ventilation equipment

Abstract

To provide a ventilation device that can restrain an increase in cost.SOLUTION: A ventilation device (HRV) comprises a body casing (1), an air exhaust fan, an air supply fan, a total heat exchanger, and an electric component box (5). The air exhaust fan is installed in an air exhaust passage (15) inside the body casing (1). The air supply fan is installed in an air supply passage (16) inside the body casing (1). The total heat exchanger is installed in the middle of the air exhaust passage (15) and the air supply passage (16). The electric component box (5) is connected to the body casing (1), and houses a heat generation component (HPC). The electric component box (5) comprises an air introduction port (51) for introducing air outside the body casing (1), and an air discharge port (52) communicating with the air exhaust passage (15) on the upstream side of the air exhaust fan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ventilation devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a ventilation system that performs total heat exchange between exhaust indoor air and supply outdoor air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a ventilation system is provided with an electrical equipment box. The electrical equipment box houses drive circuits for an intake fan and an exhaust fan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-178083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the ventilation device described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, if an additional fan is installed inside the electrical equipment box to cool the heat-generating components that make up the drive circuit section housed in the electrical equipment box, there is a risk that the cost of the ventilation device will increase.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a ventilation device that can suppress increases in costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a ventilation device (HRV) comprising: a main casing (1); an exhaust fan (2) installed in an exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1); an air intake fan (3) installed in an air intake passage (16) inside the main casing (1); a total heat exchanger (4) installed midway between the exhaust passage (15) and the air intake passage (16); and an electrical equipment box (5) connected to the main casing (1) and housing a heat-generating component (HPC), wherein the electrical equipment box (5) has an air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) and an air outlet (52) upstream of the exhaust fan (2) and communicating with the exhaust passage (15).

[0007] According to the ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect, it is possible to provide a ventilation device that can cool the heat-generating components (HPC) without installing an additional fan inside the electrical component box (5), thereby suppressing increases in costs.

[0008] In the ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect, the main casing (1) may have a first side wall (1c) provided with an outlet (17) for the total heat exchanger (4), and the electrical component box (5) may be connected to the first side wall (1c). This configuration facilitates access to the electrical component box (5), thereby improving the maintainability of the ventilation device (HRV).

[0009] In the ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect, the exhaust passage (15) may have an exhaust inlet (11) opening at the upstream end and an exhaust outlet (12) opening at the downstream end, and the electrical component box (5) may be disposed inside the exhaust passage (15) between the total heat exchanger (4) and the exhaust inlet (11). With this configuration, the ventilation device (HRV) can be made smaller than when the electrical component box (5) is disposed outside the main casing (1).

[0010] The ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect may have a connecting passage (6) that connects the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) to the exhaust passage (15). This configuration improves the flexibility of the position at which the air outlet (52) is formed in the electrical component box (5), making it possible to more effectively cool the heat-generating components (HPC).

[0011] In the ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect, the electrical component box (5) may be disposed outside the main casing (1). This configuration ensures sufficient flow path cross-sectional areas of the exhaust passage (15) and the air supply passage (16), allowing smooth ventilation by the ventilation device (HRV). This also increases the degree of freedom in determining the location of the air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) into the electrical component box (5). Furthermore, compared to disposing the electrical component box (5) inside the main casing (1), this also increases accessibility to the electrical component box (5), improving maintainability of the electrical component box (5).

[0012] The ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect may have a connecting passage (6) that connects the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) to an air intake (19a) opening in the partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15). This configuration improves the flexibility of the position at which the air outlet (52) is formed in the electrical component box (5), making it possible to more effectively cool heat-generating components (HPC).

[0013] In the ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect, the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) may include a plurality of slits (51a) formed in the electrical component box (5). This configuration can prevent foreign matter from entering the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5).

[0014] In the ventilation device (HRV) of the above aspect, the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) may be provided in a side wall (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the electrical component box (5). This configuration can prevent water falling from above the ventilation device (HRV) from entering the air inlet (51). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a first embodiment of a ventilation device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the ventilator (HRV) of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation device (HRV) of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the ventilator (HRV) taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 of a second embodiment of a ventilation device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a ventilation device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing a first embodiment of a ventilation device according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the ventilation device (HRV) of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the upper end of the main body casing (1) of the ventilation device (HRV) shown in Fig. 1 is open. Figs. 1 and 2 also show a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system having an X axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ventilation device (HRV), a Y axis parallel to the width direction of the ventilation device (HRV), and a Z axis parallel to the up-down direction of the ventilation device (HRV).

[0018] The ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment is installed, for example, in the space above the ceiling (C) that separates the interior space (IDS), i.e., in the attic space (OCS). Note that the ventilation device (HRV) may also be installed in an interior space (IDS) that does not have an attic space (OCS), such as a skeleton ceiling. The ventilation device (HRV) draws in indoor air (RA) from the interior space (IDS) through, for example, a ventilation opening provided in the ceiling (C) and a ventilation duct (VD), and blows out exhaust air (EA) to the space outside the building through an exhaust duct (EAD) and an exhaust outlet provided in the exterior wall of the building.

[0019] The ventilation system (HRV) draws in outside air (OA) from the space outside the building through an outside air outlet provided on the exterior wall of the building and an outside air duct (OAD), and blows out fresh supply air (SA) into the indoor space (IDS) through an air supply duct (SAD) and an air supply port provided in the ceiling (C). The ventilation system (HRV) also exchanges heat between the indoor air (RA) and the outside air (OA), thereby reducing the temperature difference between the supply air (SA) and the indoor air (RA) supplied to the indoor space (IDS).

[0020] The ventilation device (HRV) includes, for example, a main body casing (1), an exhaust fan (2), an intake fan (3), a total heat exchanger (4), and an electrical component box (5).

[0021] The main casing (1) is, for example, a housing having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main casing (1) has, for example, an exhaust inlet (11) provided on an indoor side wall (1a) and an exhaust outlet (12) provided on an outdoor side wall (1b). The exhaust inlet (11) is connected, for example, to the downstream end of a ventilation duct (VD). The upstream end of the ventilation duct (VD) is connected, for example, to a ventilation opening provided in the ceiling (C). The exhaust outlet (12) is connected, for example, to the upstream end of an exhaust duct (EAD). The downstream end of the exhaust duct (EAD) is connected, for example, to an exhaust opening provided in the outer wall of the building.

[0022] The main casing (1) has an air supply inlet (13) on its outdoor side wall (1b) and an air supply outlet (14) on its indoor side wall (1a). The air supply inlet (13) is connected to, for example, the downstream end of an outdoor air duct (OAD). The upstream end of the outdoor air duct (OAD) is connected to, for example, an outdoor air outlet provided in the outer wall of the building. The air supply outlet (14) is connected to, for example, the upstream end of a supply air duct (SAD). The downstream end of the supply air duct (SAD) is connected to, for example, an air supply opening provided in the ceiling (C).

[0023] An exhaust passage (15) and an air intake passage (16) are defined inside the main casing (1), for example, by a partition wall. The exhaust passage (15) connects, for example, the exhaust inlet (11) and the exhaust outlet (12). The air intake passage (16) connects, for example, the air intake inlet (13) and the air intake outlet (14). A total heat exchanger (4) is disposed midway between the exhaust passage (15) and the air intake passage (16). The exhaust passage (15) and the air intake passage (16) are arranged to intersect with the total heat exchanger (4) interposed therebetween, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0024] The exhaust passage (15) is located below the air supply passage (16) at an exhaust upstream section (15a) located upstream of the total heat exchanger (4) in the air flow direction. The exhaust passage (15) is located above the air supply passage (16) at an exhaust downstream section (15b) located downstream of the total heat exchanger (4) in the air flow direction.

[0025] In other words, the air supply passage (16) is located below the exhaust passage (15) at an air supply upstream portion (16a) located upstream of the total heat exchanger (4) in the air flow direction. Also, the air supply passage (16) is located below the exhaust passage (15) at an air supply downstream portion (16b) located downstream of the total heat exchanger (4) in the air flow direction. Exhaust passage (15) It is located above the

[0026] The exhaust fan (2) is installed in the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1). Specifically, the exhaust fan (2) is installed, for example, in an exhaust downstream portion (15b) of the exhaust passage (15) that is located downstream of the total heat exchanger (4) in the air flow. The exhaust fan (2) is, for example, a sirocco fan, and includes a casing (21), a cylindrical multi-blade fan (22) housed in the casing (21), and a motor (23) that rotates the multi-blade fan (22).

[0027] The air supply fan (3) is installed in the air supply passage (16) inside the main casing (1). Specifically, the air supply fan (3) is installed, for example, in an air supply downstream section (16b) located downstream of the total heat exchanger (4) in the air flow direction in the air supply passage (16). The air supply fan (3) is, for example, a sirocco fan, and includes a casing (31), a cylindrical multi-blade fan (32) housed in the casing (31), and a motor (33) that rotates the multi-blade fan (32).

[0028] The total heat exchanger (4) is disposed midway through the exhaust passage (15) and the intake passage (16). The total heat exchanger (4) has a heat exchange element in which first and second flow passage-forming members made of a thin, dense material that allows water molecules to pass through and blocks out miscellaneous gases such as carbon dioxide are alternately stacked with partition plates made of the same material interposed therebetween. The total heat exchanger (4) has, for example, an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The total heat exchanger (4) has, for example, a diamond shape in a side view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. 1, and has a first surface (41), a second surface (42), a third surface (43), and a fourth surface (44) along the longitudinal direction of the total heat exchanger (4).

[0029] The first flow path forming member and the partition plate constituting the heat exchange element of the total heat exchanger (4) form, for example, a flow path connecting the first surface (41) and the second surface (42) of the total heat exchanger (4). The first surface (41) of the total heat exchanger (4) is a surface facing diagonally downward, facing the indoor-side side wall (1a) of the main casing (1), and is connected to the downstream end of the exhaust upstream section (15a) of the exhaust passage (15). The second surface (42) of the total heat exchanger (4) is a surface facing diagonally upward, facing the outdoor-side side wall (1b) of the main casing (1), and is connected to the upstream end of the exhaust downstream section (15b) of the exhaust passage (15).

[0030] The second flow path forming member and the partition plate constituting the heat exchange element of the total heat exchanger (4) form, for example, a flow path connecting the third surface (43) and the fourth surface (44) of the total heat exchanger (4). The third surface (43) of the total heat exchanger (4) faces diagonally downward, facing the outdoor-side side wall (1b) of the main casing (1), and is connected to the downstream end of the intake air upstream portion (16a) of the air supply passage (16). The fourth surface (44) of the total heat exchanger (4) faces diagonally upward, facing the indoor-side side wall (1a) of the main casing (1), and is connected to the upstream end of the intake air downstream portion (16b) of the air supply passage (16).

[0031] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation device (HRV) of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the ventilation device (HRV) taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the electrical component box (5) is connected to, for example, the main casing (1) and houses the heat-generating component (HPC). Specifically, the main casing (1) has, for example, a first side wall (1c) provided with an outlet (17) for the total heat exchanger (4), as shown in Fig. 2. The electrical component box (5) is connected to, for example, the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1).

[0032] The first side wall (1c) of the main body casing (1) is, for example, a side wall adjacent to an inspection hatch (C1) provided in the ceiling (C), as shown in Fig. 2. A worker inspecting or maintaining the ventilation system (HRV) accesses the ventilation system (HRV) by, for example, opening the inspection hatch (C1) provided in the ceiling (C). An outlet (17) of the total heat exchanger (4) provided in the first side wall (1c) of the main body casing (1) is closed, for example, by an openable and closable lid (18).

[0033] For example, when performing maintenance or replacing the total heat exchanger (4), a worker opens the lid (18) through the inspection hatch (C1) and opens the outlet (17) of the total heat exchanger (4) provided in the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1). This allows the worker to pull out the total heat exchanger (4) in the longitudinal direction through the outlet (17) and remove the total heat exchanger (4) from inside the main casing (1).

[0034] The second side wall (1d) of the main casing (1) opposite to the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) does not have an outlet (17) for removing the total heat exchanger (4). For example, a bypass flow path is provided between the second side wall (1d) of the main casing (1) and the total heat exchanger (4) to divert the room air (RA) from the upstream exhaust portion (15a) to the downstream exhaust portion (15b) of the exhaust passage (15) without passing through the total heat exchanger (4). Therefore, it is difficult to remove the total heat exchanger (4) from the second side wall (1d) side.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, the electrical component box (5) has, for example, an air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) and an air outlet (52) communicating with the exhaust passage (15) in an exhaust upstream section (15a) upstream of the exhaust fan (2). As shown in Fig. 3, for example, the electrical component box (5) accommodates a drive circuit (53) for the exhaust fan (2), a drive circuit (54) for the air supply fan (3), and a control circuit (55) for controlling the drive circuits (53) and (54).

[0036] The drive circuit (53) of the exhaust fan (2) includes, for example, an inverter circuit that rotates the motor (23) of the exhaust fan (2) at a predetermined rotation speed based on a control command input from the control circuit (55). The drive circuit (54) of the supply fan (3) includes, for example, an inverter circuit that rotates the motor (33) of the supply fan (3) at a predetermined rotation speed based on a control command input from the control circuit (55). The drive circuits (53) and (54) include, for example, heat-generating components (HPCs) such as power transistors and diodes that constitute the inverter circuits, as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0037] The control circuit (55) is configured, for example, by one or more microcontrollers including a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory. The control circuit (55) rotates the exhaust fan (2) and the supply fan (3) at a predetermined rotation speed via the drive circuits (53) and (54), for example, by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory. The control circuit (55) is connected, for example, to a carbon dioxide sensor (CDS), a room temperature sensor (RTS), an outside air temperature sensor (OTS), and a remote controller (RC), as shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] The carbon dioxide sensor (CDS) detects, for example, the carbon dioxide concentration of the room air (RA) and outputs the detection result to the control circuit (55). The room temperature sensor (RTS) detects, for example, the temperature of the room air (RA) and outputs the detection result to the control circuit (55). The outside air temperature sensor (OTS) detects, for example, the temperature of the outside air (OA) and outputs the detection result to the control circuit (55). The remote controller (RC) accepts, for example, operations by the user of the ventilation device (HRV) to start or stop the ventilation device (HRV), and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the control circuit (55).

[0039] For example, when a signal corresponding to an operation to start the ventilation device (HRV) is input from the remote controller (RC), the control circuit (55) outputs control signals to the drive circuits (53) and (54) based on the detection results of the carbon dioxide sensor (CDS), the room temperature sensor (RTS), and the outside air temperature sensor (OTS). In response to this, the drive circuits (53) and (54) respectively rotate the motor (23) of the exhaust fan (2) and the motor (33) of the supply fan (3) at predetermined rotation speeds based on the carbon dioxide concentration and temperature of the room air (RA) and the temperature of the outside air (OA).

[0040] The heat-generating components (HPC) constituting the drive circuits (53) and (54) are fixed to the inner wall surface between the air inlet (51) and the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5), for example, as shown in Fig. 4. The heat-generating components (HPC) are provided with, for example, heat dissipation fins (RF). The air (A) taken in through the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) flows, for example, from the air inlet (51) to the air outlet (52) inside the electrical component box (5) and cools the heat-generating components (HPC) via the heat dissipation fins (RF).

[0041] Specifically, for example, the air inlet (51) is provided at one vertical end of the electrical component box (5), and the air outlet (52) is provided at the other vertical end of the electrical component box (5). The heat-generating component (HPC) is disposed, for example, between the air inlet (51) and the air outlet (52) in the vertical direction.

[0042] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the air inlet (51) is provided, for example, at the lower end of the electrical component box (5), and the air outlet (52) is provided, for example, at the upper end of the electrical component box (5). However, the ventilation device (HRV) may also be installed upside down, for example. In this case, the air inlet (51) is provided, for example, at the upper end of the electrical component box (5), and the air outlet (52) is provided, for example, at the lower end of the electrical component box (5).

[0043] The electrical component box (5) is disposed outside the main casing (1), for example, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. Specifically, the electrical component box (5) is connected to the outer surface of the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) outside the main casing (1) between the indoor-side side wall (1a) of the main casing (1) and the outlet (17) of the total heat exchanger (4), for example, as shown in Figure 2.

[0044] 1 and 4, the upper portion of the electrical component box (5) is adjacent to the air supply passage (16) via the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1), and the lower portion is adjacent to the exhaust passage (15) via the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1). In other words, the electrical component box (5) is disposed across, for example, the exhaust upstream portion (15a) of the exhaust passage (15) and the intake downstream portion (16b) of the air supply passage (16), which are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction.

[0045] The ventilation device (HRV) also has a connecting passage (6) that connects the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) to an air inlet (19a) that opens into a partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1), as shown in Fig. 4. The partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15) in which the air inlet (19a) shown in Fig. 4 is provided is, for example, a lower portion of the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1). The connecting passage (6) is defined, for example, between the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) and the side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5) in which the air outlet (52) is provided, and is closed on all four sides.

[0046] The side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5) that defines the connecting passage (6) has an opening (59) at a position facing the air inlet (19a) provided in the partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1). The opening (59) is closed by a closing member (59a) made of, for example, resin. The closing member (59a) has, for example, radial slits that can prevent the passage of air (A) while allowing wiring and the like to pass through.

[0047] Similarly, the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) defining the connecting passage (6) has an opening (19b) at a position facing the air outlet (52) provided in the side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5). The opening (19b) is closed by a closing member (19c) made of, for example, resin. The closing member (19c) has radial slits, similar to the closing member (59a) closing the opening (59) of the electrical component box (5), and is capable of restricting the passage of air (A) while allowing wiring and the like to pass through.

[0048] For example, a wire connecting the exhaust fan (2) installed in the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1) to a drive circuit (53) housed in the electrical component box (5) is inserted through the air inlet (19a) of the main casing (1) and the opening (59) of the electrical component box (5). In addition, for example, a wire connecting the supply fan (3) installed in the supply passage (16) of the main casing (1) to a drive circuit (54) housed in the electrical component box (5) is inserted through the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) and the opening (19b) of the main casing (1).

[0049] If the ventilation device (HRV) does not have a connecting passage (6), the side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5) where the air outlet (52) is provided may be shared with the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1). In this case, the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) is provided, for example, in a lower portion of the first side wall (1c) that constitutes the partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1). In this case, the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) functions as an air inlet (19a) that opens into the partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15). In addition, the heat-generating component (HPC) is disposed, for example, between the air inlet (51) and the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5).

[0050] The air inlet (51) for introducing air from outside the main casing (1) into the electrical component box (5) includes, for example, a plurality of slits (51a) formed in the electrical component box (5). The air inlet (51) may also be, for example, a single slit extending horizontally. The air inlet (51) may also be, for example, formed in the shape of a lattice having a plurality of openings, or may be formed by a plurality of through-holes in a punched metal (punched wire mesh).

[0051] The air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) is provided, for example, in the side wall (5c) of the electrical component box (5). The electrical component box (5) has, for example, a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes four side walls (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d). The first side wall (5a) faces, for example, the main casing (1) of the electrical component box (5). The second side wall (5b) faces, for example, the first side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5). The third side wall (5c) is, for example, an indoor-side side wall facing in the same direction as the indoor-side side wall (1a) of the main casing (1). The fourth side wall (5d) is, for example, an outdoor-side side wall facing in the same direction as the outdoor-side side wall (1b) of the main casing (1). The air inlet (51) may be provided, for example, in one or more of the four side walls (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the electrical component box (5).

[0052] The electrical component box (5) also has a partition wall (57) that separates, for example, an internal space that houses a heat-generating component (HPC) of the electrical component box (5) from an air introduction chamber (56) into which air (A) from outside the main casing (1) is introduced through the air introduction port (51). The partition wall (57) has, for example, an air vent (57a) at a position that overlaps the heat-generating component (HPC) in the vertical direction when the ventilation device (HRV) is installed in the attic space (OCS).

[0053] The air introduction chamber (56) is formed, for example, at one vertical end of the electrical component box (5) when the HRV is installed in the overhead space (OCS). Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 4, the air introduction chamber (56) is formed at the bottom end of the electrical component box (5). However, the HRV may be placed upside down from the state shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the air introduction chamber (56) is formed, for example, at the top end of the electrical component box (5).

[0054] The operation of the ventilator (HRV) of this embodiment will be described below.

[0055] As described above, the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment includes a main casing (1), an exhaust fan (2), an intake fan (3), a total heat exchanger (4), and an electrical component box (5). The exhaust fan (2) is installed in the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1). The intake fan (3) is installed in the intake passage (16) inside the main casing (1). The total heat exchanger (4) is installed midway between the exhaust passage (15) and the intake passage (16). The electrical component box (5) is connected to the main casing (1) and houses a heat-generating component (HPC). The electrical component box (5) has an air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) and an air outlet (52) upstream of the exhaust fan (2) and communicating with the exhaust passage (15).

[0056] With this configuration, the ventilation system (HRV) of this embodiment can, by operating the exhaust fan (2), take in room air (RA) from the indoor space (IDS) through the ventilation openings and ventilation duct (VD) provided in the ceiling (C) into the exhaust passage (15). Furthermore, by operating the exhaust fan (2), the ventilation system (HRV) can pass the room air (RA) taken into the exhaust passage (15) through the total heat exchanger (4) and discharge the air from the exhaust passage (15) to the outdoors as exhaust air (EA) through the exhaust duct (EAD) and an exhaust port provided in the exterior wall of the building.

[0057] Furthermore, by operating the air supply fan (3), the ventilation system (HRV) can take in outside air (OA) from an outdoor space into the air supply passage (16) through an outside air port and an outside air duct (OAD) provided on the exterior wall of the building. By operating the air supply fan (3), the ventilation system (HRV) can pass the outside air (OA) taken into the air supply passage (16) through the total heat exchanger (4), thereby exchanging heat and transferring water molecules with the indoor air (RA) that is discharged outdoors. Furthermore, the ventilation system (HRV) can supply the supply air (SA) obtained after the outside air (OA) has passed through the total heat exchanger (4) from the air supply passage (16) to the indoor space (IDS) through the air supply duct (SAD) and an air supply port provided in the ceiling (C).

[0058] Furthermore, in the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, the electrical component box (5) that houses the heat-generating component (HPC) is connected to the main casing (1) and has an air outlet (52) that communicates with the exhaust passage (15) upstream of the exhaust fan (2). Therefore, when the exhaust fan (2) operates and negative pressure is generated upstream of the exhaust fan (2) in the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1), air inside the electrical component box (5) is sucked into the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1) through the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5).

[0059] As a result, air (A) from outside the main casing (1), such as air from the overhead ceiling space (OCS), is introduced through the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5), and the air (A) flows from the air inlet (51) to the air outlet (52) inside the electrical component box (5). This air (A) can cool the heat-generating components (HPC) housed in the electrical component box (5). Therefore, the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment can cool the heat-generating components (HPC) without installing an additional fan inside the electrical component box (5), thereby suppressing an increase in costs.

[0060] Furthermore, the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) is connected to the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1). Therefore, the air (A) outside the main casing (1) introduced through the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) can be exhausted from the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1) to the space outside the building via the exhaust duct (EAD) and the exhaust port. This prevents a decrease in the effective ventilation rate of the indoor space (IDS). In other words, the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment can cool the heat-generating component (HPC) without reducing the effective ventilation rate.

[0061] In the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, the main casing (1) has a first side wall (1c) provided with an outlet (17) of the total heat exchanger (4). The electrical component box (5) is connected to the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1).

[0062] This configuration improves the maintainability of the ventilation device (HRV). Specifically, in the ventilation device (HRV), a work space including, for example, an inspection hatch (C1) in the ceiling (C) for a worker to perform maintenance on the ventilation device (HRV) is secured in an area adjacent to the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) where the outlet (17) of the total heat exchanger (4) is provided. Therefore, connecting the electrical component box (5) to the first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) facilitates access during maintenance of the electrical component box (5), improving the maintainability of the ventilation device (HRV).

[0063] In the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, the electrical component box (5) is disposed outside the main casing (1).

[0064] This configuration ensures sufficient flow path cross-sectional area for the exhaust passage (15) and the air supply passage (16), allowing smooth ventilation by the ventilation device (HRV). Furthermore, the air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) into the electrical component box (5) can be positioned more freely, allowing for more effective cooling of the heat-generating components (HPC). Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the electrical component box (5) is disposed inside the main casing (1), access to the electrical component box (5) is easier, improving the ease of maintenance of the electrical component box (5).

[0065] In addition, the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment has a connecting passage (6) that connects the air exhaust port (52) of the electrical equipment box (5) to the air intake port (19a) that opens into the partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1).

[0066] This configuration improves the degree of freedom in determining the position at which the air outlet (52) is formed in the electrical component box (5), thereby enabling more effective cooling of the heat-generating components (HPC). Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, even when the exhaust passage (15) is provided in the lower portion of the main casing (1), the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) can be formed at a position facing the upper portion of the main casing (1). This makes it easy to arrange the heat-generating components (HPC) between the air inlet (51) and the air outlet (52), enabling more effective cooling of the heat-generating components (HPC).

[0067] In the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) includes a plurality of slits (51a) formed in the electrical component box (5). This configuration can prevent foreign matter from entering the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5).

[0068] In the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) is provided in the side walls (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the electrical component box (5). This configuration prevents water falling from above the ventilation device (HRV) from entering the air inlet (51).

[0069] In the ventilation device (HRV), the electrical component box (5) has a partition wall (57) that separates an internal space that houses the heat-generating component (HPC) from an air introduction chamber (56) that has an air inlet (51). The partition wall (57) has a ventilation hole (57a) that is provided at a position that overlaps with the heat-generating component (HPC) in the flow direction of the air (A). The heat-generating component (HPC) is disposed between the ventilation hole (57a) and the air outlet (52) in the flow direction of the air (A).

[0070] With this configuration, the air (A) introduced into the air introduction chamber (56) from the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) passes through the ventilation holes (57a) in the partition wall (57) that separates the air introduction chamber (56) from the internal space of the electrical component box (5) in which the heat-generating component (HPC) is housed, and the flow velocity increases. Then, the heat-generating component (HPC) is cooled by the air (A) whose flow velocity has increased after passing through the ventilation holes (57a). This makes it possible to more effectively cool the heat-generating component (HPC).

[0071] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a ventilation device (HRV) that can cool heat-generating components (HPC) housed in the electrical equipment box (5) without installing an additional fan in the electrical equipment box (5), thereby suppressing increases in costs.

[0072] [Embodiment 2] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the ventilation device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and with reference to FIG.

[0073] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 of a ventilation device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment differs from the ventilation device (HRV) of the first embodiment described above mainly in that an electrical component box (5) is disposed inside the main body casing (1). The ventilation device (HRV) according to this embodiment is otherwise similar to the ventilation device (HRV) of the first embodiment described above, and therefore similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0074] 5, the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1) also has an exhaust inlet (11) opening at the upstream end and an exhaust outlet (12) opening at the downstream end. The electrical component box (5) is disposed in the exhaust passage (15) at an upstream exhaust portion (15a) between the total heat exchanger (4) and the exhaust inlet (11). The electrical component box (5) may partially protrude outside the main casing (1).

[0075] Specifically, for example, the electrical component box (5) is attached to the inside of a first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) in which the outlet (17) of the total heat exchanger (4) is provided. The first side wall (1c) of the main casing (1) defines a side wall (5b) of the electrical component box (5) opposite to the side wall (5a) in which the air outlet (52) is formed. The side wall (5b) of the electrical component box (5) is formed with an air inlet (51) for introducing supply air from outside the main casing (1). The side wall (5b) of the electrical component box (5) may be openable and closable.

[0076] An upper portion of the electrical component box (5) is disposed inside the air intake downstream portion (16b) of the air intake passage (16), and a lower portion of the electrical component box (5) is disposed inside the exhaust upstream portion (15a) of the exhaust passage (15). The air inlet (51) is provided at a lower end of the side wall (5b) of the electrical component box (5), and the air outlet (52) is provided at an upper end of the side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5).

[0077] The ventilation device (HRV) also has a connecting passage (6) that connects the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) to the exhaust passage (15). The connecting passage (6) has, for example, a side wall (6a) facing the side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5), a bottom wall (6b) that closes the lower end of the connecting passage (6), an upper wall (6c) that closes the upper end of the connecting passage (6), a side wall (6d) that closes the indoor end of the connecting passage (6), and a side wall that closes the outdoor end of the connecting passage (6).

[0078] The side wall (6a) of the connecting passage (6) facing the side wall (5a) having the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) has a communication hole (61) that connects the internal space of the connecting passage (6) with the internal space of the exhaust passage (15). The communication hole (61) of the connecting passage (6) is provided, for example, at a position facing an opening (59) provided in the side wall (5a) of the electrical component box (5). For example, a wire that connects the exhaust fan (2) installed in the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1) to the drive circuit (53) housed in the electrical component box (5) is inserted through the opening (59) of the electrical component box (5) and the communication hole (61) of the connecting passage (6).

[0079] The side wall (6a) of the connecting passage (6) has an opening (62), for example, at a position facing the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5). The opening (62) is closed by, for example, a closing member (62a) similar to the closing member (59a). Wiring connecting, for example, the air supply fan (3) installed in the air supply passage (16) of the main casing (1) to the drive circuit (54) housed in the electrical component box (5) is inserted through the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) and the opening (62) of the connecting passage (6).

[0080] The operation of the ventilator (HRV) of this embodiment will be described below.

[0081] The ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, like the ventilation device (HRV) of the first embodiment, includes a main casing (1), an exhaust fan (2), an intake fan (3), a total heat exchanger (4), and an electrical component box (5). The exhaust fan (2) is installed in an exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1). The intake fan (3) is installed in an intake passage (16) inside the main casing (1). The total heat exchanger (4) is installed midway between the exhaust passage (15) and the intake passage (16). The electrical component box (5) is connected to the main casing (1) and houses a heat-generating component (HPC). The electrical component box (5) has an air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) and an air outlet (52) upstream of the exhaust fan (2) and communicating with the exhaust passage (15).

[0082] Therefore, according to the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, similarly to the ventilation device (HRV) of the first embodiment described above, when the exhaust fan (2) is activated and negative pressure is generated upstream of the exhaust fan (2) in the exhaust passage (15), the air inside the electrical component box (5) is sucked into the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1) through the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5).

[0083] As a result, air (A) from outside the main casing (1) is introduced through the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5), and the air (A) flows from the air inlet (51) to the air outlet (52) inside the electrical component box (5). This air (A) can cool the heat-generating components (HPC) housed in the electrical component box (5). Therefore, according to the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, the heat-generating components (HPC) can be cooled without installing an additional fan inside the electrical component box (5), thereby suppressing an increase in costs.

[0084] In addition, the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) is connected to the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1). Therefore, the air (A) outside the main casing (1) introduced through the air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) can be discharged from the exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1) through the exhaust duct (EAD) and the exhaust port to the space outside the building. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the effective ventilation rate of the indoor space (IDS).

[0085] In the ventilation device (HRV) of this embodiment, the exhaust passage (15) of the main casing (1) has an exhaust inlet (11) opening at the upstream end and an exhaust outlet (12) opening at the downstream end. The electrical component box (5) is disposed inside the exhaust passage (15) between the total heat exchanger (4) and the exhaust inlet (11).

[0086] With this configuration, at least a part of the electrical component box (5) can be disposed inside the main casing (1) and the air outlet (52) can be connected to the air inlet (51). Therefore, the ventilation device (HRV) can be made smaller than when the entire electrical component box (5) is disposed outside the main casing (1). Even when the electrical component box (5) is disposed outside the main casing (1), the ventilation device (HRV) can be made smaller than when the entire electrical component box (5) is disposed outside the main casing (1). of By providing a recess in the first side wall (1c) and installing the electrical equipment box (5) in the recess, the ventilation device (HRV) can be made smaller.

[0087] Alternatively, a portion of the electrical component box (5) may be disposed inside the exhaust passage (15), and the other portion may protrude outside the main casing (1). In this case, the air inlet (51) may be formed in the side wall (5b, 5c, 5d) of the electrical component box (5) located outside the main casing (1), thereby increasing the opening area of ​​the air inlet (51).

[0088] The ventilation system (HRV) of this embodiment also includes a connecting passage (6) that connects the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) to the exhaust passage (15).

[0089] This configuration improves the degree of freedom in determining the position at which the air outlet (52) is formed in the electrical component box (5), thereby enabling more effective cooling of the heat-generating components (HPC). Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, even when the exhaust passage (15) is provided on the lower side of the main casing (1), the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) can be formed at a position facing the air supply passage (16) on the upper side of the main casing (1). This makes it easy to arrange the heat-generating components (HPC) between the air inlet (51) and the air outlet (52), enabling more effective cooling of the heat-generating components (HPC).

[0090] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a ventilation device (HRV) that can cool heat-generating components (HPC) housed in the electrical equipment box (5) without installing an additional fan in the electrical equipment box (5), thereby suppressing increases in costs.

[0091] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications or substitutions may be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, features described separately may be combined unless technical contradictions arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Main casing 1c 1st side wall 11 Exhaust inlet 12 Exhaust outlet 15 Exhaust passage 15c Bulkhead 16 Air supply passage 17 Outlet 19a Air intake 2 exhaust fans 3 Intake fan 4 Total heat exchanger 5 Electrical equipment box 5a side wall 5b side wall 5c side wall 5d side wall 51 Air intake 51a Slit 52 Air exhaust port 6 Connecting passage A. Air HPC heat generating parts HRV ventilation device

Claims

1. A main body casing (1), an exhaust fan (2) installed in an exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1); an air supply fan (3) installed in an air supply passage (16) inside the main casing (1); a total heat exchanger (4) installed midway through the exhaust passage (15) and the intake passage (16); an electrical component box (5) connected to the main body casing (1) and housing a heat-generating component (HPC); The electrical component box (5) has an air inlet (51) for directly introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1), and an air outlet (52) communicating with the exhaust passage (15) upstream of the exhaust fan (2). Ventilation device (HRV).

2. A main body casing (1), an exhaust fan (2) installed in an exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1); an air supply fan (3) installed in an air supply passage (16) inside the main casing (1); a total heat exchanger (4) installed midway through the exhaust passage (15) and the intake passage (16); an electrical component box (5) connected to the main body casing (1) and housing a heat-generating component (HPC); The electrical component box (5) has an air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) and an air outlet (52) communicating with the exhaust passage (15) upstream of the exhaust fan (2), The main body casing (1) has a first side wall (1c) provided with an outlet (17) for the total heat exchanger (4), The electrical equipment box (5) is connected to the first side wall (1c). Ventilation device (HRV).

3. A main body casing (1), an exhaust fan (2) installed in an exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1); an air supply fan (3) installed in an air supply passage (16) inside the main casing (1); a total heat exchanger (4) installed midway through the exhaust passage (15) and the intake passage (16); an electrical component box (5) connected to the main body casing (1) and housing a heat-generating component (HPC); The electrical component box (5) has an air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) and an air outlet (52) communicating with the exhaust passage (15) upstream of the exhaust fan (2), The exhaust passage (15) has an exhaust inlet (11) that opens at an upstream end and an exhaust outlet (12) that opens at a downstream end, The electrical component box (5) is disposed inside the exhaust passage (15) between the total heat exchanger (4) and the exhaust inlet (11). Ventilation device (HRV).

4. a connecting passage (6) that connects the air outlet (52) of the electrical component box (5) to the exhaust passage (15); 4. A ventilation device (HRV) according to claim 3.

5. A main body casing (1), an exhaust fan (2) installed in an exhaust passage (15) inside the main casing (1); an air supply fan (3) installed in an air supply passage (16) inside the main casing (1); a total heat exchanger (4) installed midway through the exhaust passage (15) and the intake passage (16); an electrical component box (5) connected to the main body casing (1) and housing a heat-generating component (HPC); The electrical component box (5) has an air inlet (51) for introducing air (A) from outside the main casing (1) and an air outlet (52) communicating with the exhaust passage (15) upstream of the exhaust fan (2), The electrical equipment box (5) is disposed outside the main casing (1). Ventilation device (HRV).

6. a connecting passage (6) that communicates the air exhaust port (52) of the electrical component box (5) with an air intake port (19a) that opens in a partition wall (15c) of the exhaust passage (15); 6. A ventilation device (HRV) according to claim 5.

7. The air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) includes a plurality of slits (51a) formed in the electrical component box (5). A ventilator (HRV) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The air inlet (51) of the electrical component box (5) is provided in a side wall (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the electrical component box (5). A ventilator (HRV) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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