JP7546194B2 - Heat exchange ventilation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heat exchange type ventilation device.

In recent years, with the improvement in the airtightness and insulation of houses, heat exchange type ventilators equipped with a heat exchange element for exchanging heat between the intake air flow and the exhaust air flow are known in order to reduce heat loss due to ventilation during heating and cooling. Furthermore, with houses becoming more airtight and highly insulated, it has become easier to control humidity, which is one of the parameters that indicate comfort, and heat exchange type ventilators equipped with a humidification function are also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The following describes a heat exchange type ventilation device equipped with a humidification function (hereafter referred to as a humidification heat exchange device) with reference to Figure 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the humidifying heat exchanger includes a humidifying unit 101 and a blower unit 102. The humidifying unit 101 includes an outside air port 103, an exhaust port 104, an air return port 105, an air supply port 106, an air supply adapter 107, a top panel 108, and a humidifying section 109.

The blower unit 102 includes an intake fan 110, an exhaust fan 111, and a heat exchange element 112.

The humidification unit 101 is provided above the air blower unit 102. The top surface of the humidification unit 101 is provided with an outside air vent 103, an exhaust vent 104, an air return vent 105, an air intake vent 106, an air intake adapter 107, and a top panel 108.

The humidifier section 109 is located in the center of the humidifier unit 101, and the top surface of the humidifier section 109 is equipped with an air intake adapter 107 and an air intake port 106.

The air intake adapter 107 has multiple air intake ports 106.

The air intake 106 is connected to a duct (not shown) and supplies air into the room through the duct.

The humidifier 109 is positioned inside the humidifier unit 101 so as not to obstruct any of the air paths. The air supply adapter 107 connects to the humidifier 109. Air humidified by the humidifier 109 is supplied into the room through the air supply port 106.

The heat exchange element 112 is provided inside the blower unit 102 and has a heat exchange function of supplying the heat of the exhaust air to the intake air, or supplying the heat of the intake air to the heat of the exhaust air.

The humidifying unit 101 and the blowing unit 102 form the intake air passage 113 and the exhaust air passage 114 as ventilation passages. The air passing through the intake air passage 113 enters the inside of the humidifying unit 101 from the outside air port 103, enters the blowing unit 102 connected to the humidifying unit 101, passes through the inside of the heat exchange element 112, exchanges heat with the air in the exhaust air passage 114, passes through the intake air blower 110, enters the blowing unit 102 again into the humidifying unit 101, enters the humidifying section 109 inside the humidifying unit 101, is humidified in the humidifying section 109, and is blown out from the intake air port 106. In this way, the air after passing through the heat exchange element 112 can be humidified more efficiently by humidifying it in the humidifying section 109.

The air passing through the exhaust air duct 114 enters the inside of the humidifier unit 101 through the return air port 105, passes through the inside of the humidifier unit 101, enters the blower unit 102 connected to the humidifier unit 101, passes through the inside of the heat exchange element 112, exchanges heat with the air in the intake air duct 113, passes through the exhaust fan 111, re-enters the humidifier unit 101 from the blower unit 102, and is blown out to the outdoors through the exhaust port 104.

JP 2019-135420 A

Such a humidifier heat exchanger can prevent indoor humidity from decreasing, for example in winter when humidity is low, and provide a comfortable indoor space. However, for example in summer when humidity is high, it cannot prevent indoor humidity from increasing, resulting in a humid environment that may make users feel uncomfortable. Therefore, for example, a dehumidification function using a compressor-type refrigeration cycle may be installed in the humidifier heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger type ventilation device equipped with a dehumidification function (hereinafter referred to as a dehumidification/humidification heat exchanger) may be considered. By using such a dehumidification/humidification heat exchanger, a comfortable indoor space can be provided not only in winter but also in summer.

When equipping a product with a dehumidification function in addition to a humidification function, the product dimensions become larger, and the environments in which the product can be installed become more limited compared to a humidification heat exchanger. Therefore, one possible method for keeping the product dimensions of a dehumidification heat exchanger to the same as a humidification heat exchanger is to use the heat exchange unit of the humidification heat exchanger while mounting refrigeration cycle-related components on the air blower unit.

The humidifying heat exchanger described in the prior art document is equipped with a heat exchange unit having a total heat exchange element in the part corresponding to the first floor, a blower unit having a blower in the part corresponding to the second floor, and a humidifying unit having a humidifying function in the part corresponding to the third floor. In addition, the metal member corresponding to the outer shell of the humidifying heat exchanger is integrated with the part corresponding to the first floor and the part corresponding to the second floor, so the heat exchanger unit and the blower unit are of an integral structure. Therefore, if the dehumidifying heat exchanger is of an integral structure similar to the humidifying heat exchanger, the heat exchanger unit and the blower unit (hereinafter referred to as the dehumidifying unit) equipped with refrigeration cycle-related components are of an integral structure.

With such an integrated structure, after the product is installed in a house, if, for example, either the heat exchange unit or the dehumidification unit breaks down, both units must be removed from their installation site.

The refrigeration cycle requires components such as refrigerant piping to pass the refrigerant, a heat exchanger to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air, and a compressor to circulate the refrigerant, but brazing is required to connect the heat exchanger and compressor with refrigerant piping. Because brazing involves the use of fire, brazing cannot be done on-site if the product is installed in an ordinary home, for example. Therefore, if repairs or replacements are required for components related to the refrigeration cycle, the dehumidification unit will need to be brought to a facility where brazing can be performed, but if it is an integrated structure, the heat exchange unit will also need to be brought in at the same time.

As such, the integrated structure of the humidification heat exchanger described in the prior art had the problem of poor maintainability.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology and provide a heat exchange type ventilation device equipped with a dehumidification/humidification function that is easy to maintain.

In order to achieve this objective, the heat exchange type ventilator of the present invention comprises an intake air duct, an exhaust air duct, a dehumidification section for dehumidifying air passing through the intake air duct, and a heat exchange section for exchanging heat between the air passing through the intake air duct and the air passing through the exhaust air duct, wherein the dehumidification section and the heat exchange section are separable, the dehumidification section comprises a dehumidification side exhaust air duct passing through the dehumidification section, the heat exchange section comprises a heat exchange side exhaust air duct passing through the heat exchange section, the dehumidification side exhaust air duct comprises a dehumidification side exhaust fitting section for fitting with the heat exchange side exhaust air duct, and the heat exchange side exhaust air duct comprises a heat exchange side exhaust fitting section for fitting with the dehumidification side exhaust air duct, the dehumidification side exhaust fitting section can only be fitted with the heat exchange side exhaust fitting section, and the dehumidification section and the heat exchange section are connected by this fitting , thereby achieving the desired objective.

The present invention has the effect of improving the maintainability of a heat exchange type ventilation device equipped with a dehumidification/humidification function.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a heat exchange type ventilation device. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the dehumidification unit and the heat exchange unit in a separated state, as viewed from diagonally below the dehumidification unit. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the dehumidification section and the heat exchange section in a separated state, as viewed diagonally downward from above the heat exchange section. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the dehumidification-side second exhaust air duct and the heat exchanger-side second exhaust air duct are fitted together. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional technique.

The following describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. In the embodiments and variations, identical or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted where appropriate. The dimensions of the parts in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Some parts that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted in each drawing.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another and do not limit the components.

The heat exchange type ventilation device according to the present invention is installed on the wall surface of a house, and has an air supply function to transport outdoor air indoors, and an exhaust function to transport indoor air outdoors. Furthermore, the heat exchange type ventilation device has a heat exchange function to exchange heat between the air passing through the air supply duct and the air passing through the exhaust duct, and a dehumidification/humidification function to dehumidify or humidify the air passing through the air supply duct.

The configuration of the heat exchange type ventilation device 200 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the heat exchange type ventilation device 200. Figure 2 is an external perspective view showing the dehumidification section 80 and the heat exchange section 90 in a separated state, as viewed from diagonally below the dehumidification section 80. Figure 3 is an external perspective view showing the dehumidification section 80 and the heat exchange section 90 in a separated state, as viewed from diagonally above the heat exchange section 90. Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the fitting state of the dehumidification side second exhaust air duct 84 and the heat exchange side second exhaust air duct 94.

The heat exchange type ventilation device 200 includes an intake air duct 10, an exhaust air duct 20, an outdoor intake air port 30, an intake air duct 40, an indoor exhaust air port 50, an outdoor exhaust air port 60, a humidifier 70, a dehumidifier 80, a heat exchanger 90, and a joint member 100.

The air supply duct 10 is a duct for transporting outdoor air indoors.

The exhaust air duct 20 is a duct for transporting indoor air to the outdoors.

The outdoor air intake 30 is an intake port for drawing outdoor air into the heat exchange ventilation device 200. The outdoor air intake 30 constitutes part of the air intake duct 10. The outdoor air intake 30 is connected to a duct (not shown) and communicates with the outdoors.

The air supply duct 40 is an air passage for transporting air drawn into the heat exchange ventilation device 200 from the outdoor air supply port 30 to the humidification section 70. The air supply duct 40 constitutes part of the air supply duct 10.

The indoor exhaust port 50 is an intake port for drawing indoor air into the heat exchange type ventilation device 200. The indoor exhaust port 50 constitutes part of the exhaust air duct 20. The indoor exhaust port 50 is connected to a duct (not shown) and communicates with an indoor living space such as a living room.

The outdoor exhaust port 60 is an outlet for blowing out the air drawn into the heat exchange ventilation device 200 from the indoor exhaust port 50 to the outdoors. The outdoor exhaust port 60 constitutes part of the exhaust air duct 20. The outdoor exhaust port 60 is connected to a duct (not shown) and communicates with the outdoors.

The humidifier 70 humidifies the air conveyed from the air supply duct 40. The humidifier 70 atomizes (atoms) water using a centrifugal crushing method, and humidifies the air by incorporating the atomized water. The humidifier 70 is located above the dehumidifier 80. The humidifier 70 has an indoor air supply port 71.

The indoor air intake 71 is an outlet for blowing out air transported from the air intake duct 40. The indoor air intake 71 constitutes part of the air intake duct 10. The indoor air intake 71 is connected to a duct (not shown) and communicates with an indoor living space such as a living room.

The dehumidifier 80 dehumidifies the air passing through the air supply duct 10 using a compressor-type refrigeration cycle. The dehumidifier 80 is located above the heat exchanger 90.

The dehumidification unit 80 is equipped with a refrigerant pipe, a heat exchanger, and a compressor (not shown) to realize a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant pipe is a tube for transporting the refrigerant from the heat exchanger to the compressor and from the compressor to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air. The compressor circulates the refrigerant.

The dehumidification section 80 also includes an intake air blower and an exhaust air blower, not shown. The intake air blower generates an intake air flow in the intake air duct 10. The exhaust air blower generates an exhaust air flow in the exhaust air duct 20.

The dehumidification section 80 also includes a first dehumidification side intake air duct 81, a second dehumidification side intake air duct 82, a first dehumidification side exhaust air duct 83, and a second dehumidification side exhaust air duct 84.

The first dehumidification side intake air duct 81 is an air duct for transporting air drawn into the heat exchange type ventilation device 200 from the outdoor side intake air port 30 to the heat exchange section 90. The first dehumidification side intake air duct 81 constitutes part of the intake air duct 10.

The second dehumidification side air supply duct 82 is an air supply duct for transporting the air transported from the heat exchanger 90 to the air supply duct 40. The second dehumidification side air supply duct 82 constitutes part of the air supply duct 10.

The first exhaust duct 83 on the dehumidification side is a duct for transporting the air drawn into the heat exchange type ventilation device 200 from the indoor exhaust port 50 to the heat exchange section 90. The first exhaust duct 83 on the dehumidification side constitutes part of the exhaust duct 20.

The dehumidification-side second exhaust air duct 84 is an air duct for transporting the air transported from the heat exchange unit 90 to the outdoor-side exhaust port 60. The dehumidification-side second exhaust air duct 84 constitutes a part of the exhaust air duct 20. The dehumidification-side second exhaust air duct 84 has a dehumidification-side exhaust fitting portion 86 at an open end portion facing the heat exchange unit 90.

The dehumidification side exhaust fitting portion 86 fits into a heat exchange side exhaust fitting portion 96 described later. The dehumidification side exhaust fitting portion 86 does not fit into an open end portion of an air passage provided in the heat exchange unit 90 except for the heat exchange side exhaust fitting portion 96.

The heat exchange unit 90 exchanges thermal energy between the air passing through the supply air duct 10 and the air passing through the exhaust air duct 20 by total heat exchange or sensible heat exchange. The heat exchange unit 90 includes a heat exchange side first supply air duct 91, a heat exchange side second supply air duct 92, a heat exchange side first exhaust air duct 93, a heat exchange side second exhaust air duct 94, and a heat exchange element 95.

The heat exchange side first air supply duct 91 is an air passage for transporting air conveyed from the dehumidification side first air supply duct 81 to the heat exchange element 95. The heat exchange side first air supply duct 91 constitutes part of the air supply duct 10. The heat exchange side first air supply duct 91 is disposed upstream of the heat exchange element 95.

The heat exchange side second air supply duct 92 is an air passage for transporting air that has passed through the heat exchange element 95 to the dehumidification side second air supply duct 82. The heat exchange side second air supply duct 92 constitutes part of the air supply duct 10. The heat exchange side second air supply duct 92 is disposed downstream of the heat exchange element 95.

The heat exchange side first exhaust air duct 93 is an air duct for transporting the air transported from the dehumidification side first exhaust air duct 83 to the heat exchange element 95. The heat exchange side first exhaust air duct 93 constitutes part of the exhaust air duct 20. The heat exchange side first exhaust air duct 93 is disposed upstream of the heat exchange element 95.

The heat exchange side second exhaust air duct 94 is an air duct for transporting air that has passed through the heat exchange element 95 to the dehumidification side second exhaust air duct 84. The heat exchange side second exhaust air duct 94 constitutes a part of the exhaust air duct 20. The heat exchange side second exhaust air duct 94 is disposed downstream of the heat exchange element 95. The heat exchange side second exhaust air duct 94 is provided with a heat exchange side exhaust fitting portion 96 at an opening end facing the dehumidification section 80.

The heat exchange side exhaust fitting portion 96 fits into the dehumidification side exhaust fitting portion 86. The heat exchange side exhaust fitting portion 96 does not fit into the open end portion of the air passage provided in the dehumidification portion 80 except for the dehumidification side exhaust fitting portion 86.

The heat exchange element 95 exchanges heat between the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow. The heat exchange element 95 constitutes part of the supply air duct 10 and the exhaust air duct 20.

The joint member 100 detachably connects the dehumidifier 80 and the heat exchanger 90. The joint member 100 has a plurality of screw holes (not shown). When the dehumidifier side exhaust fitting 86 and the heat exchanger side exhaust fitting 96 are fitted to each other, the screw holes (not shown) provided on the side walls of the dehumidifier 80 and the heat exchanger 90 match with the screw holes provided on the joint member 100. When the screw holes provided on the joint member 100, the screw holes provided on the side walls of the dehumidifier 80, and the screw holes provided on the side walls of the heat exchanger 90 match with each other, the joint member 100 connects the dehumidifier 80 and the heat exchanger 90 with screws (not shown). Conversely, the dehumidifier 80 and the heat exchanger 90 can be removed by removing the joint member 100.

The above is an overview of the configuration of the heat exchange ventilation device 200.

Next, we will explain the features of the heat exchange ventilation device 200.

The heat exchange type ventilation device 200 comprises an intake air duct 10, an exhaust air duct 20, a dehumidification section 80 for dehumidifying the air passing through the intake air duct 10, and a heat exchange section 90 for exchanging heat between the air passing through the intake air duct 10 and the air passing through the exhaust air duct 20, and the dehumidification section 80 and the heat exchange section 90 are separable. As a result, if either the dehumidification section 80 or the heat exchange section 90 breaks down, it is possible to remove only the one that needs repair or replacement, which is expected to improve maintainability.

In addition, the heat exchange type ventilator 200 is provided with the dehumidification side exhaust fitting 86 and the heat exchange side exhaust fitting 96, and thus the dehumidification unit 80 and the heat exchange unit 90 cannot be connected with the joint member 100 in any other orientation than the one in which the dehumidification side exhaust fitting 86 and the heat exchange side exhaust fitting 96 are fitted . If an attempt is made to connect the dehumidification unit 80 and the heat exchange unit 90 in any other orientation than the one in which the dehumidification side exhaust fitting 86 and the heat exchange side exhaust fitting 96 are fitted , the dehumidification side exhaust fitting 86 comes into contact with the upper surface of the heat exchange unit 90, and the heat exchange side exhaust fitting 96 comes into contact with the lower surface of the dehumidification unit 80. In this state, the screw holes provided in the joint member 100 do not match with the screw holes provided on the side surfaces of the dehumidification unit 80 and the heat exchange unit 90, and therefore the screws cannot be fastened. This is expected to reduce the possibility of incorrect assembly of the dehumidifier 80 and the heat exchanger 90, and to improve ease of assembly during manufacturing, maintenance, and the like.

The above describes the heat exchange type ventilation device according to the present invention based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, various modifications that a person skilled in the art can make to the present embodiment are also included within the scope of the present invention.

The following describes the modified examples. In the drawings and description of the modified examples, the same components and members as those in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals. Explanations that overlap with the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configurations that differ from the embodiment.

[Modification]
In the description of the embodiment, the dehumidifying unit 80 is disposed on the upper part of the heat exchanging unit 90, but the present invention is not limited to this. The dehumidifying unit 80 may be disposed on the side or lower part of the heat exchanging unit 90, and may be configured to be detachable.

In the description of the embodiment, the dehumidification side exhaust fitting 86 is provided in the dehumidification side second exhaust air duct 84, but the present invention is not limited to this. The dehumidification side exhaust fitting 86 may be provided at the open end of an air duct provided in the dehumidification section 80 other than the dehumidification side second exhaust air duct 84. Furthermore, a plurality of dehumidification side exhaust fittings 86 may be provided.

In the description of the embodiment, the heat exchange side exhaust fitting 96 is provided in the heat exchange side second exhaust air passage 94, but is not limited to this. The heat exchange side exhaust fitting 96 may be provided at the open end of an air passage provided in the heat exchange unit 90 other than the heat exchange side second exhaust air passage 94. Furthermore, a plurality of heat exchange side exhaust fittings 96 may be provided.

These variations have the same effects as the embodiments.

The heat exchange type ventilation device of the present invention is useful as a heat exchange type ventilation device equipped with a dehumidification/humidification function because the dehumidification section and the heat exchange section can be separated, which improves maintainability.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Intake air duct 20 Exhaust air duct 30 Outdoor intake air inlet 40 Intake air duct 50 Indoor exhaust air outlet 60 Outdoor exhaust air outlet 70 Humidifier 71 Indoor intake air inlet 80 Dehumidifier 81 Dehumidifier side first intake air duct 82 Dehumidifier side second intake air duct 83 Dehumidifier side first exhaust air duct 84 Dehumidifier side second exhaust air duct 86 Dehumidifier side exhaust fitting 90 Heat exchanger 91 Heat exchanger side first intake air duct 92 Heat exchanger side second intake air duct 93 Heat exchanger side first exhaust air duct 94 Heat exchanger side second exhaust air duct 95 Heat exchange element 96 Heat exchanger side exhaust fitting 100 Joint member 200 Heat exchange type ventilation device

Claims (2)

An air supply duct;
An exhaust duct;
A dehumidifying unit for dehumidifying air passing through the air supply passage;
a heat exchange unit for exchanging heat between air passing through the intake air passage and air passing through the exhaust air passage,
The dehumidification unit and the heat exchange unit are
It is separable,
The dehumidification unit is
A dehumidification-side exhaust air duct passing through the dehumidification unit is provided,
The heat exchange unit is
A heat exchange side exhaust air passage passing through the heat exchange unit is provided,
The dehumidification side exhaust air duct is
a dehumidification-side exhaust fitting portion for fitting with the heat exchange-side exhaust air duct,
The heat exchange side exhaust air duct is
a heat exchange side exhaust fitting portion for fitting with the dehumidification side exhaust air duct,
The dehumidification side exhaust fitting portion is
A heat exchange type ventilation device that can be fitted only to the heat exchange side exhaust fitting portion . The dehumidification unit is
A dehumidification-side air supply passage passing through the dehumidification unit,
The heat exchange unit is
A heat exchange side air intake duct passing through the heat exchange unit is provided,
The dehumidification side air supply duct is
a dehumidification-side intake air fitting portion for fitting with the heat exchange-side intake air duct,
The heat exchange side air intake duct is
2. The heat exchange type ventilation device according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchange side intake air fitting portion for fitting with said dehumidification side intake air duct.