JP2001004172A - Rotor for air-conditioner and air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rotor for an air-conditioner and an air-conditioner to produce a sufficient humidity control effect and sufficiently prevent the generation of malodor occasioned by humidity control. SOLUTION: A rotor 1 for an air-conditioner is used in a waterless air- conditioner and has a hygroscopic structure 12 to absorb a moisture content in air. The hygroscopic structure 12 is formed of a fibrous base material caused to carry a deliquescent solid. Further, an air-conditioner 10 comprises a rotor 1 for an air-conditioner; a blower 6 (a first air supply means) to supply outdoor air 30a (first air) to at least a part of the hygroscopic structure 12; a blower 5 (a second air supply means) to supply heated indoor air 20a (second air) to a portion of the hygroscopic structure 12 to absorb a moisture content contained in the outdoor air 30a; and a heat source 2 to heat the indoor air 20a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner rotor and an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner rotor used for a non-water supply type air conditioner and an air conditioner using the same. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional non-water supply type air conditioner,
JP-A-9-60925 and JP-A-9-42709
An air conditioner described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. HEI 9-203 is known. The former air conditioner is configured as a cylindrical body having air permeability in the axial direction, and includes a rotor having an adsorbent capable of absorbing moisture. The rotor of the latter air conditioner uses an adsorbent such as silica gel or activated carbon. Then, these air conditioners absorb moisture in the air by the adsorbent of the rotor, and when the humidification of a room or the like is necessary, send hot air to the adsorbent of the rotor to evaporate the moisture and evaporate. By releasing moisture into a room or the like, indoor humidity is controlled.

[0003]

However, when the above-mentioned conventional rotor is used, there is a problem that a sufficient humidity control effect cannot be obtained because the amount of water absorbed by the adsorbent is not always sufficient. In addition, the adsorbent used for the adsorbent has a characteristic of adsorbing so as to concentrate odor components that cause malodor, in addition to water vapor. For this reason, when moisture is released from the adsorbent, the adsorbed odor component is also released, and there is a possibility that an odor is generated in the room.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is intended for an air conditioner capable of obtaining a sufficient humidity control effect and preventing generation of a bad odor due to humidity control. An object is to provide a rotor and an air conditioner.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object,
The present inventors have conducted intensive studies from the viewpoint of the type of a substance having a hygroscopic property, the retention property when the substance is attached to a base material, the adsorption property of a gas, and the like, and have realized extremely excellent properties. The present inventors have found a combination of members to be formed, and have reached the present invention.
That is, the air conditioner rotor of the present invention is an air conditioner rotor used for a waterless air conditioner,
It has a hygroscopic structure that absorbs moisture in the air, and the hygroscopic structure is made of a fibrous base material carrying a deliquescent solid.

[0006] In the rotor for an air conditioner (hereinafter simply referred to as “rotor”) configured as described above, water vapor (water molecules) contained in air is supported on a hygroscopic structure and has a deliquescent solid. (Hereinafter referred to as “deliquescent solid”), a part of the deliquescent solid dissolves in the water.
As a result, moisture in the air is absorbed by the deliquescent solid carried on the hygroscopic structure. Since the water vapor pressure of the saturated aqueous solution of the deliquescent solid is usually smaller than the partial pressure of water vapor in the air at room temperature, the absorbed water is well retained by the deliquescent solid. Further, since the substrate of the hygroscopic structure has a fibrous shape and a large surface area, a large amount of deliquescent solid can be carried on the substrate. In addition, the deliquescent solid has the same or higher hygroscopicity than conventional adsorption media. Therefore, the amount of moisture absorbed by the hygroscopic structure is dramatically increased as compared with the conventional case, and the hygroscopic performance of the rotor can be significantly improved. In addition, since the moisture absorbing performance of the moisture absorbing structure is remarkably improved, sufficient humidity control is possible, and the rotor can be downsized while maintaining high performance.

Further, the hygroscopic structure can be manufactured by simply impregnating the substrate with a solution containing a deliquescent solid and then drying it, so that the hygroscopic structure and the rotor using the same are extremely simple. Can be manufactured. In addition, even with such a simple manufacturing method, since the deliquescent solid is firmly supported on the base material by impregnation, the deliquescent solid may be dissipated from the base material even if water absorption and release are repeated. Few. Furthermore, when heat is applied, the deliquescent solid immediately releases the moisture that it has absorbed and retained by evaporation, and its responsiveness is equal to or better than that of the conventional adsorption medium using physical adsorption. It is. Therefore, quick humidity control with excellent fast-acting properties can be achieved. Furthermore, while the conventional adsorption medium also has an adsorption characteristic for gas components other than water vapor, particularly for odor components that cause malodor, the deliquescent solid used in the present invention has such odor components. Almost no adsorption or absorption. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the generation of offensive odor due to humidity control.

The deliquescent solid used in the rotor of the air conditioner of the present invention is preferably a chloride of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, lithium and magnesium. Calcium chloride, lithium chloride, and magnesium chloride are extremely deliquescent, and are particularly excellent in hygroscopicity and water retention, so that the amount of water absorbed by the hygroscopic structure further increases, and the rotor absorbs moisture. The performance can be further enhanced.

Further, it is preferable that the hygroscopic structure constituting the rotor of the present invention further comprises an adsorption medium having pores or voids. With this configuration, in addition to the deliquescent solid absorbing the moisture in the air, the adsorption medium also absorbs and retains the moisture in the air, so that the amount of moisture absorbed by the hygroscopic structure is increased. It further increases, and the moisture absorption performance of the rotor is further improved. Here, when the water absorption of the hygroscopic structure obtained by further supporting the deliquescent solid on the substrate supporting the adsorption medium was measured, the water absorption was higher than expected from the hygroscopic ability of the adsorption medium. An increase was observed. This is because the adsorption medium has a very large specific surface area and pore volume due to the pores or gaps, and a large amount of deliquescent solid is attached to the inner surfaces of the pores and voids, so that the base material This is considered to be because the amount of the deliquescent solid supported on the carbon nanotubes is remarkably increased, and the uneven distribution is reduced and the solids are supported in a uniformly dispersed state. As described above, the adsorption medium serves as a good carrier for the deliquescent solid, so that the supportability of the deliquescent solid is enhanced, and the water absorption of the hygroscopic structure is further increased by the synergistic effect of the both. As a result, it is possible to further improve the moisture absorption performance of the rotor.

By the way, as described above, the adsorption medium has an adsorption characteristic for an odor component which causes a bad odor.
Testing the adsorption characteristics of the odor components of the above-mentioned hygroscopic structure, the initial adsorption rate of the odor components was lower than expected from the adsorption capacity of the adsorption medium, and the time required for the adsorption amount of the odor components to reach saturation was also shortened Was done. That is, it has been found that in the above-mentioned hygroscopic structure, the adsorption of the odor component is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional structure. This is because the deliquescent solid is attached to the inner surface of the pores and voids of the adsorption medium, which reduces the effective volume of the pores and voids and makes it difficult for odor components composed of molecules that are generally larger than water molecules to be adsorbed. It is considered that the effective volume of pores and voids is further reduced as the deliquescence of the deliquescent solid progresses due to absorption of moisture. In this way, by adding the adsorption medium to the hygroscopic structure, the amount of adsorption of the odor component is not increased,
Conversely, since it is significantly reduced as compared with the related art, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the generation of offensive odor due to humidity control.

Still more preferably, the adsorption medium used for the rotor of the present invention is silica gel and / or zeolite. Silica gel is extremely porous, has a high hygroscopic capacity, and has excellent retention of deliquescent solids. In addition, zeolite is a good siliceous exchanger, for example, it is also a good adsorption medium, such as a kind of molecular sieve, has a high hygroscopic capacity, and excellent retention of deliquescent solids I have. Therefore, by using silica gel and / or zeolite as an adsorption medium,
Since more deliquescent solids are supported on the substrate and the ability of the adsorption medium to absorb moisture is increased, the amount of water absorbed by the absorbent structure is further increased. Therefore, the moisture absorption performance of the rotor can be further improved.

Further, the air conditioner of the present invention is a first air supply means for supplying first air to at least a part of the rotor of the present invention and a hygroscopic structure constituting the rotor of the air conditioner. And a second air supply unit for supplying the heated second air to a portion of the hygroscopic structure that has absorbed the moisture contained in the first air, and a heat source for heating the second air. It is characterized by the following. In the air conditioner configured as described above, when the first air (air containing water vapor) is supplied to the hygroscopic structure of the rotor by the first air supply means, a sufficient amount of the air is provided due to its excellent hygroscopic performance. Moisture is absorbed or absorbed and retained. Further, when the heated air is supplied to the portion of the hygroscopic structure where the moisture is retained by the second air supply means, the moisture absorbed or adsorbed by the hygroscopic structure obtains thermal energy and is deliquescent. A sufficient amount of moisture is released from the rotor, evaporating from the solids and desorbing from the adsorption medium. As described above, since the rotor of the present invention has extremely excellent moisture absorbing performance, the air conditioner of the present invention using this rotor enables sufficient humidity control of the surrounding environment. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the room more comfortable. In particular, if humidification is performed using the air conditioner of the present invention during heating in winter with low humidity, a comfortable warm feeling can be provided, and the throat and nose can be provided. In addition, discomfort can be eliminated by preventing thirst of eyes and the like and bulky skin. Also,
In the rotor of the present invention, the adsorption amount of the odor component is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional one, so that the use of the air conditioner of the present invention can sufficiently prevent the generation of offensive odor due to humidity control. Becomes

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 10 includes a cylindrical rotor 1 (air conditioner rotor) and blowers 5 and 6 for supplying air to the rotor 1.
And These rotor 1 and blowers 5 and 6
It is integrally disposed in a housing (not shown). Rotor 1
Comprises a cylindrical body 11, and a hygroscopic structure 12 having a honeycomb structure is incorporated in the entire inside of the cylindrical body 11 so as to have air permeability in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 11. The hygroscopic structure 12 is formed by supporting a base material (fibrous base material) made of ceramic fibers with a particulate zeolite as an adsorption medium and a deliquescent solid by impregnation.

A rotating shaft of a motor 13 having a transmission is connected to the hygroscopic structure 12, and the motor 13 causes the rotor 1 to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed, for example, approximately several rotations per hour to several rotations. It is designed to rotate slowly at a speed of ten rotations. Further, a humidity sensor (not shown) is provided for the heat source 2, the blowers 5, 6 and the motor 13.
A control means (not shown) for controlling these operations based on the signal output from is connected.

In the air conditioner 10 configured as described above, when the humidity in the room where the air conditioner 10 is installed becomes less than a desired value set in the control means, based on the output signal from the humidity sensor. , Blower 6 by control means
(First air supply means) is operated. When the blower 6 operates, the outdoor air 30a (first air) is sucked, and the outdoor air 30a (hereinafter, referred to as an “absorbing region”) is substantially 3/4 of the cross-sectional area of the hygroscopic structure 12. Are supplied in the axial direction. When the outdoor air 30a flows in the interior of the hygroscopic structure 12 in the axial direction, the moisture contained in the outdoor air 30a as water vapor is converted into a zeolite supported on a base material located in an absorption region of the hygroscopic structure 12, And desorbed and absorbed by the deliquescent solid supported on both the substrate and the zeolite. That is, water molecules in the outdoor air 30a are:
The particles collide with the zeolite particles, a part of which is physically adsorbed to pores on the surface of the zeolite particles, other water molecules collide with the deliquescent solid, and a part of the deliquescent solid dissolves in its moisture. As a result, the moisture in the outdoor air 30a is chemically absorbed by the hygroscopic structure 12. Dry air 30b from which moisture has been removed or reduced by the hygroscopic structure 12,
The air is exhausted outside by a blower 6 through an exhaust pipe (not shown).

At the same time as the operation of the blower 6 or following the operation of the blower 6, the motor 13 is controlled by the control means.
The heat source 2 and the blower 5 are operated. The above-mentioned absorption region, which has absorbed the moisture of the outdoor air 30a, initially has a portion excluding the absorption region (a portion approximately one-quarter of the cross-sectional area of the hygroscopic structure 12) with the rotation of the rotor 1 driven by the motor 13. ) Is eventually rotated to a position (hereinafter, referred to as a “reproduction area”). Here, one surface of the regeneration area (the room air 20)
A pipe 3a having a heat source 2 such as a heater at one end is disposed at a position facing the surface (the side on which the air is supplied), and the blower 5 (second air supply means) is provided with indoor air 20a.
(Second air), thereby absorbing the hygroscopic structure 1
The room air 20a is supplied in the axial direction to the regeneration area on the second. And the indoor air 20a passes through the pipe 3a,
After being heated by the heat source 2, it is supplied to the hygroscopic structure 12. When the heated room air 20a flows in the regeneration area in the axial direction, the evaporation and desorption of the moisture that has been absorbed and adsorbed earlier is promoted. Then, the humidified air 20b containing the evaporated and desorbed moisture passes through the pipe 3b, one end of which faces the other surface of the regeneration area, passes through the blower 5, and continues through the exhaust pipe (not shown). Is exhausted indoors.

It is preferable to apply the air conditioner thus configured to an air conditioner or the like. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an air conditioner including the air conditioner according to the present invention. The air conditioner device 100 is a split type including an indoor unit 50 attached to a wall 70 of a room 71 and an outdoor unit 60 connected to the indoor unit 50 via a water distribution pipe 52, refrigerant pipes 64a and 64b, and electric wiring 65. Air conditioner. The outdoor unit 60 is installed in the outdoor 72, and the refrigerant circulates between the indoor unit 50 and the outdoor unit 60 when the indoor 71 is cooled. At this time, the refrigerant returned from the indoor unit 50 to the outdoor unit 60 through the refrigerant pipe 64b is compressed by the compressor 61, is further condensed by the condenser 62 and the blower 63, and is condensed by the refrigerant 62 to the indoor unit 50 through the refrigerant pipe 64a. Sent again. The pipe 4a is a pipe for supplying the outdoor air 30a to the air conditioner 10 in the indoor unit 50, while the pipe 4b is a pipe for exhausting the dry air 30b to the outside.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the indoor unit 50. As shown in FIG. The indoor unit 50 includes an air conditioner 10, a heat exchanger 7, a blower 8, and a control unit 9 for controlling the operation thereof, housed in a housing 51. When the room 71 is heated, the room air 40a sucked into the indoor unit 50 is heated through the heat exchanger 7 and becomes heated air 40b. Most of the air is exhausted and blown back into the room from the indoor unit 50 by the blower 8 to warm the room. On the other hand, part of the heated air 40b (second air)
Is supplied into the air conditioner 10 through the pipe 3a as preheated room air 20a, and as described for the air conditioner 10, the humidified air 2 containing moisture is supplied.
0b. The humidified air 20b is blown to the vicinity of the blower 8 via the pipe 3b, and the indoor unit 50 is blown by the blower 8.
The air is exhausted from the room to humidify the room.

Next, the hygroscopic structure 12 provided in the rotor 1 will be described. The method for manufacturing the hygroscopic structure 12 is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, the following two methods. [First method]: First, a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a non-woven fabric made of ceramic fiber is formed into a honeycomb shape to obtain a base material. Next, the substrate is immersed (impregnated) in a solution in which zeolite particles are dispersed, taken out and dried, whereby the zeolite particles are attached to the substrate. At this time, as a solvent for dispersing the zeolite particles, a solvent having high dispersibility of the zeolite particles, for example, water is preferably used.
Next, the substrate is immersed (impregnated) in a solution in which the deliquescent solid is dissolved, and then taken out and dried. Thereby, the hygroscopic structure 12 in which the deliquescent solid is attached to the ceramic fiber and the zeolite can be obtained. Since the amount of the deliquescent solid is mainly dependent on the concentration of the solution in which the deliquescent solid is dissolved, by adjusting the concentration of the solution, it is possible to impregnate a desired amount of the deliquescent solid on the base material. it can. [Second method]: First, a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric made of a composite fiber of a ceramic fiber and a fibrous zeolite,
A base material is obtained by forming a knitted or formed product into a honeycomb shape. Next, the hygroscopic structure 12 can be obtained in the same manner as in the first method except that this base material is used.

The deliquescent solid has a high deliquescence,
Calcium chloride, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, and the like, which are easy to obtain and handle, can be used. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among them, it is preferable to use calcium chloride. Also,
As zeolites, fluorites, bosodas,
Liuofu stone group, Sodauh stone group, Zhujihu stone group,
Examples of the mordenite group and the like include those using natural zeolites produced naturally as raw materials, and those using artificially synthesized artificial zeolites such as molecular sieves called zeolite A, for example.

An adhesive is added to the solution in which the deliquescent solid is dissolved, in order to enhance the mutual binding of the ceramic fibers, the deliquescent solid deposited and impregnated by drying after impregnation, and the zeolite particles. May be. The adhesive may be any of a synthetic adhesive and a natural adhesive, and examples of the synthetic adhesive include an inorganic adhesive and an organic adhesive. It is preferable to use cement, sodium silicate, ceramic, or the like as a main component of the inorganic adhesive. The main components of the organic adhesive include vinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, vinyl chloride, acrylic, polyamide, polyethylene, cellulose, urea, melamine, phenol, and epoxy. And polyester-based, polyurethane-based, polyaromatic-based and resorcinol-based compounds. These components can be used alone or in combination of two or more. And, for both the inorganic adhesive and the organic adhesive, the above-mentioned main components include a solvent, a plasticizer, a resin, a filler, a pigment, a curing agent, a deterioration inhibitor, a preservative, a thickener, a defoaming agent, and a coupling agent ( It is preferable to add an enhancer) or the like as needed to form an adhesive, and further to use a liquid, for example, an emulsion.

The content ratio of the above components in the hygroscopic structure 12 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30 to 97% by weight, particularly preferably 45% by weight, of the base material. ~ 88 wt%, deliquescent solid is preferably 2 ~ 60 wt%, particularly preferably 10 ~ 50 wt%, the adsorption medium is 0 ~ 40 wt% (however, the total of the deliquescent solid and the adsorption medium is 60 wt% When the adsorption medium also serves as a fibrous base material, the content is the same as the content of the base material.) And, when an adhesive is added, the content of the adhesive is The rate is preferably 1 to 10
%, Particularly preferably 2 to 5% by weight. When the content of the deliquescent solid is less than 2% by weight, a sufficient moisture absorbing effect tends to be not obtained. On the other hand, when the content and the total content with the adsorption medium exceed 60% by weight, Tends to be hardly and uniformly supported on the substrate. Also,
When the content of the adsorption medium exceeds 40% by weight, the amount of adsorption of the odor component tends to be remarkable due to the balance with the content of the deliquescent solid. Further, when the content of the adhesive or the like is less than 1%, the joining force tends to be insufficient, while when the content exceeds 10% by weight, the joining effect tends to be saturated. The preferable range of the content of the base material can be determined by the sum of the preferable contents of the deliquescent solid, the adsorption medium, and the adhesive.

According to the rotor 1 described above, the outdoor air 30
The water in a is absorbed well by the deliquescent solid carried on the hygroscopic structure 12 and is favorably retained by the hygroscopic structure 12. Further, in addition to the base material of the hygroscopic structure 12 being fibrous, the hygroscopic structure 12 has a honeycomb structure, so that the surface area is large and a large amount of deliquescent solid can be absorbed by the hygroscopic structure 12. Can be held. In addition, the deliquescent solid has the same or higher hygroscopicity than conventional adsorption media. Therefore, the hygroscopic structure 12
Since the amount of water absorbed by the rotor 1 is dramatically increased as compared with the related art, the moisture absorption performance of the rotor 1 can be significantly improved. In addition, since the moisture absorbing performance of the moisture absorbing structure 12 is remarkably improved in this manner, sufficient humidity control can be performed, and the rotor 1 can be downsized while maintaining high performance. In addition, since the hygroscopic structure 12 has a honeycomb structure, the strength of the rotor 1 is enhanced, and the air permeability in the axial direction is improved, so that the outdoor air 30a is reliably provided to the hygroscopic structure 12. And well supplied.

Further, since the hygroscopic structure 12 can be manufactured only by impregnating the substrate with a solution containing a deliquescent solid and then drying it, the hygroscopic structure 12 and the rotor 1 using the same can be manufactured. It can be manufactured very easily. And even with such a simple manufacturing method, since the deliquescent solid is firmly supported on the base material by impregnation, it is ensured that the deliquescent solid is dissipated from the base material even if water absorption and release are repeated. Can be prevented. Therefore, there is no possibility that the inside and the room of the air conditioner 10 are contaminated by the dissipated deliquescent solid. Furthermore, when heat is applied, the deliquescent solid immediately releases the moisture that it has absorbed and retained by evaporation, and its responsiveness is equal to or better than that of the conventional adsorption medium using physical adsorption. It is. Therefore, quick humidity control with excellent fast-acting properties can be achieved. Furthermore, while the conventional adsorption medium also has an adsorption characteristic for gas components other than water vapor, particularly for odor components that cause malodor, the deliquescent solid used in the present invention has such odor components. Almost no adsorption or absorption. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the generation of offensive odor due to humidity control.

Further, calcium chloride, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride and the like used as the above-mentioned deliquescent solid have extremely high deliquescent properties and are particularly excellent in hygroscopicity and water retention, so that they are absorbed by the hygroscopic structure 12. The amount of moisture to be absorbed further increases, and the moisture absorption performance of the rotor 1 is further improved. In addition, when an adhesive is added to the solution in which the deliquescent solid is dissolved, the deliquescent solid and zeolite are bonded to the base material and supported more firmly, so that the dissipation of the deliquescent solid is further reduced. This can be prevented.

Further, when zeolite as an adsorption medium is attached to the hygroscopic structure 12, in addition to the deliquescent solid absorbing the moisture in the air, the adsorption medium also absorbs the moisture in the air. And hold it, so that the hygroscopic structure 12
The amount of water absorbed into the garment is further increased. Therefore, the moisture absorption performance of the rotor 1 can be further improved. In addition, since the zeolite has a very large specific surface area and pore volume due to the pores or gaps, the deliquescent solid adheres to the inner surfaces of the pores and voids, so that the deliquescent solid is supported on the substrate. The amount of the solid is remarkably increased, and the uneven distribution is reduced, and the solid is supported in a uniformly dispersed state. Therefore, by the synergistic effect of zeolite and deliquescent solid,
The amount of water absorbed by the hygroscopic structure 12 can be increased more than expected from the hygroscopic ability of zeolite. As a result, the moisture absorption performance of the rotor 1 can be further improved.

Furthermore, since the deliquescent solid is also attached to the inner surfaces of the pores and voids of the zeolite, the effective volume of the pores and voids is reduced, and the odor component composed of molecules generally larger than water molecules is adsorbed. It becomes difficult. Further, as the deliquescent of the deliquescent solid progresses due to the absorption of moisture, the effective volume of pores and voids further decreases. As a result, the initial adsorption rate of the odor component is reduced as compared with the related art, and the time required for reaching the saturation is shortened, so that the adsorption amount of the odor component is significantly reduced as compared with the related art. Therefore, generation of offensive odor due to humidity control can be sufficiently prevented.

Further, according to the air conditioner 10 and the air conditioner 100 provided with the rotor 1 having the extremely excellent moisture absorbing performance, it is possible to sufficiently adjust the humidity of the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is possible to make the room more comfortable. In particular, if the room is humidified by using the air conditioner 10 or the air conditioner 100 during heating in a low-humidity winter, a comfortable warmth can be obtained and the throat can be obtained. It can prevent discomfort by preventing thirst, dryness of the nose, eyes, etc., and bulkiness of the skin. Moreover, since the amount of odor components adsorbed by the rotor 1 is reduced as compared with the related art, it is possible to prevent the generation of offensive odors when the air conditioner 10 or the air conditioner 100 adjusts the humidity.

In the rotor 1 described above, zeolite is used as an adsorption medium. However, silica gel or another adsorption medium may be used instead of zeolite or in addition to zeolite. For example, silica gel can be supported on the hygroscopic structure 12 instead of zeolite by attaching particulate silica gel to the substrate in the same manner as in the above-described first method. Thus, even when silica gel is used, the same effect as when the above-described zeolite is used is exerted. In addition, examples of the other adsorption medium include activated carbon, activated carbon fiber, activated alumina, bentonite, sepilite, wallasite, zonotolite, etc., in place of the above-mentioned zeolite and silica gel. Furthermore, although ceramic fibers are used for the base material, inorganic fibers other than ceramic fibers may be used, or natural or artificial organic fibers may be used, and the base material is the fiber itself. It is not necessary, and may be fibrous.

Further, although the hygroscopic structure 12 has a honeycomb structure, a corrugated shape may be folded so as to have air permeability in the axial direction of the rotor 1. Furthermore, the air conditioner 10
Is not only the indoor humidification, but also the hygroscopic structure 1
Drying can also be performed by switching between the outdoor air and the indoor air supplied to 2. Further, in the air conditioner device 100, only the air conditioner 10 and the blower 8 may be operated, and only the humidity control operation may be performed without performing the cooling / heating operation. Furthermore, the indoor unit 50 of the air conditioner 100
May be installed through the same wall hole together with the water distribution pipe 52 and the like.

[0032]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the moisture absorption performance of the air conditioner rotor of the present invention will be further described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1 A honeycomb-shaped substrate (a cylinder of 150 mm in diameter × 42 mm in height, weight of 160 g) made of ceramic fiber (manufactured by Nichias) was converted into a calcium chloride aqueous solution (calcium chloride concentration: 10% by weight). After impregnation, it was taken out and dried at room temperature to obtain a hygroscopic structure. In the dried state before and after the impregnation, the weight of the base material and the weight of the hygroscopic structure were measured, and the amount of calcium chloride attached to the hygroscopic structure was calculated from the difference in weight. l. Then, the obtained hygroscopic structure was cut into a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 23 mmφ and a height of 40 mm, and was assembled into a cylindrical body to obtain a rotor.

Comparative Example 1 The same substrate as used in Example 1 was impregnated with water in which zeolite was dispersed, taken out and dried at room temperature to obtain a hygroscopic structure.
This hygroscopic structure was made to have a diameter of 23 mm as in Example 1 above.
A rotor having a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 40 mm was assembled into a cylindrical body.

Comparative Example 2 The same substrate as used in Example 1 was impregnated with water in which silica gel was dispersed, taken out and dried at room temperature to obtain a hygroscopic structure.
This hygroscopic structure was made to have a diameter of 23 mm as in Example 1 above.
A rotor having a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 40 mm was assembled into a cylindrical body.

<Moisture Absorption Test 1> The rotors obtained in Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were individually placed in an airflow under the following conditions, and the change over time in the water absorption of each rotor was measured. It was measured. However, "RH" in each of the following conditions indicates relative humidity (the same applies hereinafter). (Condition 1): Flow rate 5 liter / min, RH about 10%,
Temperature 7 ° C. (Condition 2): Flow rate 5 L / min, RH 40-50
%, Temperature 7 ° C (condition 3): flow rate 5 liter / min, RH 70 to 80
%, Temperature 7 ° C. The amount of water absorbed by each rotor under each of the obtained conditions was converted into an effective volume of the rotor of 1000 cm ³ (1 liter) (the same applies hereinafter), and the time elapsed from the start of moisture absorption was calculated. 4 (condition 1), FIG. 5 (condition 2), and FIG. 6 (condition 3). The amount of water absorption in the rotors of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 was calculated based on the amount of zeolite attached to the rotor of Comparative Example 1 and the amount of silica gel attached to the rotor of Comparative Example 2, respectively. Are values normalized to the amount of calcium chloride impregnated in the rotor. When the rotor of Example 1 is compared with the rotors of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 (see FIGS. 4 to 6), the water supply amount of the rotor of Example 1 is increased under any conditions and time. It was confirmed that the amount of water absorption of the rotor of the present invention was increased as compared with the rotor of No. 1. From this, the advantage of the present invention is understood. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the degree of increase in the water absorption was remarkable especially when the relative humidity increased.

<Moisture Absorption Test 2> Each of the rotors obtained in Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 (a rotor different from that used in the moisture absorption test 1) was subjected to an environment of a temperature of 7 ° C. The saturated water absorption was measured under the following conditions. (Condition 4): 10% and 40% RH in Example 1
% (Condition 5): The rotor of Comparative Example 1, RH was 8%, 35%,
And 80% (Condition 6): rotor of Comparative Example 2, RH was 10%, 50
% And 85% The results obtained are shown in FIG. 7 in terms of equivalent water absorption. Here, the water absorption equivalent was calculated using the following equation (1); water absorption equivalent (g / l) = saturated water absorption (g) / rotor volume (l). Note that the water absorption equivalents in the rotors of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were respectively calculated in Comparative Example 1
Amount of zeolite impregnated in the rotor of Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 2
Is the value when the amount of silica gel attached to the rotor of Example 1 is normalized to the amount of calcium chloride attached to the rotor of Example 1. Comparing the rotor of Example 1 with the rotors of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 (see FIG. 7), when the RH is set to 10%, the water absorption equivalent of the rotor of Example 1 is equal to that of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. Is about four times the water absorption equivalent of the rotor obtained in the above, and is about three times the same when the RH is 40%. From this, it is understood that the rotor of the present invention has an extremely high moisture absorbing performance as compared with the related art.

Example 2 A substrate to which zeolite was impregnated (obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1) was impregnated with the same calcium chloride aqueous solution used in Example 1, and then taken out. And dried at room temperature to obtain a hygroscopic structure.
The amount of calcium chloride impregnated on the substrate is 4.1 g / l.
Met. Next, this hygroscopic structure was formed into a columnar shape having a diameter of 23 mmφ and a height of 40 mm in the same manner as in Example 1 above, and assembled into a cylindrical body to obtain a rotor.

Example 3 A base material impregnated with silica gel (obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2) was impregnated with the same calcium chloride aqueous solution as used in Example 1, and then taken out. And dried at room temperature to obtain a hygroscopic structure.
The amount of calcium chloride impregnated on the substrate was 6.9 g / l.
Met. Next, this hygroscopic structure was formed into a columnar shape having a diameter of 23 mmφ and a height of 40 mm in the same manner as in Example 1 above, and assembled into a cylindrical body to obtain a rotor.

<Moisture Absorption Test 3> Each rotor obtained in Example 2, Example 3, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 was subjected to a flow rate of 1 liter / min, RH of 60 to 70%, and a temperature of 25 ° C. Each rotor was placed in an air flow, and the change over time in the water absorption of each rotor was measured. The results are shown in FIGS. The amount of water absorption in the rotor of Comparative Example 1 is a value obtained by standardizing the amount of zeolite attached to the rotor of Comparative Example 1 to the total amount of calcium chloride and zeolite attached to the rotor of Example 2. It is. Similarly, the amount of water absorption in the rotor of Comparative Example 2 is obtained by standardizing the amount of silica gel attached to the rotor of Comparative Example 2 to the total amount of calcium chloride and silica gel attached to the rotor of Example 3. Value. When the results for the rotors of Example 2 and Example 3 and the rotors of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 are compared (FIG. 8)
And FIG. 9), the rotors obtained in Examples 2 and 3 have higher water absorption, and the rotor water absorption of the rotor of the present invention is the same as that of the conventional rotor regardless of the adsorption medium of either silica gel or zeolite. It was confirmed that it increased compared to the rotor. This demonstrates the superiority of the rotor according to the invention over the prior art.

<Adsorption Test of Odor Components> Each of the rotors (not used in other tests) obtained in Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 was dried with dry nitrogen heated at 120 ° C. for 40 minutes. Moisture and odor remaining in each rotor were removed. Each rotor thus treated was placed in an air stream containing acetaldehyde as an odor component under the following conditions, and the concentration of acetaldehyde at the inlet and outlet of the rotor was measured using a gas chromatograph (manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd .; G- 300
0). (Condition 7): flow rate 5 liter / min, temperature 7 ° C., RH
30-40%, space velocity 18000 hr ^-1 , initial concentration of acetaldehyde about 18 ppm. Here, the space velocity was determined by the relationship shown in the following equation (2). SV = H / S / T Expression (2) [where SV is the space velocity (hr ^-1 ), H is the flow velocity of the air flow (m ³ / hr), and S is the effective area of the rotor (m ² ) , T is the effective thickness (m) of the rotor. Further, based on the measured values of the concentration of acetaldehyde at the suction port and the discharge port of the rotor, the adsorption rate of acetaldehyde to the rotor was determined by the relationship shown in the following equation (3). η = (C0−C1) / C0 × 100 Formula (3) [where η is the adsorption rate of acetaldehyde to the rotor (%), C0 is the concentration of acetaldehyde at the rotor suction port (ppm), and C1 is the rotor It is the concentration (ppm) of acetaldehyde at the discharge port. ]

FIG. 10 shows the change over time in the acetaldehyde adsorption rate obtained for each rotor. Comparing the rotor of Example 2 with the rotor of Comparative Example 1 (see FIG. 10), the acetaldehyde adsorption rate of the rotor of Example 2 is lower than that of Comparative Example 1 (up to 20 minutes). , Slightly decreases after about 30 minutes, and the difference between the two gradually increases. The time required for the rotor of Example 2 to reach the saturated adsorption amount (time when the adsorption rate becomes 0%) was about 65 minutes, whereas the rotor of Comparative Example 1 had an adsorption rate of 70 minutes. Was about 40%. That is, it was confirmed that the amount of acetaldehyde adsorbed on the rotor of Example 2 was considerably smaller than that of Comparative Example 1. From this, it is understood that the adsorption amount of the odor component in the rotor of the present invention is remarkably reduced as compared with the related art.

[0043]

As described above, according to the rotor for an air conditioner and the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sufficient humidity control effect and to prevent the generation of offensive odors due to the humidity control. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an air conditioner including an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an indoor unit of the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of a moisture absorption test 1.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of a moisture absorption test 1.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the results of a moisture absorption test 1.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of a moisture absorption test 2.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of a moisture absorption test 3.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the results of a moisture absorption test 3.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of an odor component adsorption test.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotor (rotor for air conditioners), 2 ... Heat source, 5 ... Blower (2nd air supply means), 6 ... Blower (1st air supply means), 10 ... Air conditioner, 12 ... Hygroscopic property Structure, 20
a: indoor air (second air), 30a: outdoor air (first air)
Air).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Isozaki 1-Fukumichi, Iwazuka-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Nagoya Research Laboratories 3L053 BC03 BC09

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A rotor for an air conditioner used for a non-water supply type air conditioner, comprising a hygroscopic structure for absorbing moisture in the air, wherein the hygroscopic structure is deliquescent. A rotor for an air conditioner, comprising a fibrous base material carrying a solid having the following. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the solid used for the air conditioner rotor is a chloride of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, lithium and magnesium. Machine rotor. 3. The air conditioner rotor according to claim 1, wherein the hygroscopic structure constituting the air conditioner rotor further comprises an adsorption medium having pores or voids. . 4. The air conditioner rotor according to claim 3, wherein the adsorption medium used for the air conditioner rotor is silica gel and / or zeolite. 5. The first air is supplied to the rotor for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and at least a part of the hygroscopic structure constituting the rotor for the air conditioner. A first air supply unit for supplying; a second air supply unit for supplying heated second air to a portion of the hygroscopic structure that has absorbed moisture contained in the first air; An air conditioner comprising: a heat source for heating the second air.