JP2008290067A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized air conditioner having at least a dehumidifying function and a humidifying function. <P>SOLUTION: An air cleaning section 5, a dehumidifying unit 3, a humidifying unit 4, and a blower 2 are sequentially arranged and disposed in the air conditioner 1. If the blower 2 is operated, an air channel A where the air is allowed to flow from the section 5 to the blower 2 is formed. A wind configuration is simple and small-sized because a dehumidifying operation and a humidifying operation can be shifted with the condition that a direction of the air channel is not shifted. Because an air purifying area, a dehumidifying area, and a humidifying area are sequentially arranged from the upstream to the air channel A, the purified air is dehumidified or humidified, the attachment of dust and odor to the unit 3 and the unit 4 is suppressed. In addition, because the dehumidified air dries moisture left in the unit 4 when the humidifying operation is shifted to the dehumidifying operation, the generation of mold and offensive smell is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner having both functions of dehumidification and humidification.

  In recent years, air conditioners having a dehumidifying function and a humidifying function in one unit have been widely used. Typical examples include those using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle (for example, see Patent Document 1) and those using an adsorbing element (for example, see Patent Document 2).

In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, moisture in the air is condensed by the evaporator during the dehumidifying operation to dehumidify, and during the humidifying operation, the water in the water storage tank is heated and humidified. Moreover, the air conditioner described in Patent Document 2 has a rotating disk-shaped adsorption element, and dehumidifies the adsorption element by adsorbing moisture in the air during the dehumidifying operation, and during the humidifying operation. The adsorbing element is humidified by releasing warm water.
JP-A-6-307777 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-241838

  However, since the air conditioners described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 must be provided with an air flow path for dehumidification and an air flow path for humidification, respectively, the structure of the air conditioner is complicated and large. Become.

  The subject of this invention is providing the small air conditioner which has a dehumidification function and a humidification function at least.

  The air conditioner according to the first invention includes a blower, a dehumidifying unit, and a humidifying unit. The dehumidifying unit performs a dehumidifying operation for capturing moisture from the air and storing it in a predetermined container. The humidifying unit performs a humidifying operation for vaporizing water supplied from the water storage container. The dehumidifying operation and the humidifying operation are switched without switching the direction of the air flow path formed by the blower.

  In this air conditioner, since it is not necessary to switch the air flow path, the air path configuration is simplified and the size is reduced.

  An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the dehumidifying region where the air flowing through the air channel is dehumidified during the dehumidifying operation is humidified, and the air flowing through the air channel is humidified during the humidifying operation. It is located upstream from the humidified area.

  In this air conditioner, when the humidification operation is switched to the dehumidification operation, the dehumidified air dries moisture remaining in the humidification unit, so that generation of mold and off-flavors is prevented.

  An air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising an air cleaning unit. The air cleaning unit performs an air cleaning operation for filtering the air flowing through the air flow path. And the air purification area | region where the air which flows through an air flow path at the time of an air cleaning operation is cleaned is located upstream from a dehumidification area | region.

  In this air conditioner, since the purified air is dehumidified or humidified, adhesion of dust and odor to the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a controller that controls the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit. The dehumidifying unit includes a water capturing unit that captures moisture from the air, a heating unit that heats the captured moisture, and a heat exchange unit that cools and condenses the moisture evaporated by the heating unit. The control unit has a heating / humidifying operation mode in which the heating unit and the humidifying unit of the dehumidifying unit are simultaneously operated.

  In this air conditioner, since the humidifying unit is downstream of the dehumidifying unit, the room can be humidified while heating is performed using the heating means of the dehumidifying unit as a heat source.

  An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the predetermined container that stores the moisture captured by the dehumidifying unit from the air is a water storage container of the humidifying unit.

  In this air conditioner, by using the water generated by dehumidification for humidification, water supply to the water storage container is automatically performed, so that the sustainable time of the humidification operation is extended.

  An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein each of the external shapes of the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit has a flat region in which the dimension in the thickness direction is set to substantially the same value. Is formed. And the flat area | region of a dehumidification unit and the flat area | region of a humidification unit are arranged side by side so that it may overlap in the thickness direction.

  In this air conditioner, an increase in dimension in the thickness direction is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the dehumidifying unit has a disc-shaped adsorbing element that adsorbs moisture from the air flowing through the air flow path while rotating, The humidifying unit has a disk-shaped vaporizing element that vaporizes water while rotating to give moisture to the air flowing through the air flow path. The adsorption element is housed in the flat area of the dehumidifying unit, and the vaporizing element is housed in the flat area of the humidifying unit.

  In this air conditioner, since both the adsorbing element and the vaporizing element are disk-shaped, each flat region becomes thin, and an increase in dimension in the thickness direction of the air conditioner is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the adsorbing element, the vaporizing element and the blower are arranged in parallel with the respective rotation axes, and the adsorbing element from the upstream side of the air flow path, The vaporizing element and the blower are arranged in this order.

  In this air conditioner, since the three rotating bodies of the adsorbing element, the vaporizing element, and the blower have the axes in parallel, they can be arranged in layers, and an increase in the dimension of the air conditioner in the thickness direction is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a water turbine in which the humidifying unit pumps water from the water storage container while rotating and supplies water to the vaporizing element. The water turbine is disposed between the adsorption element and the vaporization element with the rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of each of the adsorption element and the vaporization element.

  In this air conditioner, since the three rotating bodies of the adsorbing element, the water wheel, and the vaporizing element have the axes in parallel, they can be arranged in layers, and an increase in the dimension of the air conditioner in the thickness direction is suppressed. .

  An air conditioner according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the dehumidifying unit heats the captured moisture, and a heat exchange unit that cools and condenses the moisture evaporated by the heater. In addition. The heat exchange unit is housed in a flat region of the dehumidifying unit and is disposed so as to surround the outer peripheral space of the adsorption element.

  In this air conditioner, since the heat exchanging portion does not protrude in the air flow direction, the air conditioner is thinned, and an increase in dimension in the thickness direction of the air conditioner is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the dehumidifying region where the air flowing through the air flow path is dehumidified during the dehumidifying operation is humidified by the air flowing through the air flow path during the humidifying operation. It is located downstream from the humidified area.

  In this air conditioner, even when the air passing through the humidifying unit absorbs moisture remaining in the humidifying unit when the humidifying operation is switched to the dehumidifying operation, the air passes through the dehumidifying unit without fail. Dehumidified air can be released.

  An air conditioner according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the air flowing through the air flow path during humidification operation is humidified, and the air flowing through the air flow path during dehumidification operation is dehumidified. The dehumidification area to be performed is positioned in parallel.

  In this air conditioner, dehumidifying operation and humidifying operation can be performed at the same time. For example, while controlling indoor humidity with humidified air, dehumidified air is blown out to the indoor glass window side to prevent dew condensation on the glass. can do.

  An air conditioner pertaining to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner pertaining to the eleventh aspect of the present invention or the twelfth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an air purifying unit that performs an air purifying operation for filtering the air flowing through the air flow path. An air purification region in which air flowing through the air flow path is cleaned during the air cleaning operation is located upstream of the dehumidification region and the humidification region.

  In this air conditioner, since the purified air is dehumidified or humidified, adhesion of dust and odor to the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit is suppressed.

  An air conditioner according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the dehumidifying unit includes a heater, an adsorption element, a second blower, a blower pipe, and a heat exchange unit. Yes. The adsorption element has a disk shape and adsorbs moisture from the air flowing through the air flow path while rotating. The second blower applies high-temperature air whose temperature has been increased by the heater to the adsorption element. The blower pipe returns the high-temperature air that has passed through the adsorption element to the second blower again. The heat exchange unit condenses moisture contained in the high-temperature air flowing through the blower pipe.

  In this air conditioner, heating can be performed using high-temperature air as a heat source while performing a dehumidifying operation.

  In the air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to switch the air flow path, so the air path configuration is simplified and the size is reduced.

  In the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the humidification operation is switched to the dehumidification operation, the dehumidified air dries moisture remaining in the humidification unit, thereby preventing generation of mold and off-flavors.

  In the air conditioner according to the third aspect of the invention, the purified air is dehumidified or humidified, so that dust and odor are prevented from adhering to the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit.

  In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the humidifying unit is downstream of the dehumidifying unit, the room can be humidified while heating is performed using the heating means of the dehumidifying unit as a heat source.

  In the air conditioner according to the fifth aspect of the invention, by using the water generated by dehumidification for humidification, water supply to the water storage container is automatically performed, so that the sustainable time of the humidification operation is extended.

  In the air conditioner according to the sixth aspect of the invention, an increase in dimension in the thickness direction is suppressed.

  In the air conditioner according to the seventh aspect of the invention, since both the adsorbing element and the vaporizing element are disk-shaped, each flat region is thinned, and an increase in dimension in the thickness direction of the air conditioner is suppressed.

  In the air conditioner according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the three rotating bodies of the adsorbing element, the vaporizing element, and the blower have the axes in parallel, so that they can be arranged in layers, and the dimension of the air conditioner in the thickness direction is increased. It is suppressed.

  In the air conditioner according to the ninth aspect of the invention, the three rotating bodies of the adsorbing element, the water wheel, and the vaporizing element have the axes in parallel, so that they can be arranged in layers, and the dimension of the air conditioner in the thickness direction increases. Is suppressed.

  In the air conditioner pertaining to the tenth aspect of the invention, the heat exchanging portion does not protrude in the air flow direction, so the thickness is reduced and an increase in the dimension of the air conditioner in the thickness direction is suppressed.

  In the air conditioner pertaining to the eleventh aspect of the invention, when the humidifying operation is switched to the dehumidifying operation, even if the air passing through the humidifying unit absorbs moisture remaining in the humidifying unit, the air passes through the dehumidifying unit. Therefore, the dehumidified air can be surely released.

  In the air conditioner according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the dehumidifying operation and the humidifying operation can be performed at the same time. For example, while controlling the indoor humidity with the humidified air, the dehumidified air is blown out toward the glass window side in the room. Condensation can be prevented.

  In the air conditioner pertaining to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the purified air is dehumidified or humidified, so that dust and odor are prevented from adhering to the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit.

  In the air conditioner according to the fourteenth aspect, heating can be performed using high-temperature air as a heat source while performing a dehumidifying operation.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

<Configuration of air conditioner>
An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention has a dehumidifying function, a humidifying function, and an air cleaning function, as a dehumidifier during a dehumidifying operation, as a humidifier during a humidifying operation, and as air during an air cleaning operation. Work as a purifier. In the present embodiment, not only a single function but also a plurality of functions can be combined and operated simultaneously. For example, a combination of an air cleaning function and a dehumidifying function, a combination of an air cleaning function and a humidifying function, and a combination of a dehumidifying function and a humidifying function.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, in the air conditioner 1, a blower 2, a dehumidifying unit 3, a humidifying unit 4, an air cleaning unit 5 and a control unit 6 are housed in a main body 10. In the present embodiment, casters (not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the main body 10 (the surface facing the indoor floor surface) so that the user can easily move the air conditioner 1.

  The blower 2 is located on the opposite side of the main body 10 from the air cleaning unit 5. When viewed from the air cleaning unit 5 side, the air cleaning unit 5, the dehumidifying unit 3, the humidifying unit 4, and the blower 2 are arranged in this order. Are lined up. When the blower 2 is operating, air is sucked in from the air purifying unit 5 side, and after passing through the dehumidifying unit 3, an air air path A that passes through the humidifying unit 4 and reaches the blower 2 is formed. The control part 6 is arrange | positioned at the upper part of the main body 10, and can control the air purifying part 5, the dehumidification unit 3, the humidification unit 4, and the air blower 2 separately.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit. In FIG. 2, the dehumidifying unit 3 is located on the near side, and the humidifying unit 4 is located on the far side. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the water storage container 40, the vaporizing element 41, and the water wheel 42 that are components of the humidifying unit 4 protrude from the humidifying unit 4, but are arranged at predetermined positions of the humidifying unit 4 in the normal state.

<Dehumidification unit>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dehumidifying unit. In FIG. 3, the dehumidifying unit 3 includes an adsorption element 31, a heater 32, a second blower 33, a blower pipe 34, and a heat exchange unit 35. The adsorbing element 31 is a honeycomb structure, and is formed into a disk-like and porous shape by a material kneaded by mixing zeolite powder, a binder, and an expansion agent. The binder is selected from thermoplastic resins such as modified PPE, polypropylene, polystyrene, and ABS resin, for example. The expansion agent expands at the time of forming the honeycomb structure and forms innumerable bubbles. For this reason, the adsorption | suction element 31 has high adsorptivity with respect to a water | moisture content.

  The heater 32 is disposed at a location facing the downstream side surface of the adsorption element 31 with respect to the air flow path A, and is provided by a fan-shaped mounting member that can cover about one-sixth of the side surface of the adsorption element 31. It is attached.

  The second blower 33 is attached so as to protrude toward the downstream side of the adsorption element 31 with respect to the air flow path A from above the adsorption element 31. The heater 32 and the second blower 33 are connected by a first blower pipe 34a so that air can be circulated. The air generated by the operation of the second blower 33 reaches the heater 32 through the first blower pipe 34a and is heated there to become high-temperature air.

  The blower pipe 34 includes a first blower pipe 34a, a second blower pipe 34b, a third blower pipe 34c, and a fourth blower pipe 34d. The high-temperature air heated by the heater 32 travels along the thickness direction of the adsorption element 31 from the opposite side surface of the adsorption element 31 and emerges from the opposite side surface. The region through which the high-temperature air of the adsorption element 31 passes is heated by the high-temperature air and releases moisture to the high-temperature air.

  The high-temperature air that has passed through the adsorption element 31 becomes high-temperature and high-humidity air and enters the second blower pipe 34b. The 2nd ventilation pipe 34b is arrange | positioned so that the upstream side surface of the adsorption | suction element 31 may be covered with respect to the air flow path A so that the high temperature high humidity air which has passed the adsorption | suction element 31 can be collect | recovered completely. The second blower pipe 34b has a fan shape and covers about one-sixth of the side surface.

  The 3rd ventilation pipe 34c flows the high temperature, high humidity air which flows from the 2nd ventilation pipe 34b along the outer periphery of the radial direction outer side of the adsorption | suction element 31. FIG. The third blower pipe 34c is provided with a plurality of long holes 35a penetrating in the same direction as the air flow path A, and the air flowing through the air flow path A passes through the long holes 35a. Since the high-temperature and high-humidity air flowing through the third blower pipe 34c flows while contacting the wall surface of the long hole 35a, the air passing through the long hole 35a takes away heat from the high-temperature and high-humidity air. Therefore, the high-temperature and high-humidity air that contacts the wall surface of the long hole 35a is cooled, and the wall surface of the long hole 35a is condensed. The condensed water passes through a predetermined outlet and enters a water storage container 40 described later.

  The fourth blower pipe 34 d communicates the third blower pipe 34 c and the second blower 33. The high-temperature and high-humidity air flowing through the third blower pipe 34c is sucked into the second blower 33 through the fourth blower pipe 34d after contacting the wall surfaces of the plurality of long holes 35a and deprived of heat and moisture.

  The long holes 35 a are provided so as to surround the outer side in the radial direction of the adsorption element 31, and the plurality of long holes 35 a form the heat exchange part 35. The dehumidifying unit 3 is formed with a flat region 3a in which the dimension in the thickness direction is set to substantially the same value, and the third blower pipe 34c and the heat exchange part 35 are included in the flat region 3a.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the dehumidifying unit as viewed from the heater side. In FIG. 4, the dehumidifying unit 3 further includes a drive motor 36. The drive motor 36 has a pinion gear 361, and a driven gear 311 that meshes with the pinion gear 361 is provided on the outer periphery of the adsorption element 31. While the drive motor 36 is in operation, the adsorption element 31 is rotating, contacts the air passing through the air flow path A, adsorbs moisture, releases the moisture at a position facing the heater 32, and again Contact with air passing through the air flow path A. For this reason, the adsorption | suction element 31 can repeat adsorption | suction and discharge | release of a water | moisture content.

  In FIG. 1, a selection panel 11 for selecting an air cleaning operation, a dehumidifying operation, and a humidifying operation is provided on the uppermost surface of the main body 10 and connected to the control unit 6. The selection panel 11 includes a selection button 37 capable of selecting rotation and stop of the adsorption element 31. When the selection button 37 is turned off during the dehumidifying operation, the rotation of the adsorption element 31 is stopped and dehumidification is not performed. At this time, since the heater 32 and the second blower 33 are operating, the high-temperature air circulates in the blow pipe 34. For this reason, since the air which flows through the air flow path A is warmed when passing the heat exchange part 35, small-scale heating is performed. At this time, the humidification unit 4 is operated at the same time to perform the heating / humidification operation. In the present embodiment, the heating / humidifying operation mode is set in advance in the control unit 6 so that the heating / humidifying operation can be selected from the selection panel 11.

<Humidification unit>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the humidifying unit. In FIG. 5, the humidification unit 4 includes a water storage container 40, a vaporizing element 41, a water wheel 42, and a drive unit 43. The water storage container 40 is a water source of moisture given to the air passing through the air flow path A, and is housed in the main body 1 in a detachable manner. When the water in the water storage container 40 is insufficient, the user pulls it out from the outlet of the main body 10 and replenishes the water. In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, the water captured by the dehumidifying unit 3 is stored in the water storage container 40 to reduce the number of times of water replenishment.

  The vaporizing element 41 is a vaporizing member that is formed into a disk shape with a non-woven fabric and evaporates water sent from the water storage container 40 by rotating. The vaporizing element 41 has a first gear 411 on the outer periphery, and the first gear 411 is rotated by the drive unit 43. Since the vaporizing element 41 is disposed above the water level when the water storage container 40 is full, the vaporizing element 41 is not in direct contact with the water in the water storage container 40.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the humidification unit as viewed from the downstream side of the air flow of FIG. In FIG. 6, the water wheel 42 is rotatably supported by the water storage container 40, and pumps up water in the water storage container 40 and discharges it toward the vaporizing element 41. In order to reduce the dimension of the humidifying unit 4 in the thickness direction, the vaporizing element 41 and the water wheel 42 face each other in close proximity to each other with their rotation axes in parallel.

  Accordingly, the water turbine 42 needs to pump water from the side surface and discharge it from the side surface toward the side surface of the vaporizing element 41, and a plurality of recesses 421 a having trapezoidal openings are provided near the outer periphery of the side surface of the water turbine 42. Yes.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the water wheel. In FIG. 7, the water wheel 42 includes a wheel 421, a wheel cover 422, and a second gear 423. The wheel 421 is formed with a plurality of recesses 421a that are recessed from one side surface toward the opposite side surface so as to draw a circle. And the wheel cover 422 is combined with the wheel 421 so that the opening side of the recessed part 421a may be covered.

  In the wheel cover 422, a trapezoidal hole 422a is formed so as to draw a circumference at a position facing the recess 421a of the wheel 421. Since the size of the hole 422a is about half of the opening of the recess 421a, when the wheel cover 422 is combined with the wheel 421, about half of the opening of the recess 421a is opened.

  The second gear 423 is a gear that meshes with the first gear 411 of the vaporizing element 41, and a rotation shaft 424 shared by the wheel 421, the wheel cover 422, and the second gear 423 is provided at the center of rotation. The second gear 423, the wheel cover 422, and the wheel 421 are sequentially stacked and combined with the rotation shaft 424 as the same axis.

  As the water wheel 42 rotates, the concave portions 421a sequentially pass through the water in the water storage container 40 and rise. When the recess 421a is submerged, water enters the recess 421a from the hole 422a, so that the interior of the recess 421a coming out of the water is filled with water.

  As the concave portion 421a approaches the uppermost position, water in the concave portion 421a flows out from the hole 422a, and almost all of the water flows out when passing through the uppermost position. Since some momentum is added by gravity when water flows out, the water flows out toward the side surface of the vaporizing element 41 adjacent to the concave portion 421a.

  In FIG. 6, the rotating shaft 424 is rotatably supported by the bearing 40 a of the water storage container 40, and the height from the bottom surface of the water storage container 40 to the shaft core of the bearing 40 a is the water storage capacity when the water turbine 42 is disposed. Even when the container 40 is at the lowest water level, the recess 421a at the lowest position of the water wheel 42 is set to be submerged.

  Further, since the upper half of the bearing 40 a is open, when the water storage container 40 is pulled out from the main body 10, the user can take out the water wheel 42 from the water storage container 40 and clean it.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which the dehumidifying unit and the humidifying unit are combined. In FIG. 8, the humidifying unit 4 is disposed so as to overlap below the second blower 33 of the dehumidifying unit 3. The vaporizing element 41 of the humidifying unit 4 faces the adsorption element 31 of the dehumidifying unit 3 and the heat exchange unit 35 that is not visible in FIG. The water turbine 42 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the vaporizing element 41 and the heat exchange unit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water storage container 40 can be taken out from the drawer opening 12 of the main body 10 by pulling out the pull-out type first door 10a, and the vaporizing element 41 opens the rotary type second door 10b. As a result, the main body 10 can be taken out from the drawer port 13. As a result, the user can take out the water storage container 40, replenish water, and wash the water wheel 42, and take out the vaporizing element 41 and replace it.

  In addition, the excess and deficiency of the water in the water storage container 40 can be visually confirmed from the window part 10c provided in the 1st door 10a. In this embodiment, the window part 10c is a rectangular hole, and the convex part 40c (refer FIG. 6) previously formed in the water storage container 40 is fitting to this hole. The user can see the water level reflected on the convex part 40c through the hole of the window part 10c.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vaporizing element 41 is formed in a shape that does not project the rotating shaft in order to facilitate removal from the main body 10. Therefore, the vaporizing element 41 is supported by the first gear 411 meshing with the drive gear 431 and the second gear 423. In order for the first gear 411 to maintain a stable posture, the drive gear 431 and the second gear 423 are positioned below the rotation axis of the first gear 411 and are relative to the vertical center line of the vaporizing element 41. They are located on opposite sides. For this reason, even if the vaporizing element 41 is not supported by the shaft, the vaporizing element 41 can rotate stably. When the vaporizing element 41 is taken out from the main body 10, there is no protruding shaft, so that it can be easily taken out without being caught inside the main body 10. .

  When the water storage container 40 is taken out from the main body 10, it becomes a problem how to treat the water falling from the vaporizing element 41. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a water receiving container 44 is provided below the vaporizing element 41. The water receiving container 44 is supported slidably below the support frame 4b, and on the vaporizing element 41 side with respect to the swaying shaft 44b which is the center of swaying, a spout for flowing water downward. 44a, and on the drive unit 43 side with respect to the swing shaft 44b, there is a spare container 44c for temporarily storing water.

  When the vaporizing element 41 is in the normal position, the water receiving container 44 flows water into the water storage container 40 with the spout 44a facing downward, and when the vaporizing element 41 is taken out, the spout 44a is directed upward. Thus, the water falling from the vaporizing element 41 is stored in the spare container 44c.

<Features>
(1)
In the air conditioner 1, the air cleaning unit 5, the dehumidifying unit 3, the humidifying unit 4 and the blower 2 are arranged in this order. When the blower 2 is operated, an air flow path A in which air flows from the air cleaning unit 5 toward the blower 2 is formed. Since the dehumidifying operation and the humidifying operation are switched without switching the direction of the air flow path, the air path configuration is simple and small. Since air purification area, dehumidification area, and humidification area are arranged in this order from the upstream with respect to air flow path A, the cleaned air is dehumidified or humidified, and dust and odor adhere to dehumidification unit 3 and humidification unit 4 Is suppressed. In addition, when the humidification operation is switched to the dehumidification operation, the dehumidified air dries the moisture remaining in the humidification unit 4, so that generation of mold and off-flavor is prevented.

(2)
In the air conditioner 1, since the control unit 6 has a heating / humidifying operation mode in which the heater 32 and the humidifying unit 4 of the dehumidifying unit 3 are simultaneously operated, heating is performed using the heater 32 of the dehumidifying unit 3 as a heat source. The room can be humidified.

(3)
In the air conditioner 1, since the water generated by dehumidification is stored in the water storage container 40, water supply to the water storage container 40 is automatically performed, and the sustainable time of the humidifying operation is extended.

(4)
In the air conditioner 1, the water wheel 42 of the humidifying unit 4 is arranged between the adsorption element 31 and the vaporization element 41 with the rotation axis parallel to the rotation axes of the adsorption element 31 and the vaporization element 41. The adsorption element 31 is housed in the flat area 3 a of the dehumidifying unit 3, and the vaporizing element 41 is housed in the flat area 4 a of the humidifying unit 4. The heat exchanging unit 35 of the dehumidifying unit 3 is also housed in the flat region 3a of the dehumidifying unit 3 and arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the adsorption element. For this reason, the increase in the dimension in the thickness direction is suppressed.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the dehumidification region is located upstream of the humidification region with respect to the air flow path A, but the dehumidification region may be located downstream of the humidification region. Thereby, even when the air passing through the humidifying unit 4 absorbs moisture remaining in the humidifying unit 4 when the humidifying operation is switched to the dehumidifying operation, the air passes through the dehumidifying unit 3 reliably. Dehumidified air can be released.

  Further, the humidification area and the dehumidification area may be positioned in parallel. As a result, the dehumidifying operation and the humidifying operation can be performed at the same time. For example, while controlling the indoor humidity with the humidified air, the dehumidified air is blown out to the indoor glass window side to prevent the condensation of the glass. it can.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the air conditioner having the dehumidifying function and the humidifying function can be reduced in size, it is useful as a multifunctional air conditioner on a table.

The perspective view of the air harmony machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of a dehumidification unit and a humidification unit. The perspective view of a dehumidification unit. The front view which looked at the dehumidification unit from the heater side. The perspective view of a humidification unit. The perspective view of the humidification unit seen from the downstream of the air flow of FIG. The exploded perspective view of a water wheel. The perspective view of the state in which the dehumidification unit and the humidification unit were combined.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Blower 3 Dehumidification unit 3a Flat area | region 4 Humidification unit 4a Flat area | region 5 Air-cleaning part 6 Control part 31 Adsorption element (water collecting means)
32 Heater (heating means)
33 Second blower (heat exchange means)
34 Blower pipe (heat exchange means)
35 Heat exchange section (heat exchange means)
40 Water storage container 41 Vaporization element 42 Water wheel

Claims (14)

A blower (2);
A dehumidifying unit (3) for performing dehumidifying operation for capturing moisture from the air and storing it in a predetermined container;
A humidifying unit (4) for performing a humidifying operation for vaporizing water supplied from the water storage container (40);
With
The dehumidifying operation and the humidifying operation can be switched without switching the direction of the air flow path formed by the blower (2).
Air conditioner (1). The dehumidifying region where the air flowing through the air flow path is dehumidified during the dehumidifying operation is located upstream of the humidifying region where the air flowing through the air flow channel is humidified during the humidifying operation.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. An air cleaning part (5) for performing an air cleaning operation for filtering air flowing through the air flow path;
An air purifying region in which air flowing through the air flow path is cleaned during the air cleaning operation is located upstream of the dehumidifying region.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 2. A controller (6) for controlling the dehumidifying unit (3) and the humidifying unit (4);
The dehumidifying unit (3)
Water capturing means (31) for capturing moisture from the air;
Heating means (32) for heating the captured moisture;
Heat exchanging means (33, 34, 35) for cooling and condensing the water vaporized by the heating means (32);
Have
The controller (6) has a heating / humidifying operation mode in which the heating means (32) of the dehumidifying unit (3) and the humidifying unit (4) are simultaneously operated.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 2. The predetermined container for storing the moisture captured from the air by the dehumidifying unit (3) is the water storage container (40).
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. In each of the external shapes of the dehumidifying unit (3) and the humidifying unit (4), a flat region in which the dimension in the thickness direction is set to substantially the same value is formed,
The flat region (3a) of the dehumidifying unit (3) and the flat region (4a) of the humidifying unit (4) are arranged side by side so as to overlap in the thickness direction.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. The dehumidifying unit (3) has a disk-shaped adsorbing element (31) that adsorbs moisture from the air flowing through the air flow path while rotating,
The humidification unit (4) has a disk-shaped vaporizing element (41) that vaporizes water while rotating to give moisture to the air flowing through the air flow path,
The adsorbing element (31) is housed in the flat area (3a) of the dehumidifying unit (3), and the vaporizing element (41) is housed in the flat area (4a) of the humidifying unit (4).
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 6. The adsorbing element (31), the vaporizing element (41), and the blower (2) are arranged such that the adsorbing element (31) and the vaporizing element (41) are arranged from the upstream side of the air flow path with their respective rotation axes in parallel. ) And the blower (2) are arranged in this order,
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 7. The humidification unit (4) further includes a water wheel (42) that draws water from the water storage container (40) while rotating and supplies water to the vaporizing element (41).
The water turbine (42) is disposed between the adsorption element (31) and the vaporization element (41) with a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of each of the adsorption element (31) and the vaporization element (41). Being
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 8. The dehumidifying unit (3)
A heater (32) for heating the captured moisture;
A heat exchanging section (35) for cooling and condensing the water vaporized by the heater;
In addition,
The heat exchanging part (35) is housed in the flat region (3a) of the dehumidifying unit (3), and is disposed in the outer peripheral space of the adsorption element (31).
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 7. The dehumidifying area where the air flowing through the air flow path is dehumidified during the dehumidifying operation is located downstream of the humidifying area where the air flowing through the air flow path is humidified during the humidifying operation.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. A humidification region where air flowing through the air flow path during the humidification operation is humidified and a dehumidification region where air flowing through the air flow path during the dehumidification operation is dehumidified are positioned in parallel.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1. An air cleaning part (5) for performing an air cleaning operation for filtering air flowing through the air flow path;
An air purifying region in which air flowing through the air flow path is cleaned during the air cleaning operation is located upstream of the dehumidifying region and the humidifying region.
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 11 or claim 12. The dehumidifying unit is
A heater (32);
A disc-shaped adsorbing element (31) that adsorbs moisture from the air flowing through the air flow path while rotating;
A second blower (33) that applies high-temperature air heated by the heater (32) to the adsorption element (31);
A blower pipe (34) for returning the high-temperature air that has passed through the adsorption element (31) to the second blower (33);
A heat exchanging section (35) for condensing moisture contained in the high-temperature air flowing through the blower pipe (34);
have,
The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1.

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