Air Handling Systems

Abstract

An air treatment system (1) comprises two indoor units (510), an outdoor unit (610), and a control device (100). The outdoor unit (610) draws in outdoor air (91) to ventilate a room (381), heats or cools the outdoor air (91), and supplies the outdoor air (91) to the room (381). The outdoor unit (610) also draws in return air (92) in the room (381) and discharges the return air (92) from the room (381). The control device (100) controls the processing capacity of the outdoor unit (610) for the latent heat load so that the outdoor unit (610) can independently process the latent heat load of the room (381).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air treatment system in which an indoor air conditioning unit and an outdoor air conditioning unit are connected to an outdoor unit for the indoor air conditioning unit and an outdoor unit for the outdoor air conditioning unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In a room where multiple air conditioners are installed, there is technology that determines the roles of each air conditioner, such as latent heat treatment unit and sensible heat treatment unit, and changes the number of latent heat treatment units depending on the latent heat load (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, due to a decrease in the ventilation volume of the outdoor air-conditioning unit and an increase in the amount of moisture generated due to an increase in the number of people indoors, there may be cases where the latent heat load exceeds the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit. In such cases, it is possible to address the issue by increasing the latent heat capacity of the indoor air-conditioning unit. To increase the latent heat capacity of the indoor air-conditioning unit, the evaporating temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit may be lowered. Also, to suppress excessive sensible heat capacity, the air volume of the indoor air-conditioning unit may be reduced. When controls such as lowering the evaporating temperature and reducing the air volume are performed, the overall heat transfer coefficient of the indoor air-conditioning unit decreases, resulting in less energy-efficient operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-215106 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure aims to minimize the reduction in energy efficiency of the indoor air-conditioning unit and increase the energy efficiency of the entire air treatment system by maximizing the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The air treatment system according to the present disclosure comprises: An indoor air conditioning unit that conditions air in a target space that is a target of air conditioning; an outdoor air conditioner that draws in outside air for ventilating the target space, heats or cools the outside air that has been drawn in, supplies the heated or cooled outside air to the target space as supply air, draws in air from the target space, and exhausts the drawn air from the target space as exhaust air; A control device that controls the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit with respect to the latent heat load so that the outdoor air-conditioning unit can independently process the latent heat load of the target space; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the air treatment system of the present disclosure, by maximizing the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit, the energy efficiency of the indoor air-conditioning unit can be maintained high, and the energy efficiency of the entire air-conditioning system can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment, showing a configuration of an air treatment system 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a refrigeration cycle 521A formed by an indoor conditioning unit 510 and an outdoor unit 520. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a schematic structure of an outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a refrigeration cycle 621N constituted by an outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N and an outdoor unit 620N for the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, and is a perspective view showing the structure of an outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, and is another perspective view showing the structure of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a case where a heat exchanger 635 and a heat exchanger 645 used in an outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D are realized as parts of refrigeration cycles 621D and 622D. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 illustrates the first embodiment, in which a heat exchanger 635 serving as a heater and a heat exchanger 645 serving as a cooler are realized as part of one refrigeration cycle 623D. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a hardware configuration of a control device 100. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, and is a flow chart showing control by the control device 100 over an outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N that does not have a desiccant. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, and is a flow chart showing control of an outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D having a desiccant by the control device 100. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the evaporation temperature ET of the refrigerant in the evaporator and the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 when the air volume Q is used as a parameter. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing the relationship between the damper switching time of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D and the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 when the air volume Q is used as a parameter. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a method for determining an upper limit of ventilation air volume, which is common to both the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N that does not have a desiccant and the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D that has a desiccant. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the first embodiment, showing a configuration in which the functions of a control device 100 are realized by hardware. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In the description of the embodiments and the drawings, the same elements and corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals. Descriptions of elements given the same reference numerals are omitted or simplified as appropriate. In the following embodiments, "unit" may be read as "circuit", "step", "procedure", "process" or "circuitry" as appropriate.

[0010] Embodiment 1 ***Configuration Description*** <Air Treatment System 1> 1 shows the configuration of an air treatment system 1. The air treatment system 1 includes a human presence sensor 82, a CO2 sensor 83, an outdoor sensor 84, an indoor sensor 85, a control device 100, a device group 500, and a device group 600. The control device 100 is connected to an indoor air conditioning unit 510, an outdoor unit 520, an outdoor air conditioning unit 610, and an outdoor unit 620 via a communication line 180. The communication line 180 may be wired or wireless. The control device 100 may be communicatively connected to the indoor air conditioning unit 510 via the outdoor unit 520, and communicatively connected to the outdoor air conditioning unit 610 via the outdoor unit 620.

[0011] The air processing system 1 includes an indoor air conditioner 510, an outdoor air conditioner 610, and a control device 100. The indoor air conditioner 510 conditions the air in a room 381 that is the target of air conditioning. The indoor air conditioner 510 adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air in the room 381 with a heat exchanger 511. The room 381 is a target space that is the target of air conditioning. The outdoor air conditioner 610 draws in outdoor air 91 for ventilating the room 381, and performs either heating or cooling on the drawn in outdoor air 91. In the following embodiment 1, the outdoor air conditioner 610 is described as cooling the outdoor air 91. The outdoor air conditioner 610 supplies the outdoor air 91 that has been subjected to either heating or cooling to the room 381 as supply air. The outdoor air conditioner 610 draws in the air in the room 381 as return air 92, and exhausts the drawn in return air 92 from the room 381 as exhaust air. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 adjusts the temperature and humidity of the outdoor air 91 by heat exchangers 611, 645. The control device 100 controls the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 for the latent heat load so that the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 can process the latent heat load of the room 381 by itself.

[0012] <Equipment group 500> An apparatus group 500 consisting of a plurality of devices related to the indoor conditioning units 510 includes a plurality of indoor conditioning units 510 and an outdoor unit 520 for each indoor conditioning unit 510. The plurality of indoor conditioning units 510 are arranged in the attic 382. The plurality of indoor conditioning units 510 and the outdoor unit 520 are connected by refrigerant piping 530. The indoor conditioning unit 510 is an indoor unit in an air conditioner. The indoor conditioning unit 510 heats or cools air in a target space for air conditioning that is drawn into the indoor unit, and returns the heated or cooled air to the target space. Note that the apparatus group 500 shown in FIG. 1 may also be called an indoor conditioning unit.

[0013] 2 shows a refrigeration cycle formed by an indoor conditioning unit 510 and an outdoor unit 520. Refrigeration cycle 521A includes a compressor 521, a four-way valve 522, a heat exchanger 523, an expansion valve 524, and a heat exchanger 611. Heat exchanger 511 includes a blower 512. Heat exchanger 523 includes a blower 525. Heat exchanger 511 of indoor conditioning unit 510 functions as an evaporator.

[0014] <Equipment group 600> The device group 600, which is made up of a plurality of devices related to the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610, includes the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 and an outdoor unit 620 for the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610. There may be a plurality of outdoor air-conditioning units 610. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 and the outdoor unit 620 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 630. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 is an indoor unit in an air conditioner. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 heats or cools outdoor air drawn into an outdoor air supply unit, which is an indoor unit, for ventilation, and supplies the heated or cooled outdoor air to a space to be air-conditioned. Note that the device group 600 shown in FIG. 1 may also be called an outdoor air-conditioning unit.

[0015] <Equipment group 500> The two indoor air-conditioning units 510 are arranged in the attic 382. The two indoor air-conditioning units 510 are connected to the outdoor unit 520 by piping 590. The number of indoor air-conditioning units 510 may be three or more, or may be just one. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 is arranged in the attic 382. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 is connected to the outdoor unit 620 by piping 690.

[0016] <External conditioning machine 610N, external conditioning machine 610D> In the air treatment system 1, there are two types of outdoor air-conditioning units 610 shown in Fig. 1: outdoor air-conditioning units 610 not equipped with a desiccant, and outdoor air-conditioning units 610 equipped with a static desiccant. The outdoor air-conditioning units 610 not equipped with a desiccant are referred to as outdoor air-conditioning units 610N. The outdoor air-conditioning units 610 equipped with a static desiccant are referred to as outdoor air-conditioning units 610D. When there is no need to distinguish between the outdoor air-conditioning units 610N and 610D, they are simply referred to as outdoor air-conditioning units 610.

[0017] <Structure of the outdoor air conditioner 610N> 3 shows the structure of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N includes a heat exchanger 611, a blower 612, a blower 613, and a partition plate 614. Return air 92 from the room 381 is sucked in from an inlet 615 by the blower 613 as return air 92, and is discharged from an outlet 616 to the outside of the room 380 as exhaust air. Outdoor air 91 is sucked in from an inlet 617 by the blower 612 of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N, and is supplied from a supply outlet 618 to the outside of the room 380 as supply air. The path of the outdoor air 91 indicated by multiple black arrows and the path of the return air 92 indicated by multiple diagonal line arrows do not interfere with each other due to the partition plate 614.

[0018] <Refrigeration Cycle 621N> Fig. 4 shows a refrigeration cycle 621N configured by an outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N and an outdoor unit 620N for the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N. The refrigeration cycle 621N includes a compressor 621, a four-way valve 622, a heat exchanger 623, an expansion valve 624, and a heat exchanger 611. Fig. 4 shows a case where the heat exchanger 611 functions as an evaporator.

[0019] 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the structure of the outdoor air conditioner 610D. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the outdoor air conditioner 610D in a transparent manner. FIG. 5 shows the first damper state. FIG. 6 shows the second damper state.

[0020] <Structure of outdoor air conditioner 610D> The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D includes (1) an inflow device 210, (2) a heat exchanger 635 functioning as a heater, (3) a heat exchanger 645 functioning as a cooler, (4) an upstream damper 20, (5) a first static desiccant 30, (6) a second static desiccant 31, (7) a downstream damper 21, and (8) an outflow device 220.

[0021] (1) The inflow device 210 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The inflow device 210 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. The inflow device 210 is divided into two rectangular parallelepiped spaces of the same shape by a partition plate 216. The inflow device 210 has a return air inlet 211 through which the return air flows in, and an outside air inlet 213 through which the outside air flows in. The inflow device 210 has an outlet 212 which is an opening, and an outlet 214 which is an opening. The lower side of the outlet 212 is blocked by a partition plate 217, and the upper side of the outlet 214 is blocked by a partition plate 218. The return air inlet 211 is circular. The outside air inlet 213 is also circular. The return air 92 that flows into the return air inlet 211 flows out in the X direction from the outlet 212 formed in the upper left. The outside air 91 that flows into the outside air inlet 213 flows out in the X direction from an outlet 214 formed on the lower right. (2) The heat exchanger 635 heats the return air 92 to produce hot, dry air that regenerates the desiccant. (3) The heat exchanger 645 cools the outside air 91, turning it into low-temperature, high-humidity air that is dehumidified (adsorbed) by the desiccant. (4) The upstream damper 20 switches the desiccant through which the return air 92 and the outside air 91 flow. The upstream damper 20 is the first damper. (5) The first stationary desiccant 30 dehumidifies the outside air when the outside air passes through it. (6) The second stationary desiccant 31 dehumidifies the outside air when the outside air passes through it. (7) The downstream damper 21 switches in response to the switching of the upstream damper 20, and allows return air and outside air to pass through. The downstream damper 21 is a second damper. (8) The outflow device 220 is divided into two spaces, an upper space and an lower space, by the third partition plate 303. The outflow device 220 is connected to the downstream damper 21. In the outflow device 220, an outside air outflow outlet 222 and a return air outflow outlet 221 are formed.

[0022] The first static desiccant 30 and the second static desiccant 31 are disposed on the left and right sides with respect to the outflow direction in which the return air 92 and the outside air 91 flow out.

[0023] The upstream damper 20 allows return air to flow into one of the first static desiccant 30 and the second static desiccant 31, and allows outside air to flow into the other.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the inflow device 210, the heat exchanger 635, the heat exchanger 645, the upstream damper 20, the first static desiccant 30, the second static desiccant 31, the downstream damper 21, and the outflow device 220 are arranged in this order.

[0025] <Partition plate> 5, the first partition plate 301 divides the inside of the housing 360 between the inflow device 210 and the upstream damper 20 into an upper and lower section. A heat exchanger 635 is located in the upper part of the first partition plate 301, and a heat exchanger 645 is located in the lower part of the first partition plate 301. The first partition plate 301 is a rectangle indicated by A, B, C, and D. The second partition plate 302 divides the inside of the housing 360 from the upstream damper 20 to the downstream damper 21 into left and right sections. The first stationary desiccant 30 is located on the left side of the second partition plate 302, and the second stationary desiccant 31 is located on the right side of the second partition plate 302. The second partition plate 302 is a rectangle indicated by E, F, G, and H. The third partition plate 303 divides the inside of the outflow device 220 into upper and lower parts, starting from the downstream damper 21. In the outflow device 220, the supply air flows out from the upper side of the third partition plate 303, and the exhaust air flows out from the lower side of the third partition plate 303. The third partition plate 303 is a rectangle indicated by I, J, K, and L.

[0026] <Damper opening / closing device, partition plate opening / closing device> The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D further includes an upstream damper opening / closing device 320 and a downstream damper opening / closing device 321. The upstream damper opening / closing device 320 and the downstream damper opening / closing device 321 are opening / closing mechanisms that open and close the respective sub-dampers of the upstream damper 20 and the downstream damper 21. The upstream damper opening / closing device 320 opens and closes the sub-dampers 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d of the upstream damper 20. The downstream damper opening / closing device 321 opens and closes the sub-dampers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d of the downstream damper 21.

[0027] 6, the sub-dampers 20b, 20c, 21a, and 21d are in the second damper state in which they are open due to control of the upstream damper opening / closing device 320 and the downstream damper opening / closing device 321 by the control device 100. The details of the control by the control device 100 will be described below.

[0028] <Refrigeration cycle 621D, 622D, 623D> FIG. 7 shows a case where the heat exchanger 635 and the heat exchanger 645 used in the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D are realized as part of a refrigeration cycle. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D includes a heat exchanger 635, a blower 636, a heat exchanger 645, and a blower 646. The heat exchanger 635 functions as a condenser. The heat exchanger 645 functions as an evaporator. The outdoor unit 620D includes a compressor 631, a four-way valve 632, a heat exchanger 633, and an expansion valve 634. The compressor 631, the four-way valve 632, the heat exchanger 633, the expansion valve 634, the heat exchanger 635, and the blower 636 form a refrigeration cycle 621D. The outdoor unit 620D includes a compressor 641, a four-way valve 642, a heat exchanger 643, and an expansion valve 644. The compressor 641, the four-way valve 642, the heat exchanger 643, the expansion valve 644, the heat exchanger 645, and the blower 646 form a refrigeration cycle 622D. FIG. 8 shows a case where a heat exchanger 635 serving as a heater and a heat exchanger 645 serving as a cooler are realized as part of one refrigeration cycle 623D. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D of FIG. 8 includes a heat exchanger 635, a blower 636, an expansion valve 644, a heat exchanger 645, and a blower 646. The heat exchanger 635 functions as a condenser. The heat exchanger 645 functions as an evaporator. The outdoor unit 620D of FIG. 8 includes a compressor 641, a four-way valve 642, and a heat exchanger 635-1 functioning as a condenser. The compressor 641, the heat exchanger 635-1, the heat exchanger 635, the expansion valve 644, the heat exchanger 645, and the four-way valve 642 form a refrigeration cycle 623D.

[0029] The air treatment system 1 further includes an upstream damper opening and closing device 320, a downstream damper opening and closing device 321, and a control device 100. The control device 100 is connected to devices such as an indoor sensor 85 that detects the temperature and humidity in a room 381, the upstream damper opening and closing device 320, and the downstream damper opening and closing device 321.

[0030] <Control of outdoor air conditioner 610N> The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N includes a heat exchanger 611 (FIG. 4) through which a refrigerant flows and adjusts the temperature and humidity of the sucked outdoor air. In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 611 functions as an evaporator. That is, the heat exchanger 611 is a cooler for the outdoor air 91. The control device 100 controls the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N as follows: (1) Ventilation air volume, (2) The temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 611 (cooler), (3) the flow rate of the refrigerant through the heat exchanger 611; Of which, Control at least one of them. Through these controls, the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N with respect to the latent heat load is controlled. The temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 611 is, for example, the evaporation temperature ET of the refrigerant.

[0031] <Control of outdoor air conditioner 610D> The control device 100 controls the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D as follows: (1) Ventilation air volume, (2) the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 645 (cooler); (3) the flow rate of refrigerant through the heat exchanger 645; and (4) The switching time of the upstream damper 20 and the downstream damper 21; Of which, At least one of them is controlled. Through these controls, the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 with respect to the latent heat load is controlled. or (5) The control device 100 controls at least one of (1) to (5) for the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D by adding the refrigerant temperature flowing through the heat exchanger 635 (heater). Through these controls, the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 for the latent heat load is controlled.

[0032] ***Configuration Description*** Fig. 9 shows a hardware configuration of the control device 100. The hardware configuration of the control device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 9.

[0033] The control device 100 is a computer. The control device 100 includes a processor 110. The control device 100 includes multiple pieces of hardware in addition to the processor 110. The multiple pieces of hardware are a main memory device 120, an auxiliary memory device 130, an input IF 140, an output IF 150, and a communication IF 160. The processor 110 is connected to the other hardware via a signal line 170 and controls the other hardware.

[0034] The control device 100 includes, as functional elements, an acquisition unit 111 and a control unit 112. The functions of the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112 are realized by a control program 131. The acquisition unit 111 acquires detection values ​​from various sensors. The control of each device by the control device 100 is executed by the control unit 112.

[0035] The processor 110 is a device that executes a control program 131. The processor 110 executes the control program 131 to realize the functions of an acquisition unit 111 and a control unit 112. The processor 110 is an integrated circuit (IC) that performs arithmetic processing. Specific examples of the processor 110 are a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), and a graphics processing unit (GPU).

[0036] The main memory 120 is a storage device. Specific examples of the main memory 120 include a static random access memory (SRAM) and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The main memory 120 holds the results of calculations by the processor 110.

[0037] The auxiliary storage device 130 is a storage device that stores data in a non-volatile manner. A specific example of the auxiliary storage device 130 is a hard disk drive (HDD). The auxiliary storage device 130 may also be a portable recording medium. Examples of portable recording media include a Secure Digital (SD) memory card, a NAND flash, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a Blu-ray (Blu-ray) disk, and a digital versatile disk (DVD). The auxiliary storage device 130 stores a control program 131.

[0038] The input IF 140 is a port through which data is input from each device. The output IF 150 is connected to various devices. The output IF 150 is a port through which data is output by the processor 110 to various devices. The communication IF 160 is a communication port through which the processor 110 communicates with other devices. The communication IF 160 is connected to various devices. The communication IF 160 is connected to a human presence sensor 82, a CO2 sensor 83, an outdoor sensor 84, an indoor sensor 85, an upstream damper opening and closing device 320, a downstream damper opening and closing device 321, an indoor conditioning unit 510, an outdoor unit 520, an outdoor conditioning unit 610, and an outdoor unit 620.

[0039] The processor 110 loads the control program 131 from the auxiliary storage device 130 to the main storage device 120. The processor 110 reads the loaded control program 131 from the main storage device 120 and executes it. In addition to the control program 131, an OS (Operating System) is also stored in the main storage device 120. The processor 110 executes the control program 131 while executing the OS. The control device 100 may include multiple processors that replace the processor 110. These multiple processors share the execution of the control program 131. Each processor is a device that executes the control program 131, just like the processor 110. Data, information, signal values, and variable values ​​used, processed, or output by the control program 131 are stored in the main storage device 120, the auxiliary storage device 130, or a register or cache memory in the processor 110.

[0040] The control program 131 is a program that causes a computer to execute each process, procedure, or step of the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112, where the "unit" is replaced with a "process," a "procedure," or a "step."

[0041] The method is performed by the control device 100, which is a computer, executing the control program 131. The control program 131 may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided as a program product.

[0042] ***Explanation of Operation*** The control of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 by the control device 100 will be described below. The operation of the control device 100 corresponds to a control method. The operation of the control device 100 corresponds to the processing of a control program.

[0043] <In the case of the 610N outdoor air conditioner that does not have a desiccant> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control by the control device 100 of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N which does not have a desiccant.

[0044] <Step S1> In step S1, the acquisition unit 111 of the control device 100 obtains a latent heat load and a latent heat capacity. The control device 100 can determine the latent heat load according to the difference between a target humidity in the room 381 and a detected value of the humidity detected in the room 381. The control device 100 controls the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 based on the determined latent heat load. In the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 can use the difference between the target indoor humidity and the current indoor humidity as the latent heat load. As shown in Fig. 9, the control device 100 is connected to the indoor conditioning unit 510 via the communication IF 160. The acquisition unit 111 acquires the target indoor humidity set in the indoor conditioning unit 510 from the indoor conditioning unit 510. The control device 100 is connected to the indoor sensor 85 via the communication IF 160. The acquisition unit 111 acquires the current indoor humidity from the indoor sensor 85. The acquisition unit 111 identifies the latent heat load from the difference between the acquired target indoor humidity and the current indoor humidity. For latent heat capacity, which is the capacity to process latent heat, the acquisition unit 111 holds the device characteristics of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 and the outdoor unit 620. The acquisition unit 111 may obtain the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 from the current outdoor temperature and humidity, the refrigerant evaporation temperature of the evaporator that cools the outdoor air 91, and the ventilation air volume. The current outdoor temperature and humidity are acquired from the outdoor sensor 84 that detects the temperature and humidity of the outdoor air.

[0045] The control device 100 is connected to the outdoor sensor 84 via the communication IF 160. The acquisition unit 111 acquires the current outdoor temperature and humidity from the outdoor sensor 84. For the evaporator, in the case of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N, it is the heat exchanger 611 in FIG. 3, and in the case of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D, it is the heat exchanger 645. The control device 100 is connected to the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 via the communication IF 160. The acquisition unit 111 acquires the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant from the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N and the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D. The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N and the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D have sensors that detect the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant. For the ventilation air volume, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the rotation amount of the blower 612 and the blower 613 (FIG. 3) of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N. The acquisition unit 111 acquires the rotation rates of the blowers 636 and 646 of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D (FIG. 7). The acquisition unit 111 specifies the ventilation air volume from the rotation rates of the blowers 612 and 613, or the rotation rates of the blowers 636 and 646. From the above, the acquisition unit 111 can determine the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 from the current outside air temperature and humidity, the refrigerant evaporation temperature of the evaporator that cools, and the ventilation air volume.

[0046] <Step S2> In step S2, the control unit 112 compares the latent heat load and latent heat capacity obtained by the acquisition unit 111. If the latent heat capacity is equal to or greater than the latent heat load, the control unit 112 continues the current operation of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 (step S5). If the latent heat capacity is insufficient, the control unit 112 executes the process of step S3. In other words, if the latent heat load is greater than the latent heat capacity, the control unit 112 executes the process of step S3 (YES in step S2).

[0047] <Step S3> In step S3, the control unit 112 judges whether the ventilation air volume has reached the set upper limit. If the ventilation air volume has not reached the set upper limit, the control unit 112 increases the ventilation air volume (step S4). If the ventilation air volume is equal to or greater than the upper limit, the control unit 112 reduces the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger and increases the refrigerant flow rate (step S6). If the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N is the heat exchanger 611 (FIG. 3). If the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D is the heat exchanger 645 (FIG. 7). The outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 is connected to the control device 100 via the communication IF 160. The control unit 112 controls the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 via the communication IF 160 to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger and increase the refrigerant flow rate through the refrigerant circuit.

[0048] <For desiccant outdoor air conditioners> 11 is a flowchart showing the control of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D with a desiccant by the control device 100. Steps S1 to S5 are similar to the control of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N without a desiccant.

[0049] <Steps S6, S7, and S8> If the ventilation volume is at the upper limit in step S3, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the control unit 112 determines whether the damper switching time can be extended.

[0050] The control unit 112 has a set maximum value of the damper switching time. The control unit 112 judges whether the damper switching time can be extended based on the maximum value of the damper switching time held. For example, the maximum value of the damper switching time is 2 hours. The control unit 112 calculates the damper switching time to 2.5 hours according to the latent heat load and the air volume. Since 2.5 hours exceeds the maximum value (NO in step S6 in FIG. 11), the control unit 112 recognizes the damper switching time as 2 hours. After that, the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG. 11. The maximum value of the damper switching time can be determined, for example, by the performance of the desiccant itself. The performance of the desiccant itself is a performance such as a limit point at which the dehumidification amount by the desiccant cannot be expected to increase even if the switching time is extended beyond a certain switching time. When the maximum value of the damper switching time is 2 hours, the control unit 112 calculates the damper switching time to 1.5 hours. Since 1.5 hours is less than the maximum value of 2 hours (YES in step S6 in FIG. 11), the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 11. The control unit 112 recognizes the damper switching time as 1.5 hours. In step S7, the control unit 112 controls the damper switching time. Specifically, the control unit 112 increases the damper switching time toward the maximum value. In this way, when the damper switching time can be extended, the control unit 112 extends the damper switching time. When it is determined that the damper switching time cannot be extended (NO in step S6), the control unit 112 adjusts the refrigerant flow rate and the refrigerant temperature for the heat exchanger 645 functioning as a cooler and the heat exchanger 635 functioning as a heater.

[0051] The control unit 112 adjusts the refrigerant flow rate and refrigerant temperature of the heat exchanger 645 and the heat exchanger 635 as follows. Basically, as shown in step S8 of Fig. 11, the control unit 112 performs at least one of the following (1), (2), and (3). As a result, the control unit 112 increases the latent heat capacity. (1) Decrease in refrigerant temperature of the cooler (2) Rise in refrigerant temperature of the heater (3) Increase in refrigerant flow rate. The control unit 112 can perform calculations to determine the processing that consumes the least amount of power in relation to an increase in the amount of dehumidification of the outside air, that is, the most energy-efficient processing, and can determine to implement at least one of (1), (2), and (3).

[0052] Fig. 12 shows the relationship between the evaporation temperature ET of the refrigerant in the evaporator and the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 when air volume Q is used as a parameter. The horizontal axis is the evaporation temperature ET, and the vertical axis is the latent heat capacity. In Fig. 12, air volume Q is the parameter. Graph 41 is air volume Q1, and graph 42 is air volume Q2. Air volume Q1 is greater than air volume Q2.

[0053] Fig. 13 shows the relationship between the damper switching time of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D and the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610 when air volume Q is used as a parameter. The horizontal axis is the damper switching time, and the vertical axis is the latent heat capacity. In Fig. 13, air volume Q is the parameter. Graph 51 is air volume Q1, and graph 52 is air volume Q2. From Fig. 12, the lower the evaporation temperature ET, the higher the latent heat capacity. As can be seen from FIG. 13, the longer the damper switching time, the higher the latent heat capacity. The desiccant characteristics shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are examples. Depending on the desiccant, the shorter the damper switching time, the higher the latent heat capacity may be. Or, the latent heat capacity may increase at a specific switching time. In step S8, the control unit 112 adjusts the damper switching time in the direction that increases the latent heat capacity. The control unit 112 stores the characteristics as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 in the auxiliary storage device 130.

[0054] <How to determine the upper limit of ventilation airflow> 14 shows a method for determining the upper limit of the ventilation air flow rate, which is common to both the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610N that does not have a desiccant and the outdoor air-conditioning unit 610D that has a desiccant. The upper limit of the ventilation air flow rate is determined by the control unit 112.

[0055] <Step S11> Upper limit of ventilation airflow Q UL1is determined according to the number of people present in the room 380 and the CO2 concentration in the room 380 (step S11). The number of people present in the room 380 can be detected by the human presence sensor 82. The CO2 concentration in the room 380 can be detected by the CO2 sensor 83. The acquisition unit 111 acquires a detection value from the human presence sensor or the CO2 sensor.

[0056] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 112 determines the first upper limit Q of the ventilation air volume based on the CO2 concentration or the number of people. UL1 Calculate.

[0057] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 112 determines whether the latent heat load is greater than the first upper limit Q UL1 This determination can be made by using graphs 41, 42, 51, and 52 shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. If the latent heat load can be processed, in step S14, the control unit 112 determines whether the first upper limit value Q UL1 The control unit 112 sets the latent heat load at the first upper limit value Q UL1 If it is determined that the process cannot be performed, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0058] <Step S15> In step S15, referring to the information in FIG. 12, the control unit 112 determines the second upper limit Q of the ventilation air volume that can process the latent heat load at the current evaporation temperature ET of the refrigerant in the evaporator. UL2 (FIG. 12), where the evaporators are heat exchanger 611 (FIG. 3) and heat exchanger 645 (FIG. 7).

[0059] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 112 determines the second upper limit Q UL2 The flow of determining the upper limit of the ventilation airflow in FIG. 14 is executed between step S2 and step S3 in FIGS.

[0060] ***Advantages of the First Embodiment*** According to the air treatment system 1 of the first embodiment, the latent heat capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit is maintained at a maximum level, thereby maintaining high energy efficiency of the indoor air-conditioning unit and improving the energy efficiency of the entire air-conditioning system.

[0061] <Hardware configuration supplement> 9, the functions of the control device 100 are realized by software. However, the functions of the control device 100 may also be realized by hardware. FIG. 15 shows a configuration in which the functions of the control device 100 are realized by hardware. The electronic circuit 190 in FIG. 15 is a dedicated electronic circuit for realizing the functions of the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112 of the control device 100. The electronic circuit 190 is connected to a signal line 191. Specifically, the electronic circuit 190 is a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a logic IC, a GA, an ASIC, or an FPGA. GA is an abbreviation for Gate Array. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array. The functions of the components of the control device 100 may be realized by one electronic circuit, or may be distributed and realized by multiple electronic circuits. In addition, some of the functions of the components of the control device 100 may be realized by electronic circuits, and the remaining functions may be realized by software.

[0062] Each of the processor 110 and the electronic circuit 190 is also called a processing circuit or a circuitry. In the control device 100, the functions of the acquisition unit 111 and the control unit 112 may be realized by the circuitry.

[0063] The above describes the first embodiment. A combination of multiple technical features of the first embodiment may be implemented. Alternatively, one of the multiple technical features of the first embodiment may be partially implemented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Air treatment system, 20 Upstream damper, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Sub-damper, 21 Downstream damper, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Sub-damper, 30 First static desiccant, 31 Second static desiccant, 41, 42 Graph, 51, 52 Graph, 82 Human sensor, 83 CO2 sensor, 84 Outdoor sensor, 85 Indoor sensor, 91 Outdoor air, 92 Return air, 100 Control device, 101 Control program, 110 Processor, 111 Acquisition unit, 112 Control unit, 120 Main memory device, 130 Auxiliary memory device, 140 Input IF, 150 Output IF, 160 Communication IF, 170 Signal line, 180 Communication line, 190 Electronic circuit, 191 Signal line, 210 Inflow device, 211 Return air inlet, 212 outlet, 213 outside air inlet, 214 outlet, 216, 217, 218 partition plate, 220 outflow device, 221 return air outlet, 222 outside air outlet, 301 first partition plate, 302 second partition plate, 303 third partition plate, 320 upstream damper opening / closing device, 321 downstream damper opening / closing device, 360 housing, 380 room, 381 room, 382 ceiling, 500 equipment group, 510 indoor conditioning unit, 511 heat exchanger, 512 blower, 520 outdoor unit, 521 compressor, 521A refrigeration cycle, 522 four-way valve, 523 heat exchanger, 524 expansion valve, 525 blower, 590 piping, 600 Equipment group, 610N, 610D Outdoor air conditioner, 611 Heat exchanger, 612 Fan, 613 Fan, 614 Partition plate, 615 Intake port, 616 Exhaust port, 617 Intake port, 618 Supply port, 620, 620D Outdoor unit, 621 Compressor, 622 Four-way valve, 621D, 622D, 623D Refrigeration cycle, 623 Heat exchanger, 624 Expansion valve, 625 Fan, 631 Compressor, 632 Four-way valve, 633 Heat exchanger, 634 Expansion valve, 635, 635-1 Heat exchanger, 636 Fan, 641 Compressor, 642 Four-way valve, 643 Heat exchanger, 644 Expansion valve, 645 Heat exchanger, 646 Blower, 690 piping.

Claims

1. An indoor air conditioning unit that conditions air in a target space that is a target of air conditioning; an outdoor air conditioner that draws in outside air for ventilating the target space, heats or cools the outside air that has been drawn in, supplies the heated or cooled outside air to the target space as supply air, draws in air from the target space, and exhausts the drawn air from the target space as exhaust air; a control device that, when it is determined that the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit with respect to the latent heat load of the target space does not reach the latent heat load, controls the processing capacity to increase the processing capacity; The control device includes: An air treatment system that calculates an upper limit of a ventilation volume, which is a value of a ventilation volume to be compared with a current ventilation volume and is a value at which the latent heat load can be treated by ventilation, compares the calculated upper limit of the ventilation volume with the current ventilation volume, and starts control to increase the treatment capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit according to a comparison result, The outdoor air conditioner is It is equipped with a heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows and adjusts the temperature and humidity of the sucked-in outside air. The control device includes: When it is determined from the comparison result that the current ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the upper limit value, the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit is increased by controlling at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger, The control device includes: an air treatment system that acquires a detection value of either the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space or the number of people present in the target space, determines a first upper limit value indicating a ventilation volume to be compared with a current ventilation volume based on the acquired detection value, determines whether the latent heat load can be processed with the first upper limit value, and if it determines that the latent heat load cannot be processed with the first upper limit value, determines a second upper limit value of the ventilation volume that can be processed by the latent heat load as the upper limit value based on the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant.

2. An indoor air conditioning unit that conditions air in a target space that is a target of air conditioning; an outdoor air conditioner that draws in outside air for ventilating the target space, heats or cools the outside air that has been drawn in, supplies the heated or cooled outside air to the target space as supply air, draws in air from the target space, and exhausts the drawn air from the target space as exhaust air; a control device that, when it is determined that the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit with respect to the latent heat load of the target space does not reach the latent heat load, controls the processing capacity to increase the processing capacity; The control device includes: An air treatment system that calculates an upper limit of a ventilation volume, which is a value of a ventilation volume to be compared with a current ventilation volume and is a value of a ventilation volume at which the latent heat load can be treated by ventilation, compares the calculated upper limit of the ventilation volume with the current ventilation volume, and starts control to increase the treatment capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit according to a comparison result, The outdoor air conditioner is A heat exchanger through which the refrigerant flows and adjusts the temperature and humidity of the sucked-in outside air; A first static desiccant; A second static desiccant; a damper that causes the sucked outside air to flow into one of the first static desiccant and the second static desiccant, and causes the sucked air of the target space to flow into the other of the first static desiccant and the second static desiccant, and switches the desiccant into which the outside air and the air of the target space flow; Equipped with The control device includes: If it is determined from the comparison result that the current ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the upper limit, the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit is increased by controlling at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger, and the switching time of the damper. The control device includes: an air treatment system that acquires a detection value of either the carbon dioxide concentration in the target space or the number of people present in the target space, determines a first upper limit value indicating a ventilation volume to be compared with a current ventilation volume based on the acquired detection value, determines whether the latent heat load can be processed with the first upper limit value, and if it determines that the latent heat load cannot be processed with the first upper limit value, determines a second upper limit value of the ventilation volume that can be processed by the latent heat load as the upper limit value based on the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant.

3. The control device includes:

3. The air treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the latent heat load is determined based on the difference between a target humidity of the target space and a detected humidity value of the target space, and the processing capacity of the outdoor air-conditioning unit is controlled based on the determined latent heat load.

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