Air conditioning replacement method

Abstract

To provide a displacement air conditioning method which enables improvement of workers' comfort and provides an environment, such as a stable temperature, to devices.SOLUTION: An air conditioning method of the disclosure is used to maintain an air conditioned area 10, formed from a floor surface 1b to a predetermined height at a lower part of an air conditioned space 11, in a predetermined environment. When air-conditioned air is supplied from an air supply port 25 to the lower side of the air conditioned space 11, the air is supplied in a state that the air supply port 25 is spaced apart from a side wall 1a, forming the air conditioned space 11, by a predetermined distance L.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a displacement air conditioning method. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technology related to displacement air conditioning, Patent Document 1 describes an "air conditioning system for a clean room having an air supply opening which supplies temperature-controlled, filtered and purified air from the ceiling surface of the clean room into the clean room, and an intake opening which draws in air from within the clean room as return air, wherein the wind speed of the clean air supplied into the clean room from the air supply opening is 1 m / s or less." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-219219 A (Claim 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the displacement air conditioning method disclosed herein, the air-conditioned areas at the bottom of the air-conditioned space where displacement air conditioning is performed are the area where workers work and the area occupied by equipment, and by utilizing density differences caused by temperature to create temperature stratification, only the lower part is air-conditioned.

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, clean air is blown out from an air supply opening formed in the ceiling surface of a clean room at a wind speed of 1 m / s or less, and displacement air conditioning is performed (Claim 1, paragraph 0022). However, according to the study by the present inventor, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, the feet of workers in the work area may be cold and the upper half of the body (head, etc.) may be warm, which may make the workers feel uncomfortable. The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a displacement air conditioning method that improves the comfort of workers while providing a stable environment, such as a stable temperature, for equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The air conditioning method disclosed herein is a displacement air conditioning method for maintaining a predetermined environment in an air-conditioned area formed from a floor surface to a predetermined height in a lower portion of an air-conditioned space, and the air-conditioning method comprises the steps of: supplying conditioned air from an air intake port toward a lower portion of the air-conditioned space; separating the air intake port from a side wall that defines the air-conditioned space by a predetermined distance; A blower fan that generates a downward airflow and is provided between the side wall and a side wall of an air conditioner having the air supply port is driven, and the supply air volume of the blower fan is controlled by an air volume control mechanism that controls the supply air volume of the blower fan based on the temperature of the air-conditioned area. . Other solutions are described later in the detailed description of the invention. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a displacement air conditioning method that improves the comfort of workers and provides a stable environment, such as a stable temperature, for devices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of conditioned air Ac supplied from an air supply port when there is a predetermined distance L. FIG. [Diagram 3] 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of conditioned air Ac supplied from an air supply port, in the case where there is no predetermined distance L. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to another embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a device configuration for performing temperature control using a blower fan installed in a separate space. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing temperature control using a blower fan installed in a separated space. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another device configuration for performing cleanliness control. [Figure 11] 11 is another flowchart showing the cleanliness control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a form for carrying out the present disclosure (referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of one embodiment, other embodiments applicable to the one embodiment will also be described as appropriate. The present disclosure is not limited to the following one embodiment, and different embodiments can be combined with each other or modified as desired without significantly impairing the effects of the present disclosure. In addition, the same symbols will be used for the same members, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, members having the same functions will be given the same names. The contents shown are merely schematic, and for convenience of illustration, changes may be made from the actual configuration within a range that does not significantly impair the effects of the present disclosure, and some members may be omitted or modified between drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100 (replacement air conditioning system) of a first embodiment that realizes the replacement air conditioning method according to the present disclosure. The replacement air conditioning method of the present disclosure is a method for maintaining an air-conditioned area 10 formed from a floor surface 1b to a predetermined height in a lower part of an air-conditioned space 11 in a predetermined environment. The lower part here refers to the lower part of the air-conditioned space 11 that occupies the entire inside of the air-conditioned room 1. In the air-conditioning system 100, the air-conditioned room 1 is a clean room, and an air conditioner 2 is provided in the upper part. The air-conditioned space 11 is formed inside the air-conditioned room 1, and in the illustrated example, the air-conditioned space 11 is the internal space of the clean room. The air-conditioned area 10 is within the air-conditioned space 11 and is a lower area thereof. The air conditioner 2 is installed in the air-conditioned space 11. The air conditioner 2 supplies conditioned air Ac and is provided with an air intake 25.

[0011] In the room 1 to be air-conditioned, there are devices 3 and workers 4 which are heat load sources and dust sources.

[0012] Furthermore, in the air-conditioned room 1, separate from the operation of the air conditioner 2, the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 adjusts the amount of outside air required to maintain a positive pressure in the room so that contaminated air outside the air-conditioned room 1 does not flow into the air-conditioned room 1. The adjusted outside air is then supplied via the duct 6a and the first inlet 7, and excess air is exhausted to the outside of the system of the air-conditioned room 1 through the exhaust outlet 8 and duct 6b.

[0013] The dashed line in Fig. 1 is an imaginary line 9 indicating the upper limit of the air-conditioned area 10 where temperature control and cleanliness control are required in the air-conditioned room 1, and does not mean that there is a partition such as a ceiling. The area below the height of this line 9 is the air-conditioned area 10 of the air-conditioned room 1. The height of the air-conditioned area 10 is set to a height that exceeds the height of the equipment 3 and the height of the worker 4, and is generally about 2 m, but may be set to 3 m to 4 m depending on the height of the equipment 3.

[0014] The air conditioner 2 is configured with an intake port 21 that draws in air from the conditioned space 11, a cooling mechanism 22 that cools the sucked air from the conditioned space 11, and an air supply port 25. The air supply port 25 supplies the conditioned air Ac conditioned by the cooling mechanism 22 toward the bottom of the air conditioner 2. However, since the air conditioned room 1 is an embodiment as a clean room, the contents of the embodiment will be described with a blower fan 23 and a high-performance dust filter 24 provided between the cooling mechanism 22 and the air supply port 25.

[0015] The air conditioner 2 draws in air from the target room 1 to be air-conditioned by operating the blower fan 23, and cools the air as it passes through the cooling mechanism 22. Furthermore, the air conditioner 2 is equipped with a high-performance dust filter 24 (one example of a filter) that removes dust, and removes dust from the air by the high-performance dust filter 24. The air conditioner 2 is configured so that air that has passed through the high-performance dust filter 24 is supplied through the air supply port 25. That is, the air conditioner 2 blows and supplies conditioned and dust-removed air (conditioned air Ac) downward through the air supply port 25 to the target room 1 to be air-conditioned.

[0016] The conditioned air Ac blown downward from the intake port 25 attracts and mixes with the surrounding air (ambient air Aa) as it moves downward. At this time, the downward wind speed decreases and the amount of air moving downward increases according to the amount of air being attracted and mixed. At the same time, the temperature of the air moving downward becomes higher than the temperature of the conditioned air Ac blown out from the intake port 25 according to the amount of the attracted and mixed ambient air Aa. Through this series of operations, the temperature of the conditioned air Ac that reaches the air-conditioned area 10 becomes higher than the temperature of the conditioned air Ac when it is blown out from the air supply port 25, thereby functioning to reduce the temperature difference between above and below the air-conditioned area 10. In addition, because the conditioned air Ac is supplied to the air-conditioned area 10 by the air conditioner 2, the dust count in the air-conditioned area 10 is kept below a certain value.

[0017] Here, the air supply port 25 of the air conditioner 2 is installed so that the air supply port 25 is separated from the inner side wall 1a of the air conditioned room 1 (an example of a side wall that forms the air conditioned space 11) by a predetermined distance L. Therefore, in the replacement air conditioning method of the present disclosure, when the conditioned air Ac is supplied from the air supply port 25 toward the downward direction of the air conditioned space 11, the conditioned air Ac is supplied with the air supply port 25 separated from the side wall 1a by a predetermined distance.

[0018] 2 and 3 are diagrams explaining the flow of conditioned air Ac supplied from the air supply port 25 of the air conditioner 2. Fig. 2 shows the case where there is a predetermined distance L, that is, where the side wall 1a is separated from the air conditioner 2 and the air supply port 25. Fig. 3 shows the case where the side wall 1a is in contact with the air conditioner 2 and the air supply port 25 without being separated from them, that is, where there is no predetermined distance L.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, when the air conditioner 2 is installed in contact with the side wall 1a, the air supplied downward from the air supply port 25 cannot attract the ambient air Aa from the side wall 1a side. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, when the air conditioner 2 and the side wall 1a are separated, in addition to attracting the ambient air Aa from the inside of the air-conditioned room 1, it is also possible to attract the ambient air Aa from the side wall 1a side. This increases the amount of ambient air Aa that is attracted to and mixed with the conditioned air Ac, promoting the effect of reducing the temperature difference between above and below in the air-conditioned area 10.

[0020] This predetermined distance L is, for example, a distance at which the conditioned air Ac supplied from the air supply port 25 is likely to attract the ambient air Aa. The predetermined distance L is preferably wider (longer) so as not to impede the attraction, but can be determined, for example, by simulation or the like, and is specifically, for example, 600 mm or more, but is not limited to this numerical range.

[0021] 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100 of another embodiment. A first inlet 7 is disposed in the air conditioned space 11. The first inlet 7 introduces outside air conditioned by an outdoor air conditioner 5 into the air conditioned space 11 via a duct 6a in order to maintain the air conditioned room 1 at a positive pressure relative to the outside so that contaminated air outside the air conditioned room 1 does not flow into the air conditioned room 1.

[0022] It is preferable that the air conditioner 2 and the first inlet 7 are disposed in close proximity, and specifically, it is preferable that the first inlet 7 and the air inlet 21 of the air conditioner 2 are provided in close proximity. The term "close" here refers to, for example, within 1 m. By arranging the first inlet 7 and the air inlet 21, which introduce outside air, in close proximity, the outside air, which has been adjusted in temperature and humidity by the outdoor air conditioner 5 and has also been adjusted in cleanliness, is rapidly introduced into the air conditioner 2 from the air inlet 21 without mixing with the air at the top of the room 1 to be air-conditioned. This allows the conditioned outside air to be used efficiently.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100 according to another embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the air conditioner 2 includes a second inlet 7a that directly introduces outside air conditioned by the outdoor air conditioner 5 into the air conditioner 2 via a duct 6a.

[0024] In this way, the outside air conditioned by the external conditioner 5 is directly introduced into the air conditioner 2 through the duct 6a and the second inlet 7a. As a result, the adjusted outside air whose temperature, humidity, and cleanliness have been adjusted by the external conditioner 5 is introduced into the air conditioner 2 without being mixed with the air at the upper part of the air-conditioned room 1 at all. Even in this way, the conditioned outside air can be efficiently utilized.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100 according to another embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the air conditioning system 100 includes dust removal devices 26a and 26b that suck and remove dust in the air-conditioned space 11 inside the air-conditioned room 1, and the dust removal devices 26a and 26b are arranged in the air-conditioned space 11 (specifically, the air-conditioned area 10).

[0026] The reason for providing such dust removal devices 26a and 26b is that there is a large difference between the air volume (A) of the air conditioning required for the heat treatment of the heat generation load source in the air-conditioned room 1 or the air-conditioned area 10 and the air volume (B) of the air conditioning required based on the required cleanliness, and this is the case where A < B.

[0027] The dust removal devices 26a and 26b include a high-performance dust removal filter 24a having a dust removal function, a blower fan 23a, and a casing 27a.

[0028] Also, when separating the heat treatment function and the dust removal function, it is not necessary to provide the high-performance dust removal filter 24 of the air conditioner 2.

[0029] The installation position and the number of the dust removal devices 26 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 6, and the required number of units may be installed in the required directions and positions.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100 according to another embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a blower fan 23b that generates a downward airflow is provided between the air conditioner 2 and the side wall 1a of the air-conditioned room 1. The displacement air conditioning method of the present disclosure drives the blower fan 23b. By providing the blower fan 23b, it becomes possible to introduce air from the upper part of the air-conditioned room 1 downward through the space between the air conditioner 2 and the side wall 1a, and to reliably induce and mix it with the low-temperature air supplied from the air supply port 25. In addition, even if the predetermined distance L is short (narrow) and it is difficult for the conditioned air Ac to induce the ambient air Aa (FIG. 2), a forced airflow can be generated between the air conditioner 2 and the side wall 1a, promoting the induction and mixing.

[0031] 8 is a schematic diagram showing a device configuration for performing temperature control using a blower fan 23b installed in a separate space. The blower fan 23b is housed in a casing 27b. The casing 27b has an air supply port 27c and an inlet port 27d arranged at a higher position than the air supply port 27c. In the illustrated example, the air supply port 27c is provided at the lower part of the casing 27 (below the blower fan 23b), and the inlet port 27d is provided at the upper part of the casing 27 (above the blower fan 23b). By driving the blower fan 23b, air in the air-conditioned room 1 (air present above the air-conditioned space 11) is sucked in through the inlet port 27d and supplied downward through the air supply port 27c. In the illustrated example, the suction port 27d is provided at the top of the casing 27 (above the blower fan 23b), but this is not limited thereto, and it may be at the same height as the casing 27 or lower. In some cases, air may be sucked in from the top of the air-conditioned area 10.

[0032] Temperature control by the blower fan 23b installed in the separated space is performed by a temperature sensor 28, a control device 29, and an air volume control mechanism 30. The temperature sensor 28 is installed in the air-conditioned area 10. The control device 29 outputs an operation signal for the blower fan 23b based on the temperature T of the air-conditioned area 10 measured by the temperature sensor 28. The air volume control mechanism 30 controls the supply air volume of the blower fan 23b based on the operation signal from the control device 29. The rotation speed of the blower fan 23b is controlled by an inverter serving as the air volume control mechanism 30. The temperature sensor 28, the control device 29, the air volume control mechanism 30, and the blower fan 23b are connected by electric signal lines shown by dashed lines.

[0033] 9 is a flowchart showing temperature control using blower fan 23b installed in the separated space. In the replacement air conditioning method of the present disclosure, the supply air volume of blower fan 23b is controlled by air volume control mechanism 30 based on the temperature of air-conditioned area 10. Specifically, first, controller 29 determines whether temperature T of air-conditioned area 10 measured by temperature sensor 28 (step S11) is lower than a set temperature (step S12).

[0034] If the measured temperature T is lower than the set temperature (Yes), the control device 29 controls the air volume control mechanism 30 to increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 23b to increase the amount of induced air, thereby increasing the air volume through the blower fan 23b (step S13). On the other hand, if the measured temperature T is equal to or higher than the set temperature in step S12 (No), the control device 29 slows down the rotation speed of the blower fan 23b to reduce the amount of induced air, thereby decreasing the air volume through the blower fan 23b (step S14). By performing these operations at regular time steps, the temperature T of the air-conditioned area 10 is controlled.

[0035] In step S12, a range of the set temperature ±several degrees Celsius may be set as the dead temperature zone, and the air volume control mechanism 30 may maintain the current rotational speed of the blower fan 23b.

[0036] The temperature control of the conditioned area 10 according to the present disclosure may be performed in combination with temperature control of the conditioned area 10 by changing the supply air temperature in the air conditioner 2.

[0037] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a device configuration for performing cleanliness control using the blower fan 23b installed in the isolated space. The cleanliness control using the blower fan 23b is performed by an air volume control mechanism 30, a cleanliness sensor 31, and a control device 29. The cleanliness sensor 31 measures the cleanliness (e.g., dust concentration C) of the air-conditioned area 10. The control device 29 outputs a control signal to the air volume control mechanism 30 based on the dust concentration C contained in the air in the air-conditioned area 10 measured by the cleanliness sensor 31. The cleanliness sensor 31, the control device 29, and the air volume control mechanism 30 are connected by electric signal lines shown by dashed lines.

[0038] 11 is a flowchart showing cleanliness control using blower fan 23b installed in the separated space. In the replacement air conditioning method of the present disclosure, the supply air volume of blower fan 23b is controlled by air volume control mechanism 30 based on the cleanliness of the air-conditioned area 10. Specifically, first, controller 29 determines whether dust concentration C related to the cleanliness of air-conditioned area 10 measured by cleanliness sensor 31 (step S21) is higher than the dust concentration related to the specified cleanliness (step S22).

[0039] If the measured dust concentration C is higher than the dust concentration associated with the specified cleanliness level (Yes), the control device 29 controls the air volume control mechanism 30 to slow down the rotation speed of the blower fan 23b to reduce the amount of induced air, thereby reducing the supply air volume via the blower fan 23b (step S23). This is because there is more dust around the suction port 27d, which is located above the air conditioned space 11, than there is below the air conditioned space 11, due to displacement air conditioning. Here, the cleanliness sensor 31 is disposed below the suction port 27d and the supply port 27c. If the dust concentration C is measured to be high by the cleanliness sensor 31 disposed at this position, the rotation speed of the blower fan 23b is controlled to be slow in order to reduce the amount of suction of air containing a lot of dust that exists at the top.

[0040] On the other hand, in step S22, if the measured dust concentration C is equal to or lower than the dust concentration related to the specified cleanliness (No), the control device 29 controls the air volume control mechanism 30 to increase the rotation speed of the blower fan 23b and increase the supply air volume through the blower fan 23b (step S24). This is because it is determined that the lower environment satisfies the specified cleanliness, and the rotation speed of the blower fan 23b is controlled to be high in order to promote attraction and mixing that contribute to suppressing the temperature difference between the upper and lower parts. The cleanliness of the air-conditioned area 10 is controlled by performing these operations at regular time steps.

[0041] In step S22, the air volume control mechanism 30 may maintain the current rotational speed of the blower fan 23b by setting a range such as a specified dust concentration ± a dead band dust concentration as the dead band of dust concentration.

[0042] The control device 29 is configured to include, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, none of which are shown in the figure. The control device 29 is realized by a predetermined program (control program) stored in the ROM being expanded in the RAM and executed by the CPU. The program here is for causing a computer to execute the above-mentioned air conditioning system 100.

[0043] In the illustrated examples shown so far, the space 11 to be conditioned is the interior space of a clean room, but the invention may be applied to various spaces such as a factory, a hall, and rooms for other purposes.

[0044] According to the displacement air conditioning method of the present disclosure, by installing the air conditioner 2 away from the side wall 1a, a good induction state is created and the environment of the air-conditioned area 10 can be controlled in various ways. This prevents cold air, which is a factor that hinders the comfort of the workers 4, from being supplied to the air-conditioned area 10, thereby reducing the temperature difference between above and below, improving comfort and providing a stable temperature environment for the equipment 3.

[0045] By supplying conditioned air Ac to the air-conditioned area 10 located at the bottom of the air-conditioned room 1 which forms the air-conditioned space 11 where replacement air-conditioning is performed, air conditioning can be performed efficiently with a smaller amount of air compared to a method of mixing and conditioning the entire air-conditioned room 1, which also contributes to energy savings. In addition, since the indoor air is circulated through the air conditioning device 2 arranged in the air-conditioned room 1, there is no need to transport the indoor air through a duct to the outside of the air-conditioned room 1 and return it to the outdoor air conditioning unit 5, etc. This also makes it possible to reduce the energy required for air transport.

[0046] Furthermore, it is possible to install the air-conditioning device 2 at a position higher than the area 10 to be air-conditioned, improving the footprint in the room 1 to be air-conditioned and increasing the degree of freedom in installing the devices 3. At the same time, it becomes easier to respond to changes in the layout of the room 1 to be air-conditioned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Air-conditioned rooms 10 Air-conditioned areas 100 Air Conditioning System 11 Air-conditioned space 1a side wall 1b Floor surface 2 Air conditioner 21 Intake port 22 Cooling mechanism 23 Blower fan 23a Blower fan 23b Blower fan 24 High-performance dust removal filter 24a High-performance dust removal filter 25 Air supply port 26 Dust removal equipment 26a Dust removal equipment 26b Dust removal equipment 27 Casing 27a Casing 27b Casing 27c Air supply port 27d Intake port 28 Temperature Sensor 29 Control device 3 Equipment 30 Airflow control mechanism 31 Cleanliness Sensor 4. Workers 5 Outside conditioning machine 6a Duct 6b Duct 7 First entrance 7a 2nd inlet 8. Exhaust port 9 Line A Air conditioning volume Aa Ambient air AC Air Conditioning B Air conditioning air volume C Dust concentration L specified distance

Claims

1. A displacement air conditioning method for maintaining a predetermined environment in an air-conditioned area formed from a floor surface to a predetermined height in a lower portion of an air-conditioned space, comprising: When conditioned air is supplied from an air supply port toward a lower portion of the space to be air-conditioned, The air supply port is spaced a predetermined distance from a side wall that defines the space to be air-conditioned, and air is supplied to the air supply port. Driving a blower fan that generates a downward airflow and is provided between the side wall and a side wall of an air conditioner having the air supply port; An air volume control mechanism controls the supply air volume of the blower fan based on the temperature of the air-conditioned area. A displacement air conditioning method comprising:

2. The air conditioning device is installed in the space to be air conditioned, The air conditioner further comprises: An intake port that takes in air from the space to be air-conditioned; A cooling mechanism that cools the air sucked into the air-conditioned space; The present invention is configured to include The air supply port supplies conditioned air conditioned by the cooling mechanism toward a lower portion of the air conditioner.

2. The displacement air conditioning method according to claim 1.

3. The predetermined distance is 600 mm or more.

3. The displacement air conditioning method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A displacement air conditioning method for maintaining an air-conditioned area formed at a lower portion of an air-conditioned space from a floor surface to a predetermined height in a predetermined environment, comprising: When conditioned air is supplied from an air supply port toward a lower portion of the space to be air-conditioned, The air supply port is spaced a predetermined distance from a side wall that defines the space to be air-conditioned, and air is supplied to the air supply port. Driving a blower fan that generates a downward airflow and is provided between the side wall and a side wall of an air conditioner having the air supply port; An air volume control mechanism controls the supply air volume of the blower fan based on the cleanliness of the air-conditioned area. A displacement air conditioning method comprising:

Images