Air conditioning device, air conditioning method, air conditioning system and bathroom

Abstract

To promote warm air circulation for guiding warm air to objects to be dried, such as wet clothes, reduce a return flow of air in contact with the objects to be dried, and thereby enhance drying efficiency of the objects to be dried.SOLUTION: An air conditioning device includes: a device case (24); a warm air circulation part (26) for generating warm air by exchanging heat between air (Ar) sucked to the device case from an indoor space, and a heat medium (HM) by a heat exchange part (heat exchanger 36), and discharging the warm air to the indoor space from a discharge part (warm air discharge part 38) of the device case; a straightening part (28) including a louver (40) larger than an opening area of the discharge part, and for mainly guiding the warm air to objects to be dried by operating a discharge direction of the warm air by the louver; and a ventilation part (30) for sucking air in the indoor space and an outdoor space to the device case, and discharging it to the outdoor space from the device case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning technology used for indoor ventilation, indoor heating, clothes drying, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Bathrooms with tightly sealed walls, such as bathroom units, are ideal for drying clothes. For example, a common method of drying clothes in a bathroom is to hang wet clothes and other items on a laundry pipe inside the bathroom using an air conditioning unit that generates warm air from the ceiling. However, since the bathroom is not suitable for bathing while it is drying, it is important to keep the drying time as short as possible.

[0003] Regarding drying in the bathroom, it is known that a rectangular outlet grill is installed in the bathroom air conditioner, and this outlet grill is installed perpendicular to the laundry pipe so that warm air is blown out in the width direction of the laundry hanging on the laundry pipe.By having the warm air hit the entire laundry, uneven drying is suppressed and the drying time is shortened (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-46846 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The drying mechanism works as follows: when warm air is blown onto items to be dried, such as wet clothes, the moisture evaporates from the items, which helps dry them. When the moisture from the items mixes with the warm air, the humidity of the warm air increases and the temperature drops. When the humidity in the air increases, water particles adhere to the items being dried, suppressing the evaporation of water from the items and hindering drying. When moist air circulates as a return flow in contrast to the warm air circulation, the moisture hits the items again, hindering the drying of the clothes, resulting in a problem of longer drying times.

[0006] Furthermore, conventional bathroom drying methods take advantage of the fact that bathrooms are enclosed spaces and employ a drying method that circulates warm air in this enclosed space. However, as mentioned above, even if humid warm air is circulated, the humidity hinders drying. Drying time also varies depending on the properties of the items to be dried. Longer drying times impede the essential function of the bathroom and reduce its convenience.

[0007] The inventors of the present disclosure have discovered that the key to shortening the drying time is to avoid the situation in which humid air becomes a return flow when it comes into contact with items to be dried, such as wet clothes, and then comes into contact with the items again. In other words, it is important to suppress the return flow of humid air in order to improve drying efficiency.

[0008] Therefore, based on the above problems and findings, the object of the present disclosure is to promote warm air circulation that guides warm air to items to be dried, such as wet clothes, and to reduce the return flow of air that comes into contact with the items to be dried, thereby improving the drying efficiency of the items to be dried. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the air conditioning device of the present disclosure, there is provided an air conditioning device including: a device housing; a hot air circulation section that generates hot air by heat exchange in a heat exchange section between air drawn into the device housing from inside a room and a heat medium, and that blows the hot air into the room from a blowing section of the device housing; and a hot air passage that is larger in area than the opening of the blowing section and that leads to the blowing section of the hot air circulation section.The opening surface of the blowing section was set as the reference. The drying device includes a louver that is supported at a length so as to be able to open and close, and that divides the blowing section into multiple sections when in the open state, and that has a longer portion that protrudes into the room than the portion that is accommodated on the hot air path side when opened perpendicular to the blowing section, and that controls the blowing direction of the hot air using the louver and that guides the hot air mainly toward the material to be dried, and a ventilation section that draws air from the room and outside into the device housing and exhausts it from the device housing to the outside of the room, and the device housing is formed so that the hot air circulation section and the ventilation section are separated by partition walls arranged inside, and depending on the selected mode, the air taken in through the room by the intake section is divided into either the hot air circulation section or the ventilation section or both and flows in, and the hot air circulation section is supported on the upstream side of the hot air path, at the tip of some of the partition walls.

[0010] In this air conditioning device, the louver includes a blocking portion that blocks the blowing portion and an overlapping portion that overlaps the device housing, and is connected to the blowing portion. The aforementioned The blocking portion is attached to a support shaft disposed in the hot air passage so as to be rotatable, and the hot air of When blowing out, the louver rotates in the same direction as the hot air. hand The blowing section includes at least a first blowing section and a second blowing section. but formation And That's fine.

[0011] In this air conditioner, the louvers may include rectifying fins that rectify the warm air in the same direction as the louver body or in a direction intersecting the louver body.

[0012] In this air conditioner, the louver may include a plurality of rectifying fins, with the other rectifying fins being arranged line-symmetrically around a central rectifying fin.

[0013] In this air conditioner, a louver driving unit that drives the louver of When the hot air is blown out, the blowing direction of the hot air may be adjusted by the louver, or the hot air may be caused to oscillate by the movement or vibration of the louver.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the air conditioning method of the present disclosure, a warm air circulation section and a ventilation section are formed by being separated by a partition wall arranged inside an apparatus housing, and air taken in through a room by an intake section is divided into one or both of the warm air circulation section and the ventilation section depending on a selected mode and is then introduced into the room; a warm air circulation process in which a heat exchange section is supported on a tip portion of a part of the partition wall on the upstream side of a warm air path in the warm air circulation section, and the air taken into the apparatus housing is heat exchanged with a heat medium in the heat exchange section to generate warm air, and the warm air is blown into the room from a blowing section of the apparatus housing; and a flow straightening section is supported on the hot air path, and the flow straightening section is larger than the opening area of ​​the blowing section, and the flow straightening section is supported on the tip portion of the hot air path. The opening surface of the blowing section is set as the reference. The device includes a louver that is supported at a lengthwise position so as to be able to open and close, and that divides the blowing section into multiple sections when in an open state, and that has a longer portion that protrudes into the room than a portion that is accommodated on the warm air path side when opened perpendicular to the blowing section, and includes a process of manipulating the blowing direction of the warm air with the louver and guiding the warm air mainly to the material to be dried, and a ventilation process in which the ventilation section draws air from the room and outside into the device housing and exhausts it from the device housing to the outside of the room.

[0015] In this air conditioning method, when the warm air is blown out, the louver is rotated. Let The method may include forming at least a first blowing portion and a second blowing portion in the blowing portion.

[0016] This air conditioning method may include a step in which the louver guides the warm air toward the object to be dried by means of rectifying fins that rectify the warm air in the same direction as or in a direction intersecting with the louver body.

[0017] In this air conditioning method, of The method may include a step of adjusting the blowing direction of the hot air by the louver during blowing, or a step of causing oscillations in the hot air by moving or vibrating the louver.

[0018] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the air conditioning system of the present disclosure, the system includes the air conditioning device, a heat source machine that provides a heat medium to the air conditioning device, and an air conditioning remote control used to operate the air conditioning device.

[0019] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a bathroom equipped with the air conditioning device. The bathroom may be provided with an air intake port inside the bathroom that can draw air from outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained. (1) The circulation of warm air to the items to be dried, such as wet clothes, is improved, and the return flow of moist air that comes into contact with the items to be dried is prevented from hitting the items, thereby improving the drying efficiency of the items to be dried and shortening the drying time of the items to be dried.

[0021] (2) By shortening the drying time, it is possible to improve convenience when using a bathroom or a dressing room where an air conditioning unit is installed as a drying room. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a bathroom air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an air conditioning unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the air conditioning control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4a is a front view showing the air conditioning unit, and FIG. 4b is a view showing a part of the air conditioning unit with the louvers open. [Figure 5] 5a is a cross-sectional view taken along line Va-Va in FIG. 4a, and FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. 4b. [Figure 6] FIG. 6a is a perspective view showing the louver as viewed from the flow straightening fin side, and FIG. 6b is a plan view showing the louver. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing indoor ventilation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing indoor heating. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a clothes drying system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing the intake and hot air blowing states, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of the hot air blowing direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11a is a simulation diagram showing the air conditioning state when the louver length is short, and FIG. 11b is a simulation diagram showing the air conditioning state when the louver length is long. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a bathroom air-conditioning system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] First Embodiment <Bathroom air conditioning system 2> 1 shows a bathroom air-conditioning system 2 according to a first embodiment. Bathroom air-conditioning system 2 is an example of an air-conditioning system according to the present disclosure, and is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0024] This bathroom air-conditioning system 2 has multiple functions, such as room ventilation, room heating, and clothes drying, and each function can be selectively used. To realize these functions, this bathroom air-conditioning system 2 includes an air-conditioning unit 4, an air-conditioning control unit 6, an air-conditioning remote control 8, and a heat source unit 10. The air-conditioning unit 4 and the air-conditioning control unit 6 are examples of an air-conditioning device 12 of the present disclosure, and this air-conditioning device 12 may also include the air-conditioning remote control 8. The air-conditioning unit 4 is installed, for example, in the ceiling 16 of the bathroom 14.

[0025] The air conditioning control unit 6 includes, for example, a computer with a communication function, and is linked to an air conditioning remote control 8 configured with a similar computer. The air conditioning remote control 8 may be installed in the bathroom 14 or nearby.

[0026] The air conditioning control unit 6 acquires the detected temperature of the heat medium HM from temperature sensor 18, the intake air temperature from temperature sensor 20, and the detected humidity of the intake air from humidity sensor 22, and controls the ventilation volume in ventilation mode, and the temperature and volume of the hot air HW in heating mode or drying mode. The heat source machine 10 is, for example, a heating and hot water heater, and generates the heat medium HM such as hot water. Therefore, the air conditioning unit 4 receives a supply of the heat medium HM from the heat source machine 10 in heating mode or drying mode under the control of the air conditioning control unit 6. When the heat medium HM is supplied, the thermal valve 23 is opened to supply the heat medium HM to the air conditioning unit 4, and the heat medium HM after heat exchange is returned to the heat source machine 10 and reheated.

[0027] The air conditioning unit 4 comprises a device housing 24, in which a warm air circulation section 26, a rectification section 28 and a ventilation section 30 are installed, and a front panel 32 is removably attached to the bathroom side of the device housing 24.

[0028] Under the control of air conditioning control unit 6, hot air circulation unit 26 draws air Ar from bathroom 14 into device housing 24 through air intake unit 34 on front panel 32, and exchanges heat between this air Ar and heat medium HM in heat exchanger 36 to generate hot air HW. This hot air HW is rectified by rectification unit 28 and blown into bathroom 14 from hot air outlet unit 38.

[0029] The rectifying section 28 is equipped with louvers 40 whose opening area is larger than that of the hot air blowing section 38. In the heating mode or drying mode, the direction in which the hot air HW is blown out is controlled by the air conditioning control section 6. In the drying mode, the hot air HW is guided to the items to be dried 44 hung on a laundry pipe 42. The laundry pipe 42 is installed below the hot air blowing section 38.

[0030] Under the control of air conditioning control unit 6, ventilation unit 30 draws air Ar from inside and outside bathroom 14 through intake unit 34, takes it into device housing 24, and exhausts it from device housing 24 to the outside of bathroom 14, thereby ventilating bathroom 14. Bathroom 14 has a louver 46 formed on the bathroom door or the like, and air Ar from outside bathroom 14 is taken into bathroom 14 through louver 46. Louver 46 is an example of a ventilation means for bathroom 14.

[0031] <Air conditioning unit 4> 2 is an enlarged view of the air conditioning unit 4. In FIG. 2, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0032] The device housing 24 is installed inside the ceiling 16 of the bathroom 14, and its flange 50 is disposed on the ceiling surface. The front panel 32 is removably attached to this flange 50.

[0033] A plurality of partition walls 52, 54, 56, and 58 are provided in the device housing 24, which partition the hot air circulation section 26 and the ventilation section 30. The hot air circulation section 26 is formed by the partition walls 52, 54, 56, and 58, and the ventilation section 30 is formed by the inner wall surface of the device housing 24 and the partition walls 52 and 56. At the downstream portion of the hot air path 60 of the hot air circulation section 26, the hot air blowing section 38 is formed by the partition walls 56 and 58.

[0034] A heat exchanger 36 and a circulation fan 62 are installed in the hot air circulation section 26. The heat exchanger 36 is an example of a heat exchange section of the present disclosure. The heat exchanger 36 is installed upstream of the hot air duct 60 and is supported on the device housing 24 by partition walls 52, 54. The circulation fan 62 receives rotational force from a fan motor 64 and rotates, drawing air Ar from the bathroom 14 from the intake section 34 into the hot air circulation section 26. The heat exchanger 36 exchanges heat between the air Ar and the heat medium HM, generating hot air HW. This hot air HW is guided from the hot air duct 60 to the rectification section 28 by the rotation of the circulation fan 62.

[0035] Louvers 40 are rotatably installed in the rectifying section 28. The louvers 40 are rotatably supported by a support shaft 66 installed downstream of the hot air duct 60. A louver motor 68 is connected to the support shaft 66, and the louvers 40 receive rotational force from the louver motor 68. This allows the louvers 40 to be adjusted to a desired hot air blowing direction, or to oscillate between open and closed states.

[0036] When the louvers 40 are oriented in the same direction (forward direction) as the blowing direction of the warm air HW, in the warm air blowing section 38 of this embodiment, the louvers 40 form a first blowing section 38-1, the louvers 40 and the partition wall 58 form a second blowing section 38-2, and the louvers 40 and the partition wall 56 form a third blowing section 38-3. In other words, the warm air blowing section 38 is divided into three by the louvers 40, and warm air HW-1 can be blown out from the first blowing section 38-1, warm air HW-2 from the second blowing section 38-2, and warm air HW-3 from the third blowing section 38-3. The warm air blowing section 38 may be divided into two, and at least the first blowing section 38-1 and the second blowing section 38-2 can be formed.

[0037] The ventilation section 30 includes a ventilation fan unit 70, which is detachably mounted on the device housing 24. The ventilation fan 72 is equipped with a fan motor 74, and receives rotational force from the fan motor 74 to exhaust air Ar to the outside from the ventilation section 30. Although not shown, an exhaust duct may be connected to the ventilation fan unit 70 to exhaust the air.

[0038] <Air conditioning control unit 6 hardware> Fig. 3 shows an example of the air conditioning control unit 6. In Fig. 3, the same parts as in Fig. 1 or 2 are given the same reference numerals.

[0039] The air conditioning control unit 6 is, for example, composed of a computer with communication capabilities, and is equipped with a processor 76, a memory unit 78, an input / output unit (I / O) 80, a communication unit 82, etc. to execute the ventilation, heating, or drying modes described above.

[0040] The processor 76 executes various programs such as an OS (Operating System) and an air conditioning control program stored in the storage unit 78, and also executes necessary arithmetic processing, information storage, information presentation, and other processes.

[0041] The storage unit 78 stores various control information such as the OS, air conditioning control program, temperature information, humidity information, etc. The storage unit 78 includes a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random-Access Memory), etc. The RAM forms a work area for information processing.

[0042] Under the control of the processor 76, the I / O 80 acquires input information from the air conditioning remote control 8, temperature information from the temperature sensors 18 and 20, humidity information from the humidity sensor 22, and heat source information from the heat source unit control unit 84, and outputs drive control information to the motor drive unit 86 and presentation information to the air conditioning display unit 88 of the air conditioning remote control 8.

[0043] The communication unit 82 communicates with an information terminal and a hot water supply remote controller (not shown) under the control of the processor 76, and transmits and receives information.

[0044] The heat source machine control unit 84 controls the hot water heating of the heat source machine 10 such as a water heater, controls the output of the heat medium HM, and so on.

[0045] Under the control of the processor 76, the motor drive unit 86 drives the fan motor 64 when the ventilation mode is being executed, drives the fan motor 64 and the louver motor 68 when the heating mode or the drying mode is being executed, and drives the fan motor 74 when the ventilation mode is being executed.

[0046] The air conditioning remote control 8 is equipped with a mode selection button, which can be operated to select modes such as ventilation mode, heating mode, drying mode, etc. Under the control of the processor within the air conditioning remote control 8, the air conditioning display unit 88 receives information presented from the air conditioning control unit 6 and presents mode selection information and information indicating the air conditioning control status.

[0047] <Louver 40> As shown in Fig. 4a, an intake portion 34 and a warm air blowing portion 38 are formed on the front panel 32 of the air conditioning unit 4. The opening area of the intake portion 34 is set larger than that of the warm air blowing portion 38. The warm air blowing portion 38 is a rectangular window portion. A rectangular louver 40 larger than the opening area of the warm air blowing portion 38 is installed in the warm air blowing portion 38 as a rectifying portion 28.

[0048] In Fig. 4a, if the horizontal width of the warm air blowing portion 38 is A, the vertical width is B, the horizontal width of the louver 40 is C, and the vertical width is D, then there is a relationship of A > C and B < D. That is, in the air conditioning unit 4 installed on the ceiling portion 16, the vertical width D in the height direction of the louver 40 is larger than the vertical width B of the warm air blowing portion 38.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 4a, when the louver 40 is closed, it closes the warm air blowing portion 38 and is removed from the warm air blowing portion 38 and overlapped on the front panel 32. A recess 90 for housing the louver 40 is formed at the position of the front panel 32 where the louver 40 overlaps. This recess 90 is a depression on the extension of the warm air blowing portion 38.

[0050] When the louver 40 is opened, for example, as shown in Fig. 4b, when the angle of the louver 40 is set in the forward direction of the warm air HW, the warm air passage 60 is exposed in the warm air blowing portion 38, and the first, second, and third rectifying fins 92-1, 92-2, 92-3 of the louver 40 are set in the blowing direction of the warm air HW. The rectifying fins 92-1 and the plurality of rectifying fins 92-2 are arranged in the crossing direction with respect to the rectifying fin 92-3. The rectifying fin 92-3 is smaller than the louver body 94 (Fig. 6) of the louver 40 and is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the louver body 94.

[0051] Fig. 5a shows a cross-section taken along the line Va-Va in Fig. 4a. In Fig. 5a, the same parts as those in Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0052] The louver 40 includes a closing portion 40-1 for closing the warm air blowing portion 38 and an overlapping portion 40-2 that overlaps the recess 90 of the front panel 32. If the vertical width of the closing portion 40-1 is E and the vertical width of the overlapping portion 40-2 is F, the vertical width D of the louver 40 is D = E + F. The relationship between the vertical width B of the warm air blowing portion 38 and the vertical width E of the closing portion 40-1 is B > E. If the vertical width of the recess 90 is G, the relationship between this vertical width G and the vertical width F of the overlapping portion 40-2 is G > F.

[0053] Let the distance between the closing portion 40-1 of the louver 40 and the flow rectifying fin 92-3 be K. This distance K forms the first blowing portion 38-1 with respect to the warm air blowing portion 38.

[0054] Figure 5b shows a cross-section taken along the line Vb-Vb of Figure 4b. In Figure 5b, the same parts as in Figure 2 are labeled with the same reference numerals. In Figure 5b, n1 and n2 indicate the locus lines of the rotated louver 40.

[0055] The louver 40 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 66 installed on the warm air passage 60 side. Taking the support shaft 66 as the rotation center, the rotation radius of the closing portion 40-1 side of the louver 40 as r, and the minimum distance between the center of the support shaft 66 and the partition wall 58 as H, the magnitude relationship between them is set to r < H, allowing the louver 40 to rotate.

[0056] <The opening area of the warm air blowing portion 38, the area of the louver 40, the inner area of the warm air passage of the louver 40, the protruding length, and the protruding area> If the opening area of the warm air blowing portion 38 is S1, the opening area S1 can be expressed by Equation 1 using the aforementioned A and B. S1 = A × B ···(Equation 1)

[0057] If the area of the louver 40 covering the warm air blowing portion 38 and the recess 90 is S2, the area S2 can be expressed by Equation 2 using the aforementioned C and D. S2 = C × D ···(Equation 2)

[0058] As shown in Figure 4a, the magnitude relationship between S1 and S2 is set to S2 > S1.

[0059] Assuming that the area of the blocking portion 40-1 is S3 and the area of the overlapping portion 40-2 is S4, the areas S2, S3, and S4 can be expressed by Expressions 3, 4, and 5 using the aforementioned C, D, E, and F. S2 = S3 + S4 > S1 ···(Expression 3) S3 = C × E = C × (D - F) ···(Expression 4) S4 = C × F = C × (D - E) ···(Expression 5)

[0060] Assuming that the distance from the opening surface of the warm air blowing portion 38 to the support shaft 66 is I, the distance from the edge of the louver 40 to the projection position of the support shaft 66 is J, and the length (= protruding length) by which the vertically rotated louver 40 protrudes from the opening surface of the warm air blowing portion 38 is L, this protruding length L can be expressed by Expression 6. L = D - I - J = E + F - I - J ···(Expression 6)

[0061] Assuming that the area of the louver 40 that enters the warm air passage 60 (warm air passage inner area) is S5, this warm air passage inner area S5 can be expressed by Expression 7 using the distances I and J. S5 = (I + J) × C ···(Expression 7) Assuming that the protruding area of the louver 40 from the warm air blowing portion 38 is S6, this protruding area S6 can be expressed by Expression 8 using L and C of Expression 6. S6 = L × C = (E + F - I - J) × C = S2 - S5 ···(Expression 8)

[0062] The amount of warm air blown out from the warm air blowing portion 38 is generally proportional to the opening area S1 of the warm air blowing portion 38, and the rectification of this warm air HW is borne by the protruding length L and the protruding area S6 of the louver 40. Therefore, it is important to set the protruding length L and the protruding area S6 of the louver 40. Thus, regarding how to set the protruding length L and the protruding area S6, it is preferable to set them to, for example, the opening area S1 or more of the warm air blowing portion 38. Therefore, assuming S1 < S2, in order to make S6 ≥ S1, for example, it is preferable to set L ≥ (I + J).

[0063] The size of the hot air passage inner area S5 also contributes to the amount of hot air blown out from each of the first blowing section 38-1 and the second blowing section 38-2.

[0064] <Housing structure and rotation mechanism of louver 40> As shown in Fig. 6a, the louver 40 has a flat louver body 94, a pair of trapezoidal support walls 96-1, 96-2 standing on both ends of the louver body 94, and a flow straightening fin 92-3 installed on the tops of the support walls 96-1, 96-2 to form a louver housing for the flow straightening fins 92-1, 92-2. A support shaft 66 is attached to each of the support walls 96-1, 96-2, and a fan motor 64 is connected to the support shaft 66 on the support wall 96-1 side. The support shaft 66 is the rotation center for rotating the louver 40.

[0065] A rectifying fin 92-1 and a plurality of rectifying fins 92-2 are installed between the rectifying fin 92-3 and the louver body 94. The rectifying fin 92-1 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate and is installed in the center of the louver housing, and constitutes part of the louver housing to reinforce the louver housing.

[0066] The rectifying fins 92-2 are, for example, curved plates of the same shape, and are arranged symmetrically about the central rectifying fin 92-1 (center line O) as shown in Fig. 6b. Therefore, the warm air HW-1 blown out from the first blowing section 38-1 is rectified and spreads in the left and right directions of the rectifying fin 92-1, centered on the rectifying fin 92-1.

[0067] <Air conditioning operation> The air conditioning operation of bathroom air-conditioning system 2 includes a mode selection process, a ventilation process, a heating process, a drying process, etc. These processes are an example of the air conditioning method of the present disclosure.

[0068] The mode selection process operates the air conditioning remote controller 8, and allows the user to select one of ventilation mode, heating mode, or drying mode from the mode selection screen. In this selection, the user can select heating mode or drying mode from ventilation mode, ventilation mode or drying mode from heating mode, or ventilation mode or heating mode from drying mode, and can also switch from each mode to stop or standby mode as desired.

[0069] <Ventilation mode> 7 shows room ventilation in the ventilation mode, in which the fan motor 64 and the louver motor 68 are stopped and only the fan motor 74 is operated.

[0070] When fan motor 74 is operated, ventilation fan 72 rotates, and air Ar from bathroom 14 is drawn into device housing 24 through intake section 34, creating a negative pressure in bathroom 14. As a result, air Ar drawn into louver 46 from outside bathroom 14 passes through bathroom 14, enters air conditioning unit 4 through intake section 34, and is exhausted outside air conditioning unit 4 through ventilation section 30. This ventilates bathroom 14.

[0071] <Heating mode> 8 shows room heating in heating mode. In this room heating, the louver motor 68 is operated to rotate the louvers 40 and set the warm air blower 38 to an open state. The fan motor 64 is operated, and the heat medium HM is circulated from the heat source unit 10 to the heat exchanger 36. At this time, the fan motor 74 is stopped, and room ventilation is kept stopped.

[0072] When fan motor 64 is operated while ventilation unit 30 is stopped, air Ar drawn in from bathroom 14 through intake unit 34 is heated by heat exchange with heat medium HM in heat exchanger 36, generating hot air HW. This hot air HW is blown out into bathroom 14 from hot air outlet unit 38. As a result, hot air HW circulates in bathroom 14, providing heating.

[0073] <Drying mode> Figure 9 shows clothes drying in the drying mode. This clothes drying process includes a warm air circulation process, a rectification process, and a ventilation process. In other words, in this drying mode, warm air HW is increased for the items to be dried 44, and air Ar1 that has become moist from contact with the items to be dried 44, along with air Ar2 outside the bathroom 14 that has been drawn into the bathroom 14, is introduced from the air intake section 34 to the air conditioning unit 4. In combination with ventilation, warm air HW is generated, reducing the aforementioned return flow.

[0074] In the hot air circulation process, the hot air circulation section 26 exchanges heat between the air Ar1, Ar2 sucked from the bathroom 14 and the heat medium HM in the heat exchanger 36 to generate hot air HW, and the hot air HW is blown into the bathroom 14 from the hot air blowing section 38.

[0075] In the rectifying step, the rectifying unit 28 changes the blowing direction of the hot air HW toward the object 44 to be dried by using the louvers 40 having an opening area larger than that of the hot air blowing unit 38, and guides the hot air HW mainly toward the object 44 to be dried.

[0076] This rectifying step includes a step of rotating the louvers 40 to form the first blowing section 38-1 and the second blowing section 38-2 in the hot air blowing section 38.

[0077] This rectifying step may include a step in which the louver 40 guides the hot air HW to the object 44 to be dried by a plurality of rectifying fins 92-1, 92-2 that rectify the hot air HW in a direction intersecting with the louver body 94.

[0078] In the ventilation step, ventilation section 30 draws air Ar1 and Ar2 into device housing 24 and expels it from device housing 24 to the outside of bathroom 14, thereby ventilating bathroom 14.

[0079] <Drying mechanism> When the hot air HW is blown out, the air Ar1 that has become humid upon contact with the object to be dried 44 has a higher humidity than the hot air HW, its temperature drops, and as a result of the reduction in the volume of the hot air HW, it is led to the air intake section 34. A portion of the air Ar2 drawn in from the air intake section 34 during ventilation of the bathroom by the ventilation section 30 is drawn into the hot air circulation section 26 and joins with the air Ar1, participating in the generation of the hot air HW.

[0080] At the same time, part of the air Ar1 that has become humid after hitting the items to be dried 44 joins with the air Ar2 on the ventilation section 30 side and is exhausted from the air conditioning unit 4 to the outside of the bathroom 14. Therefore, a return flow in which the air Ar1 that has become humid after hitting the items to be dried 44 re-contacts the items to be dried 44 is suppressed, and the function of rectifying the blowing direction of the warm air HW by the louvers 40, combined with the ventilation in the bathroom, allows the items to be dried 44 to be dried in an efficient drying state.

[0081] In this drying mode, the rectifying step may include a step of adjusting the blowing direction of the hot air HW by the louvers 40, or a step of causing the hot air HW to oscillate by moving or vibrating the louvers 40.

[0082] <Drying mode hot air HW-1, HW-2 and air Ar1, Ar2> In the drying mode, as shown in FIG. 10a, hot air HW-1 and HW-2 are blown out from the hot air blowing section 38, and air Ar1 and Ar2 are drawn into the air intake section 34 as shown in FIG. 10b.

[0083] At this time, as shown in Fig. 10b, the blowing direction of the hot air HW is restricted by the louvers 40, which have an opening area larger than that of the hot air blowing section 38, and the hot air HW is blown onto the objects to be dried 44. As a result, the return flow from the objects to be dried 44 is suppressed, and the objects to be dried 44 are dried efficiently.

[0084] <Air conditioning operation simulation> An air conditioning operation simulation was conducted on the generation of a return flow of warm air HW during clothes drying for air conditioning units 4 with different louver lengths. Figure 11 shows the simulation results, with Figure 11(a) showing the generation of a return flow when the louver length is short, and Figure 11(b) showing the generation of a return flow when the louver length is long. In Figure 11, the same parts as in Figures 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0085] The louver lengths of the louvers 40 used in this air conditioning operation simulation were set to L1 and L2, with L2 > L1, for example, L2 > L1 × 2. The air conditioning unit 4 equipped with louvers 40 with louver length L2 is an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] In Figure 11(a) and (b), W1 is the warm air area, W2-1 and W2-2 are mixed flows, W3-1 and W3-2 are return flows, and W4 is the recovery flow. The mixed flow W2-1 and return flow W3-1 are for louver length L1, and the mixed flow W2-2 and return flow W3-2 are for louver length L2. The mixed flow W2-1 is an airflow obtained by mixing the warm air W1 and the return flow W3-1. Similarly, the mixed flow W2-2 is an airflow obtained by mixing the warm air W1 and the return flow W3-2.

[0087] As is clear from these comparisons, when the louver length is L1, the top of the return air W3-1 approaches the louver 40 and is mixed with the warm air W1, expanding the area of ​​the moist mixed air W2-1. This shows that the mixed air W2-1 extends to the vicinity of the laundry pipe 42.

[0088] At the louver length L2, the apex of the return flow W3-2 is away from the louver 40, and the area of ​​the mixed flow W2-2 that is mixed with the hot air W1 is reduced. This mixed flow W2-2 is separated from the laundry pipe 42.

[0089] This makes it possible to suppress the return flow of moist air by the material 44 to be dried hung on the laundry pipe 42, and to prevent the moist air from contacting the material 44 to be dried again.

[0090] <Advantages of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained. (1) The bathroom air conditioning system 2 can be used to operate either bathroom ventilation, bathroom heating, or clothes drying.

[0091] (2) In the drying mode, the bathroom ventilation and bathroom heating are used in combination to dry items 44 such as wet clothes.

[0092] (3) In the drying mode, the louvers 40, which have an opening area larger than that of the warm air blowing section 38, are operated to direct the warm air HW toward the object to be dried 44, thereby diverting the return flow of the air moistened by the object to be dried 44 away from the object to be dried 44 and suppressing contact with the object to be dried 44.

[0093] (4) In the drying mode, the humid air is exhausted outside the bathroom 14 to ventilate the bathroom 14 while drying clothes, and the circulating flow of the humid air can be prevented.

[0094] (5) Items to be dried 44 can be dried efficiently, shortening the drying time. Therefore, even if bathroom 14 is used for drying clothes, the functionality of bathroom 14 can be prevented from being impaired, and the convenience of bathroom 14, together with bathroom air-conditioning system 2, is not impaired.

[0095] Second Embodiment Fig. 12 shows a bathroom air-conditioning system 2 according to a second embodiment. In Fig. 12, the same parts as those in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0096] In addition to the air conditioning function described above, bathroom air-conditioning system 2 has a mist function for spraying mist into bathroom 14. Mist generating section 98 includes heat exchanger 100, mist control valve 102, and the like.

[0097] The heat medium HM provided from the heat source unit 10 circulates through the heat exchanger 100 via a mist control valve 102, and the heat medium HM after heat exchange returns to the heat source unit 10 and is reheated.

[0098] Feedwater W is supplied to the heat exchanger 100 from the water supply port 104 through a mist main valve 106 equipped with a filter, and is heated to hot water hW at a temperature suitable for the mist by heat exchange with the heat medium HM. This hot water hW flows into the mist pipe 110 via a mist valve 108. This mist pipe 110 is equipped with a check valve 114 for each mist nozzle 112-1, 112-2.

[0099] The ventilation unit 30 is provided with a ventilation damper driven by a damper motor 116. This damper motor 116 is not necessary in the case of single-room ventilation.

[0100] <Advantages of the Second Embodiment> According to the second embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained. (1) By adding a mist function to bathroom air-conditioning system 2, which has an improved drying function, the convenience of bathroom air-conditioning system 2 can be improved.

[0101] (2) If the mist mode is selected using the mode selection button provided on the air conditioner remote controller 8, for example, the mode can be switched from the heating mode to the mist mode, allowing for a mist bath.

[0102] Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, bathroom air-conditioning system 2 or air-conditioning unit 12 is illustrated as being installed in bathroom 14, but bathroom air-conditioning system 2 or air-conditioning unit 12 is not limited to being installed in bathroom 14. Bathroom air-conditioning system 2 or air-conditioning unit 4 may also be installed in a location other than bathroom 14, such as a changing room.

[0103] (2) In the above embodiment, the flow straightening fins 92-1, 92-2, and 92-3 are fixed, but they may be configured to be adjustable to a desired flow straightening direction.

[0104] (3) In the above embodiment, the length of the flow straightening fins 92-2 and 92-3 in the blowing direction is set to match the length of the flow straightening fin 92-1, but they may also be set to be longer than the length of the flow straightening fin 92-1 and to be equal to the length of the blocking section 40-1.

[0105] (4) In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that S1 < S2, and for example, it is preferable that the protruding length L of the louver 40 from the warm air blowing portion 38 is set to L ≧ (I + J). On the other hand, the protruding length L of the louver 40 may be set to a value obtained by adding the distance (I + J) that enters the warm air passage 60 side when the louver 40 is opened, on the premise that S1 < S2. To satisfy this, the length F of the overlapping portion 40-2 may be set to, for example, F ≧ (I + J).

[0106] As described above, the most preferable embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure has been described. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art based on the gist described in the claims or disclosed in the form for carrying out the invention. Needless to say, such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the technology of the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

[0107] According to the present disclosure, while enhancing the supply of warm air to the object to be dried, the moist air from the bathroom is exhausted to the outside air to ventilate the bathroom, so that the return flow of the moist air that has come into contact with the object to be dried can be suppressed, the object to be dried can be efficiently dried, and the drying time can be shortened.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0108] 2 Bathroom air conditioning system 4 Air conditioning unit 6 Air conditioning control unit 8 Air conditioning remote control 10 Heat source machine 12 Air conditioner 14 Bathroom 16 Ceiling portion 18, 20 Temperature sensors 22 Humidity sensor 24 Device housing 26 Warm air circulation portion 28 Rectifying portion 30 Ventilation portion 32 Front panel 34 Intake section 36 Heat exchanger 38 Warm air outlet 38-1 First blowout section 38-2 Second blowout section 38-3 Third blowout section 40 louvers 40-1 Occlusion 40-2 Polymerization section 42 Laundry Pipe 44 Materials to be dried 46 Garari 48 Thermal valve 50 flange 52, 54, 56, 58 Compartment walls 60 Warm air duct 62 Circulation fan 64 Fan motor 66 Support shaft 68 Louver motor 70 Ventilation fan unit 72 Ventilation fan 74 Fan motor 76 processors 78 Memory section 80 Input / output section 82 Communications Department 84 Heat source machine control unit 86 Motor drive unit 88 Air conditioning display section 90 recess 92-1, 92-2, 92-3 Rectifying fins 94 Louver body 96-1, 96-2 Supporting wall 98 Mist generation unit 100 heat exchanger 102 Mist control valve 104 Water supply port 106 Mist main valve 108 Mist valve 110 Mist Pipe 112-1, 112-2 Mist nozzle 114 Check valve 116 Damper motor

Claims

1. A device housing; a warm air circulation unit that generates warm air by heat exchange between air drawn into the device housing from the room and a heat medium in a heat exchange unit, and blows the warm air into the room from a blowing unit of the device housing; a rectifying section including a louver that is larger than the opening area of ​​the blowout section, that is supported in a warm air duct that is connected to the blowout section of the warm air circulation section so as to be able to open and close at a position having a length set based on the opening surface of the blowout section, that divides the blowout section into a plurality of sections when opened in a direction perpendicular to the blowout section, and that has a portion that protrudes into the room longer than a portion that is accommodated in the warm air duct when opened, and that controls the blowout direction of the warm air by the louver and guides the warm air mainly to the material to be dried; a ventilation unit that draws air from the room and the outside into the device housing and exhausts it to the outside from the device housing; Including, The device housing is formed by dividing the warm air circulation section and the ventilation section by a partition wall disposed inside, and the air taken in from the room by the intake section is divided into one or both of the warm air circulation section and the ventilation section depending on the selected mode, The hot air circulation unit has the heat exchange unit supported on a tip end portion of a part of the partition wall on the upstream side of the hot air passage.

2. 2. The air conditioning device of claim 1, wherein the louver includes a blocking portion that blocks the blowing portion and an overlapping portion that overlaps with the device housing, the blocking portion is attached to a support shaft arranged in the hot air path that leads to the blowing portion and is rotatable, and when the hot air is blown out, the louver is rotated in the same direction as the hot air to form at least a first blowing portion and a second blowing portion in the blowing portion.

3. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the louvers include rectifying fins that rectify the warm air in the same direction as the louver bodies or in a direction intersecting the louver bodies.

4. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the louver includes a plurality of flow straightening fins, and the other flow straightening fins are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to a central flow straightening fin.

5. 5. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein a louver drive unit that drives the louvers adjusts the blowing direction of the warm air by the louvers when the warm air is blown out, or causes the warm air to oscillate by moving or vibrating the louvers.

6. a step of dividing the hot air circulation section and the ventilation section into sections by a partition wall disposed inside the device housing, and dividing the air taken in from inside the room by the intake section into either or both of the hot air circulation section and the ventilation section depending on the selected mode; a hot air circulation process in which a heat exchange unit is supported at a tip end portion of a part of the partition wall on the upstream side of the hot air passage in the hot air circulation unit, and hot air is generated by heat exchange between the air sucked into the device housing and a heat medium in the heat exchange unit, and the hot air is blown into the room from a blowing unit of the device housing; a step in which a straightening section is larger than the opening area of ​​the blowing section, is supported in the hot air duct at a position that is openable and closable and that has a length that is set based on the opening surface of the blowing section, and includes a louver that divides the blowing section into multiple sections when in an open state, and has a portion that protrudes into the room longer than a portion that is accommodated in the hot air duct when opened in a direction perpendicular to the blowing section, and controls the blowing direction of the hot air with the louver to guide the hot air mainly to the material to be dried; a ventilation step in which a ventilation unit draws air from the room and the outside into the device housing and exhausts it to the outside from the device housing; 12. An air conditioning method comprising:

7. The air conditioning method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of rotating the louvers to form at least a first blowing portion and a second blowing portion in the blowing section when blowing out the warm air.

8. 8. The air conditioning method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of guiding the warm air to the object to be dried by the louvers using rectifying fins that rectify the warm air in the same direction as or in a direction crossing the louver body.

9. 9. The air conditioning method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of adjusting the blowing direction of the warm air by the louver when blowing out the warm air, or a step of causing the warm air to oscillate by moving or vibrating the louver.

10. An air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; a heat source machine that supplies a heat medium to the air conditioning device; an air conditioning remote control used to operate the air conditioning device; Air conditioning system including.

11. A bathroom comprising the air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the air conditioning system according to claim 10.

12. The bathroom according to claim 11, which is provided with an air intake port inside the room that can draw air from outside.

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