EP2375176A1 - Module d'humidification - Google Patents

Module d'humidification Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2375176A1
EP2375176A1 EP09830334A EP09830334A EP2375176A1 EP 2375176 A1 EP2375176 A1 EP 2375176A1 EP 09830334 A EP09830334 A EP 09830334A EP 09830334 A EP09830334 A EP 09830334A EP 2375176 A1 EP2375176 A1 EP 2375176A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
humidifying
rotor
air
unit
path
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09830334A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Katsunori Murata
Sachiko Matsumoto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Daikin Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2008308954A external-priority patent/JP4525821B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP2008321055A external-priority patent/JP4535192B2/ja
Application filed by Daikin Industries Ltd filed Critical Daikin Industries Ltd
Publication of EP2375176A1 publication Critical patent/EP2375176A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F3/1411—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification by absorbing or adsorbing water, e.g. using an hygroscopic desiccant
    • F24F3/1423—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification by absorbing or adsorbing water, e.g. using an hygroscopic desiccant with a moving bed of solid desiccants, e.g. a rotary wheel supporting solid desiccants
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2203/00—Devices or apparatus used for air treatment
    • F24F2203/10—Rotary wheel
    • F24F2203/1024—Rotary wheel combined with a humidifier
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
    • F24F2221/34—Heater, e.g. gas burner, electric air heater

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a humidifying unit for humidifying air that is supplied into a room, for instance.
  • a conventional humidifying unit has a humidifying rotor, a moisture adsorption path extending through the humidifying rotor, a humidifying path extending through the humidifying rotor, and a heater for heating air upstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying path, in which unit the humidifying rotor adsorbs moisture from air in the moisture adsorption path while humidifying the heated air in the humidifying path (see JP 3430993 B2 (Patent Literature 1), for instance).
  • a region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path adsorbs moisture from the air flowing through the moisture adsorption path.
  • a temperature of a region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path is increased by passage therethrough of the air heated by the heater. Then the moisture is released from the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path and the air passing through the region is thereby humidified.
  • the heated air decreases in temperature before reaching the humidifying rotor.
  • a quantity of the moisture released from the humidifying rotor decreases accordingly.
  • increase in temperature of the heater e.g., to a maximum allowable temperature for components might cause increase in the quantity of the moisture released from the humidifying rotor, whereas the increase in the temperature might deteriorate an efficiency of the release of the moisture from the humidifying rotor.
  • the air heated by the heater is prone to flow through a center part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path and thus a temperature thereof is prone to increase, whereas a circumferential edge part (i.e., a part along a circumferential edge) of the region resists flow therethrough of the air heated by the heater and thus resists increase in a temperature thereof. As a result, less moisture is released from the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the conventional humidifying unit has a problem in that it is impossible to efficiently release moisture from the humidifying rotor thereof.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a humidifying unit by which an efficiency of release of moisture from a humidifying rotor can be increased.
  • a humidifying unit comprising:
  • the humidifying unit having an above configuration, air upstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying path is heated by the heating element and thereafter passes through the humidifying rotor. Then the radiation plate is heated by the air from the humidifying rotor because the radiation plate is provided downstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying path.
  • a temperature of the humidifying rotor is increased by radiant heat from the radiation plate, without increase in a temperature of the air heated by the heating element, and a quantity of moisture released from the humidifying rotor is thereby increased, so that the moisture can be released from the humidifying rotor with a high efficiency.
  • the humidifying unit further comprises a baffle plate provided downstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying path.
  • the baffle plate residing downstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying path resists flow of air.
  • the radiation plate can sufficiently be heated by the air.
  • a surface of the humidifying rotor that faces the radiation plate can sufficiently be heated by the radiant heat from the radiation plate, so that a quantity of moisture released from the humidifying rotor can sufficiently be increased.
  • the baffle plate faces a part other than a circumferential edge part (i.e., a part along a circumferential edge) of a region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the baffle plate faces a part other than the circumferential edge parts of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path and thus resists air flowing through a part that faces the part other than the circumferential edge part in the humidifying path downstream of the humidifying rotor, so that the heated air can be delivered as uniformly as possible to a part facing the circumferential edge part (part resisting flow of the air) and a part facing the non-circumferential edge part (part prone to allow flow of the air).
  • the radiant heat from the radiation plate can be projected as uniformly as possible onto the humidifying rotor.
  • the baffle plate has a through hole facing both the humidifying rotor and the radiation plate.
  • the baffle plate has a through hole (or through holes) facing the humidifying rotor and the radiation plate, and thus the radiant heat from the radiation plate can be applied through the through hole(s) of the baffle plate onto the humidifying rotor.
  • the humidifying unit further comprises a heat insulator placed on an opposite side of the radiation plate from the humidifying rotor.
  • the heat insulator is placed on an opposite side of the radiation plate from the humidifying rotor, that is, opposite from the humidifying rotor relative to the radiation plate, the heat from the radiation plate can be prevented from escaping toward a side opposite from the humidifying rotor.
  • the humidifying rotor is in shape of a disc.
  • the humidifying rotor is in shape of a disc and thus the humidifying unit can be reduced in size.
  • air heated by the heating unit passes through a generally fan-shaped region of the humidifying rotor.
  • the radiant heat from the radiation plate prevents the uneven heating in the humidifying rotor that is prone to occur when the air heated by the heating unit passes through the generally fan-shaped region of the humidifying rotor.
  • a surface of the radiation plate that faces the humidifying rotor is an uneven surface.
  • the surface of the radiation plate facing the humidifying rotor is an uneven surface, and thus the radiant heat can be applied onto a wide area on the humidifying rotor.
  • the humidifying unit further comprises a first distribution element that is provided between the heating unit and the humidifying rotor and that distributes air heated by the heating element among parts of the humidifying rotor facing the humidifying path so as to increase uniformity of the distribution.
  • the first distribution element is provided between the heating unit and the humidifying rotor.
  • the first distribution element distributes the air, heated by the heating unit, among the parts of the humidifying rotor facing the humidifying path so as to increase uniformity of the distribution.
  • the air heated by the heating unit passes through an increased portion of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • This increases moisture released from the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path and improves moisture releasing performance of the humidifying rotor.
  • the first distribution element faces a part other than a circumferential edge part of a region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the first distribution element faces a part, other than the circumferential edge part, of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path, thereby prevents air flow from the heating unit from concentrating on the parts other than the circumferential edge part, and reduces unevenness in the heating of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the first distribution element comprises a guide element for guiding the air to a circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the first distribution element has the guide element for guiding the air to the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path, and thus makes the circumferential edge part prone to increase in temperature, so that an efficiency of humidification by the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path can be increased.
  • the humidifying unit further comprises a moisture adsorption path extending through the humidifying rotor, and a second distribution element that is provided upstream of the humidifying rotor in the moisture adsorption path and that distributes air, directed toward the humidifying rotor, among parts of the humidifying rotor facing the moisture adsorption path so as to increase uniformity of the distribution.
  • the second distribution element is provided upstream of the humidifying rotor in the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element distributes the air, directed toward the humidifying rotor, among the parts of the humidifying rotor facing the moisture adsorption path so as to increase the uniformity of the distribution.
  • the air heated by the heating unit passes through an increased portion of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • This increases moisture adsorbed by the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path and improves moisture adsorbing performance of the humidifying rotor.
  • the second distribution element faces a part other than a circumferential edge part in a region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element faces a part, other than the circumferential edge part, of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path, thereby prevents air flow from concentrating on the part other than the circumferential edge part, and reduces unevenness in the moisture adsorption in the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element comprises a guide element for guiding the air to the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element has the guide element for guiding the air to the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path, and thus makes the circumferential edge part prone to adsorb the moisture, so that efficiency of the moisture adsorption by the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path can be increased.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element comprises a plate which is provided with a through hole.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element includes the plate having a through hole (or through holes), and the air is thus prevented from being excessively or too little supplied only to a part of the humidifying rotor that faces the plate.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element comprises wire-mesh or a punching plate.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element includes a wire-mesh or a punching plate and thus can easily be formed, so that a manufacturing cost therefor can be reduced.
  • the humidifying rotor is generally in shape of a disc.
  • the humidifying rotor is in shape of a disc in general and thus the humidifying unit can be reduced in size.
  • a humidifying unit comprising:
  • the first distribution element is provided between the heating unit and the humidifying rotor.
  • the first distribution element distributes the air, heated by the heating unit, among the parts of the humidifying rotor facing the humidifying path so as to increase uniformity of the distribution.
  • the air heated by the heating unit passes through an increased portion of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • This increases moisture released from the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path and improves the moisture releasing performance of the humidifying rotor.
  • the first distribution element faces a part other than a circumferential edge part in a region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the first distribution element faces a part, other than the circumferential edge part, of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path, thereby prevents air flow from the heating unit from concentrating on the parts other than the circumferential edge part, and reduces unevenness in the heating of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the first distribution element comprises a guide element for guiding the air to a circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • the first distribution element has the guide element for guiding the air to the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path, and thus makes the circumferential edge part prone to increase in temperature, so that an efficiency of humidification by the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path can be increased.
  • the humidifying unit further comprises a moisture adsorption path extending through the humidifying rotor, and a second distribution element that is provided upstream of the humidifying rotor in the moisture adsorption path and that distributes air, directed toward the humidifying rotor, among parts of the humidifying rotor facing the moisture adsorption path so as to increase uniformity of the distribution.
  • the second distribution element is provided upstream of the humidifying rotor in the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element distributes the air, directed toward the humidifying rotor, among the parts of the humidifying rotor facing the moisture adsorption path so as to increase the uniformity of the distribution.
  • the air heated by the heating unit passes through an increased portion of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path.
  • This increases moisture adsorbed by the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path and improves moisture adsorbing performance of the humidifying rotor.
  • the second distribution element faces a part other than a circumferential edge part in a region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element faces a part, other than the circumferential edge part, of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path, thereby prevents air flow from concentrating on the part other than the circumferential edge part, and reduces unevenness in the moisture adsorption in the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element comprises a guide element for guiding the air to the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path.
  • the second distribution element has the guide element for guiding the air to the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path, and thus makes the circumferential edge part prone to adsorb the moisture, so that efficiency of the moisture adsorption by the circumferential edge part of the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the moisture adsorption path can be increased.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element comprises a plate which is provided with a through hole.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element includes the plate having a through hole (or through holes), and the air is thus prevented from being excessively or too little supplied only to a part of the humidifying rotor that faces the plate.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element comprises wire-mesh or a punching plate.
  • the first distribution element or the second distribution element includes a wire-mesh or a punching plate and thus can easily be formed, so that a manufacturing cost therefor can be reduced.
  • the humidifying rotor is generally in shape of a disc.
  • the humidifying rotor is in shape of a disc in general and thus the humidifying unit can be reduced in size.
  • the radiation plate provided downstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying path causes an increase in the temperature of the humidifying rotor by the radiant heat from the radiation plate, without increase in the temperature of the air heated by the heating element, and an increase in the quantity of moisture released from the humidifying rotor, so that the efficiency of releasing moisture from the humidifying rotor can be increased.
  • first distribution means distributes the air, heated by heating means, among the parts of the humidifying rotor facing the humidifying path so as to increase the uniformity of the distribution, and thus a portion through which the air heated by the heating means passes is increased in the region of the humidifying rotor that faces the humidifying path, so that an increase in moisture released and improvement in the moisture releasing performance of the humidifying rotor are attained.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 1 in which a humidifying unit 4 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is installed.
  • the air conditioner 1 is a multiple-type air conditioner in which one outdoor unit 3 and two (first and second) indoor units 2a, 2b are connected in parallel by refrigerant pipes 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b.
  • the air conditioner 1 is capable of performing operations such as ordinary operation including cooling operation and heating operation, humidifying operation, air supplying operation, and air discharging operation.
  • intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b are provided between the humidifying unit 4 and each of the first and second indoor units 2a, 2b through which communication between an inner space in the humidifying unit 4 and each of inner spaces in the first and second indoor units 2a, 2b is attained.
  • the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b are each composed of an outdoor duct 8a, 8b provided outdoors and an indoor duct 9a, 9b provided indoors.
  • the first and second indoor units 2a, 2b will initially be described. Both the first and second indoor units 2a, 2b are wall-hanging type indoor units that are mounted on a wall or the like.
  • the first indoor unit 2a is placed in a first room 1a
  • the second indoor unit 2b is placed in a second room 1b.
  • Housed in the first indoor unit 2a are a first indoor heat exchanger 11a and a first indoor fan 12a facing the first indoor heat exchanger 11a.
  • Housed in the second indoor unit 2b are a second indoor heat exchanger 11b and a second indoor fan 12b facing the second indoor heat exchanger 11b, as in the first indoor unit 2a.
  • the first and second indoor heat exchangers 11a, 11b are each composed of a heat transfer pipe folded a plurality of times and a plurality of fins through which the heat transfer pipe is inserted, and perform heat exchange between the heat exchangers and air that is in contact therewith.
  • the first and second indoor fans 12a, 12b are each configured in shape of a cylinder, and have at the periphery thereof blades that extend in a direction of the rotation axis thereof.
  • the first and second indoor fans 12a, 12b are each driven to rotate so as to produce air flow in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis.
  • the first and second indoor fans 12a, 12b take air from the first and second rooms 1a, 1b into the first and second indoor units 2a, 2b, respectively, and blow out into the first and second rooms 1a, 1b, respectively, the air having undergone the heat exchange with the first and second indoor heat exchangers 11a, 11b.
  • the indoor ducts 9a, 9b are placed in the first and second indoor units 2a, 2b, respectively.
  • the indoor ducts 9a, 9b have respective openings, which are placed in positions facing a surface of the first and second indoor heat exchangers 11a, 11b, respectively. More particularly, the positions of the openings are downstream of air intakes provided on a top part of each of the first and second indoor units 2a, 2b and upstream of the first and second indoor heat exchangers 11a, 11b, in a state in which the first and second indoor fans 12a, 12b are rotated so that air flow is produced.
  • the outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 5 in a lower part thereof and the humidifying unit 4 in an upper part thereof.
  • the outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 5 in a lower part thereof and the humidifying unit 4 in an upper part thereof.
  • power sources for the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 and the humidifying unit 4 can be unified in the outdoor unit 3.
  • the outdoor air conditioning unit 5 has an outdoor unit casing 43. Housed in the outdoor unit casing 43 are a compressor 21, a four way valve 22 connected to a discharge side of the compressor 21, an accumulator 23 connected to an intake side of the compressor 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 24 connected to the four way valve 22, outdoor expansion valves 25a, 25b connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and an outdoor fan 29 facing the outdoor heat exchanger 24.
  • the outdoor expansion valves 25a, 25b are connected through filters 26a, 26b and, liquid stop valves 27a, 27b to refrigerant pipes 13a, 13b and through the refrigerant pipes 13a, 13b to an end of the indoor heat exchangers 11a, 11b, respectively.
  • the four way valve 22 is connected through gas stop valves 28a, 28b to refrigerant pipes 14a, 14b and, through the refrigerant pipes 14a, 14b to the other end of the indoor heat exchangers 11a, 11b, respectively.
  • the humidifying unit 4 has a humidifying unit casing 7. Provided in the humidifying unit casing 7 are a humidifying unit main body 6 and an air channel switching device 56.
  • an adsorption air blow-off port 7a composed of a plurality of slit-like openings.
  • the adsorption air blow-off port 7a is an opening through which air that has flowed through a moisture adsorption path 101 is discharged out of the humidifying unit casing 7.
  • an adsorption air intake 7b and an intake and discharge port 7c are provided on a back face of the humidifying unit casing 7.
  • the adsorption air intake 7b is an opening through which air passes that is taken into the humidifying unit casing 7 from outdoors for adsorption of moisture by the humidifying rotor 51. More specifically, driving an adsorption blower 55 causes outdoor air to flow through the adsorption air intake 7b into the moisture adsorption path 101. The air having flowed into the moisture adsorption path 101 passes through the humidifying rotor 51 and is thereby dehumidified. That is, moisture in the air is adsorbed to the humidifying rotor 51 facing the moisture adsorption path 101.
  • the intake and discharge port 7c is an opening for allowing outdoor air to flow into the humidifying path 102 in an air intake operation and the humidifying operation.
  • the air passes through a generally fan-shaped region of the humidifying rotor 51, thereafter heated by a heating device 52, then passing through another generally fan-shaped region of the humidifying rotor 51, and flowing toward a humidifying fan device 54.
  • a heating device 52 is an example of the hating unit.
  • the humidifying unit main body 6 has the humidifying rotor 51, the heating device 52, the humidifying fan device 54, and the adsorption blower 55.
  • the humidifying rotor 51 is a ceramic rotor having a honeycomb structure and is generally shaped like a disc.
  • the humidifying rotor 51 is rotatably installed so as to be driven to be rotated by a rotor driving motor (not shown).
  • Main components of the humidifying rotor 51 have been produced by burning of adsorbent such as zeolite.
  • the adsorbent such as zeolite has a property of adsorbing moisture in air that is in contact with the adsorbent and releasing the adsorbed moisture by heating of the moisture.
  • zeolite is used as the adsorbent in the embodiment, silica gel, alumina or the like can be used as the adsorbent.
  • the humidifying rotor 51 shaped generally like a disc allows the humidifying unit 4 to be reduced in size.
  • the heating device 52 is positioned above the humidifying rotor 51 so as to face the humidifying rotor 51.
  • the air heated by the heating device 52 passes through the humidifying rotor 51 and thus increases a temperature of the humidifying rotor 51.
  • the humidifying fan device 54 is positioned on a lateral side of the humidifying rotor 51 and is a radical fan assembly that produces an air flow passing through a part of the humidifying rotor 51 facing the heating device 52.
  • the humidifying fan device 54 is capable of delivering outdoor air to the indoor units 2a, 2b, as well as taking indoor air into the indoor units 2a, 2b and then discharging the air to the outdoors.
  • the humidifying fan device 54 When delivering the air taken in from the outdoors to the indoor units 2a, 2b, the humidifying fan device 54 sucks the outdoor air though the intake and discharge port 7c into the humidifying path 102, passes the air through the humidifying rotor 51, and thereafter delivers the air through the air channel switching device 56 and the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b to the indoor units 2a, 2b, respectively. In this operation, the air flows along directions of arrows A1 in the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b.
  • the humidifying fan device 54 When discharging to the outdoors the indoor air taken into the indoor units 2a, 2b, the humidifying fan device 54 discharges the air to the outdoors through the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b, the humidifying path 102, and the intake and discharge port 7c. In this operation, the air flows along directions A2 in the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b.
  • the air channel switching device 56 is connected to the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b and is capable of supplying the air from the humidifying path 102 to one of the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b.
  • the air channel switching device 56 is also capable of stopping the supply of the air from the humidifying path 102 to the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b. That is, the air from the humidifying fan device 54 can be prevented from flowing into either of the intake and discharge hoses 6a, 6b.
  • the adsorption blower 55 has an adsorption fan motor 59 and an adsorption fan 61 that is driven to rotate by the adsorption fan motor 59, and produces an air flow passing through a part of the humidifying rotor 51 that does not face the heating device 52. That is, the adsorption blower 55 produces an air flow directed toward the adsorption air blow-off port 7a in the moisture adsorption path 101.
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the humidifying unit 4.
  • illustration of a top plate that forms a top part of the humidifying unit casing 7 is omitted.
  • the air flow along the arrow A11 is a flow of air going from the adsorption air intake 7b through the humidifying rotor 51 toward vicinity of a bell mouth 62. Flowing through the humidifying path 101, the air passes through the part not facing the heating device 52 of the humidifying rotor 51, and moisture in the air is then adsorbed to the part.
  • the air flow along the arrow A12 is a flow of air going from the vicinity of the bell mouth 62 through a space surrounded by the bell mouth 62 into the adsorption fan 61.
  • the air flow along the arrow A13 is a flow of air blown out from the adsorption fan 61 and going toward the adsorption air blow-off port 7a.
  • the air flow along the arrows A21, A22 is a flow of air going from the intake and discharge port 7c through the humidifying rotor 51 toward the heating device 52.
  • the air passes through a generally fan-shaped first region of the humidifying rotor 51 (region facing a part of the humidifying path 102 upstream of the heating device 52), and turning of the humidifying rotor 51 in the direction of the arrow L makes the first region face the moisture adsorption path 101.
  • the air flow along the arrows A23 through A25 is a flow of air heated by the heating device 52 and going through the humidifying rotor 51 toward the air channel switching device 56.
  • the air passes through a generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 (region facing a part of the humidifying path 102 downstream of the heating device 52) and heats the region.
  • Turning of the humidifying rotor 51 in the direction of the arrow L makes the second region face the part of the humidifying path 102 upstream of the heating device 52.
  • the air flow along the arrows A26, A27 is a flow of air that leaves the air channel switching device 56, that passes through the humidifying fan device 54 and that is returned to the air channel switching device 56.
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2 .
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the humidifying unit 4 taken along a vertical plane including a line IV-IV of Fig. 3 .
  • a portion in a small circle is shown in a large circle with enlargement.
  • a radiation plate 57 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is provided under the region facing the part of the humidifying path 102 downstream of the heating device 52, i.e., under the generally fan-shaped second region.
  • the radiation plate 57 is formed with use of a plate made of metal, such as aluminum plate, Galvalume steel plate, and iron plate.
  • a surface of the radiation plate 57 facing the humidifying rotor 51 is an uneven surface.
  • a sectional shape of the radiation plate 57 includes a plurality of generally trapezoidal shaped protrusions and a plurality of generally triangular shaped depressions therebetween.
  • the radiation plate 57 facing the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 is provided downstream of the second region, so that the radiation plate 57 is heated by the air heated by the heating device 52 and having passed through the humidifying rotor 51.
  • a temperature of the second region in the humidifying rotor 51 is increased by radiant heat from the radiation plate 57, and a quantity of moisture released from the second region of the humidifying rotor 51 is thereby increased, so that the moisture can be released from the second region of the humidifying rotor 51 with a high efficiency.
  • the heat insulator 58 provided between the radiation plate 57 and the bottom part of the humidifying unit casing 7 prevents heat in the radiation plate 57 from escaping to the bottom part of the humidifying unit casing 7.
  • the heating is made uneven in the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51.
  • the unevenness in the heating can be decreased by the provision of the radiation plate 57 as in the embodiment.
  • the uneven surface of the radiation plate 57 facing the humidifying rotor 51 makes the radiant heat from the radiation plate 57 spread over a wide area, as shown by arrows in Fig. 4 .
  • an inner circumferential edge part i.e., a part along an inner circumferential edge
  • an outer circumferential edge part i.e., a part along an outer circumferential edge
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a principal part of an exploded perspective view of a humidifying unit 104 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the humidifying unit 104 taken along a vertical plane including a line VI-VI of Fig. 5 .
  • Components in Figs. 5 and 6 that are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the components in Figs. 1 through 4 , and description thereof is omitted.
  • the humidifying unit 104 is different from the humidifying unit 4 of the first embodiment only in that the humidifying unit 104 has a baffle plate 159 placed between the generally fan-shaped second region (region facing the part downstream of the heating device 52) of the humidifying rotor 51 and the radiation plate 57.
  • the baffle plate 159 is formed of a punching plate and has a function of radiation like the radiation plate 57.
  • the baffle plate 159 faces the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 at parts other than the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part in the generally fan-shaped second region thereof.
  • the baffle plate 159 as shown in Fig. 7 , has a plurality of through holes 160 that face the humidifying rotor 51 and the radiation plate 57 (see Figs. 5 and 6 ).
  • the baffle plate 159 placed between the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 and the radiation plate 57 resists flow to downstream side of the air having passed through the second region.
  • the radiation plate 57 is sufficiently heated by the air having passed through the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51, so that performance of radiation from the radiation plate 57 can be improved.
  • the baffle plate 159 faces the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 other than the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part thereof, and thus increases an effect of resisting the flow to the downstream side of the air having passed through the second region.
  • the baffle plate 159 has the through holes 160 facing the humidifying rotor 51 and the radiation plate 57, and thus the radiant heat from the radiation plate 57 can be applied through the through holes 160 of the baffle plate 159 onto the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51.
  • the baffle plate 159 has the function of radiation, and thus radiant heat from the baffle plate 159 can be applied onto the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 as shown by arrows in Fig. 6 .
  • the baffle plate 159 is placed between the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 and the radiation plate 57 in the second embodiment, whereas there may be placed a baffle plate 259 shown in Fig. 8 .
  • a part of the baffle plate 259 that faces the humidifying rotor 51 and the radiation plate 57 is formed of wire-mesh 260.
  • the baffle plate 259 may be placed so as to face a part of the generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 51 other than the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part thereof.
  • the humidifying units 4, 104 of the first and second embodiments are installed in the multiple-type air conditioner 1, whereas a humidifying unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be installed in a single-type air conditioner. That is, the humidifying units of the invention can be installed in various types of air conditioners and are capable of humidifying inside of rooms, for instance, only by themselves.
  • the humidifying units of the invention may be installed in air conditioners having wall-hanging type indoor units, as in the first and second embodiments, or may be installed in air conditioners having indoor units of types other than wall-hanging type.
  • indoor units of types other than wall-hanging type are those of floor type, ceiling-embedded cassette type, and ceiling suspended type, for instance.
  • Shape of baffle plates in the humidifying units of the invention are not limited to those shown in Figs. 7 and 8 but may be any of shapes that resist flow of air humidified by being passed through the humidifying rotor.
  • Fig. 9 shows a schematic configuration of an air conditioner 1 in which a humidifying unit 1004 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention is installed.
  • the air conditioner 1 is a multiple-type air conditioner in which one outdoor unit 1003 and two (first and second) indoor units 1002a, 1002b are connected in parallel by refrigerant pipes 1013a, 1013b, 1014a, 1014b.
  • the air conditioner 1 is capable of performing operations such as ordinary operation including cooling operation and heating operation, humidifying operation, air supplying operation, and air discharging operation.
  • intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b Provided between the humidifying unit 1004 and each of the first and second indoor units 1002a, 1002b are intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b through which communication between an inner space in the humidifying unit 1004 and each of inner spaces in the first and second indoor units 1002a, 1002b is attained.
  • the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b are each composed of an outdoor duct 1008a, 1008b provided outdoors and an indoor duct 1009a, 1009b provided indoors.
  • the first and second indoor units 1002a, 1002b will initially be described. Both the first and second indoor units 1002a, 1002b are wall-hanging type indoor units that are mounted on a wall or the like.
  • the first indoor unit 1002a is placed in a first room 1001a
  • the second indoor unit 1002b is placed in a second room 1001b.
  • Housed in the first indoor unit 1002a are a first indoor heat exchanger 1011a and a first indoor fan 1012a facing the first indoor heat exchanger 1011a.
  • Housed in the second indoor unit 1002b are a second indoor heat exchanger 1011b and a second indoor fan 1012b facing the second indoor heat exchanger 1011b, as in the first indoor unit 1002a.
  • the first and second indoor heat exchangers 1011a, 1011b are each composed of a heat transfer pipe folded a plurality of times and a plurality of fins through which the heat transfer pipe is inserted, and perform heat exchange between the heat exchangers and air that is in contact therewith.
  • the first and second indoor fans 1012a, 1012b are configured in shape of a cylinder, and have at the periphery thereof blades that extend in a direction of the rotation axis thereof.
  • the first and second indoor fans 1012a, 1012b are each driven to rotate so as to produce air flow in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis.
  • the first and second indoor fans 1012a, 1012b take air from the first and second rooms 1001a, 1001b into the first and second indoor units 1002a, 1002b, respectively, and blow out into the first and second rooms 1001a, 1001b, respectively, the air having undergone the heat exchange with the first and second indoor heat exchangers 1011a, 1011b.
  • Portions of the indoor ducts 1009a, 1009b are placed in the first and second indoor units 1002a, 1002b, respectively.
  • the indoor ducts 1009a, 1009b have respective openings, which are placed in positions facing a surface of the first and second indoor heat exchangers 1011a, 1011b, respectively. More specifically, the positions of the openings are downstream of air intakes provided on a top part of each of the first and second indoor units 1002a, 1002b and upstream of the first and second indoor heat exchangers 1011a, 1011b, in a state in which the first and second indoor fans 1012a, 1012b are rotated so that air flow is produced.
  • the outdoor unit 1003 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 1005 in a lower part thereof and the humidifying unit 1004 in an upper part thereof.
  • the outdoor unit 1003 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 1005 in a lower part thereof and the humidifying unit 1004 in an upper part thereof.
  • power sources for the outdoor air conditioning unit 1005 and the humidifying unit 1004 can be unified in the outdoor unit 1003.
  • the outdoor air conditioning unit 1005 has an outdoor unit casing 1043. Housed in the outdoor unit casing 1043 are a compressor 1021, a four way valve 1022 connected to a discharge side of the compressor 1021, an accumulator 1023 connected to an intake side of the compressor 1021, an outdoor heat exchanger 1024 connected to the four way valve 1022, outdoor expansion valves 1025a, 1025b connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 1024, and an outdoor fan 1029 facing the outdoor heat exchanger 1024.
  • a compressor 1021 Housed in the outdoor unit casing 1043 are a compressor 1021, a four way valve 1022 connected to a discharge side of the compressor 1021, an accumulator 1023 connected to an intake side of the compressor 1021, an outdoor heat exchanger 1024 connected to the four way valve 1022, outdoor expansion valves 1025a, 1025b connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 1024, and an outdoor fan 1029 facing the outdoor heat exchanger 1024.
  • the outdoor expansion valves 1025a, 1025b are connected through filters 1026a, 1026b and liquid stop valves 1027a, 1027b to refrigerant pipes 1013a, 1013b and, through the refrigerant pipes 1013a, 1013b to an end of the indoor heat exchangers 1011a, 1011b, respectively.
  • the four way valve 1022 is connected through gas stop valves 1028a, 1028b to refrigerant pipes 1014a, 1014b and, through the refrigerant pipes 1014a, 1014b to the other end of the indoor heat exchangers 1011a, 1011b, respectively.
  • the humidifying unit 1004 has a humidifying unit casing 1007. Provided in the humidifying unit casing 1007 are a humidifying unit main body 1006 and an air channel switching device 1056.
  • an adsorption air blow-off port 1007a and an adsorption air intake 1007d are each composed of a plurality of slit-like openings.
  • the adsorption air blow-off port 1007a is an opening through which air that has flowed through a moisture adsorption path 1101 is discharged out of the humidifying unit casing 1007.
  • an adsorption air intake 1007b and an intake and discharge port 1007c are provided on a back face of the humidifying unit casing 1007.
  • the adsorption air intakes 1007b, 1007d are openings through which air passes that is taken into the humidifying unit casing 1007 from outdoors for adsorption of moisture by the humidifying rotor 1051. More specifically, driving an adsorption blower 1055 causes outdoor air to flow through the adsorption air intakes 1007b, 1007d into the moisture adsorption path 1101. The air having flowed into the moisture adsorption path 1101 passes through the humidifying rotor 1051 and is thereby dehumidified. That is, moisture in the air is adsorbed to the humidifying rotor 1051 facing the moisture adsorption path 1101.
  • the intake and discharge port 1007c is an opening for allowing the outdoor air to flow into the humidifying path 1102 in an air intake operation and the humidifying operation.
  • the air passes through a generally fan-shaped region of the humidifying rotor 1051, thereafter heated by a heating device 1052, then passing through another generally fan-shaped region of the humidifying rotor 1051, and flowing toward a humidifying fan device 1054.
  • air taken into the humidifying unit casing 1007 from the indoor units 1002a, 1002b is discharged through the intake and discharge port 1007c to the outdoors.
  • the humidifying unit main body 1006 has the humidifying rotor 1051, the heating device 1052, the humidifying fan device 1054, and the adsorption blower 1055.
  • the humidifying rotor 1051 is a ceramic rotor having a honeycomb structure and is generally shaped like a disc.
  • the humidifying rotor 1051 is rotatably installed so as to be driven to be rotated by a rotor driving motor (not shown).
  • Main components of the humidifying rotor 1051 have been produced by burning or calcining of adsorbent such as zeolite.
  • the adsorbent such as zeolite has a property of adsorbing moisture in air that is in contact with the adsorbent and releasing the adsorbed moisture by heating of the moisture.
  • zeolite is used as the adsorbent in the embodiment, silica gel, alumina or the like can be used as the adsorbent.
  • the humidifying rotor 1051 shaped generally like a disc allows the humidifying unit 1004 to be reduced in size.
  • the heating device 1052 is positioned above the humidifying rotor 1051 so as to face the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the air heated by the heating device 1052 passes through the humidifying rotor 1051 and thus increases a temperature of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the humidifying fan device 1054 is positioned on a lateral side of the humidifying rotor 1051 and is a radical fan assembly that produces an air flow passing through a part facing the heating device 1052 of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the humidifying fan device 1054 is capable of delivering outdoor air to the indoor units 1002a, 1002b, as well as taking indoor air into the indoor units 1002a, 1002b and then discharging the air to the outdoors.
  • the humidifying fan device 1054 When delivering to the indoor units 1002a, 1002b the air taken in from the outdoors, the humidifying fan device 1054 sucks outdoor air though the intake and discharge port 1007c into the humidifying path 102, passes the air through the humidifying rotor 1051, and thereafter delivers the air through the air channel switching device 1056 and the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b to the indoor units 1002a, 1002b. In this operation, the air flows along directions of arrows A1 in the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b.
  • the humidifying fan device 1054 When discharging to the outdoors the indoor air taken into the indoor units 1002a, 1002b, the humidifying fan device 1054 discharges the air to the outdoors through the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b, the humidifying path 1102, and the intake and discharge port 1007c. In this operation, the air flows along directions A2 in the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b.
  • the air channel switching device 1056 is connected to the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b and is capable of supplying air from the humidifying path 1102 to one of the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b.
  • the air channel switching device 1056 is also capable of stopping the supply of the air from the humidifying path 1102 to the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b. That is, the air from the humidifying fan device 1054 can be blocked from flowing into either of the intake and discharge hoses 1006a, 1006b.
  • the adsorption blower 1055 has an adsorption fan motor 1059 and an adsorption fan 1061 that is driven to rotate by the adsorption fan motor 1059, and produces an air flow passing through a part of the humidifying rotor 1051 that does not face the heating device 1052. That is, the adsorption blower 1055 produces an air flow directed toward the adsorption air blow-off port 1007a in the moisture adsorption path 1101.
  • Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the humidifying unit 1004.
  • illustration of a top plate that forms a top part of the humidifying unit casing 1007 is omitted.
  • the air flow along the arrow A11 is a flow of air going from the adsorption air intake 1007b through the humidifying rotor 1051 toward vicinity of a bell mouth 1062. Flowing through the humidifying path 1101, the air passes through the part not facing the heating device 1052 of the humidifying rotor 1051, and moisture in the air is then adsorbed to the part.
  • the air flow along the arrow A12 is a flow of air going from the vicinity of the bell mouth 1062 through a space surrounded by the bell mouth 1062 into the adsorption fan 1061.
  • the air flow along the arrow A13 is a flow of air blown out from the adsorption fan 1061 and going toward the adsorption air blow-off port 1007a.
  • the air flow along the arrows A21, A22 is a flow of air going from the intake and discharge port 1007c through the humidifying rotor 1051 toward the heating device 1052.
  • the air passes through a generally fan-shaped first region of the humidifying rotor 1051 (region facing a part of the humidifying path 1102 upstream of the heating device 1052), and turning of the humidifying rotor 1051 in the direction of the arrow L makes the first region face the moisture adsorption path 1101.
  • the air flow along the arrows A23 through A25 is a flow of air heated by the heating device 1052 and going through the humidifying rotor 1051 toward the air channel switching device 1056.
  • the air passes through a generally fan-shaped second region of the humidifying rotor 1051 (region facing a part of the humidifying path 1102 downstream of the heating device 1052) and thereby heats the second region.
  • Turning of the humidifying rotor 1051 in the direction of the arrow L makes the second region face a part of the humidifying path 1102 upstream of the heating device 1052.
  • the air flow along the arrows A26, A27 is a flow of air that leaves the air channel switching device 1056, that passes through the humidifying fan device 1054, and that is returned to the air channel switching device 1056.
  • Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of the humidifying rotor 1051 and the heating device 1052, as seen looking diagonally from above.
  • the heating device 1052 has a heater casing 1103, a heating element 1104 provided on an upstream side in the heater casing 1103, and a humidifying side air distribution element 1105 provided on a downstream side in the heater casing 1103.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 is an example of the "first distribution element".
  • the heater casing 1103 is placed so as to cover generally a half of a top surface of the humidifying rotor 1051 and forms a part of the humidifying path 1102.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 is placed downstream of the heating element 1104. Thus air heated by the heating element 1104 flows via the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 toward the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105, as seen looking diagonally from above.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 has a punching plate 1106 that is shaped generally like a fan in plan view, an inner circumferential wall 1107 that is provided so as to stand at an inner circumferential edge of the punching plate 1106, and an outer circumferential wall 1108 that is provided so as to stand at an outer circumferential edge of the punching plate 1106.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 is placed so as to face a region other than the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051 (see Fig. 13 ).
  • the punching plate 1106 is positioned so as to be generally parallel to the top surface of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the punching plate 1106 has a plurality of through holes 1113 that face the top surface of the humidifying rotor 1051. Air having passed through the plurality of through holes 1113 is allowed to flow toward the top surface of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • An inner circumferential flange 1109 overhangs radially inward from an upper end of the inner circumferential wall 1107.
  • An inner circumferential guide element 1111 is provided on an end on an upstream side (a side facing the heating element 1104) of the inner circumferential wall 1107.
  • the inner circumferential guide element 1111 is an example of the "guide element”.
  • An outer circumferential flange 1110 overhangs radially outward from an upper end of the outer circumferential wall 1108.
  • An outer circumferential guide element 1112 is provided on an end on an upstream side (a side facing the heating element 1104) of the outer circumferential wall 1108.
  • the outer circumferential guide element 1112 is an example of the "guide element”.
  • the inner circumferential guide element 1111 and the outer circumferential guide element 1112 guide air from the heating element 1104 toward the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051. Distances between the inner circumferential guide element 1111 and the outer circumferential guide element 1112 decrease with decrease in distance to the heating element 1104.
  • the air heated by the heating element 1104 flows via the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 in the heater casing 1103 toward the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 distributes the air from the heating element 1104 among the inner circumferential edge part, a center part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051, as shown by arrows in Fig. 13 .
  • the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051 refers to a part between the inner circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051 and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the air heated by the heating element 1104 passes not only through the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051 but also through the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051, so that a heated area of the humidifying rotor 1051 increases accordingly.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 which faces the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051, prevents the air flow from the heating element 1104 from concentrating on the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051 and reduces unevenness in the heating of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the inner circumferential guide element 1111 and the outer circumferential guide element 1112 which guide the air from the heating element 1104 toward the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051, make the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part prone to increase in temperature, and thus increase an efficiency of humidification by the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • Fig. 14 shows a result of measurement of flow rates of air passing through the humidifying rotor 1051, which measurement was performed along a chain line in Fig. 13 .
  • a position A corresponds to the inner circumferential edge of the humidifying rotor 1051 and a position A' corresponds to the outer circumferential edge of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the provision of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 results in moderate air flow through the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051 and prevents the air flow from being concentrated on the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of a principal part of a humidifying unit that is a comparative example, as seen looking from above.
  • the humidifying device of the comparative example corresponds to the humidifying unit of the embodiment from which the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 has been removed.
  • Fig. 16 shows a result of measurement of flow rates of air that passing through the humidifying rotor 1051, which measurement was performed along a chain line in Fig. 15 .
  • a position B corresponds to the inner circumferential edge of the humidifying rotor 1051 and a position B' corresponds to the outer circumferential edge of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the absence of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 results in little air flow through the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051 and results in air flow concentrated on the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 is capable of improving uniformity in quantity of air passing through the parts of the humidifying rotor 1051 downstream of the heating element 1104.
  • a humidifying side air distribution element 1115 of Fig. 17 may be used in place of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 of Fig. 12 .
  • Components in Fig. 17 that are the same as those shown in Fig. 12 are provided with the same reference numerals as those of the components in Fig. 12 , and description thereof is omitted.
  • a plate provided with one or more through holes may be used in place of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 of Fig. 12 .
  • a plate provided with one or more through holes may be used in place of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 of Fig. 12 .
  • a plate is placed so as to be generally parallel to the top surface of the humidifying rotor 1051 in this configuration, for instance, air is prevented from being excessively or too little supplied only to a part of the humidifying rotor 1051 that faces the plate.
  • the humidifying side air distribution element 1115 is different from the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 of Fig. 12 only in that the element 1115 has wire-mesh 1114, and the element 1115 is capable of achieving the same effects as the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 of Fig. 12 .
  • Fig. 18 is a schematic sectional view, taken along a horizontal plane, of a principal part of a humidifying unit 1204 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • Components in Fig. 18 that are the same as those shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are provided with the same reference numerals as those of the components in Figs. 9 and 10 , and description thereof is omitted.
  • the humidifying unit 1204 is different from the humidifying unit 1004 of the third embodiment only in that the humidifying unit 1204 has a moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 provided upstream of the humidifying rotor 1051 in the moisture adsorption path 1101. That is, the humidifying unit 1204 corresponds to the humidifying unit 1004 of the third embodiment to which the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 is added.
  • the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 is an example of the "second distribution element".
  • Fig. 19 is a schematic representation of the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205, as seen looking diagonally from above.
  • the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 has a punching plate 1206 that is rectangular in plan view and first and second side parts 1207, 1208 extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the punching plate 1206.
  • the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 is placed so as to face a region of the humidifying rotor 1051 other than the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part (see Fig. 18 ).
  • the punching plate 1206 is positioned so as to be generally parallel to a bottom surface of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the punching plate 1206 is provided with a plurality of through holes 1213 that face the bottom surface of the humidifying rotor 1051. Air having passed through the plurality of through holes 1213 is allowed to flow toward the bottom surface of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the first side part 1207 is connected to an edge of the punching plate 1206 on a side of the heating device 1052.
  • a first guide element 1211 extends toward the adsorption air intake 1007b from one end of the first side part 1207, and a third guide element 1214 extends toward the adsorption air intake 1007d from the other end of the first side part 1207 (see Fig. 18 ).
  • the first and third guide elements 1211, 1214 are an example of the "guide element".
  • the second side part 1208 is connected to an edge of the punching plate 1206 opposite from, i.e., farther from the heating device 1052.
  • a second guide element 1212 extends toward the adsorption air intake 1007b from one end of the second side part 1208, and a fourth guide element 1215 extends toward the adsorption air intake 1007d from the other end of the second side part 1208 (see Fig. 18 ).
  • the second and fourth guide elements 1212, 1215 are an example of the "guide element".
  • the first and second guide elements 1211, 1212 guide air from the adsorption air intake 1007b toward the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051, respectively.
  • the third and fourth guide elements 1214, 1215 guide air from the adsorption air intake 1007d toward the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051, respectively.
  • Distances between the first guide element 1211 and the second guide element 1212 and distances between the third guide element 1214 and the fourth guide element 1215 decrease with decrease in distance to the adsorption air intakes 1007b, 1007d (that is, as the guide elements approach to the corresponding adsorption air intakes), respectively.
  • the humidifying unit 1204 With use of the humidifying unit 1204 having the above configuration, air taken through the adsorption air intakes 1007b, 1007d into the humidifying unit casing 1007 flows through the moisture adsorption path 1101 via the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 toward the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 distributes the air from the adsorption air intakes 1007b, 1007d among the parts of the humidifying rotor 1051 facing the moisture adsorption path 1101 so that quantities of air passing through the parts of the humidifying rotor 1051 are made generally uniform.
  • the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 distributes the air from the adsorption air intakes 1007b, 1007d among the inner circumferential edge part, the center part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051 refers to a part between the inner circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051 and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • the air from the adsorption air intakes 1007b, 1007d passes not only through the center part of the humidifying rotor 1051 but also through the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051, so that the humidifying rotor 1051 adsorbs moisture in an increased area.
  • the first and second guide elements 1211, 1212 guide air from the adsorption air intake 1007b toward the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051
  • the third and fourth guide elements 1214, 1215 guide air from the adsorption air intake 1007d toward the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051, so that the moisture is made prone to be adsorbed to the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part, and so that an efficiency of the moisture adsorption by the inner circumferential edge part and the outer circumferential edge part of the humidifying rotor 1051 can be increased.
  • the punching plate 1206 of the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 may be replaced by wire-mesh.
  • a plate provided with one through hole or a plurality of through holes may be used in place of the moisture adsorption side air distribution element 1205 of Fig. 19 .
  • the plate is placed so as to be generally parallel to the bottom surface of the humidifying rotor 1051 in this configuration, for instance, air is prevented from being excessively or too little supplied only to a part of the humidifying rotor 1051 that faces the plate.
  • the humidifying unit 1204 of the fourth embodiment may be installed in an air conditioner as in the third embodiment.
  • the humidifying units 1004, 1204 of the third and fourth embodiments are installed in the multiple-type air conditioner 1, whereas a humidifying unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be installed in a single-type air conditioner. That is, the humidifying units of the invention can be installed in various types of air conditioners, and are capable of humidifying inside of rooms, for instance, only by themselves.
  • the humidifying units of the invention may be installed in air conditioners having a wall-hanging type indoor unit, as in the third and fourth embodiments, or may be installed in air conditioners having an indoor unit of type other than wall-hanging type.
  • indoor units of the types other than wall-hanging type are those of floor type, ceiling-embedded cassette type, and ceiling suspended type, for instance.
  • the invention can be applied not only to humidifying units of non-water-feeding type such as the humidifying units 1004, 1204 of the third and fourth embodiments but also to humidifying units of water feeding type.
  • the humidifying unit of water feeding type has a water feeding tank detachable from and attachable to the humidifying unit casing, and is arranged such that water stored in the water feeding tank is adsorbed to the humidifying rotor 1051.
  • Shapes of the first and second distribution elements of the invention are not limited to those of the third and fourth embodiments but may be various. That is, the first and second distribution elements of the invention may have any shapes as long as the shapes increase a quantity of air flowing toward the circumferential edge parts of the humidifying rotor while decreasing a quantity of air flowing toward regions other than the circumferential edge parts of the humidifying rotor so as to decrease a difference in quantity between air passing through the circumferential edge parts of the humidifying rotor and air passing through the regions other than the circumferential edge parts of the humidifying rotor.
  • the humidifying unit 4 of the first embodiment may be provided with the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 described in connection with the third embodiment. Placement of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 may be the same as that in the third embodiment.
  • the humidifying unit 4 of the first embodiment may be provided with the humidifying side air distribution element 1115 in the third embodiment. Placement of the humidifying side air distribution element 1115 may be the same as that of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 in the third embodiment.
  • the humidifying unit 104 of the second embodiment may be provided with the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 in the third embodiment. Placement of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 may be the same as that in the third embodiment.
  • the modification of the humidifying unit 104 of the second embodiment may be provided with the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 in the third embodiment. Placement of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 may be the same as that in the third embodiment.
  • the humidifying unit 104 of the second embodiment may be provided with the humidifying side air distribution element 1115 in the third embodiment. Placement of the humidifying side air distribution element 1115 may be the same as that of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 in the third embodiment.
  • the modification of the humidifying unit 104 of the second embodiment may be provided with the humidifying side air distribution element 1115 in the third embodiment.
  • Placement of the humidifying side air distribution element 1115 may be the same as that of the humidifying side air distribution element 1105 in the third embodiment.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Humidification (AREA)
EP09830334A 2008-12-03 2009-11-26 Module d'humidification Withdrawn EP2375176A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008308954A JP4525821B2 (ja) 2008-12-03 2008-12-03 加湿ユニット
JP2008321055A JP4535192B2 (ja) 2008-12-17 2008-12-17 加湿ユニット
PCT/JP2009/069926 WO2010064567A1 (fr) 2008-12-03 2009-11-26 Module d'humidification

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2375176A1 true EP2375176A1 (fr) 2011-10-12

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EP09830334A Withdrawn EP2375176A1 (fr) 2008-12-03 2009-11-26 Module d'humidification

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3857808B2 (ja) * 1998-04-27 2006-12-13 シャープ株式会社 回転式除湿材への再生空気加熱装置及びそれを備えた除湿機
JP3574325B2 (ja) * 1998-04-27 2004-10-06 シャープ株式会社 除湿機
JP3430993B2 (ja) 1999-07-28 2003-07-28 ダイキン工業株式会社 加湿装置
JP3964365B2 (ja) * 2003-02-12 2007-08-22 昭 春原 太陽熱温水器
JP4269950B2 (ja) * 2004-01-21 2009-05-27 パナソニック株式会社 除湿装置
JP4696858B2 (ja) * 2005-11-04 2011-06-08 パナソニック株式会社 除湿システム

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO2010064567A1 *

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WO2010064567A1 (fr) 2010-06-10

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