JP2002066251A - Dehumidifying and humidifying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner which can be used selectively for dehumidifying operation and humidifying operation in a state keeping the pressure of a room to be air-conditioned and can be used selectively for ventilation and concurrently for dehumidifying operation and humidifying operation in a state keeping the pressure of a room positive. SOLUTION: Two air flow switches are installed in a dehumidifying and humidifying apparatus using a desiccant rotor and a heater to selectively change the flow directions of outside air, room air, supply air, and exhaust air which pass through ducts. An outside air suction duct is made to branch on the upstream side from the connection part of the first air flow switch, and the branched duct is connected to a part located upstream from a connection part between a room air suction duct and the first air flow switch. In such a constitution, outside air is added to sucked room air in a desired ratio, thereby increasing the amount of treated air that is returned to a room to ventilate the room.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dehumidifying and humidifying air in an air conditioning system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, air conditioning is performed to adjust the temperature, humidity and cleanliness of indoor air to maintain the comfort of a living space. When heating or cooling the indoor air using a conventional air conditioner, the relative humidity of the air changes, and the humidity becomes insufficient or excessive to the extent that discomfort is required or hygiene is required. It is necessary to perform a humidifying operation by evaporating water or a dehumidifying operation by removing water.

[0003] As a dehumidifying method, an adsorption dehumidifying apparatus for adsorbing and removing water vapor by bringing moist air into contact with silica gel, activated alumina or the like is generally known. In recent years, a desiccant air-conditioning system to which this is applied is known ( JP-A-11-94
316).

This is a rotor (hereinafter abbreviated as a desiccant rotor) in which a desiccant is attached to a substrate (see FIG. 3) of a ventilation hole having a honeycomb structure (refer to FIG. 3). Before and after), two ventilation passages (ducts) are arranged so that the outside air and the indoor air can pass through, respectively, and the dehumidified air obtained by adsorbing the moisture of the outside air with the adsorbent is introduced into the room at the same time. This is a method in which humidified air obtained by desorbing moisture from an adsorbent using indoor air heated by a heater is blown out of the room. When the desiccant rotor is gently rotated to about several rpm, the portion of the desiccant regenerated by the desorption of water is sequentially rotated and moved to the outside air intake duct side, and is continuously reused for water adsorption.

However, in the above case, the outside air can be dehumidified but cannot be humidified. As an improvement technique of this,
An apparatus capable of performing both a dehumidifying operation and a humidifying operation using a desiccant rotor has been developed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-94316).
In the dehumidifying operation, as shown in FIG. 9, the air taken in from the room is divided into two, and one of the air is dehumidified by a desiccant rotor. Supply air. The other is heated by a heater, the desiccant rotor is heated by the heated air to remove moisture, and then the humidified air is exhausted to the outside through the switch set at the above position.

In the humidifying operation, as shown in FIG. 10, the air taken in from the room is divided into two parts, one of which is dehumidified by the desiccant rotor in the same manner as described above, and then passed through the switch set to the humidifying operation position and set. Supply dehumidified air to the outside. The other is heated by a heater in the same manner as described above to remove moisture from the desiccant rotor to form humidified air, and then supply the humidified air into the room through the switch set at the above position.

[0007] Although this improved device can be used to switch one device between dehumidification and humidification, it treats indoor air and discharges a part of it to the outside, so that the room has a negative pressure during any operation. That is inevitable. As a result, the outside air intrudes into the negative pressure room through a gap in the room, so that the humidity control effect is considerably reduced. Particularly in winter, in a case of a room with low airtightness, a so-called draft sensation due to a so-called draft is felt, resulting in deterioration of comfort.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air conditioner which can switch between dehumidifying operation and humidifying operation while maintaining indoor pressure, and also performs ventilation and dehumidifying operation while maintaining indoor pressure at a positive pressure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that can be switched to a humidifying operation.

[0009]

According to the present invention, two air flow changers are incorporated in a dehumidifying and humidifying device using a desiccant rotor and a heater, so that outside air passing through a duct, indoor air,
The above object is achieved by selectively switching the flow direction of air supply and exhaust.

That is, a first aspect of the present invention is an adsorbent having a hygroscopic property and a gas permeability, a blowing means for generating first and second air flows passing through the adsorbent, and air blown to the adsorbent. Second
A dehumidifying and humidifying device, comprising: means for heating an air flow of the air; and a duct for guiding the first and second air flows.
(A) first air flow switching selecting means for selecting and guiding either the outside air or indoor air to either the adsorbent or the heating means, and (A) dehumidifying the air passing through the adsorbent. A second air flow that has been heated by the heating means and then passed through the adsorbent and then humidified by the second air flow. An invention of a dehumidifying and humidifying device, comprising an air flow switching selecting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adsorbent having hygroscopicity and air permeability, a blowing means for generating first and second air flows passing through the adsorbent, and a second air blown to the adsorbent. 2. A dehumidifying and humidifying device comprising: means for heating an air flow of No. 2; and a duct for guiding said first and second air flows, wherein
First air flow switching selection means for selecting and guiding either one of the outside air and the indoor air to one of the adsorbent and the heating means; and (a) a first dehumidified air passing through the adsorbent.
Second air flow switching, which selects and guides one of the air flow of the second air flow and the second air flow heated by the heating means and then passed through the adsorbent and then humidified, and the other is outdoor. Selecting means, and (c) branching the outside air suction duct upstream of a connection portion with the first air flow switching selection means, and selecting the first air flow switching selection means of the indoor air suction duct; And a branching duct connected at a portion upstream of the connecting portion.

A third aspect of the present invention is an invention of a humidity control type air conditioner wherein an indoor air intake port of the air conditioner is connected to an air supply port of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the first aspect of the present invention. . By setting the switch to supply the humidified air into the room and performing the heating operation, the heating and humidification operation can be performed without the humidification water supply which is conventionally required. Further, by setting the switch to supply the dehumidified air into the room and performing the cooling operation, the cooling and dehumidifying operation can be performed without discharging the water generated by the conventionally required dehumidification.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an invention of a humidity control type air conditioner wherein the indoor air intake port of the air conditioner is connected to the air supply port of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the second aspect of the present invention. . As a result, ventilation, heating and humidification operation can be performed without water supply for humidification, which is conventionally required, or ventilation, cooling and dehumidification operation can be performed without having to drain water generated by dehumidification.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the main part of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A first airflow duct 51 and an indoor air suction duct 52 are provided on one side of the first switch 5 as the first airflow switching selection means, and the first airflow is adsorbed on the rotor 3 on the other side. Duct 1 leading to the material
A duct 21 for guiding the first and second air flows to the heater 4 serving as a heating means is connected.

The rotor 3 is automatically and slowly rotated at a constant speed in a fixed direction by the gears 31 and 32 and the drive motor 33. The power transmission does not need to be performed by gears, and a commonly used transmission device such as a pulley and a chain can be used.
The duct 11 and the heater 4 are connected to one rotating surface of the rotor 3, and the other rotating surface is a fan 1 which is a blowing means for generating a first air flow, and a second air flow is generated. The fan 2 which is a blowing means for supplying air is connected. As a structure of the adsorbent constituting the rotor 3, a honeycomb structure is used. However, the structure is not limited to this, and any structure that can ensure air permeability may be used. For example, a structure in which a base material extends radially from a rotating shaft may be used. Is done.

In the present invention, the heater 4 can be a normal electric heater or a ceramic heating element.
In particular, when the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the present invention is used in connection with a gas cooler / heater, a heat medium heated by combustion gas or combustion exhaust gas of a gas combustor can be used. As a result, the exhaust heat is used when the fuel gas is used in the commercial water heater or the district heating and cooling, and the economic efficiency can be improved by saving the energy consumption.

The outlets of the fans 1 and 2 are respectively connected to one side of a second switch 6 serving as a second air flow switching selecting means. And an air supply duct 62 for returning the airflow to the room as air supply. Normally, the amount of air blown by each of the fans can be adjusted by a blower output control means (not shown).

The first switching device 5 and the second switching device
The switch 6 has the same structure as illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic internal structure of the switching device. The switching device has four ventilation holes, and can switch the ventilation holes by rotation. That is, two systems of ventilation holes PP ′ and QQ ′ for dehumidification operation provided symmetrically about the rotation axis,
Similarly, two systems of ventilation holes RR ′ and SS ′ for humidification operation are provided symmetrically about the rotation axis.

In the case of FIG. 4, the ventilation holes PP ′ and QQ ′ are provided in parallel with each other, and the ventilation holes R
-R 'and the ventilation hole SS' cross each other three-dimensionally, and the upstream entrance of the ventilation hole RR 'is located at a position corresponding to the downstream exit of the ventilation hole SS'. The upstream inlet of -S 'is provided at a position corresponding to the downstream outlet of the ventilation hole RR'. Each of the above-mentioned switches is rotated dynamically in a fixed direction by a power source such as a stepping motor 53, 63, etc., and is arranged to be connected to a ventilation hole of each of the switches and a circumference around the rotation axis of the switch. Connected to each other in a consistent manner.

In the case of a normal wall-mounted air conditioner, the rotary power sources 53 and 63 of each switch are operated by receiving a pulse signal corresponding to a desired operation mode from the remote control operation unit 7. However, when remote control is not necessarily required in a floor-mounted air conditioner or the like, the switching operation is performed by means conventionally used in a central operation room of a building or a factory, such as a push button, a manual dial or a manual lever. May be.

Next, the operation of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a process flow chart for explaining the flow of air to be processed when the apparatus according to the present invention is operated for dehumidification. Outside air intake duct 51
The outside air sucked from the air is supplied to the duct 21 by the first switch 5.
And is heated while passing through the heater 4 as a second air flow. As a result, the second airflow heated to the rotor 3
By heating the adsorbent while passing through, the adsorbed moisture is desorbed. The second air flow humidified by the desorbed moisture is sucked into the fan 2, is pressurized by the fan 2, passes through the second switch, is guided to the exhaust duct 61 by the second switch 6, and is humidified. The exhausted air is exhausted outside the room.

On the other hand, the indoor air intake duct 52
Is sucked into the duct 11 by the first switch 5 and dehumidified by passing moisture through the rotor 3 as the first airflow. The dehumidified air is pressurized by the fan 1 and dehumidified. After passing through the two changers, the air is guided to the air supply duct 62, and the dehumidified air is supplied into the room.

In this case, the provision of the first and second switching devices allows the taken-in room air (mass flow rate C) to flow into the first switching device, the rotor adsorbent, the fan 1, and the second The air is sequentially supplied to the room from the air supply duct 62 through the switch. In the supply air, although the water content is reduced, the mass flow rate of the air is C, so that the pressure in the room is kept substantially unchanged and does not become a negative pressure.

FIG. 6 is a process flow chart for explaining the air flow when the apparatus according to the present invention is operated in a humidifying mode. First
The switch is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 5 and the connection between the ventilation hole of the switch and the duct is changed, so that the outside air sucked from the outside air suction duct 51 is supplied to the duct 11.
Led to. The outside air is dehumidified while passing through the rotor 3 as the first airflow, and the dehumidified air is boosted in pressure by the fan 1 and reaches the second switch. The second switch is also rotated from the position shown in FIG. 4 and the connection between the ventilation hole of the switch and the duct is changed, so that the first airflow passing through the second switch is exhausted by the exhaust duct. Guided to 61, the dehumidified air is exhausted outside the room.

On the other hand, the indoor air intake duct 52
The room air inhaled from the first switch 5
To the duct 21 and heated by the heater 4,
Moisture is released while passing through the rotor 3 as the second airflow. The second air flow humidified by the separated moisture is:
The pressure is increased by the fan 2 and reaches the second switch. The second switch after the change guides the air to the air supply duct 62, and the humidified air is supplied into the room.

Also in this case, the provision of the first and second switching devices allows the taken-in room air (mass flow rate C) to be supplied to the first switching device, the heater, the adsorbent of the rotor, the fan 2, Then, the air is supplied to the room through the second switch. In the air supply, although the moisture is increasing, the mass flow rate of air is C
Therefore, the pressure in the room is generally maintained at the original level.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a main part of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The outside air suction duct 51 is branched upstream from a connection portion between the first switch and the duct, and the branch duct 54 is connected to a portion of the indoor air suction duct 52 upstream of the connection portion with the first switch. is there. The branch duct 54 is provided with an electromagnetic switch 81 that opens and closes the damper stepwise according to a command signal from the air volume adjustment damper 8 and the remote control operation unit 7. The configuration of the other parts is the same as that of the first invention.

The air flow and the ventilation function when performing the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation using the device according to the second invention will be described with reference to FIG. Assuming that the mass flow rate of the air taken in from the outside air intake duct 51 is A + B and the mass flow rate of the air passing through the branch duct 54 is B,
The mass flow rate of the air passing through the switch 5 is A. Here, when the rotational positions of the first switch 5 and the second switch are set to be the same as those in FIG. 4, the humidified air having the mass flow rate A is exhausted as described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, after the air having the mass flow rate B from the branch duct 54 joins with the air having the mass flow rate C introduced from the indoor air suction duct 52, the air having the mass flow rate B + C is dehumidified as described with reference to FIG. And
The air is supplied from the air supply duct 62 into the room. That is, in addition to the mass flow rate C which is taken in from the room for the dehumidification processing and returns to the room again after the processing, fresh outside air having the mass flow rate B is newly added as controlled air supply instead of the form of draft. Therefore, ventilation is performed in a state where the indoor pressure is a positive pressure.

Next, the air flow and the ventilation action when humidifying operation and ventilation are performed using the apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
It is explained along. As described above, the outside air intake duct 5
Assuming that the mass flow rate of the air taken in from 1 is A + B and the mass flow rate of the air passing through the branch duct 54 is B, the mass flow rate of the air passing through the first switch 5 is A. Here, when the rotational positions of the first switch 5 and the second switch are set to be the same as those in FIG. 5, dehumidified air having the mass flow rate A is exhausted as described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, after the air having the mass flow rate B from the branch duct 54 joins the air having the mass flow rate C introduced from the indoor air suction duct 52, the air having the mass flow rate B + C is humidified in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. Then, the air is supplied from the air supply duct 62 into the room.
That is, in addition to the mass flow rate C that is taken in from the room for the humidification process and returns to the room again after the process, fresh outside air having the mass flow rate B is newly added as a controlled air supply instead of a form of draft, Ventilation is performed while the room is under positive pressure.

The above description assumes that the dehumidifying and humidifying apparatus according to the present invention is used as an air conditioner for home use or business use such as an office. However, the apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned consumer use, and the humidity control and air conditioning apparatus according to the first invention is used for industrial purposes such as a clean room and the ventilation and humidity control according to the second invention. The air conditioner can also be applied to industrial use such as a food manufacturing factory.

[0031]

By using the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the present invention, the indoor air can be dehumidified or humidified without negative pressure inside the room, and the inconvenience caused by the inflow of draft and the reduction of the air conditioning effect can be reduced. Can be avoided.

The indoor air intake of a normal type air conditioner is connected to the air supply duct of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the present invention, and the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation of FIG. In the high-temperature, high-humidity summer, dehumidification / cooling operation or ventilation / dehumidification / cooling operation can be performed without installing a drain pipe for removed water.

In the apparatus connected in the same manner as described above, when the heating operation and the humidification operation of FIG. 6 or FIG.
In a cold and excessively dry winter season, the humidification and heating operation or the ventilation and humidification and heating operation can be performed without supplying water as in a conventional steam humidifier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a main configuration of a dehumidifying and humidifying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a main configuration of a dehumidifying and humidifying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the principle of a desiccant rotor.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an internal structure of an air flow switching selection unit;

FIG. 5 is a process flow chart illustrating an air flow when the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs a dehumidifying operation.

FIG. 6 is a process flow chart for explaining an air flow when the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention performs a humidifying operation.

FIG. 7 is a process flow chart for explaining an air flow and a ventilation action when performing dehumidifying operation and ventilation by the device according to the second invention.

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram illustrating an air flow and a ventilation action when performing humidification operation and ventilation by the device according to the second invention.

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram illustrating a dehumidifying operation according to the related art.

FIG. 10 is a process flow chart for explaining a humidification operation according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fan 1 11 Duct of 1st air flow 2 Fan 2 21 Duct of 2nd air flow 3 Desiccant rotor 31, 32 Gear 33 Drive motor 4 Heater 5 1st switch 51 Duct for outside air intake 52 Duct for indoor air intake 53 Stepping Motor 54 Branch duct 6 Second switch 61 Exhaust duct (outdoor) 62 Air supply duct (indoor) 63 Stepping motor 7 Remote control operation unit 8 Air volume adjustment damper 81 Electromagnetic switch PP ', QQ', R -R ', SS' Ventilation hole of switch

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An adsorbent having hygroscopicity and air permeability, air blowing means for generating first and second air flows passing through the adsorbent, and a second air flow blown to the adsorbent. A dehumidifying and humidifying device comprising: a heating unit; and a duct for guiding the first and second air flows, wherein (a) one of an outside air and a room air is supplied to either the adsorbent or the heating unit. First air flow switching selection means for selecting and guiding one of the air flow and
(A) Either the first air flow dehumidified by passing through the adsorbent or the second air flow heated by the heating means and then humidified by passing through the adsorbent is put into the room. And a second air flow switching means for selecting and guiding the other to the outside of the room. 2. A humidity control type air conditioner, wherein the air supply port of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to claim 1 is connected to an indoor air intake port of the air conditioner. 3. An adsorbent having hygroscopicity and air permeability, air blowing means for generating first and second air flows passing through the adsorbent, and a second air flow blown to the adsorbent. A dehumidifying and humidifying device comprising: a heating unit; and a duct for guiding the first and second air flows, wherein (a) one of an outside air and a room air is supplied to either the adsorbent or the heating unit. First air flow switching selection means for selecting and guiding one of the air flow and
(A) Either the first air flow dehumidified by passing through the adsorbent or the second air flow heated by the heating means and then humidified by passing through the adsorbent is put into the room. And second air flow switching means for selecting and guiding the other air to the outside of the room, and (c) branching the outside air suction duct upstream from a connection portion with the first air flow switching means, thereby providing indoor air suction. A dehumidifying and humidifying device, wherein the branch duct is connected at a position upstream of a connecting portion of the duct for use with the first air flow switching means. 4. A humidity control type air conditioner, wherein the air supply port of the dehumidifying and humidifying device according to claim 3 is connected to an indoor air intake port of the air conditioner. 5. The air flow switching selecting means automatically performs a switching operation by remote control.
The dehumidifying and humidifying device according to the above. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the heating means uses a heat medium heated by a gas combustor.
The dehumidifying and humidifying device according to 3, 4 or 5.