JP3343474B2 - Automatic drying equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the field of dry processing technology in a closed cabinet capable of storing cameras, lenses, photographs, electronic parts, dry foods, chemicals, and the like in a normal temperature and low humidity atmosphere. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a drying apparatus of this kind, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 64-1374 (known example 1), a Peltier effect by a cooling / heating element having a heat exchange function by supplying a direct current. (Electronic refrigeration system).

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-163831 (known example 2) discloses a closed cabinet drying apparatus in which a protective case of a drying unit is partially inserted into the back plate of the cabinet. I have. Also in the drying chamber
Is provided with an IC timer, and the IC timer
Utilizes a part of the heat generated by the voltage drop
There is also a statement that it induces an updraft to dry efficiently.
You.

[0004]

In the case of the above-mentioned known example 1, the air in the refrigerator is removed to a temperature lower than the dew point temperature to remove moisture, and the heat radiation side is discharged to the outside of the refrigerator by fins or the like. Heating but thermal efficiency (cooling effect on input)
However, there is a concern that the power consumption is low, usually 10% to 12%, and the power consumption is high.

[0005] Further, even in the case of the above-mentioned known example 2,
The installation position of the drying means and the heating by the heating element are devised, or a time limiting means and a humidity controller are provided to improve the dehumidifying ability, but the effect is extremely limited.
A Joteki, further improvement in reinforcement and the humidity control accuracy of dehumidification capacity, and the improvement of the capacity of the storage thereof in the cabinet still room for improvement has been exist.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an excellent automatic drying apparatus which has solved the above-mentioned problems.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an automatic drying apparatus capable of improving and maintaining the dehumidifying and drying capabilities in a cabinet.

[0008] A third object of the present invention is to provide an automatic drying apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of humidity control in a cabinet.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an automatic drying device having improved durability.

[0010] A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an automatic drying apparatus with an improved capacity in a cabinet.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide an automatic drying apparatus having an improved dehumidifying function.

[0012]

The constitutional features of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned objects are as follows.

(1) In an automatic drying apparatus provided with a drying means capable of regenerating the inside of the cabinet so as to maintain the inside of the cabinet in a low humidity state, the periphery of the drying processing chamber in the drying means which is loaded with a desiccant or the like. to, said at a partition wall
With arranging a timer means for controlling the drying means, which is connected to a lead wire passing through the partition wall the timer
An automatic drying apparatus, wherein only an electric resistor constituting a part of an electric circuit of the means is disposed in the drying processing chamber.

(2) The drying means is mounted on the cabinet.
Partially inserted so that the timer means
The first storage part that has been
The automatic drying device according to the above (1), characterized in that the interior of the second accommodating portion is arranged inside the cabinet .

The above-mentioned specific means can solve the respective problems as follows.

Therefore, the dehumidification and drying ability in the cabinet can be improved and maintained.

Accordingly, the accuracy of humidity adjustment in the cabinet can be improved.

Accordingly, the durability can be improved.

Therefore, the capacity of the cabinet can be improved.

Therefore, the dehumidifying function can be improved.

[0021]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) 1. Configuration (1) Overall Configuration As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic drying apparatus D 1 has a closed cabinet 1 whose front surface is freely opened and closed by a door 11.
Drying means 200, timer means 300 at the position of the back plate 12
And a humidity control means 400, and a camera lens or a dry food product placed on a supporting shelf 500 in the cabinet 1.
The storage unit G such as an electronic component or a chemical product is configured to be able to prevent mold and rust over a long period of time, minimize the quality change, and store it in a stable low humidity atmosphere.

(2) Configuration of Each Section Drying Unit 200 The configuration of the drying unit 200 is as shown in FIGS.
The cabinet 1 is equipped so as to fit into the mounting hole 13 formed in the back plate 12 of the cabinet 1 so as to partially protrude into the mounting hole 13.・ Lower partition 202, 2
03, upper and lower ventilation control chambers 204, 20
5 and a drying processing chamber 206 formed therebetween. The upper and lower ventilation control chambers 204 and 205 are provided on the front and rear walls 207 and 208 of the casing 201, respectively. Cabinet 1 by 212
The upper and lower partitions 20 are opened toward the inside and outside.
The upper and lower ventilation holes 213 and 214 opened in 2, 203 are selected by upper and lower shutters 217 and 218 which are swingably arranged on upper and lower pivot shafts 216a and 216b on a support wall 215 extending to the casing 201. The drying processing chamber 206 is configured to be able to communicate with the upper / lower ventilation control chambers 204 and 205 by being opened and closed in an appropriate manner.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the left side wall 221 of the casing 201 (on the left side when viewed from the front of the cabinet 1), a first accommodating portion 220 in which the timer means 300 can be installed is provided with a partition wall 224. And a second accommodating portion 223 in which the humidity control means 400 is provided is integrally provided on the right side wall 222 thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the back plate 12 is arranged such that the first accommodation section 220 containing the timer means 300 is placed outside the cabinet 1 and the second accommodation section 223 containing the humidity control means 400 is placed inside the cabinet 1. It is arranged at the outside position.

A drying agent container 226 formed by molding a moisture-permeable material as shown in FIG.
Is disposed, and a desiccant 227 is provided in the desiccant container 226.
Heating element 23 capable of heating and regenerating the desiccant 227
0, and the through-hole 22 of the desiccant container 226 is separately provided.
8, a coil-shaped shape memory alloy wire 229 is passed through the desiccant container 226 in a non-contact manner, and both ends of the wire are interposed through an upper / lower shutter 217,
The two shutters 217 and 218 are movable in an interlocking manner by connecting a coil spring 232 between the other ends of the shutters 217 and 218 on the other hand. During the period other than the period in which the desiccant 227 is heated and regenerated by energizing the heating element 230 to generate heat, the shape memory alloy wire 229 is used.
Is in an extended state, and the upper and lower shutters 217,
When the heating element 230 is heated and the shape memory alloy wire 229 is heated, it transforms and contracts, and resists the tension of the coil spring 232. And the upper and lower shutters 217, 2
18 is configured to be displaced to the virtual line position.

Timer Means 300 An IC timer 301 is provided, and an electric resistor 303 connected to the outer end of the lead wire 302 penetrating through the through hole 225 of the partition wall 224 is arranged in the drying processing chamber 206. The power supply time to the heating element 230 can be controlled.

Humidity control means 400 A humidity control device 401 having a dial type and capable of manually setting a humidity control value in the cabinet 1 in advance by manual operation.

Other Configurations 600 in FIGS. 1 and 5 indicates a fan, which is intermittently operated by a timer and can force the movement of air in the drying processing chamber 206.

2. Automatic Drying Method Drying Process When storing items G such as cameras and electronic components such as semiconductor chips in a low-humidity state, they are placed on a supporting shelf 500 in the cabinet 1 and the humidity controller 401 is Adjusted by manual operation, the humidity in cabinet 1 is about 30
The IC timer 301 is turned on by setting so as to be maintained in the range of about% to 50%.

When the door 11 is closed in this state, the interior of the cabinet 1 is closed, and in the drying processing chamber 206, the air in the surroundings is sequentially dehumidified by the desiccant 227, thereby reducing the weight and increasing the airflow. Since the IC timer 301 is turned on, part of the heat generated by the built-in voltage dropping electric resistor 303 and the like is partially generated in the drying processing chamber 206 by the power supplied from the power supply P. Since the air is heated and an ascending airflow is induced due to the high temperature, the dehumidified air flows into the cabinet 1 more efficiently through the upper ventilation holes 213 and the upper openings 209 (arrows). An equal volume of air flows into the drying processing chamber 206 through the lower opening 210 and the lower ventilation hole 214 in a natural convection manner (arrows), and the air in the cabinet 1 flows in a natural convection manner (sequence). It will be humidity treatment, since the cabinet 1 is maintained at a humidity of about 40% set in advance, stored item G is intended to be securely stored in a low humidity state.

The desiccant regeneration process The desiccant 227 gradually decreases its moisture absorbing ability by the above-described dehumidification process. At this time, the IC timer 301 or a microcomputer (not shown) supplies the desiccant 227 with a power supply P. The heating element 230 for heating the desiccant 227 is energized to generate heat, and the desiccant 227 is heated to release the adsorbed moisture to perform a regeneration process. In this process, the shape memory alloy wire 229 is The upper shutter 217 is urged against the tension of the coil spring 232 so that the upper shutter 217 moves counterclockwise around the pivot 216a, and the lower shutter 218 moves in the counterclockwise direction.
Are pivoted clockwise (see FIG. 1), and both are displaced to the positions indicated by phantom lines, and are discharged from the desiccant 227 in the drying processing chamber 206 via the upper and lower ventilation holes 213 and 214. The high-temperature air containing moisture is discharged from the upper opening 211 to the outside of the cabinet 1 by utilizing the rising airflow (arrow), and at the same time, fresh air from the outside of the cabinet 1 is discharged from the lower opening 212 to the drying processing chamber. 206
(Arrows), and sequentially executes the regeneration process of the desiccant 227.
The same applies to the case where another driving force such as an electromagnetic type is used for the opening / closing drive of the motor 8.

When the regenerating process of the desiccant 227 is completed, I
The energization of the heating element 230 is stopped by the C timer 301 or the microcomputer, and the temperature of the heating element 230 becomes low by natural cooling or forced cooling of the fan 600 that operates intermittently, and the temperature of the shape memory alloy wire 229 also decreases. Then, the upper and lower shutters 217 and 218 are returned to the solid line positions again, and stand by for the dehumidification processing in the cabinet 1.

In each of the above-mentioned steps, a timer or the like is used, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 5 hours, then turn on the fan 600 for only 1.0 hour to force the air in the cabinet 1 to recirculate, and turn off the fan 600 for the remaining 3 hours
Since air is circulated by natural convection and the inside of the cabinet 1 is dehumidified for 4.0 hours, the inside of the cabinet 1 can be effectively reduced in humidity, as shown in FIG. In the case where the fan 600 is deactivated and the fan 600 itself is absent, one stroke is performed for 6 hours, the desiccant 227 is regenerated by heating for 0.5 hour, and over the remaining 5.5 hours. ,
The inside of the cabinet 1 can be dehumidified.

The result of the performance test of the actual product of the automatic drying apparatus D 1 according to the first embodiment is as follows.
When the outside ambient conditions were a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 80%, the results were as shown in FIG.

That is, a performance curve (X) showing a humidity change in the refrigerator when there is no heating means due to heat generation of a conventional timed device or the like.
Is as shown in FIG. 7 (a), wherein the vertical axis indicates the humidity in the cabinet 1 and the horizontal axis indicates the time, and clearly the characteristics are as follows. 34% after 6 hours, 28% after 12 hours, 24
It has been verified that 25% has passed after the time, and that it is almost stable.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the drying means 2 which is partly generated by the timer means 300 generates heat.
By the heating of 00, the convection promoting action of the peripheral portion of the desiccant 227 promotes the moisture absorption effect. Under the same ambient conditions, the performance curve becomes as shown in FIG.
In the case of intermittent operation of 00, the humidity gradually decreases from the initial 60% to 28% after 6 hours, 22% after 12 hours, and 20% after 24 hours, and almost double the humidity reduction capacity in the cabinet 1 (normally). (For two or more drying apparatuses) (performance curve (Y)), and in the case of continuous operation of the fan 600, the humidity in the lowest cabinet 1 reached about 2
With respect to 5% (performance curve (Z)), in the case of intermittent operation as in this embodiment, a gap leak from the cabinet 1 is small, and a low humidity state of about 20% can be achieved. Things.

As is clear from the test performance data, the remarkable characteristics are clearly proved, and it is clear that the automatic drying apparatus D1 has exhibited remarkable performance with respect to the performance of reducing the humidity and the performance of reducing the humidity. .

(Embodiment 2) The description of the parts of the automatic drying apparatus D2 of this embodiment which are common to those of the automatic drying apparatus D1 of Embodiment 1 will be omitted, but the difference is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a hygroscopic agent 700 made of an absorbent such as B-type silica gel having strong hygroscopic power is provided on the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls 207 and 208 of the drying chamber 206.

Therefore, the drying means 200 can dehumidify the air in the cabinet 1 by the moisture absorbent 700 and the renewable desiccant 227. 80% to 90% in response to typical overload (excessive dehumidification)
Is rapidly reduced to about 60% to 50%, and the humidity can be reduced by the ability of the renewable drying agent to obtain a quick drying effect.
After the shoes are taken out, the moisture is dehumidified by the action of the automatic drying device D2 and returns to the initial fresh state.

(Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 9, in an automatic drying apparatus D3 according to Embodiment 3, two drying means 200A and 200B are placed on the back plate 12 of It is mounted with the direction of discharge reversed, and its internal configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1, so that the description thereof will be omitted.

In this case, when the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is higher than a set humidity (for example, 50%), the humidity controller 401A and the relay circuit (not shown) arranged in the cabinet 1 provide a drying means 200A for performing a moisture absorbing action. When the humidity is lowered by operating and dehumidifying, and the humidity is sequentially lowered and becomes lower than the set humidity (for example, 48%), another drying unit 200B which performs a dehumidifying action inside the cabinet 1 is controlled by the humidity controller 401. The humidity in the cabinet 1 is increased, and by mounting the cabinet 1 in such a manner as to have the opposite effects (moisture absorption and dehumidification are mounted in reverse), the humidity is kept at a constant level (usually 40% to 40%). (60%).

In each of the first to third embodiments, the mounting position of the humidity controller 401 is not limited to the front wall of the second storage section 223, but can be mounted on another wall surface. Some things are natural.

The shape memory alloy wire 229 (SMA) for operating the upper and lower shutters 217 and 218 is characterized by utilizing the deformation force at the time of transformation due to the heat reception. When the direction of the bias spring is reversed, the same action can be achieved, and the use of a shape memory alloy other than the coil shape can also provide substantially the same result.

[0044]

The remarkable effects provided by the present invention described above are as follows.

(1) Improvement of Dehumidification and Drying Ability Heating means is provided in the ventilation path area around the drying means to heat the air in the drying chamber to generate an upward airflow, and to reduce the amount of air flowing around the drying agent. In addition to being able to greatly increase the dehumidification and drying ability, the drying ability can also be improved by using a part of the heat generated by the timer means to generate an updraft. . That is,
Not the whole heat of the immersion means, but the heat inside it
Temperature to place only electrical resistors in the drying chamber.
High potential, and the updraft greatly improves drying performance
It has a realistic effect to improve.

(2) Improvement of Humidity Adjustment Accuracy Since the humidity sensing element of the humidity adjustment means is disposed at a position which is not affected by the heat generating means, the humidity adjustment accuracy in the cabinet can be improved and damage to stored items can be prevented. .

(3) Improvement of Efficiency of Regenerating Desiccant The air around the desiccant is forcibly transferred by the blowing means, so that the regenerating process of the desiccant can be promptly achieved.

(4) Stabilization of low-humidity condition and improvement of durability Since the blower is operated intermittently by a timer only for a necessary period, initial rapid low-humidity can be achieved.
Moreover, not only can the low humidity state be safely maintained for a long time with little leakage, the durability can be improved, and the performance can be improved and the power can be saved.

(5) Lowering the humidity in the cabinet and improving its storage capacity Since most of the casing of the drying means and the timer means are arranged so as to protrude outside the cabinet, the storage capacity of the stored goods in the cabinet is reduced. Not only is it greatly increased, its storage capacity is improved, but most of its heat is released to the outside of the cabinet, and it does not have any thermal effect on the stored items. -Damage can be prevented.

(6) Improvement of dehumidifying function Since a renewable drying means and a hygroscopic agent such as B-type silica gel are provided together, the dehumidifying capacity in the cabinet can be averaged at a high speed and the humidity can be effectively reduced. By drying at room temperature and for a short time, the color of the dried flower can be maintained close to the primary color, and footwear such as shoes can be dried without damaging leather or the like.

(7) Maintaining a constant humidity state Since a plurality of drying means provided with a renewable desiccant are provided side by side so that the moisture absorbing / discharging side is directed in the opposite direction, it is possible to supply water even without replenishing water. The inside of the cabinet can be maintained in a stable constant humidity state (for example, 55%) over the full season.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical side view of an automatic drying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal rear view of the drying unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a drying unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a mounted state of the drying unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an assembly view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a time chart of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the performance of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and a conventional product.

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal side view of an automatic drying apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state in which a drying unit is installed in the automatic drying device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 D1, D2, D3 Automatic drying device 1 Cabinet 12 Back plate 200, 200A, 200B Drying means 201 Casing 206 Drying processing chamber 207, 208 Front / rear wall 217, 218 Upper / lower shutter 220, 223 First, second storage section 226 desiccant container 227 desiccant 229 shape memory alloy wire 230 heating element 300 timer means 303 electric resistor 400 humidity control means 401 humidity controller 600 fan 700 hygroscopic agent

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-114715 (JP, A) JP-A-7-163831 (JP, A) JP-A-5-196337 (JP, A) 43883 (JP, U) Jikgyo Hei 2-2414 (JP, Y2) Jigyo Hei 5-26423 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B01D 53/26 F26B 21 / 04

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic drying apparatus comprising a drying means capable of regenerating a cabinet capable of maintaining the inside of the cabinet in a low humidity state, wherein the drying means is loaded with a desiccant or other hygroscopic agent.
Surrounding drying chamber in the drying at a partition wall
Timer means for controlling the means, said timer means being connected to a lead wire passing through said partition wall
An automatic drying apparatus, wherein only an electric resistor constituting a part of the electric circuit is disposed in the drying processing chamber. 2. The drying device is fitted into the cabinet so as to partially protrude into the cabinet. A first housing portion provided with timer means is provided outside the cabinet, and a second storage portion provided with humidity control means is provided inside the cabinet. 2. The automatic drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic drying apparatus is arranged.