Bathroom air conditioning

Abstract

To provide a bath room air conditioner for enabling a bath room to be used during a time for drying clothing.SOLUTION: A bath room air conditioner 10 in the embodiment of the disclosure includes a body 11 installed in the ceiling. The body 11 has an air inlet 25 for sucking air from a bath room 94, an air outlet 26 for discharging the air into the bath room 94, drying means 50 for drying the air, and a delivery part 12 for delivering the air into an indoor space 95 separate from the bath room 94, where the air sucked via the air inlet 25 and dried by the drying means 50 is discharged from the air outlet 26 and delivered from the delivery part 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bathroom air-conditioning device. [Background technology]

[0002] Air conditioners that perform a predetermined function, such as ventilation, on the air in a bathroom are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a ventilating air conditioner that humidifies and heats the bathroom to create a sauna-like environment. This device includes an intake port that draws in air from the bathroom, a circulation air duct that blows out the drawn-in air, a circulation fan, a ventilation fan that performs ventilation, and a heat exchanger that uses a refrigerant compression-expansion cycle. This device creates a sauna-like environment in the bathroom by blowing out humidified air that has been humidified and heated by the heat exchanger. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-063278 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Concealed ceiling air conditioners could be equipped with a function that draws in moist air from a bathroom where wet clothes are hanging, dehumidifies it, and returns the dehumidified, heated, and dried warm air to the bathroom, accelerating the drying of the clothes. This function allows clothes to be dried regardless of the weather or time of day. Furthermore, by supplying warm air to the bathroom in this way, it is possible to warm the bathroom before bathing in cold weather, such as in winter, and reduce the heat shock that occurs when moving to the bathroom.

[0005] However, this method has the problem that the bathroom cannot be used while the clothes are drying in the bathroom. Also, since the temperature in the changing room remains low, there is a risk of heat shock when moving from the warm bathroom to the cold changing room.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a bathroom air-conditioning system that allows the bathroom to be used while clothes are drying. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a bathroom air-conditioning device that includes a main body installed in the ceiling. The main body has an inlet for drawing in air from the bathroom, an outlet for expelling air into the bathroom, a drying unit for drying the air, and an outlet for sending the air to an indoor space separate from the bathroom. The air is drawn in through the inlet and dried by the drying unit, and then expelled through the outlet and delivered from the outlet.

[0008] Note that conversions of the expressions of the present disclosure into methods, devices, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc. are also valid as aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a bathroom air-conditioning system that allows the user to use the bathroom while drying clothes can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning system equipped with a bathroom air-conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the bathroom air-conditioner of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing airflow during the dehumidifying and drying operation of the bathroom air-conditioner of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air path configuration in the dehumidifying and drying operation of the bathroom air-conditioner of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing airflow during ventilation operation of the bathroom air-conditioner of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the air path configuration for ventilation operation of the bathroom air-conditioner of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments and modified examples, identical or equivalent components and members are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Furthermore, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiments in each drawing are omitted.

[0012] Furthermore, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components.

[0013] A bathroom air-conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an air-conditioning system 100 equipped with bathroom air-conditioner 10 installed in living space 90. As shown in Fig. 1, living space 90 is partitioned into a living room 92, a bathroom 94, a dressing room 98, a toilet 96, and the like, for example. Bathroom air-conditioner 10 is installed in an attic 91 above bathroom 94.

[0014] An air conditioner 925 is installed in the living room 92 to control the room temperature. An air intake vent 72 is provided on the wall of the living room 92 facing the outdoors. Ventilation gaps are provided by the louvers and undercuts of the doors of each room to allow ventilation between the rooms. In this example, the ventilation gaps include ventilation gap 942 provided in the door of the bathroom 94, ventilation gap 982 provided in the door of the dressing room 98, and ventilation gap 962 provided in the door of the toilet 96.

[0015] Bathroom air-conditioner (10) has first duct connector (16), second duct connector (18), third duct connector (17), and fourth duct connector (14) for connecting ducts. First duct connector (16) is connected to exhaust duct (86), which connects bathroom air-conditioner (10) to exhaust port (76) opening in the ceiling of toilet (96). Second duct connector (18) is connected to exhaust duct (88), which connects bathroom air-conditioner (10) to exhaust port (78) opening in the ceiling of dressing room (98). Third duct connector (17) is connected to outdoor exhaust duct (87), which connects bathroom air-conditioner (10) to outdoor exhaust port (77). Fourth duct connector (14) is connected to air supply duct (84), which connects bathroom air-conditioner (10) to linear air outlet (24) on the ceiling of dressing room (98).

[0016] That is, an exhaust vent 76 is provided in the ceiling of the toilet 96, and an exhaust vent 78 and linear air outlets 24 are provided in the ceiling of the changing room 98. The air blown out from the linear air outlets 24 can be supplied almost evenly to the clothes hung in a row in the longitudinal direction of the linear air outlets 24.

[0017] First duct connector 16 and second duct connector 18 are openings for receiving air from the connected ducts into internal air passage 20 of bathroom air-conditioner 10. Third duct connector 17 and fourth duct connector 14 are openings for supplying air from internal air passage 20 of bathroom air-conditioner 10 to the connected ducts. Internal air passage 20 of bathroom air-conditioner 10 is a passage for guiding air along a path that depends on the operating mode. Internal air passage 20 is provided with multiple dampers 22 for changing the air passage configuration of internal air passage 20, and each damper 22 is opened or closed to the desired opening angle to achieve the predetermined air passage configuration depending on the operating mode.

[0018] Bathroom air-conditioner 10 has inlet 25 and outlet 26, which open from ceiling 68 of bathroom 94 to the interior of the room. Inlet 25 is an opening for drawing air from bathroom 94 into internal air passage 20. Outlet 26 is an opening for blowing air from internal air passage 20 into bathroom 94. A filter (not shown) is provided downstream of inlet 25 to prevent fine dust and dirt from entering internal air passage 20.

[0019] A remote control 58 for operating bathroom air-conditioner 10 is provided in changing room 98. Remote control 58 transmits an operation signal to bathroom air-conditioner 10 via wire or wirelessly in response to a user's operation.

[0020] The configuration of bathroom air-conditioner 10 will be described with reference to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, bathroom air-conditioner 10 includes main body 11, which is installed above the ceiling. Main body 11 has intake port 25 for drawing in air from bathroom 94, exhaust port 26 for expelling air into bathroom 94, drying means 50 for drying the air, and delivery unit 12 for sending the air to an indoor space 95 separate from bathroom 94. In this example, delivery unit 12 is fourth duct connector 14.

[0021] The main body 11 has a box-shaped outer shell. As described above, the first duct connection portion 16, the second duct connection portion 18, the third duct connection portion 17, the fourth duct connection portion 14, the inlet port 25, and the outlet port 26 (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as "inlet / outlet"), which are connected to the internal air passage 20, are provided on the outer shell of the main body 11. The drying means 50 will be described later. In Figure 2, arrows indicate the main air flow direction in each element.

[0022] Inside the main body 11, there are an internal air passage 20, a refrigerant circuit 30, a first fan 41, a second fan 42, a desiccant dehumidifier 43, an electric heater 44, a temperature and humidity sensor 45, a distribution valve 46, and a control unit 48.

[0023] The internal air passage 20 forms an air passage for air entering and exiting each entrance and exit to pass through the refrigerant circuit 30, the first fan 41, the second fan 42, the desiccant dehumidifier 43, the electric heater 44 and the temperature and humidity sensor 45 in accordance with each operation.

[0024] The refrigerant circuit 30 includes a compressor 31, a four-way valve 32, a condenser 33, an expansion valve 34, and an evaporator 35. The refrigerant circuit 30 configures a refrigeration cycle by circulating a refrigerant (not shown) from the compressor 31 through the four-way valve 32, the condenser 33, the expansion valve 34, and the evaporator 35 to the compressor 31.

[0025] The first fan 41 is a ventilation sirocco fan that mainly sends air to the third duct connection 17. The second fan 42 is a circulation sirocco fan that mainly sends air to the outlet 26 and the fourth duct connection 14 via the distribution valve 46. The desiccant dehumidifier 43 dehumidifies the air by passing it through a honeycomb desiccant rotor (not shown) impregnated with a desiccant. The electric heater 44 generates Joule heat to heat the air. The temperature and humidity sensor 45 detects the temperature and humidity of the air in the bathroom 94 drawn in through the air inlet 25. The distribution valve 46 distributes the air sent out from the second fan 42 to the outlet 26 and the fourth duct connection 14 at a predetermined ratio depending on the operation of the second fan 42.

[0026] The control unit 48 receives an operation signal from the remote control 58 and the detection results of the temperature and humidity sensor 45, and based on the received results, controls the operations of the refrigerant circuit 30, the first fan 41, the second fan 42, the desiccant dehumidifier 43, the electric heater 44, and the damper 22. The control unit 48 controls the damper 22 in accordance with each operation, thereby changing the air path configuration of the internal air path 20.

[0027] The air passage configuration and operation of bathroom air-conditioner 10 in each operation will be described below.

[0028] (Dehumidifying drying operation) The dehumidifying and drying operation will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 shows the air flow during the dehumidifying and drying operation. Figure 4 shows the first air passage configuration of internal air passage 20 of bathroom air-conditioner 10 during the dehumidifying and drying operation. The dehumidifying and drying operation involves sucking dry air through intake port 25 and drying it with drying means 50, then expelling it from outlet 26 and sending it out from delivery section 12 (fourth duct connection 14).

[0029] In the first air passage configuration, airflow is generated mainly by the suction and blowing power of second fan 42. The first air passage configuration includes drying means 50 that dries the air. There are no limitations on drying means 50. In this example, drying means 50 includes dehumidifying means 51 that dehumidifies air A1 sucked in through inlet 25, and heating means 52 that heats the air dehumidified by dehumidifying means 51. The air heated by heating means 52 is sent by distribution valve 46 to outlet 26 and indoor space 95 separate from bathroom 94.

[0030] In this embodiment, the dry air heated by heating means 52 is sucked into second fan 42 and sent out to distribution valve 46. The dry air sent out from second fan 42 is distributed by distribution valve 46, and one portion of the distributed dry air A2 is supplied to bathroom 94 from discharge port 26, while the other portion of the distributed dry air A3 is supplied from fourth duct connector 14 through air passage 57 to an indoor space 95 separate from bathroom 94. Distribution valve 46 can change the distribution ratio of dry air to discharge port 26 and fourth duct connector 14 based on the operation of remote control 58, and it is also possible to supply dry air to only one of these.

[0031] In this example, the air flow path 57 is the air flow duct 84, the indoor space 95 is a changing room 98, and the other dry air A3 distributed by the distribution valve 46 is supplied to the changing room 98 from the linear air outlet 24. The dry air A3 dries the clothes W hanging in the changing room 98. In this way, the fourth duct connection part 14 functions as a separate room delivery part.

[0032] Dry air A3 supplied to changing room 98 from linear air outlet 24 is guided to bathroom 94 through ventilation gap 942, so that air inlet 25 draws air from changing room 98 (indoor space 95) through bathroom 94. In this way, dry air A2 and dry air A3 circulate through bathroom 94 and also through changing room 98 via bathroom air-conditioner 10.

[0033] By the dehumidifying and drying operation, the dry air A2 and the dry air A3 can preheat the bathroom 94 and the dressing room 98, and dehumidify and dry the bathroom 94 and the dressing room 98.

[0034] There are no limitations on the configuration of the dehumidifying means 51, but in this embodiment, the dehumidifying means 51 includes an evaporator 35 and a desiccant dehumidifier 43. As the dehumidifying means 51, either the evaporator 35 or the desiccant dehumidifier 43 may be used for dehumidification, or both may be used in cascade.

[0035] The dehumidifying means 51 in this example is configured to change the usage ratio (hereinafter simply referred to as "usage ratio") between the dehumidifying capacity of the evaporator 35 and the dehumidifying capacity of the desiccant dehumidifier 43 based on the detection results of the temperature and humidity sensor 45. For example, in the case of high temperature and high humidity such as in summer, the usage ratio of the dehumidifying capacity of the evaporator 35 is increased, and in the case of low temperature and low humidity such as in winter, the usage ratio of the dehumidifying capacity of the desiccant dehumidifier 43 is increased.

[0036] It is also possible to prepare a table in advance that lists the relationship between the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 45 and the usage rate appropriate for that temperature and humidity, and the dehumidifying means 51 determines the usage rate by referring to this table.

[0037] There is no limitation on the configuration of the heating means 52, but in this embodiment, the heating means 52 includes a condenser 33 and an electric heater 44. As the heating means 52, heating may be performed using either the condenser 33 or the electric heater 44, or both of them may be used.

[0038] The heating means 52 in this example is configured to change the ratio of the heating capacity of the condenser 33 to the heating capacity of the electric heater 44 based on the detection results of the temperature and humidity sensor 45. For example, when the temperature is high, such as in summer, the electric heater 44 is not used, and when the temperature is low, such as in winter, both the condenser 33 and the electric heater 44 are used for heating.

[0039] (Ventilation operation) Next, the ventilation operation will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In this operation, air A4 drawn in through exhaust port 78 in dressing room 98 and air A5 drawn in through exhaust port 76 in toilet 96 are exhausted as exhaust air A6 from outdoor exhaust port 77. Figure 5 shows the air flow during ventilation. Figure 6 shows the second air-path configuration of internal air path 20 of bathroom air-conditioner 10 during ventilation. In the second air-path configuration, the air flow is generated mainly by the suction and blowing power of first fan 41.

[0040] When first fan 41 is operated, air A4 and air A5 are sucked into first fan 41 and discharged to the outdoors as exhaust air A6 through outdoor exhaust duct 87. At this time, if first fan 41 is operated continuously, negative pressure will be created inside living space 90, and fresh outside air will be supplied through air intake vent 72 that opens into the wall of living room 92 facing the outdoors, thereby ventilating living space 90.

[0041] If the building is highly airtight, it is desirable to perform ventilation operation continuously. This operation is also called 24-hour ventilation. It is desirable that the first fan 41 has the capacity to ensure a predetermined ventilation volume (for example, a ventilation volume equivalent to approximately half the volume of the living space 90 in one hour).

[0042] Furthermore, air conditioner 925 is installed in living room 92 to control the room temperature, operating in cooling mode in the summer and in heating mode in the winter to maintain an appropriate temperature and humidity for the air in living room 92. The conditioned air in living room 92 is drawn into exhaust vents 78 and 76 through ventilation gap 942 in bathroom 94, ventilation gap 982 in dressing room 98, and ventilation gap 962 in toilet 96, and is then discharged outdoors via bathroom air-conditioner 10.

[0043] The ventilation operation can be performed in parallel with the dehumidifying and drying operation. Furthermore, during the ventilation operation, air A4 and air A5 may be subjected to heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator. In this case, the thermal energy transferred to the refrigerant through heat exchange can be used by the condenser to preheat the bathroom 94 and the dressing room 98.

[0044] Bathroom air-conditioning system 10 of this embodiment allows clothes to be dried in bathroom 94 and changing room 98. A person can take a bath in bathroom 94 while drying clothes in changing room 98. Because bathroom 94 and changing room 98 can be preheated, heat shock caused when moving to bathroom 94 or changing room 98 can be alleviated.

[0045] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows: A bathroom air-conditioning device (10) of one aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body (11) installed in the ceiling, and the main body (11) has an inlet (25) for drawing in air from a bathroom (94), an outlet (26) for discharging the air into the bathroom (94), drying means (50) for drying the air, and a delivery unit (14) for sending the air to an indoor space (95) separate from the bathroom (94). The air drawn in through the inlet (25) and dried by the drying means (50) is discharged through the outlet (26) and delivered from the delivery unit (14).

[0046] In the bathroom air-conditioning system (10), the drying means (50) includes a dehumidifying means (51) for dehumidifying air and a heating means (52) for heating the air dehumidified by the dehumidifying means (51), and the air inlet (25) draws air from another indoor space (95) through the bathroom (94).

[0047] In the bathroom air-conditioning device (10), the main body (11) includes a refrigerant circuit (30) having a compressor (31), a condenser (33), an expansion valve (34), and an evaporator (35). The dehumidifying means (51) includes the evaporator (35), and the heating means (52) includes the condenser (33).

[0048] In the bathroom air-conditioning system (10), the main body (11) has a temperature and humidity sensor (45) for detecting temperature and humidity, and the dehumidifying means (51) includes a desiccant dehumidifier (43), and changes the usage ratio of the dehumidifying capacity of the evaporator (35) and the dehumidifying capacity of the desiccant dehumidifier (43) based on the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor (45).

[0049] In the bathroom air-conditioning system (10), the heating means (52) includes an electric heater (44) and changes the ratio of the heating capacity of the condenser (33) to the heating capacity of the electric heater (44) based on the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor (45).

[0050] In the bathroom air-conditioner (10), the heated air is blown out from a linear outlet (24) provided in another room (95).

[0051] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] [Variations] The following describes the modified examples. In the drawings and descriptions of the modified examples, the same or equivalent components and members as those in the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Explanations that overlap with the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configurations that differ from the embodiment.

[0053] In the description of the embodiment, the dehumidifying means 51 includes the evaporator 35 and the desiccant dehumidifier 43, but these are not essential. The dehumidifying means may include a dehumidifying element based on a different principle from the evaporator 35 and the desiccant dehumidifier 43.

[0054] In the description of the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the heating means 52 includes the condenser 33 and the electric heater 44, but these are not essential. The heating means may include a heating element based on a different principle from the condenser 33 and the electric heater 44. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The bathroom air-conditioning device according to the present disclosure can be attached to a ceiling and used to air-condition a bathroom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 Bathroom air conditioner, 11 Main body, 12 Discharge section, 24 Linear outlet, 25 Intake port, 26 Discharge port, 30 Refrigerant circuit, 31 Compressor, 33 Condenser, 35 Evaporator, 43 Desiccant dehumidifier, 44 Electric heater, 45 Temperature and humidity sensor, 50 Drying means, 51 Dehumidifying means, 52 Heating means, 57 Air duct, 76 Exhaust port, 78 Exhaust port, 91 Attic, 94 Bathroom, 95 Indoor space.

Claims

1. The unit is installed in the ceiling, The main body has an intake port for drawing in air from the bathroom, an exhaust port for expelling air into the bathroom, a drying means for drying the air, an exhaust section for expelling the air to an indoor space other than the bathroom, an indoor space duct connection section for drawing in air from the other indoor space, and an outdoor duct connection section communicating with an outdoor exhaust port; The air is sucked in through the suction port and dried by the drying means, and is discharged through the discharge port and sent out through the delivery section. The drying means includes a dehumidifying means for dehumidifying air, and a heating means for heating the air dehumidified by the dehumidifying means, The air inlet draws air from the other indoor space through the bathroom, The main body includes a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; The dehumidifying means includes the evaporator, The heating means includes the condenser, the air of the other indoor space sucked in through the indoor space duct connection part is heat exchanged with the refrigerant in the evaporator, and then is discharged to the outdoor exhaust port through the outdoor duct connection part; The thermal energy transferred to the refrigerant by the heat exchange is transferred via the condenser to the air drawn in from the suction port.

2. The main body has a temperature and humidity sensor that detects temperature and humidity, 2. The bathroom air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifying means includes a desiccant dehumidifier, and changes a ratio of the dehumidifying capacity of the evaporator to that of the desiccant dehumidifier based on the results of detection by the temperature and humidity sensor.

3. 3. The bathroom air-conditioning system of claim 2, wherein the heating means includes an electric heater, and the ratio of the heating capacity of the condenser to the heating capacity of the electric heater is changed based on the results of detection by the temperature and humidity sensor.

4. 4. The bathroom air-conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the heated air is blown out from a linear air outlet provided in the separate room.

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