Air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system that can appropriately air-condition a portion of a building's space with a simple configuration. [Solution] The air conditioning system provides air conditioning for a target space A1 within a building 1, comprising at least one pair of partition walls 2 that face each other and are positioned away from the building's ceiling 11, and an air conditioner 3 including an indoor unit 31 and an outdoor unit 32 positioned near the partition walls. The outdoor unit is installed to exhaust air into a space A2 above the target space, and an air circulation path is formed between the pair of partition walls for the discharged conditioned air α11 from the indoor unit and the return air α13 to the indoor unit, thereby suppressing the intrusion of air from the upper space into the target space.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an air conditioning system for air conditioning a partial area within a building. 【Background Art】 【0002】 The interior space of a large building such as a factory tends to be a sweltering environment in summer due to problems such as ventilation and heat exhaust from equipment. Since a large amount of energy is required for air conditioning a large-scale space, as a means for efficiently air conditioning, for example, an air conditioning system disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-171309) has been proposed. 【0003】 Patent Document 1 discloses a zone air conditioning system for air conditioning a predetermined section within a structure. The system includes a ceiling portion provided with an outlet connected to an air conditioner, an air curtain forming device, and a support for supporting the air curtain forming device. The air curtain forming device forms an air curtain by discharging air downward, and the outlet is configured to blow conditioned air from the air conditioner into the zone. 【0004】 Further, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-070480) discloses an air conditioning system that uses blowers for supply air and exhaust air instead of an air conditioner in order to reduce the cost of the air conditioner and air conditions the entire interior of a building. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-171309 【Patent Document 2】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-070480 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0006】 To efficiently improve the comfort of a specific space (workspace) within a building, it is considered effective to centrally air-condition the workspace, as described in Patent Document 1. However, in factories and warehouses, shutters and doors are sometimes kept open at all times to allow forklifts and other equipment to enter and exit the building. In this case, the air conditioning system in Patent Document 1 does not physically enclose the air-conditioned zone (workspace), so the conditioned air flows out of the zone due to outside air entering from the shutter side. Furthermore, because the air-conditioned zone has a ceiling, a base structure connected to columns and beams is required, which increases the effort and cost of installation. 【0007】 The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide an air conditioning system that can appropriately air-condition a portion of a building with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 The air conditioning system according to the present invention is an air conditioning system that, in a certain context, air-conditions a target space within a building, comprising at least one pair of partition walls that face each other and are positioned away from the building's ceiling, thereby dividing the target space, and an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit positioned near the partition walls. The outdoor unit is installed to exhaust air into a space above the target space, and an air circulation path is formed between the pair of partition walls for the conditioned air blown out by the indoor unit and the air returned to the indoor unit, thereby suppressing the intrusion of air from the upper space into the target space. 【0009】 Preferably, the indoor unit is installed outside the target space, with an air outlet for discharged air provided at the upper or lower end of the partition wall, and an air intake for return air provided at the lower or upper end of the partition wall. 【0010】 Preferably, the outdoor unit exhausts air horizontally. 【0011】 Preferably, one of the pair of partition walls is provided with an air outlet for blown-out air, and the other partition wall is provided with an air intake for return air. 【0012】 Preferably, the partition wall includes a frame portion that forms a passage for the conditioned air of the indoor unit, and a shielding portion attached to the frame portion, with an air outlet for the discharged air formed in the frame portion. 【0013】 Preferably, an intake port for return air is formed in the shielding portion. 【0014】 Preferably, exhaust from the outdoor unit is discharged outside the building by an exhaust system installed at the top of the building. [Effects of the Invention] 【0015】 According to the air conditioning system of the present invention, a portion of a building can be properly air-conditioned with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0016】 [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] (A) is a schematic diagram of the partition wall portion according to Embodiment 1, and (B) is a cross-sectional view along the line IIB-IIB in (A). [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioning system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 4] (A) is a schematic diagram of the partition wall portion according to Embodiment 2, and (B) is a cross-sectional view along the line IVB-IVB in (A). [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioning system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of the partition wall according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the air conditioning system according to Embodiment 3, viewed from a plan view. [Figure 9](A) is a schematic diagram of Modification Example 1 of the partition wall portion, and (B) is a schematic diagram of Modification Example 2 of the partition wall portion. 【Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0017】 Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. 【0018】 Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration of the building 1 common to each embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1 and the like, the direction indicated by the symbol X is referred to as the width (left - right) direction of the building 1, the direction indicated by the symbol Y is referred to as the depth direction, and the height direction is indicated by the symbol Z. 【0019】 The building 1 is a large - scale building such as a factory (for example, width 150 m, depth 150 m), and an exhaust facility 10 is provided on the ceiling 11. Openings that are opened and closed by shutters (not shown) are provided in the left and right side walls 12. This opening is always open for forklifts and the like to enter and exit, and the outside air F flows into the internal space of the building 1. The internal space of the building 1 includes a work space A1, and this work space A1 is the target space A1 of the air - conditioning system according to each embodiment. 【0020】 <Embodiment 1> Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the air - conditioning system according to Embodiment 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the air - conditioning system includes a pair of partition wall portions 2, 2 that partition the target space A1 installed in the building 1, and an air conditioner 3. In FIG. 1 and the like, the partition wall portion 2 and the air conditioner 3 are simplified. In each embodiment, a case where the inside of the building 1 is in a hot environment and the target space A1 is cooled by the air - conditioning system will be described. 【0021】 (Configuration of the air - conditioning system) The pair of partition walls 2,2 are positioned facing each other, separated from each other in the left-right direction, and away from the ceiling 11 of the building 1. The partition walls 2 divide the space between them into a workspace (target space) A1. The partition walls 2 prevent outside air F from flowing into the target space A1. In addition, exhaust heat air from other equipment in the building 1 is prevented from flowing into the target space A1. 【0022】 The height of the partition wall section 2 is, for example, 2 to 3 m. The height of the building 1 to the ceiling is, for example, about 15 m. The left-right spacing L1 between the partition wall sections 2 is, for example, about 4 to 10 m. As shown in Figure 2, the partition wall sections 2 are provided along the depth direction, and the width (length in the depth direction) of the partition wall sections 2 is, for example, about 40 to 90 m. The partition wall sections 2 may be divided into multiple sections along the depth direction. 【0023】 As shown in Figure 2(B), the air conditioner 3 is positioned near the partition wall 2. In this embodiment, the air conditioner 3 is an integrated unit consisting of an indoor unit 31 and an outdoor unit 32, and is installed on the outside of the partition wall 2 (opposite side of the target space A1). As shown in Figure 1, the outdoor unit 32 exhausts air upward (reference numeral E1). That is, the exhaust air E1 is discharged into the space A2 above the target space A1. The wastewater from the outdoor unit 32 can be disposed of by placing it in a plastic tank or by vaporizing it at the heat exhaust point. 【0024】 (Formation of circulation channels) In this embodiment, low-temperature air from the air conditioner 3 is slowly supplied as discharged air α11 from the lower ends of both partition walls 2 toward the center of the target space A1 (facing the partition walls 2). Subsequently, the discharged air α11 rises (intermediate air α12) and returns to the air conditioner 3 from the upper end of the partition walls 2 (return air α13). In other words, an air circulation channel (approximately symmetrically) is formed in the target space A1 by the discharged air α11, intermediate air α12, and return air α13. The means for forming this circulation channel will be described below. 【0025】 As shown in Figure 2(A), the partition wall section 2 includes a frame section 20 having a cylindrical beam section 21 and a plurality of cylindrical column sections 22, and a shielding section 23 provided between the column sections 22. The beam section 21 and each column section 22 are in communication with each other. The frame section 20 is erected by attaching the column sections 22 to a base assembled on the floor surface, for example. The shielding section 23 may be made of a material that does not allow air to pass through, such as a fabric such as a curtain or a vinyl sheet material. 【0026】 As shown in Figure 2(B), the beam section 21 is connected to the air outlet of the indoor unit 31 via a connecting pipe 31a, and the conditioned air α10 supplied from the indoor unit 31 flows through the beam section 21 and the column section 22. In this way, the frame section 20 forms a passage for the conditioned air α10 supplied from the indoor unit 31. The conditioned air α10 flowing through the column section 22 is supplied to the target space A1 as discharged air α11 from an air outlet 24 provided at the lower end of the column section 22. It is desirable that the discharged air α11 be supplied slowly so as not to mix with the air around the air outlet 24 (which is warmer than the discharged air α11). 【0027】 As shown in Figure 2(A), an intake port 25 is provided at the upper end of the shielding portion 23. The intake port 25 is connected to the air intake port of the indoor unit 31 via the connecting pipe 31b shown in Figure 2(B), and the suction force of the indoor unit 31 draws in the upper air of the target space A1 from the intake port 25. Therefore, the blown air α11 supplied to the target space A1 from the air outlet 24 rises, is then drawn into the intake port 25 (return air α13), and is recovered by the indoor unit 31 through the connecting pipe 31b (reference numeral α14). 【0028】 Thus, as shown in Figure 1, an air circulation path is formed between the pair of partition walls 2, consisting of the discharged air α11 of the conditioned air α10 from the indoor unit 31 and the return air α13 to the indoor unit 31. The temperature of the target space A1 partitioned by the partition walls 2 becomes lower than the temperature of the space A2 above the target space A1, creating a temperature stratification. This prevents air from the space A2 above from entering the target space A1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(A), it is desirable to provide multiple air outlets 24 and air inlets 25 extending from one end to the other in the width direction (depth direction) of the partition wall 2. This allows for wide and efficient air conditioning of the target space A1. 【0029】 (Advantages of this embodiment) According to this embodiment, since the partition wall 2 is provided, it is possible to prevent outside air from flowing into the target space A1 and to prevent the conditioned air from flowing out of the target space A1. Furthermore, with a simple and low-cost configuration consisting of the partition wall 2 and the air conditioner 3, the target space A1 can be properly air-conditioned without being affected by exhaust heat from equipment inside the building. In addition, since there is no ceiling wall in the target space A1, the large-scale construction work required to install a ceiling wall is unnecessary, thus reducing costs. Furthermore, loads suspended by a crane can be brought into the target space A1. In addition, by using a soundproofing sheet in the shielding section 23, a sound insulation effect can be obtained. 【0030】 Furthermore, the exhaust (exhaust air) E1 from the outdoor unit 32 is discharged towards the upper space A2 and, as indicated by symbols E2 and E3, is discharged outside the building 1 by the exhaust equipment 10 installed at the top of the building 1. Therefore, the outdoor unit 32 can be installed close to the indoor unit 31 inside the building 1 without worrying about the impact of the exhaust heat from the outdoor unit 32 on the target space A1. Costs can be reduced because the refrigerant piping is shorter. Also, even if the target space A1 is located near the center of the building 1, there is no need to extend the refrigerant piping along the floor to outside the building, so the refrigerant piping will not interfere with the operating area of ​​cranes or other vehicles. 【0031】 Furthermore, a low-emissivity corrugated metal roof may be used as the roofing material for building 1. Even if the roofing material becomes hot due to heat exhaust from the outdoor unit 32, etc., suppressing radiation from the roofing material will reduce the impact on the lower part of the building 1, leading to energy savings in air conditioning and a reduction in the perceived temperature of workers. 【0032】 <Embodiment 2> Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The same configuration as in Embodiment 1 will not be repeated in the description. In this embodiment, blown air α11 is blown out from the upper ends of both the left and right partition walls 2A and circulates back to the lower ends of the partition walls 2A as return air α13. Specifically, the blown air α11 is blown out from the upper ends of the partition walls 2A so as to collide with each other near the center in the left-right direction of the target space A1, flows downward near the center (intermediate air α12), and returns to the lower ends of the partition walls 2A. 【0033】 As shown in Figure 4, an air outlet 24 is provided at the upper end of the column section 22, and an air intake 25 is provided at the lower end of the shielding section 23. In this embodiment as well, conditioned air α10 is sent from the indoor unit 31 of the air conditioner 3 into the beam section 21, and discharged air α11 is blown out from the air outlet 24. The wind speed of the discharged air α11 is greater than that of the discharged air α11 in Embodiment 1. The air intake 25 is connected to the indoor unit, and the return air α13 is drawn into the indoor unit through the air intake 25. In this way, an air circulation path is formed between the pair of partition wall sections 2A, consisting of the discharged air α11 of the conditioned air α10 from the indoor unit and the return air α13 to the indoor unit. 【0034】 As shown in Figure 3, the discharged air α11s collide with each other as they are blown out, forming an air curtain of discharged air α11 above the target space A1. Therefore, the air from the upper space A2, including the exhaust E1 from the outdoor unit, is prevented from entering the target space A1. 【0035】 (modified version) Figure 5 shows a modified example of Embodiment 2. In this example, the exhaust E1 from the outdoor unit 32 is discharged horizontally (approximately parallel to the floor) rather than upward. Specifically, the exhaust E1 is discharged above the blown air α11 and is discharged so as to collide with each other near the center in the left-right direction between the air conditioners 3. In this way, an air curtain is formed by the exhaust E1, and together with the air curtain of the blown air α11, a double air curtain is formed, which can further suppress the intrusion of air from the upper space A2 into the target space A1. 【0036】 <Embodiment 3> Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. The same configuration as in Embodiment 1 will not be repeated in this description. 【0037】 As shown in Figure 6, blown air α11 is released from the lower end of one of the pair of partition walls 2B (left side of the page), flows along the floor, gradually rises (intermediate air α12), and is drawn into the upper end of the other partition wall 2B. Subsequently, blown air α11 (dotted line) is released from the lower end of the other partition wall 2B and is drawn into the upper end of the one partition wall 2B as return air α13. 【0038】 In this embodiment, "return air" refers to the air α11 blown out from one partition wall 2B that returns to the one partition wall 2B after passing through the other partition wall 2B and the air conditioner 3. The flow paths (α11~α13) of the blown-out air α11 blown out from the partition wall 2B on the right side of the page are shown as dotted lines, shifted upwards. 【0039】 (Structure of the partition wall) As shown in Figure 7, a closed section 26 is provided within the beam section 21, dividing it into an upstream beam section 21U and a downstream beam section 21D. Air α11 is blown out from an air outlet 24 formed at the lower end of a column section 22 that communicates with the upstream beam section 21U. No conditioned air α10 flows into the downstream beam section 21D. An air outlet 24 does not need to be provided in the column section 22 that communicates with the downstream beam section 21D. No intake port 25 is formed in the shielding section 23 upstream of the closed section 26, while an intake port 25 is formed at the upper end of the shielding section 23 downstream of the closed section 26. 【0040】 Figure 8 is a plan view of a pair of partition wall sections 2B, 2B. The shielding section 23 of one partition wall section 2B, which has an intake port 25 (Figure 7), and the shielding section 23 of the other partition wall section 2B, which does not have an intake port 25, are arranged to face each other. The air outlet of the indoor unit 31 is connected to the upstream beam section 21U via a connecting pipe 31a, and the air intake of the indoor unit 31 is connected to the intake port 25 of the shielding section 23 via a connecting pipe 31b. 【0041】 (Circulation channel) The blown-out air α11 from the air outlet 24 of one partition wall 2B is drawn into the indoor unit 31 on the other partition wall 2B side via the intake port 25 (symbol α14). The blown-out air α11 from the air outlet 24 of the other partition wall 2B is drawn into the intake port 25 of the one partition wall 2B as return air α13. 【0042】 In this way, an air circulation path is formed between the pair of partition walls 2, consisting of the discharged air α11 of the conditioned air α10 from the indoor unit 31 and the return air α13 to the indoor unit 31. According to this embodiment, the discharged air α11s are less likely to collide with each other, and a smooth circulation path for the conditioned air is formed. 【0043】 <Modification example 1 of the partition wall section> Figure 9(A) shows a modified example of the partition wall when the blown air α11 is sent from the lower end of the partition wall to the target space A1, as in Embodiments 1 and 3. In this example, the partition wall 2C has an air outlet 24 formed on the lower surface of the beam 21, and the blown air α11 is blown out downward from the air outlet 24. The blown air α11 flows downward along the shielding portion 23 and flows along the floor surface towards the center of the target space A1 (left side of the paper). 【0044】 According to this modified version, since the blown air (low-temperature air) α11 is supplied from the air outlet 24 along the shielding section 23, the partition wall section 2C is cooled over a wide area, and the perceived temperature of the workers in the target space A1 decreases due to cold radiation. 【0045】 <Modification of partition wall section 2> The partition wall section 2D shown in Figure 9(B) has an air outlet 24 formed on the lower surface of the beam section 21, and a double shielding section 23 is provided in the depth direction (reference numerals 23a and 23b). Multiple through holes 23H are formed in the shielding section 23a on the side of the target space A1. The conditioned air α10 blown downward from the air outlet 24 is supplied to the target space A1 through each through hole 23H. 【0046】 According to this modified version, low-temperature air can be supplied to the target space A1 gradually and evenly through multiple through-holes 23H. In addition, the partition wall 2D is cooled over a wide area, and the perceived temperature of the workers in the target space A1 is reduced by cold radiation. Furthermore, because the shielding section 23 is double-layered, noise in the workplace is absorbed. 【0047】 Although embodiments of this invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, this invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as this invention, or within the equivalent scope. 【0048】 For example, the target space A1 may be surrounded on all four sides by partition walls 2. Alternatively, the indoor unit 31 may be installed on the front side of the partition walls (the target space side), and the discharged air α11 may be blown directly from the indoor unit 31. In this case, the outdoor unit 32 is positioned to exhaust air outside the target space A1. 【0049】 Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2, if the distance L1 (Figure 1) between the pair of partition walls is short (for example, 5 m or less), the blown air may be blown out from only one partition wall and circulated after hitting the other partition wall. 【0050】 Furthermore, the number, position, and shape of the air outlets 24 and air intakes 25 can be selected as appropriate. Note that air outlets 24 may also be provided in the shielding section 23. While cooling was given as an example of the air conditioning system, it may also be applied to heating. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0051】 1 Building, 10 Exhaust equipment, 11 Ceiling, 2 Partition wall section, 20 Frame section, 21 Beam section, 22 Column section, 23 Shielding section, 24 Air outlet, 25 Air intake, 3 Air conditioner, 31 Indoor unit, 32 Outdoor unit, A1 Target space, A2 Upper space, E1~E2 Exhaust, α10 Air conditioning air α11 Outlet air α12 Intermediate air α13 Return air

Claims

[Claim 1] An air conditioning system that provides air conditioning for a specific space within a building, At least one pair of partition walls that face each other and are positioned away from the ceiling of the building, which demarcate the target space, The air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, which are located near the aforementioned partition wall. The outdoor unit is installed to exhaust air into a space above the target space. An air conditioning system characterized by forming an air circulation path between a pair of partition walls, which consists of the air blown out by the indoor unit and the air returned to the indoor unit, thereby suppressing the intrusion of air from the upper space into the target space. [Claim 2] The indoor unit is installed outside the target space, An air outlet for the blown air is provided at the upper or lower end of the partition wall portion. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the intake port for the return air is provided at the lower or upper end of the partition wall. [Claim 3] The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the outdoor unit exhausts air horizontally. [Claim 4] The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein one of the pair of partition walls is provided with an air outlet for the blown air, and the other partition wall is provided with an air intake for the return air. [Claim 5] The aforementioned partition wall section is, The frame portion that forms the passage for the conditioned air of the indoor unit, Including a shielding portion attached to the frame portion, The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air outlet for the blown air is formed in the frame portion. [Claim 6] The air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein the return air intake is formed in the shielding portion. [Claim 7] The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust from the outdoor unit is discharged outside the building by an exhaust system installed at the top of the building.

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