JP3984743B2 - Humidity controller - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a humidity adjuster for adjusting humidity in a humidity adjustment space that is a sealed space serving as a storage for various articles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, the conventional humidity controller disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-63343 has a configuration as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing that forms a humidity adjustment space 2 that serves as a storage for various articles, 3 denotes an opening formed in the housing 1 so as to communicate with the outside air from the humidity adjustment space 2, and 4 denotes an opening. The solid electrolyte membrane 7 in which the anode 5 that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and the cathode 6 that reacts hydrogen ions and oxygen to generate water by the humidity adjusting element provided in 3 serve as a hydrogen ion exchange membrane. The dehumidifying side of the humidity control space 2 is attached so as to be in contact with the surface of the anode 5 and the humidifying side of the outside air is in contact with the surface of the cathode 6. 8 is an anode catalyst layer constituting the anode 5, and 9 is an anode side porous substrate constituting the anode 5. 10 is a cathode catalyst layer constituting the cathode 6, and 11 is a cathode side porous substrate constituting the cathode 6. A power source 12 applies a DC voltage between the anode 5 and the cathode 6.
[0003]
In the conventional humidity controller thus configured, when a DC voltage is applied between the anode 5 and the cathode 6 from the power source 12, a reaction of the formula (1) that decomposes water occurs at the anode 5.
2H ₂ O → O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ (1)
Then, the hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) generated at this time move from the anode 5 side toward the cathode 6 side, and the electrons (e ⁻ ) move to the cathode 6 through the power source 12, where the hydrogen ions and oxygen react. Thus, the water formation reaction of formula (2) occurs.
O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (2)
In this way, water moves from the anode 5 side to the cathode 6 side, and is dehumidified on the anode 5 side and humidified on the cathode 6 side.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the dehumidification and humidification reactions are performed on the anode 5 surface and the cathode 6 surface, respectively, impurity components such as dust, salinity, oil and detergent come to the electrode surface and stay on the surface to physically cover the electrode surface. Reduction of the reaction surface / humidity adjustment capability, or side reaction other than electrochemical decomposition / synthesis of water occurs on the electrode surface, resulting in a decrease in humidity adjustment capability.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can prevent impurity components such as dust, salt, oil, and detergent from flying and adhering to the electrode surface and reducing the humidity adjustment capability. The purpose is to obtain a humidity controller.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the humidity controller according to the present invention, in the humidity controller for adjusting the humidity of the humidity adjustment space by an electrochemical reaction, an anode disposed on the humidity adjustment space side and causing a water decomposition reaction is opposed to the anode. A humidity adjusting element having a cathode that is arranged on the outside air side and causes a water generation reaction using hydrogen ions generated by the decomposition reaction of the anode, a power source that applies a DC voltage to the humidity adjusting element, an anode of the humidity adjusting element, and A protective sheet is provided so as to cover at least one of the cathodes, and the protective sheet is constituted by a polytetrafluoroethylene porous film so as to transmit gas containing water vapor but not liquid fine particles and solid fine particles, The thickness of the polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane is 10 μm to 30 μm, the pore diameter is 0.5 μm to 3 μm, and the porosity is 70%. Ru Monodea which is adapted is between et 90%.
[0007]
Also, the protective sheet is one that is detachably attached.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 FIG.
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a humidity controller according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The fundamental point of difference between the humidity controller shown in FIG. 1 and the conventional humidity controller of FIG. 6 is that a protective sheet is provided via a spacer on the surface in contact with the outside air on the cathode side. This is the same as the humidity controller in FIG.
In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 to 12 are the same as those in the conventional apparatus, and the description thereof is omitted. Reference numeral 14 denotes a protective sheet which will be described later, and is disposed on a surface in contact with the outside air on the cathode 6 side through a spacer 15 formed by hollowing out a Teflon plate. Reference numeral 16 denotes a pressing plate for fixing the protective sheet 14 and is attached to the housing 1 via a spacer 15 by screws or adhesion.
[0009]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the film thickness of the protective sheet and the dehumidifying capacity of the humidity controller according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the long-term dehumidifying ability maintaining effect of the humidity controller according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0010]
In the humidity controller configured as described above, when a DC voltage is applied between the anode 5 and the cathode 6 from the power source 12, a reaction of the formula (1) that decomposes water occurs at the anode 5.
2H ₂ O → O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ (1)
Then, the hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) generated at this time move from the anode 5 side toward the cathode 6 side, and the electrons (e ⁻ ) move to the cathode 6 through the power source 12, where the hydrogen ions and oxygen react. Thus, the water formation reaction of formula (2) occurs.
O ₂ + 4H ⁺ 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (2)
The solid electrolyte 7 is a film having a thickness of about 170 μm, and for example, NAFION (registered trademark) -117 manufactured by Du Pont is used. Cathode catalyst layer 10, a mixture of platinum black to the volatile welding material such as isopropyl alcohol and water, applied to a solid electrolyte membrane 7 with a thickness of the amount of platinum black is 0.3mg / cm ² ~3mg / cm ² Or being sprayed.
[0011]
The cathode-side porous substrate 11 is made of carbon and has a thickness of 200 μm, and is a carbon fiber such as carbon paper or carbon cloth. The anode-side porous substrate 9 has a water permeability of 100 μm in thickness obtained by applying platinum plating to a titanium mesh. The cathode side porous substrate 11 on which the cathode catalyst layer 10 is formed with the solid electrolyte membrane 7 sandwiched between the anode side porous substrate 9 and the anode side porous substrate 9 are overlaid at a temperature of 180 ° C. and a pressure of 50 kg / cm ² . Then, they are physically integrated and electrically joined to each other by hot pressing. Thereafter, the anode catalyst layer 8 is formed on the anode side of the joined body of the porous base material and the solid electrolyte membrane 7. That is, by mixing platinum black to the volatile welding material such as isopropyl alcohol and water, the platinum black amount of 0.3mg / cm ² ~3mg / cm ² become the anode side porous substrate 9 and the solid electrolyte membrane 7 Apply or spray on the part facing the outside air. In this way, the anode 5 is formed.
[0012]
The protective sheet 20 is a tetrafluoroethylene porous membrane, and for example, a trade name “Microtex” manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation is known. The relationship between the membrane pressure and the dehumidifying capacity of this tetrafluoroethylene porous membrane is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a decrease in dehumidification ability is recognized as the film thickness increases, but it is confirmed that the film thickness of 10 to 30 μm is a region that keeps the necessary dehumidification ability while preventing permeation of solid fine particles and liquid fine particles. it can.
Similarly, the relationship between the pore size of the protective sheet 14 and the dehumidifying capability, the porosity and the dehumidifying capability are examined, and the pore size between 0.5 and 0.3 μm is necessary for the dehumidifying capability while preventing the permeation of solid fine particles and liquid fine particles. In addition, it was confirmed that the area between 70% and 90% of the porosity was a region that also retained the necessary dehumidifying ability while preventing the permeation of solid fine particles and liquid fine particles.
[0013]
FIG. 3 compares the effects of installing the humidity controller according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a conventional humidity controller in a factory with a lot of dust and oil mist.
The conventional product has a significant decrease in capacity after 4 months, and it can no longer be used without waiting for 6 months, whereas the dehumidifying capacity does not decrease after 6 months. The effect which can extend a lifetime is acquired.
[0014]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a humidity controller according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in which a protective sheet is provided inside the housing.
In FIG. 4, 1 to 16 are the same as those in FIG.
In FIG. 4, the protective sheet 14 is disposed on the anode 5 side through the spacer 15, and is attached to the inside of the housing 1 by a pressing plate 16.
Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0015]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cassette-type attaching / detaching structure for a protective sheet of a humidity controller according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a case where a protective sheet is attached to and detached from the outside of the housing as in the first embodiment.
In the figure, 1-4, 14 are the same as those in FIG.
The humidity adjusting element 4 is fixed to the opening 3 of the housing 1 by bolting (not shown) while being held by a plastic humidity adjusting element fixing part 17. The protective sheet 14 is held in a form integrally formed with a protective sheet fixing part 18 made of plastic, and the humidity adjusting element fixing part 17 and the protective sheet fixing part 18 have an uneven part 19 having a property of elastic deformation. It is possible to install / remove via
[0016]
By comprising in this way, replacement | exchange of the protection sheet 14 becomes easy and the long-term use of a humidity regulator main body is attained.
Even with the humidity controller according to the third embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment is obtained.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
In a humidity controller that adjusts the humidity of the humidity adjustment space by an electrochemical reaction, an anode that is disposed on the humidity adjustment space side and causes the decomposition reaction of water, and an anode that is disposed on the outside air side so as to face this anode are decomposed. It is provided to cover at least one of a humidity adjusting element having a cathode that causes a water generation reaction using hydrogen ions generated by the reaction, a power source for applying a DC voltage to the humidity adjusting element, and an anode and a cathode of the humidity adjusting element. The protective sheet is composed of a polytetrafluoroethylene porous film so as to allow gas containing water vapor to pass through but not liquid fine particles and solid fine particles, and the thickness of the polytetrafluoroethylene porous film. there 30μm from 10 [mu] m, pore size 3μm from 0.5 [mu] m, since the porosity was so is between 70% and 90% positive Or cathode to prevent the impurity components of the liquid particles or solid particles adhere, Ru it is possible to prevent deterioration of the humidity adjustment capability.
[0018]
Et al of the protective sheet, since detachably attached, easily replaced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a humidity regulator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the film thickness of the protective sheet and the dehumidifying capacity of the humidity controller according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a long-term dehumidifying ability maintaining effect of the humidity controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a humidity regulator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a cassette-type attaching / detaching structure for a protective sheet of a humidity controller according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a conventional humidity controller.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 housing, 2 humidity adjusting space, 4 humidity adjusting element, 5 anode,
6 cathode, 7 solid electrolyte membrane, 12 power supply, 14 protective sheet,
17 humidity adjustment element fixing | fixed part, 18 protection sheet fixing | fixed part, 19 uneven | corrugated | grooved part.

Claims (2)

In a humidity controller that adjusts the humidity of the humidity adjustment space by an electrochemical reaction, an anode that is disposed on the humidity adjustment space side and causes a decomposition reaction of water, and an anode that is disposed on the outside air side so as to face the anode are decomposed. A humidity adjustment element having a cathode that causes a water generation reaction using hydrogen ions generated by the reaction, a power source that applies a DC voltage to the humidity adjustment element, and at least one of the anode and the cathode of the humidity adjustment element The protective sheet is made of a polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane so as to allow gas containing water vapor to pass through but not liquid fine particles and solid fine particles, and the polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane. The film thickness is 10 μm to 30 μm, the pore diameter is 0.5 μm to 3 μm, and the porosity is between 70% and 90%. Humidity regulator, characterized in that the. Protective sheet, a humidity regulator of claim 1, wherein the detachably mounted.

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