JP7795446B2 - Whole building air conditioning systems and homes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a central air conditioning system for a building and a residence.

Various central air conditioning systems have been proposed for air conditioning multiple rooms within a building (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2016-191483 A

However, if air from a room is directly drawn into an air conditioner to circulate air within a building, the room may become negatively pressurized. In this case, unconditioned or unpurified air may flow into the room, causing a problem of reduced comfort.

Furthermore, if outside air is directly drawn into the air conditioner to ventilate and air-condition the building, the heat load on the air conditioner increases, resulting in reduced air-conditioning efficiency.

The present invention was devised in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its main objective is to provide a central air conditioning system that can improve comfort and air conditioning efficiency.

The present invention is a whole-building air conditioning system for a building that has a plurality of rooms and a hall, and is configured to allow air to flow between the plurality of rooms and the hall. The whole-building air conditioning system includes an air conditioner that has an intake port and an outlet port and generates conditioned air, a plurality of first flow paths for supplying the conditioned air to the plurality of rooms, a filter unit for purifying the air, a second flow path for supplying outside air to the filter unit, a third flow path for supplying air from the hall to the filter unit to generate a mixture with the outside air, a fourth flow path for supplying purified air that has passed through the filter unit to the hall, and a fifth flow path for supplying air from the hall that includes the purified air to the intake port of the air conditioner.

By adopting the above-described configuration, the central air conditioning system of the present invention can improve comfort and air conditioning efficiency.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing a building equipped with a central air-conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the central air-conditioning system of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device according to the present embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings contain exaggerated representations and representations that differ from the dimensional proportions of the actual structure in order to aid in understanding the contents of the invention. Furthermore, identical or common elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout each embodiment, and redundant 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.

[building]
1 is a conceptual diagram showing a building 2 equipped with a central air-conditioning system 1 for a building according to the present embodiment. The building 2 is exemplified as a residence 2A, but may also be a building or the like. The building 2 according to the present embodiment is configured to include an underfloor space 3 and an above-floor space 4.

In this embodiment, the underfloor space 3 is a space surrounded by the foundation 5, earthen floor 6, and first-floor floor 7. An opening 8 is provided in the foundation. This opening 8 is used, for example, to take in outside air A1 and ventilate the underfloor space 3. The outside air A1 taken in through the opening 8 is heat exchanged via the earthen floor 6 with geothermal heat, which has little temperature change throughout the year. As a result, air A2 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "underfloor air") that is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the outside air A1 is stored in the underfloor space 3. This earthen floor 6 is configured as a heat exchange section 9 for exchanging heat between the outside air A1 and geothermal heat.

The above-floor space 4 is a space provided above the under-floor space 3 (floor 7). In this embodiment, the above-floor space 4 includes multiple living rooms 11 and a hall 12. Air can flow between the multiple living rooms 11 and the hall 12. Furthermore, the above-floor space 4 in this embodiment includes a non-living room 13. Air can flow between this non-living room 13 and the hall 12.

In this embodiment, the multiple living rooms 11 are each located on the first floor of the house 2A. However, the multiple living rooms 11 may also be located on the second floor or higher.

In this embodiment, the hall 12 is configured as a corridor or entrance hall. However, the hall 12 is not limited to this configuration; for example, if the house 2A has two or more floors, the hall 12 may further include a stairwell or other spaces.

The hall 12 and the multiple rooms 11 are separated, for example, by partition walls 14 and fittings (doors) 15, forming gaps 16 that allow air to pass through. These gaps 16 are formed by undercuts in the fittings 15, but are not particularly limited as long as they allow air to pass through.

In this embodiment, the non-habitable room 13 is configured as, for example, a washroom or toilet. The non-habitable room 13 and the hall 12 are separated, for example, by a partition wall 14 and fittings (not shown), creating a gap (not shown) that allows air to pass through. The non-habitable room 13 in this embodiment is provided with an exhaust device 18 for discharging air from the non-habitable room 13 to the outdoors. The exhaust device 18 in this embodiment is configured as a fan for generating an air flow from the non-habitable room 13 to the outdoors.

[Whole building air conditioning system]
The central air-conditioning system 1 is for air-conditioning a plurality of rooms 11 in a building 2 (residence 2A). The central air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment includes an air conditioner 19, a filter unit 20, and a plurality of first flow paths 21, second flow paths 22, third flow paths 23, fourth flow paths 24, and fifth flow paths 25. Furthermore, the central air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment includes a control device 26.

[Air conditioner]
The air conditioner 19 of this embodiment is for generating air A7 that has been conditioned by a heat exchanger (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "conditioned air"). The air conditioner 19 of this embodiment is configured, for example, as a typical split-type air conditioner for home use. This air conditioner 19 includes, as a set, an indoor unit 19a and an outdoor unit (not shown) installed outside the building 2.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the whole-building air-conditioning system 1 of Figure 1. The indoor unit 19a has an intake port 29 and an outlet port 30. The intake port 29 is for taking in air into a heat exchanger (not shown) installed inside the indoor unit 19a. On the other hand, the outlet port 30 is for discharging conditioned air A7.

The indoor unit 19a is provided with an indoor unit fan 31. The indoor unit fan 31 draws air through the air inlet 29 and discharges conditioned air A7 from the air outlet 30. In this embodiment, the airflow rate of the indoor unit fan 31 is controlled in multiple stages, but it may also be controlled at a single airflow rate (single notch).

In this embodiment, the indoor unit 19a is disposed within the chamber 32. The chamber 32 in this embodiment is formed in a box shape with an internal space. The chamber 32 in this embodiment is located adjacent to the hall 12 and is separated from the hall 12 by a partition wall 14, but this is not limited thereto and may be located, for example, in the underfloor space 3 or the attic 33 (shown in Figure 1).

In this embodiment, a gap 34 is provided to allow air to pass between the hall 12 and the chamber 32. This gap 34 is configured as a louver provided in the partition wall 14, but it may also be configured as an undercut, for example.

[Filter unit]
The filter unit 20 is for purifying air. The filter unit 20 of this embodiment is configured to include a casing 39 and a filter 40 disposed inside the casing 39. With such a filter unit 20, air that passes through the casing 39 can be purified by the filter 40. The filter unit 20 of this embodiment is disposed in the underfloor space 3, but is not limited to this, and may be disposed, for example, in the hall 12 or the attic 33 (shown in FIG. 1 ).

A known filter can be used as the filter 40. Examples of the filter 40 include a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, a photocatalytic filter, an activated carbon deodorizing filter, or an electrostatic dust collection filter.

[First flow path]
1 , the plurality of first flow paths 21 are for supplying conditioned air A7 to the plurality of rooms 11. In this embodiment, the plurality of first flow paths 21 are configured to each include a first duct 41.

One end of each of the multiple first ducts 41 is connected to the living rooms 11, 11. Meanwhile, the other end of each of the multiple first flow paths 21 in this embodiment is connected to a branch chamber 37. A relay duct 45 is connected to the branch chamber 37. The relay duct 45 is connected between the chamber 32 in which the air conditioner 19 is located and the branch chamber 37.

In this embodiment, conditioned air A7 discharged into the chamber 32 from the air outlet 30 (shown in Figure 2) of the air conditioner 19 is supplied to the branch chamber 37 via the relay duct 45. The conditioned air A7 supplied to the branch chamber 37 is branched into multiple first flow paths 21 (multiple first ducts 41) and supplied to multiple rooms 11, respectively.

In this embodiment, the other ends of the multiple first flow paths 21 are each connected to the branch chamber 37, but this is not particularly limited and may be connected directly to the chamber 32 or to the air outlet 30, for example. Furthermore, the first flow paths 21 may be provided with a fan (not shown) for generating an air flow from the air conditioner 19 toward the multiple rooms 11. Such a fan allows the conditioned air A7 to be smoothly supplied to the multiple rooms 11.

[Second flow path]
The second flow path 22 is for supplying the outside air A1 to the filter unit 20. The second flow path 22 of the present embodiment is configured to include a second duct 42.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the second duct 42 in this embodiment is connected to the filter unit 20 (casing 39). The other end of the second duct 42 is disposed within the underfloor space 3. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the relay portion 46 between the other end of the second duct 42 and the opening 8 in the underfloor space 3 is included in the second flow path 22.

In the second flow path 22 of this embodiment, outside air A1 taken into the underfloor space 3 through the opening 8 is supplied to the filter unit 20 via the relay portion 46 and the second duct 42. The relay portion 46 includes the heat exchanger 9 described above. This second flow path 22 allows outside air A1 (underfloor air A2) that has undergone heat exchange with geothermal energy to be supplied to the filter unit 20. Note that the second flow path 22 is not limited to an embodiment that includes the relay portion 46; for example, the other end of the second duct 42 may be connected to the opening 8.

[Third flow path]
2, the third flow path 23 of this embodiment is for supplying air A3 from the hole 12 to the filter unit 20 to generate a mixture A4 of the air A3 from the hole 12 and outside air A1. The third flow path 23 of this embodiment is configured to include a third duct 43. One end of the third duct 43 is connected to the hole 12. Meanwhile, the other end of the third duct 43 is connected to the filter unit 20 (casing 39).

In this embodiment, the third flow path 23 allows air A3 from the hole 12 to be taken in from one end of the third duct 43 and supplied to the filter unit 20 (casing 39) from the other end of the third duct 43. This allows the filter unit 20 to generate a mixture A4 of outside air A1 supplied from the second flow path 22 and air A3 from the hole 12 supplied from the third flow path 23.

A first fan 51 is preferably provided in the third flow path 23 to generate an air flow from the hole 12 toward the filter unit 20. This first fan 51 allows air A3 from the hole 12 to be smoothly supplied to the filter unit 20.

[Fourth flow path]
The fourth flow path 24 is for supplying the purified air A5 that has passed through the filter unit 20 to the hall 12. In this embodiment, the fourth flow path 24 includes a fourth duct 44. One end of the fourth duct 44 is connected to the filter unit 20. On the other hand, the other end of the fourth duct 44 is connected to the hall 12.

In this embodiment, purified air A5 obtained by passing the air-fuel mixture A4 through the filter unit 20 via the fourth flow path 24 is taken in from one end of the fourth duct 44 and supplied to the hole 12 from the other end of the fourth duct 44.

A second fan 52 is preferably provided in the fourth flow path 24 to generate an airflow from the filter unit 20 toward the hall. This second fan 52 allows purified air A5 to be smoothly supplied to the hall 12. Furthermore, the second fan 52 generates an airflow from the underfloor space 3 and the second flow path 22 toward the filter unit 20, allowing outside air A1 (underfloor air A2) to be smoothly supplied to the filter unit 20.

[Fifth flow path]
The fifth flow path 25 is for supplying air (air mixture) A6 from the hall 12, including purified air A5, to the intake port 29 of the air conditioner 19. The fifth flow path 25 is formed by a gap 34 provided in the partition wall 14, but may also be formed by a duct or the like (not shown).

In this embodiment, the fifth flow path 25 allows the air (air mixture) A6 from the hall 12, which contains the purified air A5 supplied from the fourth flow path 24, to be supplied to the intake port 29 of the air conditioner 19.

[Control device]
As shown in Fig. 1, the control device 26 of this embodiment is configured by a computer and is installed, for example, on a partition wall, etc. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the control device 26 of this embodiment.

The control device 26 of this embodiment includes a calculation unit 53 consisting of a CPU (central processing unit), a memory unit 54 in which control procedures are pre-stored, and a working memory 55 that reads the control procedures from the memory unit 54.

In this embodiment, the calculation unit 53 is connected to the first fan 51, the second fan 52, and the exhaust device 18. This allows the control device 26 to control the airflow rates of the first fan 51, the second fan 52, and the exhaust device (fan) 18. Furthermore, the calculation unit 53 is connected to the air conditioner 19. This allows the operation of the air conditioner 19 to be controlled (for example, by changing the set temperature and the airflow rate of the indoor unit fan 31, etc.).

The memory unit 54 stores procedures (programs) for controlling the operation of, for example, the first fan 51, the second fan 52, the exhaust device 18, and the air conditioner 19. These procedures are loaded into the working memory 55 and executed by the calculation unit 53.

[Effects of the whole-building air conditioning system]
Next, a description will be given of the operation of the central air-conditioning system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, in the central air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, outside air A1 (underfloor air A2) is supplied to the filter unit 20 via the second flow path 22. In this embodiment, the outside air A1 is smoothly supplied to the filter unit 20 by the operation of the second fan 52.

In the whole-building air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, air A3 from the hall 12 is supplied to the filter unit 20 via the third flow path 23. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the filter unit 20 generates a mixture A4 of outside air A1 (underfloor air A2) and air A3 from the hall 12.

The mixed gas A4 contains not only outside air A1 but also air A3 from the hall 12. Therefore, the temperature of the mixed gas A4 is closer to the temperature of air A3 from the hall 12 than the temperature of outside air A1. As shown in Figure 1, this air A3 from the hall 12 contains return air A8, which is air-conditioned air A7 supplied to the hall 12 via multiple rooms 11. Therefore, the temperature of the mixed gas A4 is lower than the temperature of outside air A1 in the summer and higher than the temperature of outside air A1 in the winter.

In the whole-building air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the above-described mixture A4 passes through the filter unit 20 to generate purified air A5. The purified air A5 is then supplied to the hall 12 via the fourth flow path 24. Like the mixture A4, the temperature of the purified air A5 is closer to the temperature of the air A3 (return air A8) in the hall 12 than the temperature of the outside air A1. By supplying such purified air A5 to the hall 12, it is possible to ventilate the above-floor space 4 while suppressing temperature changes in the hall 12.

In the whole-building air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, a mixture A6 of purified air A5 and hall air A3 is supplied to the air intake 29 of the air conditioner 19 via the fifth flow path 25. This mixture A6 is supplied to the air intake 29 and undergoes heat exchange, generating conditioned air A7.

The mixed gas A6 contains not only purified air A5 but also air A3 from hall 12. Therefore, the temperature of the mixed gas A6 is closer to the temperature of air A3 (return air A8) from hall 12 than purified air A5. By exchanging heat with this mixed gas A6 in air conditioner 19, the heat load (amount of processing latent heat) of air conditioner 19 can be prevented from increasing.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the whole-building air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, conditioned air A7 is supplied to multiple rooms 11 via the first flow path 21. Because a portion of the conditioned air A7 contains conditioned outside air A1 from the second flow path 22, the above-floor space 4 including the multiple rooms 11 can be ventilated and air-conditioned. Furthermore, because a portion of the conditioned air A7 contains conditioned purified air A5, the air quality in the above-floor space 4 including the multiple rooms 11 can be improved.

Conditioned air A7 is supplied from multiple rooms 11 to the hall 12, or circulated through multiple rooms 11 and supplied to the hall 12. A portion of the air A3 (return air A8) in the hall 12 is supplied to the filter unit 20 via the third flow path 23. Meanwhile, the remainder of the air A3 in the hall 12 is supplied to non-occupied rooms 13 and exhausted outdoors by the exhaust device 18. This allows the central air conditioning system 1 to ventilate and air-condition the air while circulating the conditioned air A7 in the above-floor space 4.

In the whole-building air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, air A3 from the hall 12 is supplied to the air intake 29 of the air conditioner 19, causing the hall 12 to be at negative pressure compared to the multiple rooms 11. This maintains the multiple rooms 11 at positive pressure, preventing unconditioned air or unpurified air (such as pollen and other dust particles) from flowing into the multiple rooms 11, improving comfort.

As described above, in the whole-building air-conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, the temperature of the mixed gas A4 shown in FIG. 2 and the purified air A5 obtained by purifying the mixed gas A4 are closer to the temperature of the air A3 in the hall 12 than the temperature of the outside air A1. Furthermore, the temperature of the air (mixed gas) A6 in the hall 12 containing the purified air A5 is closer to the temperature of the air A3 in the hall 12 (return air A8) than the temperature of the purified air A5 before it is supplied to the hall 12. By supplying such mixed gas A6 to the intake 29 of the air conditioner 19, the heat load on the air conditioner 19 is prevented from increasing compared to when, for example, outside air A1 is directly supplied. In this way, in the whole-building air-conditioning system 1, by mixing the air A3 in the hall 12 with both the outside air A1 and the purified air A5, the temperature of the mixed gas A6 supplied to the intake 29 can be made closer to the temperature of the air A3 in the hall 12 (return air A8). This improves the air-conditioning efficiency of the air conditioner 19.

In this embodiment, the heat exchange section 9 provided in the second flow path 22 exchanges heat between the outside air A1 and geothermal energy. By generating a mixture A4 containing this outside air A1 (underfloor air A2), the thermal load on the air conditioner 19 is further suppressed, further improving air conditioning efficiency.

The airflow rate of the first fan 51 is preferably controlled by the control device 26 (shown in FIG. 3) so that the proportion of air A3 from the holes 12 contained in the mixture A4 shown in FIG. 2 is 20% or more. This allows the temperature of the mixture A4 (purified air A5) containing outside air A1 to approach the temperature of the air A3 from the holes 12, thereby improving air conditioning efficiency. On the other hand, if the proportion of air A3 from the holes 12 contained in the mixture A4 becomes higher than necessary, the proportion of outside air A1 contained in the mixture A4 will decrease, which may reduce ventilation efficiency. For this reason, the airflow rate of the first fan 51 is preferably controlled so that the proportion of air A3 from the holes 12 contained in the mixture A4 is 50% or less.

The air volume of the first fan 51 is adjusted based on the ratio to the air volume of the second fan 52. For example, by setting the air volume of the first fan 51 to 20% of the air volume of the second fan 52, the proportion of air A3 from the hall 12 contained in the mixed air A4 can be set to 20%. It is preferable that the proportion of outside air A1 contained in the mixed air A4 be set so as not to fall below the ventilation volume required for the building 2 (residence 2A).

The central air conditioning system 1 may be pre-installed in a newly constructed home 2A, but is not limited to this. For example, if an air conditioning system including an air conditioner 19, multiple first flow paths 21, and a fifth flow path 25 is already installed in an existing home 2A, the central air conditioning system 1 may be newly constructed by adding a second flow path 22, a third flow path 23, and a fourth flow path 24. This enables air conditioning renovations that can improve comfort and air conditioning efficiency.

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.

[Note]
The present invention includes the following aspects.

[Invention 1]
A whole-building air-conditioning system for a building that includes a plurality of rooms and a hall, and is configured to allow air to flow between the plurality of rooms and the hall,
an air conditioner having an inlet and an outlet and configured to generate conditioned air;
a plurality of first flow paths for supplying the conditioned air to the plurality of rooms;
A filter unit for purifying the air;
a second flow path for supplying outside air to the filter unit;
a third flow path for supplying the air in the hole to the filter unit to generate a mixture with the outside air;
a fourth flow path for supplying the purified air that has passed through the filter unit to the hole;
and a fifth flow path for supplying the hall air including the purified air to the air intake port of the air conditioner.
The building's whole-house air conditioning system.
[Invention 2]
a first fan for generating an air flow from the hole toward the filter unit in the third flow path;
a control device for controlling an airflow rate of the first fan,
The control device controls the air volume of the first fan so that the proportion of hall air contained in the mixture is 20% or more.
[Invention 3]
The building further includes a non-habitable room through which air can pass between the hall and the non-habitable room,
3. A central air-conditioning system for a building according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an exhaust device for discharging the air in the hall from the non-occupied room to the outdoors.
[Invention 4]
4. The central air-conditioning system for a building according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second flow path includes a heat exchange section for exchanging heat between the outside air and geothermal heat.
[Invention 5]
A whole-building air-conditioning system for a building as described in any one of present inventions 1 to 5, further comprising a second fan in the fourth flow path for generating an air flow from the filter unit toward the hall.
[Invention 6]
A house equipped with a central air-conditioning system according to any one of the present inventions 1 to 5.

1 Whole building air conditioning system 11 Living room 12 Hall 19 Air conditioner 20 Filter unit 21 First flow path 22 Second flow path 23 Third flow path 24 Fourth flow path 25 Fifth flow path

Claims (6)

A whole-building air-conditioning system for a building that includes a plurality of rooms and a hall, and is configured to allow air to flow between the plurality of rooms and the hall,
an air conditioner having an inlet and an outlet and configured to generate conditioned air;
a plurality of first flow paths for supplying the conditioned air to the plurality of rooms;
A filter unit for purifying the air;
a second flow path for supplying outside air to the filter unit;
a third flow path for supplying the air in the hole to the filter unit to generate a mixture with the outside air;
a fourth flow path for supplying the purified air that has passed through the filter unit to the hole;
and a fifth flow path for supplying the hall air including the purified air to the air intake port of the air conditioner.
The building's whole-house air conditioning system. a first fan for generating an air flow from the hole toward the filter unit in the third flow path;
a control device for controlling an airflow rate of the first fan,
The central air conditioning system for a building according to claim 1 , wherein the control device controls the air volume of the first fan so that the proportion of the hall air contained in the air-fuel mixture is 20% or more. The building further includes a non-habitable room through which air can pass between the hall and the non-habitable room,
2. The whole-building air-conditioning system for a building according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust device for exhausting the air in the hall from the non-occupied rooms to the outdoors. The whole-building air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the second flow path includes a heat exchange section for exchanging heat between the outside air and geothermal heat. The whole-building air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising a second fan in the fourth flow path for generating an air flow from the filter unit toward the hall. A home equipped with a central air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.