The present disclosure relates to a partitioning member for a total heat exchange element, a total heat exchange element including the partitioning member, and a ventilation device including the total heat exchange element.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-163650, a ventilation device including a heat exchange element has been known. The heat exchange element exchanges heat between supply air and exhaust air.
In the heat exchange element, flat plate-shaped partitioning members and corrugated plate-shaped spacing members are alternately stacked. The partitioning member and the spacing member are bonded to each other with an adhesive. In the heat exchange element of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-163650, growth of bacteria and fungi in the heat exchange element is reduced by use of the adhesive containing an antibacterial/antifungal component.
A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a partitioning member for a total heat exchange element. The partitioning member includes a sheet shaped porous base, a moisture permeable membrane provided on the porous base, and a functional material. The functional material produces at least one of an antifungal effect, an antibacterial effect, and an antiviral effect. The moisture permeable membrane contains the functional material.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a partitioning member for a total heat exchange element. The partition member includes a sheet shaped porous base, a moisture permeable membrane provided on the porous base, and a functional membrane containing a functional material. The functional material produces at least one of an antifungal effect, an antibacterial effect, and an antiviral effect. The functional material covers a surface of the porous base or the moisture permeable membrane.
A first embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a partitioning member (40) for a total heat exchange element.
The partitioning member (40) for the total heat exchange element according to this embodiment forms a total heat exchange element (30) provided for a ventilation device (10). The partitioning member (40) for the total heat exchange element according to this embodiment is a member for causing exchange of sensible heat and latent heat (moisture) between supply air and exhaust air. Hereinafter, the “partitioning member for the total heat exchange element” will be simply referred to as a “partitioning member.”
As shown in
The porous base (41) is a porous sheet-shaped member made of polyolefin-based resin, for example. The porous base (41) may be non-woven fabric made of fibrous resin. The porous base (41) has a thickness of 10 for example. Preferably, the porous base (41) is an element that serves as a support for the moisture permeable membrane (42), and has high moisture permeability.
The first surface (41a), i.e., one of the surfaces of the porous base (41), is subjected to hydrophilic treatment. Examples of the hydrophilic treatment include corona discharge treatment and plasma treatment. The hydrophilic treatment allows generation of a carboxy group, a hydroxy group, or a carbonyl group on the first surface (41a) of the porous base (41).
The moisture permeable membrane (42) is a coating covering the entirety of the first surface (41a) of the porous base (41). The moisture permeable membrane (42) is made of a polymer having moisture permeability. The polymer forming the moisture permeable membrane (42) is copolymer having a first constitutional unit and a second constitutional unit. The moisture permeable membrane (42) has a thickness of 1 for example. The thickness of the moisture permeable membrane (42) is not particularly limited, and is preferably 0.05 μm to 1 μm and more preferably 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm. In a case where the thickness of the moisture permeable membrane (42) is 0.05 μm or more, favorable film formability is exhibited, leading to improvement in gas barrier properties. In a case where the above-described thickness is 1 μm or less, more favorable moisture permeability is exhibited.
Examples of monomer forming the first constitutional unit may include 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine. Examples of monomer forming the second constitutional unit may include (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester having an alkyl group with a carbon number of 2 or more in an ester moiety, such as (meth)acrylic acid stearyl. In the copolymer forming the moisture permeable membrane (42), the form of copolymer having the first constitutional unit and the second constitutional unit is not particularly limited, and the copolymer forming the moisture permeable membrane (42) may be any of a block copolymer, an alternating copolymer, and a random copolymer.
The moisture permeable membrane (42) contains a functional material (46) producing an antifungal effect and an antibacterial effect. The moisture permeable membrane (42) of this embodiment contains sodium pyrithione (C5H4NNaOS) as the functional material (46). Molecules of sodium pyrithione, which is the functional material (46), are dispersed in the moisture permeable membrane (42). Thus, the size (the van der Waals radius in this embodiment) of the functional material (46) contained in the moisture permeable membrane (42) is 5 nm or less and less than the thickness (about 1 μm) of the moisture permeable membrane (42).
A step of forming the moisture permeable membrane (42) on the porous base (41) includes an application step of applying a composition for forming the moisture permeable membrane (42) to the first surface (41a) of the porous base (41) and a drying step of heating a coating formed in the application step and evaporating a solvent. The composition used in the application step is obtained by dissolving or dispersing the above-described copolymer and the functional material (46) in the solvent such as water. The first surface (41a) of the porous base (41), to which surface the composition is applied in the application step, is subjected to the hydrophilic treatment in advance. Thus, the thickness of the coating formed on the first surface (41a) becomes uniform. The moisture permeable membrane (42) with a uniform thickness is formed accordingly.
Sodium pyrithione which is the functional material (46) of this embodiment is dissolvable in water which is the solvent. Thus, sodium pyrithione which is the functional material (46) is dispersed in the moisture permeable membrane (42) formed by applying the composition to the porous base (41), substantially in the form of molecules.
In the partitioning member (40) of this embodiment, the moisture permeable membrane (42) covering the entirety of the first surface (41a) of the porous base (41) contains the functional material (46) producing the antifungal effect and the antibacterial effect. Thus, growth of bacteria and fungi can be reduced across the entirety of the partitioning member (40), and the entirety of the partitioning member (40) can be kept clean.
In the moisture permeable membrane (42) of the partitioning member (40) of this embodiment, sodium pyrithione which is the functional material (46) is distributed substantially uniformly in the form of molecules. Thus, growth of bacteria and fungi can be reduced across the entirety of the partitioning member (40), and the entirety of the partitioning member (40) can be kept clean.
Sodium pyrithione contained as the functional material (46) in the moisture permeable membrane (42) of this embodiment produces a sufficient antifungal effect and a sufficient antibacterial effect even if the concentration of the sodium pyrithione in the moisture permeable membrane (42) is about 4 ppm.
For example, in order for “4,4′-(2-ethyl-2-nitropropane-1,3-diyl)bismorpholine” or “silver (Ag)” to produce the sufficient antifungal effect and the sufficient antibacterial effect, the concentration of the substances in the moisture permeable membrane (42) needs to be set to about 500 ppm. From this, it can be understood that sodium pyrithione produces the antifungal effect and the antibacterial effect at a relatively low concentration.
Thus, according to this embodiment, the concentration of the functional material (46) in the moisture permeable membrane (42) can be reduced to a low concentration, which allows the moisture permeable membrane (42) to contain the functional material (46) producing the antifungal effect and the antibacterial effect without deterioration of the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable membrane (42).
Further, a substance having pyrithione in its molecular structure, such as sodium pyrithione, has a property of not causing deterioration of the copolymer forming the moisture permeable membrane (42). Thus, according to this embodiment, sodium pyrithione is used as the functional material (46), thereby making it possible to cause the moisture permeable membrane (42) to contain the functional material (46) producing the antifungal effect and the antibacterial effect without deterioration of durability of the moisture permeable membrane (42).
Here, in a case where the functional material (46) is contained in the form of particles (solid) in the moisture permeable membrane (42), the functional material (46) may drop from the moisture permeable membrane (42). If the functional material (46) drops from the moisture permeable membrane (42), a void is formed at a portion where the functional material (46) is used to be present. For this reason, if the functional material (46) whose particle size is greater than the thickness of the moisture permeable membrane (42) drops from the moisture permeable membrane (42), voids penetrating the moisture permeable membrane (42) in the thickness direction are formed in the moisture permeable membrane (42). If such voids are formed in the moisture permeable membrane (42), air flowing on both sides of the partitioning member (40) is mixed through the voids in the moisture permeable membrane (42), resulting in a deterioration of the hermeticity of the partitioning member (40).
On the other hand, in the moisture permeable membrane (42) of the partitioning member (40) of this embodiment, sodium pyrithione which is the functional material (46) is present in the form of molecules in the moisture permeable membrane (42). Thus, the functional material (46) will not drop from the moisture permeable membrane (42) of this embodiment. Consequently, according to this embodiment, the hermeticity of the partitioning member (40) can be kept for a relatively long period of time.
A second embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a total heat exchange element (30) including the partitioning members (40) of the first embodiment.
As shown in
In the total heat exchange element (30), the partitioning members (40) and the spacing members (32) are stacked alternately. In the total heat exchange element (30), a distance between each adjacent pair of the partitioning members (40) is kept substantially constant by an associated one of the spacing members (32).
In the total heat exchange element (30), the first air flow paths (36) and the second air flow paths (37) are alternately formed in a stacking direction of the partitioning members (40) and the spacing members (32). Each of the partitioning members (40) separates an adjacent pair of the first air flow path (36) and the second air flow path (37) from each other.
The partitioning member (40) forming the total heat exchange element (30) of this embodiment is formed substantially in a square shape in plan view. In the total heat exchange element (30) of this embodiment, the moisture permeable membranes (42) of all the partitioning members (40) face the first air flow paths (36) (see
The spacing members (32) are configured as corrugated plate-shaped members that are formed substantially in a square shape in plan view. Each of the spacing members (32) has a plurality of ridges (32a) each having a linear ridge line, and a plurality of valleys (32b) each having a linear bottom line. The ridge lines of the ridges (32a) and the bottom lines of the valleys (32b) are substantially parallel to each other. Each of the spacing members (32) has the ridges (32a) and the valleys (32b) alternately formed. Each of the spacing members (32) keeps the distance between the partitioning members (40) arranged on both sides of the spacing member (32).
In the total heat exchange element (30), adjacent ones of the spacing members (32) with an associated one of the partitioning members (40) interposed therebetween are arranged such that the direction of the ridge lines of one of the spacing members (32) are substantially orthogonal to the direction of the ridge lines of the other spacing member (32). This arrangement provides the total heat exchange element (30) with the first air flow paths (36) that open at a pair of opposed side surfaces of the total heat exchange element (30) and the second air flow paths (37) that open at the other pair of opposed side surfaces.
In the total heat exchange element (30), different types of air flow in the first air flow path (36, 121) and the second air flow path (37, 151). For example, in the total heat exchange element (30) provided for a ventilation device, outdoor air (supply air) to be supplied to an indoor space flows in the first air flow path (36, 121), and room air (exhaust air) discharged to an outdoor space flows in the second air flow path (37, 151). The total heat exchange element (30) causes exchange of sensible heat and latent heat (moisture) between the air flowing in the first air flow path (36, 121) and the air flowing in the second air flow path (37, 151).
In the total heat exchange element (30) of this embodiment, the functional material (46) producing the antifungal effect and the antibacterial effect is provided across the entirety of a portion, among the surfaces of each partitioning member (40), which faces the first air flow path (36). Thus, growth of bacteria and fungi can be reduced almost across the entirety of the portion, of the partitioning member (40) of the total heat exchange element (30), which is in contact with the supply air. The supply air passing through the total heat exchange element (30) can thus be kept clean.
A third embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a ventilation device (10) including the total heat exchange element (30) of the second embodiment.
As shown in
The total heat exchange element (30) is arranged to cross the air supply passage (21) and the exhaust passage (22). The total heat exchange element (30) is disposed in the casing (15) such that the first air flow paths (36) communicate with the air supply passage (21) and the second air flow paths (37) communicate with the exhaust passage (22).
The ventilation device (10) further includes an air supply fan (26) and an exhaust fan (27). The air supply fan (26) is arranged downstream of the total heat exchange element (30) in the air supply passage (21) (i.e., near the air supply port (17)). The exhaust fan (27) is arranged downstream of the total heat exchange element (30) in the exhaust passage (22) (i.e., near the exhaust port (19)).
In the ventilation device (10), outdoor air flows in the air supply passage (21) toward the indoor space, and room air flows in the exhaust passage (22) toward the outdoor space. The total heat exchange element (30) causes exchange of sensible heat and moisture (latent heat) between the outdoor air flowing in the air supply passage (21) and the room air flowing in the exhaust passage (22).
The ventilation device (10) of this embodiment includes the total heat exchange element (30) of the second embodiment. In the total heat exchange element (30) of the second embodiment, growth of bacteria and fungi can be reduced almost across the entirety of the portion, of the partitioning member (40), in contact with the supply air. Thus, according to this embodiment, the supply air to be supplied into the indoor space through the total heat exchange element (30) can be kept clean for a long period of time.
A fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a total heat exchange element (30) including the partitioning members (40) of the first embodiment. Similarly to the total heat exchange element (30) of the second embodiment, the total heat exchange element (30) of this embodiment is provided for the ventilation device (10) of the third embodiment, and causes exchange of sensible heat and latent heat (moisture) between the supply air and the exhaust air.
As shown in
The main heat exchange section (111) is located at the middle of the total heat exchange element (30) in the right-to-left direction in
The total heat exchange element (30) includes a plurality of first elements (120) and a plurality of second elements (150). The first elements (120) and the second elements (150) are alternately stacked in the total heat exchange element (30). Each of the first elements (120) forms a first air flow path (121). The first air flow path (121) allows the supply air to flow therethrough. Each of the second elements (150) forms a second air flow path (151). The second air flow path (151) allows the exhaust air to flow therethrough. In the total heat exchange element (30), the first air flow paths (121) and the second air flow paths (151) are alternately formed in a stacking direction of the first elements (120) and the second elements (150).
The total heat exchange element (30) has a first inflow port (122a), a first outflow port (122b), a second inflow port (152a), and a second outflow port (152b), which are formed at side surfaces thereof (surfaces parallel to the stacking direction of the first elements (120) and the second elements (150)). The first inflow port (122a) and the first outflow port (122b) are formed at the first element (120) and communicate with the first air flow path (121). The second inflow port (152a) and the second outflow port (152b) are formed at the second element (150) and communicate with the second air flow path (151).
As also shown in
As shown in
Each of the first frame (125) and the second frame (155) is a flat, injection-molded resin member. The first frame (125) and the second frame (155) are spacing members that keep a distance between an adjacent pair of the partitioning members (40). Each of the first frame (125) and the second frame (155) is formed in a horizontally oriented octagonal shape in plan view (see
In the first element (120), the partitioning member (40) covers substantially the entirety of one surface (the lower surface in
In the second element (150), the partitioning member (40) covers substantially the entirety of one surface (the lower surface in
In the total heat exchange element (30), as shown in
In each of the auxiliary heat exchange sections (112a, 112b) of the total heat exchange element (30), the supply air flowing in the first air flow path (121) and the exhaust air flowing in the second air flow path (151) flow in directions intersecting with each other. In the main heat exchange section (111) of the total heat exchange element (30), the supply air flowing in the first air flow path (121) and the exhaust air flowing in the second air flow path (151) flow in directions opposite to each other.
The total heat exchange element (30) causes exchange of sensible heat and latent heat (moisture) between the supply air flowing in the first air flow path (121) and the exhaust air flowing in the second air flow path (151). Of the supply air and the exhaust air in the total heat exchange element (30), one with a higher temperature transfers heat to the other with a lower temperature. Further, of the supply air and the exhaust air in the total heat exchange element (30), one with a higher humidity transfers moisture to the other with a lower humidity.
The total heat exchange element (30) of this embodiment causes exchange of sensible heat and latent heat between the supply air flowing in the first air flow path (121) and the exhaust air flowing in the second air flow path (151), mainly in the main heat exchange section (111). Thus, the total heat exchange element (30) of this embodiment is a counterflow heat exchanger.
In the total heat exchange element (30) of this embodiment, the functional material (46) producing the antifungal effect and the antibacterial effect is provided across the entirety of a portion, among the surfaces of each partitioning member (40), which faces the first air flow path (121). Thus, growth of bacteria and fungi can be reduced almost across the entirety of the portion, of the partitioning member (40) of the total heat exchange element (30), which is in contact with the supply air. The supply air passing through the total heat exchange element (30) can thus be kept clean.
The structure of the partitioning member (40) for the total heat exchange element is not limited to the structure of the partitioning member (40) of the first embodiment.
For example, a partitioning member (40) shown in
In a partitioning member (40) shown in
In a partitioning member (40) shown in
A partitioning member (40) shown in
The structure of the partitioning member (40) for the total heat exchange element is not limited to the structure of the partitioning member (40) of the first embodiment.
The partitioning member (40) may include, in addition to the porous base (41) and the moisture permeable membrane (42), a functional membrane (45) containing the functional material (46). The moisture permeable membrane (42) of the partitioning member (40) of this variation contains no functional material (46). Here, an example where this variation is applied to the partitioning member (40) of the first embodiment will be described.
In the partitioning member (40) of this variation shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the total heat exchange element (30) of this variation, the second surface (41b) of the porous base (41) of the partitioning member (40) faces the first air flow path (36, 121) in which the supply air flows, and the moisture permeable membrane (42) of the partitioning member (40) faces the second air flow path (37, 151) in which the exhaust air flows.
The total heat exchange elements (30) of the second and fourth embodiments may have both of the partitioning members (40) including the moisture permeable membranes (42) facing the first air flow paths (36, 121) and the partitioning members (40) including the moisture permeable membranes (42) facing the second air flow paths (37, 151).
For example, in a total heat exchange element (30) shown in
The partitioning member (40) of each of the above-described embodiments and variations may contain zinc pyrithione (C10H8N2O2S2Zn) as the functional material (46) producing the antifungal effect and the antibacterial effect. Zinc pyrithione as the functional material (46) is dispersed in the form of fine particles in the moisture permeable membrane (42) or the functional membrane (45).
In a case where the functional material (46) is contained in the form of fine particles in the moisture permeable membrane (42), the particle size (e.g., the major-axis diameter) of the fine particles as the functional material (46) is preferably smaller than the thickness of the moisture permeable membrane (42). If the particle size of the fine particles as the functional material (46) is smaller than the thickness of the moisture permeable membrane (42), the hermeticity of the moisture permeable membrane (42) is kept even in a case where the functional material (46) drops from the moisture permeable membrane (42) for some reason.
Further, the partitioning member (40) of each of the above-described embodiments and variations may contain a quaternary ammonium salt-based antiviral agent (e.g., 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride) as the functional material (46) producing an antiviral effect.
While the embodiments and the variations thereof have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The above-described embodiments and variations may be combined and replaced with each other without deteriorating intended functions of the present disclosure. The ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” “third,” . . . , in the description and claims are used to distinguish the terms to which these expressions are given, and do not limit the number and order of the terms.
As described above, the present disclosure is useful for a partitioning member for a total heat exchange element, a total heat exchange element including the partitioning member, and a ventilation device including the total heat exchange element.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2020-164299 | Sep 2020 | JP | national |
This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2021/035225 filed on Sep. 27, 2021, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-164299, filed on Sep. 30, 2020. The entire disclosures of these applications are incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/JP2021/035225 | Sep 2021 | US |
Child | 18115601 | US |