Patent Application
20100248612
The present invention relates to a bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system ventilating and air-conditioning such as a bathroom using a heat pump.
Conventionally, various types of arrangement structures are devised of a ventilating air-conditioning system and air-conditioner for such as a bathroom using a heat pump.
With such a system, a heat pump part including a compressor and a heat exchanger is placed integrally in the main body, which is disposed on the ceiling surface of a bathroom, and an air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the bathroom. The ceiling surface of the bathroom has a grill provided thereon for covering the air inlet and air outlet. A heat exchanger placed in the main body discharges and absorbs heat to and from air in the bathroom to air-condition the bathroom, and a ventilating blower placed in the main body ventilates the bathroom. With this type of system, being integrated to the heat pump, refrigerant piping does not need to be connected in construction, and the main body is installed on the ceiling surface of the bathroom (refer to patent literature 1 for instance).
On the other hand, there is a bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system in which the heat pump is separated into an outdoor unit and an indoor unit; a heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit discharges and absorbs heat to and from outside air; and a heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit discharges and absorbs heat to and from air in the bathroom to air-condition the bathroom. The system ventilates the bathroom by means of a ventilating blower provided in the outdoor unit without recovering heat from air in the bathroom. With this type of system, the heat pump is placed separately in the bathroom and outdoors, and thus the units need to be piped between the bathroom and the outdoors (refer to patent literature 2 for instance).
To dispose an air-conditioner in an underfloor space, an opening communicating with the outdoors is provided in an external wall, and the outdoor unit of the air-conditioner is placed facing the outdoors through the opening in the underfloor space. In this way, an air-conditioner is disposed efficiently while maintaining the efficiency of intake and exhaust of the air-conditioner. Further, with an outdoor unit not placed outdoors, the appearance of the house looks neat (refer to patent literature 3 for instance).
In this way, with a conventional bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system, its main body is installed in a bathroom or on the ceiling surface of the bathroom, which means the main body cannot be installed if the bathroom has no installation space, and if installed, vibration and/or noise of the system tend to travel into the bathroom.
[Patent literature 1] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H05-231675
[Patent literature 2] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2002-349930
[Patent literature 3] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2006-22988
The present invention provides a bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system including a first air inlet open to a bathroom; a main body for conditioning air drawn in through the first air inlet; and a first air outlet open to the bathroom. The system air-conditions the bathroom by circulating air between the bathroom and the main body. The main body is installed in an indoor space other than on the ceiling surface of the bathroom. The first air inlet is connected to the main body through the first air inlet duct, and the main body is connected to the first air outlet through the first circulating duct.
With such a system, its main body can be installed even if there is no installation space near the bathroom. Further, the main body installed remotely from the bathroom operates without transmitting vibration and/or noise of the main body to the bathroom.
Hereinafter, a description is made of some embodiments of the present invention with reference to the related drawings.
Here, exhaust duct 7 makes main body 6 communicate with the outdoors; first air inlet duct 9 makes first air inlet 8 open to bathroom 3 communicate with main body 6; and first circulating duct 11 makes first air outlet 10 open to bathroom 3 communicate with main body 6. Second air inlet duct 13 makes second air inlet 12 open to undressing room 4 communicate with main body 6; and second circulating duct 15 makes second air outlet 14 open to undressing room 4 communicate with main body 6. Further, third air inlet duct 17 makes third air inlet 16 open to toilet 5 communicate with main body 6; third circulating duct 19 makes third air outlet 18 open to toilet 5 communicate with main body 6. Main body 6 conditions air drawn in from first air inlet 8. Then, the system circulates the air to bathroom 3 and main body 6 to air-condition bathroom 3.
The inside of main body 6 has circulating fan 20 disposed therein. First air inlet duct 9 making bathroom 3 communicate with main body 6 is connected to the inlet side of circulating fan 20; and first circulating duct 11, to the air outlet side of circulating fan 20. Hence, operating circulating fan 20 causes air in bathroom 3 to be drawn in from first air inlet 8 to circulating fan 20 through first air inlet duct 9, and to be blown out from first air outlet 10 to bathroom 3 through first circulating duct 11.
The inside of main body 6 has ventilating fan 21 disposed therein. Exhaust duct 7 making the outdoors communicate with main body 6 is connected to the air outlet side of ventilating fan 21; second air inlet duct 13 making undressing room 4 communicate with main body 6 and third air inlet duct 17 making toilet 5 communicate with main body 6 are connected to the inlet side of ventilating fan 21. Hence, operating ventilating fan 21 causes the air in undressing room 4 and toilet 5 to be drawn in from second air inlet 12 and third air inlet 16 to ventilating fan 21 respectively through second air inlet duct 13 and third air inlet duct 17, and to be discharged outdoors through exhaust duct 7.
Continuously running ventilating fan 21 develops a negative pressure in living space 1, and thus fresh outside air is supplied through air supply inlet 22 open in the wall of living room 2 (an indoor space) facing the outdoors, thereby ventilating living space 1 (ventilating operation). This ventilating operation needs to be performed continuously for a building with high hermeticity (24-hour ventilation), and thus ventilating fan 21 is continuously operated so that a predetermined amount (e.g. approximately a half volume of living space 1 per hour) of air ventilation is secured.
Living room 2 has air-conditioner 23 placed therein for controlling the room temperature, which appropriately maintains the room temperature through cooling operation in summer and heating operation in winter. Hence as described above, with year-round continuous ventilating operation, living room 2 is maintained within a given temperature range through cooling in summer and heating in winter by air-conditioner 23. For instance, air conditioned between 20° C. and 30° C. is drawn in to second air inlet 12 and third air inlet 16 to through louvers and/or undercut parts of door 24 to undressing room 4 and of door 25 to toilet 5, and then discharged outdoors through main body 6 of the system.
The inside of main body 6 has other-room fan 26 disposed therein, and second circulating duct 15 making undressing room 4 communicate with main body 6 and third circulating duct 19 making toilet 5 communicate with main body 6 are connected to the air outlet side of other-room fan 26. Hence, running other-room fan 26 causes air conditioned by main body 6 to be discharged from second air outlet 14 to undressing room 4 through second circulating duct 15. The air conditioned by main body 6 is to be discharged from third air outlet 18 to toilet 5 through third circulating duct 19.
In this way, with a bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, constraints on a location for installing main body 6 is eliminated, and thus main body 6 can be installed somewhere to air-condition bathroom 3 even if there is no installation space near bathroom 3.
Main body 6 installed remotely from bathroom 3 operates without transmitting vibration and/or noise of main body 6 to bathroom 3.
A decrease of constraints on the outside dimension and shape of main body 6 increases flexibility in designing the main body.
Bathroom 3 needs to be provided only with first air inlet 8 and first air outlet 10, and thus designing the inside of bathroom 3 is simplified.
Main body 6 can be installed under floor, which facilitates its construction and maintenance to improve workability.
In the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a component same as that of the first one is given the same reference mark to omit its description, and only different points are described.
Top panel 6a of main body 6 is provided with power supply connector 29 and service port 6b. Hence, opening installation/inspection opening 28 when installing or servicing main body 6 allows the power supply to be connected or removed easily.
Service part 30 such as a filter is disposed where it is detachable from top panel 6a of main body 6 through service port 6b. Hence, opening installation/inspection opening 28 when servicing main body 6 allows service part 30 to be easily maintained through service port 6b provided in top panel 6a of main body 6.
In this way, with a bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, main body 6 can be placed by bringing main body 6 down in the gravitational direction through installation/inspection opening 28 in installation construction, allowing main body 6 to be installed easily.
As a result that power supply connector 29 and service part 30 are provided on top panel 6a of main body 6, the power supply is connected or removed, and a filters is maintained (e.g. cleaning) from floor surface 27 easily, improving workability.
In the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a component same as that of the first one is given the same reference mark to omit its description, and only different points are described.
Here, circulating fan 20 draws in air through first air inlet duct 9 communicating with bathroom 3 and blows out the air to bathroom 3 through first circulating duct 11. Ventilating fan 21 draws in air through second air inlet duct 13 communicating with a space (e.g. undressing room 4) other than bathroom 3; and third air inlet duct 17 communicating with toilet 5, and then discharges the air outdoors through exhaust duct 7. Other-room fan 26 sends air to such as an underfloor space through other-room supply duct 37.
The inside of main body 6 has refrigerant circuit 31 built therein, where circuit 31 is filled with a refrigerant such as any one of an HCFC refrigerant (contains atoms of chlorine, hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon in its molecules); an HFC refrigerant (contains atoms of hydrogen, carbon, and fluorine in its molecules); and a natural refrigerant (e.g. hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide), and is piped so that the refrigerant circulates. Refrigerant circuit 31 has compressor 32 compressing a refrigerant; first heat exchanger 33 exchanging heat between air sent by circulating fan 20 and a refrigerant; expansion mechanism 34 composed of an electronic expansion valve expanding a refrigerant; and second heat exchanger 35 exchanging heat between air sent by ventilating fan 21 and a refrigerant, all disposed therein.
Refrigerant circuit 31 has flow path changing valve 36 disposed therein changing between two types of paths. One is a path (heating cycle, hereinafter) through which a refrigerant compressed by compressor 32 passes in order of first heat exchanger 33, expansion mechanism 34, and second heat exchanger 35, and then returns to compressor 32. The other is a path (cooling cycle, hereinafter) through which a refrigerant compressed by compressor 32 passes in order of second heat exchanger 35, expansion mechanism 34, first heat exchanger 33, and then returns to compressor 32.
In first heat exchanger 33, a refrigerant discharges and absorbs heat to and from air in bathroom 3 circulated by circulating fan 20. In second heat exchanger 35, a refrigerant discharges and absorbs heat to and from air discharged outdoors by ventilating fan 21.
The air conditioned after passing through first heat exchanger 33 is supplied to a space (e.g. undressing room 4, toilet 5) other than bathroom 3, or to an underfloor space. Here, the air is supplied to undressing room 4 through second circulating duct 15; to toilet 5 through third circulating duct 19; and to an underfloor space through other-room supply duct 37.
First air inlet duct 9, second air inlet duct 13, and third air inlet duct 17 are respectively provided with first damper 38, second damper 39, and third damper 40, each changing an air path. The dampers allow changing the destination of air drawn in from bathroom 3, undressing room 4, and toilet 5, selectively to second heat exchanger 35 or first heat exchanger 33.
Exhaust duct 7 is provided with fourth damper 41 for changing an air path, which allows changing whether or not air is discharged outdoors.
First circulating duct 11, second circulating duct 15, third circulating duct 19, and other-room supply duct 37 are respectively provided with fifth damper 42, sixth damper 43, seventh damper 44, and eighth damper 45, each changing an air path. Operating the dampers allows air conditioned by first heat exchanger 33 to be supplied selectively to bathroom 3, undressing room 4, toilet 5, and an underfloor space.
In this way, fifth damper 42, sixth damper 43, seventh damper 44, and eighth damper 45 are provided for changing a path of air drawn in from first air inlet 8 after the air has undergone heating, cooling, or reheat-dehumidifying to supply the air selectively to bathroom 3 or another space.
Air is drawn in to main body 6 through first air inlet 8, second air inlet 12, and third air inlet 16; undergoes heating, cooling, or reheat-dehumidifying; and is supplied to bathroom 3 and another space.
First damper 38, second damper 39, and third damper 40 are provided for changing an air path to that through which air is drawn in from first air inlet 8, second air inlet 12, and third air inlet 16 to main body 6; the air undergoes heating, cooling, or reheat-dehumidifying; and the air is supplied to bathroom 3 and another space.
Main body 6 is provided with ninth damper 46 enabling the air path separating between second heat exchanger 35 and first heat exchanger 33 to open. Opening ninth damper 46 allows air having passed through second heat exchanger 35 to be supplied to first heat exchanger 33 for reheating dehumidification.
First damper 38 is thus provided for introducing air drawn in from first air inlet 8 to first heat exchanger 33 after the air is introduced to second heat exchanger 35 and is passed through it. Dry air produced by reheat-dehumidifying air in bathroom 3 may be supplied to bathroom 3 through the process in which first damper 38 is opened; circulating fan 20 makes air drawn in through first air inlet 8 pass through second heat exchanger 35; and then the air is introduced to first heat exchanger 33 and is passed through it.
Other-room fan 26 may blow out air drawn in from first air inlet 8 to a space other than bathroom 3 after the air has undergone heating, cooling, or reheat-dehumidifying, and the air may be distributed to bathroom 3 and another space.
The air having undergone heating, cooling, or reheat-dehumidifying may be supplied to an underfloor space and under-roof space of other than bathroom 3.
With the bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerant absorbs heat from air in a space other than bathroom 3 discharged outdoors by ventilating fan 21 at second heat exchanger 35. Then, at first heat exchanger 33, the refrigerant discharges heat to air circulated in bathroom 3 by circulating fan 20 to operate a heat pump to heat bathroom 3.
Running other-room fan 26 enables heating undressing room 4, toilet 5, and an underfloor space as well.
Changing first damper 38, second damper 39, third damper 40, fifth damper 42, sixth damper 43, seventh damper 44, and eighth damper 45 allows drawing in and discharging from and to only desired spaces, and heating only desired spaces.
At second heat exchanger 35, a refrigerant discharges heat to air in a space other than bathroom 3 discharged outdoors by ventilating fan 21; and at first heat exchanger 33, the refrigerant absorbs heat from air circulated by circulating fan 20 to operate a heat pump to allow cooling bathroom 3. Running other-room fan 26 allows cooling undressing room 4, toilet 5, and an underfloor space.
Changing first damper 38, second damper 39, third damper 40, fifth damper 42, sixth damper 43, seventh damper 44, and eighth damper 45 allows drawing in and discharging from and to only desired spaces, and cooling only desired spaces.
Air heat-exchanged by second heat exchanger 35 is supplied to first heat exchanger 33 to undergo reheating dehumidification, and supplied to bathroom 3 by circulating fan 20, allowing bathroom 3 to be dehumidified. Running other-room fan 26 allows reheat-dehumidifying undressing room 4, toilet 5, and an underfloor space.
Changing first damper 38, second damper 39, third damper 40, fifth damper 42, sixth damper 43, seventh damper 44, and eighth damper 45 allows drawing in and discharging from and to only desired spaces, and dehumidifying only desired spaces.
In the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a component same as that of the first one is given the same reference mark to omit its description, and only different points are described.
Top panel 6a main body 6 is provided thereon with power supply connector 29, which allows a power supply to be easily connected through installation/inspection opening 28 in construction. The power supply can be easily removed when needed in servicing.
Service port 6b, provided in top panel 6a of main body 6, allows easy work (e.g. care of a filter) through installation/inspection opening 28 in servicing.
Exhaust duct 7, first air inlet duct 9, first circulating duct 11, second air inlet duct 13, second circulating duct 15, third air inlet duct 17, third circulating duct 19 are all disposed between an underfloor space or bathroom 3 and the external wall of living space 1; and in a under-roof space. Then, main body 6 is made communicate with bathroom 3, undressing room 4, and toilet 5 to allow air to be drawn in from the rooms to main body 6, and thus conditioned air having undergone heating, cooling, or reheat-dehumidifying by main body 6 can be supplied to the rooms.
Other-room supply duct 37 allows supplying conditioned air having undergone heating, cooling, or reheat-dehumidifying by main body 6 to an underfloor space. Particularly, as a result that conditioned air having undergone reheat-dehumidifying is supplied to an underfloor space near a water-using device, a space near water that is particularly subject to moisture to cause condensation in the underfloor space, thereby preventing condensation and mold from occurring under floor.
A bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can thus air-condition bathroom 3, undressing room 4, toilet 5, and an underfloor space. Supplying reheat-dehumidified air to an underfloor space prevents condensation from occurring near a water-using device to suppress mold.
The above description is made of only one pattern for implementing the present invention, which is not limited to the above embodiments.
In the embodiments of the present invention, the description is made of a bathroom, undressing room, and toilet, for instance, as a space to be mainly ventilated and air-conditioned, but an indoor space corresponding to any of them may be chosen with no difference in the effect.
In the embodiments of the present invention, the description is made of a heat source based on a refrigeration cycle for increasing temperature in heating; however, it does not need to be based on a refrigeration cycle for a bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system only for heating. For instance, hot-water method (circulates hot water to increase the air temperature) or a heating element (e.g. electric heater) provides the same effect. As exemplified in the embodiments of the present invention, however, a refrigeration cycle is desirably used as a heat source. This enables efficient heating and implements all the functions presented in the embodiments of the present invention.
As described above, a bathroom ventilating air-conditioning system of the present invention is applicable to ventilating and air-conditioning not only of a bathroom but of a living room, bedroom, kitchen, washroom, and the like.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-299018 | Nov 2007 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2008/003357 | 11/18/2008 | WO | 00 | 4/26/2010 |
