Private booth

Abstract

To provide a private booth capable of reducing the possibility that a person who stays in a living room space feels discomfort to noise generated from an air blower even when a ventilation volume for the living room space is increased.SOLUTION: A private booth in the present disclosure comprises: a living room space having an air supply port on a floor surface; a ventilation path that erects from a floor surface side of the living room space toward a top surface side, and communicates with the living room space; a plurality of nozzles whose blowout ports are directed from the top surface side to the floor surface side of the living room space; a centrifugal blower that generates an airflow that suctions air from a space outside a living room that is different from the living room space through the air supply port and blows it out into the living room space through the ventilation path and the blowout ports; and a fan box having a seating surface on an upper surface and a space involving the centrifugal blower below the upper surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to private rooms.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a soundproof room and an air conditioning system for the soundproof room that can exhibit an excellent air conditioning function with a simple configuration. In FIG. 4, this soundproof room 900 includes a housing 910 that forms a space into which a user can enter, and a plurality of casters 920 that support the housing 910. On the floor of the housing 910, an integrated air conditioner 940 that houses a refrigeration cycle for cooling is installed in a cabinet 930. The cabinet 930 is formed having an air outlet 931 provided on the front surface and an exhaust port 932 provided on the bottom surface. The floor 911 of the housing 910 is formed such that an opening corresponding to the position of the exhaust port 932 allows the warm air blown out from the exhaust port 932 to be discharged to the outside of the housing 910 through the opening. On the ceiling 912 of the housing 910, a fan 940 is provided to form an upward air flow in the space and promote the upward movement of the cold air blown out from the air outlet 931.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to form a comfortable environment in the soundproof room, it is preferable to suppress the noise generated inside the housing. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the ventilation volume (exhaust volume) inside the housing by the fan is increased, the noise of the fan (such as turbulent flow noise) generated inside the housing also increases. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 had room for improvement in terms of suppressing the noise generated inside the housing even when the ventilation volume was increased.

[0005] This disclosure provides a private booth that can reduce the possibility of occupants in a living space feeling uncomfortable due to noise generated by a fan, even when the ventilation rate to the living space is increased. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The private booth in this disclosure comprises a living space having an air intake on the floor, a ventilation passage erected from the floor side to the ceiling side of the living space and communicating with the living space, a plurality of nozzles with outlets facing from the ceiling side to the floor side of the living space, a centrifugal blower that generates an airflow that draws in air from an outside space different from the living space through the air intake and blows it into the living space via the ventilation passage and outlets, and a fan box having a seat on the top surface that can be sat on and a space below the top surface that encloses the centrifugal blower. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The private booth in this disclosure suppresses the spread of noise generated from the centrifugal blower to the outside of the fan box. In other words, the fan box insulates against the noise generated from the centrifugal blower. Therefore, even when the ventilation rate to the living space is increased, the private booth can reduce the possibility that the occupants of the living space will feel uncomfortable due to the noise generated from the blower. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the private booth in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the private booth in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system for the private booth in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side view showing the configuration of a soundproof room and its air conditioning system in the prior art. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0010] The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0012] [1-1. Structure] The private booth 1 is installed in an indoor space such as an office. In Figures 1 and 2, the private booth 1 comprises a box 10, a nozzle 20, a centrifugal blower 30, a fan box 40, a filter 50, a controller 60, and a control unit 70.

[0013] The box 10 is a rectangular enclosure and has a living space 11, a ventilation passage 12, an air intake 13, and an exhaust vent 14.

[0014] The living space 11 is a space where one to two people can stay. There are no special limitations to the living space 11, but in this example, the living space 11 is a private room equipped with a chair 100 and a desk 200 for remote work or studying. Note that the chair 100 and desk 200 are not shown in Figure 2. Hereafter, the space outside the private booth 1, including the living space 11, will be defined as the "outside living space". The living space 11 is formed by a floorboard 11a, a side panel 11b, and a topboard 11c.

[0015] The floorboard 11a is a rectangular board material that is placed on the floor side in the space outside the living room. The floorboard 11a is placed with a gap of about 10 cm between it and the floor surface of the space outside the living room.

[0016] The side panel 11b is a rectangular plate material erected from the outer peripheral edge of the floor board 11a toward the ceiling surface side, and four pieces are arranged.

[0017] The top board 11c is a rectangular plate material that covers the opening formed by the side panel 11b being erected, and is arranged above the floor board 11a.

[0018] The ventilation passage 12 is a duct that stands upright from the side of the floor board 11a toward the side of the top board 11c and communicates with the living room space 11 through the nozzle 20. The ventilation passage 12 has a suction port 12a and a blowout port 12b.

[0019] The suction port 12a is provided on one end side of the ventilation passage 12, which is on the side of the floor board 11a rather than in the center between the floor board 11a and the top board 11c, and is an opening for sucking in the air flow AF.

[0020] The blowout port 12b is provided on the other end side of the ventilation passage 12, which is on the side of the top board 11c rather than in the center between the floor board 11a and the top board 11c, and is an opening for blowing out the air flow AF.

[0021] The air supply port 13 is a rectangular opening that communicates the outdoor space of the living room with the fan box 40 and sucks the air in the outdoor space of the living room into the fan box 40. The air supply port 13 is provided on the floor board 11a.

[0022] The exhaust port 14 is a rectangular opening that communicates the outdoor space of the living room with the fan box 40 and blows out the air in the living room space 11 to the outdoor space. The exhaust port 14 is provided on the floor board 11a.

[0023] The nozzle 20 is a hollow, columnar component erected from the ventilation passage 12 toward the side panel 11b, which is positioned opposite to it across the living space 11. The nozzle 20 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in cross-section from a plane perpendicular to the direction of erection. The nozzle 20 communicates with the ventilation passage 12 via the air outlet 12b. There is no particular limit to the number of nozzles 20, but in this example, four nozzles 20 are arranged in the living space 11. Furthermore, it is preferable that the multiple nozzles 20 are spaced at equal intervals, with a gap of about 10 cm between them and the top board 11c. The nozzle 20 has an air outlet 21.

[0024] The air outlet 21 is a rectangular opening provided opposite the floorboard 11a. The air outlet 21 is formed such that the longer side is the vertical direction of the nozzle 20. The air outlet 21 connects the living space 11 and the nozzle 20, and one air outlet 21 is provided for each nozzle 20.

[0025] The centrifugal blower 30 is a blower having a sirocco fan and a motor that rotates the sirocco fan. The centrifugal blower 30 draws in air from the space outside the living space through the air intake 13 and generates an airflow AF that is blown into the living space 11 through the air passage 12 and the outlet 21 provided in the nozzle 20. There is no limit to the number of centrifugal blowers 30, but it is preferable to arrange multiple units. In this example, four centrifugal blowers 30 are arranged.

[0026] The fan box 40 is a rectangular housing that forms a space 41 containing an air intake 13, an exhaust 14, a centrifugal blower 30, and a filter 50. The fan box 40 is placed on the floorboard 11a. The fan box 40 communicates with the air passage 12 via the intake 12a and with the space outside the living room via the air intake 13 and exhaust 14. The fan box 40 has a top surface 42 and side surfaces 43.

[0027] The upper surface 42 is a board positioned opposite the floorboard 11a across the space 41. In other words, the upper surface 42 is positioned above the space 41. The upper surface 42 is a seat that can be sat on, and the chair 100 is placed on the upper surface 42.

[0028] The side surface 43 is a plate material that is adjacent to the top surface 42 and positioned opposite the ventilation passage 12. The side surface 43 has an intake port 43a.

[0029] The suction port 43a is a rectangular opening that connects the living space 11 and the space 41, and is formed so that the horizontal direction is the longer side.

[0030] The filter 50 is positioned upstream of the centrifugal blower 30 in the airflow path through which the airflow AF flows, and collects dust contained in the air (airflow AF) drawn in from the air intake 13. There are no limitations on the type of filter 50, but it is preferable to use a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter).

[0031] The controller 60 is an operation panel for selecting the operating type of the private booth 1, and employs either a mechanical switch or a touch panel. The magnitude of the airflow AF refers to the wind speed or airflow volume. There are no limitations on the placement of the controller 60 in the living space 11, but in this example it is placed above the desk 200 and on the side panel 11b.

[0032] The control unit 70 is electrically and communicatively connected to at least the centrifugal blower 30 and the controller 60, and comprehensively controls the operation of the private booth 1. The control unit 70 is located in space 41. The control unit 70 in this disclosure only needs to be capable of controlling the apparatus in this disclosure. The control unit can be implemented in various forms. For example, a processor may be used as the control unit 70. If a processor is used as the control unit 70, it is possible to load a program from a storage medium containing the program into the processor and execute the program using the processor to perform various processes. Therefore, since the processing content can be changed by changing the program stored in the storage medium, the degree of freedom in changing the control content can be increased. Examples of processors include CPUs (Central Processing Units) and MPUs (Micro-Processing Units). Examples of storage mediums include hard disks, flash memory, and optical discs. In Figure 3, the control unit 70 has an operation type information receiving unit 71, a processing unit 72, and an operation control unit 73.

[0033] The operation type information receiving unit 71 receives information related to the operation type of the private booth 1 input via the controller 60 and transmits the received information to the processing unit. The information related to the operation type of the private booth 1 includes information related to the ON / OFF operation of the centrifugal blower 30 and information related to the operation output of the centrifugal blower 30.

[0034] The processing unit 72 outputs the result of processing based on the information received from the operation type information receiving unit 71 to the operation control unit 73.

[0035] The operation control unit 73 individually controls the operation of the centrifugal blower 30 based on the information output from the processing unit 72. The information output from the processing unit 72 includes information related to the operating output of the centrifugal blower 30.

[0036] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the private booth 1, which is configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0037] The control unit 70 starts operating the centrifugal blower 30 when it receives an instruction to start operation for the centrifugal blower 30 via the controller 60. When the centrifugal blower 30 starts operating, air from the space outside the living room is drawn in as an airflow AF through the air intake 13. The air drawn in from the air intake 13 (airflow AF) passes through the ventilation passage 12 and flows into the nozzle 20. The airflow AF that flows into the nozzle 20 is blown out downwards from the outlet 21, that is, towards the floor. When the airflow AF is blown out from the outlet 21, the air in the space surrounding the airflow AF is drawn into the airflow AF, and a negative pressure region S is created in the space between adjacent nozzles 20. Negative pressure (also called negative pressure) refers to a state in which the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surroundings. In other words, the negative pressure region S is a region in which the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surroundings. When a negative pressure region S is generated, a force acts to eliminate the negative pressure, and air (airflow BF) is generated from the space around the nozzle 20 to eliminate the negative pressure region S. Airflow BF is also called an induced airflow. Airflow BF suppresses the force that would cause adjacent airflows AF to be attracted to the negative pressure region S and merge. As a result, the individual booth 1 generates an airflow in which the merging of adjacent airflows AF is suppressed, that is, an airflow CF (in this disclosure, this airflow may be called a "surface airflow" or "surface airflow") that is linear in the direction of discharge as a whole. When airflow AF is supplied to the living space 11, the living space 11 becomes positively pressurized (also called positive pressure) relative to the space outside the living space. When the living space 11 becomes positively pressurized, an airflow DF is generated corresponding to the pressure difference between the living space 11 and the space outside the living space. Airflow DF is the flow of air from the living space 11 that is exhausted to the space outside the living space via the intake port 43a and the exhaust port 14. In other words, the private booth 1 implements a Type 2 ventilation system that includes mechanical air supply by a centrifugal blower 30 and natural exhaust due to the pressure difference. The air passage through which airflow AF flows and the air passage through which airflow DF flows are provided independently.

[0038] The size of the airflow AF (wind speed, air volume) can be adjusted via the controller 60. The size of the airflow AF is controlled (adjusted) by the operating output of the centrifugal blower 30.

[0039] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the private booth 1 has a centrifugal blower 30 placed in the space 41 of the fan box 40, so that the noise generated when the centrifugal blower 30 is operating can be insulated by the fan box 40. In other words, the private booth 1 can reduce the sound energy reaching the living space 11 compared to when the fan box 40 is not provided. Furthermore, by using a centrifugal blower 30 with a sirocco fan to generate airflow AF, the turbulence of the airflow generated by the rotation of the fan can be reduced compared to an axial flow blower with a propeller fan. Therefore, even when the ventilation rate to the living space 11 is increased, the private booth 1 can reduce the possibility that the occupants of the living space 11 will feel uncomfortable due to the noise generated from the centrifugal blower 30.

[0040] Furthermore, by equipping the private booth 1 with multiple centrifugal blowers 30, the range of adjustment for the size of the airflow AF can be broadened compared to when only one centrifugal blower 30 is installed. In addition, when generating a certain amount of airflow, the amount of air generated per centrifugal blower 30 can be reduced when using multiple centrifugal blowers 30 compared to when using one centrifugal blower 30. Therefore, even when the ventilation rate to the living space 11 is increased, the possibility that the occupants of the living space 11 may feel uncomfortable due to the noise generated by the centrifugal blowers 30 can be reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, in the private booth 1, the air intake 13 is positioned within the space 41 of the fan box 40, preventing the airflow AF drawn in from the air intake 13 from passing under the feet of the occupant in the living space 11. Since the airflow AF is generated by a mechanical system using a centrifugal blower 30, its wind speed is faster than that of the airflow DF. Therefore, preventing the airflow AF from passing under the feet more than the airflow DF is important in suppressing the feeling of draft (airflow that causes discomfort to the human body) at the feet.

[0042] Furthermore, because the private booth 1 is equipped with a filter 50, it can capture dust contained in the airflow AF. Therefore, compared to a private booth 1 without a filter 50, the private booth 1 can provide cleaner air (airflow AF) to the living space 11, thereby improving the air environment of the living space 11.

[0043] Furthermore, even if the airflow resistance (pressure loss) of the air passage through which the airflow AF flows increases due to the inclusion of the filter 50 in the private booth 1, the desired airflow volume can be generated more easily compared to when using an axial flow fan.

[0044] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted.

[0045] Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0046] The controller 60 may be portable so that the occupants of the living space 11 can place it in their preferred location.

[0047] The top surface 42 of the fan box 40 may be configured to be removable from the fan box 40. With the top surface 42 removed, the centrifugal blower 30 can be easily accessed through the opening of the fan box 40, which is expected to improve the maintainability of the private booth 1.

[0048] Casters may be placed on the floorboard 11a to make the private booth 1 portable.

[0049] At least one of the side panels 11b may be provided with a door for entering and exiting the living space 1.

[0050] The private booth 1 is configured such that the airflow AF generated by one centrifugal blower 30 flows into only one nozzle 20. Therefore, the ventilation passage 12 may be divided into multiple sections by partitions, or a duct connecting one centrifugal blower 30 and one nozzle 20 may be provided in the ventilation passage 12. This allows the private booth 1 to independently control the size (wind speed, airflow volume) of the airflow AF blown out from each nozzle 20. As a result, the private booth 1 can control a wider variety of airflow AFs compared to Embodiment 1, and is expected to have the effect of realizing a living space 11 with airflow AFs that suit the preferences of the occupants of the living space 11.

[0051] Since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the claims or their equivalents.

[0052] (Summary of the invention) The outline of the invention disclosed in this application is described below.

[0053] The private booth 1 comprises a living space 11 having an air intake 13 on the floor (floorboard 11a), a ventilation passage 12 erected from the floor (floorboard 11a) side of the living space 11 toward the top (topboard 11c) side and communicating with the living space 11, a plurality of nozzles 20 with outlets 21 facing from the top (topboard 11c) side of the living space 11 toward the floor (floorboard 11a) side, a centrifugal blower 30 that generates an airflow AF that draws in air from an outside space different from the living space 11 through the air intake 13 and blows it into the living space 11 via the ventilation passage 12 and outlets 21, and a fan box 40 having a seat on its upper surface 42 on which one can sit and a space 41 below the upper surface 42 that encloses the centrifugal blower 30.

[0054] Multiple centrifugal blowers 30 are arranged.

[0055] The air intake vent 13 is located within the space 41 of the fan box 40 and communicates with the space outside the living room.

[0056] The private booth 1 is equipped with a filter 50 that captures dust particles contained in the air (airflow AF) drawn in from the air intake 13. [Industrial applicability]

[0057] This disclosure is applicable to private booths where increasing the ventilation rate can lead to increased noise levels in the living space. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to soundproof rooms and the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 private booth 10 boxes 11 Living space 11a Floorboard 11b Side Panel 11c Topboard 12 Ventilation duct 12a Inlet 12b Air outlet 13 Air supply port 14 Exhaust vents 20 nozzles 21 Air outlet 30 Centrifugal blower 40 Fanbox 41 Space 42 Top surface 43 Side view 43a Inlet 50 filters 60 Controllers 70 Control Unit 71. Operation type information receiving unit 72 Processing Unit 73 Operation Control Unit 100 chairs 200 desks AF airflow BF Airflow CF airflow DF airflow

Claims

1. A living space with an air intake vent on the floor, A ventilation passage is erected in the living space from the floor side to the ceiling side and communicates with the living space, Multiple nozzles are positioned with the air outlets facing from the ceiling side of the living space towards the floor side, A centrifugal blower that draws in air from an external space different from the living space through the air intake and generates an airflow that is blown into the living space via the ventilation passage and the outlet, A private booth comprising a fan box having a seat surface on its upper surface and a space below the upper surface that encloses the centrifugal blower.

2. The centrifugal blower mentioned above is Multiple private booths according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned air intake is The private room booth according to claim 1, which is located within the space of the fan box and communicates with the space outside the living room.

4. The private booth according to claim 1, further comprising a filter for collecting dust contained in the air drawn in from the aforementioned air intake.

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