JP2816074B2 - Humidity control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a dehumidifier for dehumidifying a moisture-absorbing material by bringing it into contact with water-containing air, and a vaporizing humidifier using a water vapor selective permeable membrane. The present invention relates to a humidity control device capable of exhibiting an excellent humidity control function by performing the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as a device for dehumidifying a high-humidity atmosphere, a method of contacting cooling air with a cooling coil in a refrigeration cycle to remove moisture contained in air has been widely used. It has been pointed out that dehumidification involves a slight decrease in temperature and a large power consumption.

[0003] In order to solve such a problem,
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-70143 discloses that in order to improve efficiency during cooling, a moisture absorbing medium is brought into contact with unconditioned air, and air is blown into a room as conditioned air with moisture in the air removed. A dehumidification system that repeats a cycle of releasing moisture in the moisture absorbing medium into the air by contacting the moisture absorbing medium having absorbed or absorbed moisture with the heated air to regenerate the moisture absorbing medium, that is, drying, is disclosed.
As compared with the method using a refrigeration cycle, there is an advantage that the temperature does not decrease and the power consumption is small.

[0004] On the contrary, as an apparatus for humidifying a dry atmosphere, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-61096 discloses a water humidifier provided with a water tank or a water supply pipe in order to improve the efficiency. Using a water-absorbing material (hygroscopic material) in which a porous sheet that prevents the passage of water and allows only water vapor to pass and a gas-permeable cloth that allows water and water vapor to pass through each other are used, and contains water vapor that has passed through the water-absorbing material. A humidifier for sending air into a room is disclosed.

[0005]

However, the former dehumidifier using a moisture absorbing medium or the latter humidifier using a water absorbing material has only a dehumidifying function or a humidifying function. It is not configured to have both functions, and is configured to be used independently. Therefore, it is impossible to obtain a device capable of appropriately controlling indoor humidity by combining the two.

Further, when the former dehumidifier is used as an auxiliary for a cooling operation in an air conditioner, it is necessary to use a moisture absorbing medium capable of exhibiting a certain cooling effect.
In order to do so, it is necessary to use a moisture-absorbing medium having a large water content, so that the apparatus may be increased in size.
There is a problem that a heat source such as a heater only for reproducing a moisture-absorbing medium containing water is required.

[0007] On the other hand, in the case of the latter humidifier, every time the water in the tank is consumed by the humidifying operation, the user has to refill the tank with water, which requires labor and labor. There is a problem that.

[0008] Further, both of the above-mentioned configurations are based on the premise that dehumidification and humidification are performed continuously, and it is not possible to perform temporary dehumidification operation and humidification operation in order to adjust the humidity of the indoor atmosphere. Impossible.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can switch between dehumidification and humidification in accordance with the humidity of the indoor atmosphere. It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient humidity control device for controlling the humidity.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in the humidity control apparatus of the present invention, first, a suction / exhaust port is arranged facing a room, and air is brought into contact with the hygroscopic material in the room. Accordingly, a dehumidifier that performs dehumidification is disposed, and a water receiving container is disposed outside the room.

A first pipe is connected to the suction / exhaust port, a second pipe is connected to the dehumidifier, and a third pipe is connected to the water receiving container. The three pipes are commonly connected via a three-way switching valve, and the three-way switching valve allows the pipe communicating with the first pipe to be switched to one of the second and third pipes.

Further, a water vapor selective permeable membrane that allows the transmission of water vapor and does not transmit water is provided at the opening end of the third conduit facing the water receiving container. In addition, an intake / exhaust pump is provided in the first pipeline, and the control means controls the forward / reverse drive of the intake / exhaust pump and the switching operation of the three-way switching valve.

When the humidity control apparatus having the above structure is to be operated in cooperation with an air conditioner, the suction / exhaust port is made to face an indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner, and the water receiving container is connected to the air conditioner. The defrost water obtained from the outdoor heat exchanger can be collected. In addition, it is preferable that a filter is stretched between an opening surface of the dehumidifier facing the surface of the absorbent material and an opening for collecting water of the water receiving container to prevent dust from entering.

In the humidification mode, the control means controls the first,
The three-way switching valve is switched so that the third conduit communicates, and water vapor obtained from the water receiving container via the water vapor selective permeable membrane passes through the third conduit and the first conduit, and is taken into the suction / exhaust port side. The suction / exhaust pump is operated so as to be sucked into the pump. In the dehumidification mode, the valve is switched so that the first and second conduits communicate with each other, and the room air dehumidified by the dehumidifier is sucked and exhausted through the second conduit and the first conduit. Operate the pump so that it is sucked to the side. Further, in the drying mode of the absorbent material, the valve is switched so that the first and second pipes communicate with each other, and the room air is exhausted from the suction / exhaust port to the dehumidifier through the first and second pipes. Activate the pump as described.

When cooperating with the air conditioner, the air conditioner is operated in the dehumidifying mode for a predetermined time after the heating operation is completed, and after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the heating operation, the drying mode operation of the absorbent is started. To do. During the operation in the drying mode of the absorbent material, the high-temperature airflow blown out of the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner is sucked through the suction / exhaust ports, and further, the clogging of the filter of the dehumidifier is performed by the exhaust flow by the pump. It is good to be constituted so that it may be removed.

[0016] Further, after the operation of the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner is started, the three-way switching valve is connected by the control means for a predetermined time immediately before the start of the first defrosting operation so that the first and third pipes communicate with each other. Is operated, and the suction / exhaust pump is operated so that air is exhausted from the intake / exhaust port to the water receiving container side via the first conduit and the third conduit, so that the water vapor selective permeable membrane is clogged. May be configured to be removed.

[0017]

According to the above construction, when the humidity of the room atmosphere is low, the control means is set to the humidification mode, the first and third conduits are connected, and the humidity is obtained from the water receiving container through the water vapor selective permeable membrane. By suctioning the water vapor from the third conduit to the suction / exhaust port side via the first conduit by the suction / discharge pump, air containing a large amount of water vapor is supplied from the suction / exhaust port to the room. In this case, if the defrost water obtained from the air conditioner is used, it is not necessary to separately supply water to the water receiving container.

Conversely, when the humidity of the room atmosphere is high, the control means is set to the dehumidification mode, the first and second pipes are communicated, the room air is sucked by the pump, and the air passes through the moisture absorbent of the dehumidifier. And dehumidified, and the resulting dry air is
The air is exhausted from the intake / exhaust port to the room through the pipe and the first pipe.
In this manner, an appropriate amount of dehumidification and humidification without water supply can be temporarily performed depending on the indoor state.

When drying the hygroscopic material containing a large amount of water by dehumidification, the control means is set to the drying mode, the first and second pipes are connected to each other, and the first and second indoor air are sucked and exhausted from the air inlet / outlet.
The air is exhausted from the dehumidifier via the second conduit.

[0020]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of a humidity control apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 schematically shows the entire structure, and FIGS. 2 to 5 schematically show operation states in different modes. I have. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an intake / exhaust port, which has a front opening facing the indoor heat exchanger A of the air conditioner, and a filter 11 stretched over the opening. 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a first conduit which is connected to the intake / exhaust port 1,
An intake / exhaust pump 3 is interposed in an intermediate portion of the first conduit 21.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a dehumidifier disposed in the room. The dehumidifier includes a case 41. A support net 42 is provided on the case 41 near the bottom wall 41a, and a moisture absorbing material 43 is provided on the support net 42. Is disposed, and a filter 44 is stretched over the case opening so as to face the front surface of the hygroscopic material 43.
The second conduit 22 is drawn out of the case bottom wall 41a.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a water receiving container disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger B of the air conditioner in the outdoor, and collects defrost water generated in the outdoor heat exchanger B from an opening on the upper surface thereof. A dustproof filter 51 is stretched over the upper opening.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a third member drawn from the water receiving container 5.
A water vapor inlet 52 is formed at an open end of the third conduit 23 facing the inside of the water receiving container 5. Further, a water vapor selective permeable membrane 53 that allows the transmission of water vapor but does not allow water to pass therethrough is stretched in front of the intake 52, and the water vapor intake 52
Only the water vapor is taken in.

The first conduit 21, the second conduit 22 and the third conduit
The pipe 23 is commonly connected on the indoor side via the three-way switching valve 6, and is connected to the first pipe 21 by the three-way switching valve 6.
Is configured to be switchable to the second pipeline 22 or the third pipeline 23.

Numeral 7 denotes a control section constituted by a microcomputer, which electrically controls the forward / reverse drive of the intake / exhaust pump 3 and the switching operation of the three-way switching valve 6. The humidity control device having the above configuration may be configured separately from the air conditioner, or may be integrated into the air conditioner.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the indoor atmosphere is at a high humidity, the operation is performed in the dehumidification mode shown in FIG. In this case, the control means 7 switches the three-way switching valve 6 so that the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 communicate with each other, and also sends air from the second pipe 22 to the first pipe 21. Next, the pump 3 is operated in the normal rotation.

By the operation of the pump 3, the high humidity air a in the room is removed by the filter 44 of the dehumidifier 4, and the moisture absorbent 4 is removed.
3 and contacts with the hygroscopic material 43 at the time of passage, moisture is absorbed by the hygroscopic material 43 and dehumidified. The dry air a 'sucked from the hygroscopic material 43 into the second pipe 22 passes through the first pipe 21 via the three-way switching valve 6, and is discharged from the suction / exhaust port 1 into the room. This process is repeated to dehumidify the room.

Conversely, when the indoor atmosphere is in a low humidity, that is, in a dry state, the operation is performed in the humidification mode shown in FIG. In this case, the control means 7 switches the three-way switching valve 6 so that the first conduit 21 and the third conduit 23 communicate with each other, and controls the steam to be sent from the third conduit 23 to the first conduit 21. Next, the pump 3 is operated in the normal rotation. Normally, the defrosted water generated in the outdoor heat exchanger B is stored in the water receiving container 5 after being removed by the filter 51.

By the suction operation of the pump 3, the vapor b vaporized from the defrost water passes through the permselective membrane 53, and the vapor inlet 52, the second conduit 22, the three-way switching valve 6 and the third conduit 2
After that, the air is discharged from the intake / exhaust port 1 into the room. At this time, the steam b exhausted from the intake / exhaust port 1 is heated to an appropriate temperature by the indoor heat exchanger A, and circulates indoors as comfortable warm air. This process is repeated to humidify the room.

The outdoor heat exchanger B is 1800 kc
As an example of an al / h heat pump type heat exchanger, if the indoor air temperature is 20 ° C and the outdoor temperature is 2 ° C, the amount of defrost water is 600-700.
It is about cc / h, which is sufficient for the amount of water required for humidification.

The operation in the dehumidification mode and the humidification mode can be performed continuously. However, during cooling by the air conditioner, the amount of saturated water vapor decreases and the humidity increases with a decrease in indoor temperature, so that the operation is mainly performed in the dehumidification mode. Conversely, during heating, the amount of saturated steam increases with an increase in the temperature of the room, and the humidity decreases.Therefore, the operation in the humidification mode is mainly performed, and in order to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation due to the decrease in temperature after the heating operation, For a set time,
The operation in the dehumidification mode is performed.

When the moisture in the moisture absorbent 43 of the dehumidifier 4 increases due to the dehumidification operation, it is necessary to regenerate the moisture absorbent 43, that is, dry it, in order to eliminate the influence on the dehumidifying function. In the case of the operation in the drying mode of the moisture absorbent 43, as shown in FIG.
The three-way switching valve 6 is switched so as to communicate with the pump, and the pump 3 is operated in reverse so that the warm air c is sent from the first pipeline 21 to the second pipeline 22.

The operation of the moisture absorbent 43 in the drying mode is started after a lapse of a predetermined period of time from the start of the heating operation of the air conditioner. That is, during the heating operation, high-temperature air is blown out of the indoor heat exchanger A, and a part c of the high-temperature blown air is sucked by the pump 3 so that the filter 11 removes dust and then sucks and removes air. From the exhaust port 1, the first pipe 21, the three-way switching valve 6, and the second pipe 2
After that, it is introduced into the dehumidifier 4.

When the warm air c passes through the moisture absorbing material 43, it comes into contact with the moisture absorbing material 43, evaporates the moisture by heating, and discharges the moisture from the opening of the dehumidifier into the room. Thereby, the moisture absorbent 43 of the dehumidifier 4 is dried, and at the same time, the moisture absorbent 4
3 humidifies the room, which has been reduced in humidity by heating, by the air c ′ containing a large amount of water vapor.

In this case, since the hygroscopic material 43 is supported by the support net 42, the warm air flow c sent from the second conduit 22 is entirely on the surface of the hygroscopic material 43 facing the second conduit 22. From above, the moisture absorbent 43 is evenly and uniformly dried.

Further, since the net material supports the moisture absorbing material 43, a large cross-sectional area of the air can be obtained. Therefore, during the dehumidifying operation, the dry air flow a 'toward the second pipeline 22 is performed. (See FIG. 2), the amount of air blown can be increased.

In the operation of the drying mode of the absorbent 43, when the exhaust stream c ′ containing a large amount of water vapor passes through the filter 44 of the dehumidifier 4,
Is removed at the same time by blowing off the clogging by the air flow c ′. Therefore, the number of troublesome cleaning operations of the filter 44 can be greatly reduced.

FIG. 5 shows an operating state of the water vapor selective permeable membrane 53 in the clogging removal mode. In this case, the control means 7 switches the three-way switching valve 6 so that the first conduit 21 and the third conduit 23 communicate with each other, and the air d is sent from the first conduit 21 to the third conduit 23. Pump 3 is operated in the reverse direction.

The operation of the clogging removal mode of the permselective membrane 53 is performed by starting the operation of the outdoor heat exchanger B and driving the pump 3 for a predetermined period of time immediately before the start of the first defrosting operation. Compressed air is introduced from the intake / exhaust port 1 to the steam inlet 52 through the first pipe 21, the three-way switching valve 6, and the third pipe 23 to forcibly remove clogging of the steam selective permeable membrane 53. It is.

In the above embodiment, the humidity control apparatus which operates in cooperation with the air conditioner according to the present invention is constructed. However, the present invention provides a humidity control apparatus which can be used independently irrespective of the air conditioner. Applicable to devices.

[0041]

As described above, in the humidity control apparatus of the present invention, a dehumidifier using a hygroscopic material is provided, and water vapor is taken out of water in the water receiving container by a water vapor selective permeable membrane, and is used for humidification. In addition, the dehumidifying section and the humidifying section are communicated with the suction / exhaust port facing the room by a pipe, and the intermittent of the pipe and the direction of the air flow in the pipe can be controlled. Therefore, dehumidification, humidification, drying of the hygroscopic material, etc. can all be performed by one apparatus. Therefore, by continuously performing the dehumidifying and humidifying operations, the humidity of the indoor atmosphere can be properly adjusted.

The humidification, dehumidification, and drying of the absorbent material are all performed in one
Since it can be performed by suction and compression of two pumps, it can be performed by a single system, the apparatus can be simplified, and it is possible to prevent an increase in size.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the air conditioner is operated in cooperation with the air conditioner, defrosted water obtained from the outdoor heat exchanger can be used as a humidifying water supply measure. Can be omitted.

According to the third aspect, clean air can always be supplied by a filter provided in the dehumidifier or the water receiving container. In addition, according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, clogging of the filter of the dehumidifier or the water vapor selective permeable membrane can be removed by the airflow sent in the pipe line in the reverse direction, so that the time and effort for periodic filter cleaning can be omitted. .

In the case of the eighth or ninth aspect, the drying of the hygroscopic material can be performed using the warm air generated by the air conditioner, so that a conventional heater dedicated to the regeneration of the hygroscopic material is not required. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an operation in the dehumidification mode.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an operation in the humidification mode.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an operation of the hygroscopic material in a drying mode.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an operation for removing clogging of the filter and the water vapor selective permeable membrane.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Intake / exhaust port 21 1st pipeline 22 2nd pipeline 23 3rd pipeline 3 Suction / exhaust pump 4 Dehumidifier 43 Hygroscopic material 44 Filter 5 Water receiving container 51 Filter 53 Water vapor selective permeable membrane 6 Three-way switching valve 7 Control means A Indoor heat exchanger B Outdoor heat exchanger

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] A suction / exhaust port facing a room, a dehumidifier disposed in the room and performing dehumidification by bringing air into contact with a hygroscopic material, and a water receiving container disposed outside the room. A first pipe is connected to the exhaust port, a second pipe is connected to the dehumidifier, and a third pipe is connected to the water receiving container, and the first, second and third pipes are connected to the first pipe. A common line is connected via a three-way switching valve for switching a line communicating with the line to the second line or the third line.
An exhaust pump is provided, and a water vapor selective permeable membrane that allows water vapor to pass therethrough and does not allow water to pass through is provided at the open end of the third conduit facing the water receiving container.
A humidity control device comprising control means for controlling forward and reverse driving of an exhaust pump and switching operation of the three-way switching valve. 2. An air intake / exhaust port faces an indoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner, and a water receiving container is configured to collect defrost water obtained from an outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner. The humidity control device of claim 1, wherein 3. The humidity control device according to claim 1, wherein a filter is stretched between an opening surface of the dehumidifier facing the moisture absorbing material surface and a water collecting opening of the water receiving container. 4. In a humidification mode, the control means switches the three-way switching valve so that the first and third pipes communicate with each other, and the steam obtained from the water receiving container via the steam selective permeable membrane is supplied to the control means. The humidity control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction / exhaust pump is configured to operate the suction / exhaust pump so as to be sucked to the suction / exhaust port side via the third pipeline and the first pipeline. 5. In a dehumidification mode, the control means switches the three-way switching valve so that the first conduit and the second conduit communicate with each other, and the indoor air dehumidified by the dehumidifier is supplied to the second conduit,
The humidity control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction / exhaust pump is operated so as to be sucked to the suction / exhaust port side via the first conduit. 6. The humidity control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the air conditioner is operated in a dehumidification mode for a predetermined time after the heating operation of the air conditioner is completed. 7. The control means switches the three-way switching valve so that the first pipe and the second pipe communicate with each other in the drying mode of the absorbent material, and the indoor air flows from the suction / exhaust port to the first pipe.
The humidity control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction / exhaust pump is operated so that air is exhausted to the dehumidifier side via the pipe and the second pipe. 8. The humidity control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a drying mode operation of the hygroscopic material is started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the heating operation of the air conditioner. 9. When operating in a drying mode of a hygroscopic material,
9. The humidity control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the high-temperature airflow blown out of the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner is sucked through the suction / exhaust port. 10. A dehumidifier according to claim 7, wherein the filter of the dehumidifier is clogged by an exhaust flow of the suction / exhaust pump when the hygroscopic material is operated in the drying mode.
9. The humidity control apparatus according to any one of items 9 to 9. 11. A three-way switching valve such that the control means connects the first and third pipes for a predetermined time immediately after the start of operation of the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner and immediately before the start of the first defrosting operation. Is switched, and the first pipe is connected from the intake / exhaust port,
3. The humidity control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suction / exhaust pump is operated so as to be exhausted to the water receiving container side through the third conduit, thereby removing clogging of the water vapor selective permeable membrane.