JP7731035B2 - ventilation equipment - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a ventilation device that has a living space and is capable of ventilating the living space.

Patent Document 1 discloses a booth equipped with a ventilation function that quickly ventilates the room by sucking in and exhausting indoor air over a wide surface.

At least one of the side panels that close the four sides of this booth (front, back, left, and right) has a double inner/outer structure with spaced-apart inner and outer panels, creating a vertical ventilation channel inside. This ventilation channel is divided into upper and lower sections at a specified height, with the lower section acting as an air supply channel and the upper section as an exhaust channel. An air outlet is provided at the bottom of the inner panel, supplying air introduced into the air supply channel into the booth room. The inner panel above the partition has multiple intake holes that communicate with the exhaust channel, and the upper section of the exhaust channel is connected to an exhaust unit. Air introduced into the air supply channel flows into the booth room via the outlet, and air from within the booth room is sucked into the exhaust channel via the intake holes and discharged to the outside.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-349246

The booth disclosed in Patent Document 1 had the problem that odorous components adhering to the interior of the booth left a lingering odor inside the booth, causing discomfort to users who entered the booth.

This disclosure solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a ventilation system that uses air containing a gas with deodorizing properties to prevent odors from remaining in a living space, and also reduces the discomfort felt by users who enter the living space by inhaling the gas with deodorizing properties.

The ventilation device disclosed herein comprises a living space, a box having an air duct communicating with the living space, an air intake port for supplying air to the living space, and an air exhaust port for exhausting air from the living space, a blower that generates an air current that is blown from the air intake port through the air duct into the living space, a deodorizing gas generation unit that mixes a gas with deodorizing properties into the air current, an exhaust air duct that guides the air current blown into the living space to the exhaust port, a circulation air duct that guides the air current blown into the living space through the ventilation duct to the living space, a damper that adjusts the opening rate of the exhaust air duct and the circulation air duct, a human presence sensor that detects the presence or absence of people in the living space, and a controller that controls the operation of the blower, deodorizing gas generation unit, damper, and human presence sensor. When the controller determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor indicates a presence state, it executes a ventilation mode that includes the following operations: controlling the blower at a first output, stopping the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit, and opening the exhaust air duct and closing the circulation air duct via a damper.

The ventilation device disclosed herein deodorizes a living space by circulating air containing deodorizing gas through the living space only when the living space is unoccupied. This prevents odors from remaining in the living space and also reduces the discomfort felt by users who enter the living space by inhaling deodorizing gas.

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of a ventilation device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the configuration of the ventilation device according to the first embodiment with the exhaust air passage in an open state and the circulation air passage in a closed state. FIG. 3 is a top view schematically showing the configuration of the ventilation device according to the first embodiment with the exhaust air passage in a closed state and the circulation air passage in an open state. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the controller according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the ventilation device according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of matters that are already well known or duplicate explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following explanation unnecessarily redundant and to make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[1-1. Configuration]
Ventilation device 100 is installed in an indoor space such as an office. In Figures 1 to 3, ventilation device 100 includes box 110, blower 120, deodorizing gas generator 130, exhaust air duct 140, circulating air duct 150, damper 160, human presence sensor 170, and controller 180.

The box 110 is a rectangular housing and has a living space 111, a ventilation duct 112, an air intake vent 113, and an exhaust vent 114.

The living space 111 is a space where users can enter, exit, and stay. The living space 111 is formed by a floorboard 111a, a side panel 111b, and a top board 111c.

The floorboard 111a is a rectangular board placed on the floor surface in an indoor space.

The side panel 111b stands upright from the outer edge of the floorboard 111a and consists of four rectangular plates.

The top board 111c is a rectangular board that covers the opening formed by the upright side panel 111b. The top board 111c is located above the floor board 111a.

Chairs 200 and desks 300 are placed in the living space 111. Chairs 200 and desks 300 will be described later.

The ventilation passage 112 is a ventilation pipe that communicates with the living space 111 and guides air drawn in through the air intake port 113 into the living space 111. The ventilation passage 112 stands upright from the floorboard 111a side toward the top board 111c side. One end opening of the ventilation passage 112 connects to the living space 111 on the floorboard 111a side from the center between the floorboard 111a and the top board 111c. The other end opening of the ventilation passage 112 connects to the living space 111 on the top board 111c side from the center between the floorboard 111a and the top board 111c.

The air intake 113 is a square opening provided in the floorboard 111a for supplying air to the living space 111. The air intake 113 connects the living space 111 with the indoor space (external space relative to the living space 111) in which the ventilation device 100 is located.

The exhaust port 114 is a square opening provided in the floorboard 111a for discharging air from the living space 111. The exhaust port 114 connects the living space 111 with the indoor space (external space relative to the living space 111) in which the ventilation device 100 is located.

The blower 120 generates an airflow AF1 that is blown out from the air intake 113 through the ventilation duct 112 into the living space 111. The blower 120 is located on the floorboard 111a. The blower 120 can be a turbo machine such as a centrifugal blower.

The deodorizing gas generator 130 mixes gas with deodorizing properties into the airflow AF1. Here, deodorization refers to technology that reduces unpleasant odors to odorless or low odor levels. There are four principles of deodorizing technology: removal by physical adsorption, removal by chemical reaction, biological decomposition, and masking with aromatic substances. The gas mixed into the airflow AF1 by the deodorizing gas generator 130 is based on one of these four principles, or a combination of multiple principles. The deodorizing gas generator 130 is placed on the floorboard 111a.

The exhaust airflow duct 140 is a ventilation duct that guides the air (airflow AF1) blown out into the living space 111 to the exhaust port 114. A portion of the exhaust airflow duct 140 is formed by the chair 200.

The circulation air duct 150 is an air duct that guides the air (airflow AF1) blown out into the living space 111 back into the living space 111 via the ventilation duct 112. Part of the circulation air duct 150 is formed by the chair 200.

Damper 160 adjusts the opening rate of exhaust air duct 140 and circulation air duct 150. When the opening rate of exhaust air duct 140 is 100% (fully open), damper 160 sets the opening rate of circulation air duct 150 to 0% (fully closed). When the opening rate of exhaust air duct 140 is 50%, damper 160 sets the opening rate of circulation air duct 150 to 50%. Damper 160 is a component for opening and closing exhaust air duct 140 and circulation air duct 150, and is connected to a motor (not shown) that moves damper 160. The mechanism for moving damper 160 using a motor employs known technology. Damper 160 is provided on chair 200.

The human presence sensor 170 detects the presence or absence of people in the living space 111. The human presence sensor 170 uses known detection technology such as infrared technology. The human presence sensor 170 is located below the desk 300, on the side panel 111b. The human presence sensor 170 is located opposite the chair 200.

The controller 180 comprehensively controls the operation of the blower 120, the deodorizing gas generator 130, the damper 160, and the human presence sensor 170. The controller 180 is electrically connected to the blower 120, the deodorizing gas generator 130, the damper 160, and the human presence sensor 170 so that they can communicate electrically with each other.

The controller 180 in the present disclosure may be any device capable of controlling the device in the present disclosure. The controller 180 can be realized in various ways. For example, a processor may be used as the controller 180. Using a processor as the controller 180 makes it possible to execute various processes by loading a program from a storage medium storing the program into the processor and having the processor execute the program. This allows the processing content to be changed by changing the program stored in the storage medium, thereby increasing the flexibility in changing the control content. Examples of processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). Examples of storage media include a hard disk, flash memory, and optical disk.

The controller 180 is placed on the floorboard 111a, in the air passage through which the airflow AF1 passes. In FIG. 4, the controller 180 has a first operation control unit 181, a second operation control unit 182, a third operation control unit 183, a detection result receiving unit 184, and a processing unit 185.

The first operation control unit 181 controls the operation of the blower 120 based on information output from the processing unit 185. The information output from the processing unit 185 is information related to the operating output of the blower 120.

The second operation control unit 182 controls the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit 130 based on information output from the processing unit 185. The information output from the processing unit 185 is information regarding the ON/OFF operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit 130.

The third operation control unit 183 controls the operation of the motor connected to the damper 160 based on information output from the processing unit 185. The information output from the processing unit 185 relates to the rotation angle of the motor connected to the damper 160.

The detection result receiving unit 184 receives information related to the detection results of the human presence/absence in the living space 111 by the human presence sensor 170.

The processing unit 185 performs processing based on the information received by the detection result receiving unit 184 and outputs the results of the processing to one or more of the first operation control unit 181, second operation control unit 182, and third operation control unit 183.

The chair 200 is seated by a user staying in the living space 111. The chair 200 abuts the side panel 111b on the side where the ventilation duct 112 is located, and is positioned opposite the human presence sensor 170. The chair 200 has a hollow space 201 in which the blower 120, deodorizing gas generator 130, and controller 180 are located. The chair 200 forms part of the exhaust air duct 140 and the circulation air duct 150.

The desk 300 is a tool on which a user staying in the living space 111 can place a computer, documents, etc. and work. The desk 300 is provided on the side panel 111b opposite the side panel 111b against which the chair 200 abuts. The desk 300 is located above the human presence sensor 170.

[1-2. Operation]
An example of the operation of the ventilation device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The operation of the ventilation device 100 is started when power is supplied to the ventilation device 100, when a user instructs the controller 180 to start operation via a remote controller (not shown), or the like.

(Step S1)
In step S1, the controller 180 receives the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 via the detection result receiving unit 184 and determines whether the occupancy state or absence state of the habitable space 111 is present. If the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 is an absence state (NO in step S1), the controller 180 repeats step S1. Note that while the ventilation device 100 is operating, the human presence sensor 170 continues to detect the occupancy state or absence state of the habitable space 111. If the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 is an absence state (YES in step S1), the controller 180 executes step S2.

(Step S2)
In step S2, the controller 180 executes the ventilation mode. In the ventilation mode, the controller 180 controls the blower 120 at the first output W1 via the first operation control unit 181. In the ventilation mode, the controller 180 stops the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit 130 via the second operation control unit 182. In the ventilation mode, the controller 180 controls the operation of the damper 160 via the third operation control unit 183 to open the exhaust air duct 140 and close the circulation air duct 150. When the ventilation mode is executed, air drawn in from the air supply port 113 is generated as an airflow AF1 that is blown into the living space 111 via the ventilation path 112. The air blown into the living space 111 (airflow AF1) is exhausted to the outside of the living space 111 from the exhaust port 114 via the exhaust air duct 140. The ventilation mode executes ventilation of the air in the living space 111. After executing step S2 (ventilation mode), the controller 180 executes step S3.

(Step S3)
In step S3, the controller 180 receives the detection result of the motion sensor 170 via the detection result receiving unit 184 and determines whether the living space 111 has switched from a presence state to an absence state. If the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the motion sensor 170 remains the presence state (NO in step S3), the controller 180 repeats step S3 while continuing the ventilation mode. If the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the motion sensor 170 has switched from the presence state to the absence state (YES in step S3), the controller 180 executes step S4.

(Step S4)
In step S4, the controller 180 stops the ventilation mode and executes the circulation mode. In the circulation mode, the controller 180 controls the blower 120 at a first output W1 via the first operation control unit 181. In the circulation mode, the controller 180 starts the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit 130 via the second operation control unit 182. In the ventilation mode, the controller 180 controls the operation of the damper 160 via the third operation control unit 183 to close the exhaust air duct 140 and open the circulation air duct 150. When the circulation mode is executed, air drawn in from the air supply port 113 is generated as an airflow AF1 that is blown into the living space 111 via the ventilation path 112. The airflow AF1 is blown into the living space 111 containing the gas having deodorizing function generated by the deodorizing gas generation unit 130. The air (airflow AF1) blown into the living space 111 becomes a circulating airflow that is blown back into the living space 111 from the circulation airflow duct 150 through the ventilation duct 112. The airflow from the circulation airflow duct 150 to the ventilation duct 112 contains the gas generated by the deodorizing gas generation unit 130. In the circulation mode, the opening that connects the living space 111 to the space outside the living space 111 is the air intake port 113. Because air is drawn in through the air intake port 113 by the operation of the blower 120, the living space 111 is under positive pressure relative to the space outside. Therefore, the circulation mode prevents the circulating airflow from being blown out from the air intake port 113 to the space outside. The circulation mode circulates the air in the living space 111. After executing step S4 (circulation mode), the controller 180 executes step S5.

(Step S5)
In step S5, the controller 180 determines whether a predetermined time T (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed since the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 became an unoccupied state. If the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 has switched from an unoccupied state to a present state within the predetermined time T (NO in step S5), the controller 180 executes step S6. If the controller 180 determines that the predetermined time T has elapsed since the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 became an unoccupied state (YES in step S5), the controller 180 executes step S7.

(Step S6)
In step S6, the controller 180 stops the execution of the circulation mode and executes the ventilation mode, and then returns to step S3.

(Step S7)
In step S7, the controller 180 stops the circulation mode and starts the rapid ventilation mode. In the rapid ventilation mode, the controller 180 controls the blower 120 via the first operation control unit 181 to a second output W2 greater than the first output W1. In the rapid ventilation mode, the controller 180 stops the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit 130 via the second operation control unit 182. In the rapid ventilation mode, the controller 180 controls the operation of the damper 160 via the third operation control unit 183 to open the exhaust air duct 140 and close the circulation air duct 150. When the rapid ventilation mode is started, the airflow containing the gas having the deodorizing function is exhausted from the exhaust air duct 140 to the outside of the living space 111 through the exhaust port 114. The air drawn in through the air intake port 113 is blown into the living space 111 via the ventilation path 112. In the rapid ventilation mode, the ventilation volume is increased compared to the ventilation mode, and ventilation of the living space 111 is performed.

[1-3. Effects, etc.]
The ventilation device 100 includes a box 110 having a living space 111, an air passage 112 communicating with the living space 111, an air intake port 113 for supplying air to the living space 111, and an exhaust port 114 for discharging air from the living space 111, a blower 120 for generating an air current that is blown from the air intake port 113 through the air passage 112 into the living space 111, a deodorizing gas generator 130 for mixing a gas having a deodorizing function into the air current, and a filter for filtering the air current blown into the living space 111. The air conditioner includes an exhaust air duct 140 that guides the airflow blown into the living space 111 to the exhaust port 114, a circulation air duct 150 that guides the airflow blown into the living space 111 to the living space 111 via an air passage 112, a damper 160 that adjusts the opening ratio of the exhaust air duct 140 and the circulation air duct 150, a human presence sensor 170 that detects the presence or absence of a person in the living space 111, and a controller 180 that controls the operation of the blower 120, the deodorizing gas generation unit 130, the damper 160, and the human presence sensor 170. When the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 indicates a presence state, the controller 180 executes a ventilation mode that includes an operation of controlling the blower 120 with a first output W1, an operation of stopping the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit 130, and an operation of opening the exhaust air duct 140 and closing the circulation air duct 150 via the damper 160.

As a result, the ventilation device 100 deodorizes the living space 111 by circulating air containing gas with deodorizing properties through the living space 111 only when the living space 111 is unoccupied. This prevents odors from remaining in the living space 111, while reducing the possibility that users who enter the living space 111 will feel uncomfortable by inhaling gas with deodorizing properties.

When the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 has switched from a presence state to an absence state, it stops the ventilation mode and executes a circulation mode, which includes the operations of controlling the blower 120 with the first output W1, starting the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit 130, and closing the exhaust air duct 140 and opening the circulation air duct 150 via the damper 160.

As a result, the ventilation device 100 circulates an airflow containing a gas with deodorizing function within the living space 111 after the user has left the living space 111. When an airflow containing a gas with deodorizing function is circulated within the living space 111, the deodorizing effect on odor components adhering to the living space 111 can be enhanced compared to when an airflow containing a gas with deodorizing function is exhausted from the living space 111. This prevents odors from remaining in the living space 111.

If the controller 180 determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor 170 has switched from an unoccupied state to a present state within the predetermined time T, it stops the circulation mode and executes the ventilation mode.

As a result, if a user enters the living space 111 while the circulation mode is running, the ventilation mode can be used to exhaust the deodorizing gas from the living space 111. Therefore, compared to when the circulation mode is continuously running, the amount of air containing the deodorizing gas that the user inhales is reduced, and the discomfort felt by inhaling air containing the deodorizing gas can be reduced.

When the controller 180 determines that the unoccupied state has continued for a predetermined time T, it stops the circulation mode and executes a rapid ventilation mode, which includes controlling the blower 120 at a second output W2 greater than the first output W1, stopping the operation of the deodorizing gas generator 130, and opening the exhaust air duct 140 and closing the circulation air duct 150 via the damper 160.

As a result, the ventilation device 100 ventilates the air in the living space 111 in a shorter time than in ventilation mode by increasing the ventilation volume compared to ventilation mode. When the circulation mode is completed at the predetermined time T, the ventilation device 100 exhausts the air containing the gas with deodorizing function outside the living space 111 in a shorter time than in ventilation mode. This reduces the amount of air containing the gas with deodorizing function that the user inhales, and suppresses the discomfort felt by inhaling air containing the gas with deodorizing function.

(Modification)
Below, modifications of the first embodiment will be described. In the description of the modifications, the same or equivalent components and members as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals. Explanations that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configurations that differ from the examples.

The ventilation device 100 may be a stationary type, or may be a portable type equipped with casters or other moving parts on the floor board 111a.

The air intake vent 113 is rectangular, but is not limited to this and may be polygonal or circular.

The exhaust port 114 is rectangular, but is not limited to this and may be polygonal or circular.

The ventilation device 100 may be provided with a filter in the air path through which the airflow AF1 passes to capture dust and other particles contained in the airflow AF1. This allows air containing less dust and other foreign matter to be provided to the living space 111 than before it passed through the filter.

If the ventilation device 100 is equipped with a filter, the controller 180 may be located downstream of the filter. This prevents dust and other foreign matter from accumulating on the controller 180. This reduces the possibility of tracking occurring due to moisture and dust and other foreign matter accumulated on the controller 180.

In ventilation mode, operation control of the blower 120, deodorizing gas generator 130, and damper 160 may be started in any order, or may be started simultaneously for multiple units.

In circulation mode, operation control of the blower 120, deodorizing gas generator 130, and damper 160 may be started in any order, or may be started simultaneously for multiple units.

In rapid ventilation mode, operation control of the blower 120, deodorizing gas generator 130, and damper 160 may be started in any order, or may be started simultaneously for multiple units.

The exhaust air duct 140 may be provided separately from the chair 200.

The circulating air duct 150 may be provided separately from the chair 200.

The damper 160 may be provided separately from the chair 200.

As described above, embodiment 1 and the modified examples have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in embodiment 1 and the modified examples above to create new embodiments.

This disclosure is applicable to ventilation systems equipped with living spaces, in which odor components adhering to the living space may cause odors to remain in the living space. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to sealed private booths equipped with ventilation functions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Ventilation device 110 Box 111 Living space 111a Floor board 111b Side panel 111c Top board 112 Ventilation duct 113 Air intake port 114 Exhaust port 120 Fan 130 Deodorizing gas generating unit 140 Exhaust air duct 150 Circulating air duct 160 Damper 170 Human presence sensor 180 Controller 181 First operation control unit 182 Second operation control unit 183 Third operation control unit 184 Detection result receiving unit 185 Processing unit 200 Chair 300 Desk

Claims (4)

a box having a living space, a ventilation duct communicating with the living space, an air intake port for supplying air to the living space, and an exhaust port for discharging air from the living space;
a blower that generates an air current that is blown from the air supply port through the ventilation passage into the living space;
a deodorizing gas generating unit that mixes a gas having a deodorizing function with the airflow;
an exhaust air duct that guides the airflow blown into the living space to the exhaust port;
a circulation air duct that guides the airflow blown into the living space to the living space via the ventilation duct;
a damper for adjusting the opening ratio of the exhaust air passage and the circulation air passage;
a human presence sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person in the living space;
a controller that controls the operations of the blower, the deodorizing gas generator, the damper, and the human sensor;
Equipped with
When the controller determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor indicates an unoccupied state, the controller operates the deodorizing gas generating unit, closes the exhaust air duct via the damper, and opens the circulation air duct;
When the controller determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor indicates a presence state, the controller executes a ventilation mode including the operations of controlling the blower at a first output, stopping the operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit, and opening the exhaust air duct and closing the circulation air duct via the damper. The ventilation device of claim 1, wherein when the controller determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor has switched from a presence state to an absence state, it stops the ventilation mode and executes a circulation mode including the operations of controlling the blower at the first output, starting operation of the deodorizing gas generation unit, and closing the exhaust air duct and opening the circulation air duct via the damper. The ventilation device of claim 2, wherein the controller stops the circulation mode and executes the ventilation mode when it determines that the detection result of the human presence sensor has switched from the unoccupied state to the present state within a predetermined time. The ventilation device of claim 3, wherein the controller, when determining that the unoccupied state has continued for the predetermined time, stops the circulation mode and executes a rapid ventilation mode including the following operations: controlling the blower at a second output greater than the first output; stopping operation of the deodorizing gas generator; and opening the exhaust air duct and closing the circulation air duct via the damper.