U.S. patent application number 14/440401 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for thermal storage control system and thermal storage body used in same.
The applicant listed for this patent is PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Naoki Muro, Hayato Takahashi, Nobuaki Yabunouchi.
Application Number | 20150276234 14/440401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51227337 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150276234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muro; Naoki ; et
al. |
October 1, 2015 |
THERMAL STORAGE CONTROL SYSTEM AND THERMAL STORAGE BODY USED IN
SAME
Abstract
The thermal storage control system includes a plurality of
thermal storage, a ventilation pathway, a plurality of
opening-closing members, and a control part. The plurality of
thermal storage bodies are each provided with ventilation holes.
The ventilation pathway is formed to include the ventilation holes
and has a plurality of pathways from a first end to a second end so
that air passes from the first end to the second end. The plurality
of opening-closing members is configured to open or close the
ventilation pathway. The control part is configured to individually
switch control the plurality of opening-closing members. The
control part is configured to switch a pathway through which an
indoor air passes in the ventilation pathway by individually
controlling opening and closing of the plurality of opening-closing
members based on temperature of each thermal storage body and
temperature of the indoor air.
Inventors: |
Muro; Naoki; (Nara, JP)
; Yabunouchi; Nobuaki; (Kyoto, JP) ; Takahashi;
Hayato; (Hyogo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD |
Osaka-shi, Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
51227337 |
Appl. No.: |
14/440401 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
January 22, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/000309 |
371 Date: |
May 4, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/187 ; 165/10;
62/437 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D 2220/006 20130101;
Y02E 60/14 20130101; F28D 20/00 20130101; Y02E 60/142 20130101;
Y02E 60/147 20130101; F24D 19/1084 20130101; F24F 5/0017 20130101;
F24D 11/006 20130101; F28D 20/0056 20130101; F28D 2020/0069
20130101; F24D 5/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24D 11/00 20060101
F24D011/00; F28D 20/00 20060101 F28D020/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2013 |
JP |
2013-010315 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A thermal storage control system, comprising: a plurality of
thermal storage bodies, which each has a ventilation hole with
openings on both ends, provided along a construction surface of an
indoor space; a ventilation pathway including the ventilation hole
of each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies, and having a
plurality of pathways from a first end to a second end so that air
passes from the first end to the second end; a plurality of
opening-closing members provided on the ventilation pathway, and
configured to open or close the ventilation pathway; thermal
storage body temperature detection parts configured to detect
temperature of each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies; an
indoor temperature detection part configured to detect temperature
of indoor air in the indoor space; and a control part configured to
determine a pathway through which the air passes in the ventilation
pathway from the plurality of pathways by individually controlling
opening and closing of the plurality of opening-closing members,
wherein the plurality of pathways of the ventilation pathway
differs from each other in a combination of one or more thermal
storage bodies which constitutes a pathways among the plurality of
thermal storage bodies, wherein the control part is configured to
switch the pathway through which the indoor air passes of the
ventilation pathway among the plurality of pathways by individually
controlling opening and closing of the plurality of opening-closing
members based on the temperature of each of the plurality of
thermal storage bodies and the temperature of the indoor air, and
wherein the plurality of opening-closing members comprises: a
plurality of blower valves provided on both ends of the ventilation
hole of each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies; and a
plurality of opening-closing valves provided on the ventilation
pathway.
13. The thermal storage control system of claim 12, further
comprising an outdoor temperature detection part configured to
detect temperature of outdoor air in an outdoor space, wherein the
ventilation pathway absorbs the outdoor air through the first end,
and wherein the control part is configured to switch a pathway
through which the outdoor air passes, among the plurality of
pathways, of the ventilation pathway by individually controlling
opening and closing of the plurality of opening-closing members
based on the temperature of each of the plurality of thermal
storage bodies and the temperature of the outdoor air.
14. The thermal storage control system of claim 12, further
comprising a human detection part configured to detect an area
where a person is in the indoor space, wherein the control part is
configured to individually control opening and closing of the
plurality of opening-closing members so that a pathway including
the ventilation hole of a first thermal storage body among the
plurality of pathways and the ventilation hole of a second thermal
storage body among the plurality of pathways is formed as a pathway
through which the indoor air passes among the plurality of
pathways, based on the temperature of each of the plurality of
thermal storage bodies, the temperature of the indoor space, and
detection result of the human detection part, the first thermal
storage body facing to the area where the person is in the indoor
space, the second thermal storage body exchanging heat with the
first thermal storage body.
15. The thermal storage control system of claim 12, wherein the
control part is configured to determine a degree of deterioration
of thermal storage performance of each of the plurality of thermal
storage bodies based on a temporal change in the temperature of
each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies.
16. The thermal storage control system of claim 12, wherein the
ventilation hole has a round shaped cross section having a normal
direction that is a direction in which the air passes.
17. The thermal storage control system of claim 12, wherein the
control part is configured to switch the pathway so that the indoor
air passes through at least one high thermal storage body having
temperature is higher than a target temperature of an air
conditioner, which air-conditions the indoor space, among the
plurality of thermal storage bodies when the temperature of indoor
air is lower than the target temperature of the air conditioner
while the air conditioner heating the indoor space.
18. The thermal storage control system of claim 17, wherein the
control part is configured to switch the pathways, in a case where
the at least one high thermal storage body comprises a plurality of
high thermal storage bodies when the air conditioner heats the
indoor space, so that the indoor air passes through a high thermal
storage body which has a highest temperature among the plurality of
high thermal storage bodies.
19. The thermal storage control system of claim 12, wherein the
control part is configured to switch the pathway so that the indoor
air passes through at least one low thermal storage body having
temperature lower than a target temperature of an air conditioner,
which air-conditions the indoor space, among the plurality of
thermal storage bodies when the temperature of the indoor air is
higher than the target temperature of the air conditioner while the
air conditioner cooling the indoor space.
20. The thermal storage control system of claim 19, wherein the
control part is configured to switch the pathways, in a case where
the at least one low thermal storage body comprises a plurality of
low thermal storage bodies when the air conditioner cools the
indoor space, so that the indoor air passes through a low thermal
storage body which has a lowest temperature among the plurality of
low thermal storage bodies.
21. The thermal storage control system of claim 12, wherein a metal
layer is formed on an inner surface of the ventilation hole.
22. A thermal storage body which is used as one of the plurality of
thermal storage bodies of the thermal storage control system of
claim 12, the thermal storage body comprising the ventilation hole
with openings on both ends, and a metal layer being formed on an
inner surface of the ventilation hole.
23. The thermal storage control system of claim 13, further
comprising a human detection part configured to detect an area
where a person is in the indoor space, wherein the control part is
configured to individually control opening and closing of the
plurality of opening-closing members so that a pathway including
the ventilation hole of a first thermal storage body among the
plurality of pathways and the ventilation hole of a second thermal
storage body among the plurality of pathways is formed as a pathway
through which the indoor air passes among the plurality of
pathways, based on the temperature of each of the plurality of
thermal storage bodies, the temperature of the indoor space, and
detection result of the human detection part, the first thermal
storage body facing to the area where the person is in the indoor
space, the second thermal storage body exchanging heat with the
first thermal storage body.
24. The thermal storage control system of claim 13, wherein the
control part is configured to determine a degree of deterioration
of thermal storage performance of each of the plurality of thermal
storage bodies based on a temporal change in the temperature of
each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies.
25. The thermal storage control system of claim 14, wherein the
control part is configured to determine a degree of deterioration
of thermal storage performance of each of the plurality of thermal
storage bodies based on a temporal change in the temperature of
each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies.
26. The thermal storage control system of claim 13, wherein the
ventilation hole has a round shaped cross section having a normal
direction that is a direction in which the air passes.
27. The thermal storage control system of claim 14, wherein the
ventilation hole has a round shaped cross section having a normal
direction that is a direction in which the air passes.
28. The thermal storage control system of claim 15, wherein the
ventilation hole has a round shaped cross section having a normal
direction that is a direction in which the air passes.
29. The thermal storage control system of claim 13, wherein a metal
layer is formed on an inner surface of the ventilation hole.
30. The thermal storage control system of claim 14, wherein a metal
layer is formed on an inner surface of the ventilation hole.
31. The thermal storage control system of claim 15, wherein a metal
layer is formed on an inner surface of the ventilation hole.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal storage control
system and a thermal storage body used in the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There is a system of reducing an air conditioning load by
storing heat in a thermal storage body positioned inside of a
building, and recovering the heat stored in the thermal storage
body using an indoor air as a heating medium during a time the air
conditioning load being used. For example, warm or cool air is sent
to a thermal storage body in an underfloor of a building, heat is
stored in the thermal storage body through a heat exchange, the
heat stored in the thermal storage body is recovered using an
indoor air as a heating medium, and then the air in the underfloor
is returned to an indoor space through an opening-closing valve
(damper) provided on the floor (for example, see JP 05-98718
A).
[0003] Also, there are thermal storage bodies that are configured
by arranging concrete blocks having ventilation holes (for example,
see JP 2005-163443 A).
[0004] In a case where the thermal storage bodies are arranged,
thermal storage conditions of a plurality of thermal storage bodies
differs, from each other. Therefore, when the heat stored in the
plurality of thermal storage bodies is recovered, heat can be
effectively recovered from some of the plurality of thermal storage
bodies while heat can be effectively recovered from some.
[0005] For example, an indoor space can be heated effectively by
recovering a stored heat of a high temperature thermal storage
body, using indoor air as a heating medium, while heating the
indoor space in winter. However, it is difficult to heat the indoor
space even if a stored heat of a low temperature thermal storage
body is recovered because recoverable heat quantity is small.
SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the
above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is
to provide a thermal storage control system and a thermal storage
body used in the same which can control temperature efficiently
using a plurality of thermal storage bodies.
[0007] A thermal storage control system of the present invention
includes: a plurality of thermal storage bodies, which each has a
ventilation hole with openings on both ends, provided along a
construction surface of an indoor space; a ventilation pathway
formed to include the ventilation hole of each of the plurality of
thermal storage bodies, and having a plurality of pathways from a
first end to a second end so that air passes through from the first
end to the second end; a plurality of opening-closing members
provided in the ventilation pathway, and configured to open or
close the ventilation pathway; thermal storage temperature
detection parts configured to detect temperature of each of the
plurality of thermal storage bodies; an indoor temperature
detection part configured to detect temperature of indoor air in
the indoor space; and a control part configured to determine a
pathway through which the air passes in the ventilation pathway
from the plurality of pathways by individually controlling opening
and closing of the plurality of opening-closing members. The
plurality of pathways of the ventilation pathway differs from each
other in a combination of one or more thermal storage bodies which
constitutes a pathways among the plurality of thermal storage
bodies, and the control part is configured to switch the pathway
through which the indoor air passes of the ventilation pathway
among the plurality of pathways by individually controlling opening
and closing of the plurality of opening-closing members based on
the temperature of each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies
and the temperature of the indoor air.
[0008] In the present invention, preferably, the thermal storage
control system further includes an outdoor temperature detection
part configured to detect temperature of outdoor air in an outdoor
space. Preferably, the ventilation pathway absorbs the outdoor air
through the first end, and the control part is configured to switch
a pathway through which the outdoor air passes, among the plurality
of pathways, of the ventilation pathway by individually controlling
opening and closing of the plurality of opening-closing members
based on the temperature of each of the plurality of thermal
storage bodies, and the temperature of the outdoor air.
[0009] In the present invention, preferably, the thermal storage
control system further includes a human detection part configured
to detect an area where a person is in the indoor space.
Preferably, the control part is configured to operate opening and
closing of the plurality of opening-closing members so that a
pathway including the ventilation hole of a first thermal storage
body among the plurality of pathways and the ventilation hole of a
second thermal storage body among the plurality of pathways is
formed as a pathway through which the indoor air passes among the
plurality of pathways, based on the temperature of each of the
plurality of thermal storage bodies, the temperature of the indoor
space, and detection result of the human detection part, the first
thermal storage body facing to the area where the person is in the
indoor space, the second thermal storage body exchanging heat with
the first thermal storage body.
[0010] In the present invention, preferably, the control part is
configured to determine a degree of deterioration of thermal
storage performance of each of the plurality of thermal storage
bodies based on a temporal change in the temperature of each of the
plurality of thermal storage bodies.
[0011] In the present invention, preferably, the ventilation hole
has a round shaped cross section having a normal direction that is
a direction in which the air passes.
[0012] In the present invention, preferably, the control part is
configured to switch the pathway so that the indoor air passes
through at least one high thermal storage body having temperature
higher than a target temperature of an air conditioner, which
air-conditions the indoor space, among the plurality of thermal
storage bodies when temperature of the indoor air temperature is
lower than the target temperature of the air conditioner while the
air conditioner heats the indoor space.
[0013] In the present invention, preferably, the control part is
configured to switch the pathways, in a case where the at least one
high thermal storage body includes a plurality of high thermal
storage bodies when the air conditioner heats the indoor space, so
that the indoor air passes through a high thermal storage body
which has the highest temperature among the plurality of high
thermal storage bodies.
[0014] In the present invention, preferably, the control part is
configured to switch the pathway, so that the indoor air passes
through at least one low thermal storage body having temperature
lower than the target temperature of the air conditioner, which
air-conditions the indoor space, among the plurality of thermal
storage bodies when the temperature of the indoor air temperature
is higher than the target temperature of the air conditioner while
the air conditioner cools the indoor space.
[0015] In the present invention, preferably, the control part is
configured to switch the pathways, in a case where the at least one
low thermal storage body is included as a plurality of low thermal
storage bodies when the air conditioner cools the indoor space, so
that the indoor air pass through a low thermal storage body which
has the lowest temperature among the plurality of low thermal
storage bodies.
[0016] In the present invention preferably, a metal layer is formed
on an inner surface of the ventilation hole.
[0017] A thermal storage body of the present invention is used as
one of the plurality of thermal storage bodies of the thermal
storage control system of the present invention. The thermal
storage body includes a ventilation hole with openings on both
ends, and a metal layer being formed on an inner surface of the
ventilation hole.
[0018] As described above, in the present invention, as an effect
of utilization of stored heat with selecting a pathway of the
ventilation pathway including an efficient thermal storage body to
control temperature of the indoor space based on a thermal
condition of each of the plurality of thermal storage body,
controlling the temperature of the indoor space efficiently using
the plurality of thermal storage bodies is possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in further details. Other features and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings where;
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
system of a first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
ventilation pathway of the first embodiment;
[0022] FIGS. 3A and 3B are plane views showing a structure of
ventilation holes 12;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a graphic diagram showing temporal changes in a
temperature characteristic of a thermal storage body; and
[0024] FIG. 5 is a black diagram showing a configuration of a
ventilation pathway of a second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The following describes an embodiment of the present
invention with reference to drawings.
First Embodiment
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a thermal storage control system of the
present embodiment controls a thermal environment of an indoor
space A in a building H, and includes a thermal storage part 1, a
ventilation pathway 2, a plurality of opening-closing valves 3
(opening-closing members), a plurality of thermal storage body
temperature detection parts 4, an indoor temperature detection part
5, an outdoor temperature detection part 6, a human detection part
7, and a control part 8.
[0027] The thermal storage part 1 includes a plurality of thermal
storage blocks 11 (thermal storage bodies), and the plurality of
thermal storage blocks 11 are arranged along a flooring surface H1
(constituent face) in a space H2 under a floor in the building H.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, four thermal storage
blocks 11a to 11d as the plurality of thermal storage blocks 11 are
arranged in two rows by two columns along the flooring surface H1.
Note that, when the four thermal storage blocks 11 are
distinguished, each thermal storage block 11 is identified as a
thermal storage block 11a, 11b, 11c, or 11d (see FIG. 2).
[0028] Each thermal storage block 11 is formed in a box shape made
of a concrete, brick, paraffin, or the like, and in the present
embodiment, is formed in a cuboid. The thermal storage block 11, as
shown in FIG. 3A, has three ventilation holes 12 with openings on
both ends. The three ventilation holes 12 are formed in parallel to
each other. The thermal storage block 11 has the openings on sides
14 and 15 which are facing to each other. A cross section of each
of the ventilation holes 12 is round shape having a diameter L. The
cross section is a cross section in vertical direction to a
direction in which an air in the ventilation holes 12 flows, that
is, a cross section having as a normal direction, a direction D1 in
which the air flows. Also, the thermal storage block 11 can store
heat by exchanging heat with air passing in the ventilation holes
12 (a heating medium). Also, the thermal storage block 11 can
adjust a thermal environment of the indoor space A utilizing a
stored heat (a utilization of stored heat) by exchanging heat with
air passing in the ventilation holes 12.
[0029] Here, it is considered to increase in convection heat
transfer coefficient in an inner surface 16 of a ventilation hole
12 with which the air as the heating medium comes into contact in
order to improve a heat exchanging capacity of the thermal storage
block 11. Although it is possible to increase in the convection
heat transfer coefficient by increasing a blowing capability of the
air, there is a demerit of requiring great increase in a blowing
capacity of a blowing device such as a fan or blower.
[0030] In the present embodiment, the heat exchanging capacity of
the thermal storage blocks 11 is improved by expanding an area (a
contacted area) the inner surface 16 of each of the ventilation
holes 12 which the air as the heating medium comes into
contact.
[0031] For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, in a case where a cross
section of a ventilation hole 12A of a thermal storage block 11 is
a rectangle shape that has a short side L when a long side L3, and
a length of pathway of the ventilation hole 12A is Y, a contacted
area is 8LY. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3A, in a case of
the ventilation holes 12 of the thermal storage block 11, a total
contacted area thereof is 3.pi.LY. In other words, the thermal
storage block 11 shown in FIG. 3A can have a 1.2 times larger
contacted area by dividing into the ventilation holes 12 than a
structure of having single ventilation hole 12A like the thermal
storage block 11 shown in FIG. 3B, and can improve the heat
exchanging capacity. In other words, the thermal storage block 11
shown in FIG. 3A can have a larger contacted area than that of in
FIG. 3B despite the fact total of diameters of the ventilation
holes 12 in a direction, in which the three ventilation holes 12
are arranged in line, is same length as the long side of the
ventilation hole 12A. Also, with the cross section of each of the
ventilation holes 12 being circle, heat is conducted more evenly to
the thermal storage block 11.
[0032] Also, through the inner surface 16 of each of the
ventilation holes 12 being covered by a metal layer 17 having
relatively high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper,
the heat exchanging capacity of the thermal storage block 11 can be
further improved.
[0033] Further, the thermal storage block 11 is provided with
blower valves 13 (opening-closing valves) on both ends (an inflow
opening and an out flow opening) of the ventilation holes 12 (see
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and the inflow opening and the out flow opening
of the ventilation holes 12 are opened or closed by the blower
valves 13 being switch controlled by the control part 8.
[0034] Furthermore, in the thermal storage control system of the
present embodiment, the ventilation pathway 2 including the
ventilation holes 12 is formed. That is, the ventilation pathway 2
is formed to include the ventilation holes 12 of each of the
plurality of thermal storage blocks 11. Also, the ventilation
pathway 2 includes a plurality of pathways from a first end 21 to a
second end 22 so that air passes from the first end 21 to the
second end 22. The first end 21 is an air inlet part of the
ventilation pathway 2. The second end 22 is an air outlet part of
the ventilation pathway 2. The ventilation pathway 2 absolves
indoor air of the indoor space A or outdoor air of an outdoor space
B, and supplies this absolved air to the indoor space A or the
outdoor space B through at least one of the plurality of the
thermal storage blocks 11 (the ventilation holes 12). Four
opening-closing valves 3 (31 to 34) are provided on this
ventilation pathway 2, and the control part 8 is configured to
control switching actions of the opening-closing valves 31 to
34.
[0035] Further, by the control part 8 switch controlling each
opening-closing valve 31 to 34 and each blower valve 13, the
pathway through which the air passes in the ventilation pathway 2
is switched, then heat is stored to the thermal storage blocks 11,
or the stored heat in the thermal storage block 11 is utilized.
[0036] Note that, each of the opening-closing valves 31 and 32 is a
three-way valve including two inlets (a first inlet and a second
inlet) and one outlet, and permits connection of the first inlet or
the second inlet to the outlet by a switching action. Also, each of
the opening-closing valves 33 and 34 is a three-way valve including
one inlet and two outlets (a first outlet and a second outlet), and
permits a connection of the inlet to the first outlet or the second
outlet by a switching action. Further, the opening-closing valves
31 and 32 can perform a blocking action of permitting a connection
of neither the first inlet nor the second inlet to the outlet.
Also, the opening-closing valves 33 and 34 can perform a blocking
action permitting a connection of neither the first outlet nor the
second outlet to the inlet.
[0037] First, the first inlet of each of the opening-closing valves
31 and 32 communicates with the indoor space A, and the second
inlet of each of the opening-closing valves 31 and 32 communicates
with the outdoor space B.
[0038] Then, the outlet of the opening-closing valve 31
communicates with the inflow opening of each ventilation hole 12 of
the thermal storage blocks 11a and 11b. Also, an outflow opening of
each ventilation hole 12 of the thermal storage blocks 11a and 11b,
and an inflow opening of each ventilation hole 12 of the thermal
storage blocks 11c and 11d communicate with each other through
pipes of the ventilation pathway 2. Further, the outlet of the
opening-closing valve 32 communicates with the outflow opening of
each ventilation hole 12 of the thermal storage blocks 11a and 11b,
and the inflow opening of each ventilation hole 12 of the thermal
storage blocks 11c and 11d. Furthermore, the inlet of the
opening-closing valve 33 communicates with the outflow opening of
each ventilation holes 12 of the thermal storage blocks 11a and
11b, and the inflow opening of each ventilation hole 12 of the
thermal storage blocks 11c and 11d as well. Also, an inlet of the
opening-closing valve 34 communicates with the outflow opening of
each ventilation hole 12 of the thermal storage blocks 11c and
11d.
[0039] Further, the first outlet of each of the opening-closing
valves 33 and 34 communicates with the indoor space A, and the
second outlet of each of the opening-closing valves 33 and 34
communicates with the outdoor space B.
[0040] Furthermore, the ventilation pathway 2 is provided with a
blowing device (not shown) such as a fun or blower on a upper
stream side where the opening-closing valves 31 and 32 are provided
in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the air is absolved from the
indoor space A and the outdoor space B into the ventilation pathway
2. Instead of that, the ventilation pathway may be provided with a
blowing device (not shown) such as a fun or blower on a lower
stream side of where the opening-closing valves 33 and 34 are
provided in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the air is discharged
from the ventilation pathway 2 to the indoor space A and the
outdoor space B.
[0041] In other words, in the ventilation pathway 2, the air flows
from the upper stream side where the opening-closing valves 31 and
32 are provided (an end, the first end 21) to the lower stream side
of where the opening-closing valves 33 and 34 are provided (the
other end, the second end 22). Then, one pathway of the plurality
of pathways from the upper stream side through the lower stream
side of the ventilation pathway 2 is selectively formed by each of
the switching actions of the opening-closing valves 31 to 34, and
each of the blower valves 13 of the thermal storage blocks 11a to
11d. The plurality of pathways of the ventilation pathway 2 differs
from each other in a combination of the plurality of thermal
storage blocks 11 (the ventilation holes 12 thereof) which
constitutes the pathway. The plurality of pathways differs from
each other in a combination of the plurality of thermal storage
blocks 11.
[0042] For example, it is assumed that each indoor space A side of
the opening-closing valves 32 and 34 is open, the opening-closing
valves 31 and 33 are cut down, the blower valves 13 of the thermal
storage block 11c are open, and each blower valve 13 of the thermal
storage blocks 11a, 11b, and 11d is closed. In this case, a pathway
is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the indoor air
passes through the indoor space A, the opening-closing valve 32,
the thermal storage block 11c, the opening-closing valve 34, and
the indoor space A in an order thereof. In the ventilation pathway
2, the indoor air is absolved from the indoor space A, and then,
only flow into the thermal storage block 11c in the thermal storage
body 1.
[0043] Also, it is assumed that each outdoor space B side of the
opening-closing valves 31 and 33 is open, the opening-closing
valves 32 and 34 are cut down, the blower valves 13 of the thermal
storage block 11b are open, and the blower valves 13 of each of the
thermal storage blocks 11a, 11c, and 11d are closed. In this case,
a pathway is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the indoor
air passes through the outdoor space B, the opening-closing valve
31, the thermal storage block 11b, the opening-closing valve 33,
and the outdoor space B in an order thereof. In the ventilation
pathway 2 the outdoor air is absolved from the outdoor space B, and
then, only flow into the thermal storage block 11b in the thermal
storage body 1.
[0044] As above mentioned, it is possible to form, in the
ventilation pathway 2, the pathway the air passing from the indoor
space A or the outdoor space B to the indoor space A or the outdoor
space B through only the thermal storage blocks 11 that are chosen,
by the control part 8 individually controlling the switch actions
of the opening-closing valves 31 to 34 and each blower valve 13 of
the thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d.
[0045] Further, thermal storage body temperature detection parts 4
are respectively provided in the thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d,
and configured to measure temperature of the respective thermal
storage blocks 11a to 11d (thermal storage temperature), and send a
measurement result of this thermal storage temperature to the
control part 8.
[0046] The indoor temperature detection part 5 is provided in the
indoor space A, and configured to measure temperature of the indoor
space A (indoor temperature), and send a measurement result of this
indoor temperature to the control part 8.
[0047] The outdoor temperature detection part 6 is provided at the
outdoor space B, and configured to measure temperature of the
outdoor space B (outdoor temperature), and send a measurement
result of this outdoor temperature to the control part 8.
[0048] The human detection part 7 is positioned on a ceiling, an
inner wall, or the like of the indoor space A, has a function of
detecting an area where a person is in the indoor apace A, and
configured to send this detection result (existing area
information) to the control part 8.
[0049] Also, the control part 8 is configured to obtain information
of indoor target temperature (indoor target temperature
information) set on an air conditioner 9 which air conditioning and
controlling the indoor space A, in addition to the each temperature
of the thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d, the indoor temperature,
the outdoor temperature, and the existing area information.
Further, the control part 8 is configured to obtain information of
an operation (heating operation, cooling operation) of the air
conditioner 9 (operational information).
[0050] Furthermore, the control part 8 is configured to
individually control the switch actions of the opening-closing
valves 31 to 34 and the blower valves 13 of the thermal storage
blocks 11a to 11d based on the each temperature of the thermal
storage blocks 11a to 11d, the indoor temperature, the outdoor
temperature, the existing area information, and the indoor target
temperature information. Then, the pathway through which the air
(the indoor air, the outdoor air) actually passes in the
ventilation pathway 2 is switched by each switch action of the
opening-closing valves 31 to 34 and each of the blower valves 13 of
the thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d, and the heat is stored to
the thermal storage block 11 that is chosen, or utilization of
stored heat using the thermal storage block 11 that is chosen is
conducted. In other words, the control part 8 is configured to
switches a supply pathway to supply the air to the indoor space A
in the ventilation pathway 2 among the plurality of pathways.
[0051] First, the heat storage to the thermal storage blocks 11 is
described. Note that, a concept of the heat storage in the present
invention includes a cool storage of controlling the thermal
storage body temperature in relatively low and utilizing for
cooling in addition to a form of controlling the thermal storage
body temperature in relatively high and utilizing for heating.
[0052] The control part 8 is configured to permit a heat storage
process when temperature of at least one of the thermal storage
blocks 11a to 11d is lower than the outdoor temperature during a
daytime in winter or the like. Then, the control part 8 is
configured to target the at least one thermal storage block 11, in
which a thermal storage temperature is lower than the outdoor
temperature, to compare the thermal storage temperature with a
predetermined target temperature during heat storage (a target heat
storage temperature). The target heat storage temperature may be
set to any value manually by an user, or may be set automatically
by learning function based on history of temperature set in past,
or may be set to the outdoor temperature when the heat storage
process is started.
[0053] Then, the control part 8 is configured to operate so that
heat is first stored to a thermal storage block 11 having the
highest temperature among the at least one of the thermal storage
block 11 having current thermal storage body temperature lower than
the target heat storage temperature.
[0054] For example, it is assumed that temperature of the thermal
storage blocks 11a to 11d is lower than the target heat storage
temperature, and the temperature of the thermal storage block 11a
is the highest. In this case, the control part 8 is configured to
open each of the outdoor space B sides of the opening-closing
valves 31 and 33, cut down the opening-closing valves 32 and 34,
open the blower valves 13 of the thermal storage block 11a, and
close the blower valves 13 of each of the thermal storage blocks
11b to 11d. In this case, a pathway is formed in the ventilation
pathway 2 so that the outdoor air passes through the outdoor space
B, the opening-closing valve 31, the thermal storage block 11a, the
opening-closing valve 33, and the outdoor space B in an order
thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2, the outdoor air is absolved
from the outdoor space B, the outdoor air passes through in
above-mentioned pathway and then heat is stored in the thermal
storage block 11a.
[0055] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 11a has
rose to the target heat storage temperature, the control part 8 is
configured to operate so that the thermal storage block 11c which
has the highest temperature among the thermal storage blocks 11b to
11d stores heat. The control part 8 is configured to open the sides
of the outdoor space B of the opening-closing valves 32 and 34, cut
down the opening-closing valves 31 and 33, open the blower valves
13 of the thermal storage block 11c, and close the blower valves 13
of the thermal storage blocks 11a, 11b and 11d. In this case, a
pathway is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the outdoor
air passes through the outdoor space B, the opening-closing valve
32, the thermal storage block 11c, the opening-closing valve 34,
and the outdoor space B in an order thereof. In the ventilation
pathway 2, the outdoor air is absolved from the outdoor space B,
the outdoor air passes through in the above mentioned pathway, and
then heat is stored in the thermal storage block 11c.
[0056] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 11c has
rose to the target heat storage temperature, hereinafter, the
control part 8 is configured to operate so that heat is stored to
in an order, the thermal storage block 11 which has the highest
temperature among thermal storage blocks 11 in which the current
temperature is lower than the target heat storage temperature.
[0057] Further, in a case where the indoor temperature is low
during a nighttime in winter or the like, a load of the air
conditioner 9 heating the indoor space A can be reduced by
utilizing the thermal storage blocks 11 which stores heat as
mentioned above.
[0058] It is assumed that the air conditioner 9 heating the indoor
space A and the target indoor temperature set on the air
conditioner 9 is 20.degree. C. If the indoor temperature is lower
than 20.degree. C., the control part 8 is configured to select any
one of the thermal storage blocks 11 having temperature higher than
20.degree. C. (for example, the thermal storage block 11 with the
highest temperature), and utilize stored heat of this selected
thermal storage block 11.
[0059] For example, in a case where stored heat of the thermal
storage block 11a is utilized, the control part 8 is configured to
open the sides of the indoor space A of the opening-closing valves
31 and 33, cut down the opening-closing valves 32 and 34, open the
blower valves 13 of the thermal storage block 11a, and close each
of the blower valves 13 of the thermal storage blocks 11b to 11d.
In this case, a pathway is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so
that the indoor air passes through the indoor space A, the
opening-closing valve 31, the thermal storage block 11a, the
opening-closing valve 33, and the indoor space A in an order
thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2, the indoor air is absolved
from the indoor space A then, the indoor air of the indoor space A
is passes through the ventilation holes 12 of the thermal storage
block 11a, and this indoor air is returned to the indoor space A.
The indoor temperature of the indoor space A increases by the
indoor air passing through the ventilation pathway 2 recovering
stored heat of the thermal storage block 11a. Therefore, the load
of the air conditioner 9 heating the indoor space A can be
reduced.
[0060] If the indoor temperature is still lower than 20.degree. C.
at the point where the temperature of the thermal storage block 11a
has dropped to lower than 20.degree. C., the control part 8 is
configured to sequentially selects any one of other thermal storage
blocks 11 in which thermal storage body temperature is equal to or
higher than 20.degree. C. and utilizes stored heat of this selected
thermal storage block 11 similarly.
[0061] Also, the control part 8 is configured to permit a cold
storage process when a temperature of at least one of thermal
storage blocks 11a to 11d is higher than the outdoor temperature
during a nighttime in summer or the like. Then, the control part 8
targets the at least one thermal storage block 11, in which the
thermal storage temperature is higher than the outdoor temperature,
to compare the each of the thermal storage temperature with a
predetermined target temperature during cold storage (a target cold
storage temperature). Note that, the target cold storage
temperature may be set to any value manually by the user, or may be
set automatically by learning function based on history of
temperature set in past, or may be set to the outdoor temperature
when the cold storage process is started.
[0062] Then, the control part 8 is configured to operate so that
cold is first stored to the thermal storage block 11 having the
lowest temperature among at least one thermal storage block 11
having current thermal storage body temperature higher than the
target heat storage temperature.
[0063] For example, when the temperature of each of the thermal
storage blocks 11a to 11d is higher than the target cold storage
temperature, and a temperature of the thermal storage block 11a is
the lowest, the control part 8 is configured to open the sides of
the outdoor space B of the opening-closing valves 31 and 33, cut
down the opening-closing valves 32 and 34, open the blower valves
13 of the thermal storage block 11a, and open the blower valves 13
of the thermal storage blocks 11b to 11d. In this case, a pathway
is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the outdoor air
passes through the outdoor space B, the opening-closing valve 31,
the thermal storage block 11a, the opening-closing valve 33, and
the outdoor space B in an order thereof. In the ventilation pathway
2, the outdoor air is absolved from the outdoor space B, the
outdoor air passes through the above-mentioned pathway and cold is
stored in the thermal storage block 11a.
[0064] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 11a has
dropped to the target cold storage temperature, the control part 8
is configured to operate so that cold is stored to the thermal
storage block 11c which has the lowest temperature among the
thermal storage blocks 11b to 11d. The control part 8 is configured
to open the sides of the outdoor space B of the opening-closing
valves 32 and 34, cut down the opening-closing valves 31 and 33,
open the blower valves 13 of the thermal storage block 11c, and
close the blower valves 13 of the thermal storage blocks 11a, 11b
and 11d. In this case, a pathway is formed in the ventilation
pathway 2 so that the outdoor air passes through the outdoor space
B, the opening-closing valve 32, the thermal storage block 11c, the
opening-closing valve 34, and the outdoor space B in an order
thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2, the outdoor air is absolved
from the outdoor space B, the outdoor air passes through the
above-mentioned pathway, and cold is stored in the thermal storage
block 11c.
[0065] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 11c has
dropped to the target cold storage temperature, hereinafter, the
control part 8 is configured to operate so that cold is stored in
order of the thermal storage block 11 which has the lowest
temperature among the thermal storage blocks 11 in which current
temperature is higher than the target cold storage temperature.
[0066] Further, in a case where the indoor temperature is high
during a daytime in summer or the like, a load of the air
conditioner 9 cooling the indoor space A can be reduced by
utilizing the thermal storage blocks 11 which stores cold as
mentioned above.
[0067] It is assumed that, during a daytime in winter the air
conditioner 9 cools the indoor space A, and the target indoor
temperature set to the air conditioner 9 is 28.degree. C. If the
indoor temperature is higher than 28.degree. C., the control part 8
is configured to select any one of the thermal storage blocks 11
having temperature equal to or lower than 28.degree. C. (for
example, the thermal storage block 11 with the lowest temperature),
and utilize stored cold of this selected thermal storage block
11.
[0068] For example, in a case where stored cold of the thermal
storage block 11a is utilized, the control part 8 is configured to
open the sides of the indoor space A of the opening-closing valves
31 and 33, cut down the opening-closing valve 32 and 34, open the
blower valves 13 of the thermal storage block 11a, and close the
blower valves 13 of the thermal storage blocks 11b to 11d. In this
case, a pathway is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the
indoor air passes through the indoor space A, the opening-closing
valve 31, the thermal storage block 11a, the opening-closing valve
33, and the indoor space A in an order thereof. In the ventilation
pathway 2, the indoor air is absolved from the indoor space A, the
indoor air of the indoor space A is passes through the ventilation
holes 12 of the thermal storage block 11a, and then, this indoor
air is returned to the indoor space A. The indoor temperature of
the indoor space A drops by the indoor air passing through the
ventilation pathway 2 recovering stored cold of the thermal storage
block 11a. Therefore, the load of the air conditioner 9 cooling the
indoor space A can be reduced.
[0069] If the indoor temperature is still higher than 28.degree. C.
at the point when the temperature of the thermal storage block 11a
has rose to higher than 28.degree. C., the control part 8 is
configured to sequentially selects any one of other thermal storage
blocks 11 in which thermal storage body temperature is equal to or
lower than 28.degree. C. and utilizes stored cold of this selected
thermal storage block 11 similarly.
[0070] As above mentioned, heat can be stored effectively using the
plurality of the thermal storage blocks 11 through the control part
8 appropriately selecting the pathway of the ventilation pathway 2
in which stores heat (including cold) to the thermal storage block
11 based on the outdoor temperature and the thermal storage body
temperature.
[0071] Also, the indoor space A can be thermal controlled
effectively using the plurality of thermal storage blocks 11
through the control part 8 appropriately selecting the pathway of
the ventilation pathway 2 including the thermal storage block 11 in
which stored heat (including cold) is utilized, based on the indoor
temperature and the thermal storage body temperature.
[0072] Next, a control operation of the control part 8 using the
existing area information generated by the human detection part 7
is described.
[0073] First, it is assumed that, in FIG. 2, the temperature of the
thermal storage block 11a is high enough with reference to the
indoor temperature. However, even if utilizing, as a radiant heat
through the floor, heat stored in the thermal storage block 11a to
the person in the indoor space A unless person is on an area of a
floor which the thermal storage block 11a is facing to above,
thermal effect shrinks.
[0074] In view of this, the control part 8 is configured to
determine which one of the thermal storage block 11 which the
person is above based on the existing area information received
from the human detection part 7. For example, in the case where the
control part 8 determined that the person is above the thermal
storage block 11c, the control part 8 is configured operate so that
heat stored in the thermal storage block 11a (a second thermal
storage body) moves to the thermal storage block 11c (a first
thermal storage body).
[0075] Specifically, the control part 8 is configured to open the
sides of the indoor space A of the opening-closing valves 31 and
34, cut down the opening-closing valves 32 and 33, and close the
blower valves 13 of the thermal storage blocks 11b and 11c. In this
case, a pathway is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the
indoor air passes through the indoor space A, the opening-closing
valve 31, the thermal storage block 11a, the thermal storage block
11c, the opening-closing valve 34, and the indoor space A in an
order thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2, the indoor air is
absolved from the indoor space A, the indoor air passes through the
above mentioned pathway, then a part of heat stored in the thermal
storage block 11a is moved to the thermal storage block 11c. In
this way, the person above the thermal storage block 11c can
utilize radiant heat of the thermal storage block 11c.
[0076] For example, there is a case where household apparatus such
as an electrical apparatus, a cabinet and shelves are positioned on
a flooring of the indoor space A. In this case, there might be a
situation where the household apparatus become a shielding and a
radiant heat is unable for even if heat stored in the thermal
storage block 11 below the household apparatus is utilized
efficiently as the radiant heat form the floor. In view of this, as
above mentioned, the radiant heat of the thermal storage block 11
can be utilized effectively by the thermal storage block 11 which
faces to the area where the person is receiving stored heat from
another thermal storage block 11.
[0077] Also, in this case, the indoor temperature rises by the
indoor air returning the indoor space A after recovering heat in
the thermal storage block 11a. Therefore, the load of the air
conditioner 9 heating the indoor space A can be reduced.
[0078] Further, by the thermal storage part 1 being blocked into
the plurality of thermal storage blocks 11, it is possible to make
a thermal capacity of each of the plurality of thermal storage
block 11 smaller. Therefore, selecting a pathway through which the
air passes through in the thermal storage block 11, accordingly,
can improves heat storing speed, and an utilization speed of stored
heat as well as allows heat transfer between the thermal storage
blocks 11, thereby, utilization based on environment of an applied
house (environment of the thermal storage part 1 is positioned or
the like) can be expected.
[0079] Also, the control part 8 includes a function of determining
a degree of deterioration of thermal storage performance of each
thermal storage blocks 11 based on a temporal change in the
temperature of each thermal storage block 11.
[0080] First, the control part 8 is configured to operate so that
an indoor air of the indoor space A, which is controlled at a
predetermined temperature by the air conditioner 9, is supplied to
each of the thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d for a predetermined
time (for example, three hours) so that heat is stored in the
thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d, and records a temporal changes
in the temperature of each of the thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d
during the predetermined time. Then the control part 8 is
configured to calculate incline of temporal changes in each thermal
storage block temperature. The control part 8 is, for example,
configured to calculate incline of rising of each thermal storage
block temperature while the heat is stored in winter, and
configured to calculate incline of falling of each thermal storage
block temperature while the cold is stored in summer.
[0081] Specifically, each thermal storage block 11a to 11d is
supplied with the indoor air of the indoor space A, which is
controlled at predetermined temperature by the air conditioner 9,
for three hours to store cold. FIG. 4 shows a temporal change in
the temperature of each thermal storage block 11a to 11d during
this time as thermal storage body temperature characteristics Ya1,
Yb1, Yc1, Yd1, Ya2, Yb2, Yc2, Yd2, Ya3, Yb3, Yc3, and Yd3.
[0082] FIG. 4 shows thermal storage body temperature
characteristics Ya1 to Yd1 of the system in a start of operation
(first year) and record each incline of thermal storage body
temperature characteristics Ya1 to Yd1 as a reference value (normal
value) of the thermal storage blocks 11a to 11d.
[0083] FIG. 4 shows thermal storage body temperature
characteristics Ya2 to Yd2 of the system in a second year. In the
system at the second year, compared to the reference value (the
thermal storage body temperature characteristic Ya1) an incline of
the thermal storage body temperature characteristic Ya2 of the
thermal storage block 11a is small, and a drop width of the thermal
storage body temperature does not reaches to a predetermined value.
Therefore, the control part 8 determines that a degree of
deterioration of the thermal storage block 11a is large. The
control part 8 is configured to display the result of the
determination on a display part (not shown) of a monitoring device
or the like, and report the user the result of the determination.
Then, the user performs an operation such as changing the thermal
storage block 11a to new one.
[0084] FIG. 4 shows thermal storage body temperature
characteristics Ya3 to Yd3 of the system in a third year. In the
system at the third year, compared to the reference value (the
thermal storage body temperature characteristic Yc1), an incline of
the thermal storage body temperature characteristic Yc3 of the
thermal storage block 11c is small, and a drop width of the thermal
storage body temperature does not reaches to a predetermined value.
Therefore, the control part 8 determines that a degree of
deterioration of the thermal storage block 11c is large. The
control part 8 is configured to display the result of the
determination on the display part (not shown) of the monitoring
device or the like, and report the user the result of the
determination. Then the user performs an operation to such as
changing the thermal storage block 11c to new one.
[0085] Therefore, the degree of deterioration of the plurality of
thermal storage blocks 11 can be determined regularly and
individually and be reported to the user. Therefore, decline in
thermal control efficiency due to the deterioration of the thermal
storage block 11 can be suppressed.
[0086] Also, the plurality of thermal storage blocks 11 are
arranged along the flooring surface H1 of the building H, but may
be arranged along another constituent face such as a wall surface
H4 or ceiling surface H3 of the building H. Note that, arranging
the plurality of thermal storage blocks 11 along the flooring
surface H1 might reduce effect from sunlight. Also, the plurality
of thermal storage blocks 11 may be arranged in the structural
surface such as the flooring surface H1, the wall surface H4, or
the ceiling surface H3 of the building H.
[0087] As above described, the thermal storage control system
according to the present embodiment includes: the plurality of
thermal storage bodies (the plurality of thermal storage blocks
11), the ventilation pathway 2, the plurality of opening-closing
members (the opening-closing valve 3, blower valves 13), the
thermal storage body temperature detection parts 4, the indoor
temperature detection part 5 and the control part 8. The plurality
of thermal storage bodies, which each is provided with the
ventilation holes (12) having openings on both ends, and are
arranged along the structural surface of the indoor space A. The
ventilation pathway 2 is formed to include the ventilation holes 12
of each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies, and includes
the plurality of pathways which is from the first end 21 to the
second end 22 so that air passes from the first end 21 to the
second end 22. The plurality of opening-closing members is provided
in the ventilation pathway 2 and configured to open or close the
ventilation pathway 2. Thermal storage body temperature detection
parts 4 are configured to detect temperature of the respective
thermal storage bodies. The indoor temperature detection part 5 is
configured to detect the temperature of the indoor air of the
indoor space A. The control part 8 is configured to operate so that
a pathway through which air passes in the ventilation pathway 2 is
formed from any one of the plurality of pathways by individually
switch controlling the plurality of opening-closing members. The
plurality of pathways of the ventilation pathway 2 differs from
each other in a combination of one or more thermal storage bodies
which constitute a pathway among the plurality of thermal storage
bodies. The control part 8 is configured to switch the pathway
through which the indoor air passes, in the ventilation pathway 2
among the plurality of pathways, by individually switch controlling
the plurality of opening-closing members based on the temperature
of each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies and the
temperature of the indoor air.
[0088] As in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the
thermal storage control system further includes the outdoor
temperature detection part 6. The outdoor temperature detection
part 6 is configured to detect the temperature of the outdoor air
in the outdoor space B. The ventilation pathway 2 is configured to
absorb the outdoor air through the first end 21. The control part 8
is configured to switch the pathway through which the outdoor air
passes in the ventilation pathway 2 among the plurality of pathways
by individually switch controlling opening and closing the
plurality of opening-closing members based on the temperature of
each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies and the temperature
of the outdoor air.
[0089] As in the present embodiment, preferably, the thermal
storage control system further includes the human detection part 7.
The human detection part 7 is configured to detect the area where a
person is in the indoor space A. The control part 8 is configured
to individually switch control opening and closing of the plurality
of opening-closing members so that the pathway including the
ventilation holes 12 of the first thermal storage body among the
plurality of pathways and the ventilation holes 12 of the second
thermal storage body among the plurality of pathways is formed as
the pathway through which the indoor air passes among the plurality
of pathways based on the temperature of each of the plurality of
thermal storage bodies, the temperature of the indoor space A, and
a detection result of the human detection part 7. Among the
plurality of the thermal storage bodies, the first thermal storage
body is a thermal storage body facing to the area where the person
is in the indoor space A. Among the plurality of thermal storage
bodies, the second thermal storage body is a storage body
exchanging heat with the first thermal storage body.
[0090] As in the present embodiment, preferably, the control part 8
is configured to determine the degree of deterioration of the
thermal storage performance of each of the plurality of thermal
storage bodies based on the temporal change in the temperature of
each of the plurality of thermal storage bodies.
[0091] As in the present embodiment, preferably, the ventilation
holes 12 have a round shaped cross section having the normal
direction that is the direction D in which the air flows.
[0092] As in the present embodiment, preferably, the control part 8
is configured to conduct the following operation. The control part
8 is configured to switch the pathway so that the indoor air passes
the through the at least one high thermal storage body having
temperature higher than the target temperature of the air
conditioner 9, which air-conditions the indoor space A, among the
plurality of thermal storage bodies when the temperature of the
indoor air is lower than the target temperature of the air
conditioner 9 while the air conditioner 9 heats the indoor space
A.
[0093] As in the present embodiment, preferably, the control part 8
is configured conduct the following operation. The control part 8
is configured to switch the pathways, in a case where the at least
one high thermal storage body includes a plurality of high thermal
storage bodies when the air conditioner 9 heats the indoor space A,
so that the indoor air passes through the high thermal storage body
which has the highest temperature among the plurality of high
thermal storage bodies.
[0094] As in the present embodiment, preferably, the control part 8
is configured conduct the following operation. The control part 8
is configured to switch the pathway so that the indoor air passes
through at least one low thermal storage body having temperature
lower than the target temperature of the air conditioner 9, which
air-conditions the indoor space A, among the plurality of thermal
storage bodies when the indoor air temperature is higher than the
target temperature of the air conditioner 9 while the air
conditioner 9 cools the indoor space A.
[0095] As in the present embodiment, preferably, the control part 8
is configured to switch the pathway, in the case where the at least
one low thermal storage bodies includes the plurality of low
thermal storage bodies when the air conditioner 9 cools the indoor
space A, so that the indoor air passes through the low thermal
storage body which has the lowest temperature among the plurality
of low thermal storage bodies.
[0096] As in present embodiment, preferably, the metal layer 17 is
formed on the inner surface 16 of the ventilation holes 12.
[0097] The thermal storage body (the thermal storage block 11)
according to the present embodiment is used as one of the plurality
of thermal storage bodies of the thermal storage control system.
The thermal storage body includes the ventilation holes 12 with
openings on both ends, and the metal layer 17 is formed on each
inner surface 16 of the ventilation holes 12.
Second Embodiment
[0098] A thermal storage control system of the present embodiment
has a ventilation pathway 2 including a structure shown in FIG. 5.
Constituent elements similar to first embodiment are assigned with
same reference numerical, and descriptions thereof will be
omitted.
[0099] A plurality of thermal storage blocks 110a to 110d
constituting the ventilation pathway 2 of the present embodiment
are the thermal storage blocks 11 without the blower valves 13.
Also, in FIG. 5, six opening-closing valves 111 to 114, 121, and
122 are connected to the four thermal storage blocks 110a to 110d
which are arranged in two rows by two columns. Note that, the
opening-closing valves 111 to 114 are formed with two-way valve,
and the opening-closing valves 121 and 122 are formed with a
three-way valve.
[0100] An outlet of the opening-closing valve 111 is connected to
inflow openings of ventilation holes 12 of each of the thermal
storage blocks 110a and 110b, and an outlet of the opening-closing
valve 112 is connected to inflow openings of ventilation holes 12
of each of the thermal storage blocks 110a and 110b. Also, an inlet
of the opening-closing valve 113 is connected to outflow openings
of each ventilation holes 12 of each of the thermal storage blocks
110c and 110d, and an inlet of the opening-closing valve 114 is
connected to outflow openings of each ventilation holes 12 of the
thermal storage blocks 110b and 110d.
[0101] Further, each inlet of the opening-closing valves 111 and
112 communicates with an indoor space A or an outdoor space B in
switchable manner through the opening-closing valve 121, and each
outlet of the opening-closing valve 113 and 114 communicates with
the indoor space A or the outdoor space B in switchable manner
through the opening-closing valve 122.
[0102] Note that, the opening-closing valve 121 is a three-way
valve including two inlets (a first inlet and a second inlet) and
one outlet, and permits connection of the first inlet or the second
inlet to the outlet by a switching action. Also, the
opening-closing valve 122 is a three-way valve including one inlet
and two outlets (a first outlet and a second outlet), and permits
connection of the inlet to the first outlet or the second outlet by
a switching action. Further, the opening-closing valve 121 can
perform a blocking action of permitting a connection of neither the
first inlet nor the second inlet to the outlet by the switching
action. Also, the opening-closing valve 122 can perform a blocking
action permitting connection of neither the first outlet nor the
second outlet to the inlet by the switching action.
[0103] Furthermore, a control part 8 is configured to individually
control the switch actions of the opening-closing valves 111 to
114, 121 and 122 based on each temperature of the thermal storage
blocks 110a to 110d, indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, and
indoor target temperature information. Then, a pathway through
which the air passes in the ventilation pathway 2 is switched by
the switch actions of the opening-closing valves 111 to 114, 121
and 122, and then heat is stored to any chosen thermal storage
block among the thermal storage blocks 110a to 110d, or a stored
heat of any chosen thermal storage block is utilized.
[0104] First, heat storage to the thermal storage blocks 110a to
110d is described.
[0105] The control part 8 is configured to permit a heat storage
process when temperature of at least one of the thermal storage
blocks 110a to 110d is lower than the outdoor temperature during a
daytime in winter or the like. Then, the control part 8 is
configured to target the at least one thermal storage block, in
which a thermal storage temperature is lower than the outdoor
temperature, among the thermal storage blocks 110a to 110d, to
compare the thermal storage temperature with a predetermined target
heat storage temperature.
[0106] Then, the control part 8 is configured to operate so that
heat is first stored to a thermal storage block having the highest
temperature among the at least one thermal storage block having
current thermal storage body temperature lower than the target heat
storage temperature.
[0107] For example, it is assumed that each temperature of the
thermal storage blocks 110a to 110d is lower than the target heat
storage temperature, and the temperature of the thermal storage
block 110a is the highest. In this case, the control part 8 is
configured to open sides of the outdoor space B of the
opening-closing valves 121 and 122, open the opening-closing valves
111 and 113, and close the opining-closing valves 112 and 114. In
this case, a pathway is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that
an outdoor air passes through the outdoor space B, the
opening-closing valve 121, the opening-closing valve 111, the
thermal storage block 110a, the opening-closing valve 113, the
opening-closing valve 122, and the outdoor space B in an order
thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2, the outdoor air is absolved
from the outdoor space B, the outdoor air passes through
above-mentioned pathway, and then heat is stored in the thermal
storage block 110a.
[0108] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 110a has
rose to the target heat storage temperature, the control part 8 is
configured to operate so that heat is stored to the thermal storage
block 110c which has the highest temperature among the thermal
storage blocks 110b to 110d. The control part 8 is configured to
open the sides of the outdoor space B of the opening-closing valves
121 and 122, open the opening-closing valves 112 and 113, and close
the opening-closing valves 111 and 114. In this case, the pathway
is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the outdoor air
passes through the outdoor space B, the opening-closing valve 121,
the opening-closing valve 112, the thermal storage block 110c, the
opening-closing valve 113, the opening-closing valve 122, and the
outdoor space B in an order thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2,
the outdoor air is absolved from the outdoor space B, the outdoor
air passes through the above-mentioned pathway, and then heat is
stored in the thermal storage block 110c.
[0109] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 110c has
rose to the target heat storage temperature, hereinafter, the
control part 8 is configured operate so that heat is stored to, in
an order, the thermal storage block which has the highest
temperature among the other thermal storage blocks having current
temperature lower than the target heat storage temperature.
[0110] Further, in a case where the indoor temperature is low
during a nighttime in winter or the like, a load of the air
conditioner 9 heating the indoor space A can be reduced by
utilizing the thermal storage blocks which stores heat as mentioned
above.
[0111] It is assumed that the air conditioner 9 heating the indoor
space A and the target indoor temperature set on the air
conditioner 9 is 20.degree. C. If the indoor temperature is lower
than 20.degree. C., the control part 8 is configured to select any
one of thermal storage blocks having temperature equal to or higher
than 20.degree. C. (for example, the thermal storage block with the
highest temperature), and utilize stored heat of this selected
thermal storage block.
[0112] For example, in a case where stored heat of the thermal
storage block 110a is utilized, the control part 8 is configured to
open sides of the indoor space A of the opening-closing valves 121
and 122, open the opening-closing valves 111 and 113, and close the
opening-closing valves 112 and 114. In this case, a pathway is
formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the indoor air passes
through the indoor space A, the opening-closing valve 121, the
opening-closing valve 111, the thermal storage block 110a, the
opening-closing valve 113, the opening-closing valve 122, and the
indoor space A in an order thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2,
the indoor air is absolved from the indoor space A, the indoor air
of the indoor space A is passes through the ventilation holes 12 of
the thermal storage block 110a, and then, this indoor air is
returned to the indoor space A. Therefore, indoor temperature of
the indoor space A increases by the indoor air passing through the
ventilation pathway 2 recovering stored heat of the thermal storage
block 110a. Therefore, the load of the air conditioner 9 heating
the indoor space A can be reduced.
[0113] If the indoor temperature is still lower than the 20.degree.
C. at the point where the temperature of the thermal storage block
110a has dropped to lower than 20.degree. C., the control part 8 is
configured to sequentially selects any one of other thermal storage
blocks having thermal storage body temperature equal to or higher
than 20.degree. C. and utilizes stored heat of this selected
thermal storage block similarly.
[0114] Also, the control part 8 is configured to permit a cold
storage process when temperature of at least one of the thermal
storage blocks 110a to 110d is higher than the outdoor temperature
during a nighttime in summer or the like. Then, the control part 8
is configured to targets the at least one thermal storage block
which has the thermal storage temperature higher than the outdoor
temperature, among the thermal storage block 110a to 110d, to
compare the each of the thermal storage temperature with target
cold storage temperature.
[0115] Then, the control part 8 is configured to operate so that
cold is first stored to the thermal storage block having the lowest
temperature among the at least one thermal storage blocks having
current thermal storage body temperature higher than the target
cold storage temperature.
[0116] For example, it is assumed that the temperature of each of
the thermal storage blocks 110a to 110d is higher than the target
cold storage temperature, and a temperature of the thermal storage
block 110a is the lowest. The control part 8 is configured to open
the sides of the outdoor space B of the opening-closing valves 111
and 113, open the opening-closing valves 112 and 114, and close the
opening-closing valves 112 and 114. In this case, a pathway is
formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the outdoor air passes
through the outdoor space B, the opening-closing valve 121, the
opening-closing valve 111, the thermal storage block 110a, the
opening-closing valve 113, opening-closing valve 122, and the
outdoor space B in an order thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2,
the outdoor air is absolved from the outdoor space B, the outdoor
air passes through above-mentioned pathway, and cold is stored in
the thermal storage block 110a.
[0117] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 110a has
dropped to the target cold storage temperature, the control part 8
is configured to operate so that cold is stored to the thermal
storage block 110c which has the lowest temperature among the
thermal storage blocks 110b to 110d. The control part 8 is
configured to open the sides of the outdoor spaces B of the
opening-closing valves 121 and 122, open the opening-closing valves
112 and 113, and close the opening-closing valves 111 and 114. In
this case, a pathway is formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that
the outdoor air passes through the outdoor space B, the
opening-closing valve 121, the opening-closing valve 112, the
thermal storage block 110c, the opening-closing valve 113, the
opening-closing valve 122, and the outdoor space B in an order
thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2, the outdoor air is absolved
from the outdoor space B, the outdoor air passes through the
above-mentioned pathway, and cold is stored in the thermal storage
block 110c.
[0118] When the temperature of the thermal storage block 110c has
dropped to the target cold storage temperature, hereinafter, the
control part 8 is configured to operate so that cold is stored to
in an order the thermal storage block which has the lowest
temperature among the thermal storage blocks having current
temperature higher than the target cold storage temperature.
[0119] In a case where the indoor temperature is high during a
daytime in summer or the like, a load of the air conditioner 9
cooling the indoor space A can be reduced by utilizing the thermal
storage blocks which stores cold as mentioned above.
[0120] It is assumed that, during a daytime in summer, the air
conditioner 9 cools the indoor space A and the target indoor
temperature set to the air conditioner 9 is 28.degree. C. If the
indoor temperature is higher than 28.degree. C., the control part 8
is configured to select any one of the thermal storage blocks
having temperature equal to or lower than 28.degree. C. (for
example, the thermal storage block with the lowest temperature),
and utilize stored cold of this selected thermal storage block.
[0121] For example, in a case where stored cold of the thermal
storage block 110a is utilized, the control part 8 is configured to
open the sides of the indoor space A of the opening-closing valves
121 and 122, open the opening-closing valve 111 and 113, and close
the opening-closing valves 112 and 114. In this case, a pathway is
formed in the ventilation pathway 2 so that the indoor air passes
through the indoor space A, the opening-closing valve 121, the
opening-closing valve 111, the thermal storage block 110a, the
opening-closing valve 113, the opening-closing valve 122, and the
indoor space A in an order thereof. In the ventilation pathway 2,
the indoor air is absolved from the indoor space A, the indoor air
of the indoor space A is passes through the ventilation holes 12 of
the thermal storage block 110a, and then, this indoor air is
returned to the indoor space A. The indoor temperature of the
indoor space A drops by the indoor air passing through the
ventilation pathway 2 recovering stored cold of the thermal storage
block 110a. Therefore, the load of the air conditioner 9 cooling
the indoor space A can be reduced.
[0122] If the indoor temperature is still higher than 28.degree. C.
at the point when the temperature of the thermal storage block 110a
has rose to higher than 28.degree. C., the control part 8 is
configured to sequentially selects any one of other thermal storage
blocks in which thermal storage body temperature is equal to or
lower than 28.degree. C., and stored cold of this selected thermal
storage block is utilized similarly.
[0123] As above mentioned, heat can be stored effectively using the
plurality of thermal storage blocks, by the control part 8
appropriately selecting the pathway of the ventilation pathway 2 in
which stores heat (including cold) to the thermal storage block
based on the outdoor temperature and the thermal storage body
temperature.
[0124] Also, the indoor space A can be thermal controlled
effectively using the thermal storage blocks 110a to 110d, by the
control part 8 appropriately selecting the pathway of the
ventilation pathway 2 including the thermal storage block in which
stored heat (including cold) is utilized, based on the outdoor
temperature and the thermal storage body temperature.
[0125] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous modifications
and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention, namely
claims.
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