Air conditioning system, enclosure

Abstract

We provide technology for detecting water leaks in air conditioners. [Solution] The air conditioner 300 draws in indoor air and blows conditioned air out from the conditioned air outlet 320. The housing 400 surrounds the air conditioner 300 to suppress leakage of conditioned air and guides the conditioned air into the ceiling space of the room. The housing 400 is equipped with a first water reservoir 420a and a water leak sensor 422. The first water reservoir 420a receives water that leaks from the air conditioner 300 vertically below the air conditioner 300. The water leak sensor 422 is located in the first water reservoir 420a and detects water leaking from the air conditioner 300.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning technology, and particularly to an air conditioning system that controls air conditioning.

Background Art

[0002] A wall-mounted air conditioner may not stop even if the drain pipe connection port or the like of the drain water pan is clogged. Therefore, a water leakage accident may occur in which condensed water drips over the pan and wets a room or the like. To prevent this, when drain water is guided to an auxiliary pan before overflowing from the drain water pan of a wall-mounted air conditioner and detected by a sensing unit at the bottom of the pan, the wall-mounted air conditioner stops and a notification is given via a light or a buzzer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When an air conditioner (air conditioning apparatus) having no water leakage detection function is used, the occurrence of water leakage cannot be detected. On the other hand, even when using an air conditioning apparatus having no water leakage detection function, detection of the occurrence of water leakage is desired.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for detecting water leakage in an air conditioning apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, an air conditioning system in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an air conditioner that draws in indoor air and blows conditioned air out of an air conditioner outlet, and a housing that surrounds the air conditioner to suppress leakage of conditioned air and guides the conditioned air into the ceiling space of the room. The housing comprises a water reservoir located vertically below the air conditioner to receive water leaked from the air conditioner, and a water leak sensor located in the water reservoir to detect water leaked from the air conditioner.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a housing. This housing encloses an air conditioner that draws in indoor air and blows conditioned air out of an air conditioner outlet, thereby suppressing leakage of conditioned air and guiding the conditioned air into the ceiling space of the room, and comprises a water reservoir located vertically below the air conditioner to receive water leaked from the air conditioner, and a water leak sensor located in the water reservoir and detecting water leaked from the air conditioner.

[0008] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as any conversion of the expressions of this disclosure between methods, apparatus, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc., are also valid forms of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, water leaks in air conditioners can be detected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a top view showing the configuration of a house in which the air conditioning system according to this embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a house in which the air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 is installed. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the air conditioner, transport fan, and enclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the air conditioner, transport fan, and enclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the air conditioner, transport fan, and enclosure. [Figure 6]Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show the configuration of the control unit in the air conditioning system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Before specifically describing the embodiments of this disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be given. This embodiment relates to an air conditioning system that performs whole-house air conditioning in a house having a common space and multiple living rooms. In order to suppress the reduction of effective area and the increase in cost, the air conditioning system does not use a dedicated air conditioning room and dedicated air conditioners. Therefore, the air conditioning system installs a general-purpose air conditioner in a common space such as a corridor and uses the common space as an air conditioning room. In addition, the air from the common space is transported to each living room via ducts in the ceiling space. In this situation, it is difficult to supply the air blown diagonally downward from the air conditioner to each living room, and the comfort level decreases due to the widening temperature difference between the common space and each living room.

[0012] To improve these issues, the air conditioning system is equipped with an adapter that covers at least the bottom and front of the air conditioner and directs the downward-blowing air from the air conditioner into a duct in the ceiling space. Furthermore, a leak sensor is provided on the adapter to detect water leaks in the air conditioner, so that water leaks in the air conditioner can be detected even if a leak sensor is not provided on the air conditioner itself.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The following describes the embodiment in the following order: (1) overall configuration, (2) configuration of the housing and its surroundings, and (3) airflow control and control during water leak detection.

[0015] (1) Overall structure Figure 1 is a top view showing the configuration of a house 500 in which an air conditioning system 1000 is installed, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a house 500 in which an air conditioning system 1000 is installed. The house 500 may be a single-family dwelling in an apartment building or other multi-unit housing, or it may be a detached house. The house 500 includes the first to fourth living rooms 10a to 10d, collectively referred to as living rooms 10, and a common space 14. The living rooms 10 constitute the living space. The common space 14 is, for example, a corridor, an entrance hall or other passageway, or a storage space such as a closet, and is adjacent to the living rooms 10. The common space 14 and the living rooms 10 are connected in a way that allows for ventilation, and air circulates from each living room 10 to the common space 14.

[0016] The air conditioning system 1000 includes an outside air inlet 100, an outside air inlet duct 102, a heat exchange ventilation fan 104, an exhaust duct 106, an exhaust port 108, a heat exchange duct 110, a heat exchange outlet 112, a transport fan 120, a transport duct 130, a branch chamber 140, branch transport ducts 142a to 7th branch transport ducts 142g collectively referred to as branch transport ducts 142, an outlet 144a to 7th outlets 144g collectively referred to as outlet 144, an air conditioner 300, and a housing 400. The outside air inlet duct 102, exhaust duct 106, heat exchange duct 110, transport duct 130, and branch transport duct 142 are pipes that transport air, i.e., air passages.

[0017] The outside air intake 100 is installed on the wall of the house 500. An outside air intake duct 102 extending from the outside air intake 100 toward the interior of the house 500 is connected to a heat exchange ventilation fan 104. The heat exchange ventilation fan 104 is located, for example, in the ceiling space 16 of the common space 14. An exhaust duct 106 is also connected to the heat exchange ventilation fan 104, and the exhaust duct 106 extends toward the wall of the house 500 and is connected to an exhaust port 108 installed on the south wall. A heat exchange duct 110 is also connected to the heat exchange ventilation fan 104.

[0018] The heat exchange type ventilation fan 104 takes in outside air 200 from the outside air introduction port 100 through the outside air introduction duct 102. The outside air 200 sucked in from the outside air introduction port 100 corresponds to supply air. The heat exchange type ventilation fan 104 also takes in ventilation RA (Return Air) 202 from a ventilation port (not shown). The ventilation RA 202 is inside air that flows in from the interior of a house 500, for example, from the indoor space including a living room 10 and a common space 14. The heat exchange type ventilation fan 104 performs heat exchange between these air streams. As a result of the heat exchange, the heat exchange type ventilation fan 104 discharges exhaust air 204 from an exhaust port 108 through an exhaust duct 106. The heat exchange type ventilation fan 104 also discharges the heat-exchanged supply air 208 (the outside air 200) from a heat exchange outlet 112 via a heat exchange duct 110. The heat exchange outlet 112 is an opening provided in the ceiling of the common space 14. That is, the heat exchange type ventilation fan 104 blows supply air 208 (heat exchange supply air), which is the outside air 200 heat-exchanged with the ventilation RA 202 exhausted from the living space, out from the heat exchange outlet 112 into the common space 14.

[0019] The air conditioner 300 is installed not in an air conditioning room but on a wall 510 of the common space 14. An air conditioning suction port 310 is provided at an upper end of the air conditioner 300. A heat exchange outlet 112 is provided vertically above the air conditioner 300, and the supply air 208 blown out from the heat exchange outlet 112 flows into the air conditioning suction port 310. Circulating RA 206 from the common space 14 inside the house 500 also flows into the air conditioning suction port 310. Similar to the ventilation RA 202, the circulating RA 206 corresponds to supply air that has circulated inside the house 500. The air conditioner 300 is a general-purpose air conditioner, and performs air conditioning on the circulating RA 206 and the supply air 208. The air conditioner 300 controls the temperature, humidity and other parameters of the circulating RA 206 and the supply air 208 so as to reach a set temperature (hereinafter referred to as "set temperature"). An air conditioning outlet 320 is provided at a lower end of the air conditioner 300, and the air conditioner 300 blows conditioned air (conditioned air 210) out from the air conditioning outlet 320. That is, the air conditioner 300 sucks in air from the common space 14 (indoor) through the air conditioning suction port 310 and blows out the conditioned air 210 from the air conditioning outlet 320.

[0020] The conveying fan 120 sucks in conditioned air 210. The conveying fan 120 conveys the conditioned air 210 to the branch chamber 140 via the conveying duct 130 in the plenum space 16.

[0021] The branch chamber 140 is installed in the plenum space 16, connected to the conveying fan 120, and also connected from the first branch conveying duct 142a to the seventh branch conveying duct 142g. The first branch conveying duct 142a is connected to the first air outlet 144a installed in the first living room 10a, and the second branch conveying duct 142b is connected to the second air outlet 144b installed in the second living room 10b. The third branch conveying duct 142c is connected to the third air outlet 144c installed in the third living room 10c, and the fourth branch conveying duct 142d is connected to the fourth air outlet 144d installed in the fourth living room 10d. The fifth branch conveying duct 142e is connected to the fifth air outlet 144e installed in the first living room 10a, and the sixth branch conveying duct 142f is connected to the sixth air outlet 144f installed in the second living room 10b. The seventh branch conveying duct 142g is connected to the seventh air outlet 144g installed in the fourth living room 10d.

[0022] The conveying fan 120 conveys the conditioned air 210 from the first living room 10a to the fourth living room 10d via the conveying duct 130, the branch chamber 140, from the first branch conveying duct 142a to the seventh branch conveying duct 142g, and from the first air outlet 144a to the seventh air outlet 144g. Each air outlet 144 is installed on the side wall surface or ceiling surface of each living room 10, and discharges the conditioned air 210 sent from the conveying fan 120 into each living room 10. Since each living room 10 is connected to the common space 14, the conditioned air 210 blown out from the air outlet 144 also circulates into the common space 14. A part of the circulated air flows into the air conditioner 300 as circulating return air 206. In addition, another part of the circulated air is taken into the heat exchange type ventilation fan 104 as ventilation return air 202.

[0023] When the conditioned air 210 blown out from the air conditioning outlet 320 of the air conditioner 300 is diffused into the common space 14, the amount of conditioned air 210 drawn into the transport fan 120 decreases. As a result, the amount of conditioned air 210 supplied to each room 10 also decreases, reducing the efficiency of the air conditioning. To suppress the decrease in air conditioning efficiency, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a housing 400 (adapter) is installed in the common space 14. The housing 400 surrounds the air conditioner 300 to suppress leakage of conditioned air 210 and guides the conditioned air 210 to the ceiling space 16 of the common space 14. In other words, the housing 400 connects the air conditioning outlet 320 and the transport fan 120, suppressing leakage of conditioned air 210 into the common space 14. When leakage of conditioned air 210 into the common space 14 is suppressed, the decrease in the amount of conditioned air 210 drawn into the transport fan 120 is also suppressed.

[0024] (2) Enclosure and surrounding configuration Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the air conditioner 300, the transport fan 120, and the housing 400. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the air conditioner 300, the transport fan 120, and the housing 400. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the air conditioner 300, the transport fan 120, and the housing 400. Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sections along the line A-A' in Figure 3. Furthermore, for the purpose of explanation below, the side of the air conditioner 300 on which the front panel 330 is located will be referred to as the "front side," and the side opposite the front side will be referred to as the "rear side."

[0025] The transport fan 120 is positioned on the front side of the air conditioner 300 from which the air conditioner outlet 320 blows out the conditioned air 210, and is located inside the housing 400 described later. The transport fan 120 is positioned above the air conditioner outlet 320 and close to the front panel 330 of the air conditioner. It is preferable to position the transport fan 120 so that its lower end is above the air conditioner outlet 320. With this arrangement, it is possible to suppress the air conditioner air 210 from hitting the transport fan 120 when it is blown out from the air conditioner outlet 320, thereby suppressing pressure loss of the conditioned air 210. In this disclosure, as an example, a sirocco fan is used for the transport fan 120, but any type of fan may be used. It is sufficient that the conditioned air 210 blown out from the air conditioner outlet 320 can be delivered to the discharge opening 406 inside the housing 400. The transport fan 120 draws in the conditioned air 210 blown out from the air conditioning outlet 320 through its intake port, which is located on the left side when viewed from the front, and blows it out through its outlet, which is located vertically above.

[0026] By the way, the transport fan 120 is positioned close to the ceiling (not shown). In other words, the outlet of the transport fan 120 and the outlet opening 406 are positioned close to each other. In this disclosure, the conditioned air 210 blown diagonally downward from the air conditioning outlet 320 is redirected diagonally upward by the housing 400. Also, because the distance between the air conditioning outlet 320 and the outlet opening 406 is large, if only the air conditioning air 210 blown from the air conditioning outlet 320 was available, it was possible that the conditioned air 210 would not fully enter the outlet opening 406 and would instead flow to the air conditioning intake port 310. In this disclosure, by positioning the transport fan 120 between the air conditioning outlet 320 and the outlet opening 406, the conditioned air 210 can be delivered to the outlet opening 406 via the transport fan 120. With this configuration, the occurrence of short circuits between the air conditioning outlet 320 and the air conditioning intake port 310 can be suppressed.

[0027] The housing 400 includes a wall-mounting portion 401, a ceiling-mounting portion 402, and a front cover portion 403. The wall-mounting portion 401 is a hollow box-shaped member that surrounds the transport fan 120 and the air conditioner 300 and is fixed to the wall 510. Here, surrounding the transport fan 120 and the air conditioner 300 means that the wall-mounting portion 401 is positioned around the transport fan 120 and the air conditioner 300. In this disclosure, the air conditioner 300 is covered above, below, and to the sides by the four surfaces that constitute the hollow box shape of the wall-mounting portion 401. Note that "fixed to the wall 510" is not limited to being directly fixed to the wall 510. For example, fixing the wall-mounting portion 401 to the air conditioner 300 installed on the wall 510 is also included in "fixed to the wall 510".

[0028] An intake opening 405 is provided on the upper surface of the wall-mounted portion 401. The intake opening 405 is a rectangular opening and is located above the air conditioner 300. The supply air 208 blown out from the heat exchanger outlet 112 (not shown) and the circulating RA206 from the common space 14 are drawn into the air conditioner intake port 310 via the intake opening 405. In addition, an opening (not shown) is provided in the central part of the wall-mounted portion 401 on the wall 510 side, and the wall 510 is exposed into the housing 400 at the opening. An air conditioner mounting plate (not shown) is placed in the opening. The air conditioner mounting plate is fixed to the wall 510, and the air conditioner 300 is installed on the wall 510 by attaching the air conditioner 300 to the air conditioner mounting plate.

[0029] The ceiling fixing part 402 is a plate-shaped member fixed to the ceiling of the common space 14. The ceiling fixing part 402 is located vertically above the transport fan 120. The ceiling fixing part 402 is equipped with a discharge opening 406. The discharge opening 406 is an opening provided in the ceiling fixing part 402. The discharge opening 406 is positioned so as to face the outlet of the transport fan 120 and the transport duct 130 when the ceiling fixing part 402 is fixed to the ceiling. With this arrangement, the conditioned air 210 blown out from the transport fan 120 is sent to the transport duct 130 through the discharge opening 406.

[0030] Here, the front side of the air conditioner 300 is comprised of a wall-mounted section 401 and a ceiling-mounted section 402, and there is an area for positioning the transport fan 120. This area is the space in front of the wall-mounted section 401 and below the ceiling-mounted section 402. A front cover section 403 is connected to the wall-mounted section 401 and the ceiling-mounted section 402. By covering the front area of ​​the air conditioner 300 with the front cover section, a ventilation space 408 that is spatially independent from the common space 14 can be formed. In other words, the ventilation space 408 is surrounded by the wall-mounted section 401, the ceiling-mounted section 402 and the front cover section 403, and is spatially independent from the common space 14. With this configuration, the conditioned air 210 blown out from the air conditioner outlet 320 is transported in the following order: the intake of the transport fan 120, the outlet of the transport fan 120, and the discharge opening 406. In other words, because the conditioned air 210 is ventilated through a spatially independent air supply space 408, the diffusion of the conditioned air 210 into the common space 14 can be suppressed.

[0031] The lower part of the wall-fixed section 401 is provided with a first water storage section 420a and a second water storage section 420b, collectively referred to as a water storage section 420. In particular, the first water storage section 420a is positioned adjacent to the wall 510 to which the air conditioner 300 is fixed, while the second water storage section 420b is positioned further away from the wall 510 than the first water storage section 420a, and adjacent to the first water storage section 420a. Both the first water storage section 420a and the second water storage section 420b are grooves, and a partition wall 424 is provided between them. The partition wall 424 has a slope that descends more towards the first water storage section 420a side than towards the second water storage section 420b side.

[0032] The first water storage section 420a receives water leaking from the air conditioner 300, located vertically below the air conditioner 300. Specifically, water leaking from the air conditioner 300 flows along the wall 510 to the first water storage section 420a, as indicated by arrow "A" in Figure 5. Additionally, water dripping from the air conditioner outlet 320 flows along the slope of the partition wall 424 to the first water storage section 420a, as indicated by arrow "B" in Figure 5.

[0033] A leak sensor 422 is placed in the first water storage section 420a, and the leak sensor 422 detects water that has leaked from the air conditioner 300 and accumulated in the first water storage section 420a. In other words, water leaking from the air conditioner 300 accumulates in the first water storage section 420a, and when the water level in the first water storage section 420a reaches a certain value, it is detected by the leak sensor 422. Known technology can be used for the leak sensor 422. The leak sensor 422 can communicate with a control unit (not shown) wirelessly or by wire, and notifies the control unit of the leak when it detects a leak.

[0034] If water leaking from the air conditioner 300 continues to flow into the first water storage section 420a, water will leak from the first water storage section 420a. The second water storage section 420b receives the water leaking from the first water storage section 420a. The partition wall 424 is set higher than the water level at which the water leak sensor 422 reacts, so water leaks from the first water storage section 420a to the second water storage section 420b after the water leak sensor 422 reacts. Here, the capacity of the first water storage section 420a to receive water is smaller than the capacity of the second water storage section 420b to receive water. By reducing the capacity of the first water storage section 420a, early detection of water leaks becomes possible with the water leak sensor 422.

[0035] A front cover section 403 is positioned on the front side of the second water storage section 420b. A water guide section 430 is provided on the lower part of the front cover section 403. The water guide section 430 is a curved surface that slopes downward as it approaches the second water storage section 420b, and guides the water blown out from the air conditioning outlet 320 to the water storage section 420, as indicated by the arrow "C" in Figure 5. In particular, the height of the water guide section 430 is lowest at the boundary between the wall fixing section 401 and the front cover section 403.

[0036] (3) Air volume control and control when water leaks are detected The following describes the control of the airflow of the air conditioner 300 (hereinafter referred to as "air conditioning airflow") and the airflow of the transport fan 120 (hereinafter referred to as "fan airflow"), as well as the control when the water leak sensor 422 detects a water leak. For illustrative purposes, the following diagram shows one control unit that controls the air conditioner 300 and the transport fan 120. If the respective airflows can be controlled, a separate control unit for controlling the air conditioner 300 and a separate control unit for controlling the transport fan 120 may be provided.

[0037] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show the configuration of the control unit 460 in the air conditioning system 1000. As shown in Figure 6(a), the air conditioning system 1000 includes a transport fan 120, an air conditioner 300, a water leak sensor 422, a temperature sensor 450, a control unit 460, and a notification unit 482. The control unit 460 also includes a room temperature acquisition unit 462, a fan airflow control unit 466, a fan airflow acquisition unit 468, an air conditioning airflow control unit 472, and a water leak detection unit 480. The control unit 460 adjusts the air conditioning airflow of the air conditioner 300 to match the fan airflow of the transport fan 120.

[0038] The temperature sensor 450 is installed in the living room 10 and detects the temperature of the living room 10 (hereinafter referred to as "living room temperature"). The temperature sensor 450 has a communication function such as wireless communication and transmits the detected living room temperature to the control unit 460. The transport fan 120 transmits the set fan airflow of the transport fan 120 to the control unit 460.

[0039] The control unit 460 is installed, for example, in the house 500 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The control unit 460 controls the entire air conditioning system 1000. The control unit 460 is communicated wirelessly with the transport fan 120, the air conditioner 300, and the temperature sensor 450. At least some of these may be communicated wirelessly. The room temperature acquisition unit 462 of the control unit 460 acquires the room temperature by receiving the room temperature from the temperature sensor 450.

[0040] The fan airflow control unit 466 receives the room temperature from the room temperature acquisition unit 462. Figure 6(b) shows an example of a table held by the fan airflow control unit 466. As shown, the room temperature and the fan airflow are associated. The fan airflow control unit 466 determines the fan airflow by referring to the table based on the acquired room temperature. Return to Figure 6(a).

[0041] The fan airflow acquisition unit 468 acquires the fan airflow by receiving the fan airflow setting from the transport fan 120. The fan airflow may be acquired from the transport fan 120 or from the fan airflow control unit 466.

[0042] The air conditioning airflow control unit 472 adjusts the air conditioning airflow to be less than or equal to the fan airflow if the acquired fan airflow is less than the air conditioning airflow. The air conditioning airflow control unit 472 adjusts the air conditioning airflow of the air conditioner 300 by transmitting the determined air conditioning airflow to the air conditioner 300. Here, "adjusting the air conditioning airflow to be less than or equal to the fan airflow" also includes making the air conditioning airflow and the fan airflow equal. By making the fan airflow acquired by the fan airflow acquisition unit 468 equal to the air conditioning airflow, the load on the air conditioner 300 can be suppressed while delivering conditioned air 210 to each room.

[0043] As described above, the water leak sensor 422 notifies the control unit 460 of the water leak when it detects a water leak. The water leak determination unit 480 determines that there is a water leak when it receives a notification from the water leak sensor 422. This corresponds to determining that there is a water leak if the amount of water leaking from the air conditioner 300 detected by the water leak sensor 422 is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The amount of water may be detected in liters or by weight, or it may be determined by the water level, such as by a float sensor, which is also included in "detecting the amount of water". When the water leak determination unit 480 determines that there is a water leak, it notifies the air conditioning airflow control unit 472 and the notification unit 482 of the water leak.

[0044] The notification unit 482 notifies the user of a water leak when it receives a notification from the water leak detection unit 480. The notification unit 482 is the display of the control unit 460 and executes notifications to the user based on the notification from the water leak detection unit 480. For example, it could be a speaker that notifies the user by voice that there is a water leak, or a lamp that lights up when there is a water leak.

[0045] Furthermore, the notification unit 482 is capable of wireless or wired communication and may transmit a signal indicating the occurrence of a water leak when it receives a notification from the water leak detection unit 480. The user carries a communication device (not shown), such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and the communication device notifies the user of the occurrence of a water leak when it receives a signal from the notification unit 482. The signal from the notification unit 482 may be transmitted to the communication device via a server.

[0046] The air conditioning airflow control unit 472 stops the air conditioner 300 when it receives a notification from the water leakage detection unit 480. By stopping the air conditioner 300, water leakage from the air conditioner 300 is suppressed.

[0047] The subject of the apparatus, system, or method in this disclosure comprises a computer. The functions of the subject of the apparatus, system, or method in this disclosure are realized by the computer executing a program. The computer comprises a processor as its main hardware component, which operates according to the program. The processor is of any type as long as it can realize its functions by executing the program. The processor consists of one or more electronic circuits, including semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or LSIs (Large Scale Integrations). Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on multiple chips. Multiple chips may be aggregated in one device or provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a ROM, optical disc, or hard disk drive that is readable by the computer. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0048] According to this embodiment, since the housing 400 is equipped with a water storage unit 420 and a water leak sensor 422, water leaks in the air conditioner 300 can be detected even if the air conditioner 300 does not have a water leak detection function. Furthermore, although the air conditioner 300 is usually housed in a place that is not visible to the public in a whole-house air conditioning system, water leaks from the air conditioner 300 can be detected inside the housing 400. In addition, since the first water storage unit 420a equipped with the water leak sensor 422 receives the water leaking from the air conditioner 300, and the second water storage unit 420b receives the water leaking from the first water storage unit 420a, water leaks can be detected early in the first water storage unit 420a, and time can be gained for the repairman to arrive in the second water storage unit 420b. Furthermore, since the capacity of the first water storage section 420a is smaller than that of the second water storage section 420b, it is possible to quickly raise the water level in the first water storage section 420a to trigger the leak sensor 422, thereby buying time until the water level in the second water storage section 420b rises.

[0049] Furthermore, since the first water storage section 420a is adjacent to the wall 510 to which the air conditioner 300 is fixed, most of the water leaking from the air conditioner 300 along the wall 510 is preferentially directed into the first water storage section 420a, enabling early water leak detection. Also, since the ventilation space 408 is formed by being surrounded by the wall fixing section 401, the ceiling fixing section 402, and the front cover section 403, and is spatially independent from the common space 14, leakage of the conditioned air 210 from the ventilation space 408, which is independent from the common space 14, into the common space 14 can be suppressed. In addition, since the water guide section 430 directs the water blown out from the air conditioner outlet 320 to the second water storage section 420b, water that splashes forward from the air conditioner outlet 320 can also be collected. Furthermore, since a notification is sent when a water leak is detected, the user can be informed of the leak, and the user can be offered the option to stop the air conditioner 300 or resolve the leak. Alternatively, the notification unit 482 may be configured to notify the user and simultaneously shut down the air conditioner 300.

[0050] An overview of one aspect of this disclosure is as follows: (Item 1) An air conditioner (300) that draws in indoor air and blows out conditioned air (210) from an air conditioning outlet (320), The system comprises a housing (400) that encloses the air conditioner (300) to suppress leakage of the conditioned air (210) and guides the conditioned air (210) to the ceiling space (16) inside the building, The aforementioned housing (400) is A water storage unit (420) located vertically below the air conditioner (300) receives water leaking from the air conditioner (300), A water leak sensor (422) is located in the water storage section (420) and detects water leaking from the air conditioner (300), An air conditioning system (1000) equipped with the following.

[0051] (Item 2) The aforementioned water storage section (420) is A first water storage section (420a) receives water leaking from the aforementioned air conditioner (300), The system includes a second water storage section (420b) that receives water leaking from the first water storage section (420a), The aforementioned water leak sensor (422) is An air conditioning system (1000) as described in item 1, located in the first water storage section (420a).

[0052] (Item 3) The air conditioning system (1000) described in item 2, wherein the capacity for receiving the water in the first water storage section (420a) is smaller than the capacity for receiving the water in the second water storage section (420b).

[0053] (Item 4) The aforementioned first water storage section (420a) is, An air conditioning system (1000) as described in item 2, adjacent to a wall (510) to which the aforementioned air conditioner (300) is fixed.

[0054] (Item 5) The aforementioned housing (400) is A hollow box-shaped wall fixing part (401) is fixed to the wall (510) on which the air conditioner (300) is installed and surrounds the air conditioner (300), The ceiling fixing part (402) is fixed to the ceiling of the room, The air conditioner (300) comprises a wall-mounted portion (401) and a ceiling-mounted portion (402), and further includes a front cover portion (403) that covers the front area of ​​the air conditioner (300) and is connected to the wall-mounted portion (401) and the ceiling-mounted portion (402), The wall-mounted portion (401), the ceiling-mounted portion (402), and the front cover portion (403) form a ventilation space (408) that is spatially independent from the interior of the building. The aforementioned water storage section (420) is The air conditioning system (1000) described in item 1 is provided on the wall-mounted portion (401).

[0055] (Item 6) The aforementioned front cover portion (403) is The air conditioning system (1000) according to item 5, further comprising a water guide section (430) for guiding water blown out from the air conditioning outlet (320) to the water storage section (420).

[0056] (Item 7) The air conditioning system (1000) according to item 1, further comprising a notification unit (482) that notifies the user if the amount of water leaked from the air conditioner (300) detected by the water leak sensor (422) is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

[0057] (Item 8) A housing (400) that encloses an air conditioner (300) that draws in indoor air and blows out conditioned air (210) from an air conditioner outlet (320), thereby suppressing leakage of the conditioned air (210) and guiding the conditioned air (210) to the ceiling space (16) inside the room, A water storage unit (420) located vertically below the air conditioner (300) receives water leaking from the air conditioner (300), A water leak sensor (422) is located in the water storage section (420) and detects water leaking from the air conditioner (300), A housing (400) equipped with [a specific feature].

[0058] The present disclosure has been explained 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 processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 10 Living room, 14 Common space, 16 Ceiling space, 100 Outside air intake, 102 Outside air intake duct, 104 Heat exchange ventilation fan, 106 Exhaust duct, 108 Exhaust port, 110 Heat exchange duct, 112 Heat exchange outlet, 120 Conveyor fan, 130 Conveyor duct, 140 Branching chamber, 142 Branching conveyor duct, 144 Outlet, 200 Outside air, 202 Ventilation RA, 204 Exhaust, 206 Circulation RA, 208 Supply air, 210 Air-conditioned air, 300 Air conditioner, 310 Air-conditioned intake, 320 Air-conditioned outlet, 330 Front panel, 400 Enclosure, 401 Wall mounting part, 402 Ceiling mounting part 403 Front cover section, 405 Intake opening, 406 Outlet opening, 408 Air supply space, 420 Water reservoir section, 422 Leak sensor, 424 Partition wall, 430 Water guide section, 450 Temperature sensor, 460 Control unit, 462 Room temperature acquisition unit, 466 Fan airflow control unit, 468 Fan airflow acquisition unit, 472 Air conditioning airflow control unit, 480 Leak detection unit, 482 Notification unit, 500 House, 510 Wall, 1000 Air conditioning system.

Claims

1. An air conditioner that draws in indoor air and blows conditioned air out from an air conditioning outlet, The air conditioner is enclosed to suppress leakage of the conditioned air and guide the conditioned air into the ceiling space of the room, The aforementioned enclosure is A water storage unit located vertically below the air conditioner to receive water leaking from the air conditioner, A water leak sensor is placed in the water storage section and detects water leaking from the air conditioner, An air conditioning system equipped with [specific features / equipment].

2. The aforementioned water storage section is A first water storage unit that receives water leaking from the aforementioned air conditioner, It includes a second water storage section that receives water leaking from the first water storage section, The aforementioned water leak sensor is The air conditioning system according to claim 1, which is arranged in the first water storage section.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the capacity for receiving the water in the first water storage section is smaller than the capacity for receiving the water in the second water storage section.

4. The first water storage section is, The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the air conditioner is adjacent to the wall on which it is fixed.

5. The aforementioned enclosure is A hollow box-shaped wall-mounting part that is fixed to the wall on which the air conditioner is installed and surrounds the air conditioner, The ceiling fixing part is fixed to the ceiling of the room, The air conditioner further comprises a front cover portion that covers the front area of ​​the air conditioner, which is composed of the wall-mounted portion and the ceiling-mounted portion, and is connected to the wall-mounted portion and the ceiling-mounted portion, The aforementioned wall-mounted portion, the aforementioned ceiling-mounted portion, and the aforementioned front cover portion form a ventilation space that is spatially independent from the interior of the building. The aforementioned water storage section is The air conditioning system according to claim 1, provided on the wall-mounted portion.

6. The aforementioned front cover portion is, The air conditioning system according to claim 5, further comprising a water guide for guiding water discharged from the air conditioning outlet to the water storage section.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user if the amount of water leaked from the air conditioner detected by the water leak sensor exceeds a threshold value.

8. A housing that encloses an air conditioner that draws in indoor air and blows out conditioned air from an air conditioner outlet, thereby suppressing the leakage of the conditioned air and guiding the conditioned air into the ceiling space of the room, A water storage unit located vertically below the air conditioner to receive water leaking from the air conditioner, A water leak sensor is placed in the water storage section and detects water leaking from the air conditioner, A housing equipped with the following features.

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