Ventilation system and control device

Abstract

To prevent deterioration in efficiency of air conditioning control, while reducing pathogens in a room.SOLUTION: An air conditioner suctions air in a target space, adjusts a temperature of the suctioned air, and blows it out into a target space. A pathogen removal device is provided in an air conditioner, and removes pathogens contained in the air suctioned into the air conditioner. A ventilation device is provided in an outside air introduction path connecting the outside of the target space and the inside of the target space, and sends air from the outside of the target space into the target space. When the air conditioner is operating, the ventilation device sends out a first ventilation amount of air depending on an amount of CO2 in the target space, and when the air conditioner is not operating, the ventilation device sends out air in an amount that is larger of a first ventilation amount and a second ventilation amount required to prevent infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the target space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation system and a control device.

Background Art

[0002] For the purpose of improving the indoor environment, air conditioning control is performed by an air conditioner. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for removing indoor CO2 by a carbon dioxide removal device and maintaining good indoor air quality.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in recent years, indoor ventilation has been required for the purpose of preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens such as viruses. The greater the ventilation volume, the lower the efficiency of air conditioning control by the air conditioner. An object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation system and a control device capable of preventing a decrease in the efficiency of air conditioning control while reducing indoor pathogens.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] (1) One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is an air conditioner that sucks air in a target space, adjusts the temperature of the sucked air, and blows it out into the target space, a pathogen removal device provided in the air conditioner for removing pathogens contained in the air sucked by the air conditioner, and an outside air introduction path that connects the outside of the target space and the inside of the target space, and is provided with a ventilation device that sends air from the outside of the target space into the target space. When the air conditioner is operating, the ventilation device sends out air with a first ventilation volume according to the amount of CO2 in the target space. When the air conditioner is not operating, the ventilation system sends out the larger amount of air between the first ventilation volume and the second ventilation volume required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the target space.

[0006] (2) Furthermore, the ventilation system according to one aspect of the present invention may include a CO2 removal device provided in the outside air introduction path for removing CO2 contained in the air flowing through the outside air introduction path.

[0007] (3) Furthermore, in the ventilation system according to one aspect of the present invention, the CO2 removal device may operate when the air conditioner is operating and stop when the air conditioner is not operating.

[0008] (4) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a control device for controlling the ventilation system according to the first aspect, including an acquisition unit that acquires a measured value of the amount of CO2 in the target space, a ventilation volume calculation unit that calculates a first ventilation volume according to the measured value of the amount of CO2, and when the air conditioner is operating, instructs the ventilation device to perform ventilation at the first ventilation volume, and when the air conditioner is not operating, instructs the ventilation device to perform ventilation with the larger amount of air between the first ventilation volume and the second ventilation volume required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the target space.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of air conditioning control while reducing pathogens in the room.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning and ventilation system 1 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning and ventilation system 1 performs air conditioning control and ventilation control of the target space R. The air conditioning and ventilation system 1 includes a temperature sensor 11, a CO2 sensor 12, an air conditioning indoor unit 13, an exhaust fan 14, an intake fan 15, a CO2 removal device 16, and a control device 17.

[0012] The temperature sensor 11 measures the temperature of the target space R and outputs the measured value to the control device 17. The CO2 sensor 12 measures the CO2 concentration of the target space R and outputs the measured value to the control device 17.

[0013] The air conditioning indoor unit 13 takes in the air of the target space R from the intake port, adjusts the temperature and humidity of the taken-in air, and blows out the air to the target space R from the blowout port. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning indoor unit 13 includes a sterilization unit 131, a first flow rate adjustment valve 132, a heat exchange unit 133, a second flow rate adjustment valve 134, a humidification unit 135, and an air conditioning fan 136.

[0014] The sterilization unit 131 is provided in the flow path between the intake port and the outlet port, and removes pathogens (infectious substances) such as viruses and bacteria contained in the passing air. The sterilization unit 131 may be, for example, a filter that blocks the passage of pathogens, or may be one that detoxifies pathogens by chemicals or discharge. The first flow rate adjustment valve 132 adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the heat exchange unit 133. The heat exchange unit 133 is provided in the flow path between the intake port and the outlet port, and adjusts the temperature of the taken-in air by heat exchange between the passing air and the refrigerant supplied through the first flow rate adjustment valve 132. The second flow rate adjustment valve 134 adjusts the flow rate of the humidification water supply supplied to the humidification unit 135. The humidification unit 135 is provided in the flow path between the intake port and the outlet port, and humidifies the air with the humidification water supply supplied from the second flow rate adjustment valve 134. The humidification unit 135 may be one that sprays the humidification water supply by spraying, one that vaporizes the humidification water supply with a humidification filter containing the humidification water supply, or one that heats and evaporates the humidification water supply. The air conditioning fan 136 pumps air from the intake port toward the outlet port. The air conditioning fan 136 may be one whose rotation speed is variable, for example, by inverter control.

[0015] The exhaust fan 14 is provided in the air discharge path connecting the inside and the outside of the target space R, and discharges the air in the target space R to the outside by driving. The intake fan 15 is provided in the outside air introduction path connecting the inside and the outside of the target space R, and supplies the outside air (outside air) to the target space R by driving. The exhaust fan 14 and the intake fan 15 may be ones whose rotation speeds are variable, for example, by inverter control. The exhaust fan 14 and the intake fan 15 are an example of a ventilation device that blows air so that air flows from outside the target space R into the target space R through the outside air introduction path. Note that the ventilation device according to the present embodiment performs first-type ventilation including the exhaust fan 14 and the intake fan 15, but in other embodiments, the ventilation device may perform second-type ventilation including only the intake fan 15, or may perform third-type ventilation including only the exhaust fan 14. Further, the ventilation device may include a total heat exchanger or a sensible heat exchanger.

[0016] The CO2 removal device 16 is provided in the outside air introduction path and removes CO2 contained in the outside air, that is, reduces the CO2 concentration of the air taken into the target space R. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the CO2 removal device 16 according to the first embodiment. The CO2 removal device 16 includes, for example, a first motor damper 161, a second motor damper 162, a booster fan 163, and a DAC (Direct Air Capture) 164. Two paths (a first path and a second path) for air to flow are formed between the outdoor side and the indoor side of the outside air introduction path of the CO2 removal device 16. The first motor damper 161 is provided in the first flow path. The second motor damper 162 is provided in the second flow path. The first motor damper 161 and the second motor damper 162 are controlled so that either one is open and the other is closed. Therefore, air flows through the first path or the second path. The DAC 164 is provided in the second flow path. The DAC 164 is a filter composed of a material having a property of absorbing CO2 such as amine. When air passes through the DAC 164, CO2 in the air is absorbed by the DAC 164, and CO2 in the air can be removed. The booster fan 163 pumps air to the DAC 164. Since the intake fan 15 is provided in the outside air introduction path where the CO2 removal device 16 is provided, air is guided into the target space R by driving the intake fan 15. On the other hand, a pressure loss occurs when air passes through the DAC 164. By driving the booster fan 163, the energy corresponding to the pressure loss can be compensated.

[0017] The control device 17 controls the air conditioner indoor unit 13, the exhaust fan 14, the intake fan 15, and the CO2 removal device 16. The control device 17 controls the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 based on the measured value of the temperature sensor 11. For example, the control device 17 receives in advance the setting of the operation mode (heating or cooling) and the set temperature of the target space R. When the operation mode is heating, the control device 17 compares the measured value of the temperature sensor 11 with the set temperature. When the measured value is lower than the set temperature, the control device 17 opens the first flow rate adjustment valve 132 and supplies refrigerant to the heat exchange unit 133. On the other hand, when the measured value is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the control device 17 closes the first flow rate adjustment valve 132. When the operation mode is cooling, the control device 17 compares the measured value of the temperature sensor 11 with the set temperature. When the measured value is higher than the set temperature, the control device 17 opens the first flow rate adjustment valve 132 and supplies refrigerant to the heat exchange unit 133. On the other hand, when the measured value is equal to or lower than the set temperature, the control device 17 closes the first flow rate adjustment valve 132. Note that the control device 17 can switch the ON / OFF of the air-conditioning function. That is, when the OFF of the air-conditioning function is set, the control device 17 closes the first flow rate adjustment valve 132 and the second flow rate adjustment valve 134 of the air-conditioning indoor unit 13, and stops the sterilization unit 131 and the air-conditioning fan 136. That is, when the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 stops, the sterilization by the sterilization unit 131 stops.

[0018] The control device 17 determines whether to operate the CO2 removal device 16 based on whether the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is operating. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for switching the CO2 removal device 16 by the control device 17 according to the first embodiment. The control device 17 determines whether the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is operating (step S1). When the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is operating (step S1: YES), the control device 17 determines to operate the CO2 removal device 16 (step S2). That is, the first motor damper 161 of the CO2 removal device 16 is closed, and the second motor damper 162 is opened. On the other hand, when the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is not operating (step S1: NO), the control device 17 determines to stop the CO2 removal device 16 (step S3). That is, the second motor damper 161 of the CO2 removal device 16 is closed, and the first motor damper 162 is opened.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a ventilation control method by the control device 17 according to the first embodiment. The control device 17 acquires the measured value of the CO2 sensor 12 (step S11). The control device 17 determines whether or not the acquired measured value exceeds a preset set CO2 concentration (step S12). When the measured value of CO2 exceeds the set CO2 concentration (step S12: YES), the control device 17 increases the ventilation amount by a predetermined amount (step S13). On the other hand, when the measured value of CO2 does not exceed the set CO2 concentration (step S12: NO), the control device 17 decreases the ventilation amount by a predetermined amount (step S14). The control device 17 controls the exhaust fan 14, the intake fan 15, and the booster fan 163 when the CO2 removal device 16 is driven according to the set ventilation amount (step S15).

[0020] In addition, when the air conditioner indoor unit 13 is stopped, if the ventilation amount based on the prevention of infectious diseases by pathogens is larger than the ventilation amount based on the concentration of CO2, the rotation amounts of the exhaust fan 14 and the intake fan 15 are controlled so as to realize the ventilation amount based on the prevention of infectious diseases by pathogens regardless of the CO2 concentration.

[0021] That is, when the air conditioner indoor unit 13 is not operating, the control device 17 sends out the larger amount of air between the first ventilation amount corresponding to the amount of CO2 in the target space R and the second ventilation amount required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the target space R.

[0022] As described above, the air-conditioning and ventilation system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a pathogen removal device (sterilization unit 131) that removes pathogens contained in the air sucked into the air-conditioning indoor unit 13. Thereby, when the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 operates and the CO2 concentration is low, the amount of pathogens in the target space R can be reduced without performing ventilation of the ventilation volume required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens. Thereby, the ventilation volume of the target space R can be reduced, and the efficiency of the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 can be improved. That is, the control device 17 can prevent a decrease in the efficiency of air-conditioning control while reducing pathogens in the room. When the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is not operating, the control device 17 can reduce the pathogens in the room by sending out the larger amount of air between the first ventilation volume according to the amount of CO2 in the target space R and the second ventilation volume required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the target space R.

[0023] In addition, the air-conditioning and ventilation system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a CO2 removal device 16 in the outside air introduction path. Thereby, outside air with a reduced CO2 concentration of the air can be taken into the target space R during ventilation. By reducing the CO2 concentration of the outside air to be taken in, the amount of outside air taken in for CO2 concentration reduction can be reduced, and the efficiency of the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 can be improved.

[0024] The CO2 removal device 16 operates when the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is operating and stops when the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is not operating. When the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is not operating, the pathogen removal effect by the sterilization unit 131 cannot be obtained, so it is necessary to increase the ventilation volume for pathogen removal. Therefore, since ventilation with a sufficient ventilation volume is realized, by stopping the CO2 removal device 16, the CO2 concentration of the target space R can be suppressed while suppressing the energy related to the drive of the CO2 removal device 16. Since the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 is stopped, even if the ventilation volume is large, it does not affect the efficiency of the air-conditioning indoor unit 13.

[0025] As described above, one embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like are possible. That is, in other embodiments, the order of the above-described processes may be appropriately changed. Also, some processes may be executed in parallel. The control device 17 according to the above-described embodiment may be configured by a single computer, or the configuration of the control device 17 may be divided and arranged in a plurality of computers, and the plurality of computers may function as the control device 17 by cooperating with each other. For example, as the control device 17, the control device of the air-conditioning indoor unit 13 and the control device of the ventilation system may be provided in separate devices.

[0026] For example, in other embodiments, the air-conditioning and ventilation system 1 may not include the CO2 removal device 16. For example, in other embodiments, when the ventilation volume required for pathogen removal is sufficiently larger than the ventilation volume required for CO2 removal, the air-conditioning and ventilation system 1 can reduce the amount of pathogens in the target space R as compared with the case of performing ventilation with the ventilation volume required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens.

[0027] The control device 17 includes a processor, a memory, an auxiliary storage device, etc. connected by a bus, and realizes the above-described functions by executing an air-conditioning and ventilation control program. Examples of the processor include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), a microprocessor, etc. The air-conditioning and ventilation control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a storage device such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc. The air-conditioning and ventilation control program may be transmitted via an electric communication line. Note that all or part of each function of the air conditioning and ventilation control may be implemented using a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Such integrated circuits are also included as an example of a processor.

Description of Symbols

[0028] 1…Air conditioning and ventilation system, 11…Temperature sensor, 12…CO2 sensor, 13…Air conditioning indoor unit, 131…Sterilization unit, 14…Exhaust fan, 15…Intake fan, 16…CO2 removal device, 17…Control device

Claims

1. An air conditioner that sucks air in a target space, adjusts the temperature of the sucked air, and blows it out into the target space, a pathogen removal device provided in the air conditioner for removing pathogens contained in the air sucked by the air conditioner, a ventilation device that sends out air so that air flows from outside the target space into the target space through an outside air introduction path connecting outside the target space and inside the target space, comprising: when the air conditioner is operating, the ventilation device sends out air in a first ventilation volume according to the amount of CO2 in the target space; when the air conditioner is not operating, the ventilation device sends out air in an amount that is the larger of the first ventilation volume and a second ventilation volume required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the target space ventilation system.

2. The ventilation system according to claim 1, further comprising a CO2 removal device provided in the outside air introduction path for removing CO2 contained in the air flowing through the outside air introduction path. The ventilation system according to claim 1.

3. The CO2 removal device operates when the air conditioner is operating and stops when the air conditioner is not operating. The ventilation system according to claim 2.

4. A control device for controlling the ventilation system according to claim 1, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a measured value of the amount of CO2 in the target space; a ventilation volume calculation unit that calculates a first ventilation volume according to the measured value of the amount of CO2; a ventilation control unit that, when the air conditioner is operating, instructs the ventilation device to perform ventilation at the first ventilation volume, and when the air conditioner is not operating, instructs the ventilation device to perform ventilation in an amount that is the larger of the first ventilation volume and a second ventilation volume required for preventing infectious diseases caused by pathogens in the target space control device.

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