Ventilation Control System

Abstract

To provide a technology of securing a ventilation rate efficiently.SOLUTION: A ventilator 20 replaces air inside and outside a target area. An air conditioner 30 has an HEPA filter 34. A controller 40 instructs the ventilator 20 and the air conditioner 30 to operate. The air conditioner 30 has a circulating air passage that suctions in air in the area, purifies the same by the HEPA filter 34, and then blows the same out into the area to circulate the same. The controller 40 instructs the ventilator 20 and the air conditioner 30 to operate so that a sum of an outside air volume per unit time introduced by the ventilator 20 and a return air volume per unit time circulated in the circulation air passage by the air conditioner 30 becomes equal to or higher than a threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ventilation control technology, and more particularly to a ventilation control system for controlling ventilation in a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] In an air conditioning system for a highly insulated, airtight house with multiple rooms, the air conditioning in at least one independently installed air-conditioned room is controlled, and the conditioned air is transported from the air-conditioned room to each room (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO 19 / 107163 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Measures to prevent infectious diseases are urgently needed. As a measure to prevent infectious diseases, a guideline of two ventilation times per hour has been issued. Here, the ventilation rate is the number of times that all the air in an area (room) is replaced with outside air. If two ventilation times were to be achieved using only ventilation fans, the air volume would be excessive, increasing the air conditioning load, making it difficult to achieve.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technique for efficiently ensuring the ventilation rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a ventilation control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a ventilation device that exchanges air between the inside and outside of a target area, an air conditioner having a dust collecting filter, and a control device that instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioner to operate. The air conditioner has a circulation air path that draws in air within the area, purifies it using the dust collecting filter, and then blows it out into the area to circulate it. The control device controls the volume of outside air per unit time introduced by the ventilation device and the volume of air flow per unit time of the air conditioner. It passes through the dust collection filter at The total of the return air volume per unit time circulated through the circulation air duct is Required air volume for a given ventilation frequency In order to achieve the above, instructions are given to the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the ventilation rate can be efficiently ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a house according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3(a)-(b) are diagrams showing the data structure of a table stored in the storage unit of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining an air volume by the control device of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a house according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of a table stored in a storage unit in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Example 1 Before specifically describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be described. This embodiment relates to an air conditioning system that is installed in a facility such as a house and performs whole-building air conditioning for the facility. As described above, as a measure to prevent infectious diseases, the ventilation frequency for replacing the air in the facility with outside air is set to twice per hour. If the ventilation frequency is realized by only the ventilation device, the air volume becomes excessive and the air conditioning load increases, making it difficult to achieve. The air conditioning system according to this embodiment circulates air purified by a HEPA filter in the facility, and replaces a part of the air volume of the air to be ventilated with the air volume of the circulated air. In other words, ventilation is performed so that the total value of the air volume of the circulated air and the air volume of the ventilated air is equal to or more than two ventilations per hour. In the following description, the air volume indicates the air volume per unit time, for example, per hour.

[0011] The examples described below each show a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, as well as the steps (processes) and the order of the steps shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, those components that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a house 100. An air conditioning system including a ventilator 20, an air conditioner 30, and a control device 40 is arranged in the house 100. The air conditioning system is also called a ventilation control system, a ventilation system, or a central air conditioning system. The house 100 includes a first area 10a and a second area 10b collectively referred to as an area 10. The area 10 is, for example, a room, a living room, a dining room, or a kitchen. The number of areas 10 included in the house 100 is not limited to "2", and the house 100 may be a facility including a non-residential building.

[0013] An outside air inlet (not shown) is installed on the exterior wall of the house 100. An outside air duct 50 extends from the outside air inlet toward the inside of the house 100. The outside air duct 50 is also called an outside air introduction duct. The outside air duct 50 is connected to the ventilation device 20. An outside air introduction fan (not shown) is installed in the ventilation device 20, and the outside air 60 is taken in from the outside air inlet by the rotation of the outside air introduction fan, and the outside air 60 flows into the ventilation device 20 through the outside air duct 50. The outside air duct 50 further extends from the ventilation device 20 and is connected to a first circulation duct 54a, and causes the outside air 60 from the ventilation device 20 to flow into the first circulation duct 54a.

[0014] An exhaust air duct 52 is also connected to the ventilation device 20. The exhaust air duct 52 is also called an exhaust duct. The exhaust air duct 52 extends from each area 10 toward the outer wall of the house 100 via the ventilation device 20. An exhaust port (not shown) is installed in the outer wall of the house 100, and the exhaust air duct 52 is connected to the exhaust port. The ventilation device 20 exhausts exhaust air 62 from the exhaust port through the exhaust air duct 52 by rotation of an exhaust fan (not shown). In this way, the exhaust air duct 52 collects the exhaust air 62 from the first area 10a and the second area 10b, and exhausts the exhaust air 62 to the outdoors from one exhaust port. As a result, the ventilation device 20 ventilates the first area 10a and the second area 10b, which are different from each other, and the air inside and outside the area 10 is replaced. Heat exchange may be performed in the ventilation device 20.

[0015] Inside the house 100, a first circulation air duct 54a extending from each area 10 to the air conditioner 30 and a second circulation air duct 54b extending from the air conditioner 30 to each area 10 are installed. The first circulation air duct 54a is also called a return air duct, and the second circulation air duct 54b is also called an intake air duct. The air duct connecting the first circulation air duct 54a and the second circulation air duct 54b is configured in a ring shape. The first circulation air duct 54a and the second circulation air duct 54b are collectively called the circulation air duct 54. Return air 64 from each area 10 flows into the first circulation air duct 54a. As described above, since the first circulation air duct 54a is connected to the outdoor air duct 50, the return air 64 is mixed with the outdoor air 60.

[0016] A mixture of return air 64 and outside air 60 flows into the air conditioner 30 from the first circulation air duct 54a. The air conditioner 32 of the air conditioner 30 controls the conditioning of the mixture of return air 64 and outside air 60. The air conditioner 32 cools or heats the mixture of return air 64 and outside air 60 so that the air temperature becomes a set target temperature. The target temperature is set by the control device 40. The air conditioner 32 may have a humidification and dehumidification function.

[0017] Air from the air conditioner 32 flows into a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) 34. The HEPA filter 34 is an air filter that removes dirt, dust, and the like from the air conditioned by the air conditioner 32 and outputs purified air. The air that has passed through the HEPA filter 34 is output as air from the air conditioner 30 by a blower (not shown) included in the air conditioner 30. The air volume of the blower can be controlled by a control device 40 described below.

[0018] In order for the air conditioner 30 to control the temperature in the first area 10a and the second area 10b, the second circulation air duct 54b is connected to the air conditioner 30. The second circulation air duct 54b extends to the first area 10a and the second area 10b. An air outlet (not shown) is provided in each of the first area 10a and the second area 10b, and each air outlet is connected to the second circulation air duct 54b. The supply air 66 output from the air conditioner 30 passes through the second circulation air duct 54b and is blown out from the air outlet to the area 10. A first damper 12a is installed at the air outlet of the first area 10a, and a second damper 12b is installed at the air outlet of the second area 10b. The first damper 12a and the second damper 12b are collectively referred to as damper 12, and the damper 12 adjusts the opening degree to adjust the air volume of the supply air 66 blown out from the air outlet to the area 10. The opening degrees of the first damper 12a and the second damper 12b are controlled by a control device 40.

[0019] An intake port (not shown) is provided in each of the first area 10a and the second area 10b, and each intake port is connected to the first circulation air duct 54a. By operation of the air conditioner 30, the return air 64 from each area 10 flows into the first circulation air duct 54a from the intake port. Subsequently, the return air 64 is sucked into the air conditioner 30 through the first circulation air duct 54a as described above. In other words, the circulation air duct 54 allows the air conditioner 30 to suck in the air in the area 10, purify it with the HEPA filter 34, and then blow it out into the area 10 to circulate it.

[0020] A dirt sensor 70 is installed in the first area 10a. The dirt sensor 70 is a sensor for detecting dirt in the air in the first area 10a, and is, for example, a dust sensor or a gas sensor. Since the dirt sensor 70 may use a known technology, a description thereof will be omitted here. The dirt sensor 70 may be installed in the second area 10b, or may be installed in both the first area 10a and the second area 10b. The dirt sensor 70 has a communication function such as wireless communication, and transmits the detected air dirt value to the control device 40.

[0021] The control device 40 is a system controller that controls the entire air conditioning system. The control device 40 includes an IF unit 42, a control unit 44, and a memory unit 46. The IF unit 42 is communicatively connected to the damper 12, the ventilator 20, the air conditioning device 30, and the dirt sensor 70 via wireless communication. Connecting via wireless communication eliminates the need for complicated wiring work. However, at least some of these may be communicatively connected via wired communication. The IF unit 42 receives the air pollution value from the dirt sensor 70.

[0022] The control unit 44 determines the control contents for the ventilation device 20, the air conditioning device 30, and the damper 12 based on the received air pollution value. The IF unit 42 transmits a control signal including the determined control contents to the ventilation device 20, the air conditioning device 30, and the damper 12. This corresponds to instructing the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30 to operate, and instructing the opening degree of the damper 12. The memory unit 46 stores predetermined information.

[0023] To explain the details of the control device 40, Fig. 2 is also used here. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the control unit 44. The control unit 44 includes a ventilation control unit 200 and an air conditioner control unit 202. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the control details of the ventilation device 20, and the air conditioner control unit 202 determines the control details of the air conditioner 30 and the damper 12.

[0024] The air conditioner control unit 202 receives the air pollution value detected by the pollution sensor 70 from the IF unit 42. The air conditioner control unit 202 determines the return air volume based on the air pollution value by referring to a table stored in the storage unit 46. Figures 3(a)-(b) show the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 46. As shown in Figure 3(a), the pollution value and the return air volume are associated with each other. Here, the larger the pollution value, the larger the return air volume is. Figure 3(b) will be described later, returning to Figure 2. The return air volume is the volume of the return air 64, and is adjusted by adjusting the volume of the air conditioner 30, adjusting the opening degree of the damper 12, or adjusting a combination of these. For example, the opening degree of the damper 12 may be a fixed value, and the air volume of the air conditioner 30 may be determined according to the determined return air volume. Alternatively, the air volume of the air conditioner 30 may be a fixed value, and the opening degree of the damper 12 may be determined according to the determined return air volume.

[0025] The memory unit 46 stores a total airflow setting value for satisfying a prescribed value, for example, a ventilation frequency of two times per hour. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outdoor airflow by subtracting the return airflow determined by the air conditioner control unit 202 from the total airflow setting value stored in the memory unit 46. The outdoor airflow may be greater than the value obtained by subtracting the return airflow from the total airflow setting value. The outdoor airflow is the airflow of outdoor air 60, which is equivalent to the exhaust airflow, which is the airflow of exhaust 62. The outdoor airflow or exhaust airflow is adjusted by adjusting the airflow of the ventilation device 20.

[0026] The control unit 44 outputs a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a "first control signal") for instructing the air volume of the air conditioner 30 and the opening degree of the damper 12 determined by the air conditioner control unit 202 to the IF unit 42. The control unit 44 outputs a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a "second control signal") for instructing the air volume of the ventilation device 20 determined by the ventilation control unit 200 to the IF unit 42. The IF unit 42 transmits the first control signal to the air conditioner 30 and the damper 12, and transmits the second control signal to the ventilation device 20. This corresponds to instructing the damper 12, the ventilation device 20, and the air conditioner 30 to operate so that the sum of the outdoor air volume per unit time introduced by the ventilation device 20 and the return air volume per unit time circulated by the air conditioner 30 to the circulation air duct 54 is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0027] The subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the function of the subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure. The computer includes a processor that operates according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The type of the processor does not matter as long as it can realize the function by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into one device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive. The program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0028] The operation of the air conditioning system configured as above will now be described. Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure for determining the air volume by the control device 40. The air conditioner control unit 202 acquires a contamination value (S10) and determines the return air volume based on the contamination value (S12). The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outside air volume by subtracting the return air volume from the total air volume setting value (S14).

[0029] According to this embodiment, the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30 are instructed to operate so that the sum of the outdoor air volume per unit time and the return air volume per unit time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, so that the specified ventilation frequency can be shared between the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30. In addition, since the specified ventilation frequency is shared between the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30, the load on the ventilation device 20 can be reduced. In addition, since the load on the ventilation device 20 is reduced, the ventilation frequency can be efficiently ensured. In addition, since the return air volume is determined according to the air pollution value, the return air volume for reducing the air pollution value can be ensured. In addition, since the outdoor air volume is determined based on the return air volume, the ventilation frequency can be efficiently ensured while reducing the air pollution value.

[0030] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A ventilation control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a ventilation device (20) that exchanges air between inside and outside a target area, an air conditioner (30) having a dust collection filter (34), and a control device (40) that instructs the ventilation device (20) and the air conditioner (30) to operate. The air conditioner (30) has a circulation air duct (54) that draws in air within the area, purifies it using the dust collection filter (34), and then blows it out into the area to circulate it. The control device (40) instructs the ventilation device (20) and the air conditioner (30) to operate so that the sum of the amount of outside air per unit time introduced by the ventilation device (20) and the amount of return air per unit time circulated to the circulation air duct (54) by the air conditioner (30) is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0031] The dust collection filter (34) may be a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter (34).

[0032] The control device (40) may include a ventilation control unit (200) that controls the ventilation device (20), and an air conditioner control unit (202) that controls the air conditioner (30). The air conditioner control unit (202) may receive an air pollution level detected by the pollution sensor (70) and determine a return air volume in accordance with the air pollution level, and the ventilation control unit (200) may determine an outside air volume based on the return air volume determined by the air conditioner control unit (202).

[0033] Example 2 Next, a second embodiment will be described. As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment relates to an air conditioning system that performs central air conditioning for a facility. In the first embodiment, the return air volume is determined based on the air pollution value, and then the outdoor air volume is determined based on the return air volume. In the second embodiment, the outdoor air volume is determined based on the CO2 concentration, and then the return air volume is determined based on the outdoor air volume. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the house 100. FIG. 5 is shown in the same manner as FIG. 1. A first CO2 sensor 72a is arranged in the first area 10a, and a second CO2 sensor 72b is arranged in the second area 10b. The first CO2 sensor 72a and the second CO2 sensor 72b are collectively referred to as the CO2 sensor 72. Each CO2 sensor 72 is a sensor for detecting the CO2 concentration in the area 10, and since a known technology may be used for the CO2 sensor 72, a description thereof will be omitted here. Each CO2 sensor 72 has a communication function such as wireless communication, and transmits the detected CO2 concentration to the control device 40.

[0035] The ventilation control unit 200 of the control device 40 shown in FIG. 2 receives the CO2 concentrations detected by each of the multiple CO2 sensors 72 from the IF unit 42. The ventilation control unit 200 selects the maximum CO2 concentration from the multiple CO2 concentrations. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outdoor air volume based on the maximum CO2 concentration by referring to a table stored in the memory unit 46. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the CO2 concentration and the outdoor air volume are associated with each other. Here, the outdoor air volume is increased as the CO2 concentration increases. Return to FIG. 2.

[0036] The memory unit 46 stores a total airflow setting value for satisfying a prescribed value, for example, a ventilation frequency of two times per hour. The air conditioner control unit 202 determines the return airflow rate by subtracting the outside airflow rate determined by the ventilation control unit 200 from the total airflow setting value stored in the memory unit 46. The return airflow rate may be greater than the value obtained by subtracting the outside airflow rate from the total airflow setting value.

[0037] 5, each CO2 sensor 72 is installed in an area 10. However, one CO2 sensor 72 may be installed near the exhaust port of exhaust air duct 52. In this case, CO2 sensor 72 detects the CO2 concentration near the exhaust port. Ventilation control unit 200 determines the outside air volume based on the CO2 concentration from CO2 sensor 72. In this case, even if there is a difference in CO2 concentration between areas 10, the air conditioning device 30 will level it out.

[0038] Also, the control unit 44 of the control device 40 in FIG. 5 may estimate the number of people in the area 10 based on the received CO2 concentration by referring to a table stored in the memory unit 46. FIG. 6 shows the data structure of the table stored in the memory unit 46. As shown in the figure, the CO2 concentration and the number of people are associated with each other. Here, the higher the CO2 concentration, the higher the number of people. The ventilation control unit 200 in FIG. 2 receives the estimated number of people from the control unit 44. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outdoor air volume according to the number of people in the room so that the outdoor air volume increases as the number of people in the room increases. The return air volume is determined in the same manner.

[0039] According to this embodiment, since the outdoor air volume is determined according to the CO2 concentration, the outdoor air volume for reducing the CO2 concentration can be secured. Moreover, since the return air volume is determined based on the outdoor air volume, the ventilation frequency can be efficiently secured while reducing the CO2 concentration. Moreover, since the outdoor air volume is determined according to the maximum CO2 concentration among the CO2 concentrations detected by each of the multiple CO2 sensors 72, the CO2 concentration in each area 10 can be reduced. Moreover, since the outdoor air volume is determined according to the number of people in the room, the outdoor air volume for reducing the CO2 concentration can be secured.

[0040] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. The control device (40) may include a ventilation control unit (200) that controls the ventilation device (20) and an air conditioner control unit (202) that controls the air conditioner (30). The ventilation control unit (200) may receive the indoor CO2 concentration detected by the CO2 sensor (72) and determine an outside air volume in accordance with the CO2 concentration, and the air conditioner control unit (202) may determine a return air volume based on the outside air volume determined by the ventilation control unit (200).

[0041] The region may include a plurality of rooms. A CO2 sensor (72) may be installed in each room, and the ventilation control unit (200) may determine the volume of outside air according to the maximum CO2 concentration among the CO2 concentrations detected by the plurality of CO2 sensors (72).

[0042] The control device (40) may include a ventilation control unit (200) that controls the ventilation device (20) and an air conditioner control unit (202) that controls the air conditioning device (30). The ventilation control unit (200) may receive the estimated number of people in the area and determine an outdoor air volume in accordance with the number of people in the area, and the air conditioner control unit (202) may determine a return air volume based on the outdoor air volume determined by the ventilation control unit (200).

[0043] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] The storage unit 46 in the first and second embodiments is included in the control device 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the storage unit 46 may be connected to the control device 40 as a storage device. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of the configuration can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 area, 12 damper, 20 ventilation device, 30 air conditioning device, 32 air conditioner, 34 HEPA filter (dust collection filter), 40 control device, 42 IF unit, 44 control unit, 46 memory unit, 50 outdoor air duct, 52 exhaust air duct, 54 circulation air duct, 60 outdoor air, 62 exhaust, 64 return air, 66 supply air, 70 dirt sensor, 72 CO2 sensor, 100 housing, 200 ventilation control unit, 202 air conditioner control unit.

Claims

1. A ventilation system for exchanging air between the inside and outside of the area; An air conditioner having a dust collection filter; A control device that instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate, The air conditioner has a circulation air duct that draws in air within the area, purifies the air by the dust collection filter, and then blows the air out into the area to circulate the air, The control device replaces a portion of the ventilation air volume with the return air volume so that the sum of the outside air volume per unit time introduced by the ventilation device and the return air volume per unit time that passes through a dust collecting filter in the air conditioning device and circulates to the circulation air duct is equal to or greater than the ventilation air volume, which is the amount of air to be replaced with the outside air at a specified ventilation frequency, and sets the remainder of the ventilation air volume as the outside air volume, and instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate.

2. The ventilation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the particulate filter is a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

3. The control device includes: A ventilation control unit that controls the ventilation device; An air conditioner control unit that controls the air conditioner, The air conditioner control unit is The air pollution value such as dirt, dust, dust, CO2, etc. detected by the pollution sensor is received, The return air volume is determined according to the air pollution value, The ventilation control unit determines the outside air volume as the value obtained by subtracting the return air volume from the ventilation air volume based on the return air volume determined by the air conditioner control unit.

4. The control device includes: A ventilation control unit that controls the ventilation device; An air conditioner control unit that controls the air conditioner, The ventilation control unit is A CO2 concentration in the room detected by the CO2 sensor is received; The outside air volume is determined according to the CO2 concentration. The ventilation control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air conditioner control unit determines the return air volume as a value obtained by subtracting the outdoor air volume from the ventilation air volume based on the outdoor air volume determined by the ventilation control unit.

5. the area includes a plurality of rooms; The CO2 sensor is installed in each room, The ventilation control system according to claim 4 , wherein the ventilation control unit determines the outside air volume according to a maximum CO 2 concentration among the CO 2 concentrations detected by each of the plurality of CO 2 sensors.

6. The control device includes: A ventilation control unit that controls the ventilation device; An air conditioner control unit that controls the air conditioner, The ventilation control unit is Accepting the estimated number of occupants in the area; The outdoor air volume is determined according to the number of people in the area; The ventilation control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air conditioner control unit determines the return air volume as a value obtained by subtracting the outdoor air volume from the ventilation air volume based on the outdoor air volume determined by the ventilation control unit.

Images