Humidity control ventilation system

Abstract

To provide a ventilation device with humidity adjusting function which suppresses increase in time to reach target humidity even in the case where an indoor temperature is extremely low or in the case where it is extremely high at the time of starting an operation action, and which can hold comfort in a room.SOLUTION: A heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity adjusting function includes: a humidity adjusting device 6 for performing humidification or dehumidification with respect to a supply airflow 15 from outdoors 3; and a control part 8 for controlling an operation action of the humidity adjusting device 6. Then, when performing control of bringing relative humidity indoors 2 close to target humidity, in the case where an indoor temperature is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature and equal to or lower than a second reference temperature, the control part 8 performs first control for bringing close to the target humidity by using relative humidity indoors 2, and in the case where indoor temperature is smaller than the first reference temperature or larger than a second reference temperature, it performs second control for bringing close to the target humidity by using conversion relative humidity which is specified as the indoor temperature having changed to a third reference temperature set between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation device with a humidity control function for use in a living space or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a heat exchange type ventilator that exchanges heat between an intake air flow and an exhaust air flow during ventilation is known as an apparatus capable of performing ventilation while suppressing a reduction in the cooling or heating effect.

[0003] As such a conventional heat exchange type ventilation device, a heat exchange type ventilation device with humidity control function has been developed, which is configured to provide a humidity control device downstream of the supply air duct through which the supply air flows, and a heater that adjusts the humidity control amount upstream of the humidity control device (for example, Patent Document 1). With such a configuration, humidity-controlled air can be supplied indoors, and a decrease in indoor relative humidity in Japanese winters or an increase in indoor relative humidity in Japanese summers can be suppressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-317997 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a conventional heat exchange type ventilation device with humidity control function, when the indoor relative humidity is controlled to a target relative humidity, if the indoor temperature is extremely low and the relative humidity is high and the operation is started simultaneously with indoor air conditioning, the operation switches to humidification operation when the indoor temperature rises and the relative humidity drops after the dehumidification operation starts, so it takes a long time to reach the target humidity and comfort is lost. Also, if the indoor temperature is extremely high and the relative humidity is low and the operation is started simultaneously with indoor air conditioning, the operation switches to dehumidification operation when the indoor temperature drops and the relative humidity rises after the humidification operation starts, so it takes a long time to reach the target humidity and comfort is lost.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a ventilation device with a humidity control function that can suppress an increase in the time it takes to reach the target humidity and maintain indoor comfort even when the indoor temperature is extremely low or extremely high when operation begins. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve this object, the ventilation device with humidity control function according to the present invention includes an air supply section that supplies outdoor air to the indoors as an air supply flow via an air supply duct, an exhaust section that exhausts indoor air to the outdoors as an exhaust flow via an exhaust duct, a humidity control device provided in the air supply duct that humidifies or dehumidifies the air supply flow, and a control section that controls the operation of the humidity control device. When controlling the indoor relative humidity to approach a target humidity, the control section performs a first control to approach the target humidity using the indoor relative humidity when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature and equal to or lower than a second reference temperature, and performs a second control to approach the target humidity using a converted relative humidity that is specified as the indoor temperature having changed to a third reference temperature set between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature when the indoor temperature is lower than the first reference temperature or higher than the second reference temperature. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a ventilation device with humidity control function can be provided that can suppress an increase in the time required to reach the target humidity and maintain indoor comfort even when the indoor temperature is extremely low or extremely high when starting operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of installation of a heat exchange type ventilator with humidity control function according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a house. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the equipment configuration of a heat exchange type ventilation device with humidity control function. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit in the heat exchange type ventilation device with humidity control function. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the processing section of the control section in the heat exchange type ventilator with humidity control function. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a psychrometric chart for explaining a method of calculating the converted relative humidity. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output capacity value, the rotation output value, and the air conditioning output used in the process performed by the processing unit of the control unit in the heat exchange type ventilator with humidity control function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The ventilation device with humidity control function according to the present invention includes an air supply section that supplies outdoor air as an intake airflow to a room via an intake air duct, an exhaust section that exhausts indoor air as an exhaust airflow to the room via an exhaust air duct, a humidity control device provided in the intake air duct and that humidifies or dehumidifies the intake airflow, and a control section that controls the operation of the humidity control device. When controlling the indoor relative humidity to approach a target humidity, the control section performs a first control to approach the target humidity using the indoor relative humidity when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature and equal to or lower than a second reference temperature, and performs a second control to approach the target humidity using a converted relative humidity that is specified as the indoor temperature having changed to a third reference temperature set between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature when the indoor temperature is lower than the first reference temperature or higher than the second reference temperature.

[0011] According to this configuration, if the indoor temperature is extremely low (lower than the first reference temperature) or extremely high (higher than the second reference temperature) when starting the humidity control operation by the humidity control device, the second control is executed instead of the first control, so that the humidity control device is prevented from switching to the humidification operation when the indoor temperature rises due to indoor air conditioning and the relative humidity falls after starting the dehumidification operation by the humidity control device, or the humidity control device is prevented from switching to the dehumidification operation when the indoor temperature falls due to indoor air conditioning and the relative humidity rises after starting the humidification operation by the humidity control device. This prevents the increase in the time it takes to reach the target humidity in the ventilation device with humidity control function, and makes it possible to maintain indoor comfort.

[0012] In addition, in the ventilation device with humidity control function according to the present invention, the converted relative humidity may be a relative humidity calculated assuming that the indoor temperature has changed to a third reference temperature while maintaining an absolute humidity corresponding to the relative humidity at the indoor temperature. As a result, even if the indoor temperature is extremely low and the relative humidity is high (for example, temperature 5°C, relative humidity 80%) immediately after starting the operation of the humidity control device in winter in Japan, the ventilation device with humidity control function performs the second control to bring the converted relative humidity (relative humidity 23% when the temperature reaches 24°C while the absolute humidity at temperature 5°C and relative humidity 80% remains at 4.3g / kg (DA)) when the temperature rises to the third reference temperature (for example, 24°C) assuming the indoor average temperature in a state where the indoor temperature is kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning) closer to the target humidity (for example, 50%). Therefore, from the start of the humidity control operation, it is possible to determine that humidity is insufficient and perform humidification operation. In addition, even if the indoor temperature is extremely high and the relative humidity is low (for example, temperature 50°C, relative humidity 20%) immediately after starting operation of the humidity control device in the Japanese summer, the ventilation device with humidity control function performs second control to bring the converted relative humidity (relative humidity 83% when the temperature reaches 24°C while the absolute humidity remains 15.6g / kg (DA) at temperature 50°C and relative humidity 20%) closer to the target humidity (for example, 50%) when the temperature drops to a third reference temperature (for example, 24°C) assuming the average indoor temperature when the indoor temperature is kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning), so that it can determine that humidity is excessive from the start of humidity control operation and perform dehumidification operation. In other words, even if the indoor temperature is extremely low or extremely high when starting operation, it can suppress the increase in the time to reach the target humidity and maintain indoor comfort.

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, a heat exchange type ventilation device with humidity control function will be described as an example of a ventilation device with humidity control function.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) First, a heat exchanger-type ventilator with humidity control function 4 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of installation of a heat exchanger-type ventilator with humidity control function 4 according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a house 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the equipment configuration of the heat exchanger-type ventilator with humidity control function 4.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger type ventilator 4 with humidity control function is installed between floors or in the attic of the house 1, and is configured to have a heat exchanger type ventilator 5 and a humidity control device 6. The heat exchanger type ventilator 4 with humidity control function ventilates while exchanging heat between air exhausted from the indoor 2 to the outdoor 3 (exhaust air flow 14) and air supplied from the outdoor 3 to the indoor 2 (supply air flow 15) in the heat exchanger type ventilator 5, and humidifies or dehumidifies the supply air flow 15 as necessary using the humidity control device 6 and introduces it into the indoor 2. In other words, the heat exchanger type ventilator 4 with humidity control function ventilates and transfers the heat of the exhaust air flow 14 to the supply air flow 15 during ventilation, thereby suppressing unnecessary release of heat. Furthermore, the supply air flow 15 is humidified or dehumidified to suppress a decrease in humidity in the indoor 2 in the Japanese winter and an increase in humidity in the indoor 2 in the Japanese summer. The heat exchanger type ventilator 4 with humidity control function corresponds to the "ventilator with humidity control function" in the claims.

[0016] Here, exhaust air flow 14 is an air flow that exhausts air from the indoors 2 to the outdoors 3. The exhaust air flow 14 is first transported from the indoors 2 to the heat exchanger type ventilator 5 through the return air duct 9. The exhaust air flow 14 exchanges heat with the supply air flow 15 in the heat exchanger type ventilator 5, and is exhausted from the heat exchanger type ventilator 5 to the outdoors 3 through the exhaust air duct 10. The return air duct 9 connects each room of the house 1 to the heat exchanger type ventilator 5. The exhaust air duct 10 connects the heat exchanger type ventilator 5 to an exhaust port provided on the exterior wall surface of the house 1.

[0017] The intake airflow 15 is an air flow that introduces the air from the outdoor 3 into the indoor 2. The intake airflow 15 is first transported from the outdoor 3 to the heat exchange type ventilator 5 through the outdoor air duct 11. The intake airflow 15 that has been heat exchanged with the exhaust airflow 14 in the heat exchange type ventilator 5 is transported from the heat exchange type ventilator 5 to the humidity control device 6 through the relay air duct 12. The intake airflow 15 that has been humidified or dehumidified as necessary by the humidity control device 6 is introduced from the humidity control device 6 into the indoor 2 through the intake air duct 13. The outdoor air duct 11 connects an intake air port provided on the outer wall surface of the house 1 to the heat exchange type ventilator 5. The relay air duct 12 is arranged to connect the heat exchange type ventilator 5 and the humidity control device 6. The intake air duct 13 connects the humidity control device 6 to each room of the house 1.

[0018] Next, a specific configuration of the heat exchanger type ventilator 4 with humidity control function will be described with reference to FIG.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the heat exchange type ventilator with humidity control function 4 is configured to include a heat exchange type ventilator 5 and a humidity control device 6. The humidity control device 6 includes an air conditioning unit 7 upstream of a humidifier 6c, and is configured to be controlled by a control unit 8 (see Fig. 3) described later.

[0020] The heat exchange type ventilation device 5 is a device that ventilates while exchanging heat between the indoor air RA (exhaust air flow 14) and the outdoor air OA (supply air flow 15) 3. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the heat exchange type ventilation device 5 includes a return air vent 5a, an exhaust air vent 5b, an outside air vent 5c, an intake air vent 5d, a heat exchange element 5e, a humidity sensor 5f, a temperature sensor 5i, an exhaust fan 5g, and an intake air fan 5h.

[0021] The return air vent 5a is an intake port that takes in the indoor air RA (exhaust air flow 14) from the return air duct 9 (see FIG. 1) into the heat exchange type ventilation device 5. The exhaust air vent 5b is an outlet port that discharges the exhaust air flow 14 from the heat exchange type ventilation device 5 to the exhaust air duct 10 (see FIG. 1) as exhaust air EA. The outside air vent 5c is an intake port that takes in the supply air flow 15 from the outside air duct 11 (see FIG. 1) into the heat exchange type ventilation device 5. The supply air vent 5d is an outlet port that discharges the supply air flow 15 from the heat exchange type ventilation device 5 to the relay air duct 12.

[0022] The heat exchange element 5e is a member for performing heat exchange between the exhaust air flow 14 and the intake air flow 15 (sensible heat exchange for exchanging temperature between the exhaust air flow 14 and the intake air flow 15, or total heat exchange for performing both sensible heat exchange and latent heat exchange for exchanging humidity between the exhaust air flow 14 and the intake air flow 15). The heat exchange element 5e is a total heat exchange element formed of heat transfer paper (heat transfer plate) based on cellulose fiber. However, the material is not limited to this. As the heat transfer plate constituting the heat exchange element 5e, for example, a moisture-permeable resin film based on polyurethane or polyethylene terephthalate, or a paper material based on cellulose fiber, ceramic fiber, or glass fiber can be used. In addition, the heat transfer plate constituting the heat exchange element 5e can be a thin sheet having heat conductivity and a property that gas does not permeate. In this case, the heat exchange element 5e becomes a sensible heat exchange element.

[0023] The humidity sensor 5f is a sensor that detects the humidity of the exhaust air flow 14 taken in through the return air port 5a, and is used as an input signal for the control unit 8, which will be described later. The humidity sensor 5f can also be said to be a sensor that detects the humidity of the air in the room 2. The temperature sensor 5i is a sensor that detects the temperature of the exhaust air flow 14 taken in through the return air port 5a, and is used as an input signal for the control unit 8, which will be described later. The temperature sensor 5i can also be said to be a sensor that detects the humidity of the air in the room 2.

[0024] The exhaust fan 5g is a blower that takes in the exhaust air flow 14 from the return air port 5a and expels it from the exhaust air port 5b. The supply air fan 5h is a blower that takes in the supply air flow 15 from the outside air port 5c and expels it from the supply air port 5d. The exhaust fan 5g corresponds to the "exhaust section" in the claims, and the supply air fan 5h corresponds to the "supply section" in the claims.

[0025] Inside the heat exchange type ventilation device 5, there are formed an internal exhaust air passage that connects the return air port 5a and the exhaust air port 5b, and an internal supply air passage that connects the outside air port 5c and the supply air port 5d.

[0026] When performing heat exchange ventilation, the heat exchange type ventilation device 5 operates the exhaust fan 5g and the intake fan 5h, and exchanges heat in the heat exchange element 5e between the exhaust airflow 14 flowing through the internal exhaust airflow duct and the intake airflow 15 flowing through the internal intake airflow duct. As a result, when performing ventilation, the heat exchange type ventilation device 5 transfers the heat of the exhaust airflow 14 discharged to the outdoor 3 to the intake airflow 15 taken into the indoor 2, suppressing the discharge of unnecessary heat and recovering heat to the indoor 2. As a result, when performing ventilation in the winter in Japan, it is possible to suppress a temperature drop in the indoor 2 caused by air with a low temperature in the outdoor 3. On the other hand, when performing ventilation in the summer in Japan, it is possible to suppress a temperature rise in the indoor 2 caused by air with a high temperature in the outdoor 3.

[0027] Next, the humidity control device 6 will be described. The humidity control device 6 is a device that humidifies or dehumidifies the intake air flow 15 after heat exchange from the heat exchange type ventilation device 5 as necessary. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidity control device 6 includes an intake air inlet 6a, an intake air outlet 6b, a humidifying section 6c, and an air conditioning section 7.

[0028] The supply air inlet 6a is an intake port through which supply airflow 15 is taken from relay airflow 12 into the humidity control device 6. The supply air outlet 6b is an outlet through which supply airflow 15 that has passed through the humidifier 6c is discharged as supply air SA into the supply airflow 13 (see FIG. 1).

[0029] The humidifying section 6c is a unit for humidifying the intake airflow 15 taken in. The humidifying section 6c has a humidifying motor 6d and a humidifying nozzle 6e. The humidifying section 6c is configured as a centrifugal crushing type that rotates the humidifying nozzle 6e using the humidifying motor 6d, sucks up stored water by centrifugal force, scatters, collides, and crushes it in the surroundings (centrifugal direction), and moistens the air passing through. The humidifying section 6c changes the number of rotations (hereinafter, rotation output value) of the humidifying motor 6d in response to an output signal from the control section 8 described later, and adjusts the humidifying capacity (amount of humidification).

[0030] The liquid added to the air by the humidifier 6c may be other than water, and may be, for example, a liquid such as hypochlorous acid water having sterilizing or deodorizing properties. In this case, by adding hypochlorous acid water to the intake air flow 15 and supplying it to the room 2, sterilization or deodorization of the room 2 can be performed.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioning unit 7 is disposed in the humidity control device 6, and is a unit for heating or cooling the introduced supply air flow 15. The air conditioning unit 7 changes the operating state (on / off of heating / cooling / dehumidification operation) in response to an output signal from the control unit 8 described later, and adjusts the heating capacity (amount of heating) or cooling capacity (amount of cooling) for the introduced supply air flow 15. For example, the air conditioning unit 7 is constituted by an indoor unit of a RAC (Room Air Conditioner), and heats or cools the supply air flow 15 as necessary.

[0032] The air conditioning unit 7 may be configured by a combination of multiple heating means and cooling means. An example of the heating means is a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater, which has the characteristic that the current gradually becomes less likely to flow as the temperature rises, and does not consume unnecessary power. An example of the cooling means is a Peltier element, which is capable of transferring heat by passing a current through it.

[0033] Although the detailed control contents will be described later, the heat exchange type ventilator 4 with humidity control function is configured to cool the intake air flow 15 after heat exchange by the air conditioning unit 7 to perform dehumidification when the output capacity value falls below a first reference value. Also, when the output capacity value exceeds a third reference value, the intake air flow 15 after heat exchange is heated by the air conditioning unit 7 placed in front (upstream) of the humidifier 6c to improve the humidification capacity. Here, the output capacity value is a value that serves as an index of the humidity control capacity (amount of humidity control) of the entire heat exchange type ventilator 4 with humidity control function. The output capacity value can also be said to be a value for determining the amount of humidification or dehumidification required for the humidity control device 6 to bring the air in the room 2 closer to the target humidity.

[0034] Next, control during humidity control operation by the heat exchanger type ventilator with humidity control function 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 8 in the heat exchanger type ventilator with humidity control function 4.

[0035] The control unit 8 controls the operation of the humidity control device 6. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 8 has an input unit 8a, a processing unit 8b, an output unit 8c, a memory unit 8d, and a timing unit 8e.

[0036] The input unit 8a receives information regarding the start / end of humidity control operation output from an operation panel 16 installed in the room 2, information regarding the set humidity (target humidity) of the air in the room 2, information regarding the humidity of the air in the room 2 (indoor humidity) output from the humidity sensor 5f of the heat exchanger type ventilation device 5, and information regarding the temperature of the air in the room 2 (indoor temperature) output from the temperature sensor 5i of the heat exchanger type ventilation device 5, and outputs the information to the processing unit 8b.

[0037] The timer unit 8e measures the time and outputs it to the processor 8b.

[0038] The memory unit 8d stores past converted relative humidity, past output capacity values, and calculation parameters, and also receives and stores the current converted relative humidity and current output capacity value output from the processing unit 8b. In addition, the memory unit 8d stores the output capacity values ​​as shown in Fig. 6 described later, in association with the rotation output value and the operating state (air conditioning output) of the air conditioning unit 7 corresponding to each output capacity value. Each piece of stored information is output from the memory unit 8d to the processing unit 8b in response to a request from the processing unit 8b.

[0039] Here, the converted relative humidity is the humidity converted into the relative humidity at a temperature assumed to be maintained at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning so that appropriate dehumidification and humidification can be performed even when the indoor temperature is extreme. As already mentioned, the output capacity value is a value that serves as an index of the humidity control capacity (amount of humidity control) of the entire heat exchanger type ventilator with humidity control function 4. The rotation output value is the rotation speed of the humidification motor 6d. The relationship between the output capacity value, the rotation output value, and the air conditioning output will be described later.

[0040] The processing unit 8b performs a predetermined process at regular time intervals (for example, 5 minutes in this embodiment) based on the time information output from the timer unit 8e. Specifically, the processing unit 8b converts the indoor relative humidity into a converted relative humidity using the past indoor humidity information, past output capacity value, and calculation parameters output from the storage unit 8d, and the current humidity information and current temperature information output from the input unit 8a, and calculates an output capacity value for bringing the converted relative humidity closer to the target humidity. Then, based on the calculated output capacity value, the processing unit 8b determines the rotation output value and air conditioning output (on / off of heating / cooling / dehumidification operation) of the humidity control device 6, and outputs it to the output unit 8c. Details will be described later using a flowchart (see FIG. 4).

[0041] The output unit 8c outputs the rotation output value received from the processing unit 8b to the humidification motor 6d of the humidification unit 6c. The output unit 8c also outputs the air conditioning output information received from the processing unit 8b to the air conditioning unit 7. The humidification motor 6d of the humidification unit 6c then performs a rotation operation according to the rotation output value output from the output unit 8c. The air conditioning unit 7 also starts or ends a heating operation or a dehumidification operation based on the air conditioning output information output from the output unit 8c.

[0042] Here, the control unit 8 has a computer system having a processor and a memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory, causing the computer system to function as a controller. The program executed by the processor is pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system here, but may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

[0043] Next, the control flow performed by the control unit 8 in the heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the control of the control unit 8 in the heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function. Fig. 5 is a psychrometric chart for explaining a method of calculating the converted relative humidity. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output capacity value and the rotation output value used in the control of the control unit 8 in the heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function. In this embodiment, the controllable range of the rotation output value of the humidification motor 6d is 0 rpm and 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm, and the settable range of the output capacity value is "-10" to "25", showing the correlation. Here, in the flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with "S". For example, "S01" indicates a processing step. However, the magnitude of the numerical value indicating the processing step does not relate to the processing order.

[0044] The process performed by the control unit 8 mainly consists of four steps (steps S01 to S04) as shown in FIG. 4, and starts in response to a humidity control operation start signal from the operation panel 16.

[0045] Step S01 is a step for performing processing at a processing interval stored in the memory unit 8d. For example, when the processing interval is 5 minutes, the processing unit 8b repeats time determination while receiving time information output from the timer unit 8e until 5 minutes have elapsed, and proceeds to step S02 when 5 minutes have elapsed. If a humidity control operation end signal is received from the operation panel 16 before 5 minutes have elapsed, the processing ends.

[0046] Step S02 is a step for calculating the converted relative humidity. First, the processing unit 8b judges whether the first and second reference temperatures stored in the memory unit 8d are greater than the indoor temperature input from the input unit 8a (step S02A). Here, the first reference temperature is set to the minimum temperature (e.g., 16°C) of the indoor room 2 that is assumed to be in a state where the indoor room 2 is kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning. The second reference temperature is set to the maximum temperature (e.g., 30°C) of the indoor room 2 that is assumed to be in a state where the indoor room 2 is kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning.

[0047] Then, as the first control, when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the first reference temperature and equal to or lower than the second reference temperature, the processing unit 8b determines that the indoor temperature is kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning, and uses the value of the indoor humidity as it is as the converted relative humidity (YES in step S02A → step S02B). On the other hand, as the second control, when the indoor temperature is lower than the first reference temperature (when it is lower than the first reference temperature) or higher than the second reference temperature (when it exceeds the second reference temperature), the processing unit 8b determines that the indoor temperature is not yet kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning, calculates the indoor relative humidity when the indoor temperature changes to the third reference temperature while the indoor absolute humidity remains unchanged, and specifies it as the converted relative humidity (NO in step S02A → step S02C). Here, the third reference temperature is a temperature set between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature, and is set to the average temperature (for example, 24°C) of the indoor room 2 assumed in a state in which the indoor room 2 is kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning.

[0048] A specific example of a method for calculating the converted relative humidity will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the first reference temperature is set to 16°C, the second reference temperature is set to 30°C, and the third reference temperature is set to 24°C.

[0049] In the first control, for example, when the indoor temperature is 24°C and the indoor humidity is 50%, the indoor temperature is greater than or equal to the first reference temperature (16°C) and less than or equal to the second reference temperature (30°C), so the indoor humidity (50%) is used as the converted relative humidity (YES in step S02A → step S02B).

[0050] On the other hand, in the second control, for example, when the indoor temperature is 5°C and the indoor humidity is 80%, the indoor temperature is lower than the first reference temperature (16°C), so the indoor relative humidity of 23% is calculated when the indoor temperature changes to the third reference temperature (24°C) without changing the indoor absolute humidity (4.3g / kg(DA)), and is specified as the converted relative humidity (NO in step S02A → step S02C). By performing such a calculation, even if the indoor temperature is not yet kept at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning, it is possible to calculate the output capacity value assuming a state in which the indoor temperature is maintained by air conditioning. Also, in the second control, when the indoor temperature is 50°C and the indoor humidity is 20%, the indoor temperature is higher than 30°C, so the indoor relative humidity of 83% is calculated when the indoor temperature changes to the third reference temperature of 24°C without changing the indoor absolute humidity (15.6g / kg(DA)), and is specified as the converted relative humidity (NO in step S02A → step S02C). By performing such a calculation, even if the indoor temperature has not yet been maintained at an appropriate temperature by air conditioning, it is possible to calculate the output capacity value assuming a state in which the indoor temperature is maintained by air conditioning. Note that, as a specific calculation formula in step S02C, for example, the approximation formula shown in the following formula (1) can be used.

[0051] H'=H*10^[1779.75*{1 / (T3+237.3)-1 / (T+237.3)}] ...Equation (1) Here, H' is the converted relative humidity, H is the indoor humidity input from the input unit 8a, T is the indoor temperature input from the input unit 8a, and T3 is the third reference temperature which is a calculation parameter stored in the memory unit 8d. Note that "*" means multiplication in the four arithmetic operations, " / " means division in the four arithmetic operations, and "^" means exponentiation.

[0052] For example, when the indoor humidity H is set to "80", the indoor temperature T is set to "5", and the third reference temperature T3 is set to "24" in formula (1), the converted relative humidity H' can be calculated to be "23". Furthermore, when the indoor humidity H is set to "20", the indoor temperature T is set to "50", and the third reference temperature T3 is set to "24" in formula (1), the converted relative humidity H' can be calculated to be "83".

[0053] Step S03 is a step for updating the output capacity value. Here, the processing unit 8b updates the output capacity value based on each piece of information output from the input unit 8a and the storage unit 8d, and proceeds to step S03. Note that, as a calculation formula used for updating, for example, a speed-type PID (Proportional Integral Differential) control formula shown in the following formula (2) can be used.

[0054] R = R + Kp * [(ΔX0 - ΔX1) +(1 / Ti)*ΔX0+Td*{(ΔX0-ΔX1)-(ΔX1-ΔX2)}] ...Equation (2) where R is the output capacity value, Kp, Ti, and Td are PID parameters that are calculation parameters stored in the memory unit 8d, and ΔX0, ΔX1, and ΔX2 are values ​​based on the current, previous, and second previous "target humidity - converted relative humidity", respectively. Although it depends on the manner of change, generally when the converted relative humidity is lower than the target humidity, ΔX0 takes a positive value and the output capacity value increases. On the other hand, generally when the converted relative humidity is higher than the target humidity, ΔX0 takes a negative value and the output capacity value decreases.

[0055] Step S04 is a step of determining a rotation output value and an air conditioning output value according to the updated output capacity value.

[0056] First, the processing unit 8b judges whether the first reference value stored in the memory unit 8d is larger than the updated output capacity value (step S04A). Then, when the output capacity value is equal to or smaller than the first reference value, the processing unit 8b determines to set the rotation output value to 0 rpm and to set the air conditioning output to dehumidification (YES in step S04A → step S04D). On the other hand, when the output capacity value exceeds the first reference value, the processing unit 8b proceeds to the judgment of step S04B. In this embodiment, the first reference value is set to "-5".

[0057] In step S04B, the processing unit 8b judges whether the second reference value stored in the memory unit 8d is larger than the updated output capacity value. If the output capacity value is smaller than the second reference value, the processing unit 8b determines to set the rotation output value to 0 rpm and turn off the air conditioning output (YES in step S04B → step S04E). On the other hand, if the output capacity value is equal to or larger than the second reference value, the processing unit 8b proceeds to the judgment in step S04C. In this embodiment, the second reference value is set to "5".

[0058] In step S04C, the processing unit 8b judges whether the third reference value stored in the memory unit 8d is greater than or equal to the updated output capacity value. If the output capacity value is equal to or less than the third reference value, the processing unit 8b determines to set the rotation output value to the first rotation output value and to turn off the air conditioning output (YES in step S04C → step S04E). In this embodiment, the third reference value is set to "15".

[0059] On the other hand, when the output capacity value is greater than the third reference value, the processing unit 8b determines to set the rotation output value to the second rotation output value and to set the air conditioning output to heating (NO in step S04C→step S04G).

[0060] The first rotation output value is a value that represents a rotation output value for the output capability value when the output capability value is equal to or greater than the second reference value and equal to or less than the third reference value, as shown in Fig. 6. The second rotation output value is a value that represents a rotation output value for the output capability value when the output capability value exceeds the third reference value, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0061] The process in step S04 will now be described in detail.

[0062] The first reference value is a threshold value of the output capacity value for the humidity control device 6 to perform a dehumidification operation, and the humidity control device 6 performs a dehumidification operation when the output capacity value falls below the first reference value. Specifically, when the indoor humidity is high relative to the target humidity and dehumidification is necessary, the output capacity value decreases according to formula (2). As a result, when the output capacity value falls below the first reference value, the air conditioning output of the air conditioning unit 7 in the humidity control device 6 becomes dehumidifying, and the dehumidification operation is performed (the portion of the output capacity value less than "-5" in FIG. 6).

[0063] The second reference value is a threshold value of the output capacity value for the humidity control device 6 to perform a humidification operation, and the humidity control device 6 performs a humidification operation when the output capacity value is equal to or greater than the second reference value. Specifically, when the indoor humidity is low relative to the target humidity and humidification is necessary, the output capacity value increases according to formula (2). As a result, when the output capacity value becomes equal to or greater than the second reference value, the humidification motor 6d in the humidity control device 6 rotates according to the first rotation output value (the portion of the output capacity value between "5" and "15" in FIG. 6).

[0064] Therefore, when the output capacity value is between the first reference value and the second reference value, the humidity control device 6 is turned off, the air conditioning output of the air conditioning unit 7 is turned off, and the rotation speed of the humidification motor 6d is also zero (the output capacity value part in Figure 6 that is greater than or equal to "-5" and less than "5").

[0065] The third reference value is a threshold value for the output capacity value for the humidity control device 6 to increase the output of the humidification operation by one step, and when the output capacity value exceeds the third reference value, the humidity control device 6 increases the output of the humidification operation by one step. Specifically, when the output capacity value is equal to or greater than the second reference value, but the indoor humidity is still low relative to the target humidity and humidification is necessary, the output capacity value is further increased according to formula (2). As a result, when the output capacity value exceeds the third reference value, the air conditioning output of the air conditioning unit 7 in the humidity control device 6 becomes heating, and the rotation speed of the humidification motor 6d becomes the second rotation output value (the portion of the output capacity value exceeding "15" and not exceeding "25" in FIG. 6). When the air conditioning output of the air conditioning unit 7 becomes heating, the temperature of the supply air flow 15 flowing into the humidification unit 6c increases, and the supply air flow 15 can be further humidified.

[0066] In this embodiment, since the controllable range of the rotation output value of the humidifying motor 6d is 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm, the rotation output value corresponding to the second reference value "5" of the output capacity value is set to 2000 rpm, the rotation output value corresponding to the third reference value "15" is set to 4000 rpm, and the first rotation output value is set by linearly interpolating between them. In addition, when the third reference value is exceeded and the air conditioning output is set to heating to further increase the humidifying capacity by one step, the rotation speed corresponding to the third reference value "15" of the output capacity value is set to 2000 rpm, the rotation speed corresponding to the upper limit value "25" of the output capacity value is set to 4000 rpm, and the second rotation output value is set by linearly interpolating between them.

[0067] Specifically, the first rotation output value is X1=2000+(R-5)*2000, and the second rotation output value is X2=2000+(R-15)*2000. X1 is the first rotation output value, X2 is the second rotation output value, and R is the output capability value.

[0068] As described above, the control unit 8 first uses the temperature information of the room 2 and the humidity information of the room 2 to calculate the converted relative humidity for appropriate dehumidification / humidification even when the temperature of the room 2 is extreme. The control unit 8 then calculates an output capacity value using the converted relative humidity and the target humidity information, determines the need for humidification or dehumidification of the room 2, and outputs the rotation output value of the humidification motor 6d in the humidifier 6c and air conditioning output information of the air conditioner 7. This makes it possible to bring the converted relative humidity of the room 2 closer to the target humidity.

[0069] As described above, according to the heat exchanger-type ventilator 4 with humidity control function according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0070] (1) The heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function includes an intake air fan 5h that supplies the air of the outdoor 3 to the indoor 2 as an intake air flow 15 via an intake air duct, an exhaust fan 5g that exhausts the air of the indoor 2 to the outdoor 3 as an exhaust air flow 14 via an exhaust air duct, a humidity control device 6 that is provided in the intake air duct and humidifies or dehumidifies the intake air flow 15, and a control unit 8 that controls the operation of the humidity control device 6. When controlling the relative humidity of the indoor 2 to approach a target humidity, if the temperature of the indoor 2 is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature and equal to or lower than a second reference temperature, the control unit 8 performs a first control to approach the target humidity using the relative humidity of the indoor 2, and if the temperature of the indoor 2 is lower than the first reference temperature or higher than the second reference temperature, the control unit 8 performs a second control to approach the target humidity using a converted relative humidity that is specified as the temperature of the indoor 2 having changed to a third reference temperature set between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature.

[0071] As a result, if the indoor temperature is extremely low (lower than the first reference temperature) or extremely high (higher than the second reference temperature) when starting a humidity control operation by the humidity control device 6, the second control is executed instead of the first control, so that switching to humidification operation is suppressed when the indoor temperature rises and the relative humidity drops due to indoor air conditioning after starting a dehumidification operation by the humidity control device 6, or switching to dehumidification operation is suppressed when the indoor temperature falls and the relative humidity rises due to indoor air conditioning after starting a humidification operation by the humidity control device 6. As a result, in the heat exchange type ventilator 4 with humidity control function, an increase in the time to reach the target humidity is suppressed, and the comfort of the room 2 can be maintained.

[0072] (2) In the heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function, the converted relative humidity is set to the relative humidity calculated assuming that the temperature of the indoor space 2 has changed to the third reference temperature while maintaining the absolute humidity corresponding to the relative humidity at the temperature of the indoor space 2. As a result, even if the temperature of the indoor space 2 is extremely low and the relative humidity is high (for example, temperature 5°C and relative humidity 80%) immediately after starting operation of the humidity control device 6 in winter in Japan, the heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function controls the relative humidity when the temperature rises to the third reference temperature (for example, 24°C) assumed as normal temperature (relative humidity 23% when the temperature reaches 24°C while the absolute humidity remains at 4.3g at temperature 5°C and relative humidity 80%) to approach the target humidity (for example, 50%), and can determine that humidity is insufficient from the start of humidity control operation and perform humidification operation. In addition, even if the temperature of the indoor space 2 is extremely high and the relative humidity is low (for example, temperature 50°C and relative humidity 20%) immediately after the humidity control device 6 starts operating in the Japanese summer, the heat exchanger type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function controls the relative humidity (relative humidity 83% when the temperature is 24°C with absolute humidity 15.6g at temperature 50°C and relative humidity 20%) when the temperature drops to a third reference temperature (for example, 24°C) assumed as normal temperature) to approach the target humidity (for example, 50%) from the start of the humidity control operation, so that it can determine that the humidity is excessive and perform dehumidification operation. In other words, even if the indoor temperature is extremely low or extremely high, the heat exchanger type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function can suppress the increase in the time to reach the target humidity and maintain the comfort of the indoor space 2.

[0073] In addition, when humidity control is performed using absolute humidity, it is possible to quickly control the indoor absolute humidity to the target absolute humidity regardless of the temperature of the room 2. However, in this case, it is possible to set the target absolute humidity so that the target relative humidity is achieved at the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning. However, depending on the air conditioning of the room 2, the indoor temperature may stabilize at a temperature different from the set temperature. For example, if the temperature of the room 2 stabilizes at a temperature higher than the set temperature, the relative humidity of the room 2 decreases, resulting in a loss of comfort. Even in such a case, the heat exchanger type ventilator 4 with humidity control function can be a heat exchanger type ventilator 4 with humidity control function that can maintain the comfort of the room 2 while suppressing an increase in the time required to reach the target humidity.

[0074] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, 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 invention.

[0075] In the heat exchange type ventilation device 4 with humidity control function according to the first embodiment, a centrifugal crushing type is used as the humidification section 6c constituting the humidity control device 6, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the humidification section 6c may be an ultrasonic type that scatters water droplets by ultrasonic waves, a heating type that generates water vapor by heating, an evaporation type that evaporates moisture by passing air through a filter or the like wet with water, or a combination of these. When these are adopted, the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves, the amount of heat, and the amount of moisture dripped onto the filter may be used as parameter values ​​corresponding to the output capacity value. [Industrial Applicability]

[0076] The heat exchange type ventilation device with humidity control function of the present invention is capable of suppressing the increase in the time required to reach the target humidity and maintaining indoor comfort even when the indoor temperature is extremely low or extremely high when starting operation, and is therefore useful as a ventilation device with humidity control function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 house 2. Indoors 3. Outdoors 4. Heat exchange ventilation system with humidity control function 5. Heat exchange ventilation system 5a Return air port 5b Exhaust port 5c Outside air vent 5d air supply port 5e Heat exchange element 5f Humidity Sensor 5g exhaust fan 5h Intake fan 5i Temperature Sensor 6 Humidity control device 6a Air intake inlet 6b Air supply outlet 6c Humidifying section 6d Humidification motor 6e Humidification nozzle 7. Air Conditioning Section 8. Control Unit 8a Input section 8b Processing section 8c Output section 8d storage section 8e Timekeeping section 9 Return air duct 10 Exhaust duct 11 Outside air passage 12 Relay air duct 13 Air supply duct 14 Exhaust flow 15 Intake air flow 16 Operation Panel

Claims

[Claim 1] an air supply unit that supplies outdoor air as an air supply flow to the indoors via an air supply duct; an exhaust unit that exhausts indoor air to the outside as an exhaust flow via an exhaust air duct; a humidity control device provided in the supply air duct for humidifying or dehumidifying the supply air flow; A control unit that controls an operation of the humidity control device; Equipped with The control unit, when controlling the indoor relative humidity to approach a target humidity, performs a first control to approach the target humidity using the indoor relative humidity when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature and equal to or lower than a second reference temperature, and performs a second control to approach the target humidity using a converted relative humidity that is specified as if the indoor temperature has changed to a third reference temperature that is set between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature when the indoor temperature is lower than the first reference temperature or higher than the second reference temperature, without changing the indoor absolute humidity corresponding to the relative humidity at the indoor temperature. This ventilation device with a humidity control function is characterized in that

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