JP7517357B2 - Building humidity control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a building humidity control system that can secure water during the process of controlling the humidity of the air inside a building.

When the humidity inside a building becomes too high, mold and bacteria will grow, causing the building materials to corrode and also having a negative effect on the human body. For this reason, when the humidity inside a building is high, the humidity is adjusted by ventilating the room. When this happens, the air inside the building that contains moisture is simply discharged outside.

On the other hand, there are devices that can extract water from moisture contained in the air. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a water generating device that can extract drinking water from the surrounding air.

Special Publication No. 2006-526089

In the event of a disaster, there is a risk of water being cut off, so it is preferable to store water within buildings. However, storing water requires the transport of containerized water into the building and the management of the storage period of the stored water, which is time-consuming.

On the other hand, it is possible to use the water generating device disclosed in Patent Document 1, but because the humidity inside a building changes depending on the season and time of day, constantly running the water generating device can cause problems such as the humidity inside the building becoming too low. Also, it is a hassle for residents to monitor the operation of the water generating device.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a building humidity control system that can store water while adjusting the humidity inside a building.

(1) The building humidity control system of the present invention is incorporated in a building and includes a water extraction device that extracts water from the space within the building or from air that flows in from the outdoors, a tank that stores the water extracted by the water extraction device, a water supply unit that supplies the water from the tank into the building, and a ventilation device that exhausts air from the water extraction device into the space within the building.

According to the above configuration, the water extraction device can extract water from the space within the building or from the outdoor air, and the extracted water can be stored in the tank. In addition, water can be extracted from the air in the space within the building and returned to the space within the building, thereby reducing the humidity within the building. This makes it possible to secure water within the building and adjust the humidity.

(2) Preferably, the water extraction device has a filter that purifies the incoming air.

With the above configuration, air that flows into the water extraction device from the space inside the building can be filtered and sent back to the space inside the building, thereby purifying the air inside the building.

(3) Preferably, the water extraction device further includes a first humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the air flowing into the water extraction device, and a control unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the water extraction device based on a first signal obtained from the first humidity sensor.

According to the above configuration, the water extraction device can be driven based on the first signal from the first humidity sensor, so that water storage and humidity inside the building can be adjusted as needed.

(4) Preferably, the ventilation device is capable of switching between a first path for discharging air from the water extraction device to a space within the building and a second path for discharging air from the space within the building to the outdoors, and the control unit drives the ventilation device using the first path when the water extraction device is being driven based on the first signal acquired from the first humidity sensor, and drives the ventilation device using the second path when the water extraction device is stopped based on the first signal acquired from the first humidity sensor.

According to the above configuration, the air in the space inside the building can be discharged into the space inside the building via the water extraction device, or directly discharged to the outdoors without passing through the water extraction device, allowing water to be stored in a tank and humidity inside the building to be adjusted.

(5) Preferably, the ventilation device further includes a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first path and the second path.

With the above configuration, the heat of the air sent to the space inside the building via the first path is transferred to the second path by the heat exchanger, and the heat can be discharged to the outdoors from the second path, so the temperature inside the building can be adjusted.

(6) Preferably, the water extraction device is capable of switching between a third path through which air flows in from the space inside the building and a fourth path through which air flows in from outdoors, the first humidity sensor detects the humidity of the air flowing into the water extraction device through the third path, and further includes a second humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the air flowing into the water extraction device through the fourth path, and the control unit drives the water extraction device through the fourth path based on a second signal acquired from the second humidity sensor.

With the above configuration, air can be taken into the water extraction device from either inside or outside the building, so if the humidity inside the building is low, air can be taken in from outside, water can be extracted, and stored in the tank.

(7) Preferably, the ventilation device has a fifth path through which air flows in from outdoors, and the control unit causes air to flow from the ventilation device into the space within the building through the fifth path when the ventilation device is driven as the second path.

With the above configuration, when the air inside the building is exhausted through the second path, outdoor air flows into the building through the fifth path, preventing a drop in air pressure inside the building.

(8) Preferably, the control unit controls the operation of the water extraction device based on a third signal obtained from a water level sensor that detects the water level in the tank.

With the above configuration, the water extraction device can be driven or stopped based on the water level in the tank, so the control unit can store water or stop storing water depending on the water level in the tank regardless of humidity.

The building humidity control system of the present invention can store water while adjusting the humidity inside the building.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing building humidity control systems 1 and 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention installed in a building 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the building humidity control systems 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the building humidity control systems 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the program 38 of the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a building humidity control system 3 according to the first modified example. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the program 38A of the building humidity control system 3. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a building humidity control system 4 according to the second modification. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the building humidity control system 4. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the program 38B of the building humidity control system 4.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the building humidity control system 1, 2 extracts water while adjusting the humidity of each space S in the building 100. In this embodiment, the building 100 is a two-story detached house, and a bathroom 105, a kitchen 106, and a hall 107 are provided on the first floor. A storeroom 108, a bedroom 109, and a children's room 110 are provided on the second floor of the building 100. These spaces such as living rooms are each space S. Each space S is located inside an insulation line 111 shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1. In the building humidity control system 1 according to this embodiment, a case in which air flows into the water extraction device 5 from the hall 107 of the space S is described as an example. In addition, in the building humidity control system 2, a case in which air flows into the water extraction device 5 from the storeroom 108 of the space S is described as an example. Note that the building 100 is one example, and may be in another form such as an apartment building, and the layout of the living rooms may also be changed. The building humidity control system 1 is disposed in the space 102 between the ceiling of the first floor and the floor of the second floor, and the building humidity control system 2 is disposed in the attic space 101 of the building 100.

The building humidity control systems 1 and 2 have the same configuration except for the location where they are installed, the space S into which the air is taken, and the space S from which the air is discharged, and for convenience, the same reference numerals are used for each component. As shown in FIG. 2, the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 include a water extraction device 5, a tank 6, a water supply unit 7, a ventilation device 8, a first humidity sensor 9, a second humidity sensor 10, a terminal device 11 (see FIG. 3), and a controller 12 (see FIG. 3, an example of a control unit).

The water extraction device 5 extracts water by circulating the air containing water vapor that has flowed into the water extraction device 5 within the device while cooling it. The water extraction device 5 can be driven and stopped by the controller 12, and by constantly driving it, it is possible to continuously extract water and store it in the tank 6.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the third path 22 is a flow path through which air flows into the water extraction device 5 from the hall 107 or the storeroom 108. The water extraction device 5 has a first fan 26 that takes in air from the third path 22. The fourth path 23 is a flow path through which air flows into the water extraction device 5 from the outdoors E. The water extraction device 5 has a second fan 27 that takes in air from the fourth path 23. The water extraction device 5 has a third humidity sensor 18. The third humidity sensor 18 detects the humidity of the air circulating within the water extraction device 5. The water extraction device 5 has a filter 17. The filter 17 purifies the air circulating within the water extraction device 5.

The water extraction device 5 uses the third path 22 or the fourth path 23 as a path for air to be taken into the device by switching the drive of the first fan 26 and the second fan 27. In the building humidity control system 1, air flows into the water extraction device 5 from the hall 107 through the third path 22, or from the outside E through the fourth path 23. The air discharged from the water extraction device 5 is discharged to the kitchen 106 through the ventilation device 8. In the building humidity control system 2, air flows into the water extraction device 5 from the storeroom 108 through the third path 22, or from the outside E through the fourth path 23. The air discharged from the water extraction device 5 is discharged to the bedroom 109 and the children's room 110 through the ventilation device 8. Note that the air discharged from the water extraction device 5 in the building humidity control system 2 may be discharged only to the bedroom 109 or only to the children's room 110. It is desirable for the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 to be positioned so that they take in air from rooms that are used temporarily and expel purified air to rooms where people stay for a long time.

The tank 6 is connected to the water extraction device 5 via piping 28 so that water can flow through it. The tank 6 stores the water extracted by the water extraction device 5. In the building humidity control system 1, the tank 6 is located above the bathroom 105. In the building humidity control system 2, the tank 6 is located on the ceiling of the storeroom. The tank 6 is located below the water extraction device 5 and above the water supply unit 7 so that water can be supplied to each space S in the building 100 even in the event of a water outage and a power outage occurring simultaneously.

The water supply unit 7 supplies the water stored in the tank 6 to the space S within the building 100 as water for daily use. The water supply unit 7 is connected to the tank 6 via piping 29 so that water can flow. The water supply unit 7 is disposed in the space S within the building 100 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the water supply unit 7 is disposed in the kitchen 106 in the building humidity control system 1. The water supply unit 7 is disposed in the bedroom 109 in the building humidity control system 2. The water supply unit 7 may be equipped with a water purification and sterilization device so that the water in the tank 6 can be used as drinking water.

The ventilation device 8 is connected to the water extraction device 5 by piping 30. The ventilation device 8 has a first path 20, a second path 21, and a heat exchanger 19.

The first path 20 discharges the air flowing in from the water extraction device 5 into the space S within the building 100. A first suction fan 42 is disposed in the first path 20, which draws in air from the water extraction device 5 and discharges it into the space S within the building 100. The first path 20 of the building humidity control system 1 in this embodiment is a path through which the ventilation device 8 discharges air to the kitchen 106. The first path 20 of the building humidity control system 2 is a path through which the ventilation device 8 discharges air to the bedroom 109 and a path through which the ventilation device 8 discharges air to the child's room 110.

The second path 21 is a path that exhausts air from the space S inside the building 100 to the outside E. A second suction fan 43 is arranged in the second path 21 to draw in air from the space S inside the building 100 and exhaust it to the outside E.

The heat exchanger 19 is capable of exchanging heat between the first path 20 and the second path 21 within the ventilation device 8. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 19 transfers the heat of the air flowing through the second path 21 to the air flowing through the first path 20.

The ventilation device 8 is connected to the outside E via the fifth path 24. Air from the outside E flows into the first path 20 of the ventilation device 8 via the fifth path 24.

In the building humidity control system 1, the hall 107 and the outside E are connected by piping 31 to allow air to circulate. The kitchen 106 and the outside E are connected by piping 32 to allow air to circulate. In the building humidity control system 2, the storeroom 108 and the outside E are connected by piping 33 to allow air to circulate. The bedroom 109 and the outside E are connected by piping 34 to allow air to circulate. The children's room 110 and the outside E are connected by piping 35 to allow air to circulate.

The first humidity sensor 9 detects the humidity of the air flowing through the third path 22. The first humidity sensor 9 may also detect the humidity of the air in the hall 107. In the building humidity control system 2, the first humidity sensor 9 may also detect the humidity of the air in the storeroom 108. In other words, the first humidity sensor 9 only needs to be located upstream of the branching position where the piping of the third path 22 branches toward the water extraction device 5 or the ventilation device 8.

The second humidity sensor 10 detects the humidity of the air flowing through the fourth path 23. In the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, the second humidity sensor 10 may be installed outdoors E. The second humidity sensor 10 may be located upstream of the branching position where the piping extending from outdoors E toward the water extraction device 5 and the ventilation device 8 branches off.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 11 is a device that controls the building humidity control systems 1 and 2. A user of the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 operates the touch panel 40 of the terminal device 11 installed in the building 100 to input commands to the controller 12.

The controller 12 has a CPU 36, which is a central processing unit, and a memory 37. The memory 37 has a storage area such as a hard disk, and a storage area such as a RAM used to execute various programs 38. Various preset thresholds are stored in the memory 37.

The CPU 36, memory 37, touch panel 40, water extraction device 5, ventilation device 8, heat exchanger 19, first humidity sensor 9, second humidity sensor 10, and third humidity sensor 18 are connected to each other via a communication bus 39 so that electrical signals can be transmitted between them. Various programs 38 executed by the CPU 36 can read or write information and data from the memory 37, display screen data on the terminal device 11, detect various signals from the first humidity sensor 9, second humidity sensor 10, third humidity sensor 18, and touch panel 40, and drive the water extraction device 5, ventilation device 8, and heat exchanger 19.

The process executed by program 38 to adjust the humidity of the air in space S within building 100 using building humidity control systems 1 and 2 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.

The building humidity control systems 1 and 2 are started when the user turns on the power. When the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 are started, the controller 12 receives a first signal from the first humidity sensor 9 and determines whether the humidity of the air in the hall 107 or storeroom 108 (hereinafter also referred to as "indoor humidity") is greater than a threshold value of 55% (S10).

When the controller 12 determines that the indoor humidity is greater than the threshold value of 55% (S10: Yes), it drives the first fan 26 and also drives the water extraction device 5 (S11). As a result, air is taken into the water extraction device 5 from the hall 107 and the storeroom 108 through the third path 22 (hereinafter, this air intake is also referred to as "indoor intake"). At this time, the air taken into the water extraction device 5 circulates within the device and water is extracted. The water extracted by the water extraction device 5 is stored in the tank 6.

The controller 12 receives a fourth signal from the third humidity sensor 18 and determines whether the humidity of the air circulating within the water extraction device 5 is below the threshold value of 50% (S12).

When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is greater than the threshold value of 50% (S12: No), it continues to drive the water extraction device 5. When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is equal to or less than the threshold value of 50% (S12: Yes), it drives the first suction fan 42 of the ventilation device 8 (S13). By driving the first suction fan 42, the air in the water extraction device 5 is exhausted through the first path 20 to the kitchen 106, the bedroom 109, and the child's room 110 (hereinafter, this exhaust of air is also referred to as "indoor exhaust"). After performing the indoor exhaust in step S13, the controller 12 again determines whether the indoor humidity is greater than the threshold value of 55% (S10).

When the controller 12 determines that the indoor humidity is equal to or lower than the threshold value of 55% (S10: No), it stops the first fan 26 and the water extraction device 5 (S14). Next, the controller 12 drives the second suction fan 43 of the ventilation device 8 (S15). By driving the second suction fan 43, the air in the hall 107 and the storeroom 108 is exhausted to the outside E through the ventilation device 8 (hereinafter, this exhaust of air is also referred to as "exterior exhaust"). After exhausting the air to the outside in step 15, the controller 12 again determines whether the indoor humidity is higher than the threshold value of 55% (S10). In other words, the controller 12 repeats the process from steps S10 to S15 until the power of the building humidity control system 1 is turned off by the user.

When the second suction fan 43 of the ventilation device 8 is driven in step S15, the air in the hall 107 or the storeroom 108 is exhausted to the outside E. As the air flows out of the insulated line 111 to the outside E, the hall 107 or the storeroom 108 becomes negative pressure, but the air from the outside E is taken into the ventilation device 8 through the fifth path 24, and the air flows from the first path 20 of the ventilation device 8 into the kitchen 106, or into the bedroom 109 and the children's room 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the building humidity control system 1, air is taken into the kitchen 106, and the air in the kitchen 106 is exhausted from the pipe 32, and then can be taken into the hall 107 through the pipe 31. In the building humidity control system 2, air is taken into the bedroom 109 and the children's room 110, and the air is exhausted from the pipes 34 and 35, and then can be taken into the storeroom 108 through the pipe 33. Therefore, the pressure in each space S of the building 100 is maintained at atmospheric pressure. In addition, when air is taken into the hall 107 or the storeroom 108 through the first path 20, heat can be recovered by the air flowing through the second path 21 via the heat exchanger 19 in the ventilation device 8, and returned to the kitchen 106, or the bedroom 109 and the children's room 110.

[Effects of this embodiment]
According to the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 of this embodiment, the water extraction device 5 can extract water from the water vapor contained in the air in the hall 107 or the storeroom 108, and the extracted water can be stored in the tank 6. Furthermore, by extracting water from the air in the hall 107 or the storeroom 108 and returning the air to the kitchen 106, or the bedroom 109 and the child's room 110, the humidity in the space S is reduced. This makes it possible to secure water within the building 100 and adjust the humidity in the space S.

In addition, with the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, air that flows into the water extraction device 5 from the hall 107 or storeroom 108 can be purified through the filter 17 before being sent to the kitchen 106, or the bedroom 109 and children's room 110. This allows the air inside the building 100 to be purified.

In addition, according to the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, the water extraction device 5 can be driven by the controller 12 based on the first signal from the first humidity sensor 9, so that water storage and the humidity of the space S within the building 100 can be adjusted as needed.

In addition, with the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, the air in the hall 107 or storeroom 108 can be exhausted to the kitchen 106, or to the bedroom 109 and children's room 110 via the water extraction device 5, or can be exhausted directly to the outdoors E without passing through the water extraction device 5, allowing water to be stored in the tank 6 and the humidity inside the building 100 to be adjusted.

In addition, according to the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, the heat of the air sent to the kitchen 106, or the bedroom 109 and the children's room 110 via the first path 20 can be transferred to the second path 21 by the heat exchanger 19, and the heat can be discharged from the second path 21 to the outdoors E. This allows the temperature inside the building 100 to be adjusted.

In addition, according to the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, air can be taken into the water extraction device 5 from either inside the building 100 or from the outdoors E. Therefore, when the humidity inside the building 100 is low, air can be taken in from the outdoors E to extract water, and water can be stored in the tank 6 at all times.

In addition, according to the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, when air from the hall 107 or storeroom 108 is exhausted through the second path 21, outdoor air E flows into the building 100 through the fifth path 24, preventing a drop in air pressure inside the building 100.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the controller 12 of the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 receives the first signal, the second signal, and the fourth signal from the first humidity sensor 9, the second humidity sensor 10, and the third humidity sensor 18 to drive and control the building humidity control systems 1 and 2, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the tank 6 of the building humidity control system 3 may further include a water level sensor 60 (see FIG. 5). The water level sensor 60 outputs a third signal when the water level (liquid surface) of the water stored in the tank 6 is higher than a predetermined height, i.e., when a predetermined amount of water is stored in the tank 6.

The process executed by program 38A of the building humidity control system 3 relating to variant example 1, which adjusts the humidity of the air in space S within the building 100, is described below with reference to FIG. 6.

The building humidity control system 3 starts when the user turns on the power. The controller 12 determines whether a third signal has been received from the water level sensor 60 (S30).

When the controller 12 does not receive the third signal from the water level sensor 60 (S30: No), it drives the first fan 26 and also drives the water extraction device 5 (S31). As a result, air is drawn into the room from the hall 107 or the storeroom 108 through the third path 22 to the water extraction device 5. At this time, water is extracted in the water extraction device 5, and the extracted water is stored in the tank 6.

The controller 12 receives a fourth signal from the third humidity sensor 18 and determines whether the humidity of the air taken into the room is below the threshold value of 50% (S32).

When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is greater than the threshold value of 50% (S32: No), it continues to drive the water extraction device 5. At this time, air with a humidity greater than the threshold value of 50% circulates within the water extraction device 5. When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is 50% or less (S32: Yes), it drives the first suction fan 42 of the ventilation device 8 (S33). By driving the first suction fan 42, the air in the water extraction device 5 is exhausted indoors through the first path 20 to the kitchen 106, or the bedroom 109 and the children's room 110. After exhausting indoors in step S33, the controller 12 again determines whether it has received a third signal from the water level sensor 60 (S30).

When the controller 12 receives a third signal from the water level sensor 60 (S30: Yes), it determines whether the indoor humidity is greater than the threshold value of 55% (S40).

When the controller 12 determines that the indoor humidity is greater than 55% (S40: Yes), it drives the first fan 26 and also drives the water extraction device 5 (S41). As a result, indoor air is drawn into the water extraction device 5 from the hall 107 and the storeroom 108 via the third path 22. At this time, water is extracted from the air in the water extraction device 5, and the extracted water is stored in the tank 6.

The controller 12 receives a fourth signal from the third humidity sensor 18 and determines whether the humidity of the air circulating within the water extraction device 5 is below the threshold value of 50% (S42).

When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is greater than 50% (S42: No), it continues to drive the water extraction device 5. When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is 50% or less (S42: Yes), it drives the first suction fan 42 of the ventilation device 8. By driving the first suction fan 42, the air in the water extraction device 5 is exhausted indoors through the first path 20 to the kitchen 106, bedroom 109, and child's room 110 (S43).

When the controller 12 determines that the indoor humidity is equal to or lower than the threshold value of 55% (S40: No), it stops the first fan 26 and the water extraction device 5 (S44). Next, the controller 12 drives the second suction fan 43 of the ventilation device 8 (S45). By driving the second suction fan 43, the air in the hall 107 and the storeroom 108 is exhausted to the outside through the ventilation device 8.

After performing the indoor exhaust in step S33 and the indoor exhaust in step S43, and the outdoor exhaust in step S45, the controller 12 again determines whether or not it has received a third signal from the water level sensor 60 in the tank 6 (S30). The controller 12 repeats the process from step S30 to S45.

When the air in the hall 107 and storeroom 108 is exhausted to the outside through the ventilation device 8 in step S45, the pressure in each space S of the building 100 is maintained at atmospheric pressure by taking in air through the pipes 31 and 33, as in the above-mentioned embodiment. Also, in the ventilation device 8, it is possible to recover heat from the air flowing through the second path 21 via the heat exchanger 19 and return it to the kitchen 106, bedroom 109, and children's room 110.

According to the building humidity control system 3 of the first modified example, the water extraction device 5 can be driven or stopped based on the water level in the tank 6, so the controller 12 can store water or stop storing water depending on the water level in the tank 6 regardless of the humidity.

The water level sensor 60 may be installed to drain the water stored in the tank 6 into a bathtub, washing machine, etc. when the water level in the tank 6 reaches or exceeds a predetermined height.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 are described with reference to an example in which air flows into the water extraction device 5 from the hall 107, the storeroom 108, or the outdoors E, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the building humidity control system 4 may be one in which air flows into the water extraction device 5 only from the bathroom 105.

More specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the building humidity control system 4 exhausts air from the bathroom 105 to the kitchen 106 without taking in air from the outdoors E. The building humidity control system 4 includes a water extraction device 5, a tank 6, a water supply unit 7, a ventilation device 8, a terminal device 11, and a controller 12.

The water extraction device 5 has a third fan 80 that draws air from the bathroom 105 through a third path 22 into the water extraction device 5. The ventilation device 8 has a first path 20, and the air discharged from the water extraction device 5 is discharged to the kitchen 106 through the first path 20 of the ventilation device 8.

The touch panel 40 has a switch 81 for storing water in the tank 6. The rest of the configuration of the tank 6 and the water supply unit 7 is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

The CPU 36, memory 37, touch panel 40, water extraction device 5, ventilation device 8, and third humidity sensor 18 are connected to each other via a communication bus 39 so that electrical signals can be transmitted between them. Various programs 38B executed by the CPU 36 can detect various signals from the third humidity sensor 18 and the touch panel 40 and drive the water extraction device 5 and ventilation device 8.

The process executed by program 38B of the building humidity control system 4 relating to variant example 2, which adjusts the humidity of the air in space S within the building 100, is described below with reference to FIG. 9.

The building humidity control system 4 is started when the user turns on the power. First, the controller 12 drives the third fan 80 and the water extraction device 5 (S60). This causes air to be drawn into the water extraction device 5 from the bathroom 105 (hereinafter, this air intake is also referred to as "bathroom intake"). At this time, water is extracted in the water extraction device 5, and the extracted water is stored in the tank 6. The switch 81 on the touch panel 40 is turned ON when the building humidity control system 4 is turned on, but the switch 81 may be turned ON or OFF manually.

The controller 12 receives a fourth signal from the third humidity sensor 18 and determines whether the humidity of the air circulating within the water extraction device 5 is below the threshold value of 50% (S61).

When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is greater than the threshold value of 50% (S61: No), it continues to operate the water extraction device 5. At this time, air with a humidity greater than the threshold value of 50% circulates within the water extraction device 5. When the controller 12 determines that the humidity of the air in the water extraction device 5 is equal to or less than the threshold value of 50% (S61: No), it operates the first suction fan 42 of the ventilation device 8 (S62). By operating the first suction fan 42, the air in the water extraction device 5 is exhausted to the kitchen 106 through the first path 20.

The controller 12 determines whether the switch 81 has been turned OFF by the user (S63). When the controller 12 determines that the switch 81 is ON (S63: No), it continues the bathroom air intake (S60). In other words, the controller 12 repeats the process from steps S60 to S63.

When the controller 12 determines that the switch 81 is OFF (S63: Yes), it stops the water extraction device 5 (S64) and ends the humidity adjustment of the air in the space S within the building 100 by the building humidity control system 4.

The building humidity control system 4 not only dehumidifies the bathroom 105, but also extracts the moisture in the bathroom 105 as water and makes effective use of it.

[Other Modifications]
In the above-described embodiment, an example was given of the building humidity control systems 1, 2 being installed in the attic space 101 of the building 100 and in the space 102 between the first and second floors, but the building humidity control systems 1, 2 may also be installed in a location other than the attic space 101 or the space 102 between the first and second floors.

The terminal device 11 of the building humidity control systems 1 and 2 has been described as an example in which the building humidity control system 1 is operated using a touch panel 40, but the configuration is not limited to this. The terminal device 11 may be, for example, a smartphone or tablet device connected via close-proximity wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or NFC, which operates the building humidity control system.

The building humidity control systems 1 and 2 have been described as taking in air from the hall 107 and storeroom 108, and driving the water extraction device 5 and the ventilation device 8 based on signals received from the group of sensors, the first humidity sensor 9, the second humidity sensor 10, and the third humidity sensor 18, but are not limited to this configuration. For example, the building humidity control system may not have a sensor and controller 12, and may extract water from air taken in from the bathroom 105 in the water extraction device 5, and exhaust the water indoors using the ventilation device 8.

In addition, the water extraction device 5 is described as being capable of switching between the third path 22 and the fourth path 23 as the path for the air taken into the device by switching the drive of the first fan 26 and the second fan 27, but is not limited to this configuration. The water extraction device 5 may, for example, have a switching device within the water extraction device 5 that can switch the flow path between the third path 22 and the fourth path 23.

1, 2, 3, 4... Building humidity control system 5... Water extraction device 6... Tank
7: Water supply unit 8: Ventilation device 9: First humidity sensor 10: Second humidity sensor 12: Controller (control unit)
17: Filter 19: Heat exchanger 20: First path 21: Second path 22: Third path 23: Fourth path 24: Fifth path 60: Water level sensor 100: Building S: Space within the building E: Outdoors

Claims (6)

A building humidity control system that is installed in a building,
A water extraction device that extracts water from the space within the building or from air that flows in from the outdoors;
A tank for storing the water extracted by the water extraction device;
a water supply unit that supplies the water from the tank to the inside of the building;
a ventilation system for exhausting air from the water extraction system to a space within the building;
a first humidity sensor for detecting the humidity of air flowing into the water extraction device;
A control unit,
The ventilation device is capable of switching between a first path for discharging air from the water extraction device to a space within the building and a second path for discharging air from the space within the building to the outside,
The control unit drives the ventilation device as the first path when driving the water extraction device based on a first signal obtained from the first humidity sensor, and drives the ventilation device as the second path when the water extraction device is stopped based on the first signal obtained from the first humidity sensor.This is a building humidity control system. The building humidity control system according to claim 1, wherein the water extraction device has a filter that purifies the incoming air. The building humidity control system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the ventilation device further comprises a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the first path and the second path. The water extraction device is capable of switching between a third path through which air flows in from the space inside the building and a fourth path through which air flows in from outdoors,
The first humidity sensor detects the humidity of the air flowing into the water extraction device through the third path;
Further, a second humidity sensor is provided for detecting the humidity of the air flowing into the water extraction device through the fourth path,
The control unit is
The building humidity control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the water extraction device is driven through the fourth path based on a second signal obtained from the second humidity sensor. The ventilation device has a fifth passage through which air flows in from the outdoors,
The control unit is
The building humidity control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the ventilation device is driven as the second path, air is caused to flow from the ventilation device into the space within the building through the fifth path. The control unit is
6. A building humidity control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the tank, the water extracting device being controlled based on a third signal obtained from the water level sensor.

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