JP7652563B2 - Air conditioning units and buildings - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioning unit and a building.

The following Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioning unit. This air conditioning unit is equipped with an air conditioner for discharging conditioned air that has been conditioned by a heat exchanger, a filter for purifying the conditioned air, and multiple fans for supplying the purified conditioned air to a room.

JP 2019-039611 A

In recent years, the need to improve indoor air quality has led to the development of more sophisticated filters. However, such filters have the problem of creating resistance to conditioned air, resulting in large pressure losses.

In addition, depending on the filter arrangement, temperature differences may occur in the conditioned air drawn into each fan, and there is a need to reduce such temperature differences.

The present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its main objective is to provide an air conditioning unit and a building equipped with the same that can reduce the temperature difference of the conditioned air drawn into each fan while reducing the pressure loss caused by the filter.

The present invention is an air conditioning unit for a building, comprising: a casing having a space therein that defines a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a filter that extends in the second direction to divide the space into a first chamber and a second chamber in the first direction; an air conditioner that is disposed in the first chamber and blows conditioned air toward the second chamber; and a plurality of fans that suck in the conditioned air supplied to the second chamber through the filter and supply it to the outside of the casing, wherein the filter includes a plurality of pairs of filter elements that are arranged in a V-shape so as to have an apex that is convex toward the second chamber when viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

In the air conditioning unit according to the present invention, the pair of filter elements may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of the fans, and each of the tops of the pair of filter elements may be arranged so as to substantially coincide with the suction center position of the corresponding fan when viewed from the third direction.

In the air conditioning unit according to the present invention, in the pair of filter elements arranged on both sides of the casing in the second direction, the angle of the filter element adjacent to the inner wall surface of the casing extending in the first direction of the casing with respect to the inner wall surface may be greater than 90 degrees.

In the air conditioning unit according to the present invention, the air conditioner includes an air outlet for blowing out the conditioned air, and when viewed from the third direction, the width of the filter in the second direction may be greater than the width of the air outlet in the second direction.

In the air conditioning unit according to the present invention, when viewed from the third direction, the center position of the filter in the second direction may substantially coincide with the center position of the air outlet in the second direction.

The present invention is a building equipped with any one of the above air conditioning units, wherein the plurality of fans include a first fan and a second fan, the first fan supplies the conditioned air to a first area of the building, and the second fan supplies the conditioned air to a second area of the building.

In the building of the present invention, the first area may be at least one room on the first floor of the building, and the second area may be at least one room on the second floor of the building.

By adopting the above-mentioned configuration, the air conditioning unit of the present invention can reduce the pressure loss caused by the filter while minimizing the temperature difference of the conditioned air drawn into each fan.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating an example of a building equipped with an air conditioning unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an air conditioning unit. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3 . 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which conditioned air is supplied to a second chamber. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of a pair of filter elements of a comparative example.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings contain exaggerated expressions and expressions that differ from the dimensional ratios of the actual structure in order to aid in understanding the contents of the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for identical or common elements throughout each embodiment, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, the specific configurations shown in the embodiments and drawings are intended to aid in understanding the contents of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the drawings.

[Overall structure of the building]
1 shows a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating an example of a building 1 equipped with an air conditioning unit 2. In this embodiment, the building 1 is illustrated as a residence, but may be a building or the like. The building 1 in this embodiment is configured to include an underfloor space 3 and an above-floor space 4.

[Underfloor space]
The underfloor space 3 is a space surrounded by a foundation 5, the ground, and a first floor floor 6. An opening 7 for taking in outside air A1 is provided in the foundation 5. The outside air A1 taken in from the opening 7 is heat exchanged through the ground with heat in the earth, which has little temperature change throughout the year.

[Above floor space]
The above-floor space 4 is a space provided above the under-floor space 3. The above-floor space 4 in this embodiment includes a first area 11 and a second area 12.

[First Area]
The first area 11 includes at least one room 13 on the first floor of the building 1. The first area 11 in this embodiment is configured to include a plurality of rooms 13, 13 provided on the first floor. Note that the first area 11 may also include rooms (not shown) on other floors of the building 1.

[Second Area]
The second area 12 includes at least one room 13 on the second floor of the building 1. The second area 12 in this embodiment is configured to include a plurality of rooms 13, 13 provided on the second floor. Note that the second area 12 may also include rooms (not shown) on other floors of the building 1.

[Air conditioning unit]
A building 1 of this embodiment is provided with an air conditioning unit 2 for the building. The air conditioning unit 2 is configured to include a casing 16, a filter 17, an air conditioner 18, and a plurality of fans 19. In this specification, a "fan" is a machine for compressing and sending air. Therefore, the fan is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of compressing and sending air. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the air conditioning unit 2. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning unit 2 when viewed from a third direction D3.

[Casing]
2 and 3, the casing 16 has a space 21 therein. A first direction D1 and a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 are defined in the space 21. Furthermore, a third direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is defined in the space 21 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is set in the up-down direction in the building 1, but is not particularly limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 16 (air conditioning unit 2) of this embodiment is installed on the floor 6 of the second floor, but is not limited to this configuration. The casing 16 may be installed, for example, on the floor 6 of the first floor, or on a floor (not shown) above the second floor.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 16 of this embodiment is formed in a box shape and includes an upper plate 22 and a lower plate 23 arranged on either side in the first direction D1, and a plurality of side plates 24 extending in the first direction D1 between the upper plate 22 and the lower plate 23. A space 21 is defined by the upper plate 22, the lower plate 23, and the side plates 24. Note that the casing 16 is not limited to this form as long as it can define the space 21.

The upper plate 22 and the lower plate 23 extend on a plane in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. The side plate 24 includes a pair of first side plates 25a, 25b arranged on both sides in the second direction D2 and a pair of second side plates 26a, 26b arranged on both sides in the third direction D3. The pair of first side plates 25a, 25b extend on a plane in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The pair of second side plates 26a, 26b extend on a plane in the first direction D1 and the second direction. Of the pair of second side plates 26a, 26b, one of the second side plates 26a may be formed as an openable and closable door to improve the maintainability of the air conditioning unit 2.

In this embodiment, the casing 16 is provided with a partition plate 27. The partition plate 27 extends in the first direction D1 from the upper plate 22 toward the lower plate 23 between the pair of second side plates 26a, 26b, and terminates without reaching the lower plate 23.

In the space 21 of this embodiment, the filter 17 extends in the second direction D2. As a result, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the space 21 is divided in the first direction D1 into a first chamber 31 in which the air conditioner 18 is disposed, and a second chamber 32 in which multiple fans 19 are disposed.

[Room 1]
2, the first chamber 31 of this embodiment is divided by the upper plate 22, a pair of first side plates 25a, 25b, one second side plate 26a, a partition plate 27, and a filter 17. The upper plate 22 of this embodiment is provided with an air supply port 33 and an outside air intake port 34.

The air supply port 33 is for supplying air A3 (shown in FIG. 1) inside the building to the first room 31. The outside air intake port 34 is for supplying outside air (underfloor air) A1 shown in FIG. 1 to the first room 31. In this embodiment, the outside air intake port 34 is connected to a duct 35 that communicates between the first room 31 and the underfloor space 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the duct 35 is provided with a fan 36 for sending the outside air (underfloor air) A1 to the outside air intake port 34 side. This allows the outside air (underfloor air) A1 to be supplied to the first room 31.

[Room 2]
2, the second chamber 32 in this embodiment is divided by the lower plate 23, the pair of first side plates 25a, 25b, the pair of second side plates 26a, 26b, and the filter 17. The second chamber 32 is provided with a support portion 29 for supporting the filter 17. The support portion 29 in this embodiment extends in the third direction D3 between an end (lower end) of the partition plate 27 and one of the second side plates 26a. The support portion 29 is provided with a hole portion 30 penetrating in the first direction D1.

[Air conditioner]
The air conditioner 18 is for blowing out conditioned air A2 (shown in FIG. 1 ) toward the second room 32. The air conditioner 18 of this embodiment is, for example, a typical household separate-type air conditioner. The air conditioner 18 includes, as a set, an indoor unit 18a and an outdoor unit (not shown) installed outside the building 1. The air conditioner 18 (indoor unit 18a) is provided in the first room 31, and in this embodiment, is fixed to the partition plate 27.

The air conditioner 18 (indoor unit 18a) includes an intake port 37. The intake port 37 is for taking in air into a heat exchanger (not shown) inside the indoor unit 18a. In this embodiment, the intake port 37 is disposed below the air supply port 33 and the outside air intake port 34. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, outside air (underfloor air) A1 and air A3 inside the building are supplied to the intake port 37.

The air conditioner 18 (indoor unit 18a) includes an air outlet 38. The air outlet 38 is for blowing out the conditioned air A2 that has been heat exchanged in the heat exchanger. In this embodiment, the air outlet 38 faces the second chamber 32 (the lower side in the figure). This allows the air conditioner 18 to blow out the conditioned air A2 toward the second chamber 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air outlet 38 in this embodiment extends in the second direction D2. This allows the air conditioner 18 to blow conditioned air A2 (shown in FIG. 1) over a wide area toward the filter 17 extending in the second direction D2.

[Multiple Fans]
As shown in Fig. 1, the multiple fans 19 are for sucking in the conditioned air A2 supplied to the second chamber 32 and supplying it to the outside of the casing 16. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the multiple fans 19 in this embodiment are each configured as a sirocco fan, but are not limited to this.

Each of the fans 19 has blades 19a (shown in FIG. 2) and a central shaft 19b (shown in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the central shaft 19b extends along the third direction D3, but is not limited thereto and may extend along the first direction D1, for example.

In this embodiment, the multiple fans 19 are supported by the lower plate 23 in the second chamber 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the multiple fans 19 are arranged on the opposite side of the partition plate 27 from the air conditioner 18 (indoor unit 18a) and the filter 17 in the third direction D3, but are not limited to this configuration.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the multiple fans 19 in this embodiment include a first fan 19A and a second fan 19B. The first fan 19A and the second fan 19B in this embodiment are aligned in the second direction D2.

[First fan]
As shown in Fig. 1, the first fan 19A of this embodiment supplies conditioned air A2 to the first area 11. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the intake port 20 of the first fan 19A of this embodiment is disposed in the second room 32. Meanwhile, the outlet port (not shown) of the first fan 19A is connected to a duct 39 that communicates with the first area 11 (in this example, the living room 13 on the first floor) shown in Fig. 1. This allows the first fan 19A to suck in the conditioned air A2 supplied to the second room 32 and supply it to the first area 11 (the living room 13 on the first floor).

[Second fan]
As shown in Fig. 1, the second fan 19B of this embodiment supplies conditioned air A2 to the second area 12. As shown in Fig. 3, the intake port 20 of the second fan 19B of this embodiment is disposed in the second room 32. Meanwhile, the outlet port (not shown) of the second fan 19B is connected to the duct 40 that communicates with the second area 12 (in this example, the living room 13 on the second floor) shown in Fig. 1. This allows the second fan 19B to suck in the conditioned air A2 supplied to the second room 32 and supply it to the second area 12 (the living room 13 on the second floor).

[Other fans]
In the present embodiment, the multiple fans 19 are exemplified as being composed of the first fan 19A and the second fan 19B, but are not limited to such an embodiment. The multiple fans 19 may also include other fans (not shown) depending on the number of areas of the building 1.

[Filter]
The filter 17 is for purifying the conditioned air A2. In this embodiment, the filter 17 is disposed between the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32. This allows the filter 17 to purify the conditioned air A2 blown out from the air conditioner 18 toward the second chamber 32 and supply the conditioned air A2 to the second chamber 32.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the filter 17 of this embodiment is supported by a support portion 29. The conditioned air A2 purified by the filter 17 is supplied to the second chamber 32 through a hole 30 in the support portion 29.

A known filter may be appropriately selected for the filter 17. For example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, a photocatalyst filter, an activated carbon deodorizing filter, or an electrostatic dust collecting filter may be used for the filter 17 in this embodiment. Filter 17 may also be formed by combining these.

As shown in FIG. 2, the filter 17 of this embodiment is configured to include a pair of filter elements 41, 41 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "filter element pair 42"). Each filter element 41 of this embodiment is formed in a plate shape. The length of each filter element 41 in the third direction D3 is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the distance in the third direction D3 between one of the second side plates 26a and the partition plate 27. The pair of filter elements 41, 41 are aligned in the second direction D2.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, pairs of filter elements 41, 41 (filter element pairs 42) are provided in a number corresponding to the number of fans 19. In this embodiment, since two fans 19 (first fan 19A and second fan 19B) are provided, two pairs of filter elements 41, 41 (filter element pairs 42) are provided.

In this embodiment, the filter element pair 42 includes a first filter element pair 42A corresponding to the first fan 19A and a second filter element pair 42B corresponding to the second fan 19B. The first filter element pair 42A and the second filter element pair 42B are disposed on either side of the casing 16 in the second direction D2.

Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, of the pair of filter elements 41, 41 constituting the first filter element pair 42A, the filter element 41 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the "outer filter element 41a") arranged on the outside in the second direction D2 is adjacent to the inner wall surface 43 of the casing 16 (one of the first side plates 25a).

On the other hand, of the pair of filter elements 41, 41 constituting the second filter element pair 42B, the filter element 41 (outer filter element 41a) arranged on the outside in the second direction D2 is adjacent to the inner wall surface 43 of the casing 16 (the other first side plate 25b). As a result, the filter 17 of this embodiment extends continuously in the second direction D2 between the inner wall surfaces 43, 43 on both sides of the casing 16 in the second direction D2.

The pair of filter elements 41, 41 (filter element pair 42) are arranged in a V-shape so as to have an apex 45 that is convex toward the second chamber 32 when viewed from the third direction D3. In this embodiment, the apex 45 is identified as the intersection between center lines c1, c1 in the thickness direction of the pair of filter elements 41. In this embodiment, an apex 45 is provided for each of the first filter element pair 42A and the second filter element pair 42B.

In this embodiment, when viewed from the third direction D3, each of the apexes 45, 45 of a pair of filter elements 41, 41 (first filter element pair 42A and second filter element pair 42B) is arranged so as to substantially coincide with the suction center position P1 of the corresponding fan 19 (first fan 19A, second fan 19B). In this specification, "substantially coincide" means that the distance (not shown) in the second direction D2 between the apex 45 and the suction center position P1 (in this example, the position of the central axis 19b) is allowed to be 10% or less of the width W1 (shown in FIG. 3) of the filter 17 in the second direction.

In this embodiment, the apex 45 of the first filter element pair 42A is arranged to approximately coincide with the suction center position P1 of the first fan 19A. Furthermore, the apex 45 of the second filter element pair 42B is arranged to approximately coincide with the suction center position P1 of the second fan 19B.

[Functions of air conditioning units and buildings]
Next, the operation of the air conditioning unit 2 (building 1 equipped with the same) of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, in the air conditioning unit 2 of this embodiment, outside air (underfloor air) A1 is supplied to the first chamber 31 of the casing 16 via a duct 35 and an outside air intake 34 (shown in Fig. 2). Furthermore, in the air conditioning unit 2, air A3 inside the building is supplied to the first chamber 31 of the casing 16 via an air supply port 33 (shown in Fig. 2).

The mixture of these (outside air A1 and air inside the building A3) is supplied to the intake 37 of the air conditioner 18 and heat is exchanged in the heat exchanger of the air conditioner 18. As a result, conditioned air A2 is blown out from the exhaust 38 of the air conditioner 18 toward the second room 32.

The conditioned air A2 blown out toward the second chamber 32 is supplied to the second chamber 32 via the filter 17 (filtered by the filter 17). The conditioned air A2 supplied to the second chamber 32 is supplied to the first area 11 (room 13 on the first floor) and the second area 12 (room 13 on the second floor) via the first fan 19A (and duct 39) and the second fan 19B (and duct 40). Furthermore, a portion of the air A3 in the building (first area 11 and second area 12) is supplied to the first chamber 31 of the casing 16 via the air intake 33.

In this way, the air conditioning unit 2 (building 1) can ventilate and condition the building (first area 11 and second area 12) while circulating and purifying the air A3 inside the building. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the conditioned air A2 is supplied to the second room 32.

As shown in FIG. 4, the filter 17 of this embodiment includes a plurality of pairs of filter elements 41, 41 (in this example, a first filter element pair 42A and a second filter element pair 42B) arranged in a V-shape with a peak 45 that is convex toward the second chamber 32 when viewed from the third direction D3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, each pair of filter elements 41, 41 can guide a portion of the conditioned air A2 that cannot pass through due to the resistance of the filter elements 41 toward the respective peaks 45, 45 along the slope of the filter elements 41.

At each of the apexes 45, 45 (shown in FIG. 4), the induced conditioned air A2 is concentrated, so the pressure of the conditioned air A2 increases. This allows the induced conditioned air A2 to pass smoothly to the second chamber 32 at each of the apexes 45, 45, reducing pressure loss.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the apexes 45, 45 of each pair of filter elements 41, 41 (first filter element pair 42A and second filter element pair 42B) is arranged to approximately coincide with the suction center position P1 of the corresponding fan 19 (first fan 19A and second fan 19B). This allows the induced conditioned air A2 to be pushed toward the suction center position P1 (shown in FIG. 4) of the corresponding fan 19 on the side of each apex 45, 45. In this way, the air conditioning unit 2 of this embodiment can smoothly pass the conditioned air A2 into the second chamber 32 toward the suction center position P1 of the corresponding fan 19.

The air conditioning unit 2 of this embodiment can supply the conditioned air A2 substantially uniformly to each fan 19 (in this example, the first fan 19A and the second fan 19B) by inducing the conditioned air A2 as described above. This allows the air conditioning unit 2 of this embodiment to reduce the temperature difference between the conditioned air A2, A2 sucked into each fan 19 (the first fan 19A and the second fan 19B).

As shown in FIG. 4, for a pair of filter elements 41, 41, it is desirable that the angle α1 of the filter element 41 (outer filter element 41a) adjacent to the inner wall surface 43 of the casing 16 (first side plates 25a, 25b) is greater than 90 degrees. This allows the filter 17 to smoothly guide a portion of the conditioned air A2 that was unable to pass through due to the resistance of the filter element 41 toward the top 45 along the slope of the filter element 41, as shown in FIG. 5, and allows the conditioned air A2 to pass through the filter element 41. To effectively exert this effect, it is desirable that the angle α1 is set to 120 degrees or more.

As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the third direction D3, it is desirable that the width W1 of the filter 17 in the second direction is larger than the width W2 of the air outlet 38 in the second direction. This allows the filter 17 to have a larger contact area with the conditioned air A2 blown out from the air outlet 38, allowing the conditioned air A2 to pass through smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is desirable that the center position P2 of the filter 17 in the second direction approximately coincides with the center position P3 of the air outlet 38 in the second direction when viewed from the third direction D3. "Almost coincident" means that the distance (not shown) in the second direction between the center position P2 of the filter 17 and the center position P3 of the air outlet 38 is 20% or less of the width W1 (shown in FIG. 3) of the filter 17 in the second direction. This allows the air conditioner 18 to more uniformly supply the conditioned air A2 to each pair of filter elements 41, 41 (the first filter element pair 42A and the second filter element pair 42B). Therefore, the air conditioning unit 2 can effectively reduce the temperature difference of the conditioned air A2, A2 sucked into each fan 19 (in this example, the first fan 19A and the second fan 19B). To effectively exert this effect, the distance between the center position P2 of the filter 17 and the center position P3 of the air outlet 38 is preferably 10% or less, and more preferably 5% or less, of the width W1 of the filter 17.

The above describes in detail a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and can be modified and implemented in various ways.

An air conditioning unit having the basic structure shown in Figure 2 was prototyped based on the specifications in Table 1 (Example and Comparative Example). In the Example, as shown in Figure 4, a pair of filter elements were arranged in a V shape with the apex convex toward the second chamber. On the other hand, in the Comparative Example, as shown in Figure 6, a pair of filter elements were arranged in an inverted V shape with the apex convex toward the first chamber.

The air conditioner, the first fan, and the second fan were operated for the air conditioning units of the example and the comparative example. Then, the pressure loss of the air conditioning unit due to the difference in the arrangement of the filter, and the temperature difference of the conditioned air sucked into the first fan and the second fan were measured. The common specifications are as follows.
Air conditioner: heating operation Temperature difference measurement timing: when the intake temperature of one of the first and second fans reaches 40°C Air volume of the first fan: 710 ^m3 /h
Second fan air volume: 710 ^m3 /h

The test results are shown in Table 1. Note that the pressure loss is expressed as an index with the pressure loss of the comparative example set at 100, and the smaller the number, the better the results.

The test results showed that the embodiment was able to reduce pressure loss more than the comparative example. Furthermore, the embodiment was able to reduce the temperature difference between the conditioned air drawn into the first fan and the second fan more than the comparative example.

Reference Signs List 1: Building 2: Air conditioning unit 16: Casing 17: Filter 18: Air conditioner 19: Fan 21: Space 31: First chamber 32: Second chamber 41: Filter element 45: Top A2: Conditioned air

Claims (6)

1. An air conditioning unit for a building, comprising:
A casing having a space therein that defines a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
a filter extending in the second direction to divide the space into a first chamber and a second chamber in the first direction;
an air conditioner disposed in the first chamber and configured to blow out conditioned air toward the second chamber;
a plurality of fans for sucking in the conditioned air supplied to the second chamber through the filter and supplying the conditioned air to the outside of the casing;
The filter includes a pair of filter elements arranged in a V-shape so as to have a convex apex toward the second chamber when viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction,
In the first room, when the filter is viewed from the air conditioner along the first direction, the entire filter is exposed.
Air conditioning unit. 2. The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein in the pair of filter elements respectively arranged on both sides of the casing in the second direction, an angle of a filter element adjacent to an inner wall surface of the casing extending in the first direction of the casing with respect to the inner wall surface is greater than 90 degrees . The air conditioner includes an air outlet for blowing out the conditioned air,
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein, when viewed from the third direction, a width of the filter in the second direction is larger than a width of the air outlet in the second direction . The air conditioning unit according to claim 3 , wherein, when viewed from the third direction, a center position of the filter in the second direction substantially coincides with a center position of the air outlet in the second direction . A building equipped with an air conditioning unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The plurality of fans includes a first fan and a second fan,
The first fan supplies the conditioned air to a first area of the building,
The second fan supplies the conditioned air to a second area of the building.
building . The first area is at least one room on a first floor of the building,
The building of claim 5 , wherein the second area is at least one room on a second floor of the building .

Images