WO2024101206A1

WO2024101206A1 - Ventilation system

Info

Publication number: WO2024101206A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/039153
Authority: WO
Inventors: 祐司尾崎; 和宏谷口; 憲山本; 辰弥渡辺
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2022-11-10
Filing date: 2023-10-30
Publication date: 2024-05-16

Abstract

The present disclosure addresses the problem of providing a ventilation system in which the ventilation direction can be changed while the structure of a nozzle is simplified. A ventilation system (VS1) includes a nozzle unit (1) and a ventilation device (3). The nozzle unit (1) includes at least two nozzles (10). The at least two nozzles (10) each have a hollow elongated housing (10a) extending along a first direction, and the nozzles are lined up along a second direction. The housing (10a) includes a first surface portion and a second surface portion that are opposed to a third direction. The first surface portion is provided with a ventilation port extending along the first direction. Air that has been fed into the housing (10a) is blown to the outside through the ventilation port. The ventilation device (3) is located on the second surface side of the housing (10a) with respect to the nozzle unit (1), and blows second conditioned air from a first end (1a) toward a second end (1b) of the nozzle unit (1).

Description

Ventilation system

This disclosure relates to a ventilation system.

The blower in Patent Document 1 is equipped with multiple nozzles of equal length. The nozzles are provided with an inlet and an outlet. High-pressure air flows into the nozzle through the inlet, and the high-pressure air in the nozzle is blown out from the outlet. The multiple nozzles are provided with gaps so that the respective outlets are on the same plane, and these gaps form an induction air path outside the nozzle for air that is attracted by the airflow blown out from the outlet. The blower is equipped with a damper mechanism that changes the opening area of the nozzle inlet, and the opening area of the nozzle inlet is adjusted to adjust the blowing range.

In a blower device like that in Patent Document 1, in order to vary the blowing area, it was necessary to provide the nozzle with a damper mechanism that varies the opening area of the nozzle inlet. As a result, the nozzle structure was complicated.

JP 2018-3658 A

The objective of this disclosure is to provide an air blowing system that can vary the air blowing area while simplifying the nozzle structure.

The air blowing system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is installed in a space from which an air conditioner blows out first conditioned air. The air blowing system includes a nozzle unit and an air blowing device. The nozzle units each have a housing formed in a hollow, elongated shape extending along a first direction, and have at least two nozzles arranged side by side along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The air blowing device draws in the first conditioned air and blows out the second conditioned air. The housing has a first surface portion and a second surface portion that face a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. The first surface portion has an air blowing port that extends along the first direction. The air blowing port blows out the air sent into the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing. The air blowing device is located on the side of the second surface portion of the housing with respect to the nozzle unit, and blows out the second conditioned air from the first end to the second end of the nozzle unit in the first direction.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ventilation system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a main part of the above-mentioned ventilation system. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of the above-mentioned ventilation system. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the blower unit provided in the blower system. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the above-mentioned ventilation system. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an upper end of a nozzle provided in the above-mentioned blowing system. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the blower unit included in the above blower system. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a part of the above-mentioned air blowing system. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the above air blowing system during heating. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a warm air current in the above-mentioned ventilation system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the above air blowing system during cooling. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a cool air flow in the above-mentioned ventilation system. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the air blowing system of the second modified example. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the air blowing system of the third modified example. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a part of the above-mentioned air blowing system. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a part of the air blowing system of the fourth modified example. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the air blowing system of the fifth modified example.

The present embodiment generally relates to an air blowing system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an air blowing system having at least two nozzles formed in a hollow, elongated shape and arranged in parallel.

Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other are defined in FIG. 1. For convenience, one of the two directions along the X-axis is defined as the forward direction, and the other as the rearward direction. Furthermore, one of the two directions along the Y-axis is defined as the leftward direction, and the other as the rightward direction. Furthermore, one of the two directions along the Z-axis is defined as the upward direction, and the other as the downward direction.

(Embodiment)
(1) Overview Fig. 1 shows a ventilation system VS1 according to the present embodiment. The ventilation system VS1 is used in facilities such as office buildings, offices, stores, factories, or commercial facilities. The ventilation system VS1 may also be used in apartment buildings, detached houses, and the like. The ventilation system VS1 is intended to be installed in buildings such as facilities and houses, but may also be installed in structures other than buildings.

The air blowing system VS1 of this embodiment is installed in the space R1 from which the air conditioner 8 blows out the first conditioned air A1 (see FIG. 5). The air blowing system VS1 includes a nozzle unit 1 and an air blowing device 3. The nozzle unit 1 has at least two nozzles 10. The at least two nozzles 10 each have a housing 10a formed in a hollow, elongated shape extending along the first direction, and are arranged side by side along a second direction intersecting the first direction. The air blowing device 3 sucks in the first conditioned air A1 and blows out the second conditioned air A2 (see FIG. 5). The housing 10a has a first surface 101 (see FIG. 3) and a second surface 102 (see FIG. 3) that face a third direction intersecting the first and second directions. The first surface 101 has an air outlet 10b (see FIG. 2) that extends along the first direction. The air outlet 10b blows the air sent into the housing 10a to the outside of the housing 10a. The air blower 3 is located on the second surface 102 side of the housing 10a relative to the nozzle unit 1, and blows out the second conditioned air A2 from the first end to the second end of the nozzle unit 1 in the first direction.

In the air blowing system VS1 having the above-mentioned configuration, the nozzle unit 1 draws in the second conditioned air A2 blown out by the air blowing device 3 along the first direction, and can vary the blowing area of the second conditioned air A2 blown out from the first surface portion 101. In other words, the air blowing system VS1 can vary the blowing area while simplifying the structure of the nozzle 10.

In this embodiment, the first direction corresponds to the vertical direction (up-down direction) along the Z axis, the second direction corresponds to the left-right direction along the Y axis, and the third direction corresponds to the front-back direction along the X axis.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first end of the nozzle unit 1 corresponds to the upper end 1a of the nozzle unit 1, and the second end of the nozzle unit 1 corresponds to the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1.

(2) Details As shown in Fig. 1, the air blowing system VS1 is installed in a space R1. The space R1 is a space where people exist, such as a working space, a conference room, a break room, a waiting room, a reception room, a living room, etc., and an air conditioner 8 is installed in the space R1. The upper surface of the space R1 is a ceiling R11, and the lower surface of the space R1 is a floor R12.

The air blowing system VS1 includes a nozzle unit 1, an air blower 3, and a control device 4. The nozzle unit 1 has six nozzles 10. The air blowing system VS1 preferably further includes a nozzle blower 2. Here, the nozzle unit 1 and the nozzle blower 2 constitute an air blowing unit U1. The air blowing system VS1 preferably further includes an operation terminal 5, and a temperature sensor 6.

Furthermore, each of the six nozzles 10 constituting the nozzle unit 1 has a housing 10a formed in a hollow, elongated shape extending along the vertical direction. The six housings 10a are arranged side-by-side in the left-right direction with gaps between them. As a result, the nozzle unit 1 can be considered as having a plate shape extending along the Z-Y plane as a whole, and can also be used as a partition that spatially divides the space R1. In FIG. 1, the nozzle unit 1 is installed in the space R1 together with the partition P1, so that a space surrounded by the nozzle unit 1 and the partition P1 can be formed within the space R1.

(2.1) Air Conditioning Device The air conditioning device 8 is an air conditioner having heating and cooling functions, and is embedded in the ceiling R11 as shown in Fig. 1. The air conditioning device 8 blows out the first conditioned air A1 into the space R1. In this embodiment, the air conditioning device 8 has an air outlet shaped to fit along the outer periphery of the housing of the air conditioning device 8, and blows out the first conditioned air A1 diagonally downward from the air outlet. During heating operation, the air conditioning device 8 blows out warm air as the first conditioned air A1. During cooling operation, the air conditioning device 8 blows out cold air as the first conditioned air A1.

(2.2) Blower unit The blower unit U1 is fixed to the underside of the ceiling R11 or a T-bar with a hanging bolt or wire (not shown). As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the blower unit U1 includes a nozzle unit 1 and a nozzle blower 2.

The nozzle unit 1 has six nozzles 10 spaced apart from one another and aligned in the left-right direction, and a base 11.

The nozzle 10 has a hollow rectangular plate-like housing 10a whose long sides extend vertically along the Z axis. The housing 10a has a rectangular front surface 101, a rear surface 102, a left surface 103, a right surface 104, a top surface 105, and a bottom surface 106.

A rectangular opening with a long side extending vertically is formed as an air outlet 10b on the front surface 101 of the housing 10a. The air outlet 10b is formed in the center of the front surface 101 of the housing 10a in the left-right direction. The housings 10a of the six nozzles 10 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction along the Y axis, with a gap between them. The left surface 103 of the housing 10a of a nozzle 10 faces the right surface 104 of the housing 10a of the nozzle 10 adjacent to the left with a gap, and the right surface 104 of the housing 10a of a nozzle 10 faces the left surface 103 of the housing 10a of the nozzle 10 adjacent to the right with a gap. The housing 10a is formed of, for example, a resin material, but may also be formed of a lightweight metal material such as aluminum.

The housing 10a defines an internal space 10c surrounded by a front surface 101, a rear surface 102, a left surface 103, a right surface 104, a top surface 105, and a bottom surface 106. As shown in FIG. 6, an air intake port 10d is formed in the top surface 105 of the housing 10a. The internal space 10c is connected to the outside of the housing 10a via the air intake port 10d. The bottom surface 106 of the housing 10a has an inner peripheral surface 10f that faces the internal space 10c.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, multiple fins 10e are arranged vertically at regular intervals on the rear surface of the front portion 101 of the internal space 10c. The fins 10e are plate-shaped extending rearward from the front portion 101 of the internal space 10c, and block the front portion of the internal space 10c (a part of the front side of the internal space 10c) when viewed from the direction along the Z axis. As shown in Figure 4, when the housing 10a of the nozzle 10 is viewed from the front, the multiple fins 10e are positioned so as to separate the air outlet 10b at regular intervals along the Z axis. The fins 10e have the function of straightening the air blown out from the air outlet 10b to the outside of the housing 10a.

The nozzle blower 2 is provided at the upper end 1a of the nozzle unit 1. The nozzle blower 2 has a hollow rectangular housing 2a and has a fan 2b inside the housing 2a. The fan 2b is preferably a cross-flow fan. The housing 2a is connected to a duct D1, and air is supplied from the duct D1. When the fan 2b rotates, the air blown out from the fan 2b is blown downward from the bottom surface of the housing 2a. The bottom surface of the housing 2a faces the upper end surface portion 105 of the nozzle 10, and when the fan 2b rotates, the air blown out from the fan 2b flows into the internal space 10c through the intake port 10d of the nozzle 10. In other words, the nozzle blower 2 sends air from the intake port 10d of each nozzle 10 into the internal space 10c, generating an internal airflow F0 (see FIG. 5) that flows downward from the intake port 10d in the internal space 10c. The internal airflow F0 is rectified by the fins 10e in the internal space 10c and blows forward from the air outlet 10b in the front part 101 of the housing 10a. As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the width of the front part of the internal space 10c in the left-right direction narrows toward the front.

The base 11 is a long rectangular plate to which the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1 is fixed. In other words, the lower end surface portions 106 of the six housings 10a are fixed to the base 11 (see FIG. 5). Then, by placing the base 11 on the floor R12, the six nozzles 10 are installed on the floor R12 so that the housings 10a extend vertically.

As shown in Figure 7, each of the six nozzles 10 that make up the nozzle unit 1 generates a nozzle airflow F2 by blowing air forward from the long air outlet 10b in the front portion 101 of the housing 10a. Note that Figure 7 shows any two nozzles 10 that are arranged next to each other in the left-right direction along the Y axis out of the six nozzles 10 that make up the nozzle unit 1.

Here, an induction path 91 shown in FIG. 7 is formed between two nozzles 10 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The induction path 91 is a space that is sandwiched between the right surface 104 of the housing 10a of the left nozzle 10 and the left surface 103 of the housing 10a of the right nozzle 10, and is open to the front and rear. When each of the two nozzles 10 arranged side by side generates a nozzle airflow F2 that blows forward from the air outlet 10b, the induction path 91 becomes negative pressure, and air in the rear space 92, which is the space behind the two nozzles 10, is drawn from the rear to the front into the induction path 91. The air drawn from the rear to the front through the induction path 91 is blown forward from the induction path 91. The air blown forward from the induction path 91 generates an induction airflow F3 that flows forward from the induction path 91.

As a result, an induced airflow F3 is generated between the two nozzle airflows F2 generated by the two adjacent nozzles 10 below and in front of the nozzle unit 1, and a mixed airflow F1 is generated in which the nozzle airflow F2 and the induced airflow F3 combine. The mixed airflow F1 is blown out forward from the nozzle unit 1.

The operation and stopping of fan 2b is controlled by control device 4. Control device 4 may also control the rotation speed of fan 2b. In this case, if the flow rate of mixed air flow F1 is the air volume of nozzle unit 1, the higher the rotation speed of fan 2b, the greater the air volume of nozzle unit 1, and the lower the rotation speed of fan 2b, the smaller the air volume of nozzle unit 1.

(2.3) Blower The blower 3 is a cross-flow fan, and is fixed to the underside of the ceiling R11 or a T-bar with a hanging bolt or wire (not shown), and is disposed behind the upper end 1a of the nozzle unit 1 (or behind the nozzle unit 1). The blower 3 sucks in the first conditioned air A1 blown out by the air conditioner 8, and blows out the second conditioned air A2 from the upper end (first end) 1a towards the lower end (second end) 1b of the nozzle unit 1 (see FIG. 5).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the blower 3 has a hollow rectangular housing 3a and a fan 3b inside the housing 3a. An intake port 3c is formed on the top surface of the housing 3a, and an air outlet 3d is formed on the bottom surface of the housing 3a. When the fan 3b rotates, the first conditioned air A1 is sucked into the housing 3a from the intake port 3c, and the second conditioned air A2 is blown downward from the air outlet 3d. The second conditioned air A2 blown downward from the air outlet 3d flows from the top to the bottom behind the nozzle unit 1. In this embodiment, the blower 3 is preferably located in the flow path of the first conditioned air A1 blown out by the air conditioner 8. In FIG. 5, the blower 3 is located diagonally below the air conditioner 8.

If the flow rate of the second conditioned air A2 at the air outlet 3d is the air volume of the blower 3, the higher the rotation speed of the fan 3b, the greater the air volume of the blower 3, and the lower the rotation speed of the fan 3b, the smaller the air volume of the blower 3. The operation, stop, and rotation speed of the fan 3b are controlled by the control device 4.

(2.4) Operation Terminal The operation terminal 5 is equipped with a switch or a touch panel for instructing the operation of the blower 3, and accepts user operations. The operation terminal 5 then transmits an air blowing operation signal corresponding to the user operation to the control device 4. Specifically, the operation terminal 5 accepts operations such as operating and stopping the blower system VS1. Based on the air blowing operation signal received from the operation terminal 5, the control device 4 controls the operation, stopping, and air blowing volume during operation of the blower 3, as well as the operation and stopping of the nozzle blower 2.

The operation terminal 5 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a dedicated terminal.

(2.5) Temperature Sensor As shown in Fig. 5, the temperature sensor 6 is installed near the air conditioner 8 and detects the temperature of the first conditioned air A1 blown out by the air conditioner 8. The temperature sensor 6 generates a temperature signal including the detection result of the temperature of the first conditioned air A1, and outputs the temperature signal to the control device 4. Based on the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 6, the control device 4 controls the amount of air blown by the blower 3 during operation.

In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 6 is preferably located in the flow path of the first conditioned air A1 blown out by the air conditioner 8. In FIG. 5, the blower 3 is located diagonally below the air conditioner 8 and between the air conditioner 8 and the blower 3 in the vertical direction.

(2.6) Control Device FIG. 8 is a block diagram relating to the control performed by the control device 4.

The control device 4 controls the operation, stop, and blowing volume of the blower 3 by performing wired or wireless communication with the blower 3. The control device 4 also controls the operation and stop of the nozzle blower 2 by performing wired or wireless communication with the nozzle blower 2. The control device 4 also acquires a blowing operation signal from the operation terminal 5 and a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 6 by performing wired or wireless communication with the operation terminal 5 and the temperature sensor 6. The wired communication is, for example, wired communication via a twisted pair cable, a dedicated communication line, or a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. The wireless communication is, for example, wireless communication that complies with standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or low-power radio that does not require a license (specific low-power radio).

The control device 4 can therefore switch between operating and stopping the blower device 3 and adjust the amount of air blown during operation based on the user's operation received by the operation terminal 5 and the detection results of the temperature sensor 6. The control device 4 can also switch between operating and stopping the nozzle blower 2 based on the user's operation received by the operation terminal 5.

It is preferable that the control device 4 comprises a computer system. That is, in the control device 4, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) reads and executes a program stored in a memory, thereby realizing some or all of the functions of the control device 4. The control device 4 has a processor that operates according to a program as its main hardware configuration. The type of processor is not important as long as it can realize the functions by executing a program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Here, it is called an IC or LSI, but the name changes depending on the degree of integration, and it may be called a system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or reconfigurable logic devices, which can reconfigure the connections within the LSI or set up circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be used for the same purpose. Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or may be provided on multiple chips. Multiple chips may be arranged in a centralized manner or in a distributed manner.

The control device 4 may be realized as either a single computer device or multiple computer devices linked to each other. The control device 4 may also be constructed as a cloud computing system.

The control device 4 of this embodiment controls the amount of air sent from the air blower 3 based on the detection results of the temperature sensor 6, thereby performing air supply control according to the operating state of the air conditioner 8. The air supply control in the air supply system VS1 will be described in detail below.

(2.7) Air blowing control of the blower In the blower system VS1, the control device 4 controls the amount of air blown by the blower 3 to adjust the area through which the airflow generated in front of the nozzle unit 1 flows. In this embodiment, the control device 4 operates the nozzle blower 2 and then adjusts the amount of air blown by the blower 3 to vary the area through which the airflow generated in front of the nozzle unit 1 flows (air blowing area).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device 4 includes an operation determination unit 4a and an air volume control unit 4b.

The operation determination unit 4a determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8. In this embodiment, the operation determination unit 4a monitors the temperature of the first conditioned air A1 based on the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 6. The operation determination unit 4a then determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8 based on the temperature of the first conditioned air A1. In particular, it is preferable for the operation determination unit 4a to determine whether the operation state of the air conditioner 8 is heating operation or cooling operation. If the temperature of the first conditioned air A1 is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the operation determination unit 4a determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8 to be "heating operation". If the temperature of the first conditioned air A1 is less than the threshold value, the operation determination unit 4a determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8 to be "cooling operation". Alternatively, the operation determination unit 4a may also acquire data on at least one of the room temperature and the outdoor air temperature, and determine the operation state of the air conditioner 8 based on the temperature of the first conditioned air A1 and the room temperature, the temperature of the first conditioned air A1 and the outdoor air temperature, or the temperature of the first conditioned air A1, the room temperature, and the outdoor air temperature.

The air volume control unit 4b controls the volume of the second conditioned air A2 sent by the air blower 3 based on the determination result of the operating state of the air conditioner 8. In particular, it is preferable for the air volume control unit 4b to make the volume of air sent when the operating state is heating operation larger than the volume of air sent when the operating state is cooling operation. Below, the air volume control during heating operation and the air volume control during cooling operation are described in detail.

9, the air conditioner 8 is performing heating operation and blowing warm air downward as the first conditioned air A1. The nozzle blower 2 is also in operation, and the blower 3 is also in operation.

In this case, the operation determination unit 4a of the control device 4 determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8 as "heating operation" based on the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 6. If the operation state of the air conditioner 8 is "heating operation", the air volume control unit 4b of the control device 4 controls the air volume of the blower 3 to "large". The "large" air volume of the blower 3 is larger than the "small" air volume of the blower 3 during cooling operation described below. If the air volume of the blower 3 is "large", the flow rate of the second conditioned air A2 blown downward by the blower 3 that has sucked in the first conditioned air A1 increases. At this time, the second conditioned air A2 flows vigorously from the upper end 1a to the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1 behind the nozzle unit 1, and most of the second conditioned air A2 reaches the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1.

In addition, the nozzle blower 2 is in operation, and the nozzle airflow F2 is blown forward from the front surface of the nozzle unit 1 (the blowing port 10b of each nozzle 10). Thus, a portion of the second conditioned air A2 flowing from top to bottom behind the nozzle unit 1 is attracted to the nozzle airflow F2 blowing out from the front surface of the nozzle unit 1 and drawn forward. The second conditioned air A2 drawn forward forms an induced airflow F31 as an induced airflow F3 passing between two nozzles 10 adjacent in the left-right direction. The velocity vector of the induced airflow F31 is a composite vector of the velocity vector of the second conditioned air A2 and the velocity vector of the nozzle airflow F2, and the induced airflow F31 proceeds diagonally downward and forward.

Then, the warm air flow F11 shown in FIG. 10 is generated as a mixed air flow F1 by the above-mentioned induced air flow F31 and the nozzle air flow F2, and the warm air flow F11 advances in a downward diagonal direction. Here, when the air conditioner 8 is in heating operation, the air flow rate of the blower 3 is "large", and the flow rate of the second conditioned air A2 blown downward by the blower 3 is large. As a result, the induced air flow F31 is mainly generated in the area closer to the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1 than to the upper end 1a (i.e., the lower part of the nozzle unit 1) (see FIG. 9). Therefore, the warm air flow F11 mainly blows forward from the lower part of the nozzle unit 1, and the blowing area G1 of the warm air flow F11 is the lower front side of the nozzle unit 1.

In other words, because the warm air current F11 flows toward the area near the feet of person H1 in space R1, the air supply system VS1 can improve the comfort of person H1 through heating. Also, because the warm air current F11 blows out toward the lower part of space R1, the air supply system VS1 can generate convection within space R1 during heating, making it possible to uniform the temperature distribution within space R1.

11, the air conditioner 8 is in cooling operation and blows cool air downward as the first conditioned air A1. The nozzle blower 2 is in operation, and the blower 3 is also in operation.

In this case, the operation determination unit 4a of the control device 4 determines that the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is "cooling operation" based on the temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 6. If the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is "cooling operation", the air volume control unit 4b of the control device 4 controls the air volume of the blower 3 to "small". The "small" air volume of the blower 3 is smaller than the "large" air volume of the blower 3 during heating operation. If the air volume of the blower 3 is "small", the flow rate of the second conditioned air A2 blown downward by the blower 3 that has sucked in the first conditioned air A1 becomes smaller. At this time, the second conditioned air A2 flows from the upper end 1a to the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1 behind the nozzle unit 1, but most of the second conditioned air A2 does not reach the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1.

In addition, the nozzle blower 2 is in operation, and the nozzle airflow F2 is blown forward from the front surface of the nozzle unit 1 (the blowing port 10b of each nozzle 10). Thus, a portion of the second conditioned air A2 flowing from top to bottom behind the nozzle unit 1 is attracted to the nozzle airflow F2 blowing out from the front surface of the nozzle unit 1 and drawn forward. The second conditioned air A2 drawn forward forms an induced airflow F32 as an induced airflow F3 passing between two nozzles 10 adjacent in the left-right direction. The velocity vector of the induced airflow F32 is a resultant vector of the velocity vector of the second conditioned air A2 and the velocity vector of the nozzle airflow F2, and the induced airflow F32 proceeds diagonally downward and forward.

Then, the cold air flow F12 shown in FIG. 12 is generated as a mixed air flow F1 by the above-mentioned induced air flow F32 and the nozzle air flow F2, and the cold air flow F12 advances in a downward diagonal direction. Here, when the air conditioner 8 is in cooling operation, the air flow rate of the blower 3 is "small", and the flow rate of the second conditioned air A2 blown downward by the blower 3 is small. As a result, the induced air flow F32 is mainly generated in the area closer to the upper end 1a than the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1 (i.e., the upper part of the nozzle unit 1) (see FIG. 11). Therefore, the cold air flow F12 mainly blows forward from the upper part of the nozzle unit 1, and the blowing area G2 of the cold air flow F12 is on the upper front side of the nozzle unit 1.

In other words, because the cold air current F12 moves toward the area above the head of person H1 in space R1, the cold air current F12 does not directly hit person H1, and the air supply system VS1 can improve the comfort of person H1 through cooling. Also, because the cold air current F12 blows out toward the upper part of space R1, the air supply system VS1 can generate convection within space R1 during cooling, making it possible to uniform the temperature distribution within space R1.

(2.7.3) Advantages The above-described air blowing system VS1 can vary the air blowing area while simplifying the structure of the nozzle 10.

In addition, the ventilation system VS1 is equipped with an operation determination unit 4a and an air volume control unit 4b, so that the airflow can be sent to a ventilation area according to the operating state of the air conditioner 8.

The operation determination unit 4a also determines whether the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is heating operation or cooling operation. Furthermore, the air volume control unit 4b makes the air volume of the air blower 3 when the operating state is heating operation larger than the air volume of the air blower 3 when the operating state is cooling operation. As a result, the air blowing system VS1 can send a warm air flow F11 to the air blowing area G1 when the air conditioner 8 is in heating operation, and can send a cold air flow F12 to the air blowing area G2 when the air conditioner 8 is in cooling operation.

The air supply system VS1 further includes a temperature sensor 6 that detects the temperature of the first conditioned air A1, and the operation determination unit 4a determines the operation state based on the temperature of the first conditioned air A1. As a result, the operation determination unit 4a can accurately determine the operation state of the air conditioner 8.

The six nozzles 10 constituting the nozzle unit 1 each have a housing 10a formed in a hollow, elongated shape extending along the vertical direction. The blower 3 blows out the second conditioned air A2 from the upper end 1a to the lower end 1b of the nozzle unit 1. Furthermore, the air volume control unit 4b makes the air volume of the blower 3 when the operating state is heating operation larger than the air volume of the blower 3 when the operating state is cooling operation. As a result, when the air conditioner 8 is performing heating operation, the blower system VS1 can generate a warm air flow F11 that advances toward the vicinity of the feet of the person H1 in the space R1. When the air conditioner 8 is performing cooling operation, the blower system VS1 can generate a cold air flow F12 that advances toward the vicinity of the head of the person H1 in the space R1. In other words, the blower system VS1 can set the blowing areas G1 and G2 appropriate for the operating state of the air conditioner 8 according to the operating state of the air conditioner 8. As a result, it is possible to improve the comfort of person H1 in space R1 (cold head, warm feet) and to achieve a more uniform temperature distribution within space R1.

(3) First Modification The air volume control unit 4b of the control device 4 may control the nozzle air volume, which is the volume of air blown out from the air outlet 10b of the nozzle 10 to the outside of the housing 10a. That is, the air volume control unit 4b not only controls the volume of the second conditioned air A2 (see FIG. 5) blown out from the air outlet 3d of the blower 3, but also controls the nozzle air volume, which is the volume of the nozzle airflow F2 (see FIG. 7) blown out from the air outlet 10b of the nozzle 10. It is preferable that the air volume control unit 4b makes the nozzle air volume when the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is the heating operation smaller than the nozzle air volume when the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is the cooling operation.

In the following, air in space R1 is supplied to nozzle blower 2 via duct D1, and nozzle blower 2 supplies the air in space R1 to nozzle 10. In other words, duct D1 and nozzle blower 2 circulate the air in space R1, and nozzle airflow F2 is circulated air obtained by circulating the air in space R1. In addition, the ratio of nozzle airflow F2 contained in mixed airflow F1, i.e., the ratio of circulated air contained in mixed airflow F1, is referred to as the mixing ratio.

The nozzle airflow rate when the air conditioner 8 is in heating operation is smaller than the nozzle airflow rate when the air conditioner 8 is in cooling operation. Therefore, the mixing ratio during heating operation is lower than the mixing ratio during cooling operation. As a result, the temperature difference between the mixed airflow F1 (warm airflow F11 in FIG. 10) of the nozzle airflow F2 and the induced airflow F3 and the surrounding air (circulating air) in the space R1 becomes large, and the comfort of the person H1 due to heating can be further improved. In addition, by making the nozzle airflow rate during heating operation smaller than the nozzle airflow rate during cooling operation, the wind speed of the nozzle airflow F2 decreases, the amount of the second conditioned air A2 attracted to the nozzle airflow F2 at the upper part of the nozzle unit 1 decreases, and the amount of the second conditioned air A2 attracted to the nozzle airflow F2 at the lower part of the nozzle unit 1 can be sufficiently secured. As a result, the second conditioned air A2 is more likely to be drawn forward near the feet of person H1, and a sufficient amount of warm air flow F11 can be sent to the area near the feet of person H1.

The nozzle airflow rate when the air conditioner 8 is in cooling operation is greater than the nozzle airflow rate when the air conditioner 8 is in heating operation. Therefore, the mixing ratio during cooling operation is higher than the mixing ratio during heating operation. As a result, the temperature difference between the mixed airflow F1 (cold airflow F12 in FIG. 12) of the nozzle airflow F2 and the induced airflow F3 and the surrounding air (circulating air) in the space R1 is reduced, and the draft feeling caused by cooling can be suppressed. In addition, by making the nozzle airflow rate during cooling operation greater than the nozzle airflow rate during heating operation, the wind speed of the nozzle airflow F2 increases, and the amount of the second conditioned air A2 attracted by the nozzle airflow F2 at the top of the nozzle unit 1 increases. As a result, the second conditioned air A2 is more likely to be attracted forward above the head of the person H1, and the cold airflow F12 is less likely to directly hit the person H1.

(4) Second Modification Fig. 13 shows a second modification of the embodiment. In the second modification, the air blowing system VS1 further includes a duct D2. The duct D2 is a cylinder that connects a duct connection port from which the air conditioner 8 blows out the first conditioned air A1 and the air intake port 3c of the air blower 3. In other words, the duct D2 connects between the air conditioner 8 and the air blower 3, and guides the first conditioned air A1 blown out by the air conditioner 8 to the air blower 3. The first conditioned air A1 blown out by the air conditioner 8 flows inside the duct D2 and is sucked into the air blower 3.

In the second modified example, the first conditioned air A1 can be efficiently supplied to the blower 3. Therefore, the blower system VS1 can blow out air currents (warm air current F11, cold air current F12) that include the air conditioning effect of the air conditioner 8 forward of the nozzle unit 1.

(5) Third Modification Fig. 14 shows a third modification of the embodiment. In the third modification, the air blowing system VS1 further includes an auxiliary air blowing device 7. The auxiliary air blowing device 7 is located between the air conditioner 8 and the air blowing device 3 in the vertical direction, and blows air sucked in from above the auxiliary air blowing device 7 out below the auxiliary air blowing device 7. The first conditioned air A1 blown out by the air conditioner 8 is sucked into the air blowing device 3 via the auxiliary air blowing device 7.

In the third modified example, the first conditioned air A1 can be efficiently supplied to the blower 3. Therefore, the blower system VS1 can blow out air currents (warm air current F11, cold air current F12) that include the air conditioning effect of the air conditioner 8 forward of the nozzle unit 1.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram relating to control by the control device 4 of the third modified example. The control device 4 controls the auxiliary blower device 7 in addition to the blower device 3. Specifically, the control device 4 further includes an auxiliary control unit 4c. The auxiliary control unit 4c controls the auxiliary blower device 7 to an operating state at the same time as the blower device 3. In other words, the control device 4 operates the blower device 3 and the auxiliary blower device 7 in synchronization.

The auxiliary control unit 4c may also make the airflow rate of the auxiliary blower 7 proportional to the airflow rate of the blower 3. Specifically, if the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is "heating operation", the auxiliary control unit 4c controls the airflow rate of the auxiliary blower 7 to "high", and if the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is "cooling operation", the auxiliary control unit 4c controls the airflow rate of the auxiliary blower 7 to "low". In this case, the auxiliary blower 7, together with the blower 3, can change the airflow area of the blower system VS1.

(6) Fourth Modification FIG. 16 is a block diagram relating to control by the control device 4 of a fourth modification.

In the fourth modified example, the air supply system VS1 has a signal acquisition unit 6A instead of the temperature sensor 6. The signal acquisition unit 6A acquires an air conditioning operation signal for operating the air conditioner 8. The air conditioning operation signal is a signal transmitted from an operation terminal (air conditioning operation terminal) of the air conditioner 8 to the air conditioner 8 by wireless or wired communication, and instructs the air conditioner 8 to perform heating operation, cooling operation, etc. The signal acquisition unit 6A acquires the air conditioning operation signal by intercepting the air conditioning operation signal on the communication path, or by having the air conditioner 8 transmit the air conditioning operation signal.

Then, the operation determination unit 4a determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8 based on the air conditioning operation signal. For example, if the air conditioning operation signal is a signal instructing the air conditioner 8 to operate in heating mode, the operation determination unit 4a determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8 to be "heating operation." If the air conditioning operation signal is a signal instructing the air conditioner 8 to operate in cooling mode, the operation determination unit 4a determines the operation state of the air conditioner 8 to be "cooling operation."

As in the above embodiment, the air volume control unit 4b controls the air volume of the blower 3 to "high" if the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is "heating operation", and controls the air volume of the blower 3 to "low" if the operating state of the air conditioner 8 is "cooling operation".

In this way, the operation determination unit 4a can accurately determine the operating state of the air conditioning device 8.

(7) Fifth Modification FIG. 17 shows part of the configuration of a ventilation system VS1 of a fifth modification.

The fifth modified air supply system VS1 further includes an addition device K1 that adds an active ingredient to the air blown out from the air outlet 10b of the nozzle 10.

In FIG. 17, the addition device K1 is placed inside the housing 2a of the nozzle blower 2. The addition device K1 adds the active ingredient to the air (internal airflow F0) sent from the nozzle blower 2 to the internal space 10c. As a result, the nozzle airflow F2 (see FIG. 7) containing the active ingredient is blown out from the blower port 10b, generating an airflow containing the active ingredient.

For example, the additional device K1 generates an active ingredient by discharging electricity. Specifically, the additional device K1 has a pair of electrodes, and water is held in one of the pair of electrodes. The additional device K1 applies a voltage between the pair of electrodes, causing a discharge between the pair of electrodes, thereby generating radicals as the active ingredient, and electrostatically atomizing the water held in the electrodes. Thus, the additional device K1 generates nanometer-sized charged fine water particles that contain radicals in the fine droplets of electrostatically atomized water. The radicals are the basis for useful effects in a variety of situations, including sterilization, deodorization, moisturization, freshness preservation, and virus inactivation.

The additional device K1 may also generate a discharge between a pair of electrodes without holding water in the electrodes. In this case, the additional device K1 generates air ions as an active ingredient by the discharge generated between the pair of electrodes.

The additional device K1 may also generate fragrance components or hypochlorous acid as active ingredients.

The addition device K1 may also be disposed inside the housing 3a of the blower device 3. In this case, the active ingredient is added to the second conditioned air A2 blown out by the blower device 3.

(8) Sixth Modification The air volume control unit 4b may control the volume of the second conditioned air A2 sent by the air blower 3 based on user operation performed on the operation terminal 5 or the like, the position of the person H1 in the space R1 detected by the human presence sensor, the timing result of the timer, etc. In this case, the air blowing system VS1 allows manual control of the air blowing area, automatic control based on the position of the person H1, schedule control, etc.

The nozzle blower 2 may be something other than a crossflow fan, for example a centrifugal fan or a propeller fan.

The nozzle blower 2 may take in air either through a duct or by taking in the air around the housing 2a.

The number of nozzles 10 in the nozzle unit 1 may be two or more.

The structure to which the air blower unit U1 is attached may be any structure located at the top of the space R1, such as a ceiling or a stand.

Furthermore, each of the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments and variations can be combined as appropriate, and the effects of each configuration can be obtained in the same way.

(9) Summary The air blowing system (VS1) of the first aspect according to the embodiment is installed in a space (R1) from which an air conditioner (8) blows out a first conditioned air (A1). The air blowing system (VS1) includes a nozzle unit (1) and an air blowing device (3). The nozzle unit (1) has at least two nozzles (10) arranged side by side along a second direction intersecting the first direction, each of which has a housing (10a) formed in a hollow elongated shape extending along a first direction. The air blowing device (3) sucks in the first conditioned air (A1) and blows out the second conditioned air (A2). The housing (10a) has a first surface portion (101) and a second surface portion (102) facing a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. An air blowing port (10b) extending along the first direction is formed in the first surface portion (101). The air outlet (10b) blows the air sent into the inside of the housing (10a) out to the outside of the housing (10a). The air blower (3) is located on the second surface portion (102) side of the housing (10a) with respect to the nozzle unit (1), and blows out the second conditioned air (A2) from the first end (1a) to the second end (1b) in the first direction of the nozzle unit (1).

The above-mentioned air blowing system (VS1) can vary the air blowing area (G1, G2) while simplifying the structure of the nozzle (10).

The second aspect of the air supply system (VS1) according to the first aspect of the embodiment preferably further includes an air volume control unit (4b) that controls the volume of the second conditioned air (A2) sent by the air supply device (3).

The third aspect of the air blowing system (VS1) according to the second aspect of the embodiment preferably further includes an operation determination unit (4a) that determines the operation state of the air conditioner (8). The air volume control unit (4b) controls the volume of the second conditioned air (A2) blown by the air blower (3) based on the determination result of the operation state.

The above-mentioned ventilation system (VS1) can send airflows (F11, F12) to ventilation areas (G1, G2) according to the operating state of the air conditioner (8).

In the fourth aspect of the air supply system (VS1) according to the embodiment, in the third aspect, it is preferable that the operation determination unit (4a) determines whether the operating state is heating operation or cooling operation.

The above-mentioned ventilation system (VS1) can send airflows (F11, F12) to ventilation areas (G1, G2) corresponding to the heating operation and cooling operation of the air conditioner (8).

In the fifth aspect of the air blowing system (VS1) according to the embodiment, in the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the air volume control unit (4b) sets the air volume when the operating state is heating operation to be larger than the air volume when the operating state is cooling operation.

In the air blowing system (VS1) of the eighth aspect of the embodiment, in the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the air volume control unit (4b) controls the nozzle air volume, which is the volume of air blown out from the air outlet (10b) to the outside of the housing (10a). The air volume control unit (4b) makes the nozzle air volume when the operating state is heating operation smaller than the nozzle air volume when the operating state is cooling operation.

The above-mentioned ventilation system (VS1) can improve the thermal comfort felt by people in the space (R1).

In the 13th, 11th, 6th and 9th aspects of the air supply system (VS1) according to the embodiment, in any one of the 3rd to 6th aspects, it is preferable that the air supply system (VS1) further includes a temperature sensor (6) that detects the temperature of the first conditioned air (A1). The operation determination unit (4a) determines the operation state based on the temperature of the first conditioned air (A1).

The above-mentioned ventilation system (VS1) can accurately determine the operating state of the air conditioner (8).

In the fourteenth, twelfth, seventh and tenth aspects of the air supply system (VS1) according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, it is preferable that the air supply system (VS1) further includes a signal acquisition unit (6A) that acquires an air conditioning operation signal for operating the air conditioner (8). The operation determination unit (4a) determines the operation state based on the air conditioning operation signal.

The ventilation system (VS1) of the fifteenth aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, preferably further includes a duct (D2) that guides the first conditioned air (A1) blown out by the air conditioner (8) to the ventilation device (3).

The above-mentioned ventilation system (VS1) can blow out airflows (F11, F12) that include the air conditioning effect of the air conditioner (8).

The ventilation system (VS1) of the 16th aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the first to 14th aspects, preferably further includes an auxiliary ventilation device (7) that sucks in the first conditioned air (A1) blown out by the air conditioner (8) and blows the first conditioned air (A1) toward the ventilation device (3).

The ventilation system (VS1) of the seventeenth aspect of the embodiment is preferably any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, further comprising an adding device (K1) that adds an active ingredient to the air.

The above-mentioned air supply system (VS1) can blow out air containing active ingredients such as radicals, fragrances, or hypochlorous acid, thereby improving the environment in the space (R1).

In the 18th aspect of the ventilation system (VS1) according to the embodiment, in any one of the 1st to 17th aspects, it is preferable that the first direction is a vertical direction.

In the above-mentioned air blowing system (VS1), the nozzle unit (1) can also be used as a partition.

In the 19th embodiment of the ventilation system (VS1) of the 18th embodiment, it is preferable that the first end (1a) is located above the second end (1b).

The above-mentioned ventilation system (VS1) can improve the comfort of people in the space (R1) and achieve a more uniform temperature distribution within the space (R1).

VS1 Blowing system 1 Nozzle unit 1a Upper end (first end)
1b Lower end (second end)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Nozzle 101 First surface 102 Second surface 10a Housing 10b Air outlet 3 Blower 4a Operation determination unit 4b Air volume control unit 6 Temperature sensor 6A Signal acquisition unit 7 Auxiliary blower 8 Air conditioner A1 First conditioned air A2 Second conditioned air D2 Duct K1 Additional device R1 Space

Claims

An air conditioning system installed in a space from which a first conditioned air is blown out,
a nozzle unit having at least two nozzles arranged side by side along a second direction intersecting the first direction, the nozzle unit having a housing formed in a hollow elongated shape extending along a first direction;
a blower device that draws in the first conditioned air and blows out the second conditioned air,
the housing has a first surface portion and a second surface portion that face each other in a third direction that intersects with the first direction and the second direction,
The first surface portion has an air outlet formed therein, the air outlet extending along the first direction.
The air outlet blows the air sent into the housing to the outside of the housing,
The air blowing device is located on the second surface side of the housing with respect to the nozzle unit, and blows out the second conditioned air from a first end toward a second end in the first direction of the nozzle unit.
The air blowing system according to claim 1 , further comprising an air volume control unit that controls an air volume of the second conditioned air blown by the air blowing device.
An operation determination unit that determines an operation state of the air conditioner is further provided,
The air blowing system according to claim 2 , wherein the air volume control unit controls the volume of the second conditioned air based on a result of the determination of the operating state.
The air blowing system according to claim 3 , wherein the operation determination unit determines whether the operating state is a heating operation or a cooling operation.
The air blowing system according to claim 4 , wherein the air volume control unit sets the air volume when the operating state is the heating operation to be larger than the air volume when the operating state is the cooling operation.
Further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the first conditioned air,
The air blowing system according to claim 5 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on a temperature of the first conditioned air.
A signal acquisition unit that acquires an air conditioning operation signal for operating the air conditioning device,
The air blowing system according to claim 5 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on the air conditioning operation signal.
The air volume control unit is
controlling a nozzle blowing amount, which is an amount of the air blown out from the blowing port to the outside of the housing;
The ventilation system according to claim 4 , wherein the nozzle airflow rate when the operating state is the heating operation is set to be smaller than the nozzle airflow rate when the operating state is the cooling operation.
Further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the first conditioned air,
The air blowing system according to claim 8 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on a temperature of the first conditioned air.
A signal acquisition unit that acquires an air conditioning operation signal for operating the air conditioning device,
The air blowing system according to claim 8 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on the air conditioning operation signal.
Further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the first conditioned air,
The air blowing system according to claim 4 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on a temperature of the first conditioned air.
A signal acquisition unit that acquires an air conditioning operation signal for operating the air conditioning device,
The air blowing system according to claim 4 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on the air conditioning operation signal.
Further comprising a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the first conditioned air,
The air blowing system according to claim 3 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on a temperature of the first conditioned air.
A signal acquisition unit that acquires an air conditioning operation signal for operating the air conditioning device,
The air blowing system according to claim 3 , wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation state based on the air conditioning operation signal.
The ventilation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a duct that guides the first conditioned air blown out by the air conditioner to the ventilation device.
The ventilation system according to claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary ventilation device that sucks in the first conditioned air blown out by the air conditioner and blows out the first conditioned air towards the ventilation device.
The ventilation system of claim 1 , further comprising an adding device for adding an active ingredient to the air.
The ventilation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first direction is a vertical direction.
The ventilation system of claim 18 , wherein the first end is located above the second end.