TW201812227A - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

To stably and quickly control, by means of an air conditioning device, air to be subjected to temperature control such that the air is at a desired temperature even in the cases where the environmental temperature is significantly changed. An air conditioning system S is provided with an air conditioning device 1, which controls the temperature of air taken from an inlet port 31, and discharges the air from an outlet port 32. A supply flow channel 80 for supplying a first space with the air discharged from the outlet port 32, and a first return flow channel 110 are connected to the air conditioning device 1, said first return flow channel extending to the position in the upstream of the inlet port 31 from a second space in communication with the first space via an introduction fan filter unit 200. In the first return flow channel 110, a first airflow adjustment damper 111 is provided.

Description

Air conditioning system

The present invention relates to an air conditioning system that includes an air conditioning device and supplies temperature-controlled air from the air conditioning device to a temperature-controlled space.

The indoor temperature of a clean room in a semiconductor manufacturing facility is usually strictly controlled using temperature-controlled air supplied from an air conditioning device. For example, in a clean room provided with a device (coater, etc.) for applying and developing a photoresist, it may be required to control the indoor temperature to within an error range of + 0.05 ° C to -0.05 ° C of the target temperature. . As an air-conditioning apparatus capable of coping with such a clean room, various apparatuses have been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

When the temperature-controlled air is supplied to the clean room, the air-conditioning device is usually arranged outside the clean room, and the air from the air outlet of the air-conditioning device is supplied to the air inlet of the clean room through a pipe or the like. The air inlet of the clean room is usually provided with a fan filter unit, and the air from the air outlet of the air conditioner is removed by the fan filter unit and introduced into the clean room (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-108652 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-128618

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the air conditioning apparatus as described above, a use temperature range and a temperature control range are generally determined. If the air taken in is a temperature within the use temperature range, the air can be controlled. A predetermined air volume is supplied for a desired set temperature in the temperature control range. However, a large number of adverse conditions have been reported so far: In most regions, significant changes in the ambient temperature caused by the generation of a large cold current or a large heat current frequently occur, and the control of the air conditioning device has become unstable with this.

Such a significant change in the ambient temperature may cause a significant change in the temperature of the air taken in by the air conditioner, and may cause a need to drastically and drastically change the freezing capacity or heating capacity of the air conditioner. Such a rapid change in the freezing capacity or the heating capacity may be one of the factors that cause the adverse situation. In addition, when it is necessary to drastically and drastically change the refrigerating capacity or the heating capacity, a situation may arise in which the air conditioning device cannot sufficiently follow the desired refrigerating capacity or heating capacity, and has to stop the air. Condition the operation of the device. In addition, in a case where the intake air is deviated from the use temperature range by the air conditioning device in accordance with a significant change in the ambient temperature, the intake air cannot be basically controlled to a desired temperature.

Here, as a countermeasure against a significant change in the ambient temperature as described above, for example, it is conceivable to widen the range of the refrigerating capacity and the heating capacity of the air conditioner and to improve the responsiveness when the refrigerating capacity and the heating capacity change. However, with regard to such countermeasures, there may be an undesirably large-scale installation or an undesirably increased energy required for operation with the expansion of refrigeration capacity, heating capacity, or performance improvement. Therefore, it may not necessarily be considered good.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the actual situation, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system can control the temperature of an object to be controlled by an air conditioning device even when the ambient temperature changes significantly. The air is quickly controlled to a desired temperature in a stable state, and such a good control performance can be ensured, and an undesirably large size of the entire air conditioning device can be suppressed or an energy used for operation to increase undesirably. [Means for solving problems]

The invention is an air conditioning system, which is characterized by comprising: an air conditioning device having an inlet for taking in external air and an outlet for ejecting the air taken in through the inlet, and for air taken in through the inlet The temperature is controlled to be ejected from the ejection outlet; the supply flow path directly or indirectly supplies air from the ejection outlet to the first space; and the first folding return flow path is connected to the first space through the first filter device. The second space in which the one space communicates extends to the upstream side or downstream side of the intake port and is located on the upstream side from the temperature control position in the air conditioning device that performs temperature control on the air; and the first The baffle for air volume adjustment is provided in the first folding return path, adjusts the air volume of the air flowing through the first folding return path, and flows from the first folding return path through the first folding return path. The air in the space 2 merges with the outside air of the air conditioner before being taken into the inlet or the outside air of the air conditioner after being taken into the inlet.

According to the present invention, a part of the air in the second space temperature-controlled by the air-conditioning device can be supplied to the upstream side from the temperature-controlling position of the air-conditioning device through the first folding return path, and can be brought in and taken in to The air before or after the inlet is merged. Thereby, even if the temperature of the outside air taken in to the air conditioning device taken in according to the significant change in the ambient temperature fluctuates greatly, the outside air can be compared with the temperature-controlled first fold from the first fold. The air in the return circuit merges, and its temperature becomes close to the temperature that should be temperature-controlled. Therefore, in order to perform temperature control in accordance with a large change in the temperature of the outside air of the air conditioner, it is easy to combine the outside air that merges with the air from the first return flow path without changing the freezing capacity or heating capacity dramatically. The air to be temperature controlled is controlled to a desired temperature. Therefore, even when the ambient temperature changes significantly, the temperature-controlled air can be quickly controlled to a desired temperature in a stable state, and this kind of better control performance can be ensured and air conditioning can be suppressed. The entire device is undesirably enlarged or the energy for operating it is increased undesirably. In addition, by providing a first air volume adjustment baffle in the first folding return path, the air volume of the air returned from the second space to the air conditioner side can be appropriately adjusted. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the air volume required in the second space is undesirably reduced, a situation in which the pressure in the second space is unexpectedly changed, and the like.

In addition, the air conditioning device includes a second filter device provided between the upstream side of the intake port and the downstream side of the ejection port, and the second filter device may be disposed at a position that is greater than the first fold. The end of the air conditioning device side of the return path is closer to the downstream side.

In this case, when the air in the second space introduced from the air conditioning device through the first filter device flows to the air conditioning device side from the first folding return path, it passes through the second filter device of the air conditioning device. Therefore, the cleanliness of the air supplied to the first space and the second space can be improved by increasing the cleanliness of the air controlled by the air conditioner temperature. In addition, since the air from the second space passing through the second filter device is high-cleanness air, the life of the second filter device can be extended.

In addition, the air conditioning device further includes a second folding return path extending from a position on the downstream side from the temperature control position to a position on the upstream side from the temperature control position, And the air supplied to the upstream side from the temperature control position via the second folding return path and the external air taken into the air conditioning device before being taken into the inlet or taken into the The outside air of the air conditioner after the inlet is merged.

In this case, it is also possible to supply a part of the air temperature controlled by the air conditioner to the upstream side of the temperature control device of the air conditioner through the second return flow path, so that it is connected to the air intake device before the inlet. Confluence of air or air taken into the inlet. Thereby, the second folding return path can also suppress a sharp change in the temperature of the air to be controlled by the temperature of the outside air of the air conditioner, and can stabilize the temperature control. In addition, the second folding return path can be used alone or in combination with the first folding return path. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly adjust and flexibly select a type for returning the temperature-controlled air to the upstream side, and to improve convenience.

In addition, a second air volume adjustment baffle may be provided in the second folding return path to adjust an air volume of the air flowing through the second folding return path.

In this case, by adjusting the second air volume adjustment baffle, the amount of air returned from the second return flow path can be flexibly adjusted, and convenience can be improved.

In addition, a supply air volume adjustment baffle may be provided in the supply flow path to adjust an air volume of air flowing through the supply flow path.

In this case, by adjusting the second air volume adjustment baffle and the supply air volume adjustment baffle, the air volume toward the first space side and the air volume returned through the second folding return path can be arbitrarily adjusted, and can be adjusted. Further improve convenience.

In addition, the first space is an upstream space of the clean room, the second space is an internal space of the clean room, the first filter device is a fan filter unit, and the supply flow path The air at the outlet is directly supplied to the space on the upstream side of the clean room.

The first space is an internal space of a clean room, the second space is an internal space of a semiconductor manufacturing device disposed in the clean room, the first filter device is a fan filter unit, and The supply flow path indirectly supplies air from the ejection outlet to an internal space of the clean room through an upstream space of the clean room, and the first folding return path can communicate with an internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. A position on the downstream side of the first filter device.

In addition, the first space is an internal space of a cover member formed so as to cover the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, the second space is an internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and the supply flow path will be from the spray nozzle. The air at the outlet is directly supplied to the internal space of the cover member, and the first folding return path can communicate with a position on the downstream side of the first filter device in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.

The first folding return path may communicate with the downstream side of the first filter device in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and be located more upstream than the arrangement area of the processing mechanism. The intermediate of the semiconductor element is subjected to a predetermined treatment.

In this case, since the air is returned to the air-conditioning apparatus side in the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and the processing means that performs a predetermined process, the clean air that is not affected by the processing by the processing means can be returned to the air-conditioning apparatus. Device.

The processing mechanism may be a film-forming mechanism that forms a resist or a developing mechanism that develops the resist. [Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, even when the ambient temperature changes significantly, the air of the temperature control object can be quickly and stably controlled to a desired temperature by the air conditioning device, and such a better Controlling the performance and suppressing an undesirably large size of the entire air-conditioning apparatus or an undesirably increasing amount of energy for operation can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system S according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning system S of the present embodiment is configured to maintain a constant temperature in a clean room C provided with a coating device for applying a resist or a developing device for developing a resist. The clean room C supplies temperature-controlled air.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system S includes an air conditioning device 1 having an inlet 31 for taking in external air and an outlet 32 for ejecting air taken in from the inlet 31. The air taken in 31 is temperature-controlled and ejected from the ejection port 32. A supply flow path 80 for directly supplying air from the air outlet 32 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 to the clean room upstream side space A1 is connected to the air conditioning apparatus 1. In addition, a first folding return path 110 is connected to the upstream side of the intake port 31 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and further upstream than the temperature control position where the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs temperature control on the air. The first folding return path 110 extends from the clean room C that communicates with the clean room upstream space A1 via the introduction fan filter unit 200. A first air volume adjustment baffle 111 is provided in the first folding return path 110 to adjust the air volume of the air flowing through the first folding return path 110. In addition, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 is installed in the next stage of the installation space of the clean room C.

The air supplied from the air conditioner 1 to the clean room upstream side space A1 is introduced into the clean room C by the drive of the introduction fan filter unit 200. The fan filter unit 200 for introduction includes a filter device and a blower, and according to the drive of the blower, the sucked air can be filtered by the filter device and introduced into the clean room C. In this embodiment, the filter in the fan filter unit 200 for introduction is a chemical filter, and may also be a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter or an Ultra Low Penetration Air. , ULPA) filters, can also include chemical filters and HEPA filters or ULPA filters.

The first folding return path 110 is connected to the outer wall of the clean room C (lower wall in the example shown in the figure), and communicates with the inside of the clean room C. Accordingly, in the air conditioning system S of this embodiment, the first air volume adjustment damper 111 is set to the open state, so that the air in the clean room C flows through the first folding return path 110. As a result, the air from the clean room C merges with the outside air of the air conditioner 1 before being taken into the intake port 31 of the air conditioner 1. In addition, the air in the clean room C that does not circulate in the first folding return path 110 is discharged to the outside of the clean room C by the drive of the introduction fan filter unit 200, is subjected to a factory exhaust treatment, and is then discharged. Release to outside air. In the illustrated example, the first folding return path 110 communicates with the lower wall (floor surface) of the clean room C, but the position where the first folding return path 110 communicates is not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the first folding return path 110 may communicate with a side wall of the clean room C.

In addition, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 400 denotes a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 provided in the clean room C. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 refers to a coating apparatus for applying a resist, a developing step for developing a resist, or an apparatus provided with such coating apparatuses or developing apparatuses as a whole. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the clean room upstream side space A1 corresponds to the "first space" described in the present invention, and the clean room C corresponds to the "second space" described in the present invention, and the fan filter is used for the introduction. The filter unit 200 corresponds to the “first filter device” described in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the air conditioning system S. FIG. The configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning device 1 in this embodiment includes an air flow path 30 having the intake port 31 and the ejection port 32 and divided inside; and a blower 60 that directs air from the intake port 31 toward the ejection port. 32 circulation; cooling section 2 is accommodated in the air flow path 30 and cools the air taken in through the inlet 31 with a variable freezing capacity; heating section 4 is accommodated in the air flow path 30 and is variable And the control unit 50 controls the freezing capacity of the cooling section 2 or the heating capacity of the heating section 4 and the like.

In the air flow path 30, the cooling section 2 is arranged on the upstream side of the heating section 4, and a humidification device 70 is further provided on the downstream side of the heating section 4. The humidifier 70 is electrically connected to the control unit 50, and the air taken in through the inlet 31 can be humidified by a variable humidification amount under the control of the control unit 50. In the present embodiment, a blower 60 is provided on the downstream side of the humidifier 70 in the air flow path 30. The air blower 60 is configured to change the air volume. When the air conditioner 1 is driven, the air blower 60 is basically driven to output a constant air volume. In addition, in the present embodiment, the cooling section 2 is disposed on the upstream side of the heating section 4, but the cooling section 2 may be disposed on the downstream side of the heating section 4. The position of the blower 60 may be a position different from the example shown in the figure.

Here, the so-called “temperature control position for performing temperature control on air in the air conditioner 1” in the present embodiment refers to the self-cooling section 2 in the air flow path 30 spanning to the heating section 4. section. Therefore, in the case of the upstream side of the temperature control position, it means the position on the upstream side than the cooling part 2, and in the case of the downstream side of the temperature control position, it means the position on the downstream side than the heating part 4. position. It is clear from the drawings that the first folding return path 110 is connected to the upstream side of the cooling section 2. Therefore, the first folding return path 110 extends from the clean room C and is connected to a position upstream of the temperature control position.

In the example shown in the figure, the inlet 31 of the air flow path 30 is connected to an inlet flow path 312 for allowing external air to flow toward the inlet 31, and an upstream filter device 313 is provided in the middle of the inlet flow path 312. In the present embodiment, the external air flows from the upstream side of the intake flow path 312 to the upstream filter device 313 by the drive of the blower 60, and thereafter, the downstream side of the intake flow path 312 flows through the intake port 31, so that It flows into the air flow path 30. The upstream filter device 313 is a chemical filter as an example, but may be a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter, and may include a chemical filter, a HEPA filter, or a ULPA filter.

Here, the first folded return path 110 is connected to the intake flow path 312 at a position upstream of the intake port 31 and upstream of the upstream filter device 313. Therefore, the upstream-side filter device 313 in the present embodiment is disposed further downstream than the end portion (the connection position of the end portions) of the air-conditioning device 1 side of the first folding return path 110. In the present embodiment, the upstream filter device 313 corresponds to the "second filter device" described in the present invention. In the example shown in the figure, the upstream filter device 313 is provided on the upstream side of the intake port 31, but the upstream filter device 313 may be disposed on the upstream side of the intake port 31 and on the downstream side of the ejection port 31 ( It is further upstream than the connection position with the supply flow path 80).

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, a distribution box 100 covering the air outlet 32 is provided in a casing of the air conditioning apparatus 1, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the distribution box 100. Here, the supply flow path 80 is connected to the discharge port 32 through one or more through holes connected to the distribution box 100. In the present embodiment, a supply air volume adjustment baffle 81 is provided in the supply flow path 80 to adjust the air volume of the air flowing through the supply flow path 80. Thereby, the supply flow path 80 can supply the temperature-controlled air from the discharge port 32 to the space A1 on the upstream side of the clean room, and the opening degree of the supply air volume adjustment baffle 81 can be adjusted to adjust the supply air Air volume.

In the example shown in the figure, a temperature sensor 41 and a humidity sensor 42 are provided in the ejection port 32. The temperature sensor 41 and the humidity sensor 42 pass through the cooling section 2, the heating section 4, and the heating section. The temperature or humidity of the air of the wet device 70 is detected. The temperature sensor 41 and the humidity sensor 42 output the detected temperature or humidity to the control unit 50. Based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 41, the control unit 50 performs the cooling on the cooling unit 2 and the heating unit 4. Control, and controls the humidification device 70 based on the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 42. Further, in FIG. 2, for convenience of illustration, the temperature sensor 41 and the humidity sensor 42 are shown far from the ejection port 32, but the temperature sensor 41 and the humidity sensor 42 are capable of passing through the ejection nozzle 32. Arbitrary aspect arrangement for detecting the temperature or humidity of the air at the outlet 32.

Next, the cooling section 2 and the heating section 4 will be described. First, the cooling unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling unit 2 in this embodiment includes a cooling ring pipe 14 of the first cooling unit 10 and a cooling ring pipe 24 of the second cooling unit 20. In the present embodiment, the first cooling unit 10 including the cooling loop 14 is configured by a compressor 15, a condenser 12, and an expansion device that are operated at a variable operating frequency and whose rotation speed is adjustable by a pipe 15. The valve 13 and the cooling loop 14 are connected in this order to circulate the heat medium. The second cooling unit 20 including the cooling loop 24 is configured as follows: The pipe 25 will be operated at a variable operating frequency and adjustable. The compressor 21, the condenser 22, the expansion valve 23, and the cooling ring 24 are connected in this order in order to circulate the heat medium.

In the first cooling unit 10 and the second cooling unit 20, the compressors 11, 21 compress the low-temperature and low-pressure gas heat medium flowing from the cooling loops 14, 24 to a high-temperature and high-pressure gas state. It is supplied to the condensers 12 and 22. The compressors 11 and 21 are inverter compressors that operate at a variable operating frequency and whose rotation speed can be adjusted according to the operating frequency. The higher the operating frequency of the compressors 11 and 21, the more heat medium can be supplied to the condensers 12 and 22. As the compressor 11, a scroll-type compressor having an inverter and a motor as a whole is preferably used. However, the form of the compressors 11 and 21 is not particularly limited as long as the supply amount (flow rate) of the heat medium can be adjusted by further adjusting the rotation speed by adjusting the operating frequency using an inverter.

In addition, the condensers 12 and 22 cool and heat the heat medium compressed by the compressors 11 and 21 while condensing with cooling water, and supply the expansion valves 13 and 23 with a high-pressure liquid state having a predetermined cooling temperature. The cooling water of the condensers 12 and 22 may be water or other refrigerants. In addition, the expansion valves 13 and 23 are supplied to the cooling loops 14 and 24 by expanding the heat medium supplied from the condensers 12 and 22 to depressurize them to a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixed state. The cooling loops 14 and 24 cool the air by exchanging heat with the supplied heat medium and the air to be temperature-controlled. The heat medium that exchanges heat with air becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas state, flows out of the cooling loops 14, 24, and is compressed by the compressors 11, 21 again.

In each of the cooling units 10 and 20 described above, the rotation frequency is adjusted by changing the operating frequency of the compressors 11 and 21 to adjust the supply amount of the heat medium supplied to the condensers 12 and 22 and the expansion valve can be adjusted. The openings of 13, 23 can adjust the supply amount of the heat medium supplied to the cooling loops 14, 24. By performing such adjustment, the freezing capacity becomes variable. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the compressor 11 of the first cooling unit 10 is operated at a constant frequency for the purpose of improving the stability of the control. When such an operation is performed, the compressor 11 may be a compressor that operates at a fixed frequency. In this case, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Next, the heating unit 4 will be described. The heating unit 4 in this embodiment has a structure in which a part of the heat medium flowing from the compressor 11 in the first cooling unit 10 toward the condenser 12 is branched and passes through the heating loop 16 And the heating amount adjustment valve 18 provided on the downstream side thereof, and returns to the condenser 12 located on the downstream side of the compressor 11.

Specifically, the heating loop pipe 16 has a heat medium inlet and a heat medium outlet, and the upstream side of the pipe between the heat medium inlet and the compressor 11 and the condenser 12 is connected by another pipe. The heat medium outlet and the compressor 11 The downstream side of the piping to the condenser 12 is further connected by another piping. A piping extending from the heating medium outlet is provided with a heating amount adjustment valve 18. Thereby, the heating unit 4 can branch a part of the heat medium flowing out from the compressor 11 toward the condenser 12 and return to the condenser 12 through the heating loop 16 and the heating amount adjustment valve 18.

In the heating unit 4, a high-temperature and high-pressure gas-state heat medium compressed by the compressor 11 is supplied to the heating loop 16. The heating loop 16 heats the supplied heat medium by exchanging heat with the air to be controlled by the temperature. The heat medium that exchanges heat with the air returns from the heating loop 16 to the piping between the compressor 11 and the condenser 12. Here, the heating amount adjustment valve 18 is used to adjust the return amount of the heat medium from the heating loop 16 to change the heating capability of the heating loop 16. The more the heat medium is returned, the more the heating capacity is increased. The heating capacity of the heating unit 4 can be adjusted according to the operating frequency of the compressor 11 and / or the opening degree of the heating amount adjusting valve 18.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 in the present embodiment includes a second folding return path 120 from the downstream side of the cooling section 2 and the downstream side of the heating section 4. The position extends to the upstream side of the cooling section 2 and the upstream side of the heating section 4.

In the present embodiment, the second folding return path 120 is provided so as to span the through hole of the take-in flow path 312 and the distribution box 100, and the downstream end of the second folding return path 120 communicates with the take-in flow path 312. The position of the downstream side of the upstream filter device 313. A second air volume adjustment baffle 121 is provided in the second folding air flow path 120 to adjust the air volume of the air flowing through the second folding air flow path 120. The second air volume adjustment baffle 121 in this embodiment may be The air volume of the air flowing through the second folding return path 120 is adjusted manually or automatically.

In a state where the second air volume adjustment baffle 121 is opened, in this embodiment, the blower 60 is driven to be supplied to the upstream side of the cooling unit 2 and the upstream side of the heating unit 4 through the second folding return path 120. The air at the location merges with the outside air taken into the intake port 31. Here, the air conditioning device 1 is configured such that, by adjusting the supply air volume adjustment baffle 81 and the second air volume adjustment baffle 121, the air of 0% to 100% of the air volume output by the blower 60 is returned. To the upstream side of the cooling unit 2 and the upstream side of the heating unit 4.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the downstream end of the second folded return path 120 communicates with the position on the downstream side of the upstream filter device 313 in the intake flow path 312, but the second folded return path An end portion on the downstream side of 120 may communicate with a position on the upstream side of the upstream side filter device 313 in the intake flow path 312. In addition, an end portion on the downstream side of the second folding return path 120 may communicate with a position on the downstream side of the intake port 31. In this case, the air supplied to the upstream side of the cooling unit 2 and the upstream side of the heating unit 4 via the second folding return path 120 merges with the outside air taken into the intake port 31.

Next, an outline of the operation of the air-conditioning system S of this embodiment will be described.

In the air conditioning system S, the air conditioning device 1 is driven to supply temperature-controlled air to the clean room upstream side space A1. After the air-conditioning device 1 is driven, the external air of the air-conditioning device 1 is taken into the air-conditioning device 1 through the inlet 31 by the driving of the blower 60. The taken-in air is temperature-controlled to a desired temperature by the cooling section 2 and the heating section 4, and flows into the supply flow path 80 from the ejection outlet 32 to be supplied to the space A1 on the upstream side of the clean room. At this time, when the second air volume adjustment damper 121 is in an open state, a part of the air from the air outlet 32 of the air conditioning device 1 is supplied to the air conditioning device via the second folding return path 120 according to the opening degree thereof. The intake side 31 of 1 is on the upstream side.

The air supplied to the space A1 on the upstream side of the clean room is introduced into the clean room C by the drive of the introduction fan filter unit 200. At this time, when the first air volume adjustment baffle 111 is in an open state, a part of the air in the clean room C is supplied to the intake port 31 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 through the first folding return path 110 according to the opening degree thereof. Upstream side. In this embodiment, the air supplied from the first folding return path 110 to the upstream side of the intake port 31 merges with the upstream side of the intake port 31 and the outside air of the air conditioning device 1 different from the air from the first folding return path 110 . After that, the air passes through the upstream side filter device 313 and is taken into the air conditioning device 1 from the inlet 31. The taken-in air is temperature-controlled by the cooling section 2 and the heating section 4 and is ejected from the ejection port 32.

In such an air-conditioning system S, a part of the air in the clean room C controlled by the temperature of the air-conditioning device 1 is supplied to the upstream side from the temperature-controlling position of the air-conditioning device 1 through the first return flow path 110, so that It can be merged with the air taken into the inlet 31. Thereby, even when the temperature of the outside air taken in to the air conditioning device 1 of the intake port 31 is greatly changed in accordance with a significant change in the ambient temperature, the outside air can be compared with the temperature-controlled The air in the 1-fold return flow path 110 merges, and its temperature becomes close to a temperature to be temperature-controlled. Therefore, in order to perform temperature control in accordance with a large fluctuation in the temperature of the outside air of the air conditioner 1, it is easy to combine the outside with the air from the first folding return path 110 without drastically changing the freezing capacity or heating capacity. The air, which is the temperature control target, is controlled to a desired temperature. Therefore, even when the ambient temperature changes significantly, the temperature-controlled air can be quickly controlled to a desired temperature in a stable state, and this kind of better control performance can be ensured and air conditioning can be suppressed. The entire device 1 is undesirably enlarged or the energy for operating it is undesirably increased.

In addition, when the air in the clean room C introduced from the air conditioning apparatus 1 through the introduction fan filter unit 200 flows to the air conditioning apparatus 1 from the first folding return path 110, it is filtered by the upstream side of the air conditioning apparatus 1.器 装置 313. Therefore, by improving the cleanliness of the air temperature-controlled by the air conditioner 1, the cleanliness of the air supplied to the clean room C1 and the clean room C can be improved. In addition, since the air from the clean room C by the introduction fan filter unit 200 is high-cleanness air, the life of the upstream filter device 313 can be extended.

In addition, by providing the first air volume adjustment baffle 111 in the first folding return path 110, the air volume of the air returned from the clean room C to the air conditioning apparatus 1 side can be appropriately adjusted. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the amount of air required by the clean room C is undesirably reduced, a situation in which the pressure in the clean room C is unexpectedly changed, and the like.

In addition, in this embodiment, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 further includes a second folding return path 120 extending from a position downstream of the temperature control position (specifically, the heating section 4). To a position closer to the upstream side than the temperature control position (specifically, the cooling section 2). The air supplied to the upstream side from the temperature control position via the second folding return path 120 merges with the outside air of the air conditioner 1 before being taken into the intake port 31.

As a result, a part of the temperature-controlled air of the air conditioner 1 can be supplied to the upstream side of the temperature control position of the air conditioner 1 through the second return flow path 120, so that the air is connected to the inlet 31. Before the air confluence. Thereby, the second folding return path can also suppress a sharp change in the temperature of the air to be temperature controlled due to a large change in the temperature of the outside air of the air conditioner 1 and stabilize the temperature control. In addition, the second folding return path 120 can be used alone or in combination with the first folding return path 110, so it can be flexibly adjusted and the type of returning the temperature-controlled air to the upstream side can be flexibly selected, and convenience can be improved. .

In addition, the second air volume adjustment baffle 121 that adjusts the air volume of the air flowing through the second fold return path 120 is provided in the second fold return path 120, so that the second fold return path can be flexibly adjusted. 120 amount of air returned, and can improve convenience.

A supply air volume adjustment baffle 81 is provided in the supply flow path 80 to adjust the air volume of the air flowing through the supply flow path 80. Thereby, by adjusting the second air volume adjustment baffle 121 and the supply air volume adjustment baffle 81, the air volume toward the clean room C side and the air volume returned through the second folding return path 120 can be arbitrarily adjusted, and Can further improve convenience.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The same components as those in the first embodiment among the components in this embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first folding return path 110 extends from the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 to the air-conditioning apparatus 1 side.

As shown in FIG. 3, the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 includes: a housing 401; an integrated fan filter unit 402, which is disposed on the housing 401 and communicates the inside of the housing 401 with the outside; and a processing mechanism 403 housed in the housing体 401。 401. The air in the clean room C is introduced into the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 by the driving of the integrated fan filter unit 402. The integrated fan filter unit 402 includes a filter device and a blower, and according to the drive of the blower, the sucked air can be filtered by the filter device and introduced into the internal space. In this embodiment, the filter in the integrated fan filter unit 402 is a chemical filter, but it may be a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter, and may include a chemical filter, a HEPA filter, or a ULPA filter.

The processing mechanism 403 refers to a mechanism portion that performs predetermined processing on the intermediate of the semiconductor element. Specifically, the processing mechanism 403 is a film-forming mechanism (coater part) which forms a resist, or a developing mechanism which develops a resist.

A first folding return flow path 110 is communicated at a position downstream of the integrated fan filter unit 402 in the internal space of such a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400. More specifically, the first folding return path 110 is connected to the downstream side of the integrated fan filter unit 402 in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 and is located on the upstream side from the arrangement area of the processing mechanism 403.

In the present embodiment, the clean room C corresponds to the “first space” described in the present invention, and the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 corresponds to the “second space” described in the present invention. The fan filter unit 402 corresponds to the “first filter device” described in the present invention.

In the air conditioning system S of the second embodiment described above, a part of the air in the clean room C that is temperature-controlled by the air conditioning apparatus 1 is self-disposed in the clean room C for semiconductor manufacturing by the first folding return path 110. The internal space of the apparatus 400 is supplied to the upstream side from the temperature control position of the air-conditioning apparatus 1 so that it can merge with the air taken in before the intake port 31. Thereby, even when the temperature of the outside air taken in to the air conditioning device 1 of the intake port 31 is greatly changed in accordance with a significant change in the ambient temperature, the outside air can be compared with the temperature-controlled The air in the 1-fold return flow path 110 merges, and its temperature becomes close to a temperature to be temperature-controlled. Therefore, in order to perform temperature control in accordance with a large fluctuation in the temperature of the outside air of the air conditioner 1, it is easy to combine the outside with the air from the first folding return path 110 without drastically changing the freezing capacity or heating capacity. The air, which is the temperature control target, is controlled to a desired temperature. Therefore, even when the ambient temperature changes significantly, the temperature-controlled air can be quickly controlled to a desired temperature in a stable state, and this kind of better control performance can be ensured and air conditioning can be suppressed. The entire device 1 is undesirably enlarged or the energy for operating it is undesirably increased.

In addition, when the air in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 introduced from the air conditioning apparatus 1 through the integrated fan filter unit 402 flows to the air conditioning apparatus 1 from the first folding return path 110, the air conditioning apparatus 1 passes Upstream filter device 313. Therefore, by improving the cleanliness of the air temperature-controlled by the air conditioner 1, the cleanliness of the air supplied to the clean room C and the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 can be improved. In addition, since the air from the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 passing through the integrated fan filter unit 402 is high-cleanness air, the life of the upstream filter device 313 can be extended.

In addition, by providing the first air volume adjustment baffle 111 in the first folding return path 110, the air volume of the air returned from the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 to the air conditioning apparatus 1 side can be appropriately adjusted. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a situation in which an air volume required in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 is undesirably reduced, a situation in which the pressure in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 is unexpectedly changed, and the like.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The same components as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment among the components in this embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof are omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment in that the first folding return path 110 extends from the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 to the air-conditioning apparatus 1 side. On the other hand, this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that a supply flow path 80 extending from the air conditioning apparatus 1 supplies air to the internal space of the cover member 404 formed to cover the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the semiconductor manufacturing device 400 includes only the integrated filter device 402 ′ instead of the integrated fan filter unit 402. In this embodiment, the integrated filter device 402 'is a chemical filter, but it may be a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter, and may include a chemical filter and a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter.

The cover member 404 is attached to the housing 401 so as to cover the integrated filter device 402 '. The air supplied from the supply flow path 80 to the internal space of the cover member 404 is introduced into the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 through the integrated filter device 402 '. A first folding return flow path 110 is communicated at a position downstream of the integrated filter device 402 ′ in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400. More specifically, the first folding return path 110 communicates with the bottom of the wide body 401 on the downstream side of the integrated filter device 402 ′ and on the downstream side of the processing mechanism 403 in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400.

In the present embodiment, the internal space of the cover member 404 corresponds to the “first space” described in the present invention, and the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 corresponds to the “second space” described in the present invention. The integrated filter device 402 'corresponds to the "first filter device" described in the present invention.

In the air conditioning system S of the third embodiment described above, a part of the air in the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 temperature-controlled by the air conditioning apparatus 1 is supplied to the air conditioning apparatus 1 via the first folding return path 110. The temperature control position is further upstream, so that it can merge with the air taken into the intake port 31. Thereby, even when the temperature of the outside air taken in to the air conditioning device 1 of the intake port 31 is greatly changed in accordance with a significant change in the ambient temperature, the outside air can be compared with the temperature-controlled The air in the 1-fold return flow path 110 merges, and its temperature becomes close to a temperature to be temperature-controlled. Therefore, in order to perform temperature control in accordance with a large fluctuation in the temperature of the outside air of the air conditioner 1, it is easy to combine the outside with the air from the first folding return path 110 without drastically changing the freezing capacity or heating capacity. The air, which is the temperature control target, is controlled to a desired temperature. Therefore, even when the ambient temperature changes significantly, the temperature-controlled air can be quickly controlled to a desired temperature in a stable state, and this kind of better control performance can be ensured and air conditioning can be suppressed. The entire device 1 is undesirably enlarged or the energy for operating it is undesirably increased. In addition, other effects described in the second embodiment can be obtained.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Regarding the components in this embodiment that are the same as those in the first embodiment to the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment in that the first folding return path 110 extends from the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 to the air-conditioning apparatus 1 side. On the other hand, this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that a supply flow path 80 extending from the air conditioning apparatus 1 supplies air to the internal space of the cover member 404 formed to cover the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400.

In this embodiment, the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 includes only the integrated filter device 402 ′ as in the third embodiment.

The cover member 404 is attached to the housing 401 so as to cover the integrated filter device 402 '. The air supplied from the supply flow path 80 to the internal space of the cover member 404 is introduced into the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 through the integrated filter device 402 '. In the same manner as the third embodiment, a first folding return path 110 is communicated at a position on the downstream side of the integrated filter device 402 ′ in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400. Among them, the first folding return path 110 is connected to the downstream side of the integrated filter device 402 ′ in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 and is located more upstream than the arrangement area of the processing mechanism 403.

In the present embodiment, a punching plate 405 is provided in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 to separate the integrated filter device 402 ′ from the processing mechanism 403. The first folding return path 110 communicates with the upstream side of the punching plate 405. A plurality of punched holes are formed in the punched plate 405. The size and number of punching holes are appropriately set in accordance with the air volume required to be supplied to the processing mechanism 403 side. By providing such a punching plate 405, the air passing through the integrated filter device 402 'can be rectified to the processing mechanism 403 side.

The punching plate 405 described above can also be applied to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the internal space of the cover member 404 corresponds to the “first space” described in the present invention, and the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 corresponds to the “second space” described in the present invention. The integrated filter device 402 'corresponds to the "first filter device" described in the present invention.

In the air conditioning system S of the fourth embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, the numbers of the cooling section 2 and the heating section 4 in the air-conditioning apparatus 1 are not limited to the aspects of the embodiments described above.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the first folding return path 110 extends from the clean room C side or the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400 side to the upstream side of the intake port 31 of the air conditioning apparatus 1, but the first folding return path 110 may also be used. It extends to the downstream side of the intake port 31. In this case, the air circulating in the first folding return path 110 merges with the outside air of the air conditioner 1 after being taken into the intake port 31. In the third embodiment and the like, air is supplied from the air-conditioning apparatus 1 to one semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 400. However, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 may be configured to supply air to a plurality of semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses 400.

1‧‧‧air conditioner

2‧‧‧ Cooling Department

4‧‧‧Heating Department

10‧‧‧The first cooling unit

11, 21‧‧‧compressor

12, 22‧‧‧ condenser

13, 23‧‧‧ Expansion valve

14, 24‧‧‧ cooling ring

15, 25‧‧‧ Piping

16‧‧‧Heating ring tube

18‧‧‧Heating volume control valve

20‧‧‧ 2nd cooling unit

30‧‧‧air flow path

31‧‧‧Access

32‧‧‧ spout

41‧‧‧Temperature sensor

42‧‧‧Humidity sensor

50‧‧‧control unit

60‧‧‧Air blower

70‧‧‧ humidifying device

80‧‧‧ supply channel

81‧‧‧Baffle for adjusting air supply

100‧‧‧ Distribution Box

110‧‧‧The first fold return path

111‧‧‧The first baffle for air volume adjustment

120‧‧‧ 2nd fold return path

121‧‧‧ 2nd baffle for air volume adjustment

200‧‧‧ Fan filter unit for introduction

312‧‧‧access flow path

313‧‧‧ upstream filter device

400‧‧‧Semiconductor manufacturing equipment

401‧‧‧frame

402‧‧‧Integrated fan filter unit

402'‧‧‧Integrated filter device

403‧‧‧processing agency

404‧‧‧ cover member

405‧‧‧punched plate

A1‧‧‧Clean room upstream

C‧‧‧clean room

S‧‧‧Air conditioning system

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an internal configuration of the air conditioning system shown in FIG. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (11)

An air conditioning system includes: an air conditioning device having an inlet for taking in external air and an outlet for ejecting air taken in from the inlet, and performing temperature control on the air taken in through the inlet And the air is discharged from the ejection outlet; the supply flow path directly or indirectly supplies air from the ejection outlet to the first space; the first folding return flow path communicates with the first space through the first filter device; The second space extends to the upstream side or downstream side of the intake port, and is located upstream of the temperature control position of the air conditioning device for temperature control of the air; and the first air volume adjustment The baffle is installed in the first folding return path, adjusts the air volume of the air flowing through the first folding return path, and flows from the second space through the first folding return path. The air is merged with the outside air of the air conditioning device before being taken into the inlet or the outside air of the air conditioning device after being taken into the inlet. The air conditioning system according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the air conditioning device has a second filter device provided between an upstream side of the intake port and a downstream side of the ejection port, The 2 filter device is disposed further downstream than the end of the air conditioning device side of the first folding return path. The air conditioning system according to item 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the air conditioning device further has a second folding return path extending from a position further downstream than the temperature control position to The air is located upstream from the temperature control position, and the air supplied to the upstream position from the temperature control position via the second folding return path and the air taken in before the intake port. The outside air of the air conditioner or the outside air of the air conditioner after being taken into the intake port merges. The air conditioning system according to item 3 of the scope of patent application, wherein a second air volume adjustment block for adjusting the air volume of the air flowing through the second folding air return path is provided in the second folding air return path. board. The air conditioning system according to item 4 of the scope of patent application, wherein a supply air volume adjustment baffle for adjusting an air volume of air flowing in the supply flow path is provided in the supply flow path. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first space is an upstream space of the clean room, and the second space is an internal space of the clean room. 1 The filter device is a fan filter unit, and the supply flow path directly supplies air from the ejection outlet to a space upstream of the clean room. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first space is an internal space of a clean room, and the second space is a semiconductor manufacturing device disposed in the clean room. The internal space of the device, the first filter device is a fan filter unit, and the supply flow path indirectly supplies air from the ejection outlet to the internal space of the clean room via the upstream space of the clean room, The first folding return path communicates with a position on the downstream side of the first filter device in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first space is an internal space of a cover member formed to cover a device for semiconductor manufacturing, and the second space The internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, the supply flow path directly supplies air from the ejection outlet to the internal space of the cover member, and the first folding return path communicates with the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus The position of the downstream side of the first filter device in the internal space of The air conditioning system according to item 7 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the first folding return path communicates with the downstream side of the first filter device in the internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing device and is greater than that of the processing mechanism. The arrangement area is positioned further upstream, and the processing unit performs a predetermined process on the intermediate of the semiconductor element. The air conditioning system according to item 8 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first folding return path is connected to a downstream side of the first filter device in an internal space of the semiconductor manufacturing device and is more than a processing mechanism. The arrangement area is positioned further upstream, and the processing unit performs a predetermined process on the intermediate of the semiconductor element. The air conditioning system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the processing mechanism is a film-forming mechanism that forms a resist or a developing mechanism that develops the resist.