JP2000314540A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce cost for an air conditioner for regulating temperature and humidity. SOLUTION: An indoor unit 2 is connected to an outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipeline. A compressor and an outdoor condenser are received in the outdoor unit. The inside of the indoor unit 2 is defined into an air inlet passage 13 and an air lead-out passage 14 by a partitioning plate 12. The air inlet passage 13 is provided with an indoor evaporator 8, while the air lead-out passage 14 is provided with an indoor condenser 7. A moisture absorbing agent 9 is formed in the shape of a belt and a first dehumidifying unit 21, as well as a second dehumidifying unit 23 is formed on the upstream side of the indoor evaporator 8 in the air inlet passage 13, while a first reproducing unit 24 and a second reproducing unit 22 are formed on the downstream side of the indoor condenser 7 in the air lead-out passage 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner provided with a moisture absorbent.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-106, there is known a humidity control apparatus for dehumidifying air with a hygroscopic agent. In this type of humidity control apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, an adsorption rotor (101) as a hygroscopic agent is provided in a casing (not shown), and the interior of the casing is partitioned by a partition wall.
The (101) has a moisture absorbing part (102) and a moisture releasing part (103). Part (RA) of the indoor air passes through the moisture absorbing section (102) and is dehumidified. On the other hand, the other part of the indoor air is
, And becomes high-temperature air and passes through the moisture releasing section (103) of the adsorption rotor (101). This high-temperature air collects the moisture in the moisture release section (103) and regenerates the adsorption rotor (101). At this time, the rotation of the adsorption rotor (101) causes the moisture absorbing section (102) and the moisture releasing section (103) to be switched continuously, and dehumidification and regeneration are performed simultaneously and continuously.

[0003]

However, in the humidity control apparatus, the electric heater (104) is used for regeneration of the suction rotor (101).
, The initial cost and running cost were high.

Further, since such a humidity control device can only adjust the humidity of indoor air, an air conditioner (temperature control device) for temperature control is required to simultaneously control both temperature and humidity of indoor air. ) Had to be provided separately. Therefore, for an air conditioning system that regulates both temperature and humidity, it has been desired to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of the entire system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency and cost of an air conditioner for controlling temperature and humidity.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention integrates a temperature control mechanism and a humidity control mechanism, and evaporates refrigerant by dehumidifying air before cooling with a desiccant. The temperature was increased, and the air absorbent heated by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit was used to regenerate the desiccant.

Specifically, the air conditioner according to the present invention comprises an outdoor heat exchanger (32) installed on the outdoor side and first and second heat exchangers (7, 8) installed on the indoor side. A refrigerant circuit (30) having at least a humectant (9), while condensing the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger (7) and evaporating the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger (8). A part of the room air or a mixture of the room air and the outside air is dehumidified by the hygroscopic agent (9), and the dehumidified air is cooled by the second heat exchanger (8) and supplied to the room. Then, another part of the room air is heated by the first heat exchanger (7), and the moisture absorbent (9) is heated by the heated air.

According to the above, a part of the room air or a mixed air of the room air and the outside air is dehumidified by the hygroscopic agent (9), and is supplied to the second heat exchanger (8) in a state where the dew point is lowered. Supplied. In the second heat exchanger (8), the refrigerant evaporates, and the heat of evaporation of the refrigerant cools the dehumidified air. At this time, since the air to be cooled by the second heat exchanger (8) has a low dew point, it mainly changes sensible heat. Therefore, it is not necessary to lower the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant below the dew point. Even if the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant is increased more than before, the temperature and humidity of the blown air can be reduced to the same level as before, and the COP of the device rises. I do. Further, since the outdoor air is introduced into the room, the indoor air quality is improved. On the other hand, the other part of the indoor air is heated by the first heat exchanger (7) to become hot air and dehumidifier.
(9), and heats the dehumidifier (9). Thereby, the desiccant (9) is regenerated. Therefore, since the dehumidifier (9) is regenerated by utilizing the heat of the refrigerant circuit (30), it is not necessary to separately provide an electric heater, and the cost of the entire apparatus is reduced. Further, the efficiency of the entire apparatus is improved.

The air conditioner is configured so that the air heated to the desiccant (9) is reheated by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (30), and the heated air is further heated by the heated air. May be.

[0010] It is difficult to efficiently regenerate the air-absorbing agent (9) from the air whose temperature has been reduced by heating the air-absorbing agent (9). Then, it becomes possible to efficiently regenerate the dehumidifier (9) again. As described above, the same air repeats the regeneration a plurality of times, thereby realizing highly efficient regeneration.

[0011] The air conditioner may be configured so that a part of the room air or a mixture of the part of the room air and the outside air is cooled by the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit (30) before the dehumidification. .

As described above, by pre-cooling the air before dehumidifying, the temperature of the hygroscopic agent (9) decreases. Therefore, the dehumidifying efficiency is improved.

[0013] The moisture absorbent (9) is provided with a moisture absorbent (2) which is alternately replaced.
1,23) and a reproducing unit (22,24).

According to the above, the moisture absorbing sections (21, 23) and the regeneration section
By alternately replacing (22, 24), dehumidification and regeneration can be performed simultaneously and continuously with a single hygroscopic agent (9).

The moisture absorbent (9) may be constituted by a belt-shaped moisture absorbent. By forming the hygroscopic agent in a belt shape, it is possible to freely lay out the shape of the indoor unit by devising the arrangement of the rollers, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.

The hygroscopic agent (9) may be constituted by a rotor type hygroscopic agent. Thus, the supporting structure and the driving structure of the moisture absorbent can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1> As shown in FIG. 1, in an air conditioner (1) according to this embodiment, an indoor unit (2) and an outdoor unit (3) are connected via a refrigerant pipe (4). It is configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the casing (5) of the outdoor unit (3), a compressor (31), an outdoor condenser (32) as an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor blower (shown in FIG. 2). Zu) are contained.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor unit
Inside the casing (6) of (2), an indoor condenser (7) as a first heat exchanger, an expansion valve (33) as a pressure reducing mechanism, and an indoor evaporator (8) as a second heat exchanger , A moisture absorbent (9), a first indoor blower (11), and a second indoor blower (10). Indoor condenser (7), expansion valve (33) and indoor evaporator
(8) is the compressor (31) and the outdoor condenser (3) of the outdoor unit (3).
The refrigerant circuit (30) is connected to the refrigerant circuit (2) via the refrigerant pipe (4) and forms a vapor compression refrigeration cycle together with the refrigerant circuit (30).

The center of the casing (6) is located in the front-rear direction (FIG. 3).
A partition plate (12) extending in the left-right direction is provided, and an air introduction passage (13) and an air outlet passage (14) are formed on the left and right sides (up and down in FIG. 3) of the partition plate (12). At both ends of the air introduction passage (13), an inflow port (15) and an outlet (16) are provided. At both ends of the air outlet passage (14), an outlet (18) adjacent to the inlet (15) in the left-right direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) and an inlet adjacent to the outlet (16) in the left-right direction. (17) is provided. The second indoor blower (10) is provided in the air introduction passage (13) so as to supply a mixed air of a part of the indoor air and the outdoor air (outside air) to the room. On the other hand, the first indoor blower
(11) is provided in the air outlet passage (14) so as to discharge a part of the room air to the outside of the room.

The hygroscopic agent (9) is made of xerogel formed in the form of an endless belt, and has four rollers (1) extending vertically.
9), (19), ... One or two or more of the four rollers (19) are formed of movable rollers, and are configured to run the belt-shaped hygroscopic agent (9) at a predetermined speed by rotation of the rollers. The four rollers (19) are arranged so that a pair of opposed sides (25) and (26) of the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9) extend across the air introduction passage (13) and the air outlet passage (14). , To form the vertices of a rectangle. The exposed portion of the air introduction passage (13) on the side (25) of the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9) forms a first dehumidifying portion (21), and the air outlet passage (14)
The exposed portion forms a second reproducing section (22). On the other hand, the exposed portion of the air introduction passage (13) on the side (26) of the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9) forms a second dehumidifying section (23), and the air outlet passage (14)
The exposed portion forms a first reproducing section (24). The belt-shaped desiccant (9) is configured to run in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3, and an arbitrary portion of the desiccant (9) can be moved from the first dehumidifying part (21) to the second dehumidifying part ( 23) → First playback unit (24) → Second playback unit
It cycles in the order of (22).

The indoor evaporator (8) is provided between the belt-shaped hygroscopic agent (9) and the outlet (16) in the air introduction passage (13). The indoor condenser (7) is provided between the inlet (17) and the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9) in the air outlet passage (14).

During the cooling and dehumidifying operation, in the refrigerant circuit (30), a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (31) is condensed in the outdoor condenser (32) to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. Refrigerant piping
(4) is distributed and introduced into the indoor unit (2). The refrigerant introduced into the indoor unit (2) is condensed in the indoor condenser (7),
After the pressure is reduced by the expansion valve (33), it is evaporated by the indoor evaporator (8). The evaporated refrigerant is introduced into the outdoor unit (3) through the refrigerant pipe (4), and is sucked into the compressor (31).

A part of the room air is mixed with the outside air to form a mixed air and is introduced from the inlet (15) into the air introducing passage (13). This mixed air is supplied to the first dehumidifying section of the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9).
(21) and the 2nd dehumidification part (23), and it is dehumidified. As a result, the dew point of the mixed air decreases. Then, the dehumidified air is cooled by the indoor evaporator (8), and is supplied as low-temperature air into the room from the outlet (16). On the other hand, part of the room air is introduced into the air outlet passage (14) from the suction port (17), and is heated by the indoor condenser (7) to become high-temperature air. The high-temperature air is supplied to the first regenerating section (24) and the second regenerating section (22) of the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9).
Is heated to regenerate the belt-shaped hygroscopic agent (9). The air humidified by regenerating the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9) is
It is discharged outside through (18).

As described above, according to the present air conditioner (1), the air supplied to the indoor evaporator (8) is a belt-shaped moisture absorbent.
Since the dew point is lowered by dehumidification by (9), the latent heat load of the indoor evaporator (8) is extremely small or zero. Therefore, even if the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the indoor evaporator (8) is relatively high, the air blowing temperature and humidity can be reduced to the same level as in the past. As described above, since the evaporation temperature can be increased, the load on the compressor (31) is reduced, and the COP of the device is improved.

Since the outdoor air is taken into the room through the air introduction passage (13), the indoor air quality can be improved.

Further, a part of the room air is heated by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (30), and the heated air is used to heat the belt-shaped moisture absorbent.
Since (9) is regenerated, an electric heater for regenerating the desiccant (9) is not required, and the apparatus can be configured at low cost. Also, running costs are reduced.

<Embodiment 2> As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that
A second indoor evaporator (26) is provided between the inflow port (15) and the belt-shaped desiccant (9) in (13), and the air outlet passage (14)
Between the first playback unit (24) and the second playback unit (22)
An indoor condenser (25) is provided. The second indoor condenser (25) and the second indoor evaporator (26) are connected to the first indoor condenser (25).
Like (7) and the first indoor evaporator (8), they constitute a part of the refrigerant circuit (30). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

During the cooling and dehumidifying operation, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (30) is condensed in the first indoor condenser (7) and the second indoor condenser (25), and is condensed in the first indoor evaporator (8) and the second indoor condenser. Evaporator (26)
Evaporates at

The mixed air of part of the indoor air and the outdoor air is introduced from the inlet (15) into the air introduction passage (13),
Pre-cooled in the indoor evaporator (26). Pre-cooled air is the first
Dehumidification is performed in the dehumidifying section (21) and the second dehumidifying section (23), and the dew point is lowered. Then, the air is cooled by the first indoor evaporator (8) and is supplied to the room as low-temperature air. Meanwhile, the inlet
Part of the room air introduced from (17) into the air outlet passage (14) is heated by the first indoor condenser (7) and regenerates the first regenerating unit (24). Then, the air that has passed through the first regeneration unit (24)
After being heated again in the second indoor condenser (25) and the temperature has risen, the second regenerating section (22) is regenerated. Then, the air that has regenerated the second regenerating unit (22) is discharged outside the room through the discharge port (18).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the second indoor evaporator (26) is provided on the upstream side of the dehumidifying sections (21) and (23) of the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9), and the belt-shaped moisture absorbent is provided. Since the air to be dehumidified by (9) is pre-cooled, the temperatures of the first dehumidifying section (21) and the second dehumidifying section (23) can be kept low. Therefore, the dehumidifying effect in the first dehumidifying section (21) and the second dehumidifying section (23) can be enhanced.

Further, a second indoor condenser (25) is provided between the first regenerating section (24) and the second regenerating section (22), and the temperature of the first regenerating section (24) is reduced by performing the regenerating. Since the heated air is reheated, the air supplied to the second regenerating section (22) becomes a relatively high-temperature air, and the second regenerating section (22) is also sufficiently regenerated. Therefore, the reproduction efficiency can be improved.

In this embodiment, two indoor condensers and two indoor evaporators are provided, respectively. However, three or more indoor condensers or indoor evaporators are provided, and the belt-shaped moisture absorbent (9) is dehumidified accordingly. Needless to say, three or more units or reproduction units may be provided.

<Other Embodiments> The hygroscopic agent (9) is not limited to a belt-like one, and may be a rotatable rotor type that switches between the dehumidifying part and the regenerating part by rotating. Further, the so-called batch type in which the moisture absorbent itself is stationary and the introduced air is appropriately replaced may be used.

The material of the hygroscopic agent is not limited to xerogel, but may be another hygroscopic material such as silica gel.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (30) can be kept high by previously dehumidifying the air to be cooled with the hygroscopic agent (9). The COP of the device can be improved. In addition, since a part of the indoor air is heated by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (30) and the heated air is used to regenerate the desiccant (9), an electric heater for regeneration is not required, thereby saving energy of the apparatus and saving energy. Cost reduction can be achieved. Further, since the outdoor air is introduced into the room, the indoor air quality can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the overall efficiency and reduce the cost of the device that performs indoor air conditioning.

The air heated by the desiccant (9) is passed through a refrigerant circuit (30).
If the refrigerant is re-heated, and the heated air is further heated by the heated air, the hygroscopic agent (9) is regenerated to raise the temperature of the cooled air, and Since the moisture absorbent (9) can be regenerated with air, the regeneration efficiency can be improved.

By previously cooling part of the room air or a mixture of part of the room air and the outside air before dehumidification, the desiccant (9) can be maintained at a relatively low temperature, and the dehumidification efficiency can be improved. Can be improved.

By using the hygroscopic agent (9) having the alternately absorbing hygroscopic portions (21, 23) and the regenerating portions (22, 24), dehumidification and regeneration can be continuously performed by a single hygroscopic agent (9). Can be done.

By using the belt-shaped hygroscopic agent (9), the layout of the indoor unit (2) can be freely laid out by devising the arrangement of the rollers (19). Further, the dehumidifying units (21, 23) and the regenerating units (22, 24) can be easily configured. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design is increased.

By using the rotor type moisture absorbing agent (9), a supporting structure and a driving structure of the moisture absorbing agent (9) can be realized with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an indoor unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an indoor unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional humidity control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Air conditioner (2) Indoor unit (3) Outdoor unit (4) Refrigerant pipe (7) Indoor condenser (8) Indoor evaporator (9) Belt-shaped moisture absorbent (12) Partition plate (13) Air introduction Passage (14) Air outlet passage (21) First dehumidifier (22) Second regenerator (23) Second dehumidifier (24) First regenerator

Claims (6)

[Claims] A refrigerant circuit (30) having at least an outdoor heat exchanger (32) installed on the outdoor side and first and second heat exchangers (7, 8) installed on the indoor side; Agent (9), while condensing the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger (7) and evaporating the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger (8), a part of the room air or a part of the room air The mixed air of air and outside air is dehumidified by the desiccant (9), and the dehumidified air is cooled by the second heat exchanger (8) and supplied to the room. (1) An air conditioner that heats the moisture absorbent (9) with heated air by a heat exchanger (7). 2. Heating the moisture absorbent (9) into a refrigerant circuit (3).
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is reheated by the refrigerant of (0), and the moisture absorbent (9) is further heated by the heated air. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a part of the room air or a mixture of a part of the room air and the outside air is cooled by a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit (30) before dehumidification. Air conditioner. 4. The moisture absorbent (9) is a moisture absorbing part which is alternately replaced.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising (21, 23) and a regeneration unit (22, 24). 5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the moisture absorbent (9) is constituted by a belt-shaped moisture absorbent. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the moisture absorbent (9) is constituted by a rotor-type moisture absorbent.