JP5853970B2 - Equipment dehumidifier and in-vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dehumidifying device for equipment suitable for ensuring ventilation between the inside and outside of a housing for housing a device that generates heat, and suppressing moisture and foreign matter from entering the housing. .

  As for electric parts for vehicles such as lamps, pressure sensors, and ECUs (E nt rc i lc ol t ol U n i t), and electric products such as mobile phones and cameras, devices that generate heat are housed in a casing. By providing a breathing hole in the wall of such a housing, or by filling the breathing hole with a ventilation member, the pressure fluctuation inside the housing due to the temperature change of the device due to the operation or non-operation of the device is reduced. In addition, the gas generated inside the casing can be released to the outside, and dust or the like can be prevented from entering the casing.

  Conventionally, when the inside air and the outside air of a housing containing a device that generates heat are ventilated, moisture contained in the outside air enters the inside of the housing, and the insulation performance of the equipment inside the housing is reduced. There was a problem. On the other hand, when taking outside air into the housing, an electric device equipped with a dehumidifying device that prevents moisture from entering the inside of the outside continuously by passing the hygroscopic agent and dehumidifying the hygroscopic agent with a dehumidifying element. A device storage box has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-80518 (pages 5-6, FIG. 1)

  However, in the conventional dehumidifying device, since the dehumidifying element is located in the center of the hygroscopic container, the dehumidifying of the hygroscopic agent by the dehumidifying element is incomplete, and the hygroscopic agent near the vent of the hygroscopic container is outside. In other words, when water is accumulated locally and used for a long time, the dehumidifying capacity of the dehumidifying device is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dehumidifying device for equipment in which the dehumidifying ability is not easily lowered even when used for a long period of time.

An apparatus dehumidifier according to the present invention is an apparatus dehumidifier provided through a wall of a housing, and the apparatus dehumidifier stores a hygroscopic agent and the hygroscopic agent, and has one end. A first opening located inside the housing, and a hygroscopic container containing a second opening located outside the housing at the other end, and the second opening. A dehumidifying element provided adjacent to the positioned hygroscopic agent and having a hydrogen ion conductor film and an electrode is provided .

  According to the dehumidifying device for equipment according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent water from locally accumulating in the hygroscopic agent located in the opening provided in the hygroscopic agent storage unit, so that the dehumidifying agent is dehumidified by the dehumidifying element. Effectively, even when used for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the dehumidifying ability of the dehumidifying device for equipment.

It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the structure of the vehicle-mounted headlamp to which the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is applied. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the hygroscopic agent in Embodiment 1 and Comparative Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the hygroscopic agent in Embodiment 1 and Comparative Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relative humidity and the gas temperature in a housing | casing in Embodiment 1 and the comparative example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the hygroscopic agent in Embodiment 1 and Comparative Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the hygroscopic agent in Embodiment 1 of this invention and Comparative Examples 3, 4, and 5. FIG. It is a figure which shows the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the hygroscopic agent which concerns on Embodiment 1 and Comparative Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the internal diffusion phenomenon of the water | moisture content inside a hygroscopic agent. It is a figure which shows the range of the opening in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the moisture adsorption amount distribution of a hygroscopic agent. It is a figure which shows the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the hygroscopic agent of Example 1, 2, 3 in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the structure of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the structure of the modification of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically another structure of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time change regarding the dehumidification performance in Embodiment 1,3,5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the modification of the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the vehicle-mounted headlamp to which the dehumidification apparatus for apparatuses which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention is applied.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which a device dehumidifier according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle headlamp that is a device to be dehumidified. In FIG. 1, a housing 1 of an in-vehicle headlamp 100 houses a headlamp light source 2, an electronic component 3 that controls the headlamp light source 2, and an optical device 4 that adjusts light generated by the headlamp light source 2. . A part of the wall of the housing 1 is composed of a lens 5. The casing 1 is provided with a breathing hole 6 that penetrates the wall of the casing 1, and a device dehumidifier 22 is installed in the breathing hole 6. Since ventilation inside and outside the housing 1 is performed via the device dehumidifier 22, pressure fluctuations inside the housing due to temperature changes caused by turning on and off the headlamp light source 2 are alleviated and inside the housing 1. The generated gas, for example, low molecular siloxane or the like can be released to the outside of the housing 1.

  As the material of the housing 1, vinyl chloride resin, polystyrene resin, ABS resin, polystyrene resin, polypropylene resin, nylon resin, acrylic resin, fluororesin, polycarbonate, methylpentene resin, polyurethane, phenol resin, melamine resin, epoxy resin are used. Can be used. When used as an in-vehicle electronic device, a material having high durability between -35 ° C and 85 ° C is required. In the case of a resin that generates a low molecular siloxane with heating, it is desirable to sufficiently remove the low molecular siloxane by heating at 150 ° C. for about 1 hour in advance.

  The configuration of the device dehumidifier 22 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the device dehumidifying device 22 includes a hygroscopic agent 7, a hygroscopic storage unit 10 that stores the hygroscopic agent 7, and a dehumidifying element 8 that is in contact with the hygroscopic agent 7. Openings 11 and 12 are provided at the end of the hygroscopic container 10, and the breathing is located on the wall of the housing 1 so that the opening 11 is on the inner side of the housing 1 and the opening 12 is outside the housing. It is installed in the hole 6. The opening 11 is provided on the end surface of one end of the hygroscopic agent storage unit 10, and the opening 12 is provided on the peripheral surface of the other end of the hygroscopic agent storage unit 10. The dehumidifying element 8 is provided so as to be adjacent to the hygroscopic agent 7 located in the opening 12 and is driven and controlled by the control means 9.

  As a material constituting the hygroscopic container 10, an insulating material such as an acrylic resin or a metal material such as carbon, stainless steel (SUS316, SUS304, or the like) or aluminum can be used in order to increase mechanical strength. The shape of the hygroscopic container 10 is desirably changed according to the shape of the hygroscopic agent 7 or the shape of the breathing hole 6, and may be either a cylindrical shape or a rectangular column. Moreover, the dehumidifying element 8 should just be provided so that the moisture absorbent 7 located in the opening 12 may be adjoined, and as long as it is fixed, it may be fixed with respect to the moisture absorbent accommodating part 10.

Next, the flow of gas passing through the device dehumidifier 22 will be described. FIG. 2 schematically shows a configuration of the device dehumidifying element 22 according to the first exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 2, the device dehumidifier 22 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated approximately 90 degrees to the left and enlarged, and only a part of the housing 1 is shown. In FIG. 2, a part of the housing 1 is shown. The left side of the housing 1 is the inside of the housing 1, and the right side is the outside of the housing 1. The gas flow passing through the device dehumidifying device 22 is generated with a temperature change caused by turning on and off the headlamp light source 2. For example, the headlamp light source 2 is turned on at time t ₁ [time], and time t _{When the} headlamp light source 2 is turned off at time t ₂ [time] following ₁ [time], the internal gas in the housing 1 is t ₂ −t ₁ [time] (in accordance with the flow indicated by the arrow 31 in FIG. Thereafter, the gas is discharged to the outside of the housing 1 over a gas discharge time T _A [time]. Further, when the headlamp light source 2 is turned on again at time t ₃ [time], the external gas in the housing 1 passes through the openings 11 and 12 and the gas outside the casing 1 flows along the flow indicated by the arrow 32 at t ₃ − t ₂ [time] (hereinafter, defined as the gas suction time _{T B} [time]) multiplied through the openings 11 and 12 and flows into the interior of the housing 1.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a coordinate system is considered in which the origin is the position where the moisture absorbent 7 and the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8 are in contact, and the axis toward the opening 11 is the X axis. The opening 12 is formed in the range from the origin 0 to L [cm] of this coordinate system. The opening 12 is formed of a single hole or a plurality of holes. Depending on the size of the hole, the opening affects the ventilation. However, here, the size of the hole forming the opening 12 affects the ventilation. It is a size that does not. Further, in FIG. 2, the opening 12 is provided only on one side with respect to the hygroscopic agent 7 of the hygroscopic agent storage unit 10, but the opening 12 is made around the hygroscopic agent storage unit 10 at the same distance from the anode 13. It may be provided as follows.

  Next, the configuration of the dehumidifying element 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the dehumidifying element 8 electrolyzes (oxidizes) water to generate oxygen and hydrogen ions, an anode 13, generates water from oxygen and hydrogen ions, or reduces hydrogen ions to reduce hydrogen. It is an electrochemical element composed of a generated cathode 14 and a hydrogen ion conductor film 15 that is interposed in a region where the anode 13 and the cathode 14 face each other and transports hydrogen ions.

The anode 13 is composed of an oxidation catalyst that promotes the oxidation reaction of the substrate and water. As a base material, a weight of 200 g / cm ² per unit area made of a sintered body of titanium (Ti) metal fiber (for example, a sintered body in which a single fiber having a fiber diameter of 20 μm and a length of 50 to 100 mm is woven). Fabric (radius 50 mm, thickness 300 μm) or expanded metal having a mesh structure made of titanium can be used. On the surface in contact with the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 of the base material, platinum (Pt) or iridium oxide (IrO ₂ ) serving as a catalyst is plated at a rate of 0.25 to ² mg / cm ² per unit area.

  Since electrolysis (oxidation) of water on the anode 13 proceeds only at the interface between the oxidation catalyst formed on the base material and the hydrogen ion conductor film 15, when using expanded metal as the base material, Density affects electrolysis performance. Therefore, specifically, it is desirable to use an expanded metal having 10 or more holes per inch.

  The cathode 14 is composed of a carbon-based substrate and a reduction catalyst that promotes the reduction reaction of oxygen. As the carbon-based substrate, for example, carbon fiber having a radius of 50 mm and a thickness of 200 μm that has been subjected to water repellent treatment, for example, a fiber diameter of about 5 to 50 μm and a porosity of 50 to 80% are used.

The hydrogen ion conductor membrane 15 is a material that does not transmit gas, is electrically insulating, and conducts water and hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ), such as a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane, a polybenzimidazole ion exchange membrane, A benzoxazole ion exchange membrane, a polyarylene ether ion exchange membrane, or the like is used.

Next, the operation of the dehumidifying element 8 will be described. The dehumidifying element 8 is driven and controlled by the control means 9. The control means 9 drives and controls the dehumidifying element 8 while continuously or intermittently applying a DC voltage between the anode 13 and the cathode 14 by a DC power source built in the control means 9, and the anode 13 and the cathode 14. The electrochemical reaction proceeds in At the anode 13, water supplied from the moisture absorbent 7 or a gas passing through the moisture absorbent is decomposed into oxygen (O ₂ ) and hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) as shown in the reaction formula (1). When a voltage is applied by a direct current power source, a current flows and oxygen is generated from the surface of the anode electrode 13.

Anode: 2H ₂ O → O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ (1)

When a gas containing oxygen (O ₂ ) such as air is supplied to the cathode 14, hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) and oxygen gas (which reach the interface with the hydrogen ion conductor film 15) and oxygen gas (on the cathode electrode 14). O ₂ ) reacts and water (H ₂ O) is generated by the reduction reaction shown in the reaction formula (2).

Cathode: O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (2)

Further, the reaction formula (3) in which hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) are directly reduced at the cathode 14 to generate hydrogen (H ₂ ) may also proceed.

Cathode: 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ → H ₂ (3)

The hydrogen ion conductivity of the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 increases in proportion to the relative humidity in the conductor film, that is, the amount of water. When the hydrogen ion conductor membrane 15 is a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane, at 20 ° C., 10 ⁻⁴ Scm ^{−1 at} 20% relative humidity, 2 × 10 ⁻³ Scm ⁻¹ at 40%, and 10 ^{− at} 60%. It greatly changes to ² Scm- ¹ . In addition, the amount of ions and gas molecules generated in the electrochemical reaction as described above can be changed depending on the voltage applied to the anode 13 and the cathode 14.

  Next, the hygroscopic agent 7 will be described. Examples of the moisture absorbent 7 include activated carbon, silica gel, alumina gel, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, synthetic carbon-based adsorbent such as sulfone ion exchange resin having a huge network structure such as styrene / divinylbenzene, starch-based and cellulose-based adsorbents. A porous structure such as a high water supply resin can be used. Among them, it is desirable to use activated carbon and silica gel that are particularly inexpensive and have long-term reliability. It is also possible to form a hygroscopic layer by laminating particles having a porous structure and having a representative diameter in the range of 0.01 to 50 mm.

In using the in-vehicle headlamp 100 as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 1 includes a salt content in seawater, an ionic substance contained in tap water, CaCl ₂ which is a main component of a snow melting agent, dust, and the like. May come in. Therefore, the hygroscopic agent 7 may be formed on a base material having a ventilation structure described below. As the base material, an air-permeable structure including woven fabric, non-woven fabric, net, porous body, and foam is suitable. From the viewpoint of water repellency (waterproofness), heat resistance, chemical resistance, etc., the porous material of fluororesin Or a porous body of polyolefin or a combination thereof. Examples of fluororesins include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl copolymer, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. Polyvinylidene fluoride and the like can be used.

  Further, as the base material, it is desirable to use a PTFE porous body that can maintain air permeability with a smaller ventilation area and has a high function of suppressing entry of foreign matters such as water and dust into the housing 1. Polyolefin, polypropylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, or the like may be used as the polyolefin.

  Next, the results of evaluating the dehumidifying effect of the moisture absorbent 7 and the dehumidifying element 8 and the distribution of the amount of moisture adsorbed on the moisture absorbent 7 of the device dehumidifier 2 in Embodiment 1 will be disclosed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 12 is provided so as to be located outside the housing 1. At this time, the boundary between the hygroscopic agent 7 and the anode 13 is set to the origin 0 and the length is extended along the X axis. The opening 12 was formed in the range of 0 to 10 cm. This is expressed as an opening range L = 10 cm. The cross section of the hygroscopic agent 7 in a plane parallel to the anode 13 is a square of 2 cm × 2 cm, and the cross sectional area A = 4 cm ² . The total length of the hygroscopic agent 7 along the X axis is 25 cm. The total area of the openings 11 located inside the housing 1 is 4 cm ² , and the total area of the openings 12 located outside the housing 1 is 10 cm ² . The areas of the anode 13 and the cathode 14 are both 4 cm ² . Hereinafter, the device dehumidifier 22 having this condition is referred to as Example 1.

Both the case 1 and the material constituting the hygroscopic container 10 are acrylic resins. As the hydrogen ion conductor film 15, an electrochemical element composed of a perfluorosulfonic acid film was used. When dehumidifying element 8 was continuously applied with a direct current of 3.0 V by control means 9, a current of 25 to 100 mA flowed. As the moisture absorbent 7, porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having an average pore diameter of 10 μm was used as a base material, and silica gel particles having an average particle diameter of 20 μm were supported. Also, _{k F} the overall mass transfer coefficient in the interior of the desiccant 7, when the outer particle surface area _{a v} per adsorption layer unit _volume, was _{k F a v = 180 [1} / s]. The external environment of the housing 1 is a room temperature of 20 ° C. and a relative humidity of 80%.

  A method for measuring the distribution of the amount of moisture adsorbed inside the hygroscopic agent 7 which is a numerical value indicating the hygroscopic capacity will be described. During the measurement time, the hygroscopic agent 7 is cut at intervals of 0.1 to 1 mm on a plane parallel to the anode 13 to obtain 7 pieces of the hygroscopic agent. Next, after sufficiently removing the adsorbed moisture inside the stainless steel chamber by heating at 100 ° C. or higher, seven pieces of the hygroscopic agent are placed inside the chamber cooled to room temperature. Dry air is allowed to flow while the surface temperature of the seven hygroscopic agents is heated to 40 to 60 ° C. by an electric heater. The gas flowing out of the chamber is analyzed by an infrared absorptiometer, and the total amount of water released from the hygroscopic piece is quantified.

Next, the operation of the headlamp light source 2 will be described. The headlamp light source 2 was turned on at time t = 0 [hour], and the headlamp light source 2 was turned off at time t = 2 [hour]. Thereafter, the headlamp light source 2 is turned on again at t = 10 [hours], and the headlamp light source 2 is repeatedly turned on and off. At this time, while the headlamp light source 2 is turned on, the internal gas in the housing 1 is discharged over a period of T _A = 2 [time] along the arrow 31 shown in FIG. While the light is extinguished, the surrounding air is sucked along the arrow 32 over T _B = 8 [hours].

  FIG. 3 shows the distribution of moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 after the headlamp light source 2 is repeatedly turned on and off. The graph of FIG. 3 shows the relative position when the length 25 cm of the moisture absorbent 7 is 1 (reference) with the origin 0 of the X axis shown in FIG. 2 as a reference, and the moisture per cross-sectional area of the moisture absorbent 7. The relative value of the adsorption amount is shown as the y-axis. y = 8 indicates the saturated moisture adsorption amount, that is, the upper limit of the moisture amount that can be absorbed by the hygroscopic agent. A curve 42 in FIG. 3A shows the distribution of the moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 immediately before the headlamp light source 2 is turned on again at the time t = 10 [hours] in the first embodiment. A straight line 45 in (b) shows the distribution of moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 after the headlamp light source 2 is turned on again at time t = 12 [hours] in the first embodiment. In order to show the effect of the dehumidifying element, as a comparative example, the result of the dehumidifying effect when the dehumidifying element 8 is not used is shown by a curve 43 in FIG. 3A and a curve 44 in FIG. 3B. This is referred to as Comparative Example 1. In Comparative Example 1, a stainless steel plate (thickness 1 mm) having no air permeability and water permeability was installed instead of the dehumidifying element 8.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, immediately before the headlamp light source 2 is turned on again, the moisture of the hygroscopic agent 7 is discharged to the outside air by the dehumidifying effect of the dehumidifying element 8, and therefore, from Comparative Example 1 having no dehumidifying element 8. It was also found that the amount of moisture was small, and the distribution curve of the moisture adsorption amount was translated in the negative direction of the x-axis as compared with Comparative Example 1. At time t = 10 to 12 hours, as the headlamp light source 2 is turned on, the gas temperature inside the housing 1 rises from 20 ° C. to around 50 ° C., and the heated air is discharged through the moisture absorbent 7. Since the relative humidity decreases when the air is heated, the moisture adsorbed on the hygroscopic agent 7 shown in FIG. 3A is gradually discharged to the outside air at 10 <t <12 [hours]. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), in Example 1 having the dehumidifying element 8, all the water once adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 7 is discharged to the outside of the housing 1, while the comparative example 1 does not have the dehumidifying element 8. Then, much moisture remained in the hygroscopic agent 7. 3A and 3B, the rectangular area surrounded by x = 0 to 1.0 and y = 0 to 8 is the maximum amount that can be adsorbed by the hygroscopic agent 7 (hereinafter referred to as saturated adsorption amount). As shown in FIG. 3B, the amount of water remaining in the hygroscopic agent 7 at time t = 12 [hours] in Comparative Example 1 was measured, and as a result, the hatched portion in FIG. And about 0.1 times the saturated adsorption amount of the hygroscopic agent 7.

  From this result, the relative length is 0 at the time t = 10 [hours] immediately before the headlamp light source 2 is relighted and at the time t = 12 [hours] immediately after the headlamp light source 2 is relighted. It can be seen that the water adsorption amount is maximum at the position. This means that the amount of moisture adsorbed by the hygroscopic agent 7 adjacent to the opening 12 located outside the housing 1 is large. Moreover, by comparing with the comparative example 1 which does not have the dehumidification element 8, in the dehumidification apparatus 22 for apparatuses in Embodiment 1, it turns out that the dehumidification effect of the moisture absorbent 7 by the dehumidification element 8 is effective.

  Next, the distribution of moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 when the headlamp light source 2 is further turned on and off is shown. A curve 46 in FIG. 4A shows the distribution of moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 at time t = 102 [hours] after the 11th lighting of the headlamp light source 2. A curve 48 in FIG. 4B shows the distribution of moisture adsorption amount of the hygroscopic agent 7 at time t = 202 [hours] after the 21st lighting of the headlamp light source 2. From the curves 46 and 48 in Example 1 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the moisture remaining in the moisture absorbent 7 after the headlamp light source 2 is turned on is the number of times the headlamp light source 2 is turned on and off repeatedly. Regardless, it was constant at about 0.05 times the saturated adsorption amount of moisture that the moisture absorbent 7 can adsorb. This is because the dehumidifying element 8 in the configuration of Example 1 discharges moisture adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 7 to the outside air. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 that does not include the dehumidifying element 8, as indicated by the curve 47 in FIG. 4A and the curve 49 in FIG. 4B, the headlamp light source 2 is repeatedly turned on and off, The moisture contained in the moisture absorbent 7 located in the opening 12 provided outside the housing 1 of the moisture absorbent 7 gradually accumulated and reached about 0.7 times the saturated adsorption amount. Although not shown, the moisture content of the moisture absorbent 7 reached 1.0 times the saturated adsorption amount after the 30th lamp turn-off.

  FIG. 5 shows the relative humidity and gas temperature inside the housing 1 including the time t = 200 to 212 [hours] when the headlamp light source 2 is repeatedly turned on and off. In FIG. 5A showing the change in relative humidity with time, a curve 36 shows a change in relative humidity in Comparative Example 1, and a curve 37 shows a change in relative temperature in Example 1. In Example 1, the amount of moisture remaining in the hygroscopic agent 7 was sufficiently low, so that the relative humidity inside the housing 1 can be maintained at 70% or less as shown by the curve 37 in FIG. No haze of 5 occurred. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 in which the dehumidifying element 8 is not used, the amount of moisture adsorbed in the hygroscopic agent 7 adjacent to the opening 12 located outside the housing 1 gradually increases, and is about 0.7 times the saturated adsorption amount. Therefore, as shown by a curve 36 in FIG. 5A, the relative humidity inside the housing 1 is 90% or more, and the lens 5 is clouded. The gas temperature inside the housing 1 changes as shown in FIG.

  Next, the difference in the dehumidifying effect obtained by the position where the dehumidifying element 8 is installed in the hygroscopic agent storage unit 10 will be described. As a comparative example, a dehumidifying device 22 for equipment in which the dehumidifying element 8 was installed at a position of x = 12 to 14 cm in the central portion of the hygroscopic agent 7, that is, the total length of 25 cm of the hygroscopic agent 7, was used. This is referred to as Comparative Example 2. A curve 50 in FIG. 6A shows the distribution of the moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 at time t = 102 [hours] after the eleventh headlamp light source 2 is turned on in the first embodiment. A curve 52 in FIG. 6B shows the distribution of moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 at time t = 202 [hours] after the 21st turn-on of the headlamp light source 2 in the first embodiment. Further, curves 51 and 52 in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) show the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the moisture absorbent 7 in Comparative Example 2.

  From this result, by providing the dehumidifying element 8 so as to be adjacent to the hygroscopic agent 7 located in the opening provided on the outside of the housing 1, the dehumidifying element 8 is arranged at the center of the hygroscopic agent 7 as in the conventional configuration. The dehumidifying effect of the hygroscopic agent 7 can be improved as compared with the configuration in which the moisture absorbent 7 is provided.

  The effect obtained by providing the dehumidifying element 8 so as to be adjacent to the moisture absorbent located in the opening 12 provided outside the housing 1 will be further described. FIG. 7 shows the distribution of the amount of moisture adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 7 at time t = 202 [hours] after the 21st lighting of the headlamp light source 2. As a comparison object of Example 1 shown by the curve 25 in FIG. 7, a device in which the dehumidifying element 8 is installed at a position where the relative length is 0.25 times is referred to as Comparative Example 3 and is shown by a curve 26 in FIG. 7. Moreover, what installed the dehumidification element 8 in the position whose relative length is 0.5 time is made into the comparative example 4, and it shows with the curve 27 of FIG. Moreover, what installed the dehumidification element 8 in the position whose relative length is 0.75 time is made into the comparative example 5, and it shows with the curve 28 of FIG.

  From FIG. 7, as the relative length of the position where the dehumidifying element 8 is installed becomes smaller, that is, as the dehumidifying element 8 approaches the opening 12 on the outside of the housing 1, the dehumidifying effect of the dehumidifying element 8 on the moisture absorbent 7. It can be seen that is improved.

  FIG. 8 shows the difference in moisture adsorption amount that can be adsorbed by the hygroscopic agent 7 in Example 1 and Comparative Example 3 in FIG. As described above, the rectangular area surrounded by x = 0 to 1.0 and y = 0 to 8 in FIG. 8 corresponds to the saturated adsorption amount of the hygroscopic agent 7, so in Comparative Example 5, the time t = The maximum amount of water that can be adsorbed after 202 [hours] is the region 23 shown in FIG. On the other hand, in Example 1, the maximum amount of water that can be adsorbed after time t = 202 [hours] is the sum of the region 23 and the region 24 shown in FIG. This is more than the maximum amount of water that can be adsorbed in Comparative Example 5 by the amount indicated by the region 24. That is, by determining the installation position of the dehumidifying element 8 to be adjacent to the hygroscopic agent 7 as in the first embodiment, the amount of water remaining in the hygroscopic agent 7 can be greatly reduced.

  The mechanism in which moisture easily accumulates in the hygroscopic agent 7 present in the opening 12 located outside the housing 1 can be described as follows. When the headlamp light source 2 is turned on, the air expanded inside the housing is discharged to the outside of the housing 1, and when the headlamp light source 2 is turned off, the air inside the housing 1 contracts and the outside is moist air. Inhale. When the hygroscopic agent 7 is installed in the breathing hole 6 provided in the wall of the housing 1, the humidity can be removed from the gas sucked from the outside toward the inside when the headlamp light source 2 is turned off.

  When the headlamp light source 2 is turned on, the humidity adsorbed by the hygroscopic agent 7 is discharged to the outside when the expanding gas (gas having a low relative humidity) heated inside the container is discharged from the inside of the housing 1 to the outside. The Ideally, since the total volume of gas discharged as the lamp is turned on is equal to the volume of the total gas sucked as the headlamp light source 2 is turned off, the distribution of moisture adsorption amount that is repeated as the gas is discharged and sucked Should be the same repeatedly. As described above, assuming that gas expansion and contraction occur instantaneously, accumulation and remaining of moisture in the hygroscopic agent do not occur by repeatedly turning on and off the headlamp light source 2.

  However, actually, after the headlamp light source 2 is turned on and off for a certain period of time, the cooling of the air inside the housing 1 proceeds slowly over several hours. During this time, the moisture adsorbed on the moisture absorbent 7 moves from a portion with a large amount of moisture adsorption to a portion with a small amount of moisture due to a diffusion phenomenon. FIG. 9 shows the time change of the moisture adsorption amount distribution accompanying the diffusion phenomenon.

  A curve 30 in FIG. 9 shows the moisture adsorption amount distribution of the moisture absorbent 7 immediately after the headlamp light source 2 is turned off. From this state, as time elapses, the moisture content permeates into the inside of the housing 1 due to the diffusion phenomenon while keeping the total water content inside the hygroscopic agent constant. A curve 31 in FIG. 9 shows the distribution of the moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 one hour after the headlamp light source 2 is turned off. A curve 32 in FIG. 9 shows the distribution of the moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 two hours after the headlamp light source 2 is turned off. It can be seen that the moisture adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 7 as shown by the curve 31 diffuses and moves to the inside of the housing 1 as shown by the curve 30 over time. For this reason, in order to push moisture out of the housing 1 completely by the expanded air discharged when the headlamp light source 2 is turned on again, it is necessary to move a larger volume of air. Therefore, in consideration of the time during which the expansion and contraction of the air proceeds, the difference moved by the diffusion phenomenon during the extinction of the headlamp light source 2 becomes apparent in the form of accumulation and remaining of moisture in the moisture absorbent.

  According to the first embodiment, the dehumidifying element 8 can forcibly discharge moisture in a direction opposite to the direction of diffusion toward the inside of the housing 1 in the moisture absorbent 7 with respect to the diffusion of moisture. Therefore, the penetration of moisture into the inside of the housing 1 due to the diffusion phenomenon in the moisture absorbent 7 is suppressed, and the moisture accumulation of the moisture absorbent 7 located at the opening outside the housing 1 of the moisture absorbent 7 is suppressed. It becomes possible.

Next, the difference in the dehumidifying effect when the position of the opening 12 is changed will be described. In the above-described FIGS. 3 to 8, in the device dehumidifier 22, the results were shown in the case where the opening range of the opening 12 outside the housing 1 was 0 to 10 cm (L = 10 cm). On the other hand, the dehumidifying element 8 is fixed to the origin 0 as shown in FIG. 2, and the dehumidifying ability when the range in which the opening 12 is formed is changed is evaluated. However, it is considered that the range in which the opening 12 is formed has a width in the X-axis direction, and the position at which the opening 12 is formed changes with the width depending on the opening range L. Further, the cross section of the hygroscopic agent 7 in a plane parallel to the anode 13 is a square of 2 cm × 2 cm, the cross sectional area A = 4 cm ² , and the total length along the X axis shown in FIG. 2 is 100 cm.

  FIG. 10 shows the result of examining the total moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 when the opening range L is changed to 0 to 60 cm. The y-axis in FIG. 10 shows the relative amount of the total moisture adsorption amount adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 7 at time t = 202 [hours] after the 21st turn-on of the headlamp light source 2. Since the opening 12 is too small at L <0.1 cm, the air expanded inside the housing 1 due to the heat generated by the lighting of the headlamp light source 2 is not discharged outside the housing 1. Gradually increases. When the opening range L is 0.1 cm or more and 25 cm or less, the air expanded inside the container with heat generated by lighting the headlamp light source 2 is easily discharged, and the opening 12 is sufficiently close to the dehumidifying element 8. The water adsorption amount was suppressed to 0.1 times or less with respect to the maximum water adsorption amount. When the opening range L is 25 cm or more, the distance between the moisture absorbent 7 that absorbs a large amount of moisture and the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8 is long, and the moisture moving speed by the dehumidifying element decreases rapidly. Increased gradually.

  Therefore, the opening range L of the opening 12 viewed from the surface of the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8 is 0.1 cm <L <25 cm, that is, the relative position is 0.01 times <L <based on the total length of the moisture absorbent 7. It is desirable to be 0.25 times. Further, when the surrounding environment of the housing 1 for housing the headlamp light source 2 is a condition where low temperature and humidity are likely to cause fogging and high dehumidification performance is required, 0.5 cm <L <10 cm, that is, a hygroscopic agent The relative position is preferably 0.05 times <L <0.1 times with reference to the total length of 7.

  According to the first embodiment, by providing the opening 12 in the above range, the moisture adsorbed by the moisture absorbent 7 can be effectively discharged, and the headlamp light source 2 is lit for a long time. Even when the light is repeatedly turned off, the humidity inside the housing 1 can be reduced, and the fogging of the lens 5 can be prevented.

Next, the difference in the dehumidifying effect due to the difference in the cross-sectional area of the moisture absorbent 7 of the device dehumidifier 22 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The area in a plane parallel to the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8 is 16 cm ² , the cross-sectional area A of the hygroscopic agent 7 is 16 cm ² , the area of the opening 12 is 25 cm ² , and other conditions are the same as in Example 1. Example 2. Further, the area of the dehumidifying element 8 in a plane parallel to the anode 13 is 1 cm ² , the cross-sectional area A of the moisture absorbent 7 is 1 cm ² , the area of the opening 12 is 2 cm ² , and other conditions are set to be the same as those in the first embodiment. This is referred to as Example 3.

The external environment of the housing 1 was a room temperature of 20 ° C. and a relative humidity of 80%. In Example 2 and Example 3, a DC voltage of 3.0 V was applied to the dehumidifying element 8. The internal volume of the housing 1 is 20L. The temperature of the air inside the housing 1 increased or decreased in the range of 10 to 85 ° C. by turning on and off the lamp. When Examples 1, 2, and 3 were compared, the total amount of gas passing through the hygroscopic agent 7 was constant. However, since the cross-sectional areas of the hygroscopic agent 7 and the dehumidifying element 8 in Examples 1, ^2, and ³ are different from 4, 16, 1 cm ² , the flow velocity of the gas passing through the hygroscopic agent 7 varies in inverse proportion to the cross-sectional area A. To do. Assuming that the gas flow rate of Example 1 is 100, the gas flow rates of Examples 2 and 3 are 25 and 400, respectively. The headlamp light source 2 was turned on at time t = 0 hours, and the headlamp light source 2 was turned off at t = 2 [hours]. Thereafter, the headlamp light source 2 was repeatedly turned on and off so that the headlamp light source 2 was turned on again at time t = 10 [hours].

  FIG. 11 shows a distribution of the amount of moisture adsorbed per cross-sectional area of the hygroscopic agent 7 at time t = 102 [hours] after the eleventh lamp lighting. Curves 38, 39, and 40 in FIG. 11 correspond to Examples 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In Examples 2 and 3, since the dehumidifying element 8 discharges the moisture adsorbed to the moisture absorbent 7 to the outside air, the residual moisture after the headlamp light source 2 is turned on is the maximum moisture that the moisture absorbent 7 can adsorb regardless of the number of repetitions. When the amount was 1, it was constant at about 0.01 times and 0.08 times, respectively.

  When the flow rate of the gas passing through the hygroscopic agent 7 varies as shown in the first to third embodiments, the distribution of the moisture adsorption amount inside the hygroscopic agent 7 changes, but the cross-sectional areas of the hygroscopic agent 7 and the dehumidifying element 8 change. Regardless of A, accumulation (residual) of moisture inside the adsorbent can be prevented by operating the dehumidifying element 8.

In Example 2 in which the cross-sectional area A of the adsorbent 7 is 16 cm ² , the exchange of air between the housing 1 and the outside air becomes faster, so the time for sucking in the outside air is shortened. Along with this, the residual water content per cross-sectional area decreases. On the other hand, in Example 3 where the cross-sectional area is 1 cm ² , since it takes time to exchange air between the housing 1 and the outside air, the residual moisture amount per cross-sectional area increases.

  When the cross section of the hygroscopic agent 7 is changed as in the first to third embodiments, the distribution of the amount of moisture adsorbed inside the hygroscopic agent 7 changes, but if the dehumidifying element 8 is driven, the dehumidifying device for equipment is lengthened. Even if it is operated for a period of time, moisture remaining inside the adsorbent 7 can be prevented. That is, by operating the dehumidifying element 8, the moisture absorption agent 7 does not reach the saturated adsorption amount, and the dehumidifying ability can be maintained for a long time.

  The first embodiment is adjusted by examining the distribution of moisture adsorption amount of the hygroscopic agent 7 under various conditions. Moreover, this Embodiment 1 clarifies the problem that the moisture absorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7 located in the opening 11 provided outside the housing 1 is particularly large in the distribution of the moisture adsorption amount of the moisture absorbent 7, The optimization of the positions of the dehumidifying element 8 and the opening 12 is shown.

  As described above, according to the device dehumidifying element 22 according to the first embodiment, the dehumidifying element 8 electrolyzes water to generate oxygen, the cathode that releases water, and the hydrogen ion in the region where the cathode and the anode face each other. And a structure in which a dehumidifying element 8 is provided adjacent to a hygroscopic agent 7 located in an opening 12 provided on the outside of the housing 1. It has become. Therefore, when the internal air repeatedly expands and contracts due to turning on and off of the headlamp light source 2, it prevents the moisture from accumulating in the moisture absorbent 7 located in the opening 12, and can be used for a long time without replacing the moisture absorbent 7. The dehumidifying effect can be maintained, and fogging generated inside the housing 1 can be prevented.

In addition, the required dehumidification performance changes with the volume which the housing | casing 1 occupies, and the temperature change of the air inside the housing | casing 1. FIG. When the volume changes in the range of about 10 L and the air temperature is 0 to 150 ° C. as in a vehicle headlamp, the cross-sectional area A is in the range of 1 to 100 cm ² and the total length of the hygroscopic agent is 1 to 25 cm. It is desirable to set the range. When the volume of the housing 1 is 10 L or more and 100 L or less and the air temperature is changed in the range of 0 to 150 ° C., the cross-sectional area A is in the range of 100 to 1000 cm ² , and the total length of the hygroscopic agent 7 is 10 cm to 1 m. It is desirable to set the range.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the dehumidifying device 22 is installed in the breathing hole provided in the housing of the in-vehicle headlamp is described. However, the dehumidifying device 22 interferes with in-vehicle components other than the in-vehicle headlamp. However, it is desirable that the structure be easily removable as required.

  Further, the hygroscopic storage unit 10 is configured to be installed in the breathing hole 6 of the housing 1, but the hygroscopic storage unit 10 is formed integrally with the housing 1 in order to reduce the number of parts. May be.

  In addition, the position where the breathing hole 6 is formed is not limited to the lower part of the casing 1 shown in the present embodiment, and the pressure fluctuation inside the casing due to the temperature change accompanying the lighting and extinguishing of the lamp is alleviated. It can be installed anywhere if possible.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, an installation example of the device dehumidifier according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12A shows a schematic configuration of the dehumidifying element 8 of the device dehumidifying apparatus 22 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12B shows a schematic configuration of the device dehumidifying element as seen from the arrow B shown in FIG. The opening 12 installed on the outside of the housing 1 is provided on the flat surface where the dehumidifying element 8 and the hygroscopic agent 7 are in contact with each other at the end face of the other end of the hygroscopic agent storage unit 10, and is provided in the dehumidifying element 8. The through hole 41 communicates. Other than that, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the materials, filling methods, and the like used for the adsorbent 7 and the dehumidifying element 8 are the same.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the dehumidifying element 8 has a through hole 41 that penetrates the anode 13, the hydrogen ion conductor film 15, and the cathode 14, so that air is discharged or sucked from the same plane as the dehumidifying element 8. Is possible. As shown in FIG. 12B, it is desirable that there are a plurality of through holes 41 so that a sufficient amount of ventilation can be obtained. When the amount of ventilation through the moisture absorbent per turn on / off of the headlamp light source 2 is 2 L or less, the total area of the through holes 41 provided in the dehumidifying element 8 is 1/4 or less of the entire dehumidifying element 8. It is desirable to do. When the air flow rate through the hygroscopic agent 7 is 2 L or more, the total area of the through holes 41 provided in the dehumidifying element 8 is desirably 1/3 or less of the entire dehumidifying element 8.

  Since a fibrous electrode material such as carbon paper is often used for the cathode 14, if punching is performed from the anode 13 side, the fibers constituting the cathode 14 remain, and the anode 13 and the cathode 14 are electrically connected. Short circuit may occur. Therefore, in the dehumidifying element 8, in order to form a through hole without electrically short-circuiting the anode 13 and the cathode 14, the dehumidifying element 8 without the through hole 41 is integrally formed and then pressed from the cathode 14 side by pressing. It is desirable to punch out a part.

As the press working conditions of the dehumidifying element 8 having a thickness of 50 μm or more after the integral molding, it is desirable that the temperature is 130 ° C. or more, the press pressure is 10 kgf / cm ² or more, and the outer periphery of the punching blade is 120 mm or less. When a thicker dehumidifying element is pressed, it is desirable that the temperature is 160 ° C. or higher, the press pressure is 30 kgf / cm ² or higher, and the outer periphery of the punching blade is 120 mm or less.

  In addition to forming the through hole 41 in the dehumidifying element 8, a plurality of small dehumidifying elements 8 may be arranged in the same plane so that the moisture absorbent 7 and the dehumidifying element 8 are in contact with each other at the opening 12. In this case, it is desirable that there are a plurality of openings 12 so that a sufficient amount of ventilation can be obtained. In addition, since a fibrous electrode material such as carbon paper is often used for the cathode 14, if the cutting process is performed from the anode 13 side, the fibers constituting the cathode 14 remain, and the anode 13 and the cathode 14 are separated. Electrical shorts can occur. Therefore, in order to form the small dehumidifying element 8, the anode 13, the cathode 14 and the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 punched out in advance may be integrally formed. However, in order to increase the production efficiency, the large dehumidifying element is temporarily used. After integrally molding 8, it is desirable to cut from the cathode 14 side with a cutter.

  As described above, according to the device dehumidifying element 22 according to the second embodiment, since the opening 11 and the opening 12 are located at opposite positions, the gas passes through the hygroscopic agent 7 evenly, so that the hygroscopic agent 7 is effectively used. The dehumidifying effect can be maintained for a longer period of time without replacing the hygroscopic agent 7, and fogging occurring inside the housing 1 can be prevented.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, an installation example of the device dehumidifier according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 shows a device dehumidifier 22 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a protective film 16 is provided between the dehumidifying element 8 and the hygroscopic agent 7 to prevent contaminants from entering the anode 13. The materials and filling methods used for the agent 7 and the dehumidifying element 8 are the same.

Possible substances that may enter the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8 include foreign substances such as salt contained in seawater, ionic substances contained in tap water, CaCl _{2 as} the main component of the snow melting agent, and dust. In particular, when fine water droplets enter, Na ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , K ⁺ , HCO ₃ ⁻ , Cl ⁻ , SO ₄ ²⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , silica ions, Br ⁻ and H ₃ BO contained in the water. _{3. When} F ⁻ and Sr ²⁺ come into contact with the anode side for a long period of time, the performance of the anode 13 and the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 may be deteriorated due to electrochemical reaction or ion substitution.

  The material and structure of the protective film 16 are not particularly limited as long as a necessary amount of gas permeation can be ensured. For example, the protective film 16 may be a gas permeable film including a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a net, a porous body, and a foam. In particular, from the viewpoint of water repellency (waterproofness), heat resistance, chemical resistance, etc., a fluororesin porous body, a polyolefin porous body, or a gas permeable membrane using these in combination is preferable. Examples of fluororesins include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. Polyvinylidene fluoride and the like can be used.

  In addition, it is preferable to use a PTFE porous body that can maintain air permeability with a small ventilation area and has a high function of suppressing entry of foreign matters such as water and dust into the anode 13. Polyolefin, polypropylene, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, or the like may be used as the polyolefin. When the fluororesin porous body or the polyolefin resin porous body or these are used in combination as the protective film 16, the average pore diameter of the porous body is preferably in the range of about 0.01 μm to 100 μm from the viewpoint of waterproofness. Such a porous body can be obtained by a general porous body forming method such as a stretching method or an extraction method.

The ionic substances (Na ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , K ⁺ , HCO ₃ ⁻ , Cl ⁻ , etc.) including the salt contained in the seawater described above as substances that have an undesirable influence on the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8. SO ₄ ²⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , silica ions, Br ⁻ , H ₃ BO ₃ , F ⁻ , Sr ²⁺ ), CaCl ₂ which is the main component of the snow melting agent, dust, and the like constitute the dehumidifying element 8. It is desirable not to contact the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 and the cathode 14 as well. Although not shown, part or all of the ion conductor film 15 and the cathode 14 may be covered with the protective film 16 made of the above-described material to inhibit the adhesion and intrusion of foreign substances.

  As described above, according to the device dehumidifier 22 according to the third embodiment, since the protective film 16 that prevents entry of contaminants into the anode 13 is provided between the dehumidifying element 8 and the hygroscopic agent 7, the hygroscopic agent 7. The dehumidifying effect can be maintained for a longer period of time without replacement, and fogging occurring inside the housing 1 can be prevented.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, the configuration of the device dehumidifier according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 shows a device dehumidifier 22 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the third embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except that a through hole 41 penetrating the dehumidifying element 8 and the protective film 17 is provided. The protective film 17 is the same as the protective film 16 shown in the third embodiment, and is an ionic substance including salinity contained in seawater described above as a substance that has an undesirable effect on the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8. (Na ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , K ⁺ , HCO ₃ ⁻ , Cl ⁻ , SO ₄ ²⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , silica-based ions, Br ⁻ , H ₃ BO ₃ , F ⁻ , Sr ²⁺ ), snow melting agent It is required that foreign matters such as CaCl ₂ , dust, etc., which are the main components of N, are not brought into contact with the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 and the cathode 14 constituting the dehumidifying element 8.

The material and structure of the protective film 17 are not particularly limited as long as a necessary amount of gas permeation can be ensured. For example, the protective film 17 may be a gas permeable film including a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a net, a porous body, and a foam. When using a fluororesin porous body, a polyolefin resin, or a porous body using these in combination, the average pore diameter of the porous body is preferably in the range of about 0.01 μm to 100 μm from the viewpoint of waterproofness. Foreign substances such as ionic substances including salt contained in seawater, CaCl _{2 as} a main component of snow melting agent, dust, and the like, which are described above as substances having an undesirable influence on the anode 13 of the dehumidifying element 8, are included in the dehumidifying element 8. It is desirable not to contact the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 and the cathode 14 constituting the film. Therefore, although not shown, the ion conductor film 15 and the cathode 14 may be covered with the same material as that of the protective film 16 to inhibit the adhesion and intrusion of foreign matters.

  FIG. 15 shows a modification in which the through-hole 41 in the fourth embodiment is filled with the gas permeable membrane 19. In the device dehumidifier 22 shown in FIG. 15, foreign matter and water droplets that have passed through the opening 12 from the outside accumulate in the vicinity of the protective film 17 and contact the anode 13 and the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 beyond the protective film 17. there's a possibility that. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the opening 12 is filled with a gas permeable film 19 having the same material and structure as the protective film 17.

  The material and structure of the gas permeable membrane 19 are not particularly limited as long as a necessary amount of gas permeation can be ensured. For example, a gas permeable membrane including a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a net, a porous body, or a foam may be used. When using a fluororesin porous body and / or a polyolefin resin porous body, the average pore diameter of the porous body is preferably in the range of about 0.01 μm to 100 μm from the viewpoint of waterproofness.

  As described above, according to the dehumidifying device for equipment 22 according to the fourth embodiment, the opening 11 and the opening 12 exist at positions facing each other, and contaminants enter the anode 13 between the dehumidifying element 8 and the moisture absorbent 7. Therefore, the dehumidifying effect can be maintained for a longer period of time without replacing the hygroscopic agent 7, and fogging generated inside the housing 1 can be prevented.

  Further, according to the device dehumidifier 22 according to the fourth embodiment, since the gas permeable membrane 19 is filled in the opening 12, the anode 13 and the hydrogen ion conductor film 15 can be prevented from being deteriorated. The dehumidifying effect can be maintained for a longer period without replacement, and fogging generated inside the housing 1 can be prevented.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
Next, the configuration of the device dehumidifier according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 shows a device dehumidifier according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Except for providing the conductor mesh 18 so as to cover the cathode 14 side of the dehumidifying element 8, the configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment, and the materials and filling methods used for the adsorbent 7 and the dehumidifying element 8 are the same. .

Examples of substances that have an unfavorable influence on the cathode 14 constituting the dehumidifying element 8 include ionic substances including salt contained in seawater, CaCl ₂ that is a main component of a snow melting agent, and dust. In particular, cations such as Ca ²⁺ and Mg ²⁺ are attracted to the surface of the cathode 14 and may generate precipitates on the surface of the cathode 14. If deposits accumulate on the surface of the cathode 14, hydrogen ion conduction in the dehumidifying element 8 may be hindered, leading to a decrease in performance of the dehumidifying element 8. Therefore, it is desirable that these cations do not enter the cathode 14.

  The conductor mesh 18 is a conductive mesh such as stainless steel, aluminum, carbon, copper, brass, titanium, etc., and it is desirable that the mesh has a pore diameter of about 1 μm to 5 mm. As shown in FIG. 13, the conductor mesh 18 is controlled by the control means 9 so as to be lower than the potential of the cathode 14 by −0.01 V or more. The conductor mesh 18 can inhibit the entry of a cationic substance into the cathode 14. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment as well, deterioration of the cathode 14 can be prevented by providing the conductor mesh 18 and the control means 9 in the same manner.

Next, the time change of the dehumidification performance of the device dehumidifying device 22 according to the fifth embodiment will be described by comparing the first and third embodiments. The target configuration is the configuration shown in FIG. 16 for the fifth embodiment, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 for the first embodiment, and the configuration shown in FIG. 16 for the third embodiment. As the protective film 16, a porous film made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having a thickness of 1 mm and an average pore diameter of 2 μm was used. The conductor mesh 18 is made of titanium and has a mesh pore diameter of 1 mm and a thickness of 0.5 mm. The conductor mesh 18 was controlled using control means as shown in FIG. 16 so as to be −0.2 V lower than the potential of the cathode 14. The surrounding environment of the dehumidifying element 8 was a room temperature of 20 ° C. and a relative humidity of 100%, and artificial seawater (salt concentration of 3%) was sprayed to maintain the atmospheric concentration at about 1 g / m ³ .

FIG. 18 shows the dehumidifying performance (moisture transfer amount per unit time) when the dehumidifying element 8 is operated continuously for a long time for each embodiment. The dehumidifying performance is shown as a relative value when the dehumidifying performance at the beginning of energization is set to 100. In the case where the protective film 16 or the conductive mesh 18 is not provided as in the first embodiment, the change is not observed 100 hours after the energization, but thereafter the performance gradually decreases, and after 1000 hours, the initial performance is decreased. Reduced to 1.2% of performance. Causes include ionic substances contained in artificial seawater (Na ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , K ⁺ , HCO ₃ ⁻ , Cl ⁻ , SO ₄ ²⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , silica ions, Br ⁻ , H ₃ BO ₃ , F ⁻ , Sr ²⁺ ) are deposited on the surfaces of the anode 13 and the cathode 14 of the dehumidifying element 8, and a part thereof is considered to have deteriorated performance by substituting H ⁺ of the hydrogen ion conductive film 15. It is done.

When the protective film 16 was provided on the surface of the anode 13 in contact with the hygroscopic agent 7 as in the third embodiment, 90% of the initial performance could be maintained up to 1000 hours after the start of energization. The performance gradually decreased after 5000 hours of energization, and decreased to 50% after 15000 hours. Ionic substances (Na ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , K ⁺ , HCO ₃ ⁻ , Cl ⁻ , SO ₄ ²⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , silica ions, Br ⁻ , H contained in the artificial seawater by the protective film 16. ₃ BO ₃ , F ⁻ , Sr ²⁺ ) can be prevented from entering the anode 13. However, it is considered that the ionic substance contained in the artificial seawater is deposited on the surface of the cathode 14 of the dehumidifying element 8, and a part of the performance is deteriorated by replacing H ⁺ of the hydrogen ion conductive film 15.

When the protective film 16 is provided on the surface of the anode 13 in contact with the hygroscopic agent 7 as in the fifth embodiment and the conductive mesh 18 is provided so as to cover the cathode 14, the initial performance is maintained until 5000 hours after the start of energization. The performance of 90% could be maintained, and the initial dehumidification performance of 85% was exhibited even after 15000 hours. This is because ionic substances (Na ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , K ⁺ , HCO ₃ ⁻ , Cl ⁻ , SO ₄ ²⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , which are contained in the artificial seawater by the protective film 16 and the conductive mesh 18. This is considered to be because the penetration of silica-based ions, Br ⁻ , H ₃ BO ₃ , F ⁻ , Sr ²⁺ ) into the anode 13 and the cathode 14 could be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the dehumidifying device for equipment 22 according to the fifth embodiment, since the conductor mesh 18 that inhibits the cations that enter the cathode 14 is provided, the deterioration of the cathode 14 can be prevented, and the hygroscopic agent 7 can be prevented. The dehumidifying effect can be maintained for a longer period of time without replacement, and fogging occurring inside the housing 1 can be prevented.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
Next, the configuration of the device dehumidifier according to Embodiment 6 will be described. FIG. 19 shows a device dehumidifier 22 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, the hygroscopic agent accommodating portion 10 a for accommodating the hygroscopic agent 7 is provided with an attachment portion 21 so as to be detachable from the wall of the housing 1. The attachment portion 21 is shaped like a screw thread, for example. Further, the shape of the attachment portion 21 is not limited to the shape of a screw thread, and may be any shape as long as it can be attached to and detached from the wall of the housing 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  A modification of the sixth embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 20 (a) is a modification of the hygroscopic agent storage portion 10a, the hygroscopic agent 7, and the dehumidifying element 8, and the dehumidifying element 8 is inserted by filling the hole penetrating the inside of the hygroscopic agent accommodating portion 10a. The apparatus dehumidifier 22 having a configuration is shown. FIG. 20B is an enlarged view of the range in which the hygroscopic agent 7 is filled. In FIG. 20B, the cross-sectional area A and the opening 11 of the hygroscopic agent 7 in the plane parallel to the dehumidifying element 8 are the same size. FIG. 21 shows a configuration in which the device dehumidifying device 22 shown in FIG. 20A according to the sixth embodiment is applied to an in-vehicle headlamp 100. Except that the shape of the hygroscopic container 10a is different, it is the same as the in-vehicle headlamp in the first embodiment.

  In addition, the modification of the moisture absorbent accommodating part 10a in the device dehumidifying device 22 according to Embodiment 6 is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, as long as the device dehumidifying device 22 can be installed. Any shape is acceptable. For example, the attachment portion 21 is not limited to this shape, and may be provided with an attachment that can be attached and detached with one touch.

  Thus, according to the dehumidifying device for equipment 22 according to the sixth embodiment, since the mounting part 21 is provided in the hygroscopic agent storage part 10a, the maintenance becomes simpler.

  Note that the operation of the control means 9 of the dehumidifying element 8 in the present invention may operate according to ON / OFF of the engine of the automobile when considering in-vehicle, and regardless of this, a command from the sensor or the like is given according to the external environment. It may be a method that is controlled. In addition, the dehumidifying device for equipment in the present invention is not limited to a vehicle headlamp and can be applied to equipment that requires dehumidification.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments and examples of the invention described above. Various modifications may be included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the description of the scope of claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Headlamp light source 7 Hygroscopic agent 8 Dehumidifying element 9 Control means 10, 10a Hygroscopic storage part 11, 12 Opening 13 Anode 14 Cathode 15 Hydrogen ion conductor film 16, 17 Protective film 21 Attachment part 22 Dehumidifier for apparatus 41 Through hole

Claims (9)

A dehumidifying device for equipment provided through a wall of a housing,
The device dehumidifier is
A hygroscopic agent,
Moisture absorbing material that contains the hygroscopic agent and has one end provided with a first opening located inside the housing and the other end provided with a second opening located outside the housing. Agent storage part,
A dehumidifying device for equipment, comprising a dehumidifying element provided adjacent to the hygroscopic agent located in the second opening and having a hydrogen ion conductor film and an electrode. Electrode consists of an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode is in contact with the moisture absorbent, apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cathode, characterized in that provided on the opposite side of the anode via the proton conductor film Dehumidifying device. The dehumidifying device for an apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a protective film that transmits gaseous water molecules and does not transmit liquid is provided on the anode. A conductor mesh installed to cover the cathode;
Control means capable of controlling a potential difference between the cathode and the conductor mesh;
The dehumidifying device for an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the control unit controls the potential of the conductor mesh to be lower than the potential of the cathode. The anode generates oxygen and hydrogen ions from water, the cathode generates water from oxygen and the hydrogen ions, and the hydrogen ion conductor film transports the hydrogen ions in a region where the cathode and the anode face each other. The apparatus dehumidifier of any one of Claims 2 thru | or 4 . The dehumidifying device for an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the dehumidifying element is provided with a through hole communicating with the second opening. The second opening may be any of claims 1 to 5 relative position from the dehumidifier with respect to the entire length of the hygroscopic agent, characterized in that it is provided in a range of 0.01 to 0.25 times the 1 Dehumidifier for equipment according to item. The dehumidifying device for an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the hygroscopic agent storage unit includes an attaching part that can be attached to and detached from a housing of the dehumidifying target device. A light source;
A housing for housing the light source;
An in-vehicle headlamp comprising the device dehumidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , which is attached to the housing.

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