Airflow switching device

Abstract

This technology provides a way to suppress air leakage during airflow path switching. [Solution] The damper 170 is rotatable within the air supply space 130 between a first position in which the first opening is open and the second opening is closed, and a second position in which the first opening is closed and the second opening is open, by a pivot axis C located at the boundary between the first opening and the second opening. When the damper 170 is positioned in the first position, its first surface 180 faces the air supply space 130, and when it is positioned in the second position, its second surface 182, which faces the opposite side of the first surface 180, faces the air supply space 130. The first surface 180 of the damper 170 is provided with a first airflow smoothing portion 184 having a convex inclination that protrudes into the air supply space 130 as it approaches the second edge portion 174 when the damper 170 is positioned in the first position.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air passage switching device.

Background Art

[0002] When the blower fan of a bathroom heater dryer is used as a ventilation fan, the bathroom heater dryer is provided with an air passage switching device for switching between a heating ventilation passage and a ventilation passage. The air passage switching device provides a damper between the inlet of the heating ventilation passage and the inlet of the ventilation passage, and by rotating the damper, one of the heating ventilation passage and the ventilation passage is opened and the other is closed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a large amount of air flows through the air passage, air leakage occurs from the gap of the damper of the air passage switching device, resulting in a decrease in fan efficiency or an increase in noise.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for suppressing air leakage in the switching of the air passage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an airflow switching device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first opening connected from a blowing space where a fan is located to a first blowing path, a second opening connected from the blowing space to a second blowing path and adjacent to the first opening, a damper rotatable within the blowing space between a first position in which the first opening is open and the second opening is closed, and a second position in which the first opening is closed and the second opening is open, by a pivot shaft located at the boundary between the first and second openings, and a drive unit that drives the rotation of the damper. The edge of the damper furthest from the pivot shaft is the first edge, and the edge of the damper closer to the pivot shaft is the second edge. When the damper is located in the first position, its first surface faces the blowing space, and when it is located in the second position, its second surface, opposite to the first surface, faces the blowing space. The first surface of the damper has an airflow smoothing section having a convex inclination that protrudes into the blowing space as it approaches the second edge when the damper is located in the first position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, air leakage can be suppressed when switching airflow paths. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the building configuration in which the ventilation fan according to this embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the structure of the ventilation fan in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ventilation fan. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the ventilation fan in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a)-(b) are perspective views showing the structure of the damper shown in Figures 4(a)-(b). [Figure 6] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ventilation fan in Figure 4(a). [Figure 7] Figures 7(a)-(b) are perspective views showing the structure of the airflow switching device shown in Figures 4(a)-(b). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments described below all represent preferred specific examples of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, as well as the steps (processes) and their order shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Accordingly, among the components in the following embodiments, those components that are not described in the independent claims representing the highest-level concepts of the present disclosure will be described as optional components. In addition, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each figure, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0010] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a building 10 in which a ventilation fan 100 is installed. The building 10 is, for example, a two-story house, but is not limited to this. The first floor of the building 10 contains a living room 12, a bathroom 14, and a dressing room 16. An inter-floor space 20 is located between the first and second floors of the building 10, and a second-floor space 30 is located on the second floor of the building 10. The ventilation fan 100 is installed in the upper part of the bathroom 14 within the inter-floor space 20. The ventilation fan 100 is, for example, a bathroom heating and ventilation fan. A bathroom intake port 200 and a bathroom outlet port 210 are provided on the lower side of the ventilation fan 100, and the bathroom intake port 200 and bathroom outlet port 210 are positioned to be exposed from the ceiling of the bathroom 14.

[0011] Furthermore, the ventilation fan 100 is equipped with an indoor air intake vent 220, which is connected to an indoor air supply duct 320, and the indoor air supply duct 320 is connected to the dressing room 16. In addition, the ventilation fan 100 is also equipped with an intake vent 230 and an exhaust vent 240. The intake vent 230 is connected to an intake duct 330, and the intake duct 330 is connected to the living room 12. The exhaust vent 240 is connected to an exhaust duct 340, and the exhaust duct 340 is connected to the outside from the exterior wall of the building 10. The indoor air supply duct 320, intake duct 330, and exhaust duct 340 are hollow pipes.

[0012] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the structure of the ventilation fan 100. Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of the ventilation fan 100 from above, and Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of the ventilation fan 100 from below. On the side of the main body case 110 of the ventilation fan 100, there are indoor air intake ports 220, intake ports 230, and exhaust ports 240. Here, the intake ports 230 and exhaust ports 240 are arranged side by side on the same side, but the indoor air intake port 220 is arranged on a different side. On the bottom surface of the main body case 110, there are bathroom intake ports 200 and bathroom outlet ports 210. In particular, the bathroom outlet ports 210 are located below the airflow switching device 160.

[0013] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ventilation fan 100. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' in Figure 2(a). An airflow path is formed where air enters the main body case 110 from the intake port 230, passes through the heat exchanger 120 and the ventilation fan 122, and exits the main body case 110 from the exhaust port 240. The ventilation airflow 400 moves through this airflow path when the ventilation fan 122 operates. When combined with Figure 1, the air from the living room 12 enters the ventilation fan 100 as a ventilation airflow 400 via the intake duct 330 and intake port 230, and is discharged outdoors from the ventilation fan 100 via the exhaust port 240 and exhaust duct 340.

[0014] Meanwhile, an airflow path is formed where air enters the main unit case 110 from the bathroom intake port 200, passes through the ventilation space 130 where the circulation fan 132 is located, and exits the main unit case 110 from the indoor air supply port 220. When the circulation fan 132 operates, the first airflow 410 flows through this airflow path. When combined with Figure 1, the air from the bathroom 14 enters the ventilation fan 100 from the bathroom intake port 200 as the first airflow 410, and is discharged from the ventilation fan 100 to the dressing room 16 via the indoor air supply port 220 and the indoor air supply duct 320.

[0015] In the ventilation space 130, the airflow switching device 160 shown in Figure 2(b) is positioned, and as described above, the bathroom outlet 210 is discharged below the airflow switching device 160. When the airflow switching device 160 switches the airflow, an airflow path is also formed that enters the main body case 110 from the bathroom intake port 200, passes through the ventilation space 130, and exits the main body case 110 from the bathroom outlet 210. When the circulation fan 132 operates, the second airflow 420 flows through this airflow path. When combined with Figure 1, the air from the bathroom 14 enters the ventilation fan 100 from the bathroom intake port 200 as the second airflow 420, and returns to the bathroom 14 from the bathroom outlet 210 of the ventilation fan 100.

[0016] The following explanation will focus on the airflow switching device 160, and will therefore omit the explanations of the heat exchanger 120, ventilation fan 122, intake port 230, and exhaust port 240. Furthermore, the ventilation fan 100 does not necessarily need to be equipped with the heat exchanger 120, ventilation fan 122, intake port 230, and exhaust port 240.

[0017] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the ventilation fan 100. These are cross-sectional views taken along the line B-B' in Figure 3. In Figure 4(a), as described above, the circulation fan 132 is positioned in the air supply space 130 inside the main body case 110. The downstream side of the air supply space 130 is branched into a first air supply passage 140 and a second air supply passage 150. The first air supply passage 140 is an air passage connecting the air supply space 130 and the indoor air supply inlet 220, and the second air supply passage 150 is an air passage connecting the air supply space 130 and the bathroom air outlet 210.

[0018] The inlet connecting the air supply space 130 to the first air supply path 140 is the first opening 142, and the inlet connecting the air supply space 130 to the second air supply path 150 is the second opening 152. The first opening 142 and the second opening 152 are arranged adjacent to each other. A rotation axis C is arranged at the boundary between the first opening 142 and the second opening 152, and a damper 170 that can rotate around the rotation axis C is installed. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the damper 170 can rotate within the air supply space 130 between a first position P1 where the first opening 142 is opened and the second opening 152 is closed, and a second position P2 where the first opening 142 is closed and the second opening 152 is opened as shown in Fig. 4(b). When the damper 170 is arranged at the first position P1, the aforementioned first air flow 410 flows, and when the damper 170 is arranged at the second position P2, the aforementioned second air flow 420 flows. Also, the first opening 142, the second opening 152, the damper 170, and a drive unit (not shown) for driving the damper 170 correspond to the aforementioned air path switching device 160.

[0019] The damper 170 has a first surface 180 and a second surface 182 facing each other. When the damper 170 is arranged at the first position P1, the first surface 180 faces the air supply space 130. On the other hand, when the damper 170 is arranged at the second position P2, the second surface 182 opposite to the first surface 180 faces the air supply space 130. Here, Figs. 5(a)-(b) are also used to explain the structure of the damper 170.

[0020] Figs. 5(a)-(b) are perspective views showing the structure of the damper 170. Fig. 5(a) shows the structure of the damper 170 as viewed from the first surface 180 side, and Fig. 5(b) shows the structure of the damper 170 as viewed from the second surface 182 side. The shaft 164 coincides with the rotation axis C. Therefore, the damper 170 rotates around the shaft 164. The damper 170 is surrounded by a first edge 172, a second edge 174, a first side edge 176, and a second side edge 178. The first edge 172 is the edge farther from the shaft 164, and the second edge 174 is the edge closer to the shaft 164. Also, the first side edge 176 and the second side edge 178 are edges sandwiched between the first edge 172 and the second edge 174 and facing each other.

[0021] When the damper 170 is positioned at the first position P1, the first surface 180 in Figure 5(a) faces the air supply space 130. The first surface 180 has a first airflow smoothing section 184, an end wall 192, and a second airflow smoothing section back surface 194. The end wall 192 is a slope that, when moving from the first edge 172 toward the second edge 174, proceeds toward the second surface 182. The second airflow smoothing section back surface 194 is positioned alongside the end wall 192 and is a curved surface with a convex incline. The second airflow smoothing section back surface 194 is the back surface of the second airflow smoothing section 186 (described later). The first airflow smoothing section 184 is positioned alongside the second airflow smoothing section back surface 194. Figure 6 is also used to explain the structure of the first airflow smoothing section 184.

[0022] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ventilation fan 100 in Figure 4(a). This corresponds to the case where the damper 170 is positioned at the first position P1. When the damper 170, which rotates around the pivot axis C, is installed inside the main body case 110, a gap 154 ​​is provided between the pivot axis C and its surroundings and the second edge 174 of the first surface 180. This is to prevent interference and obstruction of the rotation of the damper 170 due to variations in parts or variations during product assembly. However, even when the damper 170 is positioned at the first position P1, the presence of the gap 154 ​​causes air leakage from the gap 154 ​​into the second air passage 150. As mentioned above, it is desirable to suppress such air leakage.

[0023] To this end, in this embodiment, a first airflow smoothing section 184 is provided on the first surface 180 of the damper 170, which has a convex inclination that protrudes into the airflow space 130 as it approaches the second edge 174 when the damper 170 is positioned at the first position P1. When the damper 170 is positioned at the first position P1, the first airflow 410 flowing from the airflow space 130 toward the first airflow passage 140 moves away from the gap 154 ​​along the convex inclination of the first airflow smoothing section 184. By moving away from the gap 154, air leakage in the gap 154 ​​is suppressed. Here, the end wall 192 is provided to match the shape of the wall surface of the second airflow passage 150.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b), a second airflow smoothing section 186 is provided on the second surface 182 of the damper 170. This section has a concave inclination that protrudes into the airflow space 130 as it approaches the first edge 172 when the damper 170 is positioned at the second position P2. The second airflow smoothing section 186 is provided to smoothly deliver the second airflow 420 from the airflow space 130 to the second airflow passage 150. Additionally, an auxiliary section 190 is provided on the second surface 182 of the damper 170 on the second edge 174 side of the second airflow smoothing section 186. The auxiliary section 190 has an inclination that protrudes into the airflow space 130 as it approaches the second edge 174 when the damper 170 is positioned at the second position P2. The auxiliary section 190 is provided to assist in suppressing air leakage. Furthermore, an end wall 192 is also positioned on the second surface 182 of the damper 170, on the side of the first edge 172 of the second airflow smoothing section 186. The end wall 192 is as described above.

[0025] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are perspective views showing the structure of the airflow switching device 160. Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the damper 170 seen from the first surface 180 side, and Figure 7(b) is a front view of the damper 170 seen from the second edge 174 side. A drive unit 162 is connected to the shaft 164 on the first side edge 176 side of the damper 170. The drive unit 162 is a motor that drives the rotation of the damper 170.

[0026] When the damper 170 is positioned at the first position P1, the back surface 194 of the second airflow smoothing section is low, which may cause condensation to accumulate on the damper 170. If the amount of condensation increases, it may overflow from the damper 170. If the condensation then enters the drive unit 162, the drive unit 162, including the motor, may malfunction. To prevent condensation from entering the drive unit 162, the height L2 of the second side edge 178 of the first airflow smoothing section 184 is made lower than the height L1 of the first edge 172 of the first airflow smoothing section 184. As a result, the condensation overflowing from the damper 170 flows towards the second side edge 178 and is less likely to flow towards the first side edge 176. Because it is less likely to flow towards the first side edge 176, condensation is prevented from entering the drive unit 162.

[0027] Furthermore, a wall 188 is provided at the first edge 172 of the damper 170, while a wall 188 is not provided at the second edge 174 of the damper 170. This also causes condensation water overflowing from the damper 170 to flow towards the second side edge 178, making it less likely for it to flow towards the first side edge 176.

[0028] In this embodiment, a first airflow smoothing section 184 having a convex inclination that protrudes into the airflow space 130 as it approaches the second edge 174 is arranged on the first surface 180 of the damper 170, thereby reducing the amount of air leakage from the gap between the airflow switching device 160 and the ventilation fan 100 to the second airflow passage 150. Furthermore, since the amount of air leakage from the gap between the airflow switching device 160 and the ventilation fan 100 to the second airflow passage 150 is reduced, air leakage can be suppressed during airflow switching. In addition, since the amount of air leakage from the gap between the airflow switching device 160 and the ventilation fan 100 to the second airflow passage 150 is reduced, noise can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the amount of air leakage from the gap between the airflow switching device 160 and the ventilation fan 100 to the second airflow passage 150 is reduced, airflow efficiency is improved, and the target airflow can be achieved with a lower fan rotation speed.

[0029] Furthermore, since the height of the second side edge 178 of the first airflow smoothing section 184 is lower than the height of the first edge 172 of the first airflow smoothing section 184, it is possible to prevent condensation water from entering the drive unit 162 even when the airflow path is switched while condensation water has accumulated in the damper 170. Also, since it is possible to prevent condensation water from entering the drive unit 162, the occurrence of failure of the drive unit 162 can be suppressed. In addition, since a wall 188 is provided on the first edge 172 and not on the second edge 174, it is possible to prevent condensation water from entering the drive unit 162 even when the airflow path is switched while condensation water has accumulated in the damper 170. Furthermore, since an arc-shaped second airflow smoothing section 186 is provided, air can be efficiently delivered without the wind hitting the damper 170 perpendicularly. Also, since the wind does not hit the damper 170 perpendicularly, vibration of the damper 170 can be prevented. Furthermore, since an auxiliary section 190 is provided on the second surface 182, it can help suppress air leakage.

[0030] An overview of one aspect of this disclosure is as follows: (Item 1) A first opening (142) connects the airflow space (130) where the fan (132) is located to the first airflow passage (140), The second opening (152) is connected to the first opening (142) and is connected to the second air passage (150) from the aforementioned air supply space (130), A damper (170) is rotatable within the air supply space (130) between a first position (P1) in which the first opening (142) is open and the second opening (152) is closed, and a second position (P2) in which the first opening (142) is closed and the second opening (152) is open, by a pivot shaft (C) located at the boundary between the first opening (142) and the second opening (152). The system includes a drive unit (162) that drives the rotation of the damper (170), The edge of the damper (170) that is further from the pivot axis (C) is the first edge (172), and the edge of the damper (170) that is closer to the pivot axis (C) is the second edge (174). The damper (170) is configured such that when positioned at the first position (P1), its first surface (180) faces the airflow space (130), and when positioned at the second position (P2), its second surface (182), which faces the opposite side of the first surface (180), faces the airflow space (130). An airflow switching device (160) is provided with an airflow smoothing section (184) having a convex inclination that protrudes into the airflow space (130) as it approaches the second edge (174) when the damper (170) is positioned at the first position (P1).

[0031] (Item 2) The damper (170) has a first side edge (176) and a second side edge (178) that are sandwiched between the first edge (172) and the second edge (174), The drive unit (162) is located on the first side edge (176) side, The airflow switching device (160) described in item 1, in which the damper (170) is positioned at the first position (P1), wherein the height of the second side edge (178) of the airflow smoothing portion (184) is lower than the height of the first edge (172) of the airflow smoothing portion (184).

[0032] (Item 3) A wall (188) is provided on the first edge (172) of the damper (170). The airflow switching device (160) according to item 2, wherein no wall (188) is provided on the second edge (174) of the damper (170).

[0033] (Item 4) The aforementioned airflow smoothing section (184) is the first airflow smoothing section (184), The airflow switching device (160) according to item 1, wherein a second airflow smoothing portion (186) having a concave inclination that protrudes into the airflow space (130) as it approaches the first edge portion (172) when the damper (170) is positioned at the second position (P2).

[0034] (Item 5) The airflow switching device (160) according to item 4, wherein an auxiliary portion (190) having an inclination that protrudes into the airflow space (130) as it approaches the second edge portion (174) when the damper (170) is positioned at the second position (P2), is provided on the second surface (182) of the damper (170).

[0035] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each component or combination of processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] P1 First position, P2 Second position, 10 Building, 12 Living room, 14 Bathroom, 16 Dressing room, 20 Between floors, 30 Second floor space, 100 Ventilation fan, 110 Main body case, 120 Heat exchanger, 122 Ventilation fan, 130 Air supply space, 132 Circulation fan, 140 First air supply passage, 142 First opening, 150 Second air supply passage, 152 Second opening, 154 Gap, 160 Air supply switching device, 162 Drive unit, 164 Shaft, 170 Damper, 172 First edge, 174 Second edge, 176 First side edge, 178 Second side edge, 180 First surface, 182 Second surface, 184 First airflow smoothing section, 186 Second airflow smoothing section, 188 Wall (188), 190 Auxiliary section, 192 End wall (188), 200 Bathroom intake, 210 Bathroom outlet, 220 Indoor air supply, 230 Intake, 240 Exhaust, 320 Indoor air supply duct, 330 Intake duct, 340 Exhaust duct, 400 Ventilation airflow, C Rotating shaft, 410 First airflow, 420 Second airflow.

Claims

1. A first opening that connects the airflow space where the fan is located to the first airflow path, A second opening is connected from the aforementioned air supply space to a second air supply passage and is adjacent to the first opening, A damper is rotatable within the airflow space between a first position in which the first opening is open and the second opening is closed, and a second position in which the first opening is closed and the second opening is open, by a pivot shaft located at the boundary between the first opening and the second opening. The system includes a drive unit that drives the rotation of the damper, The edge of the damper that is further from the pivot axis is the first edge, and the edge of the damper that is closer to the pivot axis is the second edge. The damper, when positioned in the first position, faces its first surface toward the airflow space, and when positioned in the second position, faces its second surface, which is opposite to the first surface, toward the airflow space. An airflow switching device having an airflow smoothing section on the first surface of the damper, which has a convex inclination that protrudes into the airflow space as it approaches the second edge when the damper is positioned in the first position.

2. The damper is sandwiched between the first edge and the second edge and has a first side edge and a second side edge that are opposite to each other. The drive unit is located on the first side edge side, The airflow switching device according to claim 1, wherein when the damper is positioned in the first position, the height of the second side edge of the airflow smoothing portion is lower than the height of the first side edge of the airflow smoothing portion.

3. A wall is provided at the first edge of the damper. The airflow switching device according to claim 2, wherein a wall is not provided on the second edge of the damper.

4. The aforementioned airflow smoothing section is the first airflow smoothing section, The airflow switching device according to claim 1, wherein a second airflow smoothing portion is provided on the second surface of the damper, having a concave inclination that protrudes into the airflow space as it approaches the first edge when the damper is positioned in the second position.

5. The airflow switching device according to claim 4, wherein an auxiliary portion having an inclination that protrudes into the airflow space as it approaches the second edge when the damper is positioned at the second position is provided on the second surface of the damper.

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