JP2012141109A - Ventilation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a ventilation device, with which detailed control of a ventilation air volume can be performed depending on whether there is a person in a room or according to the quality of room air, and energy can be saved.SOLUTION: The ventilation device includes: a ventilation fan; a motor for rotating the fan; and a plurality of sensor connections for connecting a plurality of external sensors arranged in the room. The device is provided with a control unit for controlling the rotation of the motor with a multi-stage airflow notch so that the quality of room air detected by the plurality of sensor connections and indicated through the plurality of sensors satisfies a determination level.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ventilation device installed in a room in a building.

  In recent years, ventilators installed in rooms of offices and office buildings have been required to have an external interlocking function using various sensors, timers, and the like.

  As a ventilator that meets this demand, for example, Patent Document 1 receives the output from the CO2 sensor and the CO2 sensor, determines the energization time to the damper motor that drives the ventilation damper to the timer circuit, and In response to the count-up, the opening of the ventilation damper is varied according to the CO2 concentration detected by the CO2 sensor with the relay contact circuit to which the damper motor is connected and the microcomputer for controlling the relay contact circuit, and the ventilation amount is varied. The thing of the structure provided with the control means is proposed.

JP-A-5-203226

However, in the above conventional technology, a commercially available external sensor cannot be connected to the ventilator,
Since a sensor having a general-purpose relay contact output and a sensor having an analog output cannot be used, the use of the ventilation fan is limited.

  In addition, since there is only a method for adjusting the ventilation amount by adjusting the damper opening of the blower or turning on and off the main power supply of the blower, fine air flow control cannot be performed and the comfort is impaired, and energy saving cannot be achieved.

  Further, a member such as a damper motor is required in addition to the ventilation fan motor, and there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve energy saving and downsizing as a ventilation system.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a ventilator capable of finely controlling the ventilation air volume according to the occupancy state of the room and the indoor air quality and saving energy.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a plurality of sensors for connecting a ventilation fan, a motor for rotating the fan, and a plurality of external sensors arranged in a room. A control unit that includes a connection unit and controls the operation of the motor with a plurality of airflow notches so that the indoor air quality indicated by the plurality of sensor signals taken in by the plurality of sensor connection units satisfies a predetermined determination level; It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, the indoor air quality indicated by the sensor signals of each of the plurality of external sensors arranged in the room is compared with the predetermined determination level one by one, and when all the sensor signals satisfy the predetermined determination level, the sensor When all of the signals do not satisfy the predetermined judgment level, ventilation operation is performed with an appropriate air volume notch according to the case where a part of the sensor signal satisfies the predetermined judgment level, so that the occupancy state of the room and the indoor air quality are There is an effect that it is possible to realize a ventilation device capable of finely controlling the ventilation air volume according to the demand and saving energy.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the ventilation air volume control operation (part 1). FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the ventilation air volume control operation (part 2). FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the ventilation air volume control operation (part 3). FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the ventilation air flow control operation. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the ventilation air volume control operation. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example (No. 1) of the control unit illustrated in FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example (No. 2) of the control unit illustrated in FIG. 9.

  Embodiments of a ventilator according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a ventilation device 1a according to the first embodiment includes a ventilation fan 2, a motor 3 that rotates the fan 2, a control unit 4a that controls the operation of the motor 3 with a plurality of airflow notches, And a plurality of external sensors 5 connected to the control unit 4a.

  The controller 4a is provided with as many sensor connections 6 as interfaces with the external sensors 5 as many as the number of external sensors 5 arranged in the room. The sensor connection unit 6 outputs the sensor signal received from the external sensor 5 to the microcomputer in the control unit 4a. The number of external sensors 5 arranged in the room is determined by the size of the room and the required sensor sensitivity. However, in FIG. 1, two sensors A and B are shown as the external sensors 5 for ease of explanation. Therefore, the sensor connection unit 6 is also shown in two types: a sensor A connection unit to which the sensor A is connected and a sensor B connection unit to which the sensor B is connected.

  The external sensor 5 is a sensor that can measure and detect various air qualities in the room, such as a CO2 sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a human sensor, and a miscellaneous gas sensor. However, in this specification, the external sensor 5 is assumed to be a CO2 sensor for easy explanation.

  The external sensor 5 is a commercially available general-purpose product that can be easily obtained by anyone in the form of a sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a relay contact output type (ie, digital output type) and an analog output type (ie, voltage output or current output type). When the external signal applied to the microcomputer in the control unit 4a is an ON / OFF signal, it is input to the digital input port of the microcomputer, and when it is an analog signal, it is input to the analog input port of the microcomputer. Therefore, the sensor connection unit 6 included in the control unit 4a is configured in the control unit 4a either or both of those arranged on the digital input port side of the microcomputer and those arranged on the analog input port side. .

  In the first embodiment, for ease of explanation, both the sensor unit of sensor A and the sensor unit of sensor B are of the relay contact output type. Therefore, both the sensor A connection part and the sensor B connection part are received. The sensor signal (ON / OFF signal) is input to the digital input port of the microcomputer.

  The motor 3 is an AC motor or a DC motor. The microcomputer in the control unit 4a adjusts and controls the rotational speed of the motor 3 in multiple stages according to the necessary ventilation air volume. In the first embodiment, the ventilation air volume is divided into four stages of a small air volume, a medium air volume, a strong air volume, and a special strong air volume based on the sensor signal (ON / OFF signal) from the external sensor 5 (sensor A, sensor B). Control. Hereinafter, the three ventilation air volume control operations will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts for explaining the ventilation air volume control operation (No. 1 to No. 3).

<Ventilation air volume control operation (1)>
In FIG. 2, the control unit 4a checks the output states (ON / OFF states) of the sensors A and B. If it is ON, it indicates that the measured CO2 concentration exceeds the specified value. If it is OFF, it indicates that the measured CO2 concentration is below the specified value.

  If sensor A is ON (step S1: Yes) and sensor B is also ON (step S2: Yes), it is determined that the indoor CO2 concentration is considerably high, and in step S3, ventilation device 1a is turned on. The operation is performed with the strong air volume ventilation, and the process returns to step S1 to shift to a process for examining the output states (ON / OFF states) of the sensors A and B.

  On the other hand, if sensor A is OFF (step S1: No) and sensor B is also OFF (step S4: No), it is determined that the indoor CO2 concentration is not more than the specified value, and in step S12, The ventilator 1a is operated with small air volume ventilation, the strong air volume flag is set to “0” in step S12, and the process returns to step S1 to check the output states (ON / OFF states) of the sensors A and B. Transition.

  Further, when the sensor A is ON (step S1: Yes) and the sensor B is OFF (step S2: No), or the sensor A is OFF (step S1: No), the sensor B is If it is ON (step S4: Yes), it is checked in step S5 whether the strong air volume flag is “1” or “0”.

  As a result, when the strong air flow flag is not “1” but “0” (step S5: No), the ventilator 1a is operated with medium air flow ventilation in step S6, and the process proceeds to step S1 via step S7. Returning, the output states of the sensors A and B are repeatedly checked within a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes).

  Thus, when either sensor A or sensor B is ON and the medium air volume ventilation continues for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) (step S7: Yes), the CO2 concentration is still high. In step S8, the ventilator 1a is operated with strong air volume ventilation. In step S9, the strong air volume flag is set to "1", and in step S10, the duration of the strong air volume ventilation is monitored.

  If the strong air volume flag is “1” in step S5 (step S5: Yes), the operation with the strong air volume ventilation currently being carried out is continued, and the operation with the strong air volume ventilation is performed in step S10. Is monitored in the same manner as in step S7.

  If the operation with strong air volume ventilation has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) (step S10: Yes), since either sensor A or sensor B is continuously ON, the CO2 concentration Is determined to be still high, the strong air flow flag is set to “0” in step S11, the process proceeds to step S3, the ventilator 1a is operated with the strong air flow, and the process returns to step S1.

  As a result, fine air volume control according to the indoor air quality is possible. And since appropriate ventilation can be performed according to a person's state and indoor air quality, energy saving of a ventilator can be achieved.

<Ventilation air flow control operation (2)>
In FIG. 3, in step S <b> 21 (strong air volume ventilation), the ventilator 1 a is operated with the strong air volume ventilation as in step S <b> 3 in FIG. 2. If the sensor A is ON (step 22: Yes) and the sensor B is also ON (step 23: Yes) in the operating state with the strong air flow ventilation, the process returns to step 21 and the strong air flow ventilation is performed. Continue operating at.

  If the sensor A is turned off (step 22: No) and the sensor B is also turned off (step 24: No) in the operating state with this strong air volume ventilation (step 21), the indoor CO2 concentration is reduced to a specified value or less. In step 30, the ventilator 1a is operated with small air volume ventilation. It should be noted that the air volume is actually gradually reduced so as not to cause discomfort to the user, instead of immediately reducing the strong air volume to the small air volume.

  Further, in the operation state with the strong air flow ventilation (step 21), even if the sensor A is turned off (step 22: No), if the sensor B is turned on (step 24: Yes), or the sensor B is turned off. Even if (step 23: No), if the sensor A is ON (step 22: Yes), it is determined that the indoor CO2 concentration is still high, and the ventilator 1a is operated with strong air flow ventilation at step 25. Then, the process returns to step 22 via step S26, and the output contents of the sensors A and B are repeatedly checked within a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes).

  If either sensor A or sensor B is ON and strong airflow ventilation continues for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) (step S26: Yes), it is determined that the CO2 concentration is still high, In step S27, the ventilator 1a is operated with medium air volume ventilation.

  Then, it can be expected that the indoor CO2 concentration will decrease to a specified value or less by continuing the operation of the medium air volume ventilation, and both the sensor A and the sensor B are turned off if the operation of the medium air volume ventilation is continued. However, here, instead of waiting for both the sensor A and the sensor B to turn OFF, when a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed (step S28), the ventilation device 1a is switched to the operation of the small air volume ventilation. Yes.

  As a result, fine air volume control according to the indoor air quality is possible. And since appropriate ventilation can be performed according to a person's state and indoor air quality, energy saving of a ventilator can be achieved. In addition, since there is no behavior in which the ventilation airflow is frequently switched in a short time, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

<Ventilation air volume control operation (part 3)>
In FIG. 4, in step S31 (small air volume ventilation), the ventilator 1a is operated with small air volume ventilation as in steps S28 and S29 in FIG. In the operation state with the small air volume ventilation, until the predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) elapses (step S32: No), the operation with the small air volume ventilation is continued and when the predetermined time elapses (step S32: Yes), The operation of the ventilation device 1a is stopped (step S32). Thereby, further energy saving of the ventilation device 1a can be achieved.

  In each of the operation examples, the sensor A and the sensor B are both relay contact outputs, but even in the case of analog outputs, if the criteria for determining the indoor air quality are determined, the same consideration can be made for ventilation air volume control. It goes without saying that can be done.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the sensor signals of a plurality of general-purpose external sensors arranged at predetermined positions in the room are captured, and the ventilation airflow is switched in multiple stages based on the state of each sensor signal. Fine air volume control according to indoor air quality can be performed. At this time, appropriate ventilation can be performed according to the presence state and indoor air quality, and the operation with a small ventilation air volume is stopped after a predetermined time, so that energy saving of the ventilation device can be achieved. Further, since the air volume can be controlled so that the ventilation air volume does not change frequently in a short time, the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the ventilation air flow control operation. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to components that are the same as or equivalent to the components shown in FIG. 1 (Embodiment 1). Here, the description will be focused on the portion related to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the ventilation device 1b according to the second embodiment, the timer setting means 7 is added to the control unit 4b in which the sign is changed in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 (the first embodiment). .

  The timer setting means 7 is used to set the switching time of each operation of small air volume ventilation ← → medium air volume ventilation, medium air volume ventilation ← → strong air volume ventilation, strong air volume ventilation ← → extra strong air volume ventilation. As described above, it is used to set the time to stop the operation with small air volume ventilation. If the ventilation air volume is frequently switched in a short time, the user feels uncomfortable. Therefore, the timer setting means 7 can be arbitrarily set from 0.5 hours to 5 hours, for example. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 6, in step S41, a predetermined time until the ventilation is stopped after the start of the small air volume ventilation operation is set in the timer setting means 8. Here, when 1 hour is selected, in step S42, the predetermined time = 1 hour is set in the timer setting means 7 at the start of the small air volume ventilation operation. In step S43, the elapsed time of the small air volume ventilation operation is monitored (step S43: No), and when 1 hour has elapsed (step S43: Yes), the ventilation operation is stopped (step S44).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the operation time of each ventilation operation is set to a time that does not cause discomfort to the user, such as 1 hour, and the operation is switched according to the operation time. The user will not be discomforted.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the ventilation air volume control operation. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to components that are the same as or equivalent to those shown in FIG. 5 (Embodiment 2). Here, the description will be focused on the portion related to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the ventilator 1c according to the third embodiment, sensitivity setting means 8 is added to the control unit 4c in which the sign is changed in the configuration shown in FIG. 5 (second embodiment). . The external sensor 5 (sensor A, sensor B) is of an analog output format. The sensitivity setting means 8 determines a prescribed value for switching the air volume with respect to the output values of the sensors A and B in the analog output format. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8, in step S51, the sensitivity of the CO2 sensor (sensor A, sensor B) is set. In step S52, it is determined whether or not the set sensitivity is high. When the set sensitivity is high sensitivity (step S52: Yes), in step S53, the CO2 concentration of 0 to 1000 ppm is set in the range of analog output 0 to 5V. On the other hand, when the set sensitivity is not high sensitivity (step S52: No), the CO2 concentration of 0 to 2000 ppm is set to the analog output of 0 to 5V in step S54.

  Then, when the indoor air quality pass / fail judgment voltage is 2.5 V with respect to the analog output voltages of the sensors A and B, the CO2 concentration is switched to 500 ppm when the high sensitivity is set, while the CO2 concentration is switched when the low sensitivity is set. The air volume changes at 1000 ppm.

  Here, the CO2 sensor has been described, but it goes without saying that it can be applied to all sensors having an analog output function.

  Thus, according to Embodiment 3, a ventilation system suitable for the user's application can be provided.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ventilation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same or similar components as those shown in FIG. 7 (Embodiment 3) are denoted by the same reference numerals. Here, the description will be focused on the portion related to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the ventilation device 1d according to the fourth embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7 (the third embodiment), the sensor connecting portion 6 (sensor A connecting portion) is connected to the control portion 4d whose sign is changed. , A sensor input mode switching means 9 (sensor A input mode switching means, sensor B input mode switching means) is added.

  The sensor input mode switching means 9 (sensor A mode input switching means, sensor B mode input switching means) is connected to the external sensor 5 (sensor A, sensor B) connected to the sensor connection section 6 (sensor A connection section, sensor B connection section). B) outputs the output of the sensor connection unit 6 (sensor A connection unit, sensor B connection unit) to the digital input port of the microcomputer in the control unit 4d or according to the setting of the relay contact output format or the analog format. It is configured to switch to an analog input port for input.

  The sensor input mode switching means 9 can be configured as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example (No. 1) of the control unit illustrated in FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example (No. 2) of the control unit illustrated in FIG. 9.

  In FIG. 10, the sensor input mode switching means 9 shown in FIG. 9 provided in the control unit 4e includes a sensor input mode switching switch 12 to which the output of the sensor connection unit 6 is input, and (D) of the sensor input mode switching switch 12. Between the digital input circuit 13 disposed between the side output terminal and the digital input port 14 of the microcomputer 17, and between the (A) side output terminal of the sensor input mode switch 12 and the analog input port 15 of the microcomputer 17. And an analog input circuit 15 to be configured.

  The external sensor 5 is connected to the sensor connection unit 6, and the output format of the connected external sensor 5 is set in the sensor input mode changeover switch 12. For example, when the external sensor 5 is a relay contact output type, the sensor input mode changeover switch 12 is set to the (D) side output end. Then, the sensor signal (ON / OFF signal) of the external sensor 5 is input to the digital input port 14 of the microcomputer 17 through the digital input circuit 13. When the external sensor 5 is in the analog output format, the sensor input mode switch 12 is set to the (A) side output terminal. Then, the sensor signal (analog signal) of the external sensor 5 is input to the analog input port 16 of the microcomputer 17 through the analog input circuit 15.

  According to the configuration of FIG. 10, it is not necessary to prepare sensor connection portions separately for relay contact output and analog output, which leads to downsizing of the ventilator. Moreover, since there is only one sensor connection portion regardless of the sensor output format, the concept of incorrect wiring between the ventilation device and the external sensor is eliminated.

  In FIG. 11, the sensor input mode switching means 9 shown in FIG. 9 provided in the control unit 4 f includes a sensor input mode switching switch 12 to which the output of the sensor connection unit 6 is input, and (D) of the sensor input mode switching switch 12. Between the DA output circuit 18 disposed between the side output terminal and the analog input port 16 of the microcomputer 17, and the (A) side output terminal of the sensor input mode switch 12 and the analog input port 15 of the microcomputer 17. And an analog input circuit 15 arranged in the circuit.

  Here, for example, the DA conversion circuit 13 is configured to input 0 V to the analog input port 16 of the microcomputer 17 when the relay contact is OFF, and input 3 V to the analog input port 16 of the microcomputer 17 when the relay contact is ON. ing.

  The external sensor 5 is connected to the sensor connection unit 6, and the output format of the connected external sensor 5 is set in the sensor input mode changeover switch 12. For example, when the external sensor 5 is a relay contact output type, the sensor input mode changeover switch 12 is set to the (D) side output end. Then, the sensor signal (ON / OFF signal) of the external sensor 5 is input to the analog input port 16 of the microcomputer 17 through the DA conversion circuit 13.

  When the external sensor 5 is in the analog output format, the sensor input mode switch 12 is set to the (A) side output terminal. Then, as in FIG. 10, the sensor signal (analog signal) of the external sensor 5 is input to the analog input port 16 of the microcomputer 17 through the analog input circuit 15.

  According to the configuration of FIG. 11, the microcomputer can perform sensor input determination using one input port regardless of whether the external sensor is in a relay contact output format or an analog output format. The voltage value generated here can be arbitrarily set by changing the resistance constant on the control board. The voltage value may be set so as to obtain a desired ventilation air volume, and can be easily handled. Therefore, since the microcomputer port used for external sensor input can be reduced, the ventilation device can be reduced in size and cost.

  As described above, the ventilator according to the present invention is useful as a ventilator capable of finely controlling the ventilation air volume in accordance with the occupancy state of the room and the indoor air quality and saving energy.

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Ventilation device 2 Ventilation fan 3 Motor 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f Control unit 5 External sensor 6 Sensor connection unit 7 Timer setting unit 8 Sensitivity setting unit 9 Sensor input mode switching unit 12 Sensor input mode switch 13 Digital input circuit 15 Analog input circuit 17 Microcomputer 18 DA conversion circuit

Claims (9)

A fan for ventilation,
A motor for rotating the fan;
Provided with a plurality of sensor connection portions for connecting a plurality of external sensors arranged in the room, so that the indoor air quality indicated by the plurality of sensor signals taken in by the plurality of sensor connection portions satisfies a predetermined determination level. And a control unit for controlling the operation of the motor with a plurality of airflow notches.   The ventilator according to claim 1, wherein the sensor connection unit can be connected to an external sensor of a relay contact output type or an external sensor of an analog output type. The controller is
When the indoor air quality indicated by all of the plurality of sensor signals captured by the plurality of sensor connection portions satisfies a predetermined determination level, the motor is operated with a small air volume notch, and at least one of the plurality of sensor signals indicates When the indoor air quality does not satisfy the predetermined judgment level, the motor is operated with a medium air volume notch, and when the sensor signal that does not satisfy the predetermined judgment level continues for the predetermined time and does not satisfy the judgment level, the strong air volume When the motor is operated with the notch and the operation with the strong air flow notch continues for a predetermined time or when the indoor air quality indicated by all of the plurality of sensor signals does not satisfy the predetermined determination level, the strong air flow notch The ventilator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the motor is operated. The controller is
When any one of the sensor signals that do not satisfy the predetermined determination level satisfies the predetermined determination level during the operation with the special high air flow notch, the operation is performed by switching to the strong air flow notch, When the sensor signal that satisfies the determination level continues for the predetermined time and satisfies the predetermined determination level, the operation is switched to the medium air volume notch, and when all of the plurality of sensor signals satisfy the predetermined determination level. The ventilation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ventilation apparatus is operated by switching to a small air volume notch. The controller is
The ventilator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the motor is stopped when the operation at the small air volume notch continues for a predetermined time. The controller is
The ventilation apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a timer setting unit that can arbitrarily set a predetermined time during which the motor is continuously operated with the same air volume notch. The controller is
7. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a sensitivity setting unit capable of arbitrarily setting a detection sensitivity with respect to an output level of an analog output type external sensor connected to the sensor connection unit. The ventilation device described. The controller is
In accordance with the designation of the output format of the external sensor connected to the sensor connection section, the sensor input mode switching means for switching and inputting the sensor signal of the external sensor to the digital input port and the analog input port of the microcomputer is provided. The ventilator according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that The controller is
According to the specification of the output format of the external sensor connected to the sensor connection portion, the sensor signal of the external sensor is sent to one input port of the microcomputer regardless of whether the external sensor is a relay contact output format or an analog output format. The ventilator according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising: a sensor input mode switching unit that causes the input to be input.

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