Ventilation device

Abstract

This ventilation device (1) is provided with: a housing (2); a first inlet port (5); a first outlet port (6); a first air passage (110) for guiding air from the first inlet port (5) to the first outlet port (6); a first blower (9) for generating an air flow in the first air passage (110); a second inlet port (7); a second outlet port (8); a second air passage (120) for guiding air from the second inlet port (7) to the second outlet port (8); a second blower (10) for generating an air flow in the second air passage (120); and a control unit (20) for controlling the first blower (9) and the second blower (10). The control unit (20) can switch between a normal operation mode in which the first blower (9) functions as an air supply blower and the second blower (10) functions as an air exhaust blower, and an inversion operation mode in which the first blower (9) functions as the air exhaust blower and the second blower (10) functions as the air supply blower.

Description

ventilation equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ventilation devices.

[0002] A ventilation system installed in an attic space is known as one type of ventilation system. Such ventilation systems are installed not only in detached houses but also in apartment buildings (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-206772

[0004] When installing the ventilation system described in Patent Document 1 in each room of an apartment building, a different installation method is required to suit the floor plan of each room. Specifically, the floor plans of adjacent rooms may be reversed, and an installation method that can accommodate the reversed floor plan is required. In such cases, installing and installing similar ventilation systems in each room requires measures such as changing the duct placement for each room, and there is room for improvement in the system configuration that takes into account installation in apartment buildings with reversed floor plans.

[0005] A ventilation device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing having an internal space, a first inlet for drawing air into the internal space, a first outlet for blowing the air drawn by the first inlet out of the internal space, a first air passage for guiding air from the first inlet to the first outlet, a first fan for generating an airflow in the first air passage, a second inlet for drawing air into the internal space, a second outlet for blowing the air drawn by the second inlet out of the internal space, a second air passage for guiding air from the second inlet to the second outlet, a second fan for generating an airflow in the second air passage, and a controller for controlling the operation of the first fan and the second fan. The controller is capable of switching between a normal operation mode in which the first fan serves as an intake fan and the second fan as an exhaust fan, and a reverse operation mode in which the first fan serves as an exhaust fan and the second fan as an intake fan.

[0006] Any combination of the above components, or any transformation of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, or computer program, is also valid as an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a ventilation device with improved installation ease in apartment buildings with inverted floor plans can be provided.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top view of adjacent rooms in an apartment building. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a ventilation device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing air flow in a normal operation mode. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing air flow in a reverse operation mode. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the connection relationship of each component of the ventilation device. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an operation mode determination process. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a defrosting process. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing air flow during defrosting in a normal operation mode. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing air flow during defrosting in a reverse operation mode. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a humidity control process in embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing air flow during defrosting in a normal operation mode in embodiment 3. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing air flow during defrosting in a reverse operation mode in embodiment 3. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing a defrosting process in embodiment 3. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a ventilation device in embodiment 4. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of a damper in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between a damper and a housing in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing the connection relationship of each component in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing an operation determination process in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow in a normal operation mode during a defrosting process in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow in a reverse operation mode during a defrosting process in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flow diagram showing a defrosting process in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow in a normal operation mode during a defrosting process in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow in a reverse operation mode during a defrosting process in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a first fan in one modified example.

[0009] One method for installing ventilation systems in the same orientation in an inverted floor plan apartment building is to have two ducts (for example, first outdoor duct 105 and second outdoor duct 106 in Figure 1) that connect the ventilation system to the outdoors (and indoors) cross each other. However, the attic space or underfloor space where the ventilation system is installed is narrow, and it may be difficult or impossible to cross the ducts.

[0010] The present disclosure provides a ventilation device that can be installed in the same position in each room of an inverted floor plan without crossing ducts.

[0011] Hereinafter, each embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each embodiment described below represents a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps (processes), and the order of steps shown in each of the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in each of the following embodiments, components that are not recited in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure will be described as optional components. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0012] Furthermore, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components.

[0013] [First embodiment] The installation state of a ventilation device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a top view of two adjacent rooms in an apartment building equipped with a ventilation device 1.

[0014] The ventilation devices 1 are installed in the ceiling spaces of the rooms 80 and 90 of the apartment building, one each.

[0015] Living room 80 is a space where residents of the apartment building live their daily lives. As an example, living room 80 is composed of a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom, etc. Living room 80 has a layout that is reversed left and right with respect to living room 90, with boundary line III as the base. In other words, the bedrooms of each living room are located on the side of boundary line III, and the living rooms and kitchens of each living room are located on the far side of boundary line III. Note that boundary line III is an imaginary line that marks the boundary between living room 80 and living room 90 in a top view of living room 80 and living room 90. Living room 80 is equipped with an outdoor air inlet 101, an indoor air outlet 103, an indoor air inlet 104, and an outdoor air outlet 102.

[0016] The outdoor air inlet 101 is an opening provided in the outer wall of the living room 80. More specifically, the outdoor air inlet 101 is provided on the living room 90 side (the boundary line III side) when viewed from the outdoor air outlet 102. The outdoor air inlet 101 is connected to the first air inlet 5 of the ventilation device 1 via a first outdoor duct 105. Outdoor air is drawn in through the outdoor air inlet 101 and guided to the ventilation device 1 via the first outdoor duct 105.

[0017] The indoor air outlet 103 is an opening provided in the ceiling of the living room 80. More specifically, it is provided on the living room 90 side (the side of boundary line III) when viewed from the indoor air inlet 104. The indoor air outlet 103 is connected to the first air outlet 6 of the ventilation device 1 via a first indoor duct 107. The indoor air outlet 103 blows air drawn in from the outdoor air inlet 101 into the living room 80 via the ventilation device 1 and the first indoor duct 107. In other words, the outdoor air inlet 101, the first outdoor duct 105, the first air inlet 5, the first air outlet 6, the first indoor duct 107, and the indoor air outlet 103 form part of an air supply duct that guides outdoor air to the living room 80.

[0018] The indoor air inlet 104 is an opening provided in the ceiling of the room 80. More specifically, the indoor air inlet 104 is provided on the opposite side of the room 90 (boundary line III) from the indoor air outlet 103. The indoor air inlet 104 is connected to the second air inlet 7 of the ventilation device 1 via a second indoor duct 108. Air from the room 80 is drawn in through the indoor air inlet 104 and guided to the ventilation device 1 via the second indoor duct 108.

[0019] The outdoor air outlet 102 is an opening provided in the outer wall of the living room 80. More specifically, the outdoor air outlet 102 is provided on the opposite side of the living room 90 (boundary line III) from the outdoor air inlet 101. The outdoor air outlet 102 is connected to the second air outlet 8 of the ventilation device 1 via a second outdoor duct 106. The outdoor air outlet 102 blows air drawn in from the indoor air inlet 104 to the outdoors via the ventilation device 1 and the second outdoor duct 106. In other words, the indoor air inlet 104, the second indoor duct 108, the second air inlet 7, the second air outlet 8, the second outdoor duct 106, and the outdoor air outlet 102 are part of an exhaust air duct that guides air from the living room 80 to the outdoors.

[0020] Living room 90 is a space where residents of the apartment building live their daily lives. As an example, living room 90 includes a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom, etc. Living room 90 has a layout that is reversed left and right relative to living room 80, with boundary line III as the reference. Living room 90 includes outdoor air inlet 101a, indoor air outlet 103a, indoor air inlet 104a, and outdoor air outlet 102a.

[0021] The outdoor air inlet 101a is an opening provided in the outer wall of the living room 90. More specifically, the outdoor air inlet 101a is provided on the living room 80 side (the boundary line III side) when viewed from the outdoor air outlet 102a. The outdoor air inlet 101a is connected to the second air inlet 7 of the ventilation device 1 via a first outdoor duct 105a. Outdoor air is drawn in through the outdoor air inlet 101a and guided to the ventilation device 1 via the first outdoor duct 105a.

[0022] The indoor air outlet 103a is an opening provided in the ceiling of the living room 90. More specifically, the indoor air outlet 103a is provided on the living room 80 side (the boundary line III side) when viewed from the indoor air inlet 104a. The indoor air outlet 103a is connected to the second air outlet 8 of the ventilation device 1 via a first indoor duct 107a. The indoor air outlet 103a blows air drawn in from the outdoor air inlet 101a into the living room 90 via the ventilation device 1 and the first indoor duct 107a. In other words, the outdoor air inlet 101a, the first outdoor duct 105a, the second air inlet 7, the second air outlet 8, the first indoor duct 107a, and the indoor air outlet 103a form part of an air supply duct that guides outdoor air to the living room 90.

[0023] The indoor air inlet 104a is an opening provided in the ceiling of the room 90. More specifically, the indoor air inlet 104a is provided on the opposite side of the room 80 (boundary line III) from the indoor air outlet 103a. The indoor air inlet 104a is connected to the first air inlet 5 of the ventilation device 1 via a second indoor duct 108a. Air from the room 90 is drawn in through the indoor air inlet 104a and guided to the ventilation device 1 by the second indoor duct 108a.

[0024] The outdoor air outlet 102a is an opening provided in the exterior wall of the living room 90. More specifically, the outdoor air outlet 102a is provided on the opposite side of the living room 80 (boundary line III) from the outdoor air inlet 101a. The outdoor air outlet 102a is connected to the first air outlet 6 of the ventilation device 1 via the second outdoor duct 106a. The outdoor air outlet 102a blows air drawn in from the indoor air inlet 104a to the outdoors via the ventilation device 1 and the second outdoor duct 106a. In other words, the indoor air inlet 104a, the second indoor duct 108a, the first air inlet 5, the first air outlet 6, the second outdoor duct 106a, and the outdoor air outlet 102a form part of an exhaust air duct that guides air from the living room 90 to the outdoors. In this embodiment, the living room 80 and the living room 90 are also collectively referred to as the "indoors." Furthermore, the first outdoor ducts 105, 105a, the second outdoor ducts 106, 106a, the first indoor ducts 107, 107a, and the second indoor ducts 108, 108a are also collectively referred to as "ducts."

[0025] As described above, the first air inlet 5 of the ventilation device 1 provided above the ceiling of the living room 80 is configured as an air intake port for guiding outdoor air into the living room 80. On the other hand, the first air inlet 5 of the ventilation device 1 provided above the ceiling of the living room 90 is configured as an air exhaust port for guiding air inside the living room 90 to the outdoors. In other words, the first air inlet 5 is configured as part of the air supply duct or part of the air exhaust duct. The same applies to the first air outlet 6, the second air inlet 7, and the second air outlet 8. Strictly speaking, each air outlet and each air inlet are assigned to the air supply duct or the air exhaust duct by switching the two fans configured inside the ventilation device 1 between air intake and air exhaust, respectively, as will be described in detail below.

[0026] This concludes the description of the installation state of the ventilation device 1.

[0027] Next, the internal configuration of the ventilation device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the ventilation device 1.

[0028] The ventilation device 1 includes a box-shaped housing 2 having an internal space 60. The ventilation device 1 holds components of the ventilation device 1 within the internal space 60. In this embodiment, the components include, for example, a first fan 9 and a second fan 10. The ventilation device 1 includes a first air passage 110, a second air passage 120, and a heat exchange element 4.

[0029] The first air duct 110 guides air from the first air inlet 5 to the first air outlet 6 via the heat exchange element 4. The first air duct 110 is an air duct through which air flows as an air supply duct or an air exhaust duct. Specifically, in the ventilation device 1 installed in the ceiling space above the living room 80, the first air duct 110 is configured as an air supply duct (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, in the ventilation device 1 installed in the ceiling space above the living room 90, which has an inverted layout of the living room 80, the first air duct 110 is configured as an air exhaust duct. The first air duct 110 is an air duct that guides air in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 2. Specifically, the first air duct 110 guides air in the following order: the first air inlet 5, the upstream first air duct 110a, the heat exchange element 4, the downstream first air duct 110b, and the first air outlet 6. The direction of air flowing through first air passage 110 is the same regardless of whether first air passage 110 is set as an air supply passage or an air exhaust passage.

[0030] The first air inlet 5 is an opening provided on one side surface of the housing 2, and constitutes a part of the first air passage 110. In other words, air outside the housing 2 is sucked in through the first air inlet 5 and guided into the internal space 60.

[0031] The first air outlet 6 is an opening provided on one side surface of the housing 2, and constitutes part of the first air passage 110. In other words, the first air outlet 6 blows out the air that has been sucked in through the first air inlet 5 and guided to the internal space 60 to the outside of the housing 2.

[0032] The second air passage 120 guides air from the second air inlet 7 through the heat exchange element 4 to the second air outlet 8. The second air passage 120 is an air passage through which air flows as an air supply passage or an air exhaust passage depending on the installation state. Specifically, in the ventilation device 1 installed in the ceiling space above the living room 80, the second air passage 120 is configured as an air exhaust passage (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, in the ventilation device 1 installed in the ceiling space above the living room 90, which has a layout inverted from that of the living room 80, the second air passage 120 is configured as an air supply passage. The dashed arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of air circulating within the second air passage 120. Specifically, the second air passage 120 guides air in the following order: the second air inlet 7, the upstream second air passage 120a, the heat exchange element 4, the downstream second air passage 120b, and the second air outlet 8. The direction of air flowing through second air passage 120 is the same regardless of whether second air passage 120 is set as an intake air passage or an exhaust air passage.

[0033] The second air inlet 7 is an opening provided on one side surface of the housing 2, and constitutes part of the second air passage 120. In other words, air outside the housing 2 is sucked in through the second air inlet 7 and guided into the internal space 60. In the following description, the first air inlet 5 and the second air inlet 7 will also be collectively referred to as the "air inlet."

[0034] The second air outlet 8 is an opening provided on one side surface of the housing 2, and constitutes part of the second air passage 120. In other words, the second air outlet 8 blows out the air that has been sucked in through the second air inlet 7 and guided to the internal space 60 to the outside of the housing 2.

[0035] Heat exchange element 4 exchanges heat between air flowing through first air passage 110 and air flowing through second air passage 120. Heat exchange element 4 is formed, for example, by stacking heat transfer materials at predetermined intervals.

[0036] The ventilation device 1 further includes a first fan 9 , a second fan 10 , a first damper 11 , a second damper 12 , and a bypass damper 17 .

[0037] The first fan 9 is provided in the first air passage 110. More precisely, the first fan 9 is provided in the first air passage 110, in the downstream first air passage 110b, which is downstream of the heat exchange element 4. In other words, the first fan 9 is provided between the heat exchange element 4 and the first air outlet 6. The first fan 9 generates an airflow from the first air inlet 5 toward the first air outlet 6. The first fan 9 is composed of, for example, a motor and a sirocco fan attached to the rotating shaft of the motor. The first fan 9 generates an airflow when the sirocco fan rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor.

[0038] The second fan 10 is provided in the second air passage 120. More precisely, the second fan 10 is provided in the second air passage 120, in the downstream second air passage 120b, which is downstream of the heat exchange element 4. In other words, the second fan 10 is provided between the heat exchange element 4 and the second air outlet 8. The second fan 10 generates an airflow from the second air inlet 7 toward the second air outlet 8. The second fan 10 is composed of, for example, a motor and a sirocco fan attached to the motor's rotating shaft. The second fan 10 generates an airflow by rotating the sirocco fan in accordance with the rotation of the motor's rotating shaft. In this embodiment, the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 are also collectively referred to as "each fan."

[0039] The first damper 11 is provided at the first suction port 5 and opens and closes the first suction port 5. In other words, the first damper 11 adjusts the amount of air flowing through the first suction port 5. The first damper 11 is roughly plate-shaped, and a portion of the first damper 11 is connected to, for example, a stepping motor. That is, the first damper 11 opens and closes the first suction port 5 by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the stepping motor. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the open state is defined as a state in which the plate surface of the first damper 11 is roughly perpendicular to the opening surface of the first suction port 5. The closed state is defined as a state in which the plate surface of the first damper 11 is roughly parallel to the opening surface of the first suction port 5. In other words, the closed state is defined as a state in which the first damper 11 blocks the first suction port 5 so as to prevent ventilation. Note that the term "air flow prevention" in this embodiment has a design meaning and includes cases in which air leaks due to small gaps that occur during manufacturing. That is, the state in which the first suction port 5 is opened to allow ventilation by the first damper 11 is defined as the open state. In the present embodiment, "opening / closing" refers to an operation of switching between the "open state" and the "closed state."

[0040] The second damper 12 is provided at the second suction port 7 and opens and closes the second suction port 7. In other words, the second damper 12 adjusts the amount of air flowing through the second suction port 7. The second damper 12 is roughly plate-shaped, and a portion of the second damper 12 is connected to, for example, a stepping motor. That is, the second damper 12 opens and closes the second suction port 7 by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the stepping motor. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the open state is defined as a state in which the plate surface of the second damper 12 is roughly perpendicular to the opening surface of the second suction port 7. The closed state is defined as a state in which the plate surface of the second damper 12 is roughly parallel to the opening surface of the second suction port 7. In other words, the closed state is defined as a state in which the second damper 12 closes the second suction port 7 to prevent ventilation, and the open state is defined as a state in which the second suction port 7 is open to allow ventilation.

[0041] The bypass damper 17 is provided as a partition plate between a first upstream air passage 110a located upstream of the heat exchange element 4 in the first air passage 110 and a second upstream air passage 120a located upstream of the heat exchange element 4 in the second air passage 120. The bypass damper 17 opens and closes a bypass air passage 130 (see FIG. 9 ), which will be described later. In other words, the bypass damper 17 adjusts the amount of air flowing through the bypass air passage 130. The bypass damper 17 has a roughly plate shape, and a portion of the bypass damper 17 is connected to, for example, a stepping motor. That is, the bypass damper 17 opens and closes the bypass air passage 130 by rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the stepping motor. In this embodiment, a state in which the bypass damper 17 closes the first upstream air passage 110a and the second upstream air passage 120a to prevent ventilation is defined as a closed state, and a state in which the first upstream air passage 110a and the second upstream air passage 120a are open to allow ventilation is defined as an open state. In addition, in this embodiment, the first damper 11, the second damper 12, and the bypass damper 17 are also collectively referred to as "each damper."

[0042] The ventilation device 1 further includes a first temperature sensor 13 , a second temperature sensor 14 , a first humidity sensor 15 , and a second humidity sensor 16 .

[0043] First temperature sensor 13 is provided in upstream first air duct 110a. First temperature sensor 13 measures the temperature of air drawn into interior space 60 from first air inlet 5. In other words, first temperature sensor 13 measures the temperature of air circulating in upstream first air duct 110a. In further words, first temperature sensor 13 measures the temperature of air in living room 80 or living room 90. In the present embodiment, first temperature sensor 13 is provided independently of first humidity sensor 15, but it may also be provided as a temperature and humidity sensor integrated with first humidity sensor 15.

[0044] Second temperature sensor 14 is provided in upstream second air duct 120a. Second temperature sensor 14 measures the temperature of air drawn into interior space 60 from second air inlet 7. In other words, second temperature sensor 14 measures the temperature of air circulating in upstream second air duct 120a. In further words, second temperature sensor 14 measures the temperature of air in living room 80 or living room 90. In this embodiment, second temperature sensor 14 is provided independently of second humidity sensor 16, but may be provided as a temperature and humidity sensor integrated with second humidity sensor 16. In this embodiment, first temperature sensor 13 and second temperature sensor 14 are also collectively referred to as "each temperature sensor."

[0045] First humidity sensor 15 is provided in upstream first air duct 110a. First humidity sensor 15 measures the humidity of air drawn into interior space 60 from first air inlet 5. In other words, first humidity sensor 15 measures the humidity of air circulating in upstream first air duct 110a. In further words, first humidity sensor 15 measures the humidity of air in living room 80 or living room 90. In this embodiment, first humidity sensor 15 is provided independently of first temperature sensor 13, but it may also be provided as a temperature and humidity sensor integrated with first temperature sensor 13. Note that "humidity" in this embodiment refers to relative humidity or absolute humidity.

[0046] The second humidity sensor 16 is provided in the upstream second air duct 120a. The second humidity sensor 16 measures the humidity of the air drawn into the interior space 60 from the second air inlet 7. In other words, the second humidity sensor 16 measures the humidity of the air circulating in the upstream second air duct 120a. In further words, the second humidity sensor 16 measures the humidity of the air in the living room 80 or the living room 90. In the present embodiment, the second humidity sensor 16 is provided independently of the second temperature sensor 14, but may be provided as a temperature and humidity sensor integrated with the second temperature sensor 14. The first humidity sensor 15 and the second humidity sensor 16 are also collectively referred to as "each humidity sensor."

[0047] The ventilation device 1 further includes an operation unit 32 and a control unit 20 .

[0048] The operation unit 32 accepts user inputs related to the operation of at least the first fan 9 and the second fan 10. For example, the user can use the operation unit 32 to instruct the ventilation device 1 to operate in a normal operation mode or a reverse operation mode. The normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode will be described in detail later. The instructions input to the operation unit 32 are output to the control unit 20. In this embodiment, the operation unit 32 is provided on the side surface of the housing 2. Furthermore, the operation unit 32 is a button provided on the side surface of the housing 2, but it may also be, for example, a touch panel.

[0049] The control unit 20 controls the operation of the first fan 9, the second fan 10, the first damper 11, the second damper 12, and the bypass damper 17. The control unit 20 determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 based on the input from the operation unit 32, and assigns appropriate air volume setting values ​​to the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 to operate them. The detailed configuration of the control unit 20 will be described later.

[0050] Here, the normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode, which are operation modes of the ventilation device 1, will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow in the normal operation mode. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow in the reverse operation mode.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3 , the normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the first air passage 110 serves as an air supply passage and the second air passage 120 serves as an air exhaust passage. In other words, the first fan 9 provided in the first air passage 110 serves as an air supply fan, and the second fan 10 provided in the second air passage 120 serves as an air exhaust fan. That is, the first air inlet 5 is connected to the outdoor air inlet 101 via a duct, and the first air outlet 6 is connected to the indoor air outlet 103 via a duct. The second air inlet 7 is connected to the indoor air inlet 104 via a duct, and the second air outlet 8 is connected to the outdoor air outlet 102. In the normal operation mode, the control unit 20 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 based on the air volume setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 stored for the normal operation mode.

[0052] The intake air blower is a blower that sends outdoor air into the living room 80 or the living room 90, that is, a blower that generates an intake air flow.

[0053] The exhaust fan is a fan that sends air from the living room 80 or the living room 90 to the outside, that is, generates an exhaust flow.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4 , the reverse operation mode is an operation mode in which the first air passage 110 serves as an exhaust air passage and the second air passage 120 serves as an intake air passage. In other words, the first fan 9 provided in the first air passage 110 serves as an exhaust fan, and the second fan 10 provided in the second air passage 120 serves as an intake fan. That is, the first air inlet 5 is connected to the indoor air inlet 104a via a duct, and the first air outlet 6 is connected to the outdoor air outlet 102a via a duct. The second air inlet 7 is connected to the outdoor air inlet 101a via a duct, and the second air outlet 8 is connected to the indoor air outlet 103a. In the reverse operation mode, the control unit 20 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 based on the air volume settings of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 stored for the reverse operation mode.

[0055] Next, the configuration of the control unit 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the connection relationships of the components of the ventilation device 1.

[0056] The control unit 20 switches between the normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode. In other words, the control unit 20 has processes for the normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode, and determines the processing steps to be used in response to input to the operation unit 32. The control unit 20 also performs a defrosting process to prevent freezing of the internal components, such as the heat exchange element 4, under predetermined conditions. When performing the defrosting process, the control unit 20 controls the operation of each blower and each damper.

[0057] The defrosting process is a mode for preventing the freezing of the heat exchange element 4, etc., and different processes are performed when the ventilation device 1 is operating in the normal operation mode and when it is operating in the reverse operation mode, but details will be described later.

[0058] The control unit 20 includes a storage unit 22, an operation mode determination unit 24, and an air blow instruction unit 26 as components for performing an operation mode determination process for switching between the normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode.

[0059] The storage unit 22 stores the air volume setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 in the normal operation mode, and the air volume setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 in the reverse operation mode. The storage unit 22 is a so-called memory. In other words, the storage unit 22 stores the air volume setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 in each operation mode of the ventilation device 1. For example, the storage unit 22 stores the air volume setting value of the first fan 9 (air supply fan) in the normal operation mode, such as 100 m ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 (exhaust blower) was set to 90 m ３ Similarly, the storage unit 22 stores the air volume setting value of the first blower 9 (exhaust blower) in the reverse operation mode as 90 m / s. ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 (air supply blower) is set to 100 m ３ / h. Each airflow setting value may be determined appropriately depending on the desired indoor environment, ventilation volume, etc. The memory unit 22 also stores the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 (normal operation mode or reverse operation mode) determined by an operation mode determination unit 24 (described later).

[0060] The operation mode determination unit 24 determines whether the ventilation device 1 is to be operated in the normal operation mode or the reverse operation mode, based on a predetermined input made by the user to the operation unit 32, and outputs the determination result to the storage unit 22. In other words, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 and stores the operation mode in the storage unit 22.

[0061] The airflow instruction unit 26 determines whether the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 are to be assigned as an air supply fan or an exhaust fan, based on the operation mode determined by the operation mode determination unit 24. In this embodiment, in the ventilation device 1 for the living room 80, the first fan 9 is the air supply fan and the second fan 10 is the exhaust fan. In addition, in the ventilation device 1 for the living room 90, the first fan 9 is the exhaust fan and the second fan 10 is the air supply fan. The airflow instruction unit 26 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 at a predetermined airflow setting value based on the operation mode and airflow setting value stored in the memory unit 22. As described above, for example, when the ventilation device 1 operates in the normal operation mode, the airflow setting value of the first fan 9 is set to 100 m ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 is 90 m ３ / h, and operate each fan. In other words, the airflow instruction unit 26 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 at the corresponding airflow setting values.

[0062] The control unit 20 further includes a temperature comparison unit 28 and a damper instruction unit 30 as components for executing the defrosting process.

[0063] In the normal operation mode, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first temperature T1 measured by the first temperature sensor 13 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature Td. In the reverse operation mode, the temperature comparison unit 28 also determines whether the second temperature T2 measured by the second temperature sensor 14 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature Td. The predetermined temperature Td is the temperature at which the internal components of the ventilation device 1, such as the heat exchange element 4, begin to freeze. In the present embodiment, Td = -5°C as an example. When the temperature comparison unit 28 detects that the first temperature T1 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature Td in the normal operation mode, or when the temperature comparison unit 28 detects that the second temperature T2 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature Td in the reverse operation mode, the temperature comparison unit 28 outputs the result of the temperature comparison to the damper instruction unit 30. In other words, when the temperature comparison unit 28 determines that the internal components of the ventilation device 1, such as the heat exchange element 4, will freeze, it notifies the damper instruction unit 30.

[0064] The damper command unit 30 controls the open / close states of the first damper 11, the second damper 12, and the bypass damper 17. In the normal operation mode, when the first temperature T1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature Td, the damper command unit 30 closes the first air inlet 5 with the first damper 11 and opens the bypass air passage 130 (see FIG. 8 ) with the bypass damper 17. On the other hand, in the reverse operation mode, when the second temperature T2 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature Td, the damper command unit 30 closes the second air inlet 7 with the second damper 12 and opens the bypass air passage 130 (see FIG. 9 ).

[0065] The above is the configuration of the ventilation device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0066] Next, the operation mode setting process S100 and the defrosting process S200 executed by the control unit 20 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 6 to 9. Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the operation mode determination process S100. Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the defrosting process S200. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow during the defrosting process in the normal operation mode. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow during the defrosting process in the reverse operation mode.

[0067] In the flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with the initial letter S. For example, S1 indicates a processing step. However, the magnitude of the numerical value indicating the processing step has no relation to the processing order.

[0068] First, the operation mode determination process S100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The operation mode determination process S100 is a process for determining the operation mode (normal operation mode or reverse operation mode) of the ventilation device 1. The operation mode determination process S100 may be executed at least during construction work for installing the ventilation device 1. For example, a user performing construction operates the operation unit 32 of the ventilation device 1 to instruct the ventilation device 1 to operate in the normal operation mode or the reverse operation mode. In this embodiment, the ventilation device 1 installed in the living room 80 is set to the normal operation mode, and the ventilation device 1 installed in the living room 90 is set to the reverse operation mode (see Fig. 1).

[0069] Next, the operation mode determination unit 24 checks the input from the operation unit 32 and stores the operation mode in the memory unit 22 (S101). Specifically, the operation mode determination unit 24 stores the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 installed in the living room 80 as the "normal operation mode," and stores the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 installed in the living room 90 as the "reverse operation mode."

[0070] Next, the air blowing instruction unit 26 acquires the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 stored in the memory unit 22 (S103). Based on the acquired information on the operation mode, the air blowing instruction unit 26 assigns each fan to an air supply fan and an air exhaust fan. Specifically, in the ventilation device 1 for the living room 80, the first fan 9 is assigned to the air supply fan (S105), and the second fan 10 is assigned to the air exhaust fan (S107). In addition, in the ventilation device 1 for the living room 90, the first fan 9 is assigned to the air exhaust fan (S111), and the second fan 10 is assigned to the air supply fan (S113).

[0071] Next, the airflow instruction unit 26 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 at a predetermined airflow setting value based on the airflow setting value stored in the memory unit 22. In this embodiment, for example, the airflow setting value of the first fan 9 provided in the ventilation device 1 of the living room 80 is set to 100 m ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 is 90 m ３ / h (S109). In addition, the air volume setting value of the first fan 9 provided in the ventilation device 1 of the living room 90 is set to 90 m ３ / h and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 is 100 m ３ / h (S115).

[0072] Through the above process, the ventilation device 1 of the present disclosure can selectively assign the same air duct (for example, the first air duct 110 or the second air duct 120) as an air supply duct or an air exhaust duct. Therefore, even in an inverted floor plan of an apartment building, the ventilation device 1 can be installed in the same position without crossing the ducts. In other words, the installation of the ventilation device 1 is improved.

[0073] 7 to 9, the defrosting process S200 will be described. The defrosting process S200 is a process for preventing freezing of the internal components (such as the heat exchange element 4) of the ventilation device 1. Unlike the operation mode determination process S100, the defrosting process S200 is executed when a resident uses the ventilation device 1.

[0074] In the defrosting process S200, the control unit 20 controls different blowers and dampers depending on the operation mode of the ventilation device 1. The defrosting process S200 is performed at predetermined intervals (e.g., every minute). When the defrosting process S200 is performed, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 (S201), as shown in FIG. 7 . Then, the control unit 20 controls the dampers and blowers according to the operation mode. For example, when the ventilation device 1 is in the normal operation mode (in this embodiment, the ventilation device 1 in the living room 80), the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first temperature T1 measured by the first temperature sensor 13 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td (S203). If the first temperature T1 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, the damper command unit 30 closes the first damper 11 and opens the bypass damper 17 (S205), as shown in FIG. 8 . Furthermore, the air blowing command unit 26 stops the operation of the second blower 10 (S205). In other words, as shown in Figure 8, air from indoors (living room 80) flows through the second air inlet 7, the upstream second air duct 120a, the upstream first air duct 110a, the heat exchange element 4, the downstream first air duct 110b, and the first air outlet 6 in that order, forming an internal circulation airflow (bypass air duct 130).

[0075] By the above processing, when the outdoor air temperature falls below a predetermined temperature Td, i.e., when there is a possibility that each component may freeze, indoor air, which is warmer than the outdoor air, is circulated within the ventilation device 1, thereby making it possible to prevent each component from freezing.

[0076] At this time (S205), it is not necessary to stop the second fan 10. Specifically, the second fan 10 is operated at an air volume (for example, 5 m) that is smaller than the set air volume of the second fan 10 before it is determined that the first temperature T1 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td (the defrosting process S200 is started). ３ / h), or may be operated continuously.

[0077] By continuously operating the second blower 10, the outdoor low-temperature air flows back through the second air outlet 8, thereby preventing the outdoor low-temperature air from flowing into the ventilation device 1. In other words, it is possible to more efficiently prevent the components of the ventilation device 1 from freezing.

[0078] Next, as shown in FIG. 7 , the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first temperature T1 is higher than a predetermined temperature Ts (S207). If the first temperature T1 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the damper instruction unit 30 opens the first damper 11 and closes the bypass damper 17 (S209). The airflow instruction unit 26 also resumes operation of the second blower 10, for example, at the airflow rate setting before the defrosting process S200 was started (S209). The predetermined temperature Ts is higher than the predetermined temperature Td. In this embodiment, the predetermined temperature Td is −5° C., so the predetermined temperature Ts is set to −2° C., for example.

[0079] On the other hand, for example, when the ventilation device 1 is in the reverse operation mode (in this embodiment, the ventilation device 1 in the living room 90), the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second temperature T2 measured by the second temperature sensor 14 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td (S211). If the second temperature T2 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, the damper instruction unit 30 closes the second damper 12 and opens the bypass damper 17 (S213), as shown in FIG. 9 . Furthermore, the airflow instruction unit 26 stops the operation of the first blower 9 (S213). In other words, an internal circulation airflow (bypass airflow 130) is formed in which the air inside the room (living room 90) flows through the first air inlet 5, the upstream first air duct 110a, the upstream second air duct 120a, the heat exchange element 4, the downstream second air duct 120b, and the second air outlet 8 in this order.

[0080] At this time (S213), it is not necessary to stop the first fan 9. Specifically, the first fan 9 may be stopped at a lower air volume (for example, 5 m) than the set air volume of the first fan 9 before it is determined that the second temperature T2 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td (the defrosting process S200 is started). ３ / h), or may be operated continuously.

[0081] By continuously operating the first blower 9, the outdoor low-temperature air flows back through the first air outlet 6, thereby preventing the outdoor low-temperature air from flowing into the ventilation device 1. In other words, it is possible to more efficiently prevent the components of the ventilation device 1 from freezing.

[0082] Next, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second temperature T2 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts (S215). If the second temperature T2 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the damper instruction unit 30 opens the second damper 12 and closes the bypass damper 17 (S217). Furthermore, the air blowing instruction unit 26 resumes operation of the first blower 9, for example, at the air volume setting before the defrosting process S200 was started (S217).

[0083] With the above configuration, the ventilation device 1 has improved workability in apartment buildings with inverted floor plans, and can prevent the internal components of the ventilation device 1 from freezing.

[0084] The above is the description of the first embodiment.

[0085] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a configuration including a defrosting process S200 as a process other than the operation mode determination process S100 has been described. In the second embodiment, a humidity adjustment process S300 will be described as an example of a process implemented in the ventilation device 1. Note that the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment may be omitted or simplified.

[0086] The humidity control process S300 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of the humidity control process S300 in the second embodiment.

[0087] The humidity control process S300 is a process for improving the indoor air environment by controlling humidity when indoor humidity is higher than the appropriate range, i.e., in a high-humidity state. Similar to the defrosting process S200 described in the first embodiment, the humidity control process S300 is executed when a resident uses the ventilation device 1, not during installation. The humidity control process S300 is a process for adjusting indoor humidity to the appropriate range by increasing the airflow rate of each fan when indoor humidity exceeds the appropriate humidity, thereby quickly exhausting high-humidity indoor air to the outdoors or supplying low-humidity outdoor air to the indoors. The humidity control process S300 is executed, for example, at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every minute).

[0088] When the humidity control process S300 is started, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines the current operation mode (S301). Thereafter, the humidity of the indoor air is measured and each fan is controlled according to the operation mode. For example, when the ventilation device 1 is in the normal operation mode (in this embodiment, the ventilation device 1 in the living room 80), the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second humidity H2 measured by the second humidity sensor 16 is greater than the predetermined humidity Hd (S303). If the second humidity H2 is greater than the predetermined humidity Hd, the airflow instruction unit 26 increases the airflow setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10. Specifically, for example, the airflow setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 are increased to 250 m / s. ３ / h and operate it (S305).

[0089] Next, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first humidity H1 is equal to or greater than the second humidity H2 (S307). In other words, it determines whether the outdoor humidity (first humidity H1) is equal to or greater than the indoor humidity (second humidity H2). If the first humidity H1 is equal to or greater than the second humidity H2, the airflow instruction unit 26 reduces the airflow setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 (S309). Specifically, for example, the airflow setting value of the first fan 9 is reduced to 100 m / s. ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 is 90 m ３ / h.

[0090] On the other hand, for example, when the ventilation device 1 is in the reverse operation mode (in this embodiment, the ventilation device 1 in the living room 90), the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first humidity H1 measured by the first humidity sensor 15 is greater than the predetermined humidity Hd (S311). If the first humidity H1 is greater than the predetermined humidity Hd, the airflow instruction unit 26 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 with their air volume settings set to the maximum. Specifically, for example, the air volume settings of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 are set to 250 m / s. ３ / h and operate it (S313).

[0091] Next, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second humidity H2 is equal to or greater than the first humidity H1 (S315). If the second humidity H2 is equal to or greater than the first humidity H1, the airflow instruction unit 26 reduces the airflow setting values ​​of the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 (S317). Specifically, for example, the airflow setting value of the first fan 9 is reduced to 90 m / s. ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 is 100 m ３ / h.

[0092] By performing the above-described process, when the indoor humidity is high, the amount of air supplied and exhausted can be increased, thereby enabling the indoor humidity to be adjusted to an appropriate range quickly.

[0093] [Embodiment 3] In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which, when performing the defrosting process S200, air flows through the upstream second air passage 120a, the upstream first air passage 110a, and the downstream first air passage 110b in this order (see FIG. 8). In the third embodiment, on the other hand, an example in which the defrosting process S200 is performed using an air passage configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the air passage configuration during the defrosting process S200 in the normal operation mode of the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the air passage configuration during the defrosting process S200 in the reverse operation mode of the third embodiment. Furthermore, FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of the defrosting process S200a in the third embodiment. Note that the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment may be omitted or simplified.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 11 , the ventilation device 1 includes a first partition plate 85 , a second partition plate 86 , a first bypass damper 82 , and a second bypass damper 83 .

[0095] First partition plate 85 is a plate-like structure provided at the boundary between upstream second air passage 120a and downstream first air passage 110b, and one end (the end on the right side in FIG. 11 ) of first partition plate 85 is connected to heat exchange element 4. The other end (the end on the left side in FIG. 11 ) of first partition plate 85 contacts tip 82a of first bypass damper 82 (contact point (b) in FIG. 11 ), which will be described later, thereby preventing air from flowing between upstream second air passage 120a and downstream first air passage 110b without passing through heat exchange element 4.

[0096] The second partition plate 86 is a plate-like structure provided at the boundary between the upstream first air passage 110a and the downstream second air passage 120b, and one end (the left end in FIG. 11 ) of the second partition plate 86 is connected to the heat exchange element 4. The other end (the right end in FIG. 11 ) of the second partition plate 86 contacts a tip 83a of a second bypass damper 83 (described later) (contact point (d) in FIG. 11 ), thereby preventing air from flowing between the upstream first air passage 110a and the downstream second air passage 120b without passing through the heat exchange element 4.

[0097] The first bypass damper 82 is provided in the first air outlet 6 and opens and closes the first air outlet 6. The first bypass damper 82 also switches the upstream second air passage 120a and the downstream first air passage 110b between an open state that allows ventilation and a closed state that does not allow ventilation. In other words, the first bypass damper 82 adjusts the amount of air flowing through the first air outlet 6 or the amount of air flowing between the upstream second air passage 120a and the downstream first air passage 110b. The first bypass damper 82 is roughly plate-shaped, and a portion of the first bypass damper 82 is connected to, for example, a stepping motor. In other words, the first bypass damper 82 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the stepping motor to open and close the first air outlet 6 or the space between the upstream second air passage 120a and the downstream first air passage 110b. Specifically, when a tip 82a of first bypass damper 82 is in the position shown in Fig. 11(a), first bypass damper 82 closes first air outlet 6 and opens communication between upstream second air passage 120a and downstream first air passage 110b. In other words, when first bypass damper 82 abuts against the side surface of housing 2, first bypass damper 82 closes first air outlet 6 and opens communication between upstream second air passage 120a and downstream first air passage 110b. Note that tip 82a is located in the position shown in Fig. 11(a) during defrost process S200a in normal operation mode.

[0098] On the other hand, when the tip 82a is in the position shown in FIG. 11(b), the first air outlet 6 is opened, blocking the passage between the upstream second air duct 120a and the downstream first air duct 110b. In other words, when the tip 82a abuts against the first partition plate 85, the first air outlet 6 is opened, blocking the passage between the upstream second air duct 120a and the downstream first air duct 110b. The tip 82a is positioned in the position shown in FIG. 11(b) when performing normal ventilation operation, regardless of the normal operation mode or the reverse operation mode. The tip 82a is also positioned in the position shown in FIG. 11(b) during the defrosting process S200a in the normal operation mode. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the "open state" of the first bypass damper 82 means a state in which the first air outlet 6 is able to pass air. On the other hand, the "closed state" of the first bypass damper 82 means a state in which the first air outlet 6 is not able to pass air.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 11 , the second bypass damper 83 is provided in the second air outlet 8 and opens and closes the second air outlet 8. The second bypass damper 83 also switches the first upstream air passage 110a and the second downstream air passage 120b between an open state that allows ventilation and a closed state that does not allow ventilation. In other words, the second bypass damper 83 adjusts the amount of air flowing through the second air outlet 8 or the amount of air flowing between the first upstream air passage 110a and the second downstream air passage 120b. The second bypass damper 83 is roughly plate-shaped, and a portion of the second bypass damper 83 is connected to, for example, a stepping motor. In other words, the second bypass damper 83 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the stepping motor to open and close the second air outlet 8 or the space between the first upstream air passage 110a and the second downstream air passage 120b. Specifically, when the tip 83a of the second bypass damper 83 is in the position shown in Fig. 11(c), the second bypass damper 83 closes the second air outlet 8 and opens the space between the upstream first air duct 110a and the downstream second air duct 120b. In other words, when the tip 83a abuts against the side surface of the housing 2, the second air outlet 8 is closed and opens the space between the upstream first air duct 110a and the downstream second air duct 120b. Note that the tip 83a is located in the position shown in Fig. 11(c) during the defrosting process S200a in the reverse operation mode.

[0100] On the other hand, when the tip 83a is in the position shown in FIG. 11 (d), the second air outlet 8 is opened, blocking the passage between the upstream first air duct 110a and the downstream second air duct 120b. In other words, when the tip 83a abuts against the end of the second partition plate 86, the second air outlet 8 is opened, blocking the passage between the upstream first air duct 110a and the downstream second air duct 120b. The tip 83a is positioned in the position shown in FIG. 11 (d) when performing normal ventilation operation, regardless of whether the operation mode is the normal operation mode or the reverse operation mode. The tip 83a is also positioned in the position shown in FIG. 11 (d) during the defrosting process S200a in the reverse operation mode. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the "open state" of the second bypass damper 83 means that the second air outlet 8 is capable of ventilating. On the other hand, the "closed state" of the second bypass damper 83 means that the second air outlet 8 is not capable of ventilating.

[0101] Damper command unit 30 also controls the open / close states of first bypass damper 82 and second bypass damper 83. As shown in Fig. 11 , in the normal operation mode, when first temperature T1 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature Td, damper command unit 30 causes first bypass damper 82 to open first air outlet 6 and second bypass damper 83 to close second air outlet 8. In addition, damper command unit 30 causes first damper 11 to close first air inlet 5 and second damper 12 to open second air inlet 7. By controlling the opening and closing of each damper in this manner, indoor air drawn in through second air inlet 7 flows sequentially through upstream second air duct 120a, heat exchange element 4, downstream second air duct 120b, upstream first air duct 110a, heat exchange element 4, and downstream first air duct 110b.

[0102] 12 , in the reverse operation mode, when second temperature T2 is equal to or lower than predetermined temperature Td, damper instructing unit 30 closes first air outlet 6 with first bypass damper 82 and opens second air outlet 8 with second bypass damper 83. Also, damper instructing unit 30 opens first air inlet 5 with first damper 11 and closes second air inlet 7 with second damper 12. By controlling the opening and closing of each damper in this manner, indoor air drawn in through first air inlet 5 flows in the following order: upstream first air duct 110a, heat exchange element 4, downstream first air duct 110b, upstream second air duct 120a, heat exchange element 4, and downstream second air duct 120b.

[0103] Next, the defrosting process S200a in the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Figure 13 is a flow chart showing the flow of the defrosting process S200a in the third embodiment.

[0104] The blowers and dampers controlled by the control unit 20 differ depending on the operation mode of the ventilation device 1. The defrosting process S200a is executed at predetermined intervals (e.g., every minute). When the defrosting process S200a is executed, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 (S201). Thereafter, the dampers and blowers are controlled according to the operation mode.

[0105] For example, when the ventilation device 1 is in the normal operation mode, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first temperature T1 measured by the first temperature sensor 13 is lower than a predetermined temperature Td (S203). If the first temperature T1 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, the damper instruction unit 30 closes the first damper 11 and the second bypass damper 83 and opens the second damper 12 and the first bypass damper 82 (S205a), as shown in FIG. 11 . Furthermore, the airflow instruction unit 26 stops the operation of the second fan 10 (S205a). In other words, as shown in FIG. 11 , an indoor air circulation air passage (indicated by the black solid arrow in FIG. 11 ) is formed in which indoor air flows in the following order: upstream second air passage 120a, heat exchange element 4, downstream second air passage 120b, upstream first air passage 110a, heat exchange element 4, and downstream first air passage 110b.

[0106] Next, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first temperature T1 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts (S207). If the first temperature T1 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the damper instruction unit 30 opens all dampers (the first damper 11, the second damper 12, the first bypass damper 82, and the second bypass damper 83) (S209a). The airflow instruction unit 26 also resumes operation of the second blower 10, for example, at the airflow volume setting before the defrosting process S200 was started (S209a). The predetermined temperature Ts is a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature Td. Specifically, for example, if the predetermined temperature Td is −5° C., the predetermined temperature Ts is set to −2° C.

[0107] On the other hand, for example, when the ventilation device 1 is in the reverse operation mode, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second temperature T2 measured by the second temperature sensor 14 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td (S211). If the second temperature T2 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, the damper instruction unit 30 opens the first damper 11 and the second bypass damper 83 and closes the second damper 12 and the first bypass damper 82 (S213a), as shown in FIG. 12 . Furthermore, the airflow instruction unit 26 stops the operation of the first fan 9 (S215a). In other words, as shown in FIG. 12 , an indoor air circulation air passage (indicated by the black solid arrow in FIG. 12 ) is formed in which indoor air flows in the following order: upstream first air passage 110a, heat exchange element 4, downstream first air passage 110b, upstream second air passage 120a, heat exchange element 4, and downstream second air passage 120b.

[0108] Next, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second temperature T2 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts (S215). If the second temperature T2 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the damper instruction unit 30 opens all dampers (S217a). Furthermore, the airflow instruction unit 26 resumes operation of the first fan 9, for example, at the airflow volume setting before the defrosting process S200 was started (S217a).

[0109] With this configuration, the warm air taken into the ventilation device 1 from indoors can be circulated through the heat exchange element 4 twice, making it possible to more efficiently prevent the internal structure of the ventilation device 1 (especially the heat exchange element 4) from freezing.

[0110] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method of determining whether to switch the operation mode. Specifically, in the first embodiment, the operation mode is switched by operating the operation unit 32, but in the fourth embodiment, a detachable damper is provided in the ventilation device, and the operation mode of the ventilation device is determined based on the installation position of the damper. Below, a ventilation device 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described, but the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment may be omitted or simplified.

[0111] First, the schematic configuration of the ventilation device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the ventilation device 1 in the fourth embodiment.

[0112] The ventilation device 1 includes a damper 40 and a control unit 20k.

[0113] The damper 40 is detachably provided in the housing 2. Specifically, the damper 40 is provided in either the first suction port 5 or the second suction port 7. That is, in the first embodiment, the first damper 11 is provided in the first suction port 5 and the second damper 12 is provided in the second suction port 7, but in the fourth embodiment, the damper 40 is provided in either the first suction port 5 or the second suction port 7. Furthermore, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the damper 40 provided in the first suction port 5 will be referred to as the first damper 40a, and the damper 40 provided in the second suction port 7 will be referred to as the second damper 40b.

[0114] The control unit 20k switches the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 between the normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode based on whether the damper 40 is provided at the first suction port 5 or the second suction port 7. In other words, the control unit 20k determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 based on the installation position of the damper 40. The control unit 20k includes a control board 210.

[0115] The control board 210 is a so-called electronic board that mounts various electronic components and wires them. The control board 210 in the fourth embodiment is connected to at least the damper 40 to supply power to the damper 40 and operate the damper 40.

[0116] Next, the detailed configuration of the damper 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 . FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the detailed configuration of the damper 40. FIG. 15( a) is a schematic diagram showing the damper 40 in an open state, and FIG. 15( b) is a schematic diagram showing the damper 40 in a closed state. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the damper 40 and the housing 2. Note that, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 16 illustrates the damper 40 as being provided at both the first suction port 5 and the second suction port 7, but in reality, the damper 40 is attached to either the first suction port 5 or the second suction port 7.

[0117] The damper 40 is provided at either the first air inlet 5 or the second air inlet 7, whichever air inlet draws in outdoor air. Specifically, in the ventilation device 1 for the living room 80, the damper 40 is provided at the first air inlet 5, and in the ventilation device 1 for the living room 90, the damper 40 is provided at the second air inlet 7. The damper 40 switches the air inlet of the housing 2 to which the damper 40 is attached between an open state that allows ventilation and a closed state that prevents ventilation. Note that "air inlet not passing" in this embodiment has a design meaning and includes cases where air leaks due to small gaps that occur during manufacturing. Furthermore, the state in which the air inlet of the housing 2 is open to allow ventilation by the damper 40 is referred to as the open state.

[0118] The damper 40 is provided to prevent low-temperature outdoor air from flowing into the ventilation device 1 during defrosting. As shown in Fig. 15 , the damper 40 includes a damper body 41, a frame 42, a stepping motor 44, a protrusion 45, an electrical connection portion 46, and lead wires 48.

[0119] The damper main body 41 is a plate-shaped member, and one end of the plate is connected to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 44. In other words, the damper main body 41 opens and closes the suction port of the housing 2 by rotating in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 44 (black arrow in FIG. 15( a)). Note that the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 44 and the damper 40 do not necessarily have to be directly connected. For example, the stepping motor 44 and the damper 40 may be connected via a gear (cogwheel) or the like. In other words, it is sufficient that the damper 40 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 44.

[0120] In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, the outer shape of the damper main body 41 is circular and matches the shape of the frame body 42. In other words, as shown in Fig. 15(b), the damper main body 41 comes into contact with the frame body 42 without any gap, thereby closing the suction port of the housing 2 to which the damper 40 is attached. In other words, as shown in Fig. 15(a), the damper main body 41 leaves a gap between the outer shape of the damper main body 41 and the frame body 42, thereby opening the suction port of the housing 2 to which the damper 40 is attached.

[0121] The frame 42 is a cylindrical member, and rotatably holds the damper body 41 on the inner circumferential side of the frame 42. In the closed state, the frame 42 is in contact with the damper body 41 with no gap, as shown in Fig. 15(b). In the open state, the frame 42 is provided with a gap between it and the damper body 41, as shown in Fig. 15(a).

[0122] The stepping motor 44 is a member, or motor, provided on the outer periphery of the frame 42 for rotating the damper body 41. The stepping motor 44 rotates the damper body 41 by fixing the damper body 41 to its own rotation shaft. The stepping motor 44 is connected to the electrical connection portion 46 via lead wires 48.

[0123] The protruding portion 45 is a structure that protrudes further outward from the outer periphery of the frame body 42. The protruding portion 45 is provided as a substrate for providing an electrical connection portion 46.

[0124] 16 , the electrical connection portion 46 is a so-called connector that is electrically connected to the mounting portion 50 to drive the stepping motor 44. The mounting portion 50 is electrically connected to a control board 210 that receives power from an external source, and connecting the electrical connection portion 46 to the mounting portion 50 essentially electrically connects the control board 210 and the damper 40 (stepping motor 44). Furthermore, connecting the electrical connection portion 46 to the mounting portion 50 fixes the damper 40 to the housing 2. In other words, the damper 40 can be removed from the housing 2 by disconnecting the electrical connection portion 46 from the mounting portion 50.

[0125] With this configuration, the damper 40 can be attached and detached without touching a component densely packed with electronic components, such as the control board 210, thereby reducing the risk of failure of the electronic components.

[0126] The mounting portion 50 is a structure that is electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 46 and that fixes the damper 40 to the housing 2. More precisely, the mounting portion 50 is a recess provided in the foam member 310 provided inside the housing 2. Note that the mounting portion 50 does not necessarily have to be provided in the foam member 310, and may be provided in a structure made of a different material, such as a resin part. The mounting portion 50 includes a first mounting portion 50a and a second mounting portion 50b.

[0127] The foam member 310 is a member for insulating the first air passage 110 and the second air passage 120 from the outside of the ventilation device 1, and is made of so-called expanded polystyrene.

[0128] The first mounting portion 50a is a structure for mounting the first damper 40a to the first suction port 5. The first mounting portion 50a is a structure that can be electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 46 of the first damper 40a, and is a so-called connector. The first mounting portion 50a is connected to the first connection portion 211a of the control board 210 via a lead wire 213a. When the first damper 40a is mounted to the first mounting portion 50a, the control board 210 (first connection portion 211a) and the damper 40 (stepping motor 44) are electrically connected via the first mounting portion 50a.

[0129] The first connecting portion 211a is a terminal that can be electrically connected to the lead wire 213a, and is a so-called connector.

[0130] The second mounting portion 50b is a structure for mounting the second damper 40b to the second air inlet 7. The second mounting portion 50b is a structure that can be electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 46 of the second damper 40b, and is a so-called connector. The second mounting portion 50b is connected to the second connection portion 211b of the control board 210 via a lead wire 213b. When the second damper 40b is mounted to the second mounting portion 50b, the control board 210 (second connection portion 211b) and the second damper 40b (stepping motor 44) are electrically connected via the second mounting portion 50b.

[0131] The second connection portion 211b is a terminal that can be electrically connected to the lead wire 213b, and is a so-called connector.

[0132] Next, the configuration of the control unit 20k will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a functional block diagram showing the connection relationships of the components of the ventilation device 1 in the fourth embodiment.

[0133] The control unit 20 k differs from the control unit 20 of the first embodiment mainly in that it includes a damper detection unit 33 .

[0134] The damper detection unit 33 detects whether the damper 40 is attached (electrically connected) to the first mounting portion 50a or the second mounting portion 50b. More specifically, the damper detection unit 33 determines whether electricity is flowing between the damper 40 and the control board 210 through the first mounting portion 50a or the second mounting portion 50b. In other words, the damper detection unit 33 detects whether electricity is flowing through the first connection portion 211a or the second connection portion 211b.

[0135] The operation mode determination unit 24 determines in which operation mode, the normal operation mode or the reverse operation mode, the ventilation device 1 should be operated, based on the detection result of the damper detection unit 33, and outputs the result to the storage unit 22. In other words, the operation mode determination unit 24 determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 and stores it in the storage unit 22. In the fourth embodiment, when the first connection part 211a is energized, the operation mode is the normal operation mode, and when the second connection part 211b is energized, the operation mode is the reverse operation mode.

[0136] Next, the operation mode determination process S400 will be described with reference to Fig. 18. The operation mode determination process S400 is performed independently by the ventilation device 1 installed in room 80 and the ventilation device 1 installed in room 90.

[0137] In the operation mode determination process S400, first, the damper detection unit 33 determines whether the damper 40 is attached (electrically connected) to the first attachment portion 50 a or the second attachment portion 50 b. More specifically, the damper detection unit 33 determines whether the damper 40 and the control board 210 are electrically connected via the first attachment portion 50 a (S401).

[0138] If the damper 40 and the control board 210 are electrically connected via the first mounting portion 50a (Y branch in S401), the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the operation mode of the ventilator 1 is the normal operation mode and stores the operation mode in the memory unit 22 (S402). Furthermore, if the first damper 40a and the control board 210 are not electrically connected via the first mounting portion 50a, the damper detection unit 33 detects whether the damper 40 and the control board 210 are electrically connected via the second mounting portion 50b, as will be described in detail later (S403).

[0139] Next, the air blowing instruction unit 26 sets the first fan 9 of the ventilation device 1 installed in the room 80 as an air supply fan (S405) and the second fan 10 as an exhaust fan (S407).

[0140] Next, the airflow instruction unit 26 acquires the air volume setting value in the normal operation mode stored in the storage unit 22 (S409).

[0141] Next, the airflow instruction unit 26 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 at predetermined airflow setting values ​​based on the acquired airflow setting values ​​(S410). In the fourth embodiment, for example, the airflow setting value of the first fan 9 provided in the ventilation device 1 of the living room 80 is set to 100 m ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 is 90 m ３ / h.

[0142] Next, a case where the damper 40 and the control board 210 are not electrically connected via the first mounting portion 50a (N branch of S401) will be described.

[0143] If there is no electrical connection between the damper 40 and the control board 210 via the first mounting portion 50a, the damper detection unit 33 determines whether there is electrical connection between the damper 40 and the control board 210 via the second mounting portion 50b (S403).

[0144] If the damper detection unit 33 determines that the damper 40 and the control board 210 are electrically connected via the second mounting portion 50b (Y branch in S403), the operation mode determination unit 24 determines that the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 is the reverse operation mode and stores the operation mode in the memory unit 22 (S404).

[0145] Next, the air blowing instruction unit 26 sets the first fan 9 of the ventilation device 1 installed in the room 90 as an exhaust fan (S411) and the second fan 10 as an intake fan (S413).

[0146] Next, the airflow instruction unit 26 acquires the air volume setting value in the reverse operation mode stored in the storage unit 22 (S415).

[0147] Next, the airflow instruction unit 26 operates the first fan 9 and the second fan 10 at predetermined airflow setting values ​​based on the acquired airflow setting values ​​(S417). In the fourth embodiment, for example, the airflow setting value of the first fan 9 provided in the ventilation device 1 of the living room 90 is set to 90 m ３ / h, and the air volume setting value of the second blower 10 is set to 100 m ３ / h.

[0148] With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide dampers 40 in both first air passage 110 and second air passage 120, and the manufacturing costs of ventilation device 1 can be reduced.

[0149] Next, the defrosting process S200 in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7, 19 and 20. The defrosting process S200 in the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the process described in the first embodiment.

[0150] When the defrosting process S200 is executed, as shown in FIG. 7 , the operation mode determination unit 24 determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 (S201). Thereafter, if the ventilation device 1 is in the normal operation mode (in this embodiment, the ventilation device 1 in the living room 80), the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first temperature T1 measured by the first temperature sensor 13 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td (S203). If the first temperature T1 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, the damper instruction unit 30 closes the first damper 40a and opens the bypass damper 17 (S205), as shown in FIG. 19 . Furthermore, the air blowing instruction unit 26 stops the operation of the second fan 10 (S205). In other words, as shown in Figure 19, air from indoors (living room 80) flows through the second air inlet 7, the upstream second air duct 120a, the upstream first air duct 110a, the heat exchange element 4, the downstream first air duct 110b, and the first air outlet 6 in that order, forming an internal circulation airflow (bypass air duct 130).

[0151] By the above processing, when the outdoor air temperature falls below a predetermined temperature Td, i.e., when there is a possibility that each component may freeze, indoor air, which is warmer than the outdoor air, is circulated within the ventilation device 1, thereby making it possible to prevent each component from freezing.

[0152] 7, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the first temperature T1 is higher than a predetermined temperature Ts (S207). If the first temperature T1 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the damper instruction unit 30 opens the first damper 40a and closes the bypass damper 17 (S209). Furthermore, the airflow instruction unit 26 resumes operation of the second blower 10, for example, at the airflow volume setting before the defrosting process S200 was started (S209).

[0153] On the other hand, for example, when the ventilation device 1 is in the reverse operation mode (in this embodiment, the ventilation device 1 in the living room 90), the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second temperature T2 measured by the second temperature sensor 14 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td (S211). If the second temperature T2 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, the damper instruction unit 30 closes the second damper 40b and opens the bypass damper 17 (S213), as shown in FIG. 20 . Furthermore, the airflow instruction unit 26 stops the operation of the first blower 9 (S213). In other words, an internal circulation airflow (bypass airflow 130) is formed in which the air inside the room (living room 90) flows through the first air inlet 5, the upstream first air duct 110a, the upstream second air duct 120a, the heat exchange element 4, the downstream second air duct 120b, and the second air outlet 8 in this order.

[0154] Next, the temperature comparison unit 28 determines whether the second temperature T2 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts (S215). If the second temperature T2 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the damper instruction unit 30 opens the second damper 40b and closes the bypass damper 17 (S217). Furthermore, the air blowing instruction unit 26 resumes operation of the first blower 9, for example, at the air volume setting before the defrosting process S200 was started (S217).

[0155] With the above configuration, the ventilation device 1 has improved workability in apartment buildings with inverted floor plans, and can prevent the internal components of the ventilation device 1 from freezing.

[0156] [Embodiment 5] Embodiment 5 differs from embodiment 4 in that it does not have the bypass damper 17. In other words, the air flow during the defrosting process differs from embodiment 4. Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 23, but descriptions of the same configuration as embodiment 4 may be omitted or simplified.

[0157] Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the defrosting process S200b in embodiment 5. Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow during the defrosting process in the normal operation mode in embodiment 5. Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the air flow during the defrosting process in the reverse operation mode in embodiment 5.

[0158] When the defrosting process S200b is started, the control unit 20k determines the operation mode of the ventilation device 1 (S201).

[0159] When the ventilation device 1 is operating in normal operation mode (Y branch of S201), if the control unit 20k determines that the first temperature T1 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, it closes the first damper 40a and stops the first blower 9 (S205b).

[0160] Next, when it is determined that the first temperature T1 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the first damper 40a is opened and the operation of the first blower 9 is resumed (S209b).

[0161] With the above configuration, as shown in Figure 22, air from indoors (living room 80 in this embodiment) flows in the following order: second air intake 7, upstream second air duct 120a, heat exchange element 4, downstream second air duct 120b, second air outlet 8, and outdoors (black arrow in Figure 22).

[0162] On the other hand, when the ventilation device 1 is operating in reverse operation mode (N branch of S201), if the control unit 20k determines that the second temperature T2 is lower than the predetermined temperature Td, it closes the second damper 40b and stops the second blower 10 (S213b).

[0163] Next, when it is determined that the second temperature T2 is higher than the predetermined temperature Ts, the second damper 40b is opened and the operation of the second fan 10 is resumed (S217b).

[0164] With the above configuration, as shown in Figure 23, air from indoors (living room 90 in this embodiment) flows through the first air inlet 5, the upstream first air duct 110a, the heat exchange element 4, the downstream first air duct 110b, the first air outlet 6, and outdoors in that order (black arrow in Figure 23).

[0165] [Modifications] These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Modifications of the configurations shown in embodiments 1 to 3 will be described below. Note that the description of the same configuration as embodiment 1 may be omitted or simplified.

[0166] In the first embodiment, the condition for ending the defrosting process S200 is that the measured outdoor temperature (for example, the first temperature T1 in the normal operation mode) is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature Ts, but this is not limiting. For example, the defrosting process S200 may be ended after a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing step S205 was executed.

[0167] This configuration can prevent the defrosting process S200 from being terminated due to a temporary high outdoor temperature being detected due to a malfunction of the temperature sensor, etc. In other words, it can prevent the defrosting process from not being performed when it should be performed, and prevent the internal components of the ventilation device 1, such as the heat exchange element 4, from freezing.

[0168] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the ventilation device 1 is provided with dampers at the first air inlet 5 and the second air inlet 7, but this is not limiting. For example, the ventilation device 1 may be provided with dampers for opening and closing the first air outlet 6 and the second air outlet 8.

[0169] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent air from flowing in (backflowing) from the first air outlet 6 or the second air outlet 8 during the defrosting process S200.

[0170] In the first embodiment, the operation unit 32 is provided on the side of the ventilation device 1, but this is not limiting. The operation unit 32 may be, for example, a portable tablet terminal. Furthermore, the operation unit 32 may be a tablet terminal designed to be able to communicate with multiple ventilation devices 1.

[0171] With this configuration, there is no need to provide an operating unit 32 for each of the multiple ventilation devices 1, and the manufacturing costs of the ventilation devices 1 (material costs and labor costs for assembly) can be reduced.

[0172] In the first embodiment, the example in which the first fan 9 is provided in the downstream first air passage 110b has been described, but as shown in Fig. 14, the first fan 9 may be provided in the upstream first air passage 110a. Also, the second fan 10 may be provided in the upstream second air passage 120a.

[0173] Although the fourth embodiment illustrates an example in which the first temperature sensor 13 is provided in the first air passage 110 and the second temperature sensor 14 is provided in the second air passage 120, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the first temperature sensor 13 and the second temperature sensor 14, the damper 40 may be provided with a single temperature sensor. More specifically, the temperature sensor may be provided on the frame 42 or the stepping motor 44 (see FIG. 15 ). The temperature sensor is required to detect the temperature of the outdoor air at least to determine whether or not the defrosting process is to be performed. In other words, providing the temperature sensor on the damper 40, which is provided at the outdoor air inlet, enables the temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the outdoor air. In other words, the temperature sensor on the damper 40 can detect the temperature of the outdoor air regardless of the operating mode of the ventilation device 1.

[0174] With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a temperature sensor in each of first air passage 110 and second air passage 120, which makes it possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0175] The ventilation device of the present disclosure can be widely used as a ventilation device to be installed in apartment buildings.

[0176] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Ventilation device 2 Housing 4 Heat exchange element 5 First intake port 6 First outlet 7 Second intake port 8 Second outlet 9 First fan 10 Second fan 11, 40a First damper 12, 40b Second damper 13 First temperature sensor 14 Second temperature sensor 15 First humidity sensor 16 Second humidity sensor 17 Bypass damper 20, 20k Control unit 22 Memory unit 24 Operation mode determination unit 26 Airflow instruction unit 30 Damper instruction unit 32 Operation unit 40 Damper 41 Damper body 42 Frame 44 Stepping motor 45 Protrusion 46 Electrical connection unit 48, 213a, 213b Lead wire 50 Mounting portion 50a First mounting portion 50b Second mounting portion 60 Internal space 80 Living room 90 Living room 82 First bypass damper 83 Second bypass damper 85 First partition plate 86 Second partition plate 101, 101a Outdoor air intake port 102, 102a Outdoor air outlet 103, 103a Indoor air outlet 104, 104a Indoor air intake port 105, 105a First outdoor duct 106, 106a Second outdoor duct 107, 107a First indoor duct 108, 108a Second indoor duct 110 First air duct 110a Upstream first air duct 110b Downstream first air duct 120 Second air duct 120a Upstream second air duct 120b Downstream second air duct 130 Bypass air duct 210 Control board 211a First connection part 211b Second connecting portion 310 Foam member

Claims

a first air intake port that draws air into the internal space; a first air outlet that blows the air drawn in from the first air intake port out of the housing; a first air duct that guides air from the first air intake port to the first air outlet; a first fan that generates an airflow in the first air duct; a second air intake port that draws air into the internal space; a second air outlet that blows the air drawn in from the second air intake port out of the housing; a second air duct that guides air from the second air intake port to the second air outlet; a second fan that generates an airflow in the second air duct; and a control unit that controls operation of the first fan and the second fan, wherein the control unit is switchable between a normal operation mode in which the first fan functions as an intake fan and the second fan as an exhaust fan, and a reverse operation mode in which the first fan functions as an exhaust fan and the second fan as an intake fan.

2. The ventilation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: a memory unit that stores air volume setting values ​​for the first fan and the second fan in the normal operation mode and air volume setting values ​​for the first fan and the second fan in the reverse operation mode; an operation mode determination unit that determines whether to operate in the normal operation mode or the reverse operation mode; and an air blowing instruction unit that operates the first fan and the second fan at the air volume setting values ​​corresponding to the respective operation modes.

3. A heat exchange element that exchanges heat between air flowing through the first air duct and air flowing through the second air duct; a first damper that opens and closes the first air inlet; a second damper that opens and closes the second air inlet; a first temperature sensor provided in an upstream first air duct that is upstream of the heat exchange element in the first air duct; a second temperature sensor provided in an upstream second air duct that is upstream of the heat exchange element in the second air duct; and a bypass damper that opens and closes a bypass air duct that communicates the upstream first air duct and the upstream second air duct, wherein the first fan is provided in the downstream first air duct that is downstream of the heat exchange element in the first air duct, and the second fan is provided in the downstream second air duct that is downstream of the heat exchange element in the second air duct, and the control unit comprises: a temperature comparison unit that determines whether a first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature in the normal operation mode, and determines whether a second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature in the reverse operation mode; 2. The ventilation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a damper instruction unit that controls an open / closed state of the first damper, an open / closed state of the second damper, and an open / closed state of the bypass damper, wherein in the normal operation mode, when the first temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the damper instruction unit closes the first air inlet with the first damper and opens the bypass air passage with the bypass damper, and in the reverse operation mode, when the second temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the damper instruction unit closes the second air inlet with the second damper and opens the bypass air passage with the bypass damper.

4. The ventilation device according to claim 2, wherein the operation mode determination unit switches between the normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode based on an input from a user.

5. A housing having an internal space, a damper detachably attached to the housing, a first suction port for drawing air into the internal space, a first attachment part for attaching the damper to the first suction port, a first outlet for blowing the air drawn in from the first suction port out of the housing, a first blower for generating an airflow from the first suction port towards the first outlet, a second suction port for drawing air into the internal space, a second attachment part for attaching the damper to the second suction port, a second outlet for blowing the air drawn in from the second suction port out of the housing, a second blower for generating an airflow from the second suction port towards the second outlet, and a control part for controlling the operation of the first blower and the operation of the second blower, wherein the damper is attached to either the first attachment part or the second attachment part, and the control part a normal operation mode in which the first fan is an intake fan and the second fan is an exhaust fan, and a reverse operation mode in which the first fan is an exhaust fan and the second fan is an intake fan, and the normal operation mode and the reverse operation mode are switched based on whether the damper is attached to the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion.

6. The ventilation device described in claim 5, wherein the control unit operates the first fan and the second fan in the normal operation mode when the damper is attached to the first attachment portion, and operates the first fan and the second fan in the reverse operation mode when the damper is attached to the second attachment portion.

7. The ventilation device according to claim 5, further comprising a damper detection unit that detects whether the damper is attached to the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion.

8. The ventilation device described in claim 7, wherein the damper detection unit detects that the first mounting unit or the second mounting unit is electrically connected to the damper, and the control unit determines whether the damper is mounted to either the first mounting unit or the second mounting unit based on the detection result of the damper detection unit.

9. The ventilation device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit stores air volume setting values ​​of the first fan and the second fan in the normal operation mode and air volume setting values ​​of the first fan and the second fan in the reverse operation mode, and operates the first fan and the second fan at the air volume setting values ​​corresponding to the respective operation modes.

10. A ventilation system comprising: a first air passage that guides air from the first air inlet to the first air outlet; a second air passage that guides air from the second air inlet to the second air outlet; a heat exchange element that exchanges heat between air circulating in the first air passage and air circulating in the second air passage; a first temperature sensor provided in the first air passage; a second temperature sensor provided in the second air passage; a bypass air passage that communicates a first upstream air passage that is an air passage upstream of the heat exchange element in the first air passage and a second upstream air passage that is an air passage upstream of the heat exchange element in the second air passage; and a bypass damper that switches the bypass air passage between an open state that allows ventilation and a closed state that does not allow ventilation, wherein the first fan is provided in the downstream first air passage that is downstream of the heat exchange element in the first air passage; and the second fan is provided in the downstream second air passage that is downstream of the heat exchange element in the second air passage, and the control unit 7. The ventilation device according to claim 6, wherein in the normal operation mode, it is determined whether a first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and in the reverse operation mode, it is determined whether a second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, and in the normal operation mode, if the first temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the first air inlet is closed by the damper and the bypass air passage is opened by the bypass damper, and in the reverse operation mode, if the second temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the second air inlet is closed by the damper and the bypass air passage is opened by the bypass damper.

11. An air conditioner comprising: a first air passage that guides air from the first air inlet to the first air outlet; a second air passage that guides air from the second air inlet to the second air outlet; a heat exchange element that exchanges heat between air circulating in the first air passage and air circulating in the second air passage; a first temperature sensor provided in the first air passage; and a second temperature sensor provided in the second air passage, wherein the first fan is provided in a downstream first air passage that is downstream of the heat exchange element in the first air passage; and the second fan is provided in a downstream second air passage that is downstream of the heat exchange element in the second air passage, wherein the control unit determines whether a first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature in the normal operation mode, and determines whether a second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature in the reverse operation mode, and when the first temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature in the normal operation mode, closes the first air inlet with the damper, and when the second temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature in the reverse operation mode, closes the first air inlet with the damper The ventilation device according to claim 6 , wherein the second air inlet is closed by the damper.

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