Ventilation Control System

Abstract

To provide a technology of securing a ventilation rate efficiently.SOLUTION: A ventilator 20 replaces air inside and outside a target area. An air conditioner 30 has an HEPA filter 34. A controller 40 instructs the ventilator 20 and the air conditioner 30 to operate. The air conditioner 30 has a circulating air passage that suctions in air in the area, purifies the same by the HEPA filter 34, and then blows the same out into the area to circulate the same. The controller 40 instructs the ventilator 20 and the air conditioner 30 to operate so that a sum of an outside air volume per unit time introduced by the ventilator 20 and a return air volume per unit time circulated in the circulation air passage by the air conditioner 30 becomes equal to or higher than a threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ventilation control technology, and more particularly to a ventilation control system for controlling ventilation in a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] In an air conditioning system for a highly insulated and airtight house with multiple rooms, the air conditioning in at least one independently installed air-conditioned room is controlled, and the conditioned air is transported from the air-conditioned room to each room (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO 19 / 107163 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Measures to prevent infectious diseases are urgently needed. As a measure to prevent infectious diseases, guidelines have been issued stating that ventilation should be two times per hour. Here, ventilation rate refers to the number of times that all the air in an area (room) is replaced with outside air. If ventilation fans alone were to be used to achieve two ventilation rates, the air volume would be excessive, increasing the air conditioning load and making it difficult to achieve.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology for efficiently ensuring the ventilation rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a ventilation control system that includes a ventilation device that exchanges air between inside and outside a target area, an air conditioning device having a dust-collecting filter, and a control device that instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate. The air conditioning device has a circulation air duct that draws in air from the area, purifies it using the dust-collecting filter, and then blows it out into the area for circulation. The control device instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate so that the sum of the volume of outside air introduced per unit time by the ventilation device and the volume of return air circulated per unit time through the circulation air duct by the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the ventilation rate can be efficiently ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a house according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a control unit in FIG. [Figure 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing the data structure of a table stored in the storage unit of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining an air volume by the control device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a house according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table stored in a storage unit in FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Example 1 Before describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be provided. This embodiment relates to an air conditioning system installed in a facility such as a home that performs whole-building air conditioning for the facility. As described above, as a measure to prevent infectious diseases, the ventilation rate for replacing the air inside the facility with outside air is set at two times per hour. Achieving two ventilation rates using only a ventilation device would be difficult because the air volume would be excessive and the air conditioning load would increase. The air conditioning system according to this embodiment circulates air purified by a HEPA filter within the facility, and replaces a portion of the air volume of the air to be ventilated with the air volume of the circulated air. In other words, ventilation is performed so that the sum of the air volume of the circulated air and the air volume of the ventilated air is equal to or greater than two ventilations per hour. In the following description, air volume refers to the air volume per unit time, for example, per hour.

[0011] The examples described below each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps (processes), and step order shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a house 100. The house 100 is equipped with an air conditioning system including a ventilation device 20, an air conditioner 30, and a control device 40. The air conditioning system is also called a ventilation control system, a ventilation system, or a whole-house air conditioning system. The house 100 includes a first area 10a and a second area 10b, collectively referred to as areas 10. The areas 10 are, for example, rooms, a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. The number of areas 10 included in the house 100 is not limited to two, and the house 100 may also be a facility that includes non-residential buildings.

[0013] An outside air inlet (not shown) is installed on the exterior wall of the house 100. An outside air duct 50 extends from the outside air inlet toward the interior of the house 100. The outside air duct 50 is also called an outside air introduction duct. The outside air duct 50 is connected to the ventilation device 20. An outside air introduction fan (not shown) is installed in the ventilation device 20, and as the outside air introduction fan rotates, outside air 60 is taken in from the outside air inlet, and the outside air 60 flows into the ventilation device 20 through the outside air duct 50. The outside air duct 50 extends further from the ventilation device 20 and is connected to a first circulation air duct 54a, causing the outside air 60 from the ventilation device 20 to flow into the first circulation air duct 54a.

[0014] An exhaust air duct 52 is also connected to the ventilation device 20. The exhaust air duct 52 is also called an exhaust duct. The exhaust air duct 52 extends from each area 10 toward the exterior wall of the house 100 via the ventilation device 20. An exhaust port (not shown) is installed in the exterior wall of the house 100, and the exhaust air duct 52 is connected to the exhaust port. The ventilation device 20 exhausts exhaust air 62 through the exhaust air duct 52 through the rotation of an exhaust fan (not shown). In this way, the exhaust air duct 52 collects the exhaust air 62 from the first area 10a and the second area 10b and discharges the exhaust air 62 to the outdoors through a single exhaust port. As a result, the ventilation device 20 ventilates the first area 10a and the second area 10b, which are different from each other, and exchanges air inside and outside the area 10. Heat exchange may also be performed in the ventilation device 20.

[0015] Inside the house 100, a first circulation air duct 54a extending from each area 10 to the air conditioner 30, and a second circulation air duct 54b extending from the air conditioner 30 to each area 10 are installed. The first circulation air duct 54a is also called a return air duct, and the second circulation air duct 54b is also called an intake air duct. The air duct connecting the first circulation air duct 54a and the second circulation air duct 54b is configured in a ring shape. The first The circulation air passage 54a and the second circulation air passage 54b are collectively referred to as the circulation air passage 54. Return air 64 from each area 10 flows into the first circulation air passage 54a. As described above, the first circulation air passage 54a is connected to the outside air passage 50, so that the return air 64 is mixed with the outside air 60.

[0016] A mixture of return air 64 and outside air 60 flows into the air conditioner 30 through the first circulation air duct 54a. The air conditioner 32 of the air conditioner 30 controls the air conditioning of the mixture of return air 64 and outside air 60. The air conditioner 32 cools or heats the mixture of return air 64 and outside air 60 so that the temperature of the air reaches a set target temperature. The target temperature is set by the control device 40. The air conditioner 32 may have a humidifying and dehumidifying function.

[0017] Air from the air conditioner 32 flows into a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) 34. The HEPA filter 34 is an air filter that removes dirt, dust, and the like from the air conditioned by the air conditioner 32 and outputs purified air. The air that has passed through the HEPA filter 34 is output as air from the air conditioner 30 by a blower (not shown) included in the air conditioner 30. The air volume of the blower can be controlled by a control device 40, which will be described later.

[0018] A second circulation air duct 54b is connected to the air conditioner 30 so that the air conditioner 30 can control the temperatures in the first area 10a and the second area 10b. The second circulation air duct 54b extends to the first area 10a and the second area 10b. An air outlet (not shown) is provided in each of the first area 10a and the second area 10b, and each air outlet is connected to the second circulation air duct 54b. The supply air 66 output from the air conditioner 30 passes through the second circulation air duct 54b and is blown out from the air outlet into the area 10. A first damper 12a is installed at the air outlet in the first area 10a, and a second damper 12b is installed at the air outlet in the second area 10b. The first damper 12a and the second damper 12b are collectively referred to as damper 12, and the damper 12 adjusts its opening to adjust the volume of the supply air 66 blown out from the air outlet into the area 10. The opening degrees of the first damper 12a and the second damper 12b are controlled by a control device 40.

[0019] An intake port (not shown) is provided in each of the first area 10a and the second area 10b, and each intake port is connected to the first circulation air duct 54a. When the air conditioner 30 is operating, return air 64 from each area 10 flows into the first circulation air duct 54a from the intake port. Subsequently, the return air 64 is drawn into the air conditioner 30 through the first circulation air duct 54a, as described above. In other words, the circulation air duct 54 allows the air conditioner 30 to draw in air from within the area 10, purify it using the HEPA filter 34, and then blow it out into the area 10 for circulation.

[0020] A contamination sensor 70 is installed in the first area 10a. The contamination sensor 70 is a sensor for detecting contamination of the air in the first area 10a, and is, for example, a dust sensor or a gas sensor. Known technology may be used for the contamination sensor 70, so a description thereof will be omitted here. The contamination sensor 70 may also be installed in the second area 10b, or may be installed in both the first area 10a and the second area 10b. The contamination sensor 70 has a communication function such as wireless communication, and transmits the detected air contamination value to the control device 40.

[0021] The control device 40 is a system controller that controls the entire air conditioning system. The control device 40 includes an IF unit 42, a control unit 44, and a memory unit 46. The IF unit 42 is connected to the damper 12, the ventilation device 20, the air conditioning device 30, and the contamination sensor 70 so that they can communicate with each other via wireless communication. Connecting them via wireless communication eliminates the need for complex wiring work. However, at least some of these may be connected so that they can communicate with each other via wired communication. The IF unit 42 receives the air contamination value from the contamination sensor 70.

[0022] The control unit 44 determines the control details for the ventilation device 20, the air conditioning device 30, and the damper 12 based on the received air pollution value. The IF unit 42 sends a control signal including the determined control details to the ventilation device 20, the air conditioning device 30, and the damper 12. This is equivalent to instructing the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30 to operate, and instructing the opening degree of the damper 12. The memory unit 46 stores predetermined information.

[0023] FIG. 2 is also used here to explain the details of the control device 40. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control unit 44. The control unit 44 includes a ventilation control unit 200 and an air conditioner control unit 202. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the control details of the ventilation device 20, and the air conditioner control unit 202 determines the control details of the air conditioner 30 and the damper 12.

[0024] The air conditioner control unit 202 receives the air pollution value detected by the pollution sensor 70 from the IF unit 42. The air conditioner control unit 202 determines the return air volume based on the air pollution value by referencing a table stored in the storage unit 46. FIGS. 3(a)-(b) show the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 46. As shown in FIG. 3(a), pollution values ​​and return air volumes are associated. Here, the larger the pollution value, the larger the return air volume. FIG. 3(b) will be described later, returning to FIG. 2. The return air volume is the volume of return air 64, and is adjusted by adjusting the air volume of the air conditioner 30, adjusting the opening of the damper 12, or a combination thereof. For example, the opening of the damper 12 may be a fixed value, and the air volume of the air conditioner 30 may be determined according to the determined return air volume. Alternatively, the air volume of the air conditioner 30 may be a fixed value, and the opening of the damper 12 may be determined according to the determined return air volume.

[0025] The memory unit 46 stores a total airflow setting value that satisfies a specified value, for example, two ventilations per hour. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outdoor airflow rate by subtracting the return airflow rate determined by the air conditioner control unit 202 from the total airflow setting value stored in the memory unit 46. The outdoor airflow rate may be greater than the value obtained by subtracting the return airflow rate from the total airflow setting value. The outdoor airflow rate is the airflow rate of outdoor air 60, which is equivalent to the exhaust airflow rate, which is the airflow rate of exhaust air 62. The outdoor airflow rate or exhaust airflow rate is adjusted by adjusting the airflow rate of the ventilation device 20.

[0026] The control unit 44 outputs a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a "first control signal") to the IF unit 42 for instructing the air volume of the air conditioner 30 and the opening degree of the damper 12 determined by the air conditioner control unit 202. The control unit 44 outputs a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a "second control signal") to the IF unit 42 for instructing the air volume of the ventilation device 20 determined by the ventilation control unit 200. The IF unit 42 sends the first control signal to the air conditioner 30 and the damper 12, and sends the second control signal to the ventilation device 20. This corresponds to instructing the damper 12, the ventilation device 20, and the air conditioner 30 to operate so that the sum of the volume of outside air per unit time introduced by the ventilation device 20 and the volume of return air per unit time circulated by the air conditioner 30 to the circulation air duct 54 is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0027] The subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure comprises a computer. When this computer executes a program, the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure are realized. The computer comprises, as its main hardware configuration, a processor that operates according to a program. The type of processor is not important as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip, or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device, or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be stored in advance on the recording medium, or may be downloaded over the Internet. The information may be supplied to a recording medium via a wide area communication network including a public transport network.

[0028] The operation of the air conditioning system configured as described above will now be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for determining the air volume by the control device 40. The air conditioner control unit 202 acquires a contamination value (S10) and determines the return air volume based on the contamination value (S12). The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outside air volume by subtracting the return air volume from the total air volume setting value (S14).

[0029] According to this embodiment, the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30 are instructed to operate so that the sum of the outside air volume per unit time and the return air volume per unit time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, so that the specified ventilation rate can be shared between the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30. Furthermore, because the specified ventilation rate is shared between the ventilation device 20 and the air conditioning device 30, the load on the ventilation device 20 can be reduced. Furthermore, because the load on the ventilation device 20 is reduced, the ventilation rate can be efficiently ensured. Furthermore, because the return air volume is determined according to the air pollution level, the return air volume sufficient to reduce the air pollution level can be ensured. Furthermore, because the outside air volume is determined based on the return air volume, the ventilation rate can be efficiently ensured while reducing the air pollution level.

[0030] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A ventilation control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a ventilation device (20) that exchanges air between inside and outside a target area, an air conditioner (30) having a dust collection filter (34), and a control device (40) that instructs the ventilation device (20) and the air conditioner (30) to operate. The air conditioner (30) has a circulation air duct (54) that draws in air from the area, purifies it using the dust collection filter (34), and then blows the air into the area for circulation. The control device (40) instructs the ventilation device (20) and the air conditioner (30) to operate so that the sum of the volume of outside air introduced per unit time by the ventilation device (20) and the volume of return air circulated per unit time through the circulation air duct (54) by the air conditioner (30) is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0031] The dust collection filter (34) may be a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter (34).

[0032] The control device (40) may include a ventilation control unit (200) that controls the ventilation device (20) and an air conditioner control unit (202) that controls the air conditioner (30). The air conditioner control unit (202) may receive the air pollution level detected by the pollution sensor (70) and determine the return air volume in accordance with the air pollution level, and the ventilation control unit (200) may determine the outside air volume based on the return air volume determined by the air conditioner control unit (202).

[0033] Example 2 Next, a second embodiment will be described. Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment relates to an air conditioning system that performs whole-building air conditioning for a facility. In the first embodiment, the return air volume is determined based on the air pollution value, and then the outdoor air volume is determined based on the return air volume. In the second embodiment, the outdoor air volume is determined based on the CO2 concentration, and then the return air volume is determined based on the outdoor air volume. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the house 100. FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 1. A first CO2 sensor 72a is disposed in the first area 10a, and a second CO2 sensor 72b is disposed in the second area 10b. The first CO2 sensor 72a and the second CO2 sensor 72b are collectively referred to as the CO2 sensor 72. Each CO2 sensor 72 is a sensor for detecting the CO2 concentration in the area 10, and since known technology may be used for the CO2 sensors 72, a description thereof will be omitted here. Each CO2 sensor 72 has a communication function such as wireless communication and transmits the detected CO2 concentration to the control device 40.

[0035] The ventilation control unit 200 of the control device 40 shown in FIG. 2 receives the CO2 concentrations detected by each of the multiple CO2 sensors 72 from the IF unit 42. The ventilation control unit 200 selects the maximum CO2 concentration from the multiple CO2 concentrations. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outdoor airflow rate based on the maximum CO2 concentration by referring to a table stored in the memory unit 46. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the CO2 concentration and the outdoor airflow rate are associated. Here, the outdoor airflow rate increases as the CO2 concentration increases. Return to FIG. 2.

[0036] The memory unit 46 stores a total airflow setting value that satisfies a specified value, for example, two ventilations per hour. The air conditioner control unit 202 determines the return airflow rate by subtracting the outside airflow rate determined by the ventilation control unit 200 from the total airflow setting value stored in the memory unit 46. The return airflow rate may be greater than the value obtained by subtracting the outside airflow rate from the total airflow setting value.

[0037] 5, each CO2 sensor 72 is installed in a region 10. However, one CO2 sensor 72 may be installed near the exhaust port of the exhaust air duct 52. In this case, the CO2 sensor 72 detects the CO2 concentration near the exhaust port. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outside air volume based on the CO2 concentration from the CO2 sensor 72. In this case, even if there are differences in CO2 concentration between the regions 10, the air conditioning device 30 will level them out.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 44 of the control device 40 in FIG. 5 may estimate the number of people in the area 10 based on the received CO2 concentration by referring to a table stored in the memory unit 46. FIG. 6 shows the data structure of the table stored in the memory unit 46. As shown in the figure, the CO2 concentration corresponds to the number of people. Here, the higher the CO2 concentration, the higher the number of people. The ventilation control unit 200 in FIG. 2 receives the estimated number of people from the control unit 44. The ventilation control unit 200 determines the outdoor airflow rate according to the number of people in the room so that the outdoor airflow rate increases as the number of people in the room increases. The same applies to determining the return airflow rate.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the outdoor air volume is determined according to the CO2 concentration, so that the outdoor air volume required to reduce the CO2 concentration can be secured. Furthermore, since the return air volume is determined based on the outdoor air volume, the ventilation rate can be efficiently secured while reducing the CO2 concentration. Furthermore, since the outdoor air volume is determined according to the maximum CO2 concentration among the CO2 concentrations detected by each of the multiple CO2 sensors 72, the CO2 concentration in each area 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the outdoor air volume is determined according to the number of people present in the room, the outdoor air volume required to reduce the CO2 concentration can be secured.

[0040] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows: The control device (40) may include a ventilation control unit (200) that controls the ventilation device (20) and an air conditioner control unit (202) that controls the air conditioner (30). The ventilation control unit (200) may receive the indoor CO2 concentration detected by the CO2 sensor (72) and determine an outside air volume in accordance with the CO2 concentration, and the air conditioner control unit (202) may determine a return air volume based on the outside air volume determined by the ventilation control unit (200).

[0041] The area may include a plurality of rooms. A CO2 sensor (72) may be installed in each room, and the ventilation control unit (200) may determine the volume of outside air according to the maximum CO2 concentration among the CO2 concentrations detected by the plurality of CO2 sensors (72).

[0042] The control device (40) may include a ventilation control unit (200) that controls the ventilation device (20) and an air conditioner control unit (202) that controls the air conditioner (30). The ventilation control unit (200) may receive the estimated number of people in the area and determine the volume of outside airflow in accordance with the number of people in the area, and the air conditioner control unit (202) may determine the volume of return airflow based on the volume of outside airflow determined by the ventilation control unit (200).

[0043] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] The storage unit 46 in the first and second embodiments is included in the control device 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage unit 46 may be connected to the control device 40 as a storage device. According to this modification, the degree of freedom in the configuration can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 area, 12 damper, 20 ventilation device, 30 air conditioning device, 32 air conditioner, 34 HEPA filter (dust collection filter), 40 control device, 42 IF unit, 44 control unit, 46 memory unit, 50 outdoor air duct, 52 exhaust air duct, 54 circulation air duct, 60 outdoor air, 62 exhaust, 64 return air, 66 supply air, 70 dirt sensor, 72 CO2 sensor, 100 house, 200 ventilation control unit, 202 air conditioner control unit.

Claims

1. A ventilation system that exchanges air between the inside and outside of the area in question; an air conditioning device having a dust collection filter; a control device that instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate; the air conditioning device has a circulation air duct that draws in air within the area, purifies the air using the dust collection filter, and then blows the air into the area to circulate it; The control device controls the amount of outside air per unit time introduced by the ventilation device and the amount of return air per unit time passed through a dust collection filter by the air conditioning device and circulated to the circulation air duct, A ventilation control system that instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate so that a portion of the ventilation air volume, which is the amount of air that should be replaced with outside air in a target area for a specified ventilation frequency, is replaced with the return air volume, and the remainder of the ventilation air volume becomes the outside air volume.

2. A ventilation system that exchanges air between the inside and outside of the area in question; an air conditioning device having a dust collection filter; a control device that instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate; the air conditioning device has a circulation air duct that draws in air within the area, purifies the air using the dust collection filter, and then blows the air into the area to circulate it; The control device controls the amount of outside air per unit time introduced by the ventilation device and the amount of return air per unit time passed through a dust collection filter by the air conditioning device and circulated to the circulation air duct, A ventilation control system that instructs the ventilation device and the air conditioning device to operate so that a portion of the ventilation air volume, which is the amount of air that should be replaced with outside air in a target area for a specified ventilation frequency, is replaced with the outside air volume, and the remainder of the ventilation air volume becomes the return air volume.

3. 3. The ventilation control system according to claim 1, wherein the dust collection filter is a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

Images