Air Conditioning System

Abstract

Prevents bacteria from entering the air conditioner. [Solution] The air conditioning system comprises an air conditioner, a flow path, an air blowing system, and a sterilization and deodorization device. The air conditioner is installed in an installation space above or below a specified floor space. The flow path passes air from an intake port that opens into the floor space to the air conditioner. The air blowing system blows air from within the installation space to the floor space. The sterilization and deodorization device is installed in the middle of the flow path in the longitudinal direction, and sterilizes and deodorizes the air that passes from the intake port to the air conditioner.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Some air conditioning systems include an air conditioner and a sterilization and deodorization device. The air conditioner conditions the air in a specific air-conditioned space. The sterilization and deodorization device is installed in the air-conditioned space and sterilizes and deodorizes the air in the air-conditioned space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-33721 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to such an air conditioning system, air conditioning can be performed by the air conditioner, and sterilization and deodorization can be performed by the sterilization and deodorization device. However, the present inventors have noticed the following problems.

[0005] That is, since the sterilization and deodorization device is located outside the air conditioner, in some cases, the air conditioner may first diffuse bacteria and viruses into the air-conditioned space, and then the sterilization and deodorization device may sterilize and deodorize the air in the air-conditioned space. Also, once bacteria and viruses are taken into the air conditioner, they may multiply inside the air conditioner. As a result, the efficiency of sterilization and deodorization may decrease.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to efficiently perform sterilization and deodorization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure comprises: An air conditioner installed in an installation space above or below a specified floor space; A flow path that passes air from an intake port that opens to the predetermined floor space to the air conditioner; A ventilation system that blows air in the installation space to the predetermined floor space; a sterilization and deodorization device that is installed in a longitudinal intermediate portion of the flow path and that sterilizes and deodorizes the air that passes from the air intake port to the air conditioner; Equipped with. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a house in which an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. [Diagram 2] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the house in winter. [Diagram 3] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the house in summer. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram showing the flow path and the sterilization and deodorization device shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the X+ side. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sterilization and deodorization device. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization and deodorization device. [Figure 8] 1 is a graph showing the transition of bacterial counts. [Figure 9] 1 is a graph showing the transition of odor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] [First embodiment] As shown in Fig. 1, an air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment is installed in a detached house 300. In addition to the air conditioning system 100, a ventilation system 200 is also provided in the house 300.

[0011] Hereinafter, the two directions that are perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane will be referred to as the "X direction" and the "Y direction." Furthermore, one side in the X direction will be referred to as the "X- side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "X+ side." Furthermore, one side in the Y direction will be referred to as the "Y- side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "Y+ side."

[0012] Inside the house 300, from the bottom up, there are formed an underfloor space Sa, a first floor space S1, an inter-floor space Sb, and a second floor space S2. The underfloor space Sa is a space formed under the floor of the first floor. The first floor space S1 is a space formed between the floor surface of the first floor and the ceiling surface of the first floor. The "first floor space S1" may be read as a "predetermined floor space". The inter-floor space Sb is a space formed between the first floor and the second floor. The "inter-floor space Sb" may be read as an "installation space". The second floor space S2 is a space formed between the floor surface of the second floor and the ceiling surface of the second floor. The "second floor space S2" may be read as an "another floor space".

[0013] Hereinafter, the first floor space S1 and the second floor space S2 will be referred to as "floor spaces S1, S2." Most of the floor spaces S1, S2 are residential spaces Ls. However, the first floor space S1 includes the machine room Ms in addition to the residential spaces Ls. The residential spaces Ls referred to here include, for example, the entrance, hallway, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, toilet, stairs, living room, bedroom, and other rooms.

[0014] The ventilation system 200 includes an intake path 220, an exhaust path 280, and a heat exchanger 250. The heat exchanger 250 is provided in a machine room Ms. In the first floor space S1, a gap 25 is provided between the machine room Ms and the living space Ls, connecting the two. This allows air from the living space Ls to flow into the machine room Ms.

[0015] The intake path 220 passes through the heat exchanger 250 from the outdoors and then extends to the inter-floor space Sb. The exhaust path 280 extends from each of the underfloor space Sa and the machine room Ms, merges therewith, passes through the heat exchanger 250, and extends to the outdoors.

[0016] A fan is provided in the heat exchange device 250. Therefore, the ventilation system 200 is configured to be able to take in outdoor air from the intake path 220 into the inter-floor space Sb, and to exhaust air from the underfloor space Sa and the living space Ls to the outdoors through the exhaust path 280.

[0017] The heat exchange device 250 exchanges heat between the air passing through the exhaust path 280 and the air passing through the intake path 220 .

[0018] The air conditioning system 100 is a central air conditioning system that conditions all or substantially all of the living spaces Ls in the floor spaces S1 and S2. The air conditioning system 100 includes an intake port 20, a first flow path 30, a sterilization and deodorization device 40, a second flow path 50, an air conditioner 60, and a blower system 70. Hereinafter, the first flow path 30 and the second flow path 50 are referred to as "flow paths 30, 50."

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, the intake port 20 opens from the machine room Ms toward the living space Ls in the first floor space S1. The first flow path 30 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40 are installed in the machine room Ms. The second flow path 50 is installed in an area spanning the machine room Ms and the inter-floor space Sb. The air conditioner 60 and the ventilation system 70 are installed in the inter-floor space Sb.

[0020] Specifically, the first flow path 30 connects the suction port 20 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40. The second flow path 50 connects the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and the air conditioner 60. Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is installed in the middle of the flow paths 30, 50 in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the second flow path 50 is longer than the first flow path 30. Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is installed closer to the suction port 20 than the center of the flow paths 30, 50 in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the flow paths 30, 50 extend from the suction port 20 to the air conditioner 60 via the sterilization and deodorization device 40, and pass the air of the living space Ls in the first floor space S1 to the air conditioner 60.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 7, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 includes a housing 41, an ultraviolet ray generator 42, and a photocatalyst 45. The ultraviolet ray generator 42 and the photocatalyst 45 are installed inside the housing 41. As shown in Fig. 6, the housing 41 is provided with an opening 47 for replacing the photocatalyst 45. A rubber-like packing material 48 is attached to the opening 47 via an attachment member 49 so as to prevent leakage of ultraviolet rays Uv. A specific example of the material for the packing material 48 is EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber).

[0022] As shown in Fig. 7, air that flows into the sterilization and deodorization device 40 from the first flow path 30 passes through the photocatalyst 45 and then flows out into the second flow path 50. At that time, the ultraviolet ray generator 42 irradiates the photocatalyst 45 with ultraviolet rays Uv, such as ultraviolet-C waves. When the photocatalyst 45 receives the ultraviolet rays Uv, an oxidizing power is generated on the surface. Harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses that come into contact with the photocatalyst 45 are decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by the oxidizing power. Through the above mechanism, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 sterilizes and deodorizes the air supplied to the air conditioner 60 from the intake port 20.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the suction port 20 penetrates the wall between the machine room Ms and the living space Ls in the X direction. The first flow path 30 includes a suction chamber 32 and a conduit 35. The suction chamber 32 is installed in a position adjacent to the suction port 20 in the machine room Ms. Specifically, the suction chamber 32 is provided on the X-side of the suction port 20. The conduit 35 extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the conduit 35 is connected to the upper surface of the suction chamber 32, and the upper end of the conduit 35 is connected to the lower surface of the sterilization and deodorization device 40. In other words, the conduit 35 connects the suction chamber 32 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40.

[0024] As a result, air drawn into the intake port 20 flows into the intake chamber 32 on the X-side. The conduit 35 extends upward from the intake chamber 32. As a result, the first flow path 30 including the intake chamber 32 and the conduit 35 is bent midway. Therefore, ultraviolet rays leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the first flow path 30 do not reach the intake port 20 in a straight line. In other words, the first flow path 30 is configured to prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking into the living space Ls by utilizing the fact that ultraviolet rays only travel in a straight line.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, in which the flow paths 30, 50 and the sterilization and deodorization device 40 shown in FIG. 4 are viewed from the X+ side, the axis A4 of the upper end of the conduit 35 and the axis A3 of the lower end of the conduit 35 are offset from each other in the Y direction. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the conduit 35 do not even reach the suction chamber 32 in a straight line. In other words, the conduit 35 is configured to prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking even into the suction chamber 32 by utilizing the fact that the ultraviolet rays only travel in a straight line. The ultraviolet rays deteriorate fibers, plastics, and the like. For this reason, the conduit 35 is an aluminum flexible duct that is not deteriorated by ultraviolet rays.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the second flow path 50 is a pipe that extends upward from the sterilization and deodorization device 40, then extends toward the X+ side and reaches the air conditioner 60. For this reason, the second flow path 50 is bent midway. This prevents ultraviolet rays leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the second flow path 50 from reaching the air conditioner 60 in a straight line. In other words, the second flow path 50 is configured to prevent ultraviolet rays from entering the air conditioner by utilizing the fact that ultraviolet rays only travel in a straight line. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the air conditioner being deteriorated by ultraviolet rays. The second flow path 50 is also an aluminum flexible duct that is not deteriorated by ultraviolet rays, like the conduit 35 of the first flow path 30.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioner 60 heats or cools air supplied from the air inlet 20 through the sterilization and deodorization device 40, and blows it into the inter-floor space Sb. The air supply system 70 includes a downward fan 71 and an upward fan 72. The downward fan 71 sends air from the inter-floor space Sb to the first floor space S1. The upward fan 72 sends air from the inter-floor space Sb to the second floor space S2. Hereinafter, the downward fan 71 and the upward fan 72 are referred to as "fans 71, 72."

[0028] As a result of the above, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air conditioning system 100 conditions the entire living space Ls in the upper and lower floor spaces S1, S2 by radiant heat Rh from the second floor floor surface, radiant heat Rh from the first floor ceiling surface, convection by upward fan 72 from the second floor floor surface, and convection by downward fan 71 from the first floor ceiling surface.

[0029] Specifically, in winter Wi shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioner 60 heats the air supplied to the air conditioner 60 from the intake port 20 through the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and blows it into the inter-floor space Sb. The air supply system 70 sends the air in the inter-floor space Sb relatively weakly toward the second floor space S2 by the upward fan 72, and relatively strongly toward the first floor space S1 by the downward fan 71. This is because heated air tends to rise.

[0030] On the other hand, in the summer season Su shown in Fig. 3, the air conditioner 60 cools the air supplied to the air conditioner 60 from the intake port 20 through the sterilization and deodorization device 40 and blows it into the inter-floor space Sb. The ventilation system 70 sends the air in the inter-floor space Sb relatively strongly toward the second floor space S2 by the upward fan 72, and relatively weakly toward the first floor space S1 by the downward fan 71. This is because cooled air tends to descend easily.

[0031] The configuration and effects of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air conditioning system 100 conditions the inter-floor space Sb with the air conditioner 60, and sends the air to each living space Ls in the upper and lower floor spaces S1 and S2 with fans 71 and 72. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for ducts from the air conditioner 60 to each living space Ls, which would otherwise be necessary. In other words, by using the inter-floor space Sb as an air conditioning chamber, it is possible to achieve a ductless system, reduce construction work, and prevent condensation in the ducts. Moreover, by adjusting the amount of air flow to each living space Ls with each fan 71 and 72, it is possible to adjust the temperature for each living space Ls.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 7, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 decomposes harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses into water and carbon dioxide to inactivate them. The inactivated clean air is supplied to an air conditioner 60 as shown in Fig. 4. The air is supplied to each of the living spaces Ls in the upper and lower floor spaces S1 and S2 by fans 71 and 72 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This makes it possible to clean the air in all of the living spaces Ls.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is installed in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the flow paths 30, 50, and sterilizes and deodorizes the air passing from the intake port 20 to the air conditioner 60. Therefore, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 sterilizes and deodorizes the air before it is drawn into the air conditioner 60. This prevents harmful effects such as bacteria or viruses entering the air conditioner 60 and multiplying therein, and bacteria or viruses being temporarily spread into the living space Ls by the air conditioner 60. Therefore, sterilization and deodorization can be performed efficiently.

[0035] Moreover, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 is provided closer to the suction port 20 than the center of the flow paths 30, 50 in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to prevent bacteria and viruses from entering over half or more of the flow paths 30, 50. This makes it possible to suppress the proliferation of bacteria and viruses in the flow paths 30, 50.

[0036] 7, the sterilization and deodorization device 40 performs sterilization and deodorization by irradiating the photocatalyst 45 with ultraviolet light Uv from the ultraviolet light generator 42. This allows for more efficient and powerful sterilization and deodorization.

[0037] Specifically, in the sterilization test shown below, as shown in FIG. 8, it was confirmed that almost all of the lactic acid bacteria were killed 60 minutes after the air conditioning system 100 started operating. That is, in this sterilization test, the dining room in the house 300 was sealed and lactic acid bacteria were supplied to the dining room. Then, the air conditioning system 100 was operated, and the number of lactic acid bacteria attached in the dining room was sampled 0 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes after the start of operation. The results are shown in FIG. 8. From this result, it was confirmed that almost all of the lactic acid bacteria were killed 60 minutes after the air conditioning system 100 started operating, as described above.

[0038] In addition, in the deodorization test shown below, as shown in FIG. 9, it was confirmed that 60 minutes after the air conditioning system 100 started operating, the odor was attenuated to a level where it was almost odorless. That is, in this deodorization test, ammonia was sprayed at nine locations in the floor spaces S1 and S2. Then, the air conditioning system 100 was operated, and odor samples were taken in the floor spaces S1 and S2 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes after the start of operation. The odor was analyzed using a six-stage odor intensity display method. The results are shown in FIG. 9. From this result, it was confirmed that, as described above, 60 minutes after the air conditioning system 100 started operating, the odor was attenuated to a level where it was almost odorless.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the first flow path 30 extends from the intake port 20 toward the X-side and then extends upward to reach the sterilization and deodorization device 40. In other words, the first flow path 30 is bent midway. This prevents ultraviolet rays leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the first flow path 30 from reaching the intake port 20 in a straight line. This prevents ultraviolet rays from leaking from the intake port 20 into the living space Ls.

[0040] 5, the axis A4 of the end of the conduit 35 on the sterilization and deodorization device 40 side and the axis A3 of the end of the conduit 35 on the suction chamber 32 side are offset from each other. This prevents ultraviolet rays leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the conduit 35 from even reaching the suction chamber 32 in a straight line. This more firmly prevents ultraviolet rays from leaking out of the suction port 20 into the first floor space S1, and also prevents deterioration of the suction chamber 32 due to ultraviolet rays.

[0041] 4, the second flow path 50 extends upward from the sterilization and deodorization device 40, then extends toward the X+ side and reaches the air conditioner 60. In other words, the second flow path 50 also bends midway. Therefore, ultraviolet rays leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device 40 into the second flow path 50 do not reach the air conditioner 60 in a straight line. This prevents deterioration of the air conditioner 60 due to ultraviolet rays.

[0042] 4, the sterilization and deodorization apparatus 40 is installed in a machine room Ms provided in the first floor space S1. Therefore, residents and workers can easily perform maintenance on the sterilization and deodorization apparatus 40.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the presence of the ventilation system 200 allows the carbon dioxide concentration in the floor spaces S1 and S2 to be sufficiently suppressed. Specifically, in the carbon dioxide load test shown below, it was confirmed that the carbon dioxide concentration became normal 60 minutes after the ventilation system 200 was started. That is, in this carbon dioxide load test, carbon dioxide was generated in the floor spaces S1 and S2 using dry ice. As a result, the carbon dioxide concentration in the floor spaces S1 and S2 was set to 1200 ppm. After that, the ventilation system 200 was operated, and the carbon dioxide concentration in the floor spaces S1 and S2 was sampled 30 minutes and 60 minutes after the start of operation. The results were 600 ppm 30 minutes after the start of operation of the ventilation system 200, and 400 ppm 60 minutes after the start of operation. From this result, it was confirmed that the carbon dioxide concentration became normal 60 minutes after the start of operation of the ventilation system 200, as described above.

[0044] [Other embodiments] The above embodiment can be modified as follows, for example: The sterilization and deodorization device 40 shown in Fig. 1 may include a sterilization and deodorization means other than a photocatalyst.

[0045] An air conditioner 60 and a blower system 70 may also be installed in the underfloor space Sa shown in Fig. 1. That is, in addition to the inter-floor space Sb, the underfloor space Sa may also be utilized as an installation space and an air-conditioning chamber.

[0046] 1 may be three stories tall, and the air conditioner 60 and the blower system 70 may be installed between the second and third floors. That is, in addition to the space between the first and second floors Sb, the space between the second and third floors may also be utilized as an installation space and an air conditioning chamber.

[0047] 1 may be a one-story house, and the air conditioner 60 and the blower system 70 may be installed in the underfloor space Sa or the attic space (the space from the ceiling to the roof of the first floor). In other words, the underfloor space Sa or the attic space, rather than the inter-floor space Sb, may be used as the installation space and the chamber for air conditioning.

[0048] 1 may be provided in the second floor space S2 instead of the first floor space S1. Also, the house 300 may be three or more stories tall, and the machine room Ms may be provided in the third or fourth floor space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 20 intake port, 30 first flow path (flow path), 32 intake chamber, 35 conduit, 40 sterilization and deodorization device, 50 second flow path (flow path), 60 air conditioner, 70 ventilation system, 100 air conditioning system, Ms machine room, S1 first floor space (specified floor space), S2 second floor space (another floor space), Sb inter-floor space (installation space).

Claims

1. An air conditioner installed in an installation space above or below a specified floor space; A duct-like flow path that passes air from an intake port that opens into the predetermined floor space to the air conditioner; A ventilation system that blows air in the installation space to the predetermined floor space; A sterilization and deodorization device is provided. The flow path includes a first flow path having a conduit shape connecting the suction port and the sterilization and deodorization device, and a second flow path having a conduit shape connecting the sterilization and deodorization device and the air conditioner, the sterilization and deodorization device sterilizes and deodorizes air that passes from the intake port through the first flow path, the sterilization and deodorization device, and the second flow path to the air conditioner; The sterilization and deodorization device includes an ultraviolet ray generating device and a photocatalyst, and the air flowing into the sterilization and deodorization device from the first flow path passes through the photocatalyst and flows out into the second flow path, The sterilization and deodorization device performs the sterilization and deodorization by irradiating the photocatalyst with ultraviolet light using the ultraviolet light generating device, The first flow path includes an intake chamber into which the air drawn into the intake port flows, and a conduit connecting the intake chamber and the sterilization and deodorization device, The axis of the end of the conduit on the sterilization and deodorization device side and the axis of the end of the conduit on the suction chamber side are offset from each other, so that ultraviolet light leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device into the conduit does not reach the suction chamber in a straight line. Air conditioning system.

2. The installation space is an inter-floor space between the predetermined floor space and another floor space above or below the predetermined floor space, The air supply system supplies air in the inter-floor space to the predetermined floor space and the other floor space.

2. The air conditioning system of claim 1.

3. The first flow path is bent midway, so that ultraviolet light leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device into the first flow path does not reach the inlet in a straight line.

3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second flow path is bent midway, so that ultraviolet light leaking from the sterilization and deodorization device into the second flow path does not reach the air conditioner in a straight line.

3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The sterilization and deodorization device is installed in a machine room provided in the floor space.

3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

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