JP7591702B2 - Whole building air conditioning unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a central air conditioning unit.

Conventionally, an air conditioning unit for an air conditioning system installed in a house is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Below, this conventional air conditioning unit will be described with reference to Figure 13.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the air duct configuration of a conventional air conditioning unit.

In the air conditioning unit 101, air flowing in from the inlet 102 is heated or cooled by the air conditioner 103, i.e., the temperature is adjusted or the humidity is adjusted. The air blown downward from the air conditioner 103 is sucked into the fan 104, then discharged from the exhaust section 105, passes through the chamber 106 or the square duct 107, and is sent to each room through the connected ducts to perform air conditioning.

JP 2019-39611 A

In this type of conventional air conditioning unit 101, the air heated and cooled by the air conditioner 103 is exhausted from the fan, then the chamber 106 exhausts the air toward the bottom and the square duct 107 exhausts the air toward the top, and the air is supplied to each room through the ducts. In other words, the conventional air conditioning unit 101 only exhausts air toward the top on one side and toward the bottom on the other side.

As described above, conventional air conditioning units 101 are limited in the types of homes they can be installed in due to restrictions on the direction in which the air heated and cooled by the air conditioner 103 is exhausted from the chamber 106 or square duct 107. It is possible to connect a flexible duct to the air conditioning unit in order to eliminate restrictions on the exhaust direction, but flexible ducts do not have sufficient insulation properties, which would result in a deterioration in the thermal efficiency of the whole-house air conditioning.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology and provide a central air conditioning unit that does not restrict the direction of the air exhausted from the conveying fan and also ensures thermal insulation performance.

In order to achieve this objective, the present invention provides a whole-house air conditioning unit comprising a main body and an adapter that directs air conditioned in the main body in a predetermined direction outside the main body, wherein the main body comprises an air conditioner that conditions the air inside the main body, a plurality of transport fans that exhaust the conditioned air from the side of the main body, and a plurality of mounting portions for mounting the adapter to the side, and the adapter comprises an air intake port that takes in the air exhausted from the main body, an exhaust port that is provided at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane to which the air intake port belongs, an adapter air duct that connects the air intake port and the exhaust port, and a mounting portion that can be attached to the mounting portion so that the exhaust port faces at least upward, downward, or to the side . The conveying fan is equipped with a scroll casing, a motor, and a centrifugal fan, and draws in air from above the main body and exhausts it to the side, and the main body is a whole-building air-conditioning unit equipped with an air deflector that guides the exhaust air, which is discharged along the scroll casing at an angle to the side of the main body, along the direction of the air passage and into the adapter , thereby achieving the desired objective.

The present invention provides a central air conditioning unit that does not restrict the direction of the air exhausted from the transport fan and also ensures thermal insulation performance.

FIG. 1 is a schematic connection diagram of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the central air-conditioning unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the central air-conditioning unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the central air conditioning unit with the adapter removed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the airflow direction plate as viewed from the mounting portion side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the airflow direction plate as viewed from the mounting portion side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the adapter. FIG. 8 is a front view of the adapter. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the adapter. FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the central air conditioning unit and the adapter before they are joined together. FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the central air conditioning unit and the adapter after they have been joined together. FIG. 12 shows an example of how to attach the adapter. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the air passage configuration of a conventional air conditioning unit.

The following describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each embodiment described below shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps (processes) and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, those components that are not described in the independent claims that show the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configuration, and duplicate descriptions are omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
First, an air conditioning system 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic connection diagram of the air conditioning system 40 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of a central air conditioning unit. The air conditioning system 40 is configured to include a central air conditioning unit 3, an outside air intake fan 4, a room temperature sensor 7 (room temperature sensors 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), an input/output terminal 8, a system controller 9 (corresponding to an air conditioning system controller), and a branch chamber 21.

The air conditioning system 40 is installed in a general house 1, which is an example of a building. The general house 1 has multiple (four in this embodiment) living rooms 2 (living rooms 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), as well as at least one air-conditioned room 6 that is independent of the living rooms 2. Here, the general house 1 (house) is a residence provided as a place for residents to live private lives, and the living rooms 2 generally include a living room, dining room, bedroom, private room, children's room, etc. The rooms provided by the air conditioning system 40 may also include a toilet, bathroom, washroom, dressing room, etc.

In the air-conditioning room 6, the air transported from each room 2 is mixed. In addition, outside air is taken into the air-conditioning room 6 by the outside air intake fan 4 and mixed with the air circulated from each room 2. The temperature and humidity of the air in the air-conditioning room 6 is controlled by heating, cooling, and gradual humidification by the central air-conditioning unit 3 installed in the air-conditioning room 6, that is, the air is conditioned to generate the air to be transported to the rooms 2. The conditioned air is transported to each room 2 through the grill 5 by the transport fan 13 installed inside the central air-conditioning unit 3. Here, the air-conditioning room 6 means a space with a certain size where the central air-conditioning unit 3 can be placed and the air conditioning of each room can be controlled, but it is not intended as a living space and does not basically mean a room where residents stay.

The outdoor air intake fan 4 is a fan that takes in outdoor air into the room of the general house 1, and corresponds to the air supply function of an air supply fan or a heat exchange fan. As described above, the outdoor air taken in by the outdoor air intake fan 4 is introduced into the air-conditioned room 6.

The branch chamber 21 is a chamber for branching the air exhausted from the air conditioning unit to each room, and the air branched in the branch chamber 21 is supplied to each room via a duct. The branch chamber 21 is installed in the attic, between floors, or under the floor of the house.

The room temperature sensor 7a is provided in the room 2a, the room temperature sensor 7b is provided in the room 2b, the room temperature sensor 7c is provided in the room 2c, and the room temperature sensor 7d is provided in the room 2d. The room temperature sensors 7a to 7d are sensors that obtain the indoor temperatures of the corresponding rooms 2a to 2d and transmit them to the system controller 9.

The system controller 9 is a controller that controls the entire air conditioning system 40. The system controller 9 is connected to the outside air intake fan 4, the transport fan 13 inside the central air conditioning unit 3, the room temperature sensor 7, and the air conditioner 12 inside the central air conditioning unit 3 so that they can communicate with each other via wireless communication.

The system controller 9 sets the air volume of the transport fan 13 and the air volume of the air conditioner 12 according to the indoor temperature of each room 2 acquired by the room temperature sensor 7, the target temperature (room target temperature) set for each room 2a to 2d, etc.

The system controller 9, the outside air intake fan 4, the transport fan 13, the room temperature sensor 7, and the air conditioner 12 are connected by wireless communication, making it possible to eliminate the need for complex wiring work. However, all of these, or some of these and the system controller 9, may be configured to be able to communicate by wired communication.

The input/output terminal 8 is communicatively connected to the system controller 9 via wireless communication, accepts input of information necessary for constructing the air conditioning system 40 and stores it in the system controller 9, and obtains and displays the status of the air conditioning system 40 from the system controller 9. Examples of the input/output terminal 8 include mobile information terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets.

The input/output terminal 8 does not necessarily need to be connected to the system controller 9 via wireless communication, but may be connected to the system controller 9 so as to be able to communicate via wired communication. In this case, the input/output terminal 8 may be realized, for example, by a wall-mounted remote controller.

Next, the central air conditioning unit 3 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, and 4. Figure 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the central air conditioning unit. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the central air conditioning unit 3 with the adapter 19 removed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the central air conditioning unit 3 includes a unit body 11 that forms the outer shell of the central air conditioning unit 3, an air conditioner 12 that conditions the air that is introduced into the inside of the unit body 11, and transport fans 13a, 13b that blow the air conditioned by the air conditioner 12 to the outside of the unit body 11. The central air conditioning unit 3 is installed in an air-conditioned room 6 provided in a house, and the air-conditioned room 6 has a door that faces, for example, a hallway of the house.

The unit body 11 has an intake port 14 on the top surface for taking in air into the unit body 11, and an air conditioner installation space 15 below the intake port 14 for installing the air conditioner 12.

The air inlet 14 has a rectangular shape, and the width of the rectangle is equal to the width of the unit body 11. Note that the air inlet 14 does not necessarily have to be provided on the top surface, but may be provided near the air inlet of the air conditioner 12, i.e., above the unit body 11.

The unit body 11 has a blower installation space 16 below the air conditioner installation space 15 for installing the transport fans 13a and 13b.

The rear side of the blower installation space 16 is provided with adapters 19a, 19b that communicate with the transport fans 13a, 13b and have exhaust ports 17a, 17b that release the air blown from the transport fans 13a, 13b to the outside of the unit body 11. The adapter 19 will be described later.

The exhaust ports 17a and 17b are each connected to a main air conditioning duct (not shown). In this embodiment, the exhaust port 17a opens toward the bottom surface of the unit body 11, and the exhaust port 17b opens toward the top surface of the unit body 11. Depending on the installation location of the central air conditioning unit 3, they are connected to main air conditioning ducts to the upper and lower floors, for example.

The main air conditioning duct is installed in the attic or in the space between floors, and the other end is connected to a branch chamber 21 or the like. The main air conditioning duct then branches into multiple secondary air conditioning ducts via the branch chamber 21, and is connected to each space to be air conditioned, such as the living rooms of the house.

A filter 18 is provided between the air conditioner 12 and the transport fan 13 as necessary. The filter 18 collects fine particles in the air passing through it, and purifies the air that is supplied to each space to be air-conditioned through the air conditioning duct from the exhaust port 17.

The unit body 11 has multiple mounting portions 26 for mounting the adapters 19.

The mounting portion 26 is a rectangular recess provided at the air outlet of the transport fan 13, into which a contact surface, which is one surface of the adapter 19 described below, is fitted. In addition, a wind direction plate 27 is fixed to the mounting portion 26.

The conveying fan 13 is equipped with a scroll casing, a motor, and a sirocco fan, and draws in air from above the unit body 11 and exhausts it to the adapter 19.

Next, the details of the wind direction vane 27 will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6. Figure 5 is an oblique view of the wind direction vane as seen from the mounting side. Figure 6 is an oblique view of the wind direction vane as seen from the mounting side.

The unit body 11 is equipped with a wind direction plate 27 that guides the exhaust air discharged along the scroll casing of the transport fan 13 at an angle to the rear surface of the unit body 11 into the adapter 19 along the direction of the adapter air passage 24.

The air deflector 27 is a plate that is folded back to form an angle along the flow of air blown out from the transport fan 13. The air deflector 27 is substantially L-shaped in a side cross-sectional view, and one side of the L-shape is the mounting surface 28. The mounting surface 28 is a mounting portion 26 provided on the back surface of the unit body 11, and is fixed near the outlet of the transport fan 13, so that the air deflector 27 is fixed to the unit body 11. More specifically, when the air deflector 27 is fixed to the unit body 11, it is attached so that the side of the opening that is the outlet of the rectangular transport fan 13 and the folded side of the air deflector 27 coincide with each other. Next, the adapter 19 will be described with reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the adapter. Figure 8 is a front view of the adapter. Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the adapter. The adapter 19 includes a body 20, an exhaust port 17, an air intake port 22, an adapter air passage 24, and an attachment portion 25.

The body 20 forms the outer shell of the adapter 19, and is preferably made of a material with high insulating and sound-absorbing properties to prevent the air exhausted from the central air-conditioning unit 3 from being affected by outside air; in this embodiment, foam is used.

The exhaust port 17 has a cylindrical shape, is connected to the main air conditioning duct, and has a predetermined angle with respect to the plane to which the intake port 22 belongs. In this embodiment, the predetermined angle is 90 degrees.

The air intake 22 is an opening provided in the center of the contact surface where the mounting part 26 and the mounted part 25 come into contact. The distance of the air intake 22 to the end of the body 20 on the exhaust port 17a side is equal to the distance to the end of the body 20 on the opposite side to the exhaust port 17a. In other words, the adapter 19 is connected so as to be able to communicate with the outlet of the transport fan 13 whether the exhaust port 17 is facing upward or downward. The adapter air passage 24 is an air passage that connects the air intake 22 and the exhaust port 17, and in this embodiment, it connects from the rectangular air intake 22 to the circular exhaust port 17. The adapter air passage 24 then smoothly changes from a rectangular shape that matches the shape of the air intake 22 to a circular shape that matches the shape of the exhaust port 17.

The attachment portion 25 corresponds to the periphery of the unit body side of the four side surfaces adjacent to the contact surface where the air intake 22 is provided. The attachment portion 25 is a rectangular convex portion that can be fitted into the concave portion. As long as the concave portion and the convex portion are connected, the flat surface (side surface) is also included in the convex shape of the attachment portion 25. The attachment portion 25 has a shape that allows the exhaust port 17 to be attached to the attachment portion 26 with at least the exhaust port 17 facing either upward or downward. By making the rectangular contact surface a square, the attachment portion 25 can also be attached to the attachment portion 26 with the exhaust port 17 facing the side surface.

With the above configuration, the adapters 19 can be attached so that the direction of the exhaust port 17 can be changed independently for each adapter 19. In addition, in this embodiment, the two contact surfaces have the same shape, so they can be attached to either transport fan 13.

Next, the attachment of the adapter 19 to the unit body 11 will be described with reference to Figures 7, 10, and 11. Figure 10 is a perspective view from the rear of the central air conditioning unit 3 and the adapter 19 before they are joined. Figure 11 is a perspective view from the rear of the central air conditioning unit 3 and the adapter 19 after they are joined.

The central air conditioning unit 3 shown in FIG. 11 is constructed by fitting the mounting portion 26a, which is a recess in the unit body 11, to the mounting receiving portion 25a, which is a protrusion in the adapter 19, and similarly fitting the mounting portion 26b to the mounting receiving portion 25b.

Figures 10 and 11 show one connection configuration for the central air conditioning unit 3, in which the exhaust port 17a faces upward and the exhaust port 17b faces downward.

Next, referring to Figure 12, other connection configurations between the unit body 11 and the adapter 19 are shown.

Figure 12(a) shows an embodiment in which the exhaust port 17 of the adapter 19 faces upward in both adapter 19a and adapter 19b.

Figure 12(b) shows an embodiment in which the exhaust port of adapter 19 faces downward in adapter 19a and upward in adapter 19b.

Figure 12(c) shows an embodiment in which adapter 19a and adapter 19b are fitted together so that the exhaust ports of adapter 19 face downward.

The examples given here are only a few, and the mounting part 26 and the mounted part 25 may be fitted together so that the exhaust port faces to the side.

With the above configuration, the adapter 19 can flexibly change the exhaust direction, so there is no restriction on the direction of the air exhausted from the conveying fan, meaning it can be placed in the attic of a house, between floors, etc.

The adapter 19 also has excellent thermal insulation and sound insulation properties because it can use foam with sufficient thickness. In particular, by applying it immediately downstream of the conveying fan 13, where the wind pressure is high, and in a curved air path, sound insulation can be significantly improved.

In addition, because the air deflector 27 is fixed to the unit body 11, the characteristics of the transport fan 13, i.e., the distortion of the wind caused by scrolling, can be corrected and guided into the adapter air passage 24 regardless of which direction the adapter 19 is facing.

The present invention can be applied to a central air conditioning unit that does not restrict the direction of the air exhausted from the conveying fan and also ensures thermal insulation performance.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 General residence 2 Living room 2a Living room 2b Living room 2c Living room 2d Living room 3 Whole building air conditioning unit 4 Outside air intake fan 5 Grill 5a Grill 5b Grill 5c Grill 5d Grill 6 Air-conditioned room 7 Living room temperature sensor 7a Living room temperature sensor 7b Living room temperature sensor 7c Living room temperature sensor 7d Living room temperature sensor 8 Input/output terminal 9 System controller 11 Unit body 12 Air conditioner 13 Transport fan 13a Transport fan 13b Transport fan 14 Intake port 15 Air conditioner installation space 16 Blower installation space 17 Exhaust port 17a Exhaust port 17b Exhaust port 18 Filter 19 Adapter 19a Adapter 19b Adapter 20 Body 21 Branch chamber 22 Air supply port 24 Adapter air flow path 25 Mounted part 25a Mounted part 25b Mounted part 26 Mounted part 26a Mounted part 26b Mounted part 27 Wind direction plate 27a Wind direction plate 27b Wind direction plate 28 Mounting surface 40 Air conditioning system

Claims (3)

A central air conditioning unit including a main body and an adapter for directing air conditioned by the main body in a predetermined direction outside the main body,
The main body portion is
An air conditioner that conditions the air inside the main body;
A plurality of transport fans that exhaust the conditioned air from a side surface of the main body;
a plurality of mounting portions for mounting the adapter on the side surface;
The adapter comprises:
an air intake port for taking in air exhausted from the main body;
an exhaust port provided at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane to which the air inlet belongs;
an adapter air passage that communicates between the air inlet and the air outlet;
a mounting portion that can be attached to the mounting portion with the exhaust port facing at least upward, downward, or sideways ;
The conveying fan is
The scroll casing, the motor, and the sirocco fan are provided.
Air is drawn in from above the main body and exhausted to the side surface,
The main body portion is
A central air conditioning unit equipped with an air deflector that guides exhaust air discharged along the scroll casing at an angle to the side of the main body along the direction of the air passage into the adapter . The adapter comprises:
2. The central air-conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the exhaust port can be changed independently for each adapter. The mounting portion is
a recess having a rectangular shape and provided on the side surface at an air outlet of the transport fan,
The mounting portion is
a protrusion having a rectangular shape in which the air supply port is provided and which can be fitted into the recess,
The air intake port is
3. The central air-conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the recess and the protrusion are provided at a center of a contact surface where the recess and the protrusion are in contact with each other.

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