlets 12, 22, 42, and 52 in general area Y, and opening the specific area air supply valve 33, which was adjusted in the ventilation mode, to its maximum opening. As a result, the amount of indoor air introduced as supply air through the specific area air inlet 32 ​​in specific area X increases. This increases the flow rate of airflows Fu and Fd generated within the building 100 from specific area X through the connecting passage B to the separation sections C1 and C2, thus maintaining the overall air pollution level of the building 100 at an even more appropriate level. In this embodiment, the specific area air supply valve 33 was opened to its maximum opening during operation in circulation mode, but the opening degree of the specific area air supply valve 33 during operation in circulation mode can be changed as appropriate. Next, we will explain the operating conditions in the summer circulation mode and the winter circulation mode, respectively.

[0030] (Summer circulation mode) The summer circulation mode is the operating mode that is set as the circulation mode described above during the summer. As shown in Figure 2, during operation in summer circulation mode, the operating conditions are basically the same as those of the circulation mode described above, but with respect to the separation exhaust valves 65 and 75, the upper floor separation exhaust valve 65 is closed, and the lower floor separation exhaust valve 75 is opened to its maximum opening degree. In other words, during the summer when air conditioning is being used in building 100, when operating in summer circulation mode, the upper floor separation exhaust valve 65 is closed and the lower floor separation exhaust valve 75 is opened, resulting in a good downward airflow Fd from a specific area X, which is the 3rd floor area A3, through the connecting passage B to the lower floor separation area C2 adjacent to the 1st floor area A1. Furthermore, since the indoor air in building 100 is relatively dense and easily descends, the downward airflow Fd of this cold air is enhanced, improving comfort within building 100. In this embodiment, the lower floor separation exhaust valve 75 was opened to its maximum degree when operating in summer circulation mode, but the opening degree of the lower floor separation exhaust valve 75 when operating in summer circulation mode can be changed as appropriate.

[0031] (Winter circulation mode) The winter circulation mode is the operating mode that is set as the circulation mode described above during the winter season. As shown in Figure 3, during operation in winter circulation mode, the operating conditions are basically the same as those of the circulation mode described above, but with respect to the separation exhaust valves 65 and 75, the upper floor separation exhaust valve 65 is opened to its maximum opening degree, while the lower floor separation exhaust valve 75 is closed. In other words, during the winter when heating is being used in the building 100, when operating in winter circulation mode, the upper floor separation exhaust valve 65 is opened and the lower floor separation exhaust valve 75 is closed, resulting in a good upward airflow Fu from a specific area X, which is the 3rd floor area A3, through the connecting passage B to the upper floor separation C1 adjacent to the 5th floor area A5. Furthermore, since the indoor air in the building 100 is warm air with a relatively low specific gravity and rises easily, the upward airflow Fu of this warm air is enhanced, improving comfort inside the building 100. In this embodiment, the upper floor separation exhaust valve 65 was opened to its maximum degree when operating in winter circulation mode, but the opening degree of the upper floor separation exhaust valve 65 when operating in winter circulation mode can be changed as appropriate.

[0032] [Operating mode switching control] The control device 80 is configured to perform operating mode switching control, which automatically switches the operating mode between the ventilation mode and the circulation mode described above, based on the degree of air pollution in the general area Y. The following describes the processing flow of the operating mode switching control based on Figure 4. In the operation mode switching control, first the operation mode is set to the ventilation mode described above (step #11), and operation is performed in that ventilation mode.

[0033] During operation in ventilation mode (step #11), it is determined whether the air pollution level in all general areas Y has decreased sufficiently (step #12). This determination in step #12 is made by determining whether the air pollution level in all general areas Y detected by the air pollution level detection means 16, 26, 46, 56 has fallen below a predetermined circulation mode switching threshold set relative to the target air pollution level. If it is determined in step #12 that the air pollution level in all general areas Y has not decreased sufficiently (No. in step #12), the operating mode is maintained in ventilation mode (step #11).

[0034] Furthermore, during operation in ventilation mode (step #11), it is determined whether the air conditioning load in all general areas Y has decreased sufficiently (step #13). This determination in step #13 is made by determining whether the room temperature in all general areas Y has fallen below a predetermined circulation mode switching threshold set relative to the target room temperature during the summer, and by determining whether the room temperature in all general areas Y has exceeded a predetermined circulation mode switching threshold set relative to the target room temperature during the winter. If it is determined in step #13 that the air conditioning load in all general areas Y has not decreased sufficiently (No. in step #13), the operating mode is maintained in ventilation mode (step #11).

[0035] Then, when operating in ventilation mode (step #11), if it is determined that the air pollution level in all general areas Y has decreased sufficiently (Yes in step #12), and if it is determined whether the air conditioning load in all general areas Y has decreased sufficiently (Yes in step #13), it is determined whether it is currently summer or winter (step #14). If it is summer, the operating mode is switched to the summer circulation mode described above (step #15), and if it is winter, the operating mode is switched to winter circulation mode (step #17).

[0036] In other words, when operating in ventilation mode, even if the air pollution level and air conditioning load in some general areas Y fall below the above-mentioned threshold for switching to circulation mode, the operating mode will remain in ventilation mode without switching to circulation mode until the air pollution level and air conditioning load in all general areas Y fall below the above-mentioned threshold. This suppresses the deterioration of overall comfort within the building 100 due to switching to circulation mode. Then, only when the air pollution level and air conditioning load in all general areas Y fall below the above-mentioned threshold for switching to circulation mode, the operating mode will automatically switch from ventilation mode to circulation mode. This ensures that the air pollution level throughout the building 100 is kept at an appropriately low level.

[0037] During operation in summer circulation mode (step #15), it is determined whether the air pollution level in any of the general areas Y is on an upward trend (step #16). This determination in step #16 is made by determining whether at least one of the air pollution levels in all of the general areas Y detected by the air pollution level detection means 16, 26, 46, 56 exceeds a predetermined ventilation mode switching threshold set for the target air pollution level. If the determination in step #16 is made that the air pollution level in any of the general areas Y is on an upward trend (Yes in step #16), the operating mode is returned to the ventilation mode described above (step #11). Otherwise (No in step #16), the operating mode is maintained in summer circulation mode (step #15).

[0038] On the other hand, when operating in winter circulation mode (step #17), it is determined whether the air pollution level in any of the general areas Y is on an upward trend (step #18). This determination in step #18 is made by determining whether at least one of the air pollution levels in all of the general areas Y detected by the air pollution level detection means 16, 26, 46, 56 exceeds a predetermined ventilation mode switching threshold set for the target air pollution level. If it is determined in step #18 that the air pollution level in any of the general areas Y is on an upward trend (Yes in step #18), the operating mode is returned to the ventilation mode described above (step #11). Otherwise (No in step #18), the operating mode is maintained in winter circulation mode (step #15).

[0039] In other words, when operating in summer circulation mode or winter circulation mode, if the air pollution level in any of the general areas Y exceeds the ventilation mode switching threshold, the operating mode will automatically switch from circulation mode to ventilation mode, even if the air pollution level in other general areas Y does not exceed the ventilation mode switching threshold. As a result, the air pollution level in the general area Y that exceeded the ventilation mode switching threshold will immediately decrease upon switching to ventilation mode, and the comfort level of that general area Y will be restored.

[0040] In the above embodiment, a summer circulation mode (see Figure 2) is provided, which is set as the circulation mode during the summer, and a winter circulation mode (see Figure 3) is provided, which is set as the circulation mode during the winter. However, an intermediate-season circulation mode can also be provided, which is set as the circulation mode during the intermediate season between summer and winter. When operating in this intermediate-season circulation mode, the operating conditions can basically be the same as those of the circulation mode described above. For example, both the upper-floor separation exhaust valve 65 and the lower-floor separation exhaust valve 75 can be opened to half an opening, for example, to generate a downdraft Fd from a specific area X, which is the 3rd floor area A3, through the connecting passage B to the lower-floor separation C2 adjacent to the 1st floor area A1, and an updraft Fu from a specific area X, which is the 3rd floor area A3, through the connecting passage B to the upper-floor separation C1 adjacent to the 5th floor area A5, to a similar extent. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 2. Air intake duct 4. Exhaust air duct 6 Bypass airflow 12, 22, 42, 52 General area air intake vents (air intake vents) 13, 23, 43, 53 General area air supply valve (air supply valve) 14, 24, 44, 54 General area exhaust vents (exhaust vents) 15, 25, 45, 55 General Area Exhaust Valves (Exhaust Valves) 32. Specific Area Air Intake (Air Intake) 33. Specific Area Air Supply Valve (Air Supply Valve) 34. Specific Area Exhaust Vent (Exhaust Vent) 35. Specific Area Exhaust Valve (Exhaust Valve) 64 Upper floor separation exhaust vent (separation exhaust vent) 65 Upper floor separation exhaust valve (separation exhaust valve) 74 Lower floor separation exhaust vent (separation exhaust vent) 75 Lower floor separation exhaust valve (separation exhaust valve) 80 Control device (control means) 90 Ventilation System 100 buildings A1 1st floor area (general area) A2 2nd floor area (general area) A3 3rd floor area (specific area) A4 4th floor area (general area) A5 5th floor area (general area) B Communication path C1 Upper floor separation area (separation area) C2 Lower floor side separation part (separation part) O outdoor X Specific area Y General Area

Claims

1. The system comprises an air intake and exhaust vent provided inside the building, an air intake passage connecting the air intake to the outdoors, an exhaust passage connecting the exhaust vent to the outdoors, a bypass passage connecting the air intake and the exhaust passage, and a control means for controlling operation by switching the operating mode between a ventilation mode and a circulation mode. The ventilation mode is an operating mode in which, with the supply air passage and the exhaust air passage open to the outside and the bypass air passage closed, indoor air taken in from inside the building through the exhaust port as return air is discharged to the outside, while outside air taken in from outside is introduced into the supply air passage and supplied to the building as supply air through the supply port. The ventilation system is characterized in that the circulation mode is an operating mode in which, with the supply air passage and the exhaust air passage closed to the outside while the bypass air passage is open, indoor air taken into the exhaust air passage as return air from inside the building through the exhaust port is introduced from the bypass air passage into the supply air passage and supplied into the building as supply air through the supply port, Within the building, a plurality of areas are partitioned, each containing the air intake and exhaust ports, and the exhaust ports are located at a distance from at least one specific area among the plurality of areas, allowing for the movement of indoor air through a connecting passage. A specific area exhaust valve capable of opening and closing the specific area exhaust port, which is the exhaust port provided in the specific area, The system includes a separation exhaust valve that can open and close the separation exhaust port, which is the exhaust port provided in the separation portion, A ventilation system in which the control means opens the specific area exhaust valve and closes the separation area exhaust valve when operating in the ventilation mode, and closes the specific area exhaust valve and opens the separation area exhaust valve when operating in the circulation mode.

2. Within the aforementioned building, the upper floor separation section, which is located on the upper floor side of the specific area, is provided with an upper floor separation section exhaust port, which is the separation section exhaust port, and an upper floor separation section exhaust valve, which is the separation section exhaust valve that can open and close the upper floor separation section exhaust port. Within the building, the lower floor separation section, which is located on the lower floor side of the specific area, is provided with a lower floor separation section exhaust port, which is the separation section exhaust port, and a lower floor separation section exhaust valve, which is the separation section exhaust valve that can open and close the lower floor separation section exhaust port. The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when operating in the circulation mode, closes the upper floor separation exhaust valve and opens the lower floor separation exhaust valve in the summer, and opens the upper floor separation exhaust valve and closes the lower floor separation exhaust valve in the winter.

3. The aforementioned multiple areas include a general area separate from the specific area from which the indoor air can move, and the separation portion is configured to allow the movement of indoor air from the general area through the connecting passage. A specific area air supply valve capable of opening and closing the specific area air supply port, which is the air supply port provided in the specific area, The system includes a general area air supply valve that can open and close the general area air supply port, which is the air supply port provided in the general area, The ventilation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means, when operating in the ventilation mode, performs ventilation control by adjusting the opening of the specific area air supply valve and the general area air supply valve provided at the air supply port of the area so that the air pollution level of the specific area and the general area, respectively, is below a set air pollution level, and when operating in the circulation mode, closes the general area air supply valve and opens the specific area air supply valve to its maximum opening.

Images