Ventilation system, ventilation method, and ventilation device

Abstract

In the present invention, obtained is a ventilation system in which inflow of outside air into a building makes it possible to curb the occurrence of condensation within the building, in a manner not limited to dirt floors.　A ventilation system (1) is provided with: a ventilation device (2) for ventilating a building (6) in which articles (5) are accommodated and which has an indoor space; thermal image sensors (4) for measuring the temperature of objects including the articles (5); and a ventilation control device (3) that compares temperature data of the objects measured by the thermal image sensors (4) and the dew-point temperature of outside-air outside the building (6), and if the temperature data of the objects is at or below the dew-point temperature of the outside air, that controls the ventilation device (2) so as to reduce the ventilation rate of the building (6).

Description

Ventilation system, ventilation method and ventilation device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ventilation system, a ventilation method, and a ventilation device.

[0002] When storing goods in buildings such as factories and warehouses, air conditioning equipment such as air conditioners is not necessarily required depending on the goods stored indoors, and they may be stored at room temperature. In such buildings, as a countermeasure against indoor heat buildup, the windows and entrances of the building are opened, or ventilation equipment such as extractor fans is used for ventilation. In this way, ventilation equipment is commonly used to ventilate buildings regardless of the season.

[0003] Another ventilation method for buildings is nighttime ventilation (hereafter referred to as "night purge"), which is sometimes used mainly in the summer when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature. Night purge is a ventilation method in which the building is opened for a certain period of time at night to let in outside air, and the outside air, which is cooler than the indoor temperature, is brought in, and the cold outside air that has been brought in accumulates on the walls and floors of the building, keeping them cool.

[0004] As described above, although there are various methods for ventilating buildings, the current situation is that sufficient measures have not been taken to prevent condensation in buildings due to ventilation. For example, Patent Document 1, which deals with condensation in buildings, discloses a non-air-conditioned building equipped with a control device that drives a fan when the surface temperature of the earthen floor inside the building is lower than the temperature of the indoor space.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-57446

[0006] The non-air-conditioned building is equipped with a floor temperature sensor that detects the surface temperature of the earthen floor. When the surface temperature of the earthen floor measured by the floor temperature sensor is lower than the temperature of the indoor space, a fan installed in the indoor space is driven, thereby effectively preventing condensation on the earthen floor. However, condensation caused by ventilation is not limited to the earthen floor; condensation may also occur on the surfaces of items stored in the building, the building's framework, etc. Condensation on the surfaces of items or the framework of the building may cause damage such as rust and poor paint finish to metal items stored in the building and metal building equipment.

[0007] Furthermore, if a building is purged overnight, and the building is kept cool by the night purge, for example, when the windows and entrances of the building are opened at the start of work and outside air flows into the building, the outside air is cooled by the cooled air inside the building. In this case, the outside air that flows in is cooled by the cooled air inside the building and falls below the dew point temperature, which can cause condensation not only on the dirt floor but also on the surfaces of items and the building frame.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a ventilation system that can suppress the occurrence of condensation caused by the inflow of outside air into a building, not only on the earthen floor, but also within the building.

[0009] The ventilation system according to the present disclosure includes a ventilation device that ventilates a building having an indoor space and that stores items; a thermal image sensor that measures the temperature of an object including the item; and a ventilation control device that compares the temperature data of the object measured by the thermal image sensor with the dew point temperature of the outside air outside the building, and controls the ventilation device to reduce the ventilation volume of the building when the temperature data of the object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air.

[0010] In addition, the ventilation method disclosed herein includes the steps of ventilating a building that contains items and has an indoor space, measuring the temperature of an object including the items, and comparing the temperature data of the object measured by the thermal image sensor with the dew point temperature of the outside air outside the building, and controlling a ventilation device to reduce the ventilation volume of the building when the temperature data of the object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air.

[0011] According to the ventilation system disclosed herein, the ventilation control device determines that control of the ventilation device is necessary when the temperature data of an object inside the building is below the dew point temperature of the outside air, and by reducing the ventilation volume of the ventilation device, it has the effect of suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the building due to the inflow of outside air into the building, not just on the earthen floor.

[0012] According to the ventilation method disclosed herein, the temperature data of an object measured by a thermal image sensor is compared with the dew point temperature of the outside air outside the building, and if the temperature data of the object is below the dew point temperature of the outside air, the ventilation device is controlled to reduce the ventilation volume of the building, thereby having the effect of suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the building due to the inflow of outside air into the building, not just on the earthen floor.

[0013] 1 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with the ventilation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation fan included in the ventilation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of the ventilation fan included in the ventilation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of a ventilation control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with a ventilation system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with a ventilation system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with a ventilation system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation control device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a two-day data showing predicted air temperature outside a building obtained by a ventilation system according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a two-day data showing predicted outdoor air dew point temperature outside a building obtained by a ventilation system according to the sixth embodiment.

[0014] The following describes embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples. The embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combination.

[0015] First embodiment. Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation system according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with a ventilation system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation fan included in a ventilation device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram of the internal structure of a ventilation fan included in a ventilation device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation control device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a ventilation control device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation control device according to the first embodiment.

[0016] 1, a ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment is composed of, for example, a ventilation device 2, a ventilation control device 3, and a thermal image sensor 4. The ventilation system 1 operates the ventilation device 2 in response to a control signal related to control of the ventilation device 2 output from the ventilation control device 3. The means for transmitting the control signal output from the ventilation control device 3 to the ventilation device 2 may be either wireless or wired.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an example in which the ventilation system 1 is applied to a building 6. The building 6 is a building having an indoor space such as a factory or warehouse, surrounded by an earthen floor 7, an exterior wall 8, and a roof (not shown). A plurality of items 5 are stored in the indoor space of the building 6. Note that the configuration of the building 6 shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example and is not limited to this configuration. Also, although two items 5 are placed directly on the earthen floor 7 in FIG. 2, this is not limiting, and the shape, number, and arrangement method of the items 5 are not particularly limited.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a building 6 to which a ventilation system 1 including a ventilation device 2, a ventilation control device 3, and a thermal image sensor 4 is applied. The thermal image sensor 4 measures temperatures, including at least the surface temperature, of items 5 stored in the building 6. Here, the temperatures measured by the thermal image sensor 4 are not limited to the items 5 stored in the building 6, but may also include the building's framework, floor 7, and other objects (hereinafter referred to as "objects"). In this way, the thermal image sensor 4 measures temperatures, including at least the surface temperatures, of objects including the building's framework, floor 7, and other objects, not limited to the items 5 stored in the building 6, and by operating the ventilation device 2 using a control method described below, condensation can be suppressed over a wide area within the building 6. The thermal image sensor 4 does not need to be installed within the building 6 so as to measure the temperatures of all objects within the building 6. The thermal image sensor 4 only needs to be installed within a range where the temperature of the desired object can be measured. The installation location and number of thermal image sensors 4 can be determined based on the specifications of the thermal image sensor 4. A thermal image sensor 4 may be provided for each item 5 .

[0019] The ventilation device 2 serves to ventilate the air within the building 6. FIG. 2 shows a ventilation fan 21 as an example of the ventilation device 2, FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of the ventilation fan 21, and FIG. 4 shows an internal configuration diagram of the ventilation fan 21. Note that while FIG. 2 shows an example in which three ventilation fans 21 are installed on the exterior wall 8, the number is not limited to three and any number can be used. However, in order to efficiently ventilate the building 6, it is desirable to install multiple ventilation fans 21. By installing multiple ventilation fans 21 within the building 6, the air within the building 6 can be efficiently ventilated.

[0020] 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ventilation fan 21 included in the ventilation device 2 of the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment. The ventilation fan 21 includes a ventilation blower 22, a speed regulator 23 that adjusts the airflow rate of the ventilation blower 22, and a damper 24 that opens and closes a ventilation port. Although not shown, the ventilation fan 21 may also include a ventilation hood and a filter installed in the ventilation duct. The speed regulator 23 stops and adjusts the speed of the ventilation blower 22 in response to instructions from the ventilation control device 3. The damper 24 adjusts the opening degree of the ventilation port in response to instructions from the ventilation control device 3. The ventilation fan 21 of the ventilation device 2 is, for example, a propeller-type pressure ventilation fan installed on the wall surface of a building.

[0021] Next, the internal configuration of the ventilation fan 21 will be described using Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the ventilation fan 21 includes, for example, an operating unit 211, a communication unit 212, a storage unit 213, and a control unit 214. Note that the ventilation fan 21 of the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to being an intake ventilation fan for supplying outdoor air into the building 6, but may also be configured as an exhaust ventilation fan for discharging air inside the building 6 to the outdoors. Alternatively, the ventilation fan 21 of the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment may be configured to include both an intake ventilation fan and an exhaust ventilation fan.

[0022] The operating unit 211 ventilates the inside of the building 6. When the ventilation fan 21 is an exhaust ventilation fan, the operating unit 211 exhausts the air inside the building 6 to the outside. When the ventilation fan 21 is an intake ventilation fan, the operating unit 211 supplies air outside the building 6, i.e., outside air, into the inside of the building 6.

[0023] The communication unit 212 communicates with the ventilation control device 3. The storage unit 213 stores various types of information used to control the ventilation fan 21. The storage unit 213 stores location information of the location where the ventilation fan 21 is installed.

[0024] The control unit 214 controls the operation of the ventilation fan 21. The control unit 214 receives a control signal related to the control of the ventilation fan 21, i.e., operation instruction information, transmitted from the ventilation control device 3 via the communication unit 212, and controls the operation of the ventilation fan 21 based on the operation instruction information. Specifically, the speed regulator 23 of the ventilation fan 21 stops the operation of the ventilation blower 22 and adjusts its speed in response to instructions from the ventilation control device 3.

[0025] The operating unit 211, communication unit 212, storage unit 213, and control unit 214 of the ventilation fan 21 can transmit and receive information to and from each other. Note that the communication unit 212, storage unit 213, and control unit 214 of the ventilation fan 21 are not limited to the configurations provided in the ventilation fan 21. The communication unit 212, storage unit 213, and control unit 214 may also be configured in the ventilation control device 3.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the ventilation control device 3 will be described using Figures 2 and 5. Note that Figure 2 shows an example in which the ventilation control device 3 is installed inside the building 6, but it may be installed not only inside the building 6 but also outside the building 6 as long as it is in a position where communication with the ventilation device 2 is possible. Also, Figure 2 shows an example in which the ventilation device 2 and the ventilation control device 3 are installed separately, but they may also be configured as an integrated unit.

[0027] 5 , the ventilation control device 3 includes, for example, an input unit 31, a dew point temperature calculation unit 32, a determination unit 33, and an output unit 34. The input unit 31 acquires temperature and humidity data of the outside air outside the building 6 and data related to the temperature of an object. The outside air temperature and humidity data is measured by a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, etc., provided in a position suitable for measuring the temperature and humidity of the outside air outside the building 6, and the input unit 31 acquires the measurement data measured by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, etc. Note that the outside air temperature and humidity data acquired by the input unit 31 is not limited to being acquired by a method of acquiring measurement data from various sensors, and may also be acquired by acquiring weather forecast data released by a meteorological agency or a weather information provider.

[0028] The input unit 31 acquires data relating to the temperature of an object (hereinafter referred to as "temperature data") from the thermal image sensor 4. The input unit 31 acquires temperature data of the object including data of at least the surface temperature of the object measured by the thermal image sensor 4. Note that the temperature data of the object does not necessarily have to be acquired from the thermal image sensor 4, and if a temperature sensor is provided on the object, the temperature data measured by the temperature sensor may be acquired. By acquiring temperature data from both the thermal image sensor 4 and the temperature sensor, the input unit 31 can acquire more accurate temperature data of the object.

[0029] The dew-point temperature calculation unit 32 calculates the dew-point temperature of the outside air outside the building 6 based on the outside air temperature and humidity data acquired by the input unit 31. One method of calculating the dew-point temperature is to derive an approximate equation from the outside air temperature and humidity data and calculate the outside air dew-point temperature from the derived approximate equation. Alternatively, the dew-point temperature calculation unit 32 may store in advance dew-point temperature correlation data that indicates the correlation between the outside air temperature and humidity data and the dew-point temperature, and the dew-point temperature calculation unit 32 may calculate the outside air dew-point temperature by referring to the temperature and humidity data output from the input unit 31 and the previously stored dew-point temperature correlation data.

[0030] When the input unit 31 acquires outdoor air temperature and humidity data actually measured by a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, the dew point temperature calculation unit 32 calculates the outdoor air dew point temperature using the actually measured outdoor air temperature and humidity data. On the other hand, when the input unit 31 acquires outdoor air temperature and humidity data from external data such as weather forecast data, the dew point temperature calculation unit 32 calculates the outdoor air dew point temperature using the acquired temperature and humidity data from the external data. Note that when the outdoor air dew point temperature can be acquired from weather forecast data released by a meteorological agency or a weather information provider, the outdoor air dew point temperature acquired from the externally released weather forecast data may be used.

[0031] The determination unit 33 determines whether control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary based on the dew point temperature of the outside air and the temperature data of the object. That is, the determination unit 33 compares the dew point temperature of the outside air with the temperature data of the object acquired by the input unit, and determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary if the temperature data of the object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, and outputs the determination result to the output unit 34. Note that the determination unit 33 compares the dew point temperature of the outside air with the temperature data of the object, and determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is unnecessary if the temperature data of the object is higher than the dew point temperature of the outside air. In this case, the determination result of the determination unit 33 does not need to be output to the output unit 34. However, if there is a tendency that control of the ventilation device 2 may be necessary, the determination result may be output to the output unit 34 even if the determination result indicates that control of the ventilation device 2 is unnecessary, so as to prompt control of the ventilation device 2. When the dew point temperature of the outside air calculated by the dew point temperature calculation unit 32 is used as the dew point temperature of the outside air, the determination unit 33 uses the calculated dew point temperature of the outside air. If the dew point temperature is not calculated but is acquired externally, the determination unit 33 uses the acquired dew point temperature of the outside air.

[0032] When the output unit 34 receives the determination result from the determination unit 33, it outputs a signal to the ventilation device 2 instructing it to reduce the ventilation rate of the ventilation device 2. Note that the signal instructing it to reduce the ventilation rate also includes a signal instructing it to stop the ventilation device 2. Here, reducing the ventilation rate is not limited to simply reducing the workload of the ventilation device 2, such as by lowering the rotation speed of the propeller fan of the ventilation device 2, but also includes a method of reducing the ventilation rate of the ventilation device 2 so that the air inside the building 6 mixes with the outside air until the dew point temperature of the inflowing outside air becomes sufficiently low before it reaches the object surface, or a method of stopping only the ventilation devices 2 near areas in the building 6 that are prone to condensation and operating the ventilation devices 2 in other areas as usual. For example, if the ventilation device 2 is the ventilation fan 21, the output unit 34 outputs a signal to the communication unit 212 of the ventilation fan 21 instructing it to reduce the ventilation rate of the ventilation device 2.

[0033] 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a ventilation control device 3 according to the present disclosure. The ventilation control device 3 is configured to include a processor 36 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory 37 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a display 38, and an input interface (I / F) 39. The dew point temperature calculation unit 32 and the determination unit 33 are realized by the processor 36 executing a program stored in the memory 37. However, these may also be realized by, for example, multiple processors 36 working together.

[0034] Next, the operation of the ventilation control device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation control device 3 according to this embodiment. Note that the following steps S1 and S2 are performed in no particular order.

[0035] Step S1 is a process in which the input unit 31 of the ventilation control device 3 acquires temperature data of an object. The input unit 31 acquires temperature data of the object, including at least data on the surface temperature of the object, measured by the thermal image sensor 4 provided in the building 6, from the thermal image sensor 4. If the temperature sensor is provided directly on the object, the input unit 31 may acquire the temperature data of the object measured by the temperature sensor.

[0036] Step S2 is a process in which the input unit 31 of the ventilation control device 3 acquires temperature and humidity data of the outside air. The input unit 31 acquires temperature and humidity data measured by measuring devices such as temperature and humidity sensors installed outside the building 6 from the measuring devices. Note that the measuring devices are not limited to temperature and humidity sensors, as long as they are capable of measuring temperature and humidity data. The input unit 31 may also acquire temperature and humidity data from weather forecast data in weather information published by meteorological organizations, etc. In this case, there is no need to install measuring devices outside the building 6 to acquire temperature and humidity data, thereby reducing costs.

[0037] Step S3 is a step in which the dew-point temperature calculation unit 32 of the ventilation control device 3 calculates the dew-point temperature from the outdoor air temperature and humidity data. Specifically, the dew-point temperature calculation unit 32 derives an approximation formula from the temperature and humidity data acquired by the input unit 31, and calculates the outdoor air dew-point temperature from the derived approximation formula. Regarding the method of calculating the dew-point temperature, if the dew-point temperature calculation unit 32 has previously stored dew-point temperature correlation data indicating the correlation between the temperature and humidity data and the dew-point temperature, the dew-point temperature may be calculated by referring to the temperature and humidity data acquired by the input unit 31 and the dew-point temperature correlation data.

[0038] Step S4 is a step in which the determination unit 33 of the ventilation control device 3 determines whether control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary based on the outside air dew point temperature and the object temperature data. The determination unit 33 compares the outside air dew point temperature calculated in step S3 with the object temperature data acquired by the input unit 31 in step S1, and determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary if the object temperature data is equal to or lower than the outside air dew point temperature. In this case, the determination unit 33 outputs the determination result to the output unit 34, and the output unit 34 outputs a signal to the ventilation device 2 instructing it to reduce the ventilation volume.

[0039] On the other hand, in step S4, the determination unit 33 compares the dew point temperature of the outside air with the temperature data of the object, and if the temperature data of the object is higher than the dew point temperature of the outside air, determines that it is not necessary to control the ventilation device 2. If the determination unit 33 determines that it is not necessary to control the ventilation device 2, the process returns to step S1.

[0040] In this way, when the temperature data of the object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, the ventilation control device 3 determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary and reduces the ventilation rate of the ventilation device 2, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the building 6 due to the inflow of outside air into the building 6, not just on the earthen floor. Note that if the dew point temperature of the outside air is obtained from an external source, such as weather forecast data released by a meteorological agency or a weather information provider, steps S2 and S3 shown in Figure 7 are not necessary.

[0041] As described above, the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment includes a ventilation device 2, a ventilation control device 3, and a thermal image sensor 4 in a building 6, and when the temperature data of an object in the building 6 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, the ventilation control device 3 determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary and reduces the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 2. With this configuration, when the building 6 is ventilated, outside air flows into the building 6, which prevents condensation from forming on the objects 5, building frame, earthen floor 7, etc. in the building 6.

[0042] Furthermore, when performing night purging in the summer or other seasons, the temperature is lower at night than during the day, and cold outside air accumulates inside the building 6. In this state, if the windows, doorways, etc. of the building 6 are opened to start production in the building 6, outside air with a higher temperature than the air accumulated inside the building 6 will flow into the building 6, making condensation more likely to occur on the items 5, building structure, and floor 7 inside the building 6. Even when performing such night purging, the ventilation system 1 according to the present embodiment determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary when the ventilation control device 3 determines that temperature data of objects inside the building 6 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, and reduces the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 2. This prevents condensation from occurring on the items 5, building structure, and floor 7 inside the building 6 due to the inflow of outside air into the building 6.

[0043] In addition, if the temperature data of the object and the dew point temperature of the outside air can be predicted rather than in real time, the operation plan of the ventilation device 2 may be determined so as to control the ventilation device 2 by comparing the predicted temperature data of the object and the dew point temperature of the outside air.

[0044] Second Embodiment This embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with a ventilation system 1 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation system according to the second embodiment.

[0045] In the first embodiment, a ventilation system 1 was shown that includes a ventilation control device 3 that determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary when temperature data for an object in a building 6 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, and reduces the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 2. In the second embodiment, a ventilation system 1 is shown that further includes an air curtain 9 as the ventilation device 2. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, and the same configurations as in the first embodiment are assigned the same numbers and will not be described.

[0046] 8, the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment is composed of a ventilation device 2, a ventilation control device 3, and a thermal image sensor 4. When the temperature data of an object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, the ventilation system 1 determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary and reduces the ventilation rate of the ventilation device 2, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the building 6 due to the inflow of outside air into the building 6, not limited to the earthen floor 7.

[0047] The ventilation system 1 in this embodiment newly includes an air curtain 9 in the ventilation device 2. The air curtain 9 is installed at an opening of the building 6 as shown in Fig. 8, and serves to block or adjust the inflow of outside air. Here, the opening of the building 6 refers to an entrance / exit through which parts are received, products are shipped, etc. The location where the air curtain is installed is not limited to the opening of the building 6, and it may be installed at any location within the building 6 into which outside air may inflow.

[0048] Next, the operation of the ventilation system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment. Note that steps S1 to S4 shown in Fig. 9 are the same as steps S1 to S4 shown in Fig. 7, and as they have been described above, their description will be omitted.

[0049] Step S5 is a process in which the output unit 34 of the ventilation control device 3 outputs a signal to the ventilation device 2 instructing the ventilation device 2 to reduce the ventilation volume, thereby controlling the ventilation device 2. Upon receiving the signal output from the ventilation control device 3, the ventilation device 2 adjusts to reduce the ventilation volume. For example, in the case of the air curtain 9, the ventilation volume is reduced by switching from a stopped state to operation.

[0050] As described above, the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment newly includes an air curtain 9 as the ventilation device 2 in addition to the ventilation fan 21. This further suppresses condensation on the items 5, building frame, earthen floor 7, and the like inside the building 6 due to the inflow of outside air into the building 6 during ventilation of the building 6.

[0051] Third Embodiment This embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with a ventilation system 1 according to a third embodiment.

[0052] In the second embodiment, a ventilation system 1 is shown that is newly equipped with an air curtain 9 as the ventilation device 2. In the third embodiment, a ventilation system 1 is shown that is further equipped with a circulation fan 10 in a building 6 as the ventilation device 2. Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment, and the same components as those in the second embodiment are assigned the same numbers and will not be described.

[0053] 10 , the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment is composed of a ventilation device 2, a ventilation control device 3, and a thermal image sensor 4. When the temperature data of an object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, the ventilation system 1 determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary and reduces the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 2, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the building 6 due to the inflow of outside air into the building 6, not limited to the earthen floor 7.

[0054] The ventilation system 1 in this embodiment newly includes a circulation fan 10 as the ventilation device 2. The circulation fan 10 serves to circulate air within the building 6. The circulation fan 10 may have a swing function that allows it to change the blowing direction. The location of the circulation fan 10 is not particularly important as long as it is a location that can circulate air within the building 6. There is also no particular importance on the number of circulation fans 10, but installing multiple circulation fans 10 allows for efficient circulation of air within the building 6.

[0055] As described above, the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment newly includes a circulation fan 10 as the ventilation device 2 in addition to the ventilation fan 21 and the air curtain 9. By including multiple types of ventilation devices 2, condensation on the items 5, building frame, earthen floor 7, etc. inside the building 6 caused by outside air flowing into the building 6 during ventilation of the building 6 is further suppressed.

[0056] Fourth Embodiment This embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. Fig. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a building equipped with a ventilation system 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 12 is a configuration diagram of a ventilation control device 3 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the ventilation system 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0057] In the third embodiment, a ventilation system 1 is shown that is newly equipped with a circulation fan 10 as the ventilation device 2. In the third embodiment, a temperature sensor 11 is provided inside the building 6, and the determination unit 33 of the ventilation control device 3 is newly equipped with a temperature difference determination unit 35 that determines whether or not to operate the circulation fan 10 using temperature data inside the building 6 and temperature data of an object. Other configurations are the same as in the third embodiment, and the same configurations as in the third embodiment are assigned the same numbers and will not be described again.

[0058] 11 , the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment is composed of a ventilation device 2, a ventilation control device 3, and a thermal image sensor 4. When the temperature data of an object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, the ventilation system 1 determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary and reduces the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 2, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the building 6 due to the inflow of outside air into the building 6, not limited to the earthen floor 7.

[0059] The temperature sensor 11 is installed in the building 6 and measures the room temperature inside the building 6. While FIG. 11 shows an example in which the temperature sensor 11 is installed on the earthen floor 7, the temperature sensor 11 may be installed anywhere as long as it can measure the room temperature inside the building 6. Furthermore, there may be multiple temperature sensors 11. Note that if the thermal image sensor 4 can measure not only the temperature of an object but also the room temperature inside the building 6, there is no need to install a temperature sensor 11. The temperature data, which is data related to the room temperature inside the building 6 acquired by the temperature sensor 11 or the thermal image sensor 4, is transmitted to the input unit 31 of the ventilation control device 3.

[0060] Next, a description will be given of the temperature difference determination unit 35 newly provided in the determination unit 33 of the ventilation control device 3. As shown in FIG.

[0061] The temperature difference determination unit 35 calculates a temperature difference using the temperature data of the building 6 acquired by the input unit 31 from the temperature sensor 11 and the temperature data of the object acquired by the input unit 31 from the thermal image sensor 4, and determines whether the calculated temperature difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The threshold value is stored in advance in the ventilation control device 3. If the temperature difference determination unit 35 determines that the calculated temperature difference is equal to or greater than the pre-stored threshold value, it outputs a determination result indicating that operation of the circulation fan 10 is required to the output unit 34. In response to the output of the temperature difference determination unit 35, the output unit 34 outputs a signal to the circulation fan 10 instructing it to operate.

[0062] Next, the flow of processing executed by the ventilation system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Note that steps S1 to S4 shown in Fig. 13 are similar to steps S1 to S5 shown in Fig. 9, so their description will be omitted and steps S6 to S9 will be described.

[0063] Step S6 is a process in which the input unit 31 acquires temperature data of the building 6, which is data related to the room temperature of the building 6, from the temperature sensor 11. Note that if the thermal image sensor 4 can measure the room temperature of the building 6, the input unit 31 acquires the temperature data of the building 6 from the thermal image sensor 4.

[0064] Step S7 is a process in which the temperature difference determination unit 35 calculates the temperature difference from the temperature data of the object acquired by the input unit 31 in step S1 and the temperature data of the building 6 acquired by the input unit 31 in step S6.

[0065] In step S8, the temperature difference determination unit 35 determines whether the temperature difference calculated in step S7 is equal to or greater than a pre-stored threshold value. If the temperature difference determination unit 35 determines that the temperature difference calculated in step S7 is equal to or greater than the pre-stored threshold value, it outputs a determination result indicating that operation of the circulation fan 10 is required to the output unit 34. On the other hand, if the temperature difference determination unit 35 determines that the temperature difference calculated in step S7 is less than the pre-stored threshold value, the process returns to step S1.

[0066] Step S9 is a process of operating the circulation fan 10. The output unit 34 receives the determination result output from the temperature difference determination unit 35 and outputs a signal to the circulation fan 10 to instruct it to operate. The circulation fan 10 operates based on the signal from the output unit 34.

[0067] In this way, the temperature difference determination unit 35 calculates the temperature difference from the temperature data of the object and the temperature data of the building 6, and if the calculated temperature difference is equal to or greater than a pre-stored threshold value, it determines that operation of the circulation fan 10 is necessary and operates the circulation fan 10 to agitate the air within the building 6. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of condensation in areas within the building 6 where there is a risk of localized condensation, such as items 5 placed near openings in the building 6.

[0068] 11 shows an example in which the circulation fan 10 and temperature sensor 11 are installed on the earthen floor 7, a more effective arrangement would be to install the circulation fan 10 and temperature sensor 11 above the building 6, with the circulation fan 10 installed so that its airflow direction faces downwards in the building 6. By installing them in this manner, warm air above the building 6 can be sent downwards in the building 6, effectively raising the temperature of the object.

[0069] As described above, the ventilation system 1 according to the present embodiment determines that control of the ventilation device 2 is necessary when the temperature data of an object in the building 6 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air, reduces the ventilation rate of the ventilation device 2, and operates the circulation fan 10 when the temperature difference determination unit 35 determines that the temperature difference between the temperature data of the object and the temperature data of the building 6 is equal to or higher than a threshold value. This prevents condensation from occurring on the objects 5, building frame, and earthen floor 7 inside the building 6 due to the inflow of outside air into the building 6 during ventilation of the building 6. In addition to the risk of condensation caused by the inflow of outside air, if the room temperature rises due to, for example, solar radiation or equipment operation, the risk of condensation increases on objects placed near openings in the building 6. Even in such cases, operating the circulation fan 10 based on the determination result of the temperature difference determination unit 35 agitates the air in the building 6, thereby reducing the risk of condensation in areas of the building 6 where there is a risk of localized condensation.

[0070] Fifth embodiment The configuration of a ventilation system 1 according to a fifth embodiment is the same as that of the ventilation system 1 according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments. In the ventilation system 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the ventilation control device 3 controls the ventilation device 2 in consideration of wind direction and wind speed data, i.e., wind information, in the vicinity of the building 6.

[0071] For example, if there is an ocean or the like near building 6, depending on the wind direction, humid air from the sea surface (hereinafter referred to as "high-humidity outside air") may reach building 6, causing the high-humidity outside air to enter building 6 and cause condensation. The ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment controls the ventilation device 2 when the temperature data of an object inside building 6 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the high-humidity outside air and when data such as wind direction and wind speed, i.e., wind information, predicts that humid air will reach the periphery of building 6. Note that there is no particular restriction on the method for obtaining the dew point temperature of the high-humidity outside air and wind information, but it is preferable to obtain them from an external source, such as data released by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

[0072] Specific control of the ventilation device 2 may be performed based on the wind direction of the high-humidity outside air. For example, if the wind direction of the high-humidity outside air is from west to east and is expected to reach the west side of the building 6, the ventilation fan 21 and circulation blower 10, which may take the high-humidity outside air into the building 6, are stopped. Alternatively, if an air curtain 9 is installed on the west side of the building, the air curtain 9 is operated. However, by continuing to operate the ventilation device 2 that is unlikely to take the high-humidity outside air into the building 6, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of high-humidity outside air while ensuring a certain ventilation volume.

[0073] As described above, in the ventilation system 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a possibility that high-humidity outside air will reach the building 6, the ventilation control device 3 controls the ventilation device 2 to prevent the high-humidity outside air from entering the building 6. Specifically, when the temperature data of an object in the building 6 is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the high-humidity outside air and when wind information indicates that high-humidity outside air will reach the periphery of the building 6, the ventilation control device 3 controls the ventilation device 2. This prevents high-humidity outside air from entering the building 6 and suppresses the occurrence of condensation.

[0074] Sixth Embodiment The ventilation system 1 according to a sixth embodiment predicts the nighttime air temperature when night purging is performed and the dew point temperature of the outside air before the start of production, and performs night purging appropriately.

[0075] The following description will be given using Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 shows data for two days in which the air temperature outside the building 6 is predicted. Figure 15 shows data for two days in which the dew point temperature of the outside air outside the building 6 is predicted. The time series on the horizontal axis in Figures 14 and 15 is the same.

[0076] The ventilation control device 3 of the ventilation system 1 acquires the data shown in Figures 14 and 15 from weather forecast information published by the Japan Meteorological Agency and other sources. If the acquired data predicts that the dew point temperature of the outside air immediately before the start of production in the building 6 will be lower than the nighttime outside air temperature, the ventilation volume for the night purge performed the previous day is reduced. Here, the start of production in the building 6 refers to the start of operation of the building 6, i.e., the start of work.

[0077] For example, referring to Figure 15, the dew point temperature of the outside air is predicted to be 15 degrees Celsius around 8:00 on the second day. On the other hand, referring to Figure 14, the temperature outside building 6 is predicted to reach 15 degrees Celsius around 11:00 PM on the first day, and the temperature is predicted to continue to fall after 11:00 PM. In such a case, by suppressing the night purge performed from the first day to the second day, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation on objects due to the outside air that flows into building 6 as production in building 6 begins. Here, suppressing night purge refers to shortening the time for which night purge is performed or reducing the ventilation volume.

[0078] Seventh embodiment In a ventilation system 1 according to a seventh embodiment, a thermal image sensor 4 is provided for each item 5, and when there is a difference in the temperature data of the items 5 measured by the thermal image sensors 4, the ventilation device 2 is controlled so that the temperatures of the items 5 become uniform.

[0079] The items 5 stored in the building 6 generally have different heat capacities, and therefore their temperature changes also differ. Therefore, condensation may occur on the items 5 depending on the heat capacity of the items 5 and their storage locations within the building 6. Therefore, the ventilation system 1 according to this embodiment controls the ventilation device 2 so that the temperature data of the items 5 becomes uniform when there is a difference in the temperature data of the items 5 measured by the thermal image sensors 4. For example, for items 5 whose temperature data measured by the thermal image sensors 4 is below the dew point of the outside air, the ventilation device 2 is controlled so that the temperature exceeds the dew point of the outside air. This makes it possible to uniformize the temperatures of the items 5 and suppress the occurrence of condensation due to the inflow of outside air.

[0080] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Ventilation system, 2 Ventilation device, 3 Ventilation control device, 4 Thermal image sensor, 5 Item, 6 Building, 7 Earthen floor, 8 Exterior wall, 9 Air curtain, 10 Circulation fan, 11 Temperature sensor, 21 Ventilation fan, 22 Ventilation fan, 23 Speed ​​regulator, 24 Damper, 31 Input unit, 32 Dew point temperature calculation unit, 33 Determination unit, 34 Output unit, 35 Temperature difference determination unit, 36 Processor, 37 Memory, 38 Display, 39 Input interface, 211 Operating unit, 212 Communication unit, 213 Storage unit, 214 Control unit

Claims

1. A ventilation system comprising: a ventilation device that ventilates a building having an indoor space and in which items are stored; a thermal image sensor that measures the temperature of an object including the item; and a ventilation control device that compares temperature data of the object measured by the thermal image sensor with a dew point temperature of the outside air outside the building, and controls the ventilation device to reduce the amount of ventilation in the building when the temperature data of the object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air.

2. The ventilation control device of claim 1, comprising: an input unit that acquires temperature data of the object and temperature and humidity data relating to the temperature and humidity of the outside air; a dew point temperature calculation unit that calculates the dew point temperature of the outside air using the temperature and humidity data; and a judgment unit that judges, based on the dew point temperature and the temperature data of the object, that control of the ventilation device is necessary when the temperature data of the object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air.

3. A ventilation system as described in claim 2, wherein the dew point temperature calculation unit derives an approximation formula from the temperature and humidity data, and calculates the dew point temperature of the outside air from the derived approximation formula.

4. A ventilation system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ventilation device is installed at an entrance / exit of the building and includes an air curtain that blocks or adjusts the outside air.

5. A ventilation system as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the judgment unit is provided with a temperature difference judgment unit that calculates a temperature difference using temperature data of the building acquired by the input unit from a temperature sensor installed in the building and temperature data of the object acquired by the input unit from the thermal image sensor, and judges whether the calculated temperature difference is equal to or greater than a pre-stored threshold value.

6. The ventilation system described in claim 5, wherein when the temperature difference determination unit determines that the temperature difference is equal to or greater than the pre-stored threshold value, it outputs a determination result indicating that operation of a circulation fan that circulates air within the building including the ventilation device is required, and operates the circulation fan.

7. A ventilation system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ventilation control device controls the ventilation device when the temperature data of the object is below the dew point temperature of humid outdoor air, which is humid air, and when information regarding the wind of the humid outdoor air indicates that the humid outdoor air will reach the building.

8. A ventilation system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ventilation control device suppresses the night purge when it is predicted that the dew point temperature of the outside air immediately before the start of production in the building the morning after the night purge is performed will be lower than the temperature of the outside air during the night when the night purge was performed.

9. A ventilation system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ventilation control device controls the ventilation device so that the temperature data of the items becomes uniform when there is a difference in the temperature data of the items measured by each of the thermal image sensors provided for each item.

10. A ventilation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the object is the building structure and floor of the building containing the item.

11. A ventilation method comprising the steps of: ventilating a building in which items are stored and which has an indoor space; measuring the temperature of an object including the items; comparing temperature data of the object measured by a thermal image sensor with the dew point temperature of the outside air outside the building, and controlling a ventilation device to reduce the amount of ventilation in the building when the temperature data of the object is equal to or lower than the dew point temperature of the outside air.

12. A ventilation device that compares the temperature data of an object, including items stored in a building, measured by a thermal imaging sensor that measures the temperature of the object with the dew point temperature of the outside air outside the building, and reduces the ventilation volume of the building if the temperature data of the object is below the dew point temperature of the outside air.

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