Air Conditioning System

Abstract

To disclose a configuration of a device implementing both of air supply operation for controlling the concentration of predetermined gas in a room and humidification operation for humidifying the room and a control method, in an air conditioning system capable of carrying both of the operations.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system (100) is equipped with a humidifying unit (5) that has an outside air introducing function and a humidifying function, an air supply fan (54) that carries outside air into a room through air supply piping (35), and a control portion (16) that controls the outside air introducing function and the humidifying function. The control portion (16) controls so as to switch humidification operation for executing the humidifying function of the humidifying unit (5) to send generated humidified air into the room, and the air supply operation for sending outside air into the room on the basis of predetermined gas concentration in the room without executing the dehumidifying function of the humidifying unit (5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system that performs air supply operation based on the concentration of a specified gas in a room, and performs a humidification operation in the room. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2010-43848 A) discloses that in an air conditioner with a humidification function, harmful components in the air, such as pollen, can be reduced by performing ventilation operation during the humidification function, which heats the outside air without humidifying it and introduces it into the room. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a heating ventilation operation mode in which outside air is heated and supplied to the room, and a non-heating ventilation operation mode in which outside air is supplied to the room without being heated, but does not disclose how ventilation operation or humidification operation is performed according to the measured concentration value of a specified gas in the room. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The air conditioning system of a first aspect includes a humidification unit, an air supply fan, and a control unit. The humidification unit has an outside air introduction function of taking in outside air and sending it indoors, and a humidification function of humidifying the taken in outside air. The air supply fan transports the outside air taken in by the humidification unit into the room via an air supply pipe. The control unit controls the outside air introduction function and the humidification function. The control unit controls a humidification operation and an air supply operation so as to be switchable. In the humidification operation, humidified air generated by executing the humidification function of the humidification unit is sent into the room. In the air supply operation, outside air is sent into the room based on a predetermined gas concentration in the room without executing the humidification function of the humidification unit.

[0005] The air conditioning system of the first aspect can execute an air supply operation based on the concentration of a predetermined gas and a humidification operation by switching the same air supply piping.

[0006] An air conditioning system according to a second aspect is the air conditioning system according to the first aspect, in which when the control unit receives an instruction to perform a humidification operation while the control unit is not performing a humidification operation or an air supply operation, the control unit performs the humidification operation after performing a humidification preparatory operation including a drying operation of the air supply pipe. Also, when the control unit receives an instruction to perform the humidification operation during the air supply operation, the control unit performs the humidification operation without performing the humidification preparatory operation.

[0007] The air conditioning system according to the second aspect performs the humidification operation without performing the humidification preparatory operation when an instruction to perform the humidification operation is received during the air supply operation, and therefore the humidification operation can be executed quickly.

[0008] An air conditioning system according to a third aspect is the air conditioning system according to the first or second aspect, in which the humidification unit has a humidification rotor and a heater. The heater includes a moisture adsorption section and a desorption section. The heater heats the humidification rotor. The control section controls the heater to be on during humidification operation so as to humidify the outside air passing through the rotating humidification rotor. The control section controls the heater to be off during air supply operation so as not to humidify the outside air passing through the rotating humidification rotor.

[0009] In the air conditioning system of the third aspect, the humidification rotor continues to rotate even during air supply operation, so that outside air passes only through specific areas of the humidification rotor, making it possible to prevent dust from adhering only to those specific areas.

[0010] An air conditioning system of a fourth aspect is the air conditioning system of the third aspect, in which the rotation speed of the humidifying rotor during air supply operation is greater than 0 and equal to or less than the minimum rotation speed of the humidifying rotor during humidifying operation. Here, the minimum rotation speed means the lowest rotation speed when the rotation speed of the humidifying rotor during humidifying operation is variable, and means the constant rotation speed when the rotation speed of the humidifying rotor during humidifying operation is constant.

[0011] In the air conditioning system of the fourth aspect, even during air supply operation, the air being supplied passes through the humidifier rotor, and the humidifier rotor is rotating, so it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to only specific parts of the humidifier rotor. Because the rotation speed is low, unnecessary energy consumption is avoided.

[0012] An air conditioning system according to a fifth aspect is the air conditioning system according to the third or fourth aspect, in which the humidification unit further has an adsorption fan for introducing outside air into the humidification rotor and causing the humidification rotor to adsorb moisture. The control unit rotates the adsorption fan during humidification operation and stops the adsorption fan during air supply operation.

[0013] An air conditioning system according to a sixth aspect is the air conditioning system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, in which the control unit, when receiving an instruction to perform an air supply operation while not performing a humidification operation or an air supply operation, determines whether or not to perform a drying operation of the air supply piping based on a temperature difference between an outside air temperature and a room temperature. An air conditioning system according to a seventh aspect is the air conditioning system according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, in which the amount of air supplied during the humidification preparatory operation is greater than the amount of air supplied during the air supply operation.

[0014] An air conditioning system according to an eighth aspect is the air conditioning system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, The air conditioner further includes an indoor unit and a gas sensor. The indoor unit is disposed indoors and connected to the air supply pipe. The gas sensor measures the concentration of a predetermined gas in the room. The gas sensor is built into the indoor unit.

[0015] In the air conditioning system of the eighth aspect, the gas sensor is built into the indoor unit, and therefore cooperation between the gas sensor and the control section is easy.

[0016] An air conditioning system of a ninth aspect is the air conditioning system of any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising an indoor unit and a gas sensor. The indoor unit is placed indoors and connected to the air supply piping. The gas sensor measures the concentration of a predetermined gas in the room. The gas sensor is placed indoors separately from the indoor unit.

[0017] In the air conditioning system of the ninth aspect, the gas sensor is disposed indoors separately from the indoor unit, and therefore the gas sensor can be disposed relatively freely where it is particularly desired to measure the concentration of a predetermined gas.

[0018] An air conditioning system according to a tenth aspect is the air conditioning system according to the ninth aspect, in which the gas sensor and the control unit are connected via an external network.

[0019] An air conditioning system according to an eleventh aspect is the air conditioning system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, further comprising an indoor heat exchanger.

[0020] The air conditioning system of the eleventh aspect is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger, and therefore can perform air conditioning operations such as heating operation and cooling operation in addition to humidifying operation and air supply operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of an air conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit 2 and an air supply path 3 of an air conditioner 1 (air conditioning system 100) of a first embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a front view of the indoor unit 10 of the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a side view of the indoor unit 10 of the first embodiment. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a side view, slightly from below, of the indoor unit 10 of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an air supply pipe 19 inside a casing 11 of the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a humidification operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100a of Modification 1A. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100b of Modification 1B. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit 2 and an air supply path 3 of an air conditioner 1c (air conditioning system 100c) of Modification 1C. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100d of modification 1D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] First Embodiment (1) Overall configuration of air conditioner The air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment includes an air conditioner 1, a gas sensor 15, and a control unit 16. The air conditioner 1 has an indoor unit 10, an outdoor unit 20, and refrigerant pipes 2a and 2b and an air supply pipe 35 that connect the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20. The exterior of the air conditioner 1 is shown in Fig. 1, and the refrigerant circuit 2 and the air supply path 3 are shown in Fig. 2.

[0023] 1, 2, and 3A to 3C, the indoor unit 10 has an indoor heat exchanger 14, an indoor expansion valve 17, and an indoor fan 12. The indoor unit 10 is disposed indoors.

[0024] The outdoor unit 20 has an outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6 and a humidification unit 5. The outdoor unit 20 is placed outdoors, usually outdoors.

[0025] The outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6 has a compressor 21, an accumulator 22, a four-way switching valve 23, an outdoor heat exchanger 24, an outdoor heat exchanger fan 26, an outdoor expansion valve 25, and piping connecting them.

[0026] The air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment can perform air conditioning operations such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, humidification, and air supply in the room in which the indoor unit 10 is located.

[0027] In the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, cooling operation and heating operation are achieved by utilizing the refrigerant circuit 2. Switching between the cooling operation and the heating operation is achieved by switching the direction of the refrigerant flow in the four-way switching valve 23.

[0028] During cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows through the four-way switching valve 23, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the outdoor expansion valve 25, the indoor heat exchanger 14, the four-way switching valve 23, and the accumulator 22 in that order, and is sucked back into the compressor 21. During this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 24 functions as a radiator to heat the outdoor air, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 functions as an evaporator to cool the indoor air.

[0029] During heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows in this order through the four-way switching valve 23, the indoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor expansion valve 25, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the four-way switching valve 23, and the accumulator 22, and is sucked back into the compressor 21. During this time, the indoor heat exchanger 14 functions as a radiator to heat the indoor air, and the outdoor heat exchanger 24 functions as an evaporator to cool the outdoor air.

[0030] The air supply operation is performed using the air supply path 3. The air supply path 3 has an air supply path 58 of the outdoor unit 20, an air supply fan 54, an air supply pipe 35, and an air supply pipe 19 of the indoor unit 10. When the air supply fan 54 rotates, outside air is taken into the outdoor unit 20 through the air supply inlet 7c of the humidifier unit 5 of the outdoor unit 20. The outside air taken into the outdoor unit 20 flows through the air supply path 58 and the air supply fan 54 of the outdoor unit 20. Furthermore, the outside air flows through the air supply pipe 35 that connects the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10. The outside air passes through the air supply pipe 19 of the indoor unit 10, is blown into the casing 11 from the air outlet 19a of the air supply pipe 19, and further reaches the room outside the casing 11.

[0031] (2) Detailed configuration of air conditioner 1 (2-1) Indoor unit 10 A front view of the indoor unit 10 with the front panel 42 removed is shown in Fig. 3A, a left side view is shown in Fig. 3B, and a view from slightly below the left side is shown in Fig. 3C. The indoor unit 10 has a casing 11, an indoor fan 12, a gas sensor 15, a control unit 16, an indoor heat exchanger 14, a flap 18, and an indoor supply air piping 19.

[0032] (2-1-1) Casing 11 In the indoor unit 10 of this embodiment, a casing 11 is disposed, and the casing accommodates an indoor fan 12, a gas sensor 15, a first control unit 16a, an indoor heat exchanger 14, and an indoor air supply pipe 19. The flap 18 is attached to the lower part of the casing 11.

[0033] The rear surface of the casing 11 is hung on the wall inside the room. Refrigerant pipes 2a, 2b, an air supply pipe 35, etc. are connected to the rear surface of the casing 11, pass through the wall, and are connected to an outdoor unit 20 disposed outside the room.

[0034] A hole is formed on the top surface of the casing 11, which serves as an inlet 41 for indoor air.

[0035] (2-1-2) Indoor fan 12 As shown in Fig. 3B, the indoor fan 12 is disposed in the center inside the casing 11. The indoor fan 12 is a cross-flow fan. In Fig. 3B, the indoor fan 12 rotates clockwise to move air in the clockwise direction.

[0036] Indoor air is taken into the casing 11 through the suction port 41 at the top of the casing 11, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14, and is blown out into the room through the flaps 18a, 18b at the bottom of the casing 11. The indoor fan 12 rotates to generate blown air, and the air in the room is mixed by blowing out the air.

[0037] (2-1-3) Indoor heat exchanger 14 As shown in Fig. 3B, the indoor heat exchanger 14 is disposed in the space inside the casing 11 and outside the indoor fan 12. Indoor air is taken into the inside of the casing 11 through the air inlet 41 at the top of the casing 11, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 to exchange heat, and is blown out into the room through the flaps 18a, 18b at the bottom of the casing 11. The air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 is heated or cooled while passing through the indoor heat exchanger 14, thereby heating or cooling the room.

[0038] (2-1-4) Flap 18 The flap 18 is attached below the casing 11. In this embodiment, the flap 18 is made up of two flaps 18a, 18b. When the air conditioner 1 is stopped, the flap 18 is normally closed as shown in FIG. 3C. When the air conditioner 1 is operating, the flaps 18a, 18b are open as shown in FIG. 1, and air is blown out from between the flaps 18a, 18b, between the casing 11 and the flap 18a, etc. The flaps 18a, 18b change the angle at which the air is blown out by changing the opening angle.

[0039] (2-1-5) Outdoor air supply path and air supply piping 19 in the indoor unit 10 The intake air path in the indoor unit 10 is divided into a portion inside the intake air piping 19 and a portion that, after exiting the air outlet 19a of the intake air piping 19, runs from inside the casing 11 to the outside room.

[0040] The air supply pipe 19 has a shape as shown in Fig. 4. One end of the air supply pipe 19 is a connection port 19b. The connection port 19b is connected to the air supply pipe 35 that connects the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10. The other end of the air supply pipe 19 is an air outlet 19a. The air outlet 19a is disposed on the left side of the indoor unit 10, facing the indoor heat exchanger 14. The central portion of the air supply pipe 19 between the connection port 19b and the air outlet 19a has a flat shape, and is disposed near the left side surface of the indoor unit 10.

[0041] Outside air is taken in by the outdoor unit 20 and enters the indoor unit 10 via the air supply pipe 35. The air that flows through the air supply pipe 19 of the indoor unit 10 is blown out in the direction of the indoor heat exchanger 14 from the air outlet 19a.

[0042] When supplying air, the supply air fan 54 of the outdoor unit 20 is rotated. The supply air fan 54 may be disposed in another location on the supply air path 3. For example, the supply air fan 54 may be disposed in the indoor unit 10.

[0043] (2-2) Outdoor unit 20 As explained in (1) Overall Configuration, the outdoor unit 20 has a humidification unit 5 and an outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6. As the outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6 has already been explained in (1) Overall Configuration, an explanation of the outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6 will be omitted, and the humidification unit 5 will be explained below.

[0044] (2-2-1) Humidification unit 5 The air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment can perform humidification operation or air supply operation by utilizing the humidification unit 5. In other words, the humidification unit 5 has an outside air introduction function of taking in outside air and sending it into the room, and a humidification function of humidifying the taken-in outside air.

[0045] The humidifying unit 5 has an air supply path 58 in the humidifying unit 5 and a moisture adsorption air path 57. The air supply path 58 in the humidifying unit 5 is a part of the entire air supply path 3.

[0046] The humidification unit 5 has a humidification rotor 51, a heater 52, an air supply fan 54, and an adsorption fan 59. The air supply fan 54 and the adsorption fan 59 may be a single shared fan.

[0047] The air flows in the moisture adsorption air path 57 as follows: Air outside the casing of the outdoor unit 20 is taken in through the adsorption air intake 7a of the casing by the rotation of the adsorption fan 59, passes through the humidification rotor 51 and the adsorption fan 59, and is discharged outside the casing through the adsorption air exhaust port 7b.

[0048] The humidifying rotor 51 is a ceramic rotor with a honeycomb structure, and has a generally disk-shaped outer shape. The humidifying rotor 51 is rotatably provided and is driven to rotate by a rotor drive motor. The main part of the humidifying rotor 51 is made of sintered adsorbent such as zeolite. Adsorbents such as zeolite have the property of adsorbing moisture in the air they come into contact with, and desorbing the adsorbed moisture by heating. In this embodiment, zeolite is used as the adsorbent, but it is also possible to use silica gel, alumina, or the like as the adsorbent.

[0049] In the moisture adsorption air passage 57 , the moisture in the outside air is adsorbed by the humidification rotor 51 as the outside air passes through the humidification rotor 51 .

[0050] On the other hand, in the air supply path 58 inside the humidifying unit 5, the air flows as follows: Air outside the casing of the outdoor unit 20 is taken in through the air supply inlet 7c of the casing by the rotation of the air supply fan 54, passes through the humidifying rotor 51, heater 52, humidifying rotor 51, and air supply fan 54, and reaches the air supply piping 35 that connects the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10.

[0051] The heater 52 is located above the humidification rotor 51 and disposed opposite the humidification rotor 51. In addition, the heater 52 heats the air sent to the humidification rotor 51, thereby heating the humidification rotor 51.

[0052] Summarizing the above, the humidification operation of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment will be described as follows. First, in the moisture adsorption air passage 57, moisture in the outside air is adsorbed by the humidification rotor 51. The part of the humidification rotor 51 passing through the moisture adsorption air passage 57 may be called a moisture adsorption section 51a. The humidification rotor 51 having adsorbed moisture rotates, and the part that has adsorbed moisture moves to the air supply passage 58. In the air supply passage 58, the air to be humidified is heated by the heater 52, takes in the moisture adsorbed by the humidification rotor 51, and is sent from the air supply passage 58 to the indoor unit 10. The part of the humidification rotor 51 passing through the air supply passage 58 may be called a desorption section 51b.

[0053] It would be easy to use the humidification unit simply for air supply operation if the moisture adsorption and desorption function of the humidification rotor 51 was not utilized. To change from humidification operation to air supply operation, air supply operation without humidification can be performed by stopping the adsorption fan 59, stopping or slowing down the rotation of the humidification rotor 51, not heating with the heater 52, or the like.

[0054] (2-3) Gas sensor 15 The gas sensor 15 of this embodiment is disposed in the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1. The gas sensor 15 is a carbon dioxide (CO2) gas sensor. Since the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment is provided with the CO2 gas sensor 15, for example, when heating or cooling is performed with the room sealed without exchanging the air, the CO2 gas concentration in the room can be measured by the CO2 gas sensor 15, and if the CO2 gas concentration is high, measures can be taken to lower the CO2 gas concentration in the room by taking in outside air into the room using the air supply path 3.

[0055] The gas sensor 15 is an optical gas sensor. The gas sensor 15 has a light emitting section and a light receiving section. The light emitting section includes a light source that emits infrared light. The light receiving section has a detector and a filter. The principle of the gas sensor is the non-dispersive infrared absorption method. The amount of gas is determined by absorbing light of a frequency (wavelength) specific to the gas molecules due to resonance of molecular energy caused by atomic vibration. The gas sensor may be of the self-heating thermistor type.

[0056] 3A, the gas sensor 15 is disposed inside the casing 11, near the front, at the right end, and at the top. The location of the gas sensor 15 is not particularly limited as long as it is a location where the gas concentration in the indoor air can be measured.

[0057] The gas sensor 15 measures the gas concentration at the location where the gas sensor 15 is disposed. In this embodiment, the gas sensor 15 is disposed in the casing 11 of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1, and therefore measures the gas concentration in the indoor air approximately 1.5 m to 2 m above the floor.

[0058] (2-4) Control Unit 16 The control unit 16 has a first control unit 16a and a second control unit 16b. The first control unit 16a is disposed in the indoor unit 10. The second control unit 16b is disposed in the outdoor unit 20. The first control unit 16a and the second control unit 16b cooperate as the control unit 16 to control each device of the air conditioning system 100. The first control unit 16a and the second control unit 16b each have a computer. The first control unit 16a and the second control unit 16b each include a CPU and a storage unit. A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control of the control unit 16 is shown in FIG. 5. The control unit 16 controls the heating operation, the cooling operation, the humidification operation, and the supply air operation by the air conditioner 1. The control unit 16 controls the four-way switching valve 23, the compressor 21, the outdoor heat exchanger fan 26, the outdoor expansion valve 25, the supply air fan 54, the humidification rotor 51, the heater 52, the adsorption fan 59, the indoor fan 12, the indoor expansion valve 17, and the gas sensor 15.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 3a, the first control unit 16a is disposed at the right end portion inside the casing 11. The first control unit 16a may be disposed at another position.

[0060] (3) Control method for air supply operation and humidification operation (3-1) Air supply operation control method The air supply operation of the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment will be further described.

[0061] The air supply operation is performed according to the gas concentration of a predetermined gas. The air supply operation may be performed by a user's instruction. In this embodiment, the predetermined gas is CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas. The gas sensor 15 is a CO2 gas sensor. The gas sensor 15 measures the concentration of CO2 gas and sends the measurement result to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 starts the air supply operation when the acquired CO2 gas concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration. The outdoor CO2 gas concentration in Japan is about 410 ppm (2018). For example, when the measured CO2 gas concentration is equal to or higher than 1000 ppm, the control unit 16 starts the air supply operation.

[0062] In air supply operation, the air supply fan 54 of the humidifier unit 5 is rotated to take in outside air from the air supply inlet 7c of the outdoor unit 20, and the taken-in air is supplied to the room from the indoor unit 10 via the air supply path 3.

[0063] One of the challenges with air supply operation is that condensation can occur in the air supply piping 35 connecting the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20, causing the condensation to collide with the air flowing at a relatively high speed in the air supply piping (the air flow speed is high inside the air supply piping because the inner diameter of the pipe is relatively small), resulting in abnormal noise and causing discomfort to the user of the air conditioner 1 indoors.

[0064] In order to deal with such problems in the air supply operation, a drying operation is performed as necessary. The drying operation is an air supply operation for drying the air supply pipe 35 and removing condensation water. For this purpose, in the drying operation, the air is heated by the heater 52. The heater 52 only needs to heat the air passing through the air supply pipe 35, and may be a heater disposed at a different position in the air supply path 58 in the humidifying unit 5.

[0065] In the air supply operation, the condition for performing the drying operation is determined, for example, by whether or not (outdoor air temperature - room temperature) exceeds a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is, for example, 3°C or higher and 10°C or lower. More specifically, the predetermined temperature is 6°C. When (outdoor air temperature - room temperature) is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the control unit 16 does not perform the drying operation. A normal air supply operation is performed. On the other hand, when (outdoor air temperature - room temperature) exceeds the predetermined temperature, the control unit 16 performs the drying operation.

[0066] (3-2) Humidification operation control method In this embodiment, the humidification operation is performed at the user's command. More specifically, the user's command is as follows, for example: The user presses the humidification operation input button on the remote controller. The remote controller sends the user's command to the indoor unit 10 via infrared communication. The control unit 16 receives the command and controls each device such as the humidification rotor 51. The air conditioner 1 may automatically determine and perform the humidification operation depending on the indoor humidity.

[0067] As described in "(2-2-1) Humidification unit 5", in the humidification operation, first, moisture in the outside air is adsorbed to the humidification rotor 51 by the rotation of the adsorption fan 59. Next, outside air (air) is taken in by the rotation of the intake air fan 54, and the air is heated by the heater 52. The heated air, which contains the moisture adsorbed to the humidification rotor 51, is sent out from the intake air piping 35 to the indoor unit 10 and further into the room.

[0068] In humidification operation, a humidification preparatory operation is usually required. Similar to the drying operation in the supply air operation, the humidification preparatory operation is an air supply operation for drying the air supply pipe 35 and removing condensation water. In humidification operation, the vapor pressure of the air is high, so there is a higher possibility of condensation in the air supply pipe 35 than in simple supply air operation, and there is also a higher possibility of abnormal noise. For this reason, in conventional air conditioners, the humidification preparatory operation was always performed in the humidification operation.

[0069] (3-3) Method for controlling humidification operation during air supply operation A method for controlling the humidification operation during the air supply operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0070] First, it is assumed here that the air conditioner 1 is not performing a humidifying operation. It does not matter whether the air conditioner 1 is performing a heating operation, a cooling operation, or a dehumidifying operation.

[0071] Then, in step S101, the air conditioner 1 (controller 16) receives an instruction from the user to perform humidification operation. Next, in step S102, the controller 16 determines whether or not air supply operation is in progress. If air supply operation is in progress, the process proceeds to step S104. If air supply operation is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the controller 16 performs a humidification preparatory operation. In other words, the controller 16 turns on the heater 52 and the air supply fan 54 to perform an operation to dry the air supply piping 35 (humidification preparatory operation). When the humidification preparatory operation ends, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0072] In step S104, the humidification operation is carried out, and the control ends.

[0073] In the flow of this embodiment shown in Fig. 6, when the control unit receives an instruction to perform a humidification operation during an air supply operation, the control unit immediately performs the humidification operation without performing a humidification preparatory operation. The humidification preparatory operation takes, for example, about 10 minutes. Therefore, by not performing the humidification preparatory operation, the humidification operation is performed immediately after the user's instruction to perform the humidification operation, improving the user's comfort.

[0074] (4) Features (4-1) The air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment includes an outdoor unit 20, an air supply pipe 35, a control unit 16, and a gas sensor 15. The outdoor unit 20 has a humidification unit 5 that takes in outside air and humidifies it. The air supply pipe 35 transports the outside air taken in by the outdoor unit 20 to the room. The gas sensor 15 measures the concentration of a predetermined gas in the room.

[0075] The air conditioner 1 (air conditioning system 100) of this embodiment is capable of a humidification operation. The humidification operation is an operation in which outside air humidified by the humidification unit 5 is sent through the air supply pipe 35 into the room.

[0076] Meanwhile, the control unit 16 acquires the concentration of the predetermined gas in the room from the gas sensor 15. When the acquired concentration of the predetermined gas is within a predetermined range, the air supply operation is performed. More specifically, in this embodiment, the predetermined gas is CO2 gas, and the gas sensor 15 is a CO2 gas sensor. When the CO2 gas concentration measured by the gas sensor 15 exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 16 performs the air supply operation. The air supply operation is an operation in which unhumidified outside air is sent into the room through the air supply pipe. The air supply operation utilizes the humidification unit 5.

[0077] The control unit 16 of the air conditioning system 100 is capable of switching between a humidification operation and an air supply operation using the same air supply pipe 35 and humidification unit 5 .

[0078] (4-2) Conventionally, air conditioners that perform humidification operation perform a humidification preparatory operation to dry the air intake pipe before performing the humidification operation. The humidification preparatory operation takes a long time, for example, about 10 minutes. In the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, when an instruction to perform a humidification operation is received during air supply operation, the humidification preparatory operation is not performed. This is because it is considered that the air intake pipe has already been dried during air supply operation, or that there is no need to dry the air intake pipe. By performing the humidification operation immediately without performing the humidification preparatory operation, the user's comfort is increased.

[0079] (4-3) The humidification unit 5 of this embodiment has a humidification rotor 51 including a moisture adsorption section 51a and a desorption section 51b. The role of the humidification rotor 51 is mainly for humidification operation. In the air supply operation of this embodiment, the humidification rotor 51 is rotated. The rotation speed of the humidification rotor 51 during the air supply operation is greater than 0 and equal to or less than the minimum rotation speed during the humidification operation.

[0080] In the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, the humidification rotor 51 continues to rotate even during air supply operation, so that outside air passes only through specific areas of the humidification rotor 51, preventing dust from adhering only to those specific areas. In addition, because the rotation speed is low, unnecessary energy consumption is avoided.

[0081] (4-4) The humidification unit 5 of the present embodiment further includes a heater 52 for heating the humidification rotor 51 . The heater 52 has a role of heating the humidifying rotor 51 to make the moisture adsorbed by the humidifying rotor be contained in the air to be supplied. The control unit 16 turns on the heater 52 during humidifying operation and turns off the heater during air supply operation. However, the heater 52 is also used during air supply operation when a drying operation is performed. In other words, during drying operation, the heater 52 heats the air and sends the heated air to the air supply pipe 35 to dry the air supply pipe 35.

[0082] (4-5) The humidification unit 5 of the present embodiment further includes an adsorption fan 59 for introducing outside air into the humidification rotor 51 and causing moisture to be adsorbed by the humidification rotor 51. The control unit 16 rotates the adsorption fan 59 during humidification operation and stops the adsorption fan 59 during air supply operation.

[0083] (4-6) When the air supply operation is to be performed, the control unit 16 judges whether or not to perform a drying operation of the air supply pipe 35. The judgment of the drying operation is made based on the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature. When the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the drying operation is performed, and when the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the drying operation is not performed.

[0084] (4-7) In the air conditioning system 100 of the present embodiment, the amount of air supplied during the humidification preparatory operation is greater than the amount of air supplied during the air supply operation.

[0085] (4-8) The air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment further includes an indoor unit 10. The indoor unit 10 is connected to an air supply pipe 35. The gas sensor 15 is built into the indoor unit 10.

[0086] The gas sensor 15 is built into the indoor unit 10, and therefore can be easily linked to the control unit 16.

[0087] (4-9) The air conditioning system 100 of the present embodiment has a refrigerant circuit 2, and the indoor unit 10 is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 14.

[0088] The air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment can perform air conditioning operations such as heating operation and cooling operation in addition to humidification operation and air supply operation. In addition, the indoor fan 12, the flap 18, etc. can be shared in these air conditioning operations.

[0089] (5) Variations (5-1) Variation 1A In the air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment, the gas sensor 15 is disposed inside the casing 11 of the indoor unit 10. The gas sensor 15 may be disposed separately from the indoor unit 10 or the air conditioner 1.

[0090] In the air conditioning system 100a of the modified example 1A, as shown in FIG. 7, the gas sensor 15a is separate from the indoor unit 10a. The gas sensor 15a is capable of wireless communication with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10a. The gas sensor 15a may be capable of wired communication with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10a. The gas sensor 15a measures the concentration of a predetermined gas in the room. The measurement result measured by the gas sensor 15a is transmitted to the first control unit 16a, and the control unit 16 controls the air supply operation of the air conditioner 1a.

[0091] In the modified example 1A, the gas sensor 15a is separate from the indoor unit 10a, so the location of the gas sensor 15a in the room can be selected relatively freely. For example, when the room is a bedroom, the gas sensor 15a can be located closer to the user. In addition, the expensive gas sensor 15a can be retrofitted to the indoor unit 10a.

[0092] (5-2) Variation 1B In the air conditioning system 100a of the modified example 1A, the gas sensor 15a is separate from the indoor unit 10a, and the gas sensor 15a can directly communicate with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10a. In the air conditioning system 100b of the modified example 1B, as shown in FIG. 8, the gas sensor 15b is separate from the indoor unit 10. The gas sensor 15b can communicate with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10b via a network. The network may have a server 40 on the network. The server 40 has a processor 401 and a storage unit 402. The server 40 may accumulate measurement data of the gas sensor 15b, control the gas sensor 15b, and transmit the measurement data of the gas sensor 15b to the air conditioner 1b.

[0093] As long as the air conditioner 1b of variant example 1B has a network connection function, it is possible to control the air conditioner 1b using the measurement data of the gas sensor 15b, even if it does not have a special function for connecting to the gas sensor 15b.

[0094] (5-3) Variation 1C In the air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment, the condition for performing the drying operation during the air supply operation is determined based on whether or not (outdoor air temperature-room temperature) exceeds a predetermined temperature. In the air supply operation, whether or not to perform the drying operation may be determined based on another criterion. In the air conditioning system 100c of the modification 1C, the determination is made based on the humidity of the air in the air supply pipe 35.

[0095] 9, in an air conditioning system 100c of modification 1c, a humidity sensor 36 is disposed in an air supply pipe 35. The humidity sensor 36 may be disposed outside the air supply pipe 35, in the air supply path 58 of the humidification unit 5, near the air supply pipe 35. In any case, the humidity sensor 36 may be disposed in a position where it is possible to measure the humidity of the air passing through the air supply pipe 35.

[0096] The control unit 16 of the modification 1C receives a measurement value of the humidity sensor 36 in the air supply pipe 35, and determines whether or not to perform a drying operation during the air supply operation according to the humidity.

[0097] In the first embodiment and variant 1A, whether or not to perform drying operation during air supply operation is determined separately based on the outside air temperature, room temperature, and humidity in the air supply piping 35, but these two criteria may be used in combination to determine whether or not to perform drying operation during air supply operation.

[0098] (5-4) Variation 1D In the air conditioning system 100d of the modified example 1D, the control unit 16 includes a third control unit 16c. The third control unit 16c is arranged in a server 40d as shown in FIG. 10. The server 40d has a processor 401d and a storage unit 402d. The server 40d, the air conditioner 1d, and the gas sensor 15d are communicatively connected via a network. The third control unit 16c controls the humidification operation and the air supply operation of the air conditioner 1d based on the concentration of a predetermined gas measured by the gas sensor 15d.

[0099] At this time, the third control unit 16c may control the air conditioner 1d via the first control unit 16a and / or the second control unit 16b of the air conditioner 1d, or may control the air conditioner 1d directly.

[0100] (5-5) Variation 1E In the first embodiment, the supply air fan 54 is disposed in the humidification unit 5. The present disclosure is not limited thereto. The supply air fan 54 may be disposed in another position as long as it is disposed in the supply air path 3. In Modification 1E, the supply air fan 54 is disposed in the indoor unit 10.

[0101] (5-6) Variation 1F In the first embodiment, an example in which a CO2 gas sensor is used as the gas sensor 15 has been described. The gas sensor may be a sensor that measures other gases. In Modification 1F, the gas sensor is a sensor that measures VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The VOCs are any one of formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and acetaldehyde, or a combination thereof.

[0102] The gas sensor may also be an IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) sensor.

[0103] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c Air conditioner 2 Refrigerant circuit 3 Air supply route 5 Humidification unit 6 Outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 10, 10a, 10b Indoor unit 14 Indoor heat exchanger 15, 15a, 15b Gas sensor 16 Control section 19 Indoor air supply piping 20 Outdoor unit 35 Air supply piping 51 Humidification rotor 51a Moisture adsorption part 51b Detachment part 52 Heater 54 Intake fan 59 Suction fan 100, 100a, 100b, 100c Air conditioning system [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0105] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-43848 A

Claims

1. A humidification unit (5) having an outside air introduction function of taking in outside air and sending it indoors, and a humidification function of humidifying the taken-in outside air; an air supply fan (54) that conveys the outside air taken in by the humidification unit (5) into the room through an air supply pipe (35); A control unit (16) that controls the outside air introduction function and the humidification function; Equipped with The control unit is a humidification operation for sending the humidified air generated by executing the humidification function of the humidification unit into a room; and a supply air operation in which the humidifying function of the humidifying unit is not performed and the outside air is sent into the room. The control unit is When the humidification operation or the air supply operation is not being performed and an instruction to perform the humidification operation is received, the humidification operation is performed after performing a humidification preparatory operation including a drying operation of the air supply pipe, When the instruction for the humidification operation is received during the air supply operation, the humidification operation is performed without performing the humidification preparation operation. An air conditioning system (100).

2. A humidification unit (5) having an outside air introduction function of taking in outside air and sending it indoors, and a humidification function of humidifying the taken-in outside air; an air supply fan (54) that conveys the outside air taken in by the humidification unit (5) into the room through an air supply pipe (35); A control unit (16) that controls the outside air introduction function and the humidification function; Equipped with The control unit is a humidification operation for sending the humidified air generated by executing the humidification function of the humidification unit into a room; and a supply air operation in which the humidifying function of the humidifying unit is not performed and the outside air is sent into the room. The humidification unit includes: a humidification rotor (51) including a moisture adsorption section (51a) and a desorption section (51b); A heater (52) for heating the humidification rotor; having The control unit is During the humidification operation, the heater is turned on to humidify the outside air passing through the rotating humidification rotor; During the air supply operation, the heater is turned off, and control is performed so as not to humidify the outside air passing through the rotating humidification rotor. The rotation speed of the humidification rotor during the air supply operation is greater than 0 and is equal to or less than a minimum rotation speed of the humidification rotor during the humidification operation. An air conditioning system (100).

3. The humidification unit includes: a humidification rotor (51) including a moisture adsorption section (51a) and a desorption section (51b); A heater (52) for heating the humidification rotor; having The control unit is During the humidification operation, the heater is turned on to humidify the outside air passing through the rotating humidification rotor; During the air supply operation, the heater is turned off, and control is performed so as not to humidify the outside air passing through the rotating humidification rotor. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

4. The rotation speed of the humidification rotor during the air supply operation is greater than 0 and is equal to or less than a minimum rotation speed of the humidification rotor during the humidification operation.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 3.

5. The humidification unit further includes an adsorption fan (59) for introducing outside air into the humidification rotor to cause the humidification rotor to adsorb moisture, The control unit is During the humidification operation, the adsorption fan is rotated, During the air supply operation, the suction fan is stopped. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The control unit is when the instruction for the air supply operation is received while the humidification operation or the air supply operation is not being performed, a determination is made as to whether or not to perform a drying operation of the air supply pipe based on a temperature difference between an outside air temperature and a room temperature. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The amount of air supplied during the humidification preparatory operation is greater than the amount of air supplied during the air supply operation.

5. An air conditioning system according to claim 1, 3 or 4.

8. The air conditioning system includes: An indoor unit (10) disposed indoors and connected to the air supply pipe; a gas sensor (15) built into the indoor unit for measuring the concentration of the predetermined gas in the room; Further equipped with The air supply operation is performed based on the predetermined gas concentration. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The air conditioning system includes: An indoor unit (10) disposed indoors and connected to the air supply pipe; a gas sensor (15a, 15b) arranged in a room separately from the indoor unit and configured to measure the concentration of the predetermined gas in the room; Further equipped with The air supply operation is performed based on the predetermined gas concentration. An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The gas sensor and the control unit are connected via an external network.

10. The air conditioning system according to claim 9.

11. The air conditioning system further includes an indoor heat exchanger (14). An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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