JP7736472B2 - Air outlet structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air outlet structure.

2. Description of the Related Art As an air outlet for conditioned air, an air outlet incorporating a heater wire is known in order to suppress condensation at the air outlet (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
This air outlet generates heat by connecting a power source to a heater wire and passing electricity through it, thereby suppressing condensation at the air outlet.

JP 2012-013328 A JP 2012-211742 A

However, conventional air outlets require electrical work to run power wiring from the distribution board to the air outlet, leaving room for improvement.

In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide an air outlet structure that does not require electrical work for power wiring.

The air outlet structure described in claim 1 comprises an air outlet main body to which conditioned air is supplied, an air outlet from which the conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet main body, a windmill disposed inside the air outlet main body and rotated by the conditioned air, a generator disposed inside the air outlet main body for generating electricity by the rotation of the windmill, and a heater disposed at the air outlet for generating heat using the electricity generated by the generator.

In the air outlet structure of claim 1, a windmill and a generator are provided inside the air outlet body, so that when conditioned air is blown out, the windmill rotates, causing the generator to generate electricity, which can then supply power to the heater. When power is supplied to the heater, the heater generates heat, thereby warming the air outlet.
In the air outlet structure of claim 1, a windmill and a generator are provided inside the air outlet body to generate electricity by itself, so no commercial power source is required, and power wiring work is not required.

The invention described in claim 2 is the air outlet structure described in claim 1, which includes a temperature-sensitive switch that stops power to the heater when the temperature of the conditioned air blown out of the air outlet is equal to or higher than a preset temperature.

In the air outlet structure of the second aspect, when the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet is equal to or higher than a preset temperature, the temperature sensitive switch stops the supply of electricity to the heater.
Therefore, when the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet is equal to or higher than a preset temperature and there is no risk of condensation at the outlet, the power supply can be stopped, which prevents problems caused by the heater continuing to generate heat, such as deformation of the outlet material and discoloration of the paint.
Furthermore, when there is no risk of condensation and no need to increase the temperature of the air outlet, i.e., when the power to the heater is stopped by the temperature-sensitive switch, the power to drive the generator, in other words, the power to rotate the windmill, is less required than when the power is on. As a result, the windmill can be easily rotated by the conditioned air, and the airflow resistance can be reduced.
Furthermore, since the temperature of the air outlet is not increased when there is no risk of condensation, deformation or discoloration of the air outlet caused by continuing to increase the temperature of the air outlet for a long period of time can be suppressed.

The invention described in claim 3 is the air outlet structure described in claim 2, in which the temperature-sensitive switch is a bimetal switch.

The air outlet structure described in claim 3 does not require electrical power and can turn power to the heater on and off using a simple bimetal switch.

As explained above, the air outlet structure of the present invention has the excellent advantage of not requiring electrical work for power wiring.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an air outlet device according to a first embodiment. 1A is a plan view showing a power generation unit, and FIG. 1B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the power generation unit. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an air outlet device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical system of an air outlet device according to a third embodiment.

An air outlet device 10 including an air outlet structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
1, an air outlet device 10 of this embodiment includes a long, narrow rectangular box-shaped chamber 12 as an air outlet main body to which conditioned air is supplied. The air outlet device 10 of this embodiment is, for example, of a so-called breezeline type.

The chamber 12 is placed in the ceiling space. An air outlet 12A is provided at the bottom of the chamber 12, which blows conditioned air into the room.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air outlet 12A has a rectangular frame shape with an opening in the center.

As shown in Figure 2, the air outlet 12A is located in an opening 16 formed in the ceiling panel 14. The air outlet 12A is provided with multiple blades 12B that can change the airflow direction as needed. Note that the blades 12B can be provided as needed and are not required. The air outlet 12A and blades 12B may be made of synthetic resin, or may be made of plated or painted metal.

As shown in Figure 1, a connection portion 20 with a circular hole is provided on the side of the chamber 12 to which a duct 18, through which conditioned air is sent from an air conditioner (not shown), is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2(B), the air outlet 12A is provided with an electric heater 22 that heats the air outlet 12A to increase its temperature. In this embodiment, the air outlet 12A is made of synthetic resin and has the electric heater 22 embedded inside, but the electric heater 22 may also be disposed on the surface of the frame. The electric heater 22 is provided around the entire periphery of the air outlet 12A.

The shape of the electric heater 22 is not particularly important and may be linear or planar. In the example shown in Figure 2(B), the electric heater 22 is not provided on the blade 12B, but the electric heater 22 may also be provided on the blade 12B.

As shown in Figure 1, the air outlet 12A is provided with a pair of U-shaped frames 24, and two connecting members 26 are hung between one frame 24 and the other frame 24.

A power generation unit 28 is positioned between the two connecting members 26. The power generation unit 28 includes a cylindrical member 30 whose axial direction is vertical. The cylindrical member 30 is fixed to the connecting members 26 with screws or the like (not shown).

As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), a generator 32 is disposed inside the cylindrical member 30 with its rotation axis 32A pointing downward and vertically. As an example, the generator 32 is supported on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 30 using a metal fitting 34.

In this embodiment, the generator 32 is cylindrical, for example, and has a cone-shaped (tapered, conical) cap 36 attached to the upper end to reduce air resistance.

A windmill 38 is attached to the rotating shaft 32A of the generator 32, and as the windmill 38 rotates, the generator 32 generates electricity. In this embodiment, the windmill 38 is propeller-shaped, but its shape is not particularly important as long as it rotates in response to wind. The generator 32 may also generate DC or AC power.

When conditioned air is sent into the chamber 12 through the duct 18, it is blown out into the room from the air outlet 12A. Because the power generation unit 28 is located in the path of the conditioned air, when the conditioned air passes through the power generation unit 28, the windmill 38 rotates, causing the generator 32 to generate electricity.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting member 26 is provided with a temperature sensor 42 that measures the temperature of the conditioned air that passes through the chamber 12 and is blown out from the outlet 12A, and a control device 44. The control device 44 is connected to the temperature sensor 42 by wiring 46, to the generator 32 by wiring 48, and to the electric heater 22 by wiring 50.

The temperature sensor 42 detects the temperature of the conditioned air flowing through the chamber 12 and blown out from the outlet 12A. The temperature detection data of the conditioned air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42 is sent to the control device 44 via wiring 46.

The control device 44 pre-stores a condensation temperature T1, which is an example of a condition for condensation to occur at the air outlet 12A. The control device 44 compares the pre-stored condensation temperature T1 with the conditioned air temperature T2 of the conditioned air detected by the temperature sensor 42. If the control device 44 determines that the conditioned air temperature T2 is equal to or lower than the condensation temperature T1, it energizes the electric heater 22 and controls the air outlet 12A to heat up. The control device 44 operates using electricity generated by the generator 32.

As shown in Figure 2 (B), an operation confirmation lamp 52 is attached to the air outlet 12A in a position visible from inside the room. When the electric heater 22 is operating, the control device 44 supplies power to the operation confirmation lamp 52 via wiring 54, turning on the operation confirmation lamp 52. As an example, an LED is used as the operation confirmation lamp 52.

This air outlet device 10 can be fixed to a structure such as a beam by fixing one end of a long bolt 56 to the frame 24 using a nut 58 and fixing the other end of the bolt 56 to the beam or the like.

(Action, effect)
In the air outlet device 10 of this embodiment, when the air conditioner is operated and conditioned air flows toward the opening 10a of the air outlet 12A, the windmill 38 rotates and the generator 32 generates electricity.

As an example, during cooling, if the temperature of the conditioned air passing through outlet 12A is lower than room temperature and the temperature of outlet 12A becomes lower than room temperature, condensation may occur at outlet 12A. Condensation is particularly likely to occur in summer when room temperature and humidity are relatively high, the temperature of the conditioned air is lower than room temperature, and there is a large temperature difference between room temperature and the conditioned air.

However, in the air outlet device 10 of this embodiment, when the temperature of the conditioned air is lower than the pre-stored condensation temperature T1, the air outlet 12A is heated by the electric heater 22, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the air outlet 12A and room temperature, thereby suppressing condensation at the air outlet 12A.

Note that condensation at the air outlet 12A occurs when various conditions, such as the temperature of the air outlet 12A, the indoor air temperature (room temperature), and the indoor air humidity, are met, so it is preferable to set the condensation temperature T1 through prior experimentation.

In the air outlet device 10 of this embodiment, the windmill 38 continues to rotate while conditioned air is being blown, making it possible to supply power to the electric heater 22 while conditioned air is being blown.

The air outlet device 10 of this embodiment generates its own power using conditioned air, eliminating the need for power wiring, reducing the amount of installation work required. Furthermore, the air outlet device 10 of this embodiment can be installed even in locations where power lines cannot be installed due to renovation work, etc., and it is possible to take measures to prevent condensation using the electric heater 22.

The air outlet device 10 of this embodiment does not require a commercial power source, so there are no electricity bills and maintenance costs can be reduced compared to conventional technologies that require a commercial power source.

As an example, when the temperature of the conditioned air is above room temperature, such as during heating when conditioned air at a temperature higher than room temperature is blown, condensation will not occur at the air outlet 12A, so there is no need to heat the air outlet 12A with the electric heater 22.

In this embodiment, when the conditions are such that condensation does not occur at the air outlet 12A, i.e., when the temperature of the conditioned air is equal to or higher than the preset condensation temperature T1, the control device 44 does not energize the electric heater 22. Therefore, compared to when energizing the electric heater 22, no energy is required to rotate the rotating shaft 32A of the generator 32, the windmill 38 rotates more easily, and the resistance to the passage of the conditioned air can be reduced (in other words, less energy is required to rotate the generator 32, and the amount of conditioned air passing through the chamber per unit time increases).

This increases the amount of conditioned air blown into the room from the air outlet 12A compared to when cooling, allowing for more efficient indoor air conditioning.

Furthermore, the air outlet device 10 of this embodiment does not heat the air outlet unless there is a risk of condensation, which can prevent deformation or discoloration of the air outlet caused by continuously heating the air outlet for a long period of time.

In the air outlet device 10 of this embodiment, the operation confirmation lamp 52 lights up when power is sent to the electric heater 22. Therefore, the illumination of the operation confirmation lamp 52 allows confirmation from inside the room that the electric heater 22 is generating heat using power generated by the generator 32.

In this embodiment, the air outlet device 10 is provided with one power generation unit 28, but additional power generation units 28 can be installed as needed. As shown by the solid lines and two-dot chain lines in Figure 1, two power generation units 28 may also be installed.

Second Embodiment
An air outlet device 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
The air outlet device 60 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is of the so-called anemotype, and the configuration other than the power generation portion is a conventional, generally known structure, so only an outline of the configuration other than the power generation portion will be described.

In this embodiment, the air outlet device 60 is placed above the ceiling and receives conditioned air from the duct 18.

The air outlet device 60 is configured to include a duct connection portion 62A having a cylindrical shape of a fixed diameter to which the duct 18 is connected, an outer cone 62B provided below the duct connection portion 62A and having a flared shape, and an inner cone 62C made up of a plurality of blades provided inside the outer cone 62B. Although not shown in the drawings, the blades of the outer cone 62B and the inner cone 62C have known rectangular or circular shapes in plan view.
In the air outlet device 60 of this embodiment, the cylindrical duct connection portion 62A corresponds to the air outlet main body, and the portion below the duct connection portion 62A corresponds to the air outlet.

The generator 32, temperature sensor 42, and control device 44 are provided inside the duct connection portion 62A. The generator 32 is supported by the duct connection portion 62A using metal fittings (not shown) or the like, and is positioned within the conditioned air passageway. The temperature sensor 42 and control device 44 are provided, as an example, on the inner circumferential surface of the duct connection portion 62A.

In the air outlet device 60 of this embodiment, the electric heater 22 is provided in the middle cone 62C.

In the air outlet device 60 of this embodiment, similar to the air outlet device 10 of the first embodiment, when the temperature of the conditioned air is lower than the pre-stored condensation temperature T1, the electric heater 22 heats the middle cone 62C. This reduces the temperature difference between the middle cone 62C and room temperature, thereby suppressing condensation on the middle cone 62C.

The electric heater 22 may be provided not only on the inner cone 62C but also on the outer cone 62B.

[Modification]
A modified example of the air outlet device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 shows an electric circuit of the air outlet device 10 of this embodiment.
In this embodiment, an electric heater 22, a generator 32, and a bimetal switch 64, which is an example of a temperature-sensitive switch, are connected in series.
The bimetal switch 64 can be provided on the connecting member 26 as in the first embodiment, but the location where it is disposed is not particularly important as long as it is a location where conditioned air passes through.

In this embodiment, when the temperature T2 of the conditioned air falls below the pre-stored condensation temperature T1, the bimetal switch 64 turns on, power is supplied to the electric heater 22, and the air outlet 12A is heated by the electric heater 22.

In this embodiment, the power supply to the electric heater 22 can be turned on and off using a simple structure, the bimetal switch 64, which simplifies the device configuration of the air outlet device 10 and allows the air outlet device 10 to be provided at low cost.

In this embodiment, a bimetal switch 64 is used as the temperature-sensitive switch, but a thermostat switch with a different structure that does not use a bimetal can also be used as the temperature-sensitive switch.

This structure can also be applied to the anemo-type air outlet device 60 of the second embodiment.

[Other embodiments]
The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

10 Air outlet device 12 Chamber (air outlet body)
12A Air outlet 22 Heater 32 Generator 38 Windmill 60 Air outlet device 62A Duct connection portion (air outlet main body)
62B Outer cone (air outlet)
62C Medium cone (air outlet)
64 Bimetal switch (thermosensitive switch)

Claims (4)

an air outlet main body to which conditioned air is supplied;
an air outlet that blows out conditioned air from the air outlet main body;
a windmill provided inside the air outlet body , having a rotation axis along the flow of the conditioned air, and rotated by the conditioned air;
a generator provided inside the air outlet body and configured to generate DC power by rotation of the wind turbine;
a heater provided at the air outlet and generating heat using the electric power generated by the generator;
and
The heater is provided in series with an electric circuit that uses the generator as a power source and does not require a commercial power source .
Air outlet structure. a temperature-sensitive switch that stops power supply to the heater when the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet is equal to or higher than a preset temperature;
The electric circuit includes the heater, the generator, and the temperature-sensitive switch connected in series.
The air outlet structure according to claim 1 . The temperature-sensitive switch is a bimetal switch.
The air outlet structure according to claim 2 . an air outlet main body to which conditioned air is supplied;
an air outlet that blows out conditioned air from the air outlet main body;
a windmill provided inside the air outlet body and rotated by conditioned air;
a generator provided inside the air outlet body and configured to generate electricity by rotation of the wind turbine;
a heater provided at the air outlet and generating heat using the electric power generated by the generator;
a temperature sensing switch that stops power supply to the heater when the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the air outlet is equal to or higher than a preset temperature;
and
The heater, the generator, and the temperature-sensitive switch are connected in series in an electric circuit powered by the generator.
Air outlet structure.