U.S. patent application number 11/147431 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for ventilating system and method for controlling the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Ho Seon Choi, In Ho Choi, Ho Jung Kim, Ju Youn Lee.
Application Number | 20060199513 11/147431 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36407981 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060199513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Ho Seon ; et
al. |
September 7, 2006 |
Ventilating system and method for controlling the same
Abstract
Ventilating system for introducing outdoor air and discharging
room air, and method for controlling the same, the ventilating
system including a duct for making a room and an outside of the
room in communication, a ventilator connected to the duct for
discharging room air to an outside of the room, and supplying
outdoor air to the room through the duct, a window controller
provided to each window for opening/closing the window
individually, and a controller for controlling the ventilator and
the window controller for ventilating the room. The method for
controlling a ventilating system includes the steps of measuring
conditions of room air and outdoor air, determining a ventilating
method and a ventilating rate according to the measured conditions,
and ventilating the room by opening/closing the window
automatically, and putting a ventilator into operation according to
a result of determination.
Inventors: |
Choi; Ho Seon; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lee; Ju Youn; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Ho
Jung; (Incheon, KR) ; Choi; In Ho; (Gunpo-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36407981 |
Appl. No.: |
11/147431 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2007/004 20130101;
Y02B 30/70 20130101; F24F 2110/70 20180101; F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 11/0001 20130101; F24F 2110/72 20180101; F24F 11/30
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/237 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 2005 |
KR |
P2005-0012316 |
Claims
1. A ventilating system comprising: a duct for making a room and an
outside of the room in communication; a ventilator connected to the
duct for discharging room air to an outside of the room, and
supplying outdoor air to the room through the duct; a window
controller provided to each window for opening/closing the window
individually; and a controller for controlling the ventilator and
the window controller for ventilating the room.
2. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
a VOC sensor for measuring a content of volatile organic compounds
of the room air.
3. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
sensors for measuring conditions of outdoor air and room air.
4. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
sensors include; a room temperature sensor for measuring a
temperature of the room air, a room humidity sensor for measuring
humidity of the room air, an outdoor temperature sensor for
measuring a temperature of the outdoor air, and an outdoor humidity
sensor for measuring humidity of the outdoor air.
5. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window
controller makes the window to slide sideways to open/close the
window.
6. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window
controller pushes/pulls the window forward/backward to open/close
the window.
7. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window
controller includes; a control unit for opening/closing the window,
and a driving unit connected to the control unit for generating a
driving force.
8. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
control unit includes; a housing connected to the window, the
housing having a helical hole, and an elongated screw coupled to
the driving unit and placed in the helical hole for moving the
window connected to the housing as the screw is rotated by the
driving unit.
9. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
driving unit includes a driving motor coupled to the screw with a
shaft.
10. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
driving unit includes; a gear box connected to one end of the
screw, and a driving motor coupled to the gear box with a
shaft.
11. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
control unit includes; a driven gear connected to the window, and a
driving gear connected to the driving unit, and engaged with the
driven gear, for being rotated by the driving unit to rotate the
driven gear, for opening/closing the window.
12. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
driven gear is coupled to the rotating shaft of the window with a
shaft.
13. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
driving unit includes a driving motor coupled to the driving gear
with a shaft.
14. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
controller determines a ventilating method and a ventilating rate
taking the content of volatile organic compounds of the room air,
and controls the ventilator and the window controller,
accordingly.
15. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
controller closes the window when the room air is polluted lower
than a preset highest reference value.
16. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
controller determines the ventilating method and the ventilating
rate taking the outdoor temperature into account additionally when
the room air is polluted higher than a preset highest reference
value, and controls the ventilator and the window controller,
accordingly.
17. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
controller closes the window, and puts the ventilator into
operation, for ventilating the room, if the outdoor temperature is
outside of a present range.
18. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
controller determines the ventilating method and the ventilating
rate taking a temperature difference between the room and outside
of the room if the outdoor temperature is within a preset range,
and controls the ventilator and the window controller.
19. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the
controller opens the window to ventilate the room if the
temperature difference between the room and outside of the room is
within a preset range.
20. The ventilating system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the
controller closes the window and puts the ventilator into
operation, for ventilating the room, if the temperature difference
between the room and the outside of the room is outside of the
preset range.
21. A method for controlling a ventilating system comprising the
steps of: measuring conditions of room air and outdoor air;
determining a ventilating method and a ventilating rate according
to the measured conditions; and ventilating the room by
opening/closing at least one window automatically, and putting a
ventilator into operation according to a result of
determination.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the step of
determining a ventilating method and a ventilating rate further
includes the step of determining a degree of pollution of the room
air being within a preset range.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the degree of
pollution of the room air is dependent on a content of volatile
organic compounds of the room air.
24. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the step of
ventilating the room includes the step of closing the window if the
degree of pollution of the room air is within a preset range.
25. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the step of
ventilating the room includes the step of closing the window and
stopping the ventilator if the degree of pollution of the room air
is lower than a lowest reference value.
26. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the step of
ventilating the room includes the step of closing the window and
operating the ventilator at a low rate if the degree of pollution
of the room air is higher than a lowest reference value and lower
than a highest reference value.
27. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the step of
determining a ventilating method and a ventilating rate further
includes the step of determining the outdoor temperature of being
within a preset range if the degree of pollution of the room air is
higher than a preset range.
28. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the step of
ventilating the room includes the step of closing the window and
putting the ventilator into operation if the outdoor temperature is
outside of a preset range.
29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the step of
determining a ventilating method and a ventilating rate further
includes the step of determining the temperature difference between
the room and the outside of the room being within the preset range
if the outdoor temperature is within the preset range.
30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the step of
ventilating the room further includes the step of opening the
window and stopping the ventilator if the temperature difference
between the room and outside of the room is within a preset
range.
31. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the step of
determining a ventilating method and a ventilating rate further
includes the step of determining outdoor relative humidity of being
within a preset range if the temperature difference between the
room and the outside of the room is within a preset range.
32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the step of
ventilating the room includes the step of opening the window to the
maximum if the outdoor relative humidity is within a preset
range.
33. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the step of
ventilating the room further includes the step of opening the
window to the minimum if the outdoor relative humidity is outside
of the preset range.
34. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the step of
ventilating the room further includes the step of closing the
window and putting the ventilator into operation if the temperature
difference between the room and the outside of the room is outside
of the preset range.
35. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the step of
determining a ventilating method and a ventilating rate further
includes the step of determining room relative humidity of being
within a preset range if the temperature difference between the
room and the outside of the room is outside of the preset
range.
36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the step of
ventilating the room further includes the step of closing the
window and operating the ventilator at a maximum rate if the room
relative humidity is within the preset range.
37. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the step of
ventilating the room further includes the step of closing the
window and operating the ventilator at a minimum rate if the room
relative humidity is outside of the preset range.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. P2005-0012316 filed on Feb. 15, 2005, which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to ventilating systems, and
more particularly, to a ventilating system for introducing outdoor
air and discharging room air, and a method for controlling the
same.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] A ventilating system is provided to a general house or an
apartment for ventilating rooms. Such a ventilating system is
provided with a duct that forms a moving passage of air. The
ventilating system is provided with, in general, an air supply fan
and an air discharge fan, and the duct is, in general, provided
with an air supply duct and an air discharge duct. In operation,
when the air supply fan is driven, outdoor air is supplied to the
room through the air supply duct, and when the air discharge fan is
driven, the room air is discharged to an outside of the room,
thereby ventilating the room.
[0006] In the meantime, in case of a new building, there are much
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), such as formaldehyde, emitted
from various construction materials. It is known that such volatile
organic compounds cause dermatitis, and cancer. In a case there are
much volatile organic compounds in the room, it is required to
ventilate the room, quickly.
[0007] However, sizes of the air supply, and discharge ducts, and
outputs of the air supply fan and the air discharge fan are fixed
already, an amount of outdoor air supplyable in a unit time period,
and an amount of room air dischargeable to an outside of the room
in a unit time period, are limited. Therefore, in a case the room
air is polluted heavily, the room can not be ventilated, quickly.
In order to solve such a problem, it is required to design the air
supply, and the air discharge ducts larger, and provide larger
capacity air supply fan, and air discharge fan. However, in this
case bulky ventilating system and ducts impedes easy mounting
thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
ventilating system, and a method for controlling the same that
substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a
ventilating system, and a method for controlling the same, which
can ventilate a room when the room is polluted heavily.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
ventilating system for introducing outdoor air and discharging room
air, and a method for controlling the same, which can ventilate a
room taking a content of volatile organic compounds of room air
into account.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
ventilating system, and a method for controlling the same, which
can improve a ventilating capability of the ventilating system
without providing larger ventilating system and ducts.
[0012] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0013] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a ventilating system includes a duct for
making a room and an outside of the room in communication, a
ventilator connected to the duct for discharging room air to an
outside of the room, and supplying outdoor air to the room through
the duct, a window controller provided to each window for
opening/closing the window individually, and a controller for
controlling the ventilator and the window controller for
ventilating the room.
[0014] The ventilating system may further include a VOC sensor for
measuring a content of volatile organic compounds of the room air.
The ventilating system may further include sensors for measuring
conditions of outdoor air and room air. The sensors include a room
temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the room air, a
room humidity sensor for measuring humidity of the room air, an
outdoor temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the
outdoor air, and an outdoor humidity sensor for measuring humidity
of the outdoor air.
[0015] The window controller includes a control unit for
opening/closing the window, and a driving unit connected to the
control unit for generating a driving force.
[0016] The window controller makes the window to slide sideways to
open/close the window. In this case, the control unit includes a
housing connected to the window, the housing having a helical hole,
and an elongated screw coupled to the driving unit and placed in
the helical hole for moving the window connected to the housing as
the screw is rotated by the driving unit. The driving unit may
include a driving motor coupled to the screw with a shaft, or a
gear box connected to one end of the screw, and a driving motor
coupled to the gear box with a shaft.
[0017] The window controller pushes/pulls the window
forward/backward to open/close the window. In this case, the
control unit includes a driven gear connected to the window, and a
driving gear connected to the driving unit, and engaged with the
driven gear, for being rotated by the driving unit to rotate the
driven gear, for opening/closing the window. The driven gear is
coupled to the rotating shaft of the window with a shaft, and the
driving unit includes a driving motor coupled to the driving gear
with a shaft.
[0018] The controller determines a ventilating method and a
ventilating rate taking the content of volatile organic compounds
of the room air, and controls the ventilator and the window
controller, accordingly. The controller closes the window when the
room air is polluted lower than a preset highest reference
value.
[0019] The controller determines the ventilating method and the
ventilating rate taking the outdoor temperature into account
additionally when the room air is polluted higher than a preset
highest reference value, and controls the ventilator and the window
controller, accordingly. The controller closes the window, and puts
the ventilator into operation, for ventilating the room, if the
outdoor temperature is outside of a present range.
[0020] The controller determines the ventilating method and the
ventilating rate taking a temperature difference between the room
and outside of the room if the outdoor temperature is within a
preset range, and controls the ventilator and the window
controller. The controller opens the window to ventilate the room
if the temperature difference between the room and outside of the
room is within a preset range. The controller closes the window and
puts the ventilator into operation, for ventilating the room, if
the temperature difference between the room and the outside of the
room is outside of the preset range.
[0021] In the meantime, in another aspect of the present invention,
a method for controlling a ventilating system includes the steps of
measuring conditions of room air and outdoor air, determining a
ventilating method and a ventilating rate according to the measured
conditions, and ventilating the room by opening/closing at least
one window automatically, and putting a ventilator into operation
according to a result of determination.
[0022] The step of determining a ventilating method and a
ventilating rate further includes the step of determining a degree
of pollution of the room air being within a preset range. The
degree of pollution of the room air is dependent on a content of
volatile organic compounds of the room air.
[0023] The step of ventilating the room includes the step of
closing the window if the degree of pollution of the room air is
within a preset range. The step of ventilating the room includes
the step of closing the window and stopping the ventilator if the
degree of pollution of the room air is lower than a lowest
reference value. The step of ventilating the room includes the step
of closing the window and operating the ventilator at a low rate if
the degree of pollution of the room air is higher than a lowest
reference value and lower than a highest reference value.
[0024] The step of determining a ventilating method and a
ventilating rate further includes the step of determining the
outdoor temperature of being within a preset range if the degree of
pollution of the room air is higher than a preset range. The step
of ventilating the room includes the step of closing the window and
putting the ventilator into operation if the outdoor temperature is
outside of a preset range.
[0025] The step of determining a ventilating method and a
ventilating rate further includes the step of determining the
temperature difference between the room and the outside of the room
being within the preset range if the outdoor temperature is within
the preset range. The step of ventilating the room further includes
the step of opening the window and stopping the ventilator if the
temperature difference between the room and outside of the room is
within a preset range.
[0026] The step of determining a ventilating method and a
ventilating rate further includes the step of determining outdoor
relative humidity of being within a preset range if the temperature
difference between the room and the outside of the room is within a
preset range. The step of ventilating the room includes the step of
opening the window to the maximum if the outdoor relative humidity
is within a preset range. The step of ventilating the room further
includes the step of opening the window to the minimum if the
outdoor relative humidity is outside of the preset range.
[0027] The step of ventilating the room further includes the step
of closing the window and putting the ventilator into operation if
the temperature difference between the room and the outside of the
room is outside of the preset range.
[0028] The step of determining a ventilating method and a
ventilating rate further includes the step of determining room
relative humidity of being within a preset range if the temperature
difference between the room and the outside of the room is outside
of the preset range. The step of ventilating the room further
includes the step of closing the window and operating the
ventilator at a maximum rate if the room relative humidity is
within the preset range. The step of ventilating the room further
includes the step of closing the window and operating the
ventilator at a minimum rate if the room relative humidity is
outside of the preset range.
[0029] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings;
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a ventilating system in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
provided to a building;
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the ventilating system
in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a window controller of the ventilating
system in FIG. 1 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of
the present invention, schematically;
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a window controller of the ventilating
system in FIG. 1 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention, schematically; and
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart showing the steps of a
method for controlling a ventilating system of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ventilating system of the
present invention includes a duct 100 making a room and an outside
of the room in communication, a ventilator 200 connected to the
duct 100, for discharging room air to an outside of the room
through the duct 100, and supplying outdoor air to the room, window
controllers 300, and 400 mounted to the windows W1, and W2 for
opening/closing the windows W1, and W2 respectively, and a
controller 500 for controlling the ventilator 200 and the window
controllers 300, and 400, for ventilating the room.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, the duct 100 includes an air supply
duct 110 for supplying outdoor air to rooms, and a discharge duct
120 for discharging room air to an outside of the rooms. At the end
of the air supply duct 110 connected to the room, there is an air
supply diffuser provided thereto, and at the end of the air
discharge duct 120, there is an air discharge diffuser provided
thereto. For reference, the air supply diffusers and the air
discharge diffusers are marked with circles at ends of the air
supply duct and the air discharge duct 120.
[0039] The ventilator is, for an example, installed at a balcony,
and has an air supply fan (not shown) and an air discharge fan (not
shown). The air supply fan is in communication with the air supply
duct 110, for supplying outdoor air to the room through the air
supply duct 110. The air discharge fan is in communication with the
air discharge duct 120, and discharges room air to an outside of
the room through the air discharge duct 120.
[0040] The ventilator 200 may further include a preheat exchanger
(not shown). The preheat exchanger is provided to, for an example,
an inside of a case to the ventilator 200, for making the outside
air being supplied to the room and the room air being discharged to
an outside of the room to cross and heat exchange, indirectly.
Accordingly, thermal energy of the room air discharge to an outside
of the room is recovered by the outdoor air supplied to the room
through the preheat exchanger, to improve a thermal efficiency of
the ventilating system of the present invention, accordingly.
[0041] The ventilator 200 may further includes a filter (not
shown). The filter is mounted on, for an example, the preheat
exchanger, for filtering outdoor air and room air introduced into
the preheat exchanger. Therefore, the ventilating system of the
present invention always supplies filtered clean air only,
according to which the room maintains a comfortable state.
[0042] In the meantime, the window controllers 300, and 400 may be
provided to some or all of the windows. The window controller 300
or 400 of the present invention is applicable both to a window W1
for opening/closing the window by sliding the window in a
left/right direction, and a window W2 for opening/closing the
window by pushing/pulling in a forward/backward direction. Such
window controllers 300, and 400 will be described with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4, in more detail.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates a window control device of the
ventilating system in FIG. 1 in accordance with a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention, schematically.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, the window controller 300 can
open/close a window W1 by sliding the window W1 in a left/right
directions, and includes a control unit 310 for opening/closing the
window W1, and a driving unit 320 for driving the control unit
310.
[0045] The control unit 310 includes, for an example, a housing
fixedly secured to a frame of a window W1 to be closed/opened by
sliding the window W1 in a left/right direction, and a screw 312
connected to the driving unit 320 and engaged with the housing 311.
In more detail, the housing has a helical hole in an inside surface
thereof, passed through, for an example, the housing 311. The screw
312 has one end connected to a shaft of the driving unit 320, and
the other end placed in the helical hole to pass through the
housing 311. Therefore, when the screw 312 is rotated by the
driving unit 320, rotation of the screw 312 is converted into a
linear motion of the housing 311 by the helical hole, to move the
window W1 together with the housing 311 in a left/right direction
as the housing slides in the left/right direction.
[0046] The driving unit 320 that drives the control unit 310
includes a gear box 321 of a predetermined gear ratio, having the
screw 312 coupled thereto with a shaft, and a driving motor 322
coupled to the gear box 321 with a shaft. The gear box 321 has an
appropriate gear ratio taking a moving speed of the window W1 into
account. The control unit 310 is not limited to this. For an
example, the control unit 310 may only includes a driving motor
coupled to one end of the screw 312 with a shaft.
[0047] In the meantime, the window controller 300 applicable to a
window W1 to be opened/closed as the window slides in a left/right
direction is not limited to above example. As another example, the
window controller 300 may include a belt, a sprocket, and a motor.
In more detail, the sprocket includes a driving sprocket mounted on
the motor, and a driven sprocket arranged a predetermined space
away from the driving sprocket. The belt connects the driving
sprocket to the driven sprocket, and the window W1 frame is
connected to the belt. Accordingly, if the motor is driven, the
belt rotates together with the driving sprocket, and, according to
this, the window W1 connected to the belt moves. As another
example, the window controller 300 may include a pinion rotated by
a motor, and rack fixed secured to the window W1 and engaged with
the rack.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a window controller 400 of the
ventilating system in FIG. 1 in accordance with a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention, schematically.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the window controller 400 is applicable
to a window W2 which can be opened/closed by pushing/pulling the
window in forward/backward, and includes a control unit 410 mounted
on the window W2, and a driving unit 420 connected to the control
unit 410 for generating a driving force.
[0050] The control unit 410 is, for an example, includes a driven
gear 411 mounted on the window W2, and a driving gear 412 coupled
to the driving unit with a shaft and engaged with the driven gear.
The driven gear 411 is coupled to a rotating shaft of the window W2
with a shaft, for opening/closing the window W2 while rotating with
the driving gear 412 when the driving gear 412 is rotated by the
driving unit 420. A gear ratio of the driven gear 411 to the
driving gear is fixed taking an open/close speed of the window W2,
and a rotating torque of the window W2. The window controller 400,
that can open/close the window, is not limited to above. As another
example, the window controller 400 may include a hydraulic
cylinder.
[0051] Moreover, though not shown, the window controller 300, or
400 may further include a safety device (not shown) which senses a
portion of a human body, or a foreign matter get in the window W1,
or W2, and stops operation of the driving unit 320, or 420, for
preventing the user suffering from wound, and the window controller
300, or 400 from breaking, effectively.
[0052] The controller 500 controls the ventilator 200 and the
window controller 300, and 400 according to conditions of room air
and outdoor air. For this, the ventilating system of the present
invention further includes a plurality of sensors for measuring
conditions of the room air and the outdoor air as shown in FIG.
2.
[0053] In more detail, the sensors are a VOC sensor 550 for
measuring a content of the volatile organic compounds in the room
air, a room temperature senor 510 for measuring a room temperature,
a room humidity sensor 520 for measuring a relative humidity of the
room, an outdoor temperature sensor 530 for measuring an outdoor
temperature, and an outdoor relative humidity sensor 540 for
measuring an outdoor relative humidity. The sensors are
electrically connected to, and makes communication with the
controller. The "electrically connected to, and makes communication
with" means both wire/wireless communication.
[0054] The sensors may be, for an example, in the case of the
ventilator 200. In more detail, the outdoor temperature sensor 530
and the outdoor humidity sensor 540 are mounted to a first inlet
(not shown) through which the ventilator 200 draws the outdoor air,
the room temperature sensor 510, the room humidity sensor 520, and
the VOC sensor 550 may be mounted to a second inlet (not shown)
through which the ventilator 200 draws the room air. It is
preferable that sensors are mounted such that the conditions of the
room, and outdoor air are measured before the room, and outdoor air
pass through the preheat exchanger. In the meantime, if the sensors
are provided to an inside of the case of the ventilator 200,
lengths of electric wire or communication cable can be made
shorter, which enables easy installation of the ventilating
system.
[0055] Opposite to this, the sensors may be mounted to the
diffusers. For an example, the outdoor air sensor 530 and the
outdoor humidity sensor 540 may be mounted to the air supply
diffuser, and the room temperature sensor 510, the room humidity
sensor 520, and the VOC sensor 550 may be mounted to the air
discharge diffuser.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 5, after measuring conditions of room air
and outdoor air with above sensors, i.e., the temperature and the
humidity of the room, and outdoor air, and the content of the
volatile organic compounds of the room air (S100), the foregoing
ventilating system fixes a ventilating method and a ventilating
rate, or puts the ventilator 200 into operation according to
measured conditions, and opens/closes the windows W1, and W2
automatically according to the fixed result. In this instance, the
controller 500 operates the ventilator 200 and the window
controllers 300, and 400, selectively, or at the same time.
[0057] When the ventilator 200 is operated, the room air is
discharged to an outside of the room through the air discharge duct
120 and the preheat exchanger, and the outdoor air is supplied to
the room through the preheat exchanger and the air supply duct 110,
thereby ventilating the room forcibly by using the ventilator 200.
Opposite to this, if the window controller 300, or 400 opens the
window W1, or W2, the outdoor air is supplied to the room and the
room air is discharged to an outside of the room by natural
convection, thereby ventilating the room, naturally. In this
instance, by controlling degrees of opening of the window W1, or
W2, the ventilating rate can be adjusted, i.e., if the degrees of
opening of the window W1 or W2 is great, the room can be
ventilated, quickly. A method for controlling a ventilating system
in accordance with the present invention will be described in more
detail with reference to FIG. 5.
[0058] The controller 500 fixes a ventilating method and a
ventilating rate according to degrees of pollution of the room air,
i.e., according to a content of the volatile organic compounds of
the room air. For this, the controller determines whether the
content of the volatile organic compounds of the room air is higher
than a highest reference value (K ppm) with reference to the value
measured at the VOC sensor 550 (S110). If the content of the
volatile organic compounds of the room air is lower than the
highest reference value (K ppm), then, the controller 500
determines whether the content of the volatile organic compounds of
the room air is higher than a lowest reference value (R ppm)
(S112).
[0059] If the content of the volatile organic compounds of the room
air is lower than the lowest reference value (R ppm), i.e., if the
degrees of pollution of the room air is low, no ventilation is
required. Accordingly, the controller 500 closes the window W1, or
W2, and stops the ventilator, for ventilating the room no more
(112). However, if the room air is polluted more or less, i.e., the
content of the volatile organic compounds of the room air is within
a predetermined range, i.e., higher than Rppm and lower than Kppm,
it is required to ventilate the room slowly. Accordingly, the
controller 500 closes the window W1 or W2, and operates the
ventilator 200 at a low rate, for ventilating the room, slowly.
[0060] As a result of measurement of the degree of pollution of the
room air, if the degrees of pollution of the room air is high,
i.e., if the content of the volatile organic compounds of the room
air is higher than the highest reference value Kppm, the controller
500 takes the outdoor air into account additionally in determining
the ventilating method and the ventilating rate. For this,
controller 500 determines if the outdoor air is within a preset
range, for an example, higher than 8.degree. C. and lower than
40.degree. C. (S120). Herein, the 8.degree. C. suggested as a
lowest reference temperature and the 40.degree. C. suggested as a
highest reference temperature are a temperature people feel chilly,
and a temperature people feels very warm, respectively. The lowest
and highest reference temperatures may be varied taking
environments of the regions where the ventilating system is used,
or preference of residence into account.
[0061] When the outdoor air temperature falls outside of a preset
range, i.e., when the outdoor air temperature condition is very bad
as the outdoor temperature is lower than 8.degree. C., or higher
than 40.degree. C., the controller 500 does not open the window W1,
and W2. This is because the very low or high temperature outdoor
air can be introduced into the room quickly if the window W1, or W2
is opened, to deteriorate the room environment. Therefore, in this
case, the controller 500 operates the ventilator 200 at a low rate
in a state the window W1, or W2 is closed, to ventilate the room,
slowly (S121). Then, the outdoor air having heat exchanged at the
preheat exchanger is introduced into the room, to enable
ventilation of the room while preventing outdoor air of bad
temperature condition from being introduced into the room,
effectively.
[0062] When the outdoor air is within a preset range, i.e., an
outdoor temperature condition is appropriate, the controller 500
determines a ventilating method and a ventilating rate taking a
temperature difference between the room and outside of the room
into account, additionally. For this, the controller 500 determines
whether the temperature difference between the room and outside of
the room is below, for an example, 3.degree. C. or not (S130).
[0063] If the temperature difference between the room and outside
of the room is below 3.degree. C., the room temperature condition
does not become poor substantially even if outdoor air is
introduced into the room, directly. Therefore, the controller 500
opens the window W1 or W2 for ventilating polluted room, quickly.
In this instance, as an adequate rate of ventilation is available
through the opened windows W1 and W2, the ventilator 200 is not
operated. However, if required, the window W1 and W2 can be opened,
and the ventilator 200 can be put into operation as well.
[0064] If the temperature difference between the room and the
outside of the room is small, the controller 500 determines the
ventilating rate, taking a relative humidity of the outdoor air
introduced into the room through the window W1 and W2 into account,
additionally. For this, the controller 500 determines whether the
relative humidity of the outdoor air is within a preset range, for
an example, higher than 40% and lower than 60% (S140).
[0065] If the relative humidity of the outdoor air is within a
preset range, the room environment does not change suddenly even if
a large amount of outdoor air is introduced into the room at a
time. Accordingly, in this case, the controller 500 opens the
window W1, and W2 to the highest, and, as described before, the
ventilator 200 is not put into operation (S141). However, if the
relative humidity of the outdoor air is outside of the preset
range, the room environment is likely to become poor if a large
amount of the outdoor air is introduced into the room at a time.
Accordingly, in this case, the controller 500 opens the window W1,
and W2 to the lowest, and, as described before, the ventilator 200
is not put into operation (S142).
[0066] In the meantime, if the temperature difference between the
room and outside of the room is outside of the preset range, for an
example, exceeds by 3.degree. C., the room environment can be
changed suddenly, if the window W1, and W2 is opened to introduce
the outdoor air into the room, directly. Therefore, in this case,
the controller 500 determines the ventilating rate of the
ventilator 200 taking the relative humidity of the room air into
account additionally in a state the windows W1 and W2 are closed.
For this, the controller 500 determines whether the relative
humidity of the room air is within a preset range, for an example,
higher than 40% and lower than 60% (S150).
[0067] If the relative humidity of the room air is within a preset
range, implying that the room environment is comfortable in view of
humidity, a large amount of room air, may be supplied. Accordingly,
in this case, the controller 500 operated the ventilator 200 at a
highest rate in a state the windows W1, and W2 are closed, to
ventilate the room, quickly (S151). However, if the relative
humidity of the room air is outside of the preset range, implying
that the room environment is not comfortable even in view of
humidity, it is preferable that the outdoor air is supplied at a
lowest rate as far as possible. Therefore, in this case, the
controller 500 operates the ventilator 200 at the lowest rate in a
state the windows W1, and W2 are closed, to ventilate the room,
slowly (S152). In the meantime, if required in the step 150, the
controller 500 may determine with reference to the relative
humidity of the outdoor air like the step 140 instead of the
relative humidity of the room air.
[0068] As has been described, the present invention permits to
ventilate a room with a ventilator forcibly, or with a window
controller naturally by natural convection. According to this, the
room air can be ventilated suitable to conditions of outdoor air
and room air. Moreover, when the room is polluted heavily, the room
can be ventilated, quickly.
[0069] Moreover, the ventilating system of the present invention
can ventilate room with reference to a content of volatile organic
compounds of the room air. Accordingly, harm to the resident caused
by the volatile organic compounds can be prevented in advance.
[0070] Furthermore, a ventilating capability of the ventilating
system can be improved without providing larger ventilator or duct.
Accordingly, the ventilator may be installed at a balcony, or the
like easily, and the duct can be installed within a ceiling
easily.
[0071] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *