Outdoor air treatment device

Abstract

To provide an outdoor air treatment device with a simple structure that can dehumidify the outside air supplied to a room. [Solution] An outdoor air treatment device (2) is attached to the outdoor side of an outer wall (1) having an air intake port (11) for mechanical air supply, and comprises: a moisture-absorbing and releasing material (221) positioned at a location different from the air intake port; a first air supply means that, under first weather conditions, forms a bypass flow path (α11~α14) through which outside air passes the moisture-absorbing and releasing material before reaching the air intake port, and supplies dehumidified outside air into the room; a second air supply means that, under second weather conditions, forms a direct flow path (β1) through which outside air reaches the air intake port without passing through the moisture-absorbing and releasing material, and supplies outside air directly into the room; and a moisture-releasing means that, under second weather conditions, releases moisture absorbed by the moisture-absorbing and releasing material under first weather conditions to the outdoors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor air treatment apparatus mounted on an outer wall of a building.

Background Art

[0002] As an air supply means for ventilating the inside of a building, there is mechanical air supply that supplies outdoor air into the room by a machine such as an air supply fan. Although stable air supply is possible, since the air is forcibly supplied by the machine, when the outdoor air is highly humid, the inside of the room also becomes highly humid, which causes discomfort and mold growth.

[0003] One of the countermeasures is to perform dehumidification using an indoor air conditioner (air conditioning unit). However, when the outdoor air is relatively low in temperature and high in humidity, such as during the rainy season or at night in summer, dehumidification may not be performed. That is, during this period (time zone), the room temperature also drops, so the air conditioner enters a thermo-off state, and the room is not dehumidified, and a high-humidity state tends to continue. The thermo-off means that the cooling operation stops and switches to the air blowing operation when the room temperature falls below the set temperature. Note that another countermeasure is the use of an outdoor air treatment air conditioner (outdoor air handling unit), but the equipment is expensive.

[0004] As another countermeasure, a dehumidifier that dehumidifies water vapor in the air by a compressor or a desiccant may be installed indoors. However, it consumes a large amount of energy (high operation cost) and also generates loud noise during operation.

[0005] As another technique related to indoor dehumidification, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-59711) discloses an air conditioning system including a moisture absorption / desorption unit having a moisture absorption / desorption material, a first underground passage, and a second underground passage. This air conditioning system cools outdoor air in the first underground passage and then absorbs moisture, passes the moisture-absorbed gas through the second underground passage to cool it again, and blows the gas to the air-conditioned space, thereby improving energy-saving performance without using cooling heat source equipment.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-150922) discloses the use of a moisture-absorbing and releasing panel, in which moisture-absorbing and releasing materials with different properties (such as moisture permeability) are layered on both sides of a breathable windproof and waterproof sheet, as a structural material, insulation layer, and interior material for a house. This prevents moisture from entering from the outdoor side, where the relative humidity is high, to the indoor side, where the relative humidity is low, thereby reducing the burden of indoor dehumidification. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-59711 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-150922 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 has a complex structure and requires extensive installation. Furthermore, the moisture absorption and release panels described in Patent Document 2 need to be installed over a wide area of ​​the house, resulting in a significant installation burden.

[0009] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an outdoor air treatment device that can dehumidify the outside air supplied to a room, particularly during the rainy season and at night in summer, with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The outdoor air treatment device according to the present invention is an outdoor air treatment device attached to the outdoor side of an outer wall having an air intake port for mechanical air supply, and comprises: a moisture-absorbing and releasing material positioned different from the air intake port; a first air supply means that, under first weather conditions, forms a bypass flow path where outside air passes through the moisture-absorbing and releasing material before reaching the air intake port, and supplies dehumidified outside air into the room; a second air supply means that, under second weather conditions, forms a direct flow path where outside air reaches the air intake port without passing through the moisture-absorbing and releasing material, and supplies outside air directly into the room; and a moisture-releasing means that, under second weather conditions, releases the moisture absorbed by the moisture-absorbing and releasing material under first weather conditions to the outdoors.

[0011] Preferably, the outdoor air treatment device includes a main body having a first compartment overlapping the air intake and a second compartment adjacent to the first compartment and provided with a moisture-absorbing and releasing material; an outer shutter provided at the outdoor opening of the first compartment, which is closed under first weather conditions and open under second weather conditions; and a partition shutter provided at the boundary between the first compartment and the second compartment, which is open under first weather conditions and closed under second weather conditions.

[0012] Preferably, the dehumidifying means includes a blowing fan arranged to blow outside air into the second compartment or to blow the air from the second compartment to the outside.

[0013] Preferably, the outdoor air treatment device further includes a solar panel attached to the main body, and the power supplied from the solar panel operates the outer shutter, partition shutter, and blow-out fan.

[0014] Preferably, the amount of electricity generated by solar panels during the summer or transitional season is greater under the second weather condition than under the first weather condition.

[0015] Preferably, the outdoor air treatment device further includes a closing means for closing the solar panels during winter.

[0016] Preferably, the moisture release means includes a heat collecting plate that covers the moisture-absorbing and releasing material from the outdoor side and promotes the release of moisture from the moisture-absorbing and releasing material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an outdoor air treatment apparatus that has a simple structure and can dehumidify the outdoor air supplied into a room, particularly during the rainy season or at night in summer. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the outdoor air treatment apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIA-IIA of FIG. 1, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the outdoor air treatment apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA of FIG. 3, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the outdoor air treatment apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIB-VIB of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an outdoor air treatment apparatus according to a modification. [Figure 8] (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. 7, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIB-VIIIB of FIG. 7. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the outdoor air treatment device 2 is attached to the outdoor side (reference numeral S1) of the building's exterior wall 1. This building employs either a Type 1 or Type 2 ventilation system, and the exterior wall 1 has an air intake 11 for mechanical air supply. In this embodiment, a duct 12 extends from the air intake 11 toward the indoor side (reference numeral S2), and an air supply fan 13 is installed inside the duct 12. The outside air drawn in by the air supply fan 13 is supplied to the interior through the duct 12. The use of the building is not particularly limited and can be, for example, a residence, office, or warehouse.

[0021] (Outdoor air treatment device) The structure of the outdoor air treatment device 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In Figures 1 and 2, the vertical direction of the outdoor air treatment device 2 is denoted by the symbol Z, the horizontal direction by the symbol X (Figure 2), and the depth direction by the symbol Y.

[0022] The outdoor air treatment device 2 has a box-shaped main body 20. The main body 20 has an upper surface 20a, a lower surface 20b, left and right side surfaces 20c, 20d, a front surface (outdoor side) 20e, and a back surface (indoor side) 20f.

[0023] A solar panel 23, described later, is mounted on the top surface 20a. A blower fan 222, described later, is provided at the upper end of the right side surface 20d in the front view. The majority of the front surface 20e is composed of a heat collector plate 201. The heat collector plate 201 is, for example, an aluminum panel with numerous small holes, and its temperature rises due to solar heat. An opening 20g is formed in a part of the back surface 20f (upper left end in the front view), and the main body 20 is positioned so that this opening 20g and the air intake 11 overlap.

[0024] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 2(B), the main body 20 has a first section 21 located at the upper left end in a front view, and a second section 22 adjacent to the first section 21. In this embodiment, the space within the main body 20 excluding the first section 21 is the second section 22.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, an opening (outdoor side opening) 210 is formed in the front portion 20e corresponding to the first section 21, and an exterior shutter 211 is provided in this outdoor side opening 210. A louver 214 for insect protection or the like may be provided outside the outdoor side opening 210.

[0026] The outer shutter 211 is composed of, for example, multiple slats extending in the left-right direction and arranged in the vertical direction. Each slat is made of a material that deforms into a specified shape when power is applied, such as an electroactive polymer. The outer shutter 211 is electrically connected to the solar panel 23, which will be described later. When sufficient power is supplied from the solar panel 23, the slats deform to open, and otherwise they deform to close (return to their original shape).

[0027] An opening 20g is formed in the portion of the back surface 20f corresponding to the first section 21, and this opening 20g is in communication with the air intake 11. In other words, the first section 21 and the air intake 11 overlap.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(B), the first section 21 is partitioned above by a part of the upper surface 20a (left end in front view) and below by a partition plate 213. The partition plate 213 is a flat plate-like portion that extends from the left side surface 20c in front view toward the center of the main body 20 and has a depth from the front surface 20e to the back surface 20f.

[0029] A partition shutter 212 is provided vertically between the upper surface 20a and the end of the partition plate 213. The partition shutter 212 is provided at the boundary 20B between the first section 21 and the second section 22, and is a member that separates the two sections 21 and 22 in the left-right direction. The partition shutter 212 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the outer shutter 211.

[0030] The partition shutter 212 is constructed, for example, by having multiple slats extending in the depth direction and arranged vertically. Each slat is made of a material that deforms into a specified shape when power is applied, such as an electroactive polymer. The partition shutter 212 is electrically connected to the solar panel 23, which will be described later. When sufficient power is supplied from the solar panel 23, the slats deform to close, and otherwise they deform to open (return to their original shape). In other words, it performs the opposite opening and closing operation of the outer shutter 211.

[0031] The first section 21 is partitioned on one side in the left-right direction by a partition shutter 212, and on the other side by the upper end of the left side surface 20c. Thus, as described above, the first section 21 is surrounded from six directions. In other words, the first section 21 is surrounded by the outer shutter 211, the portion of the back surface 20f having an opening 20g, one end of the top surface 20a, the partition plate 213, the partition shutter 212, and the upper end of the left side surface 20c.

[0032] The second section 22 is the space of the main body 20 excluding the first section 21, and a moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221 is provided in most of it. In other words, the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221 is provided in a different (non-overlapping) position from the air intake 11 (first section 21). The moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221 is a material that is breathable and can repeatedly absorb and release moisture. For example, it may be a sheet-like material made by wrapping granular zeolite or silica gel in a nonwoven fabric.

[0033] The moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221 is filled, for example, in the area below the partition plate 213. As shown in Figure 1, the outdoor surface of the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221 is covered by the heat-collecting plate 201.

[0034] The second section 22 includes an upper space 220 above the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221. The upper space 220 is adjacent to the first section 21 in the left-right direction and is surrounded from six directions. In other words, the upper space 220 is surrounded by a part of the top surface 20a, a part of the top surface of the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221, a part of the upper edge of the front surface 20e, a part of the upper edge of the back surface 20f, the upper end of the right side surface 20d and the partition shutter 212.

[0035] A blow-out fan 222 is provided at the upper end of the right side surface 20d. The blow-out fan 222 is, for example, a DC fan with a shutter and is electrically connected to a solar panel 23, which will be described later. When sufficient power is supplied from the solar panel 23, the shutter (not shown) opens and the blow-out fan 222 operates to blow outside air horizontally into the upper space 220.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2(B), a solar panel 23 is mounted on the upper surface 20a. In this embodiment, two solar panels 23L and 23R are provided in the left-right direction. The solar panel 23L on the left side in a front view is connected to the outer shutter 211 and the partition shutter 212 via a conductor 231L. The solar panel 23R on the right side in a front view is connected to the blowing fan 222 via a conductor 231R.

[0037] Closing means 232 for closing the solar panels 23 are shown on the upper side of both solar panels 23, but these closing means 232 will be explained in the modified examples described later. In this embodiment, the closing means 232 is treated as not being provided.

[0038] (Operation under the first weather condition) The operation of the outdoor air treatment device 2 under the first weather conditions will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The first weather conditions refer to times when the amount of solar radiation is low and the power generation of the solar panels 23 is relatively small (smaller than the power generation under the second weather conditions, which will be described later), such as at night or during rainy weather in summer and the intermediate season (spring and autumn). The outside air is relatively cold (e.g., 15-20°C) and highly humid (e.g., over 70%).

[0039] Because the solar panel 23L does not supply enough power, the outer shutter 211 is closed and the partition shutter 212 is open. Also, because the power supplied from the solar panel 23R is insufficient, the blowing fan 222 is stopped and its shutter is closed. In other words, outside air can only flow into the main body 20 by passing through the small holes in the heat collector plate 201.

[0040] Because the supply fan 13 is operating due to mechanical air supply, negative pressure is created inside the main body 20. As a result, the highly humid outside air surrounding the heat collector plate 201 flows through the numerous small holes in the heat collector plate 201 into the moisture absorption and release material 221 (symbol α11). The outside air that enters the moisture absorption and release material 221 rises while being dehumidified and flows into the upper space 220 (symbol α12).

[0041] Since the partition shutter 212 is open, outside air from the upper space 220 flows into the first compartment 21 (symbol α13). The outside air that enters the first compartment 21 is supplied to the room through the air intake 11 (symbol α14). On the other hand, since the outer shutter 211 is closed, outside air from the surroundings does not flow into the first compartment 21 from the outer shutter 211 (symbol β1).

[0042] In this way, a bypass passage (α11~α14) is formed through which outside air passes through the moisture absorption / release material 221 before reaching the air intake port 11, thus forming a first air supply means for supplying dehumidified outside air into the room. In other words, the first air supply means is formed by the closed outer shutter 211 and the open partition shutter 212.

[0043] (Operation under the second weather condition) The operation of the outdoor air treatment device 2 under second weather conditions will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Second weather conditions refer to, for example, sunny daytime conditions in summer and the transitional season when solar radiation is high and the power generation of the solar panels 23 is relatively high (higher than the power generation under first weather conditions). The outside air is relatively hot (e.g., 25-30°C) and moderately humid (e.g., 50-70%).

[0044] Since sufficient power is supplied from the solar panel 23L, the outer shutter 211 remains open and the partition shutter 212 remains closed. Also, since sufficient power is supplied from the solar panel 23R, the outlet fan 222 operates and its shutter remains open.

[0045] Because the supply fan 13 is operating due to mechanical air supply, outside air around the outer shutter 211 flows into the first compartment 21 through the outer shutter 211 and is supplied to the room through the air intake 11 (symbol β21). On the other hand, because the partition shutter 212 is closed, the second compartment 22 does not become negatively pressurized, and outside air (outside air around the heat collector plate 201) does not flow into the second compartment 22. In other words, outside air does not pass through the moisture absorption and release material 221.

[0046] In this way, a direct airflow path (β21) is formed through which outside air reaches the air intake port 11 without passing through the moisture absorption / release material 221, thus configuring a second air supply means for directly supplying outside air into the room. In other words, the second air supply means is configured by the open outer shutter 211 and the closed partition shutter 212. Since the outside air supplied into the room under the second weather conditions is hotter than the outside air under the first weather conditions, an air conditioner (not shown) installed in the room is activated (thermo-on) and the outside air is dehumidified.

[0047] Meanwhile, outside air is blown out into the second compartment 22 (upper space 220) by the blowing fan 222 (symbol α21). The blown-out outside air flows toward the first compartment 21, but does not flow into the first compartment 21 due to the closed partition shutter 212, and flows downward as if pushed by positive pressure (symbol α22). The outside air that has flowed downward passes through the moisture absorption and release material 221 and is released outdoors through the small holes in the heat collecting plate 201 (symbol α23).

[0048] In this embodiment, the heat collector 201, which becomes hot due to solar radiation (indicated by the dotted arrow), covers the outdoor side of the moisture absorption and release material 221, causing the temperature of the moisture absorption and release material 221 to rise and promoting moisture release from the material 221. The moisture absorption and release material 221 becomes dry and ready to absorb moisture under first weather conditions (nighttime and rainy weather). Thus, the blowing fan 222 and the heat collector 201 constitute a moisture release means (a means for releasing the moisture absorbed by the moisture absorption and release material 221 to the outdoors under first weather conditions).

[0049] According to this embodiment, by using solar heat during the day (under second weather conditions) to release moisture and dry the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 221, it is possible to continuously dehumidify the incoming outside air at night during the summer (under first conditions). Therefore, even if the air conditioner is in a thermo-off state at night during the summer, dehumidified outside air can be supplied to the room. Since solar heat is used for repeated dehumidification, operating costs can be reduced, making it economical. In addition, since there is no need to operate the air conditioner or dehumidifier constantly, it leads to energy savings. Furthermore, since temperature sensors and microcontrollers are not used, the structure of the device is not complicated.

[0050] (modified version) A modified example of the outdoor air treatment device 2 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In this example, the outdoor air treatment device 2 is provided with a light-gathering shutter 232 on the upper side of each solar panel 23L, 23R. The light-gathering shutter 232 is composed of multiple slats extending in the left-right direction and provided in the depth direction. Each slat is made of a material that changes shape in a predetermined outdoor air temperature range (for example, a shape-memory spring). The other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment and will not be repeated in this description.

[0051] In this modified version, for example, when the outside temperature falls below 15°C, the light-gathering shutter 232 closes. In other words, the light-gathering shutter 232 constitutes a closing means for closing the solar panel 23 during winter.

[0052] Figures 7 and 8 show the state of the outdoor air treatment device 2 during the daytime in winter (outside temperature below 15°C). The light-gathering shutter 232 is closed, and the solar panels 23L and 23R are closed. Since no power is supplied from the solar panels 23L and 23R, the outer shutter 211 is closed, the partition shutter 212 is open, and the blowing fan 222 is not operating, and its shutter (not shown) is closed.

[0053] Similar to the first weather condition described above, the supply air fan 13 causes outside air surrounding the heat collector 201 to flow through the numerous small holes in the heat collector 201 into the moisture absorption and release material 221 (symbol α31). Since the heat collector 201 is heated by solar radiation (indicated by the dotted arrow), the outside air flowing through the moisture absorption and release material 221 is also heated. The outside air that enters the moisture absorption and release material 221 rises and flows into the upper space 220 (symbol α32). Note that in winter, the outside air is low in humidity, so the moisture absorption and release material 221 does not necessarily need to function.

[0054] Since the partition shutter 212 is open, outside air from the upper space 220 flows into the first compartment 21 (symbol α33). The outside air that enters the first compartment 21 is supplied to the room through the air intake 11 (symbol α34). In this way, heated outside air is supplied to the room. On the other hand, since the outer shutter 211 is closed, outside air from the surroundings does not flow into the first compartment 21 from the outer shutter 211.

[0055] According to this modified version, the outdoor air treatment device 2 can also be used for heating outside of the dehumidification period. The daylight shutter 232 is open under the first weather condition and the second weather condition, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, respectively. Under the first weather condition, the daylight shutter 232 is open, but because the amount of sunlight is low, insufficient power is supplied to operate the outer shutter 211, the partition shutter 212, and the blowing fan 222.

[0056] 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.

[0057] For example, in this embodiment, the blowing fan 222 is configured to push out the air from the second compartment 22 by positive pressure, but it may also be configured to blow the air from the second compartment 22 to the outside by negative pressure. In addition, instead of the small holes in the heat collecting plate 201, ventilation openings may be provided in the lower surface portion 20b.

[0058] Furthermore, for the two solar panels 23L and 23R, the area of ​​solar panel 23R that operates the blowing fan 222 may be made larger than that of solar panel 23L that operates the outer shutter 211 and partition shutter 212, so that it can supply more power than solar panel 23L. Alternatively, one solar panel 23 may be used to operate the outer shutter 211, partition shutter 212, and blowing fan 222. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1 Exterior wall, 2 Outdoor air treatment device, 20 Main unit, 201 Heat collector plate, 21 First compartment, 211 Exterior shutter, 212 Partition shutter, 213 Partition plate, 22 Second compartment, 221 Moisture absorption / release material, 222 Outlet fan, 23 Solar panel, 231 Conductor, 232 Light-gathering shutter

Claims

1. An outdoor air treatment device installed on the outdoor side of an exterior wall having an air intake port for mechanical air supply, A moisture-absorbing and releasing material positioned at a location different from the aforementioned air intake, Under first weather conditions, the outside air passes through the moisture absorption / desorption material and then forms a bypass path leading to the air intake port, and the first air supply means supplies the dehumidified outside air into the room. Under the second weather conditions, a second air supply means forms a direct airflow path to the air intake without the outside air passing through the moisture absorption / desorption material, thereby supplying outside air directly into the room. An outdoor air treatment device comprising, under the second weather conditions, a moisture release means for releasing moisture absorbed by the moisture-absorbing and releasing material under the first weather conditions to the outdoors.

2. The outdoor air treatment device is The main body comprises a first section overlapping the air intake port and a second section adjacent to the first section, where the moisture-absorbing and releasing material is provided. An external shutter is provided at the outdoor opening of the first compartment, which is closed under the first weather conditions and open under the second weather conditions, The outdoor air treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a partition shutter provided at the boundary between the first section and the second section, which is open under the first weather conditions and closed under the second weather conditions.

3. The outdoor air treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dehumidifying means includes a blowing fan arranged to blow outside air into the second compartment or to blow the air from the second compartment to the outside.

4. The main body is further equipped with a solar panel, The outdoor air treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power supplied from the solar panel operates the outer shutter, the partition shutter, and the blowing fan.

5. The outdoor air treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of electricity generated by the solar panels during the summer or intermediate season is greater under the second weather condition than under the first weather condition.

6. The outdoor air treatment apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a closing means for closing the solar panels during winter.

7. The outdoor air treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the moisture release means includes a heat collecting plate that covers the moisture-absorbing and releasing material from the outdoor side and promotes the release of moisture from the moisture-absorbing and releasing material.

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