JP7652529B2 - Air Conditioning System - Google Patents

Description

This relates to an air conditioning system that supplies air based on the concentration of a specified gas in the room.

Air conditioners are known that perform a humidification operation and a ventilation operation in which outside air is heated without being humidified and introduced into the room. Patent Document 1 (JP 2010-43848 A) discloses that harmful components in the air, such as pollen, can be reduced by using a ventilation operation in which outside air is heated without being humidified and introduced into the room.

Patent document 1 discloses a heating ventilation operation mode in which outside air is heated and supplied indoors, and a non-heating ventilation operation mode in which outside air is supplied indoors without being heated, but does not disclose how ventilation operation is performed according to the measured concentration value of a specified gas indoors.

The air conditioning system of the first aspect has an intake fan, an intake pipe, a heater, and a control unit. The intake fan supplies outside air into the room. The intake pipe serves as a path for carrying the outside air into the room. The heater heats the outside air before it is introduced into the intake pipe, or the outside air upstream in the intake pipe. The control unit controls the intake fan and the heater. The control unit controls the intake operation to be switchable between a first intake operation and a second intake operation. The first intake operation is an operation in which the outside air is heated by the heater and supplied into the room based on the concentration of a specified gas in the room. The second intake operation is an operation in which the outside air is supplied into the room without being heated based on the concentration of a specified gas in the room.

In the air conditioning system of the first aspect, the control unit performs a first air supply operation in which the outside air is heated by a heater as necessary, so that the air supply piping can be dried. If the air supply piping is not dried, there is a risk that when condensation water has accumulated, a passing noise (popping noise) will be generated when the humidified air passes through. By drying the air supply piping, the generation of the passing noise during air supply can be reduced.

The air conditioning system of the second aspect is the air conditioning system of the first aspect, in which, when the air supply operation condition related to the concentration of a specified gas is satisfied while the air supply operation is not being performed, a decision is made as to whether to perform the first air supply operation or the second air supply operation.

The air conditioning system of the third aspect is the air conditioning system of the first or second aspect, in which the rotation speed of the intake air fan during the first intake air operation is 80% or more and 120% or less of the rotation speed of the intake air fan during the second intake air operation.

The air conditioning system of the fourth aspect is the air conditioning system of any one of the first to third aspects, in which the control unit changes the rotation speed of the air supply fan during the first air supply operation or the second air supply operation by automatic control or user setting. In the case of automatic control, the rotation speed of the air supply fan is increased as the concentration of the specified gas increases.

In the air conditioning system of the fourth aspect, in the case of automatic control, the control unit increases the rotation speed of the air supply fan as the concentration of the specified gas increases, so that the concentration of the specified gas can be reduced more quickly when the concentration of the specified gas is high.

The air conditioning system of the fifth aspect is the air conditioning system of any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor measures the humidity of the outside air before it is introduced into the air supply pipe, inside the air supply pipe, or after it is discharged from the air supply pipe. The control unit selects the first air supply operation when the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined humidity value, and selects the second air supply operation when the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is less than the predetermined humidity.

In the air conditioning system of the fifth aspect, the control unit selects air supply operation based on the measurement value of the humidity sensor, so it can more accurately determine whether or not air supply operation is required.

The air conditioning system of the sixth aspect is the air conditioning system of the fifth aspect, in which the control unit controls the rotation speed of the air supply fan to be increased when the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is high during the first air supply operation.

The air conditioning system of the sixth aspect increases the rotation speed of the intake air fan when the humidity in the intake air piping is high, so that the intake air piping can be dried more quickly when the humidity in the intake air piping is high.

The air conditioning system of the seventh aspect is the air conditioning system of any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising an outdoor unit. The outdoor unit is disposed outside the room and connected to the air supply pipe. The outdoor unit has a humidification unit for humidifying outside air and supplying it indoors. The humidification unit has an air supply fan and a heater used in the air supply operation.

In the seventh aspect of the air conditioning system, a humidification unit is used to perform both humidification and air supply operations, eliminating the need for duplicate equipment.

The air conditioning system of the eighth aspect is any one of the air conditioning systems of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising a gas sensor that measures the concentration of a specified gas in the room.

The air conditioning system of the ninth aspect is the air conditioning system of the eighth aspect, further comprising an indoor unit. The indoor unit is disposed indoors and connected to an air supply pipe, and supplies outside air flowing in through the air supply pipe to the room.

The air conditioning system of the tenth aspect is the air conditioning system of the ninth aspect, in which the gas sensor is disposed in the indoor unit.

The air conditioning system of the eleventh aspect is the air conditioning system of the ninth aspect, in which the gas sensor is disposed indoors separately from the indoor unit.

The air conditioning system of the twelfth aspect is the air conditioning system of the eleventh aspect, in which the gas sensor and the control unit are connected via an external network.

The air conditioning system of the thirteenth aspect is any one of the air conditioning systems of the ninth to twelfth aspects, in which the indoor unit further includes an indoor heat exchanger.

1 is an external view of an air conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit 2 and an air supply path 3 of an air conditioner 1 (air conditioning system 100) of a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the indoor unit 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the indoor unit 10 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view, slightly below, of the indoor unit 10 of the first embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing an air supply pipe 19 inside a casing 11 of the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a control method for a humidification operation in the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100a according to a modified example 1A. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100b according to modified example 1B. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100c according to modification example 1C. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit 2 and an air supply path 3 of an air conditioner 1d (air conditioning system 100d) of modification 1D. 13 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit 2 and an air supply path 3 of an air conditioner 1f (air conditioning system 100f) of modified example 1F. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit 2 and an air supply path 3 of an air conditioner 1g (air conditioning system 100g) of a modified example 1G. FIG.

First Embodiment
(1) Overall configuration of air conditioning system 100 The air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment includes an air conditioner 1, a control unit 16, and a gas sensor 15. The air conditioner 1 has an indoor unit 10, an outdoor unit 20, refrigerant pipes 2a and 2b connecting the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20, and an air supply pipe 35. The external appearance of the air conditioner 1 is shown in Fig. 1, and the refrigerant circuit 2 and the air supply path 3 are shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3A to 3C, the indoor unit 10 has an indoor heat exchanger 14, an indoor expansion valve 17, and an indoor fan 12. The indoor unit 10 is placed indoors.

The outdoor unit 20 has an outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6 and a humidification unit 5. The outdoor unit 20 is placed outdoors, usually outdoors.

The outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6 has a compressor 21, an accumulator 22, a four-way switching valve 23, an outdoor heat exchanger 24, an outdoor expansion valve 25, piping connecting them, and an outdoor heat exchanger fan 26.

The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment can perform air conditioning operations such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, humidification, and air supply in the room in which the indoor unit 10 is located.

In the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, cooling operation and heating operation are achieved using the refrigerant circuit 2. Switching between cooling operation and heating operation is achieved by switching the direction of the refrigerant flow in the four-way switching valve 23.

During cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows through the four-way switching valve 23, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the outdoor expansion valve 25, the indoor heat exchanger 14, the four-way switching valve 23, and the accumulator 22, in that order, before being sucked back into the compressor 21. During this time, the outdoor heat exchanger 24 functions as a radiator to heat the outdoor air, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 functions as an evaporator to cool the indoor air.

During heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows through the four-way switching valve 23, the indoor heat exchanger 14, the outdoor expansion valve 25, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the four-way switching valve 23, and the accumulator 22, in that order, before being sucked back into the compressor 21. During this time, the indoor heat exchanger 14 functions as a radiator to heat the indoor air, and the outdoor heat exchanger 24 functions as an evaporator to cool the outdoor air.

The air supply operation is performed using the air supply path 3. The air supply path 3 has the air supply path 58 of the outdoor unit 20, the air supply fan 54, the air supply pipe 35, and the air supply pipe 19 of the indoor unit 10. When the air supply fan 54 rotates, outside air is taken into the outdoor unit 20 through the air supply inlet 7c of the humidifier unit 5 of the outdoor unit 20. The outside air taken into the outdoor unit 20 flows through the air supply path 58 and the air supply fan 54 of the outdoor unit 20. The outside air also flows through the air supply pipe 35 that connects the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10. The outside air passes through the air supply pipe 19 of the indoor unit 10 and is blown into the casing 11 from the air outlet 19a of the air supply pipe 19, and then reaches the room outside the casing 11.

(2) Detailed configuration of the air conditioning system 100 (2-1) Indoor unit 10
A front view of the indoor unit 10 with the front panel 42 removed is shown in Fig. 3A, a left side view is shown in Fig. 3B, and a view from slightly below the left side is shown in Fig. 3C. The indoor unit 10 has a casing 11, an indoor fan 12, a gas sensor 15, a control unit 16, an indoor heat exchanger 14, a flap 18, and an indoor air supply pipe 19.

(2-1-1) Casing 11
In the indoor unit 10 of the present embodiment, a casing 11 is disposed, and the casing accommodates the indoor fan 12, the gas sensor 15, the first control unit 16a, the indoor heat exchanger 14, and the indoor air supply pipe 19. The flap 18 is attached to the lower part of the casing 11.

The rear surface of the casing 11 is hung on the wall inside the room. The refrigerant pipes 2a, 2b, the air supply pipe 35, etc. are connected to the rear surface of the casing 11, which passes through the wall and is connected to the outdoor unit 20 located outside the room.

A hole is drilled in the top surface of the casing 11, which serves as an intake port 41 for indoor air.

(2-1-2) Indoor fan 12
As shown in Fig. 3B, the indoor fan 12 is disposed in the center inside the casing 11. The indoor fan 12 is a cross-flow fan. In Fig. 3B, the indoor fan 12 rotates clockwise to move air in a clockwise direction.

Indoor air is taken into the casing 11 through the intake port 41 at the top of the casing 11, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14, and is blown out into the room through the flaps 18a and 18b at the bottom of the casing 11. The indoor fan 12 rotates to generate blown air, and blowing out the air stirs the air in the room.

(2-1-3) Indoor heat exchanger 14
As shown in Fig. 3B, the indoor heat exchanger 14 is disposed in the space inside the casing 11 and outside the indoor fan 12. Indoor air is taken into the casing 11 through the air inlet 41 at the top of the casing 11, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 to exchange heat, and is blown out into the room through the flaps 18a, 18b at the bottom of the casing 11. The air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 14 is heated or cooled while passing through the indoor heat exchanger 14, thereby heating or cooling the room.

(2-1-4) Flap 18
The flap 18 is attached below the casing 11. In this embodiment, the flaps 18a and 18b are configured as two pieces. When the air conditioner 1 is stopped, the flap 18 is normally closed as shown in Fig. 3C. When the air conditioner 1 is operating, the flaps 18a and 18b are open as shown in Fig. 1, and air is blown out from between the flaps 18a and 18b, between the casing 11 and the flap 18a, etc. The flaps 18a and 18b change the angle of the blown air by changing the opening angle.

(2-1-5) Outdoor air supply path and air supply piping 19 in the indoor unit 10
The air supply path within the indoor unit 10 is divided into a portion that leads to the inside of the air supply pipe 19 and a portion that leads from inside the casing 11 to the outside room after leaving the air supply pipe 19 at the air outlet 19a.

The air supply pipe 19 has a shape as shown in FIG. 4. One end of the air supply pipe 19 is a connection port 19b. The connection port 19b is connected to the air supply pipe 35 that connects the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10. The other end of the air supply pipe 19 is an air outlet 19a. The air outlet 19a is located on the left side of the indoor unit 10 and is arranged opposite the indoor heat exchanger 14. The central portion of the air supply pipe 19 between the connection port 19b and the air outlet 19a has a flat shape and is located near the left side of the indoor unit 10.

Outside air is taken in by the outdoor unit 20 and enters the indoor unit 10 via the air supply pipe 35. The air that flows through the air supply pipe 19 of the indoor unit 10 is blown out from the air outlet 19a in the direction of the indoor heat exchanger 14.

When supplying air, the supply air fan 54 of the outdoor unit 20 is rotated. The supply air fan 54 may be located in another location on the supply air path 3. For example, it may be located in the indoor unit 10.

(2-2) Outdoor unit 20
As described in (1) Overall Configuration, the outdoor unit 20 has a humidification unit 5 and an outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6. Since the outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 6 has already been described in (1) Overall Configuration, a description thereof will be omitted, and the humidification unit 5 will be described below.

(2-2-1) Humidification unit 5
The air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment can utilize the humidification unit 5 to perform a humidification operation or an air supply operation.

The humidification unit 5 has an air supply path 58 within the humidification unit 5 and an air path 57 for moisture adsorption. The air supply path 58 within the humidification unit 5 is part of the entire air supply path 3.

The humidification unit 5 has a humidification rotor 51, a heater 52, an air supply fan 54, and an adsorption fan 59.

The air flow in the moisture adsorption air path 57 is as follows: Air outside the casing of the outdoor unit 20 is taken in through the adsorption air intake 7a of the casing by the rotation of the adsorption fan 59, passes through the humidification rotor 51 and the adsorption fan 59, and is discharged outside the casing through the adsorption air exhaust 7b.

The humidifying rotor 51 is a ceramic rotor with a honeycomb structure, and has a generally disk-shaped outer shape. The humidifying rotor 51 is rotatably mounted and driven by a rotor drive motor. The main part of the humidifying rotor 51 is made of sintered adsorbent such as zeolite. Adsorbents such as zeolite have the property of adsorbing moisture from the air they come into contact with, and desorbing the adsorbed moisture by heating. In this embodiment, zeolite is used as the adsorbent, but it is also possible to use silica gel, alumina, or the like as the adsorbent.

In the moisture adsorption air path 57, the moisture in the outside air is adsorbed by the humidification rotor 51 as the outside air passes through the humidification rotor 51.

Meanwhile, in the air supply path 58 in the humidifier unit 5, the air flows as follows: Air outside the casing of the outdoor unit 20 is taken in through the air supply inlet 7c of the casing by the rotation of the air supply fan 54, passes through the humidifier rotor 51, heater 52, humidifier rotor 51, and air supply fan 54, and reaches the air supply pipe 35 that connects the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 10.

The heater 52 is located above the humidification rotor 51 and is arranged opposite the humidification rotor 51. The heater 52 can also heat the humidification rotor 51 by heating the air sent to the humidification rotor 51.

In summary, the humidification operation of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment is as follows. First, in the moisture adsorption air path 57, moisture from the outside air is adsorbed by the humidification rotor 51. The humidification rotor 51 that has adsorbed the moisture rotates, and the part that has adsorbed the moisture moves to the air supply path 58. In the air supply path 58, the air to be humidified is heated by the heater 52, takes in the moisture adsorbed by the humidification rotor 51, and is sent from the air supply path 58 to the indoor unit 10.

If the moisture adsorption and desorption function of the humidification rotor 51 is not utilized, it is easy to use the humidification unit simply for air supply operation. To change from humidification operation to air supply operation, the humidification operation can be performed without humidification by stopping the adsorption fan 59, barely rotating the humidification rotor 51, not heating with the heater 52, or other methods.

(2-3) Air supply pipe 35
The air supply pipe 35 connects the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 (humidification unit 5). The air supply pipe 35 constitutes a part of the air supply path 3 that supplies outside air to the room.

(2-4) Humidity sensor 36
The humidity sensor 36 measures the humidity of the air passing through the supply air piping 35. The humidity sensor 36 is disposed in the supply air path 3. In this embodiment, the humidity sensor 36 is disposed at the air outlet 19a of the supply air piping 19 in the indoor unit 10. The humidity sensor 36 may be disposed before being introduced into the supply air piping 35, inside the supply air piping 35, or after being led out from the supply air piping 35. In any case, the humidity sensor 36 may be disposed at a position where it is possible to measure the humidity of the air passing through the supply air piping 35.

(2-5) Gas sensor 15
The gas sensor 15 is disposed in the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1. The air conditioner 1 is provided with the gas sensor 15. The gas sensor 15 is a carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) gas sensor. Since the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment is provided with the CO ₂ gas sensor 15, for example, when the room is sealed and heating/cooling is performed without air exchange, the CO ₂ gas concentration in the room is measured by the CO ₂ gas sensor 15, and if the CO ₂ gas concentration is high, measures can be taken such as taking in outside air into the room using the air supply path 3 to reduce the CO ₂ gas concentration in the room.

The gas sensor 15 is an optical gas sensor. The gas sensor 15 has a light emitting section and a light receiving section. The light emitting section includes a light source that emits infrared light. The light receiving section has a detector and a filter. The principle of the gas sensor is the non-dispersive infrared absorption method. The amount of gas is determined by absorbing light of a frequency (wavelength) specific to the gas molecules due to resonance of molecular energy caused by atomic vibration. The gas sensor may be of the self-heating thermistor type.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the gas sensor 15 is disposed inside the casing 11, near the front, at the right end, and at the top. There are no particular limitations on the location of the gas sensor 15, so long as it is a location where the gas concentration in the indoor air can be measured.

The gas sensor 15 measures the gas concentration at the location where the gas sensor 15 is placed. In this embodiment, the gas sensor 15 is placed inside the casing 11 of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1, and therefore measures the gas concentration in the indoor air approximately 1.5 m to 2 m above the floor.

(2-6) Control unit 16
The control unit 16 has a first control unit 16a and a second control unit 16b. The first control unit 16a is disposed in the indoor unit 10. The second control unit 16b is disposed in the outdoor unit 20. The first control unit 16a and the second control unit 16b cooperate as the control unit 16 to control each device of the air conditioner 1. The first control unit 16a and the second control unit 16b each have a computer. The first control unit 16a and the second control unit 16b each include a CPU and a storage unit. A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control of the control unit 16 is shown in FIG. 5. The control unit 16 controls the heating operation, cooling operation, humidification operation, and air supply operation by the air conditioner 1. The control unit 16 controls the indoor fan 12, the four-way switching valve 23, the compressor 21, the outdoor heat exchanger fan 26, the outdoor expansion valve 25, the humidity sensor 36, the supply air fan 54, the humidification rotor 51, the heater 52, the adsorption fan 59, the indoor expansion valve 17, and the gas sensor 15.

The first control unit 16a is located at the right end inside the casing 11. The control unit 16a may be located in another position.

(3) Method for controlling humidification operation and air supply operation (3-1) Method for controlling humidification operation In this embodiment, the humidification operation is performed at the user's instruction. More specifically, the user's instruction is as follows, for example: The user presses the humidification operation input button on the remote controller. The remote controller sends the user's command to the indoor unit 10 by infrared communication. The control unit 16 receives the command and controls each device such as the humidification rotor 51. The air conditioner 1 may automatically determine and perform the humidification operation depending on the indoor humidity.

As explained in "(2-2-1) Humidification unit 5", in the humidification operation, first, the moisture in the outside air is adsorbed to the humidification rotor 51 by the rotation of the adsorption fan 59. Next, the outside air (air) is taken in by the rotation of the intake fan 54, and the air is heated by the heater 52. The heated air, which contains the moisture adsorbed to the humidification rotor 51, is sent out from the intake air piping 35 to the indoor unit 10 and further into the room.

(3-2) Method for controlling air supply operation (3-2-1) Issues with air supply operation In air supply operation, outside air is taken in through the air supply inlet 7c of the outdoor unit 20 by rotating the air supply fan 54 of the humidification unit 5, and the taken-in air is supplied to the room from the indoor unit 10 via the air supply path 3.

One of the issues with air supply operation is that condensation can occur in the air supply pipe 35 connecting the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20, causing the condensation to collide with the relatively fast-flowing air in the air supply pipe (the air flow is fast in the air supply pipe because the inner diameter of the pipe is relatively small), resulting in abnormal noise and discomfort to the user of the air conditioner 1 indoors.

In order to deal with such problems with the air supply operation, a drying operation is performed as necessary. The drying operation is an air supply operation for drying the air supply pipe 35 and removing condensation water . For this purpose, in the drying operation, the air is heated by the heater 52. The heater 52 only needs to heat the air passing through the air supply pipe 35, and may be a heater disposed at a different position in the air supply path 58 in the humidification unit 5.

(3-2-2) Control Flow of Air Supply Operation In this embodiment, the flow of executing the air supply operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this embodiment, the control unit 16 continuously or intermittently monitors the concentration of the specified gas in the room. Specifically, the gas sensor 15 periodically measures the concentration of the specified gas in the room and transmits the measured value to the control unit 16. When the concentration of the specified gas in the room exceeds a specified value (S101), the control unit 16 decides to perform air supply operation (S102).

In this embodiment, the air supply operation is performed at the discretion of the control unit 16 depending on the gas concentration of the specified gas. The air supply operation may also be performed at the instruction of the user.

In this embodiment, the predetermined gas is _CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas. The gas sensor 15 is a _CO2 gas sensor. The gas sensor 15 measures the concentration of _CO2 gas and sends the measurement result to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 starts the air supply operation when the acquired _CO2 gas concentration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The outdoor _CO2 gas concentration in Japan is about 410 ppm (2018). For example, when the measured _CO2 gas concentration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value of 1000 ppm, the control unit 16 determines to start the air supply operation.

In step S101, when the concentration of a specified gas in the room reaches or exceeds a specified value and the control unit 16 decides to start air supply operation, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the control unit 16 receives measurement data from the humidity sensor 36. The humidity sensor 36 may measure humidity continuously (including intermittently). Humidity measurement may also be performed in response to a command from the control unit 16. In either case, in step S103, the control unit 16 receives humidity data measured by the humidity sensor 36.

In step S104, the control unit 16 determines whether the humidity value measured by the humidity sensor 36 exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, 80% in the case of relative humidity. If the humidity in the air supply pipe 35 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S105 and performs a first air supply operation (drying operation). In the first air supply operation, the air supply fan 54 rotates, the heater 52 is turned on, and air heated by the heater 52 is sent to the air supply pipe 35 to dry the inside of the air supply pipe. Furthermore, air is sent from the indoor unit 10 into the room.

If the humidity in the air supply pipe 35 is less than the predetermined value, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S106 and performs the second air supply operation. In the second air supply operation, the air supply fan 54 rotates, the heater 52 is not turned on, and unheated air is supplied to the air supply pipe 35. In other words, the second air supply operation is not a drying operation.

The rotation speed of the air supply fan 54 during the first air supply operation and the rotation speed of the air supply fan 54 during the second air supply operation may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the air supply fan 54 during the first air supply operation is 80% or more and 120% or less of the rotation speed of the air supply fan 54 during the second air supply operation.

The rotation speed of the air supply fan 54 during the first air supply operation or the second air supply operation may be automatically controlled or may be changed by user settings. In the case of automatic control, the rotation speed of the air supply fan may be increased as the concentration of the specified gas increases.

During the first air supply operation, when the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 36 is high, the control unit 16 may control the rotation speed of the air supply fan 54 to be increased. By doing so, the inside of the air supply pipe 35 can be dried more quickly.

(4) Features (4-1)
The air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment has an outdoor unit 20, an air supply pipe 35, and a control unit 16. The outdoor unit 20 has an air supply fan 54 and a heater 52. Air is taken into the outdoor unit by the rotation of the air supply fan 54, and is introduced into the room via the air supply pipe 35. The heater 52 heats the air taken in by the air supply fan in the outdoor unit 20. The air supply pipe 35 serves as a path for carrying the outside air sent out from the outdoor unit 20 into the room. The control unit 16 acquires the concentration of a predetermined gas in the room, and controls the air supply fan 54 based on the acquired concentration of the predetermined gas to perform an air supply operation for supplying the outside air into the room.

The control unit 16 of the air conditioning system 100 switches the air supply operation between the first air supply operation and the second air supply operation. The first air supply operation is an operation in which outside air is heated by the heater 52 and supplied to the room. The second air supply operation is an operation in which outside air is supplied to the room without being heated.

Condensation occurs in the air supply pipe 35 when humidity is high, and abnormal noises may occur when the condensation collide with the air being supplied. In the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 16 performs the first air supply operation, so that the inside of the air supply pipe 35 can be dried. Drying the inside of the air supply pipe 35 reduces the amount of condensation and reduces the occurrence of abnormal noises.

In addition, in the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, the control unit 16 performs the second air supply operation as appropriate. The second air supply operation does not heat the air being supplied. Therefore, warm air is not unnecessarily supplied to the room.

(4-2)
In the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, when the concentration of a predetermined gas becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value (S101), the air supply operation is started (S102). When the air supply operation is started, the control unit 16 judges whether the humidity in the air supply piping is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (S103, S104), and determines whether to perform the first air supply operation (S105) or the second air supply operation (S106).

(4-3)
In the air supply operation of the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, the air supply pipe 35 is shared with the humidification operation. The air supply fan 54 and the heater 52 are also shared. Therefore, there is no need to prepare separate equipment for the air supply operation and the humidification operation, which is efficient.

(4-4)
The air conditioning system 100 of the present embodiment further includes an indoor unit 10. The indoor unit 10 is connected to an air supply pipe 35. The gas sensor 15 is built into the indoor unit 10.

The gas sensor 15 is built into the indoor unit 10, making it easy to coordinate with the control unit 16.

(4-5)
The air conditioning system 100 of the present embodiment has a refrigerant circuit 2, and the indoor unit 10 is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 14.

The air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment can perform air conditioning operations such as heating operation and cooling operation in addition to humidification operation and air supply operation. In addition, the indoor fan 12, the flap 18, etc. can be shared in these air conditioning operations.

(5) Modifications (5-1) Modification 1A
In the air conditioning system 100 of the first embodiment, the gas sensor 15 is disposed inside the casing 11 of the indoor unit 10. The gas sensor 15 may be disposed separately from the indoor unit 10 or the air conditioner 1.

In the air conditioner 1a of the modified example 1A, as shown in FIG. 7, the gas sensor 15a is separate from the indoor unit 10. The gas sensor 15a is capable of wireless communication with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10a. The gas sensor 15a may also be capable of wired communication with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10a. The gas sensor 15a measures the concentration of a specified gas in the room. The measurement results measured by the gas sensor 15a are transmitted to the first control unit 16a, and the control unit 16 controls the air supply operation of the air conditioner 1a.

In variant 1A, the gas sensor 15a is separate from the indoor unit 10a, so the placement of the gas sensor 15a in the room can be selected relatively freely. For example, when the room is a bedroom, the gas sensor 15a can be placed closer to the user. In addition, an expensive gas sensor 15a can be retrofitted to the indoor unit 10a.

(5-2) Modification 1B
In the air conditioning system 100a of the modified example 1A, the gas sensor 15a is separate from the indoor unit 10a, and the gas sensor 15a can directly communicate with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10a. In the air conditioning system 100b of the modified example 1B, as shown in FIG. 8, the gas sensor 15b is separate from the indoor unit 10b, and the gas sensor 15b can communicate with the first control unit 16a of the indoor unit 10b via a network. The network may have a server 40 on the network. The server 40 has a processor 401 and a storage unit 402. The server 40 may accumulate measurement data of the gas sensor 15b, control the gas sensor 15b, and transmit the measurement data of the gas sensor 15b to the air conditioner 1b.

As long as the air conditioner 1b of variant example 1B has a network connection function, it is possible to control the air conditioner 1b using the measurement data of the gas sensor 15b, even if it does not have a special function for connecting to the gas sensor 15b.

(5-3) Modification 1C
In the air conditioning system 100c of the modified example 1C, the control unit 16 includes a third control unit 16c. The third control unit 16c is arranged in a server 40c as shown in FIG. 9. The server 40c has a processor 401c and a storage unit 402c. The server 40c, the air conditioner 1c, and the gas sensor 15c are communicatively connected via a network. The third control unit 16c controls the air supply operation of the air conditioner 1c based on the concentration of a predetermined gas measured by the gas sensor 15c.

At this time, the third control unit 16c may control the air conditioner 1 via the first control unit 16a and/or the second control unit 16b of the air conditioner 1c, or may control the air conditioner 1 directly.

(5-4) Modification 1D
The air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment had a humidifying unit 5. As shown in Fig. 10, an air conditioner 1d (air conditioning system 100d) of modification 1D does not have a humidifying unit. Instead, it includes an air supply unit 5d. The other configuration is similar to that of the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment.

The air supply unit 5d of the modified example 1D has an air supply path 58d. An air supply inlet 7cd, an air supply fan 54d, and a heater 52d are arranged in the air supply path 58d. When the air supply fan 54d rotates, air is taken in from the outside into the outdoor unit 20d at the air supply inlet 7cd. The air passes through the air supply path 58d in the outdoor unit 20d, is sent to the air supply pipe 35, and is then transported indoors. In the air supply path 58d, the air is heated by the heater 52d as appropriate. In the first air supply operation, the air heated by the heater 52d dries the air supply pipe 35. In the air conditioner 1d of the modified example 1D (air conditioning system 100d), the air supply operation is also performed by the same control as in FIG. 6.

(5-5) Modification 1E
The air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment and the air conditioner 1d of the modified example 1D have a refrigerant circuit 2 and are capable of cooling and heating operations. The air conditioner of the modified example 1E does not have a refrigerant circuit. In other words, the air conditioner of the modified example 1E does not have an outdoor refrigerant circuit unit or an indoor unit. The air conditioner of the modified example 1E has an air supply unit 5c, an air supply pipe 35, a humidity sensor 36, a control unit 16, and a gas sensor 15b. The indoor side of the air supply pipe 35 is configured so that air is directly supplied from the air supply pipe 35 to the room. The gas sensor 15b is independently arranged indoors, as in the modified example 1B. The control unit 16 is arranged in the air supply unit 5a.

In the air conditioner of variant 1E, air supply operation is performed by the same control as shown in FIG. 6.

(5-6) Modification 1F
In Modification 1D, heater 52d is disposed in air supply path 58d. In Modification 1F, as shown in Fig. 11, heater 52f is disposed near air supply unit 5f of air supply pipe 35, in other words, near the inlet of air supply pipe 35, so as to heat air introduced from the outside. The other configurations are the same as those of Modification 1D. Even when heater 52f is disposed in this manner, the first air supply operation for heating air passing through air supply pipe 35 can be performed.

(5-7) Modification 1G
In the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, the humidity sensor 36 is disposed at the air outlet 19a of the air supply piping 19 in the indoor unit 10. The humidity sensor 36 may be disposed in another position as long as it can measure the humidity of the air passing through the air supply piping 35. In an air conditioner 1g of modification 1G, as shown in Fig. 12, a humidity sensor 36g is disposed in the air supply piping 35. The other configuration of modification 1G is similar to that of the first embodiment.

(5-8) Modification 1H
In the first embodiment, an example in which a _CO2 gas sensor is used as the gas sensor 15 has been described. The gas sensor may be a sensor that measures other gases. In the modification 1H, the gas sensor is a sensor that measures VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The VOCs are any one of formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and acetaldehyde, or a combination thereof.

The gas sensor may also be an IAQ (indoor air quality) sensor.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Reference Signs List 1, 1a to 1d, 1f Air conditioner 2 Refrigerant circuit 3 Air supply path 5 Humidification unit 6 Outdoor refrigerant circuit unit 10, 10a, 10b Indoor unit 14 Indoor heat exchanger 15, 15a, 15b Gas sensor 16 Control unit 19 Indoor air supply pipe 20 Outdoor unit 35 Air supply pipe 51 Humidification rotor 52 Heater 54 Air supply fan 59 Adsorption fan 100, 100a to 100d, 100f Air conditioning system

JP 2010-43848 A

Claims (13)

An air supply fan (54) that supplies outside air to the room;
An air supply pipe (35) that serves as a path for carrying outside air into the room;
a heater (52) for heating the outside air before it is introduced into the air supply pipe or the outside air upstream of the air supply pipe;
A control unit (16) that controls the air supply fan and the heater;
Equipped with
The control unit is
Based on the concentration of a specified gas in the room, the system performs an air supply operation to supply outside air into the room.
When performing the air supply operation,
a first air supply operation in which outside air is heated by the heater and supplied to the room so as to reduce condensation water generated in the air supply piping;
A second air supply operation in which the outside air is supplied to the room without being heated, and
An air conditioning system (100). the control unit determines whether to perform the first air supplying operation or the second air supplying operation when an air supplying operation condition related to the concentration of the predetermined gas is satisfied in a state in which the air supplying operation is not being performed.
The air conditioning system of claim 1 . The rotation speed of the air supply fan during the first air supply operation is 80% or more and 120% or less of the rotation speed of the air supply fan during the second air supply operation.
3. An air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit changes the rotation speed of the air supply fan during the first air supply operation or the second air supply operation by automatic control or a user setting,
In the case of the automatic control, the rotation speed of the air supply fan is increased as the concentration of the predetermined gas increases.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The air conditioning system further includes a humidity sensor (36) for measuring the humidity of the outside air before it is introduced into the air supply pipe, in the air supply pipe, or after it is led out from the air supply pipe;
The control unit selects the first air supply operation when the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity value, and selects the second air supply operation when the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is lower than the predetermined humidity.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit controls the rotation speed of the air supply fan to be increased when the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is high during the first air supply operation.
The air conditioning system according to claim 5. The air conditioning system further includes an outdoor unit (20) disposed outside the room and connected to the air supply pipe,
The outdoor unit has a humidification unit for humidifying outdoor air and supplying the humidified air to the room,
The humidification unit has the air supply fan and the heater used in the air supply operation.
An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Further comprising a gas sensor (15, 15a) for measuring the concentration of the predetermined gas in the room.
An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. an indoor unit (10) that is arranged in a room and connected to the air supply pipe and supplies outside air that has flowed in through the air supply pipe to the room;
Further comprising:
9. The air conditioning system according to claim 8. The gas sensor (15) is disposed in the indoor unit.
10. The air conditioning system according to claim 9. The gas sensor (15a) is disposed indoors separately from the indoor unit.
10. The air conditioning system according to claim 9. The gas sensor and the control unit are connected via an external network.
The air conditioning system according to claim 11. The indoor unit further includes an indoor heat exchanger (14).
An air conditioning system according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

Images