JP2003166742A - Electric appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric appliance preventing water stored in a drain tank in a housing from affecting the indication of the humidity. <P>SOLUTION: A heat exchanger 15 for taking heat from air in contact, a blower 17 for bringing air taken from the outside of the housing 10 into contact with the heat exchanger 15 and blowing out the air to the outside of the housing 10, the drain tank 22 for storing condensed water generated by the contact of air with the heat exchanger 15, a weight sensor 24 for measuring the weight of the drain tank 22, and a humidity sensor 32 are disposed in the housing 10 of the electric appliance (humidifier 1). An operation/indication part 60 for indicating the humidity value measured by the humidity sensor 32 is disposed on the outside of the housing. The operation/indication part 60 indicates the measured humidity value multiplied by a correction coefficient to weight corresponding to the weight value measured by the weight sensor 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric device of a type in which condensed water is generated in a main body by operating the device and the condensed water is stored in a drain tank in the main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some electric devices generate condensed water in a main body when they are operated. Air conditioning equipment is a good example. When the air conditioner is of a stationary type, for example, in the case of an indoor unit of an air conditioner mounted on a wall, condensed water is normally drained by a drain hose. On the other hand, in the case of a portable air conditioner, for example, a dehumidifier, it is difficult to use the method of draining outside with a drain hose, so it is necessary to store condensed water in a drain tank that can be put in and taken out of the main body. Is common.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a conventional dehumidifier. The dehumidifier 200 has a suction port 202 on the front surface of the housing 201 and an air outlet 203 on the upper surface, and the suction port 202 and the air outlet 203
A ventilation path 204 is provided between the two. Louvers 205 and 206 are provided at the suction port 202 and the air outlet 203, respectively. A heat exchanger 207, a condenser 208, and a blower 209 are sequentially arranged in the ventilation path 204 from the upstream side. Ventilation path 204
Is a drain pan 210, and a drain tank 211 is arranged below the drain pan 210. Reference numeral 212 is a compressor for compressing the refrigerant gas, 213 is a humidity sensor arranged inside the housing 201, and 214 is a display unit arranged on the upper front surface of the housing 201 to display the measured value of the humidity sensor 213. A control device 215 controls the entire operation.

When the dehumidifier 200 is operated, the compressor 212 and the blower 209 are driven. Compressor 212
Refrigerant gas compressed by the high temperature and high pressure is condensed by the condenser 2
08, raising its temperature. The air sucked from the suction port 202 by the blower 209 cools the condenser 208, whereby the refrigerant gas in the condenser 208 condenses, becomes a high-temperature high-pressure gas-liquid mixed state, and passes through a capillary tube (not shown) and the heat exchanger 207. to go into. Here, the refrigerant liquid evaporates and expands to cool the heat exchanger 207. The cooled heat exchanger 207 removes heat from the air sucked through the suction port 202 and condenses water in the air.

The refrigerant gas, which has taken heat from the air, is compressed by the compressor 21.
Return to 2. The air whose heat has been removed by the heat exchanger 207 is heated when passing through the condenser 208 to recover the temperature, and is blown out from the air outlet 203 as dry air.

The water condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 207 becomes water droplets and drops on the drain pan 210. Then, it flows into the drain tank 211 and is stored with water. Drain tank 21
When 1 is filled with water, the dehumidifier 200 is stopped, the drain tank 211 is taken out, and the water therein is discarded.

The air flowing from the outside of the housing 201 flows around the humidity sensor 213. The humidity sensor 213 measures the humidity in the air and transmits the measurement data to the control device 215. The control device 215 causes the display unit 214 to display the humidity based on the data, and also controls the operation so that the measured value approaches the humidity set by the user.

[0008]

In a device of the type in which water is stored in the drain tank in the housing, the humidity in the housing rises due to the influence of the water in the drain tank. On the other hand, the humidity sensor is often installed in the housing due to design restrictions and the like, and as a result, the humidity displayed on the display means tends to be displayed higher than the actual indoor humidity, which is visually imperceptible. There was a problem in that the humidity was still high and a high discomfort index was felt when the eyes of the device were displayed even though the air was drying.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric device in which the water stored in the drain tank in the housing does not affect the humidity display. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric device in which the temperature inside the housing does not affect the humidity display.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a heat exchanger for removing heat from air in contact with the housing and air sucked from outside the housing are brought into contact with the heat exchanger. An air blower that blows out of the housing above, a drain tank that stores condensed water generated by the air coming into contact with the heat exchanger, a weight sensor that measures the weight of this drain tank, and a humidity sensor are arranged,
A display unit for displaying the humidity measurement value of the humidity sensor is arranged outside the housing, and the display unit displays the humidity measurement value multiplied by a weight correction coefficient corresponding to the weight measurement value of the weight sensor. I chose

Since the humidity measurement value is multiplied by the weight correction coefficient corresponding to the weight measurement value of the drain tank in this way, the humidity in the housing is higher than that in the room because water is stored in the drain tank. Even so, the display unit can display the measured humidity value which is corrected to be a value close to the indoor humidity, and the discomfort index higher than the perceived humidity will not be felt when viewing the humidity display.

Further, in the present invention, when the weight measurement value is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the first weight correction coefficient is used, and when the weight measurement value is less than the predetermined value, the second weight correction coefficient is used. I decided to use it. As a result, the accuracy of correction can be improved.

Further, in the present invention, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the housing is arranged in the housing, and the display unit measures the humidity by multiplying the temperature correction coefficient according to the temperature measurement value of the temperature sensor. The value is displayed. This can reduce the influence of the temperature inside the housing on the humidity measurement value.

In the present invention, the humidity measurement value multiplied by the correction coefficient is displayed when the blower is not driven, and the humidity measurement value which is not multiplied by the correction coefficient is displayed when the blower is driven. . Thus, when the room air does not flow into the housing and the humid air is stagnant in the housing, the correction coefficient is used, and when the room air flows into the housing, the correction coefficient is not used. Display control can be performed.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of an electric device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The electric device shown here is the dehumidifier 1. 1, 2 and 3 show the internal structure of the dehumidifier 1 and the appearance as seen from the front side and the appearance as seen from the back side.

The dehumidifier 1 has a lattice-shaped suction port 11 on the rear surface of the housing 10 and a lattice-shaped air outlet 12 on the upper surface, and an air passage 13 is provided between the suction port 11 and the air outlet 12. In the ventilation passage 13, a filter 14, a heat exchanger 15, and
A condenser 16 and a blower 17 are arranged. The blower 17 comprises a sirocco fan 18 and a motor 19 for driving the sirocco fan 18. The filter 14 is detachable as shown in FIG. 3 and can be appropriately cleaned or replaced. The filter 14 has an apatite antibacterial specification and not only traps ordinary dust contained in the air, but also blocks passage of pollen, viruses, NOx and the like.
Reference numeral 10a denotes a handle for transportation, which is rotatably attached to the upper portion of the housing 10.

A drain pan 20 is provided at the bottom of the ventilation passage 13, and a drain tank 22 is arranged at a position for receiving water dripping from a drain port 21 of the drain pan 20. The drain tank 22 is inserted into the housing 10 from the front side, and when inserted to a predetermined position, the front portion of the drain tank 22 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the housing 10. The drain tank 22 is placed on the support table 23.
A weight sensor 24 is attached to the weight sensor 24, and the weight sensor 24 measures the weight of the drain tank 22.

Reference numeral 30 is a compressor for compressing the refrigerant gas.
A partition wall 31 as shown in FIG. 4 is provided between the compressor 30 and the drain tank 22, and a humidity sensor 32 is attached to the partition wall 31.

A movable louver 40, which is rotated around a horizontal axis by a motor, is arranged at the outlet 12. The structure will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 41 denotes a main wind direction plate, which is a core component of the movable louver 40, has a large number of horizontal ventilation slits, and its cross section is curved in an arc shape. The main wind direction plate 41 has side walls 42 and 43 at both ends,
It has a boss 44 in the center. The beam 45 is fixed so as to connect the side walls 42, 43 and the boss 44. That is, the through holes 47 of the bent portions at both ends of the beam 45 are engaged with the engaging protrusions 46 formed on the inner surfaces of the side walls 42 and 43, so that the beam 45
By screwing a screw (not shown) into the boss 44 through the through hole 48 in the center, the main wind direction plate 41 and the beam 45 are fixed with a distance between them.

A plurality of sub-wind vanes 50 are arranged between the main wind vane 41 and the beam 45. Each of the auxiliary wind direction plates 50 has a bearing portion 52 engaged with a support shaft 51 formed in the main wind direction plate 41 at one end and a bearing portion 53 formed in the beam 45 at the other end.
Is provided with a support shaft 54 that engages with the bearing portion 52 and the support shaft 5.
It can rotate about 4. Each auxiliary wind direction plate 50 has a boss 55. The connecting rod 56 engages with the boss 55 to connect the plurality of sub-airflow direction plates 50 to each other. When one of the subsidiary wind direction plates 50 is manually moved, the subsidiary wind direction plate 50 connected thereto also rotates while maintaining the parallel relationship.

One end of the movable louver 40 assembled as described above is pivotally supported on the housing 10 by a mounting shaft 57. The other end is connected to the shaft 59 of the motor 58. The motor 58 has a deceleration mechanism built-in and slowly swings the shaft 59.

From the top to the front of the housing 10,
An operation / display unit 60 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is provided. At the top of the housing 10, as shown in FIG.
1, "Drying clothes" button 62, "Kurashi-deodorizing" button 6
3 and an operation display section 64 for displaying the ON / OFF state of these buttons by turning on / off the LED.

On the front surface of the housing 10, a "dehumidification switching" button 65, an "air volume switching" button 66, a "swing" button 67, an "on / off timer" button 68, and a liquid crystal display section 6 are provided.
9 and the message display unit 70 are arranged. The liquid crystal display 69 displays the humidity digitally, and the message display 70
Sends a message about the indoor environment such as "mold warning", "high humidity warning", and "tank full" or the state of the dehumidifier 1 by lighting the LED.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a control device installed inside the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 80 includes a controller 81, a calculator 82, and a display drive circuit 83. The humidity sensor 32 and the weight sensor 24 are connected to the control unit 81,
The operation / display unit 60 is connected to the display drive circuit 83. Further, the calculation unit 82 includes a first weight correction coefficient storage unit 84 and a second weight correction coefficient storage unit 85.

The dehumidifier 1 operates as follows. Dehumidifier 1
When the "Dehumidify" button 61 is pressed when the
The operation of the blower 17 and the compressor 30 is started. The compressor 30 compresses the refrigerant gas, and the refrigerant gas that has become high temperature and high pressure flows into the condenser 16 and raises its temperature. The air sucked by the blower 17 from the suction port 11 cools the condenser 16 to condense the refrigerant gas in the condenser 16 into a high-temperature high-pressure gas-liquid mixed state and pass through a capillary tube (not shown) to the heat exchanger 15 to go into. Here, the refrigerant liquid evaporates and expands to cool the heat exchanger 15. Cooled heat exchanger 15
Absorbs heat from the air sucked in through the suction port 11 and condenses water in the air.

The refrigerant gas, which has taken heat from the air, is compressed by the compressor 30.
Return to. The air whose heat is once taken by the heat exchanger 15 is heated when passing through the condenser 16 to recover the temperature,
It is blown out from the air outlet 12 as dry air.

The direction of the blown air can be swung by the movable louver 40. "Swing" button 67
When is pressed, the motor 58 starts to operate, and the movable louver 40 swings about the axis of the mounting shaft 57 and the motor 58 at a constant angle in a vertical plane. Every time the “swing” button 67 is pressed, the operation of the movable louver 40 is switched to “off” → “upward” → “backward” → “wide angle” → “off”. "Upward"
The swing angles of "backward" and "wide angle" are as shown in FIG.

The water condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 15 becomes water drops and is dropped on the drain pan 20. And drain 21
It flows into the drain tank 22 from and is stored. The weight sensor 24 constantly monitors the weight of the drain tank 22. From the weight sensor 24 to the control unit 81, the drain tank 2
When the signal indicating that 2 is full is transmitted, the control unit 81 causes the message display unit 70 via the display drive circuit 83.
Turn on the "Tank full" LED. Blower 1 at the same time
7 and the compressor 30 as well as the movable louver 40, if it is moving at that time, stop operating and return to the state before pressing the "dehumidify" button 61. The user takes out the drain tank 22, discards the water therein, sets the drain tank 22 to the original state, and then presses the "dehumidifying" button 61 to restart the dehumidifying operation.

Now, the weight sensor 24 and the humidity sensor 3
2 monitors the weight of the drain tank 22 and the humidity in the housing 10 regardless of the operating state as long as the dehumidifier 1 is connected to the power supply. Then, the humidity is digitally displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 69. Next, a procedure for displaying the humidity will be described with reference to FIG.

In step # 101, first the drain tank 2
2. Weigh 2. As a result, if the tank weight is equal to or greater than the set value, the process proceeds from step # 102 to step # 103, and if the tank weight is less than the set value, step # 102.
To step # 106. The "set value" is determined, for example, 20% of the full state.

When the tank weight is equal to or larger than the set value, the measured value of the humidity inside the housing measured in step # 103
In step # 104, the first weight correction coefficient is multiplied to correct the measured humidity value to a value substantially close to the indoor humidity. This calculation work is performed by the calculation unit 82. The weight correction coefficient is for reducing the measured value, but the first weight correction coefficient has a large reduction rate. In step # 105, the humidity after being multiplied by the first weight correction coefficient is displayed.

If the tank weight is less than the set value, the measured value of the humidity inside the housing measured in step # 106
In step # 107, the second weight correction coefficient is multiplied to correct the measured humidity value to a value substantially close to the indoor humidity. The second correction coefficient for weight has a smaller reduction ratio of the measured value than the first correction coefficient for weight. In step # 108, the humidity after being multiplied by the second weight correction coefficient is displayed.

The large weight of the drain tank 22 means that a large amount of water has dripped and the humidity inside the housing 10 is naturally high. Therefore, the first weight correction coefficient having a large measurement value reduction rate is used. On the contrary, the small weight of the drain tank 22 means that only a small amount of water is dripping, and the humidity inside the housing 10 is low. Therefore, a second weight correction coefficient having a small measurement value reduction rate is used. The values of the first weight correction coefficient and the second weight correction coefficient are determined by experiments.

Up to this point, the dehumidifier 1 was not in operation and the blower 17 was stopped. When the dehumidifying operation is started in step # 109 and the blower 17 starts blowing air, the housing 1
The air in the room flows into 0. The room air also flows around the humidity sensor 32. The humidity measured in step # 110 is the humidity itself of the room air, even though the measurement location is inside the housing 10. Therefore, step # 11
In 1, the measured humidity is displayed as it is without being multiplied by the weight correction coefficient.

A second embodiment of the electric device of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
13 shows. The second embodiment also exemplifies the dehumidifier 1 as an electric device, and the structure thereof is almost the same as the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in order to avoid duplication of description, the components used in common with the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

What is different from the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment is that a temperature sensor 35 for measuring the temperature inside the housing 10 is arranged inside the housing 10. Further, as seen in FIG. 12, the calculation unit 82 includes a first weight correction coefficient storage unit 84 and a second weight correction coefficient storage unit 85.
In addition, a temperature correction coefficient storage unit 86 is provided.

The temperature sensor 35 is added to reduce the influence of temperature on the humidity measurement. The temperature correction coefficient has a small value when the temperature is high, and has a small value when the temperature is low.

The weight sensor 24, the humidity sensor 32, and the temperature sensor 35 are the weight of the drain tank 22, the humidity in the housing 10, and the temperature in the housing 10 regardless of the operating state as long as the dehumidifier 1 is connected to the power supply. To monitor. Then, the humidity is digitally displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 69. The procedure for displaying the humidity will be described with reference to FIG.

At step # 151, the weight of the drain tank 22 is measured. As a result, if the tank weight is equal to or greater than the set value, the process proceeds from step # 152 to step # 153,
If the tank weight is less than the set value, the process proceeds from step # 152 to step # 158.

When the tank weight is equal to or more than the set value, the measured value of the humidity inside the housing measured in step # 153
In step # 154, the first weight correction coefficient is multiplied,
The value of (A) is calculated.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step # 155 to measure the temperature inside the housing. In step # 156, the value A is multiplied by the temperature correction coefficient based on the measured temperature. As a result,
The measured humidity value is corrected to a value close to the indoor humidity. In step # 157, the corrected humidity is displayed.

If the tank weight is less than the set value, the measured value of the humidity inside the housing measured in step # 158
In step # 159, multiply by the second weight correction coefficient,
The value of (B) is calculated.

Then, the process proceeds to step # 160 to measure the temperature inside the housing. In step # 161, the value B is multiplied by the temperature correction coefficient based on the measured temperature. As a result,
The measured humidity value is corrected to a value close to the indoor humidity. In step # 162, the corrected humidity is displayed.

Up to this point, the dehumidifier 1 was not in the operating state and the blower 17 was stopped. However, the dehumidifying operation is started in step # 163, and the blower 17 starts blowing air. Then, the air in the room flows into the housing 10. The indoor air also flows around the humidity sensor 32 and the humidity sensor 35. The humidity measured in step # 164 is the humidity itself of the room air at room temperature even though the measurement location is inside the housing 10. Therefore, in step # 165, the measured humidity is displayed as it is without being multiplied by the weight correction coefficient and the temperature correction coefficient.

If the temperature sensor is arranged not only inside the housing 10 but also outside the housing 10 and the correction coefficient is determined by comparing the internal temperature of the housing 10 with the room temperature, the accuracy of the humidity display is further improved. improves.

Although the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the dehumidifier has been described above, it goes without saying that it can be mounted on other air conditioners such as a humidifier and an air conditioner that may generate condensed water in some way. Is. In addition, various modifications can be made and implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0047]

According to the present invention, in the housing, a heat exchanger that removes heat from the contacting air, a blower that blows out the air sucked from outside the housing to the heat exchanger and then blows it out of the housing, A drain tank that stores condensed water generated when air contacts the exchanger, a weight sensor that measures the weight of the drain tank, and a humidity sensor are arranged, and the humidity measurement value of the humidity sensor is outside the housing. With the display unit arranged to display, the display unit displays the humidity measurement value multiplied by the weight correction coefficient according to the weight measurement value of the weight sensor. Even if the indoor humidity is higher than the indoor humidity, the humidity can be displayed on the display unit by correcting the amount and making it a value close to the indoor humidity. It is no longer that feels the experience humidity or more of the discomfort index look.

In the present invention, the first weight correction coefficient is used when the weight measurement value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, and the second weight correction coefficient is used when the weight measurement value is less than the predetermined value. Since it is decided to use it, the accuracy of correction can be improved.

In the present invention, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the housing is arranged in the housing, and the display unit measures the humidity by multiplying the temperature correction coefficient according to the temperature measurement value of the temperature sensor. Since the value is displayed, the influence of the temperature inside the housing on the humidity measurement value can be reduced.

In the present invention, the humidity measurement value multiplied by the correction coefficient is displayed when the blower is not driven, and the humidity measurement value which is not multiplied by the correction coefficient is displayed when the blower is driven. Therefore, it is a rational indication that the correction coefficient is used when room air does not flow into the housing and high-humidity air is stagnating in the housing, and the correction coefficient is not used when room air flows into the housing. You can take control.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a dehumidifier showing a first embodiment of an electric device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the dehumidifier seen from the front side.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the dehumidifier seen from the back side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components inside the dehumidifier.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view of the movable louver of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of components of the movable louver of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 7 is a partial view of the operation / display section of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 8 is another partial view of the operation / display unit.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a dehumidifier showing a second embodiment of the electric device of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional dehumidifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 dehumidifier 10 housing 15 heat exchanger 17 blower 22 Drain tank 24 weight sensor 32 Humidity sensor 35 Temperature sensor 60 Operation / display 80 controller 81 Control unit 82 Operation unit 84 First Weight Correction Factor Storage Unit 85 Second Weight Correction Factor Storage Unit 86 Temperature compensation coefficient storage unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 3L060 AA07 CC02 CC07 CC19 DD06                       EE01                 3L061 BC02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A heat exchanger that draws heat from the air that comes into contact with the housing, a blower that blows the air sucked from the outside of the housing to the heat exchanger and then blows the air out of the housing, and the air to the heat exchanger. A drain tank that stores the condensed water generated by the contact of the, a weight sensor that measures the weight of the drain tank, and a humidity sensor are arranged, and a display that displays the humidity measurement value of the humidity sensor outside the housing The electric device is characterized in that the display unit displays a humidity measurement value obtained by multiplying a weight correction value according to a weight measurement value of the weight sensor by multiplying a unit by a unit. 2. A first anti-weight correction coefficient is used when the weight measurement value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and a second anti-weight correction coefficient is used when the weight measurement value is less than the predetermined value. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the housing is arranged in the housing, and the display unit displays a humidity measurement value multiplied by a temperature correction coefficient according to the temperature measurement value of the temperature sensor. The electrical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The humidity measurement value multiplied by the correction coefficient is displayed when the blower is not driven, and the humidity measurement value which is not multiplied by the correction coefficient is displayed when the blower is driven. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.