Air conditioning purification system

Abstract

To provide an air purifying device capable of suppressing fluctuation of the content of an air purification component contained in air, which occurs when an operation air amount of air conditioning equipment performing air conditioning of air in a space is changed.SOLUTION: An air purifying device 20 includes a humidifier 23 supplying an air purification component to air in an indoor space 6, an input section 41a for acquiring information on an operation air amount of air conditioning equipment 8 performing air conditioning of air in the indoor space 6, and a control section for controlling operation of the humidifier 23. The control section 41 changes a supply amount of the air purification component to the air by the humidifier 23 on the basis of the information on the operation air amount of the air conditioning equipment 8 acquired by the input section 41a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning and purification system equipped with an air purification device that sterilizes and deodorizes when used in conjunction with an air conditioner in a living space or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as an air purification device of this type, a sterilization device is known that efficiently and accurately sterilizes an indoor space by dispersing sprayed chemicals (air purification components) to every corner of the indoor space while adjusting the humidity of the air in the target indoor space to a predetermined range using an air conditioner (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-027849 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As mentioned above, conventional air purifiers are often used in conjunction with air conditioners in indoor spaces. However, when air containing air purifying ingredients with sterilizing and deodorizing effects passes through an air conditioner, the air purifying ingredients tend to be consumed in large quantities due to collision losses with components such as fans or heat exchangers, or absorption losses in condensation water generated during cooling operation (including dehumidification operation). Therefore, when an air purifier is used in an indoor space where an air conditioner is installed, there is a problem in that the sterilizing and deodorizing effects are reduced.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide an air conditioning and purification system equipped with an air purification device that can suppress fluctuations in the content of air purification components contained in the air that occur when the operating air volume of the air conditioning equipment that conditions the air in a space changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this object, the air conditioning and purification system according to the present invention comprises an air purification device that performs air purification operation and purifies the air in an indoor space by supplying hypochlorous acid, which is an air purification component, an air conditioner that is placed in the indoor space and conditions the air, and a control unit that controls the operation of the air purification device. The operation information of the air conditioning equipment transmitted from the air conditioning equipment is received as air conditioning equipment start or stop information, operation mode information, or operation air volume information. Based on the operational information, the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the air by the air purifier is changed, thereby achieving the intended purpose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioning and purification system equipped with an air purification device that can suppress fluctuations in the content of air purification components contained in the air that occur when the operating air volume of the air conditioning equipment that conditions the air in a space changes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an installation state of a heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a house. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the equipment configuration of a heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit in the heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the air purification process performed by the heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The air purifying device of the present invention includes an air purifying unit that supplies components that purify the air to the air in a target space, an acquisition unit that acquires information about the operating air volume of an air conditioner that conditions the air in the target space, and a control unit that controls the operation of the air purifying unit.The control unit changes the amount of components that purify the air supplied to the air by the air purifying unit based on the information about the operating air volume of the air conditioner acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0010] With this configuration, when the amount of air purifying components consumed by the air conditioner is compensated for by the supply to the air in the target space, the amount of air purifying components supplied to the target space is increased or decreased even if the operating airflow rate of the air conditioner changes, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the amount of air purifying components in the target space caused by changes in the operating airflow rate of the air conditioner.In other words, the air purifier can suppress fluctuations in the amount of air purifying components contained in the air that occur when the operating airflow rate of the air conditioner that conditions the air in the target space changes.

[0011] In addition, in the air purifying device according to the present invention, the control unit reduces the supply rate of the air purifying component to the air from a first supply rate to a second supply rate when the airflow rate of the air conditioner is reduced from a first airflow rate to a second airflow rate. Here, the first supply rate is a supply rate that compensates for the consumption of the air purifying component when the air conditioner is operating at the first airflow rate, and the second supply rate is a supply rate that compensates for the consumption of the air purifying component when the air conditioner is operating at the second airflow rate. With this configuration, by reducing the supply rate of the air purifying component to the air by the air purifying unit from the first supply rate to the second supply rate, it is possible to prevent unnecessary supplementation of the air purifying component to the air in the target space. In other words, the air purifying device can supply the air purifying component to the air by the air purifying unit at a more appropriate supply rate depending on the operating airflow rate of the air conditioner that conditions the air in the target space.

[0012] In the air purifying device according to the present invention, the first airflow rate is set immediately after the air conditioner is started, and the second airflow rate is set when the air conditioning by the air conditioner is stable. In this case, even in a situation where the airflow rates of the air conditioner differ greatly between the first airflow rate and the second airflow rate, the air purifying device can supply appropriate amounts of air purifying components to the air by the air purifying unit.

[0013] Furthermore, in the air purifying device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit, when the air conditioner stops operating, reduces the supply amount of the air purifying component to the air to a third supply amount that is less than the first supply amount and the second supply amount. In this way, the air purifying device can prevent an excessive supply of the air purifying component to the target space when the air conditioner stops operating.

[0014] Furthermore, in the air purifying device according to the present invention, the air purifying unit may add an air purifying component to the supply airflow from a heat exchange ventilation device that exchanges heat between an exhaust airflow flowing through an exhaust airflow duct for discharging air from the target space to the outdoors and an intake airflow flowing through an intake airflow duct for supplying outdoor air into the target space. In this way, the air purifying device can use the heat-exchanged intake airflow in the target space ventilated by the heat exchange ventilation device to suppress fluctuations in the content of air purifying components contained in the air that occur when the operating airflow rate of the air conditioner changes.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and their explanations are omitted. Furthermore, to avoid duplication, explanations of the details of each part that is not directly related to the present invention are omitted for each drawing.

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) First, a heat exchanger-type ventilation apparatus with air purification function 40 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an installation state of a heat exchanger-type ventilation apparatus with air purification function 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a house. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the equipment configuration of the heat exchanger-type ventilation apparatus with air purification function 40. In the following description, the airflow (exhaust airflow 2, intake airflow 3) or air duct (exhaust airflow duct 4, intake airflow duct 5) after heat exchange by the heat exchanger-type ventilation apparatus 10 refers to the airflow or air duct after passing through the heat exchange element 12 in the heat exchanger-type ventilation apparatus 10.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger ventilation device 40 with air purification function is installed indoors (such as in the attic) of a house 1. The heat exchanger ventilation device 40 with air purification function ventilates while exchanging heat between air (exhaust air flow 2) in an indoor space 6 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "indoors") and air (intake air flow 3) in an outdoor space 7 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "outdoors"), and adds an air purification component to the heat-exchanged air (intake air flow 3 after heat exchange) and supplies it to the indoor space 6. Here, hypochlorous acid, which has bactericidal or deodorizing properties, is used as the air purification component. The air purification component corresponds to the "component that purifies the air" in the claims.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , exhaust air flow 2 is discharged outdoors via the air purification heat exchanger ventilator 40, as indicated by the black arrow. The exhaust air flow 2 is a flow of air exhausted from indoors to outdoors. Furthermore, intake air flow 3 is introduced indoors via the air purification heat exchanger ventilator 40, as indicated by the white arrow. The intake air flow 3 is a flow of air introduced from outdoors to indoors. For example, in winter in Japan, the exhaust air flow 2 is between 20°C and 25°C, while the intake air flow 3 may reach below freezing. The air purification heat exchanger ventilator 40 not only ventilates the indoor space, but also transfers heat from the exhaust air flow 2 to the intake air flow 3 during ventilation, thereby preventing unnecessary heat loss. The air purification heat exchanger ventilator 40 then adds an air purification component to the air (the intake air flow 3 after heat exchange) introduced into the indoor space 6 via the air purifier 20, which will be described later.

[0020] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the heat exchanger ventilator with air purification function 40 is composed of a heat exchanger ventilator 10, an air purifier 20, and a branch box 30. More specifically, the heat exchanger ventilator with air purification function 40 is composed of, connected in this order: the heat exchanger ventilator 10; the air purifier 20 as a means for adding air purifying components to the air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger ventilator 10; and the branch box 30 that can change the proportion of the air to which the air purifying components have been added in the air purifier 20 is blown into each room.

[0021] The heat exchanger type ventilation device 10 is a device that performs ventilation and, during ventilation, transfers heat from the exhaust air flow 2 to the intake air flow 3, thereby suppressing the release of unnecessary heat. More specifically, the heat exchanger type ventilation device 10 includes a main body case 11, a heat exchange element 12, an exhaust fan 13, an inside air port 14, an exhaust port 15, an intake fan 16, an outside air port 17, an intake port 18, an exhaust air duct 4, and an intake air duct 5. The main body case 11 is the outer frame of the heat exchanger type ventilation device 10. The inside air port 14, the exhaust port 15, the outside air port 17, and the intake port 18 are formed on the outer periphery of the main body case 11. The inside air port 14 is an intake port that draws the exhaust air flow 2 into the heat exchanger type ventilation device 10, and is connected to the indoor exhaust port 15 via a duct or the like. 1). The exhaust port 15 is a discharge port that discharges the exhaust air flow 2 from the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10 to the outdoors, and is connected to the outdoor exhaust port 4b (see FIG. 1) via a duct or the like. The outdoor air port 17 is a suction port that draws the supply air flow 3 into the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10, and is connected to the outdoor air supply port 5b (see FIG. 1) via a duct or the like. The supply air port 18 is a discharge port that discharges the supply air flow 3 from the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10 to the indoors, and is connected to the indoor air supply port 5a (see FIG. 1) via a duct or the like.

[0022] A heat exchange element 12, an exhaust fan 13, and an intake fan 16 are attached inside the main body case 11. An exhaust air duct 4 and an intake air duct 5 are also formed inside the main body case 11. The heat exchange element 12 is a total heat exchange element and is a member for exchanging heat (sensible heat and latent heat) between the exhaust air flow 2 flowing through the exhaust air duct 4 and the intake air flow 3 flowing through the intake air duct 5. The exhaust fan 13 is installed near the exhaust port 15 and is a blower for drawing the exhaust air flow 2 through the inside air port 14 and discharging it from the exhaust port 15. The intake fan 16 is installed near the intake port 18 and is a blower for drawing the intake air flow 3 through the outside air port 17 and discharging it from the intake port 18. The exhaust air duct 4 is configured to include an air duct that connects the inside air port 14 and the exhaust port 15. Air supply duct 5 includes an air passage that connects outside air port 17 and air supply port 18. Exhaust air flow 2 is drawn in through inside air port 14 by driving exhaust fan 13, passes through heat exchange element 12 and exhaust fan 13 in exhaust air duct 4, and is discharged to the outdoors through exhaust port 15. In addition, air supply fan 16 is driven to draw in air from outside air port 17, passes through heat exchange element 12 and air supply fan 16 in air supply duct 5, and is supplied from air supply port 18 to the indoors via air purifier 20 and branch box 30.

[0023] When performing heat exchange ventilation, the heat exchanger ventilator 10 operates the exhaust fan 13 and the intake fan 16, and heat is exchanged in the heat exchange element 12 between the exhaust airflow 2 flowing through the exhaust air duct 4 and the intake airflow 3 flowing through the intake air duct 5. As a result, when performing ventilation, the heat exchanger ventilator 10 transfers the heat of the exhaust airflow 2, which is discharged outdoors, to the intake airflow 3, which is brought indoors, thereby suppressing unnecessary heat release and recovering heat indoors. As a result, when performing ventilation in the Japanese winter, the drop in indoor temperature can be suppressed by using air with a low outdoor temperature. On the other hand, when performing ventilation in the Japanese summer, the rise in indoor temperature can be suppressed by using air with a high outdoor temperature.

[0024] The air purifier 20 is a device that performs cooling (dehumidifying) or heating treatment as needed on the intake airflow 3 after heat exchange from the heat exchange ventilation device 10, and also adds air purifying components along with atomized water to the intake airflow 3 flowing through the device. More specifically, the air purifier 20 includes an intake air inlet 21, an intake air outlet 22, and a humidifier 23. Here, since a general method can be adopted for the components that perform the cooling (dehumidifying) or heating treatment, illustrations and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The humidifier 23 corresponds to the "air purifying unit" in the claims.

[0025] The supply air inlet 21 is an intake port through which the supply air flow 3 from the heat exchange type ventilation device 10 is taken into the air purifier 20. The supply air inlet 21 is connected to the supply air port 18 of the heat exchange type ventilation device 10 via a duct 9a that constitutes part of the supply air duct 5.

[0026] Intake air outlet 22 is a discharge port that discharges intake air flow 3 to which an air purifying component has been added together with water (or intake air flow 3 to which no air purifying component has been added). Intake air outlet 22 is in communication with branch box 30 via duct 9b that constitutes part of intake air passage 5.

[0027] The humidifier 23 is a unit that humidifies the air taken in (intake air flow 3), and during humidification, the air is made to contain air purifying components along with atomized water. More specifically, the humidifier 23 has a humidification motor 24 and a humidification nozzle 25. The humidifier 23 is The humidifier 23 is configured as a centrifugal crusher, using a motor 24 to rotate a humidifying nozzle 25, which uses centrifugal force to suck up water (water containing air purifying ingredients) stored in a water storage section of the humidifier 23, scattering, colliding, and crushing it around (in the centrifugal direction), thereby moistening the air passing through. The humidifier 23 then changes the rotation speed (rotation output value) of the humidifying motor 24 in response to an output signal from a control section 41, which will be described later, to adjust the humidifying capacity (amount of humidification). The amount of humidification can also be considered the amount (supply amount) of air purifying ingredients added to the circulating air.

[0028] The water containing the air purifying component is supplied to the water storage section of humidifier 23 by a purification component supply section (not shown), which generates water containing the air purifying component by adding the air purifying component to water supplied from a water supply pipe such as a tap through electrolysis or the like. Here, hypochlorous acid, which has sterilizing or deodorizing properties, is used as the air purifying component. This allows hypochlorous acid water to be contained in the intake air flow 3 and supplied indoors, thereby sterilizing or deodorizing the indoors.

[0029] In house 1, an air conditioner 8 is installed in each room (indoor space 6) to which intake airflow 3 is supplied (see FIG. 1). As will be described in detail below, when air conditioner 8 is operating, humidifier 23 is controlled to adjust the amount of air purification component supplied to the room in which air conditioner 8 is operating by increasing the amount of humidification added to intake airflow 3. Furthermore, when the operating airflow rate of air conditioner 8 decreases or increases, humidifier 23 is controlled to adjust the amount of air purification component supplied to the room in which air conditioner 8 is operating by decreasing or increasing the amount of humidification added to intake airflow 3.

[0030] The branch box 30 is a component for adjusting the volume of air supplied from the intake airflow 3 that has passed through the air purifier 20 to each room (each indoor space 6) of the house 1. More specifically, the branch box 30 is configured so that the intake airflow ducts 5 leading to each room inside the branch box 30 branch into multiple ducts 9c. Each duct 9c is provided with a switching damper 31. The switching damper 31 increases or decreases the volume of the intake airflow 3 that flows from the branch box 30 to the duct 9c by adjusting the damper opening / closing degree. In other words, the branch box 30 can adjust the volume of the intake airflow 3 supplied to each room, i.e., the amount of air purification component supplied. Note that although the switching damper 31 is a component separate from the humidifier 23, it may be considered to be included in the "air purification unit" in the claims.

[0031] The heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function is configured as described above.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of the amount of air purifying component supplied to the indoor space 6 by the heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function 40. The indoor space 6 corresponds to the "target space" in the claims.

[0033] As described above, in the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function, the amount of air purification component supplied to a certain indoor space 6 can be adjusted by the amount of humidification of the intake airflow 3 in the air purification device 20 (humidifier 23) and the damper opening / closing degree of the switching damper 31 in the branch box 30 that communicates with the certain indoor space 6. In this embodiment, the amount of air purification component supplied to a certain indoor space 6 can be switched, for example, to one of a first supply amount, a second supply amount, and a third supply amount. The magnitude relationship of the supply amounts of the air purification component is third supply amount < second supply amount < first supply amount.

[0034] The third supply amount is an amount corresponding to the target supply amount level (for example, three levels of "low," "standard," and "high") of the air purifying component input and set by the user when the air conditioning equipment 8 in the indoor space 6 to which the air purifying component is to be supplied is stopped and not operating (stopped state). Here, the target supply amount level "standard" is, for example, the amount necessary to obtain a sterilization and deodorization effect in the indoor space 6. The third supply amount is the amount of the air purifying component that is supplied when the heat exchange type ventilator with air purification function 40 is normally operating 24 hours a day.

[0035] The first supply amount is set to compensate for the amount of air purifying ingredient consumed by the air conditioner 8 (hereinafter referred to as the first consumption amount) at the airflow rate (hereinafter referred to as the first airflow rate) set immediately after the start of cooling operation (which can also be said to be immediately after the air conditioner 8 is started) when the air conditioner 8 in the indoor space 6 to which the air purifying ingredient is to be supplied operates, for example, in a cooling operation mode, and to maintain an amount corresponding to the target supply amount level input and set by the user. In other words, the first supply amount is set to a supply amount greater than the third supply amount. More specifically, the first supply amount is set to a supply amount obtained by adding the first consumption amount to the third supply amount. The first airflow amount is set when the temperature difference between the air temperature in the indoor space 6 in which the air conditioner 8 is installed and the target temperature input and set for the air conditioner 8 is largest. The first consumption amount is an amount experimentally estimated in advance in a state corresponding to immediately after the start of cooling operation of the air conditioner 8.

[0036] The second supply amount is an amount that is set to compensate for the amount of air purifying ingredients (second consumption amount) consumed by the air conditioner 8 at an air volume (hereinafter referred to as the second air volume) that is set when the air conditioning (air conditioning) of the air in the indoor space 6 by the air conditioner 8 is relatively stable, and to maintain an amount corresponding to the target supply volume level input and set by the user. In other words, the second supply amount is set to a supply volume obtained by adding the second consumption amount to the third supply amount. The second air volume is an air volume that is set when the temperature difference between the air temperature in the indoor space 6 in which the air conditioner 8 is installed and the target temperature input and set for the air conditioner 8 is relatively small. The second consumption amount is an amount that is estimated experimentally in advance when the cooling operation of the air conditioner 8 is relatively stable.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first airflow rate is maintained from immediately after the start of cooling operation until the cooling operation reaches a relatively stable state, and the second airflow rate is maintained from the relatively stable state until the equipment is stopped.

[0038] Here, during cooling operation of the air conditioner 8, the amount of air purifying component lost is less when cooling (air conditioning) by the air conditioner 8 is stable than immediately after startup of the air conditioner 8, so the second consumption amount is less than the first consumption amount. In other words, the second supply amount is set to be greater than the third supply amount and less than the first supply amount.

[0039] In the present embodiment, in the heat exchanger type ventilator with air purification function 40, when the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8 in the indoor space 6 to which the air purification component is to be supplied changes from the first air volume to the second air volume in the cooling operation mode, the supply volume of the air purification component to the indoor space 6 is reduced from the first supply volume to the second supply volume. In the heat exchanger type ventilator with air purification function 40, when the air conditioner 8 in the indoor space 6 to which the air purification component is to be supplied changes from the second air volume (or the first air volume) to a stopped state corresponding to an air volume of "0", the supply volume of the air purification component to the indoor space 6 is reduced from the second supply volume (or the first supply volume) to a third supply volume.

[0040] Here, the operating modes of the air conditioner 8 include cooling operation, dehumidification operation, and heating operation, and the heat exchange type ventilator with air purification function 40 adjusts the amount of air purification component supplied to the indoor space 6 in each operating mode in the same way. Explanation of this will be omitted here.

[0041] As described above, the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function is configured to reduce the supply amount of air purification components to the indoor space 6 from the first supply amount to the second supply amount when the air volume of the air conditioner 8 changes, for example, when the air volume of the air conditioner 8 decreases from the first air volume to the second air volume.

[0042] Next, with reference to Figures 1 and 3, a detailed description will be given of the interlocking control (control for switching the supply amount of air purification components) performed due to the operation of the air conditioner 8 during the air purification operation of the heat exchanger type ventilation device with air purification function 40. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 41 in the heat exchanger type ventilation device with air purification function 40.

[0043] As described above, the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function is installed indoors (such as in the attic) of the house 1. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1 , the air conditioners 8 are installed in each of the indoor spaces 6 to which the intake airflow 3 is supplied, among the multiple indoor spaces 6 in the house 1.

[0044] The air conditioning equipment 8 is installed on the ceiling, wall, or floor of the indoor space 6, and adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air in the indoor space 6 by performing cooling operation to blow cool air, dehumidification operation to blow dehumidified air, and heating operation to blow warm air. The air conditioning equipment 8 is configured with an outdoor unit 8a and a refrigerant circuit 8b. As the air conditioning equipment 8 is, for example, an air conditioner attached to the wall of the indoor space 6, a detailed explanation of its operation will be omitted.

[0045] In this embodiment, the air conditioner 8 is configured with a built-in communication unit and is connected wirelessly or wired to the control unit 41 (see FIG. 3) of the heat exchanger-type ventilator with air purification function 40 so that they can communicate with each other. The air conditioner 8 outputs signals including device startup information and information about operation, such as the operation mode (cooling operation, dehumidification operation, heating operation) and operating air volume (first air volume, second air volume), to the control unit 41 of the heat exchanger-type ventilator with air purification function 40. Specifically, when the power switch of the air conditioner 8 is turned on to start operation, the air conditioner 8 continuously outputs operation information (startup information, operation mode information, operating air volume information) of the air conditioner 8 to the control unit 41. On the other hand, when the power switch of the air conditioner 8 is turned off to stop operation, the air conditioner 8 outputs stop information as operation information of the air conditioner 8 to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 controls the switching of the supply amount of the air purification component supplied in the intake airflow 3 based on the operation information of the air conditioner 8.

[0046] Next, the control unit 41 of the heat exchanger ventilator with air purification function 40 will be described in detail. The control unit 41 in this embodiment has the function of integrally controlling the control units of each device (heat exchanger ventilator 10, air purifier 20, branch box 30), but it may be configured as a control unit independent of each device, or one of the control units of each device may take on this function. In the following description, it is assumed that the control unit of the air purifier 20 also controls the other devices.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 41 includes an input unit 41a, a storage unit 41b, a timer unit 41c, a processing unit 41d, and an output unit 41e.

[0048] The input unit 41a receives user input information from the operation panel 42, temperature and humidity information of the air in the indoor space 6 from the temperature and humidity detection unit 19, and operation information (start or stop information, operation mode information, operation air volume information) from the air conditioners 8. The input unit 41a outputs the received information to the processing unit 41d. Here, the start-up information also includes information about the operation status of the air conditioners 8 after they have been started. The input unit 41a corresponds to the "acquisition unit" in the claims.

[0049] Here, the operation panel 42 is a terminal for inputting user input information (e.g., air volume, target temperature, target humidity, whether or not to add air purification components, target supply level of air purification components, etc.) regarding the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function (heat exchange type ventilation device 10, air purification device 20, branch box 30), and is connected to the control unit 41 wirelessly or via a wired connection so that it can communicate with the control unit 41.

[0050] The temperature and humidity detection unit 19 is a sensor provided in the heat exchange type ventilation device 10, which detects the temperature and humidity of the indoor air RA (exhaust air flow 2) taken in from the indoor exhaust port 4a. The temperature detection unit 19 may be installed in the indoor space 6 that is the target of cooperation with the air conditioner 8.

[0051] The memory unit 41b stores user input information received by the input unit 41a, supply setting information for the supply operation of the air purification component to the intake air flow 3 flowing through the air purifier 20, and branch setting information for the supply air volume fluctuation operation (damper opening / closing degree of the switching damper 31) of the branch box 30. The memory unit 41b outputs the stored supply setting information and branch setting information to the processing unit 41d. The supply setting information for the supply operation of the air purification component can also be considered as humidification setting information for the humidification operation of the air purifier 20.

[0052] The timekeeping unit 41c outputs time information relating to the current time to the processing unit 41d.

[0053] The processing unit 41d receives user input information from the input unit 41a, temperature and humidity information from the temperature and humidity detection unit 19, and operation information from the air conditioner 8. The processing unit 41d uses the received user input information and operation information to identify control information related to the air purification operation. In this embodiment, the supply amount of air purification components in the air purification operation is adjusted based on the operation information from the air conditioner 8. The processing unit 41d also uses the received user input information and temperature and humidity information to identify control information (heat exchange control information) related to the ventilation operation of the heat exchanger-type ventilator 10.

[0054] Specifically, when the information regarding the operation of the air conditioning equipment 8 includes information regarding the shutdown of the air conditioning equipment 8, the processing unit 41d combines the supply amount of air purification components to the intake air flow 3 circulating through the air purification device 20 with the branched air volume by the branch box 30 to identify control information (third control information) that sets the supply amount to the intake air flow 3 supplied to the indoor space 6 as a third supply amount.

[0055] Furthermore, when the information relating to the operating operation of the air conditioning equipment 8 includes startup information for the air conditioning equipment 8, operating mode information for cooling operation (dehumidification operation, heating operation), and operating air volume information for setting the first air volume, the processing unit 41d combines the supply amount of air purification components to the intake air flow 3 circulating through the air purification device 20 and the branched air volume by the branch box 30 to identify control information (first control information) for setting the supply amount to the intake air flow 3 supplied to the indoor space 6 as the first supply amount.

[0056] Furthermore, after the air conditioning equipment 8 is started, if the information regarding the operating operation of the air conditioning equipment 8 includes operating air volume information for setting the second air volume, the processing unit 41d combines the supply amount of air purification components to the intake air flow 3 circulating through the air purification device 20 with the branched air volume by the branch box 30 to identify control information (second control information) for setting the supply amount to the intake air flow 3 supplied to the indoor space 6 as the second supply amount.

[0057] Then, the processing unit 41d outputs the identified control information (heat exchange control information, first control information, second control information, third control information) to the output unit 41e.

[0058] The output unit 41e receives control information from the processing unit 41d. The output unit 41e is electrically connected to the heat exchanger-type ventilator 10, the air purifier 20, and the branch box 30. Based on the received control information, the output unit 41e outputs signals (control signals) that control the ventilation operation of the heat exchanger-type ventilator 10, the air purification operation of the air purifier 20, and the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30.

[0059] The heat exchanger ventilator 10 receives a signal from the output unit 41e and controls the ventilation operation based on the received signal. The air purifier 20 and the branch box 30 each receive a signal from the output unit 41e and control their respective operation based on the received signal.

[0060] To reiterate, in the heat exchange type ventilator with air purification function 40, when each device is supplying the air purification component into the indoor space 6 at a first supply amount based on a first control signal, if a second control signal is received, the supply amount of the air purification component to the indoor space 6 is reduced from the first supply amount to a second supply amount. On the other hand, when each device is supplying the air purification component into the indoor space 6 at a second supply amount (or first supply amount) based on the second control signal (or first control signal), if a third control signal is received, the supply amount of the air purification component to the indoor space 6 is reduced from the second supply amount (or first supply amount) to a third supply amount.

[0061] As described above, in the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function, even if the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8 changes, for example, even if the air volume of the air conditioner 8 is reduced from the first air volume to the second air volume, the supply volume of the air purification component to the indoor space 6 is reduced from the first supply volume to the second supply volume, and an intake air flow 3 controlled to an appropriate supply volume of the air purification component is supplied to the indoor space 6.

[0062] Next, the air purification process procedure in the air purification operation by the heat exchanger type ventilator with air purification function 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the air purification process procedure by the heat exchanger type ventilator with air purification function 40. In the following, the description will be given assuming that the heat exchanger type ventilator with air purification function 40 is performing air purification process on a certain indoor space 6 while the air conditioner 8 installed in this indoor space 6 is stopped.

[0063] 4, in the air purification process, the control unit 41 executes the ventilation operation of the heat exchange ventilator 10, the air purification operation of the air purifier 20, and the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30 so that the supply amount of the air purification component supplied to the indoor space 6 becomes a third supply amount, based on user input information from the operation panel 42 and operation information from the air conditioner 8 (information related to the operation of the air conditioner) (step S11). Here, the third supply amount is an amount corresponding to the target supply amount level of the air purification component input and set by the user.

[0064] Next, the control unit 41 determines whether the operation information from the air conditioner 8 includes startup information for the air conditioner 8 (step S12). If the determination result shows that the startup information for the air conditioner 8 is not included (No in step S12), the control unit 41 continues the ventilation operation of the heat exchanger-type ventilator 10, the air purification operation of the air purifier 20, and the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30 so that the amount of the air purification component supplied to the indoor space 6 is maintained at the third supply volume (return to step S11). On the other hand, if the determination result shows that the startup information for the air conditioner 8 is included (Yes in step S12), the control unit 41 determines the consumption amounts (first consumption amount, second consumption amount) of the air purification component by the air conditioner 8 based on the operation mode information (cooling operation, dehumidifying operation, heating operation) and operating air volume information (first air volume, second air volume) of the air conditioner 8 included in the operation information from the air conditioner 8 (step S13).

[0065] More specifically, in step S13, if the air conditioner 8 has just started up, the operating air volume information includes information on the first air volume, and therefore a first consumption amount is identified, which is the amount of air purification component consumed by the air conditioner 8 at the first air volume. On the other hand, if the cooling (air conditioning) by the air conditioner 8 has stabilized, the operating air volume information includes information on the second air volume, and therefore a second consumption amount is identified, which is the amount of air purification component consumed by the air conditioner 8 at the second air volume.

[0066] Then, the control unit 41 executes the air purification operation of the air purifier 20 and the air supply volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30 so that the first supply volume or the second supply volume is obtained by adding the consumption volume by the identified air conditioning equipment 8 to the third supply volume (step S14).

[0067] More specifically, in step S14, if the air conditioner 8 has just started up, the third supply The air purifying operation of the air purifier 20 and the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30 are performed so that the supply volume of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 becomes a first supply volume obtained by adding a first consumption volume by the air conditioner 8 immediately after startup to the third supply volume. That is, immediately after startup of the air conditioner 8, the supply volume of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 is increased from the third supply volume to the first supply volume. On the other hand, when the cooling (air conditioning) by the air conditioner 8 becomes stable, the air purifying operation of the air purifier 20 and the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30 are performed so that the supply volume becomes a second supply volume obtained by adding a second consumption volume by the air conditioner 8 in a stable state to the third supply volume. That is, when the cooling (air conditioning) by the air conditioner 8 becomes stable, the supply volume of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 is increased from the third supply volume to the second supply volume, but when attention is paid to the change in the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8, it is reduced from the first supply volume to the second supply volume.

[0068] Next, the control unit 41 determines whether the operation information from the air conditioner 8 includes information to stop the air conditioner 8 (step S15). If the determination result shows that the operation information does not include information to stop the air conditioner 8 (No in step S15), the control unit 41 continues the ventilation operation of the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10, the air purification operation of the air purifier 20, and the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30 so that the amount of the air purification component supplied to the indoor space 6 is maintained at the first supply amount or the second supply amount (return to step S13). On the other hand, if the determination result shows that the operation information includes information to stop the air conditioner 8 (Yes in step S15), the control unit 41 executes the ventilation operation of the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10, the air purification operation of the air purifier 20, and the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30 so that the supply amount of the air purification component supplied to the indoor space 6 is the third supply amount (return to step S11).

[0069] That is, when the air conditioning equipment 8 is started, the control unit 41 increases the supply amount of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 from the third supply amount to the first supply amount. Furthermore, when the cooling (air conditioning) by the air conditioning equipment 8 is stabilized, the control unit 41 decreases the supply amount of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 from the first supply amount to the second supply amount. Furthermore, when the air conditioning equipment 8 is stopped, the control unit 41 decreases the supply amount of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 from the second supply amount to the third supply amount. Note that when the air conditioning equipment 8 is stopped while the supply amount of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 is the first supply amount, the supply amount of the air purifying component to the indoor space 6 will decrease from the first supply amount to the third supply amount.

[0070] Then, the control unit 41 repeatedly executes step 11 and subsequent steps.

[0071] As described above, in the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function, air purification processing is performed by controlling the ventilation operation in the heat exchange type ventilation device 10, controlling the air purification operation in the air purification device 20, and controlling the supply air volume fluctuation operation in the branch box 30.

[0072] As described above, the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function (air purification device 20) according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0073] (1) A heat exchange type ventilator with air purification function 40 includes an air purifier 20 that supplies air purification components to the air in an indoor space 6, an input unit 41a that acquires information about the operating air volume of an air conditioner 8 that conditions the air in the indoor space 6, and a control unit that controls the operation of the air purifier 20. The above configuration can also be said to include a humidifier 23 that supplies air purification components to the air in the indoor space 6, an input unit 41a that acquires information about the operating air volume of an air conditioner 8 that conditions the air in the indoor space 6, and a control unit that controls the operation of the humidifier 23. The control unit 41 is configured to change the amount of air purification components supplied to the air by the air purifier 20 (humidifier 23) based on the information about the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8 acquired by the input unit 41a.

[0074] According to this configuration, when the amount of air purifying component consumed by the air conditioner 8 is compensated for and supplied to the air in the indoor space 6, the amount of air purifying component supplied to the indoor space 6 is changed by increasing or decreasing it even if the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8 changes, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the amount of air purifying component in the indoor space 6 caused by changes in the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8. In other words, the heat exchange type ventilator 40 with air purification function (air purifier 20) can be made to be able to suppress fluctuations in the amount of air purifying component contained in the air that occur when the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8 that conditions the air in the indoor space 6 changes.

[0075] (2) In the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function (air purifier 20), the control unit 41 is configured to reduce the supply amount of the air purification component to the air from the first supply amount to the second supply amount when the air volume of the air conditioner 8 is reduced from the first air volume to the second air volume. Here, the first supply amount is a supply amount that compensates for the consumption amount of the air purification component (first consumption amount) that occurs when the air conditioner 8 operates at the first air volume, and the second supply amount is a supply amount that compensates for the consumption amount of the air purification component (second consumption amount) that occurs when the air conditioner 8 operates at the second air volume. With this configuration, by reducing the supply amount of the air purification component to the air by the air purifier 20 (humidifier 23) from the first supply amount to the second supply amount, it is possible to suppress unnecessary supplementation of the air purification component to the air in the indoor space 6. In other words, the heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function (air purification device 20) can supply air purification components to the air by the air purification device 20 (humidifier 23) at a more appropriate supply amount depending on the operating air volume of the air conditioning equipment 8 that conditions the air in the indoor space 6.

[0076] (3) In the heat exchange type ventilator with air purification function 40 (air purifier 20), the first air volume is the air volume set immediately after the air conditioner 8 is started, and the second air volume is the air volume set when the air conditioning by the air conditioner 8 is stable. In such a case, the heat exchange type ventilator with air purification function 40 (air purifier 20) can supply the air purification component to the air by the air purifier 20 (humidifier 23) at appropriate supply volumes, even in a situation where the air volumes of the air conditioner 8 differ greatly between the first air volume and the second air volume.

[0077] (4) In the heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function 40 (air purifier 20), when the air conditioner 8 stops operating, the control unit 41 reduces the supply amount of the component that purifies the air to the air to a third supply amount that is less than the first supply amount and the second supply amount. This allows the heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function 40 (air purifier 20) to prevent an excessive supply of the air purification component to the indoor space 6 when the air conditioner 8 stops operating.

[0078] (5) The heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function (air purification device 20) includes an air purification device 20 (humidifier 23) that supplies an air purification component to the air in the indoor space 6 at a third supply amount, an input unit 41a that acquires information about the operation of an air conditioner 8 that conditions the air in the indoor space 6, and a control unit 41 that controls the operation of the air purification device 20 (humidifier 23). When the information about the operation of the air conditioner 8 includes startup information for the air conditioner 8, the control unit 41 increases the supply amount of the air purification component to the air from the third supply amount to the first supply amount (or the second supply amount). As a result, when the air conditioner 8 is operating, the supply amount of the air purification component supplied by the air purification device 20 (humidifier 23) is increased, thereby suppressing a decrease in the air purification component in the indoor space 6 caused by the air conditioner 8. In other words, it can be a heat exchange type ventilation device 40 (air purification device 20) with air purification function that can suppress the decrease in the content of air purification components contained in the air that occurs when the air conditioning equipment 8 that conditions the air in the indoor space 6 is operating.

[0079] (6) The heat exchange type ventilation device 40 with air purification function is an air purifier 20 and an indoor space 6. The air purifier 20 includes a heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10 that exchanges heat between an exhaust airflow 2 flowing through an exhaust airflow duct 4 for discharging air from the indoor space 6 to the outdoors and an intake airflow 3 flowing through an intake airflow duct 5 for supplying outdoor air into the indoor space 6. The air purifier 20 adds an air purifying component to the intake airflow 3 from the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10. In the above configuration, the humidifier 23 in the air purifier 20 can also be said to be configured to add an air purifying component to the intake airflow from the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10 that exchanges heat between the exhaust airflow 2 flowing through the exhaust airflow duct 4 for discharging air from the indoor space 6 to the outdoors and the intake airflow 3 flowing through the intake airflow duct 5 for supplying outdoor air into the indoor space 6. In this way, the air purifier 20 can suppress fluctuations in the content of the air purifying component in the air that occur when the operating airflow rate of the air conditioner 8 changes in the indoor space 6 that is heat-exchange-ventilated by the heat exchanger-type ventilation device 10, using the intake airflow 3 that has been heat-exchanged.

[0080] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, 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 invention.

[0081] In the heat exchanger-type ventilator with air purification function 40 according to the present embodiment, the air volume of the air conditioner 8 is changed when the air volume of the air conditioner 8 decreases from a first air volume (at startup) to a second air volume (when stable), but this is not limiting. For example, even when the air volume of the air conditioner 8 increases, the supply amount of the air purification component may be controlled to increase in response to the increase in the air volume. This allows the air purification unit of the heat exchanger-type ventilator with air purification function 40 to supply the air purification component to the air at a more appropriate supply amount.

[0082] Furthermore, in the heat exchanger type ventilator with air purification function 40 according to this embodiment, the change in air volume of the air conditioner 8 has been described using an example of two operating air volumes, a first air volume (at startup) and a second air volume (at stable operation), but this is not limiting. For example, the operating air volume of the air conditioner 8 may be changed in multiple stages or linearly, and the supply amount of the air purification component may be controlled to change in accordance with each operating air volume. This allows the air purification unit of the heat exchanger type ventilator with air purification function 40 to supply the air purification component to the air at a more appropriate supply amount.

[0083] Furthermore, in the heat exchange type ventilator with air purification function 40 according to this embodiment, the air purification component is supplied to one indoor space 6, but it may also be controlled independently for each of a plurality of indoor spaces 6 in which air conditioners 8 are installed by the switching damper 31 of the branch box 30. Note that if there are indoor spaces 6 in which air conditioners 8 are operating and indoor spaces 6 in which air conditioners 8 are not operating, the supply amount of the air purification component for each can be controlled by the supply air volume fluctuation operation of the branch box 30. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] The heat exchange type ventilation device with air purification function (or air purification device) of the present invention is capable of suppressing the decrease in the content of purification components contained in the air that occurs when air conditioning equipment is used in conjunction with it and is operating, and is therefore useful as a device to be used indoors when air conditioning equipment is used in conjunction with it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 house 2 Exhaust flow 3 Intake air flow 4 Exhaust air duct 4a Indoor exhaust vent 4b Outdoor exhaust vent 5 Air supply duct 5a Indoor air supply vent 5b Outdoor air supply vent 6. Indoor Space 7. Outdoor Space 8 Air conditioning equipment 8a outdoor unit 8b Refrigerant circuit 10 Heat exchange ventilation equipment 11 Main unit case 12 Heat exchange element 13 Exhaust fan 14 Internal air vent 15 exhaust port 16 Air supply fan 17. Outside air vent 18 Air supply port 19 Temperature and humidity detection unit 20 Air Purifier 21 Air intake inlet 22 Air supply outlet 23 Humidifier 24 Humidification motor 25 Humidifying nozzle 30 Branch Box 31 Switching damper 40 Heat exchange type ventilation system with air purification function 41 Control Unit 41a Input section 41b Storage section 41c Timekeeping section 41d Processing section 41e Output section 42 Operation Panel

Claims

1. an air purifying device that performs an air purification operation and supplies hypochlorous acid, which is an air purifying component, to purify the air in an indoor space; an air conditioning device that is arranged in the indoor space and conditions the air; a control unit that controls the operation of the air purification device; Equipped with The control unit receives start or stop information, operation mode information, or operation air volume information of the air conditioning equipment as operation information of the air conditioning equipment transmitted from the air conditioning equipment, and changes the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the air by the air purifying device based on the received operation information. Air conditioning purification system.

2. The air conditioning and purification system of claim 1, characterized in that when the air purification device is performing the air purification operation, the operation information transmitted from the air conditioning equipment is the operating air volume information, and when the operating air volume information decreases from a first air volume to a second air volume, the control unit reduces the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied by the air purification device to the air in the indoor space from a first supply volume to a second supply volume.

3. the first airflow rate is an airflow rate that is set immediately after startup of the air conditioning device, The air conditioning and purification system according to claim 2 , wherein the second air volume is an air volume that is set when air conditioning by the air conditioner is stable.

4. The air conditioning purification system according to claim 3, characterized in that when the operation information indicates that the air conditioning equipment in operation is stopped, the control unit reduces the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the air in the indoor space to a third supply amount that is less than the second supply amount.

5. The air conditioning and purification system according to claim 4 , wherein the third supply amount corresponds to a target supply amount level of the hypochlorous acid input and set by a user.

6. When the operation information indicates the startup information of the air conditioner, the control unit The air conditioning purification system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied by the purification device to the air in the indoor space is increased from the third supply amount to the first supply amount.

7. The air conditioning and purification system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit increases the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied by the air purification device to the air in the indoor space when the operating air volume of the air conditioning equipment during operation increases.

8. The air conditioning purification system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the air purification device adds the hypochlorous acid to the intake air flow from a heat exchange type ventilation device that exchanges heat between an exhaust air flow circulating through an exhaust air duct for discharging the air in the indoor space to the outdoors and an intake air flow circulating through an intake air duct for supplying the outdoor air into the indoor space.

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