JP6746434B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air conditioner.

Humidity control modules are known for improving the comfort of living spaces such as homes and offices. An example of such a humidity control module is a device that obtains moist air by heating a moisture adsorbent with a heat source.
However, it may be difficult to downsize the humidity control module as described above.

JP, 2003-336863, A Japanese Patent No. 3726110

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can be downsized.

The air conditioner of the embodiment has a first ventilation part, a second ventilation part, a differential pressure generation part, a porous body, and a cylindrical case. Air flows from the target space for air conditioning through the first ventilation section. The air flowing toward the target space flows through the second ventilation unit. The differential pressure generation unit makes the pressure in the second ventilation unit lower than the pressure in the first ventilation unit. The porous body has a cylindrical side surface formed of a metal having a plurality of holes formed by etching, and is disposed between the first ventilation portion outside the side surface and the second ventilation portion inside the side surface. And the pressure in the second ventilation part becomes lower than the pressure in the first ventilation part, so that moisture and other gas components in the air in the first ventilation part are permeated into the second ventilation part. .. The cylindrical case is provided outside the side surface of the cylindrical porous body, and forms the first ventilation part with the porous body.

The figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the porous body of 1st Embodiment. The graph which shows the relationship between the temperature of the porous body of 1st Embodiment, and the moisture permeation|transmission amount. The figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus of the modification of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the mode at the time of humidification operation of the air conditioning apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the mode at the time of dehumidification driving|operation of the air conditioning apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus of 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus of 5th Embodiment. Sectional perspective view which shows the 1st modification of the porous body of 1st to 5th embodiment. The top view which shows the 2nd modification of the porous body of 1st-5th embodiment.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, configurations having the same or similar functions are designated by the same reference numerals. Then, the overlapping description of those configurations may be omitted.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioner 1 of this embodiment.
The air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that adjusts (for example, humidifies) the humidity of the target space R for air conditioning. The target space R is, for example, a living space such as a home or an office, but is not limited to this. The target space R may be a space such as a factory or warehouse where humidity control is required. For example, the target space R is at least partially separated from the other space by the wall W. The target space R of the present embodiment has a first inflow port Fa1 and a second inflow port Fa2 into which air flows into the target space R, and an outflow port Fb from which air in the target space R flows out of the target space R. Have and.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a humidity control module 11, a first piping unit 12, a first air blowing unit 13, a second piping unit 14, a differential pressure generating unit 15, and a second air blowing unit. A section 16 is provided. In the present embodiment, the humidity control module 11, the first piping unit 12, the first air blowing unit 13, the second piping unit 14, the differential pressure generating unit 15, and the second air blowing unit 16 are arranged outside the target space R. ing. As a result, the space of the target space R can be effectively used. Note that, instead of the above, all or part of the humidity control module 11, the first piping unit 12, the first air blowing unit 13, the second piping unit 14, the differential pressure generating unit 15, and the second air blowing unit 16 are the target space. It may be arranged inside R.

The humidity control module 11 is a device that moves moisture (water vapor) in the air between a plurality of spaces formed inside the humidity control module 11. For example, the humidity control module 11 has a case 21 and a porous body 22 arranged inside the case 21.

The case 21 forms the outer shape of the humidity control module 11, for example. The inside of the case 21 is partitioned by a porous body 22 into a first chamber 25 and a second chamber 26.

The first chamber 25 is a space portion that communicates with a first piping portion 12 described below and is supplied with air from the target space R. The first chamber 25 faces the porous body 22. In the present embodiment, the first chamber 25 and a part of the case 21 defining the first chamber 25 form an example of the “first ventilation portion 31”. Further, the first chamber 25 has an opening 25a that is open to the outside of the target space R. The opening 25a exhausts at least a part of the air passing through the first chamber 25 toward the outside of the target space R. The opening 25a is an example of an “exhaust port”.

On the other hand, the second chamber 26 is a space portion that communicates with the second piping portion 14 described below and in which air toward the target space R flows. The second chamber 26 faces the porous body 22 from the side opposite to the first chamber 25. In the present embodiment, the second chamber 26 and a part of the case 21 defining the second chamber 26 form an example of the “second ventilation portion 32 ”.

The porous body 22 is arranged between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26. The porous body 22 stores moisture (water vapor) contained in the air in the first chamber 25, and nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) gas (formaldehyde, etc.) that are gas components other than moisture. It is a porous body or a porous membrane that allows a certain ratio of permeation.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the porous body 22 of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, an example of the porous body 22 is a base material 41, a plurality (for example, a large number) of pores 42 provided in the base material 41, and a moisture permeable material filled in some of the pores 42. 43 and.

The base material 41 is made of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, titanium, carbon, and alumina.

The pores 42 are provided in the base material 41 so that the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26 communicate with each other. When the base material 41 is made of metal, the pores 42 are formed by etching, for example. The pores 42 are formed so as to have an aperture ratio of 30 to 80% and a pore diameter of 0.1 μm to 100 μm with respect to the base material 41. The "opening ratio" is the ratio of the total opening area of the large number of pores 42 to the entire surface of the base material 41. When the pore diameter is 0.1 μm or less, the permeation rate of water and other gas components decreases. On the other hand, when the pore diameter is 100 μm or more, the strength of the porous body 22 may be reduced. For example, the pores 42 are formed so as to have an opening ratio of 40 to 60% and a pore diameter of 0.5 μm to 2 μm with respect to the base material 41.

The moisture permeable material (moisture adsorbent) 43 is a material having a hygroscopic property of 10 wt% or more at a relative humidity of 30% or more. For example, as the moisture permeable material 43, a hygroscopic material such as Nafion, polyurethane, lithium chloride, zeolite, and silica gel is used. These hygroscopic materials absorb water in the air to cause swelling and the like, thereby pseudo-closing the pores 42 filled with the moisture permeable material 43. Thereby, permeation of air into the pores 42 filled with the moisture permeable material 43 is suppressed.

Next, the operation of the porous body 22 will be described.
The porous body 22 adsorbs moisture (water vapor) in the air on the surface of the porous body 22 and allows moisture and other gas components to permeate from the high pressure side to the low pressure side when a pressure difference occurs in the surroundings. .. In the present embodiment, since the pressure inside the second chamber 26 becomes lower than the pressure inside the first chamber 25, the porous body 22 adsorbs the moisture in the air inside the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26. Let it pass through. The moisture that has permeated the porous body 22 toward the second chamber 26 is dehydrated from the surface of the porous body 22 due to the pressure difference between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26, and is supplied as water vapor into the second chamber 26. To be done. As a result, the air in the second chamber 26 becomes moist.

In a more specific example, the pores 42 that are not filled with the moisture permeable material 43 have the pressure inside the second chamber 26 lower than the pressure inside the first chamber 25. The moisture and other gas components therein are transmitted toward the second chamber 26. On the other hand, the pores 42 filled with the moisture permeable material 43 adsorb moisture in the air in the first chamber 25 because the pressure in the second chamber 26 becomes lower than the pressure in the first chamber 25. Then, the light is transmitted toward the second chamber 26. That is, the pores 42 filled with the moisture permeable material 43 allow water to permeate but suppress the permeation of other gas components. Therefore, the inside of the second chamber 26 is filled with the moisture and other gas components that have selectively permeated the porous body 22. As a result, the air in the second chamber 26 contains water vapor in a larger proportion than the air in the first chamber 25, that is, the air in the target space R. By changing the ratio of the moisture permeable material 43 filled into the plurality of pores 42, the permeation ratio of water and other gas components can be adjusted.

The second chamber 26 of the present embodiment has no opening other than the opening communicating with the second piping portion 14. When most or all of the plurality of pores 42 are filled with the moisture permeable material 43, the second chamber 26 may have an intake port 26a opening to the outside of the target space R (in FIG. 1). (See the chain double-dashed line). In this case, a flow rate adjusting unit 27 that adjusts the flow rate of the air flowing into the second chamber 26 from the intake port 26a may be provided. The flow rate adjusting unit 27 is, for example, a flow rate adjusting valve.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the porous body 22 and the amount of water permeation.
As shown in FIG. 3, the porous body 22 has a property of increasing the amount of water permeating through the porous body 22 as the temperature of the porous body 22 increases. That is, the porous body 22 has good moisture permeability when the temperature is high. On the other hand, the porous body 22 has a reduced water permeability when the temperature is low.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the remaining configuration of the air conditioning apparatus 1 will be described.
The first pipe portion 12 extends between the outlet Fb of the target space R and the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11, and the outlet Fb of the target space R and the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 are connected. Are in communication. The first piping part 12 guides the air in the target space R from the target space R toward the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11. The 1st piping part 12 is an example of a "1st channel part."

The 1st ventilation part 13 is provided in the middle of the 1st piping part 12, for example. The first air blower 13 is an air blower that creates a flow of air from the target space R through the first pipe 12 toward the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11. The first blower unit 13 is, for example, a blower or a fan, but is not limited to these. In addition, the 1st ventilation part 13 is not limited to the middle of the 1st piping part 12, but between the 1st piping part 12 and the humidity control module 11, or the outlet Fb of the target space R, and the 1st piping part 12. It may be provided between them. Further, the first blower 13 may be omitted if a sufficient air flow can be created in the first piping 12 only by the pressure difference by the differential pressure generator 15 described later.

The second piping portion 14 extends between the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 and the second inflow port Fa2 of the target space R, and the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 and the second space of the target space R. It communicates with the inflow port Fa2. The second piping portion 14 guides air from the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 toward the target space R. The 2nd piping part 14 is an example of a "2nd flow path part." For example, the length of the second piping portion 14 is shorter than the length of the first piping portion 12. In other words, the installation positions of the humidity control module 11 and the like are determined such that the length of the second piping portion 14 is shorter than the length of the first piping portion 12.

The differential pressure generation unit 15 makes the pressure in the second chamber 26 lower than the pressure in the first chamber 25. In the present embodiment, the differential pressure generating unit 15 is a pressure reducing device that lowers the pressure inside the second chamber 26 below atmospheric pressure. For example, the differential pressure generation unit 15 reduces the pressure in the second chamber 26 to 1/3 to 1/100 of the pressure in the first chamber 25. The differential pressure generating unit 15 is a diaphragm type vacuum pump or a scroll type vacuum pump, but is not limited to these.

For example, the differential pressure generating unit 15 is provided in the middle of the second piping unit 14. The differential pressure generating unit 15 (for example, a decompression pump) sends the air that has passed through the differential pressure generating unit 15 toward the target space R. The differential pressure generator 15 creates a flow of air from the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 toward the target space R. The air conditioner 1 may separately include a blower that creates a flow of air from the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 toward the target space R. Further, in place of the above configuration, the differential pressure generating unit 15 is arranged between the humidity control module 11 and the second piping unit 14, or between the second piping unit 14 and the second inlet Fa2 of the target space R. May be.

The 2nd ventilation part 16 is arrange|positioned corresponding to the 1st inflow port Fa1 of the target space R. The second blower 16 is a blower that supplies new air outside the target space R to the target space R through the first inlet Fa1. The 2nd ventilation part 16 is an example of an "air supply part." The second blower 16 is, for example, a blower or a fan, but is not limited to these. In addition, for example, when new air is supplied to the target space R by sucking the air in the target space R by the first air blower 13 or the like, the second air blower 16 and the first inlet Fa1 are omitted. Good.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment will be described.
The air conditioner 1 can be used throughout the year, for example, but here, the operation in the winter (or cold region) will be described. The target space R is heated by, for example, a heating device H provided separately. For this reason, the temperature inside the target space R is higher than the temperature outside the target space R (outdoors, machine room of a building, etc.). The "heating device H" referred to in the present application may be one that also has a cooling function such as an air conditioner.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 causes the air in the target space R to flow out from the outlet Fb to the first piping unit 12 by driving the first blower unit 13, for example. The air flowing out from the target space R to the first piping part 12 is supplied to the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 through the first piping part 12. Further, the pressure in the second chamber 26 becomes lower than the pressure in the first chamber 25 by driving the differential pressure generating unit 15. As a result, the porous body 22 adsorbs the water contained in the air in the first chamber 25 and permeates it toward the second chamber 26. Further, the porous body 22 allows a part of the air in the first chamber 25 to permeate toward the second chamber 26. As a result, moist air is created in the second chamber 26.

The moist air generated in the second chamber 26 is supplied to the target space R from the second inlet Fa2 by driving the differential pressure generator 15, for example. As a result, the air in the target space R is humidified. On the other hand, the air whose moisture is absorbed by the porous body 22 in the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 is exhausted to the outside of the target space R through the opening 25 a of the first chamber 25. Further, the air conditioner 1 supplies new air outside the target space R to the inside of the target space R from the first inflow port Fa1 by driving the second air blower 16.

According to the above configuration, the air conditioner 1 can be downsized.
Here, the porous body 22 may have low moisture permeability when the temperature is low. In this case, when relatively cool air (for example, the outside air) is supplied to the first ventilation part 31 of the humidity control module 11 in the winter, the performance of the porous body 22 deteriorates, and the air in the second ventilation part 32 is sufficient. May not get wet. For this reason, it is necessary to secure a large area of the porous body 22 so as to ensure sufficient performance of the humidity control module 11, and the humidity control module 11 and the air conditioning apparatus 1 may be increased in size and cost. is there.

On the other hand, the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the first ventilation section 31, the second ventilation section 32, the differential pressure generation section 15, and the porous body 22. The air flows from the target space R for air conditioning through the first ventilation unit 31. The air flowing toward the target space R flows through the second ventilation unit 32. The differential pressure generation unit 15 makes the pressure in the second ventilation unit 32 lower than the pressure in the first ventilation unit 31. The porous body 22 is disposed between the first ventilation portion 31 and the second ventilation portion 32, and the pressure inside the second ventilation portion 32 becomes lower than the pressure inside the first ventilation portion 31, so that the first ventilation portion Moisture in the air in the portion 31 is transmitted toward the second ventilation portion 32. According to such a configuration, by supplying the relatively warm air in the target space R to the first ventilation part 31 of the humidity control module 11, it is possible to suppress the temperature decrease of the porous body 22. As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the performance of the porous body 22 and sufficiently moisten the air in the second ventilation portion 32 even when the area of the porous body 22 is small. This makes it possible to reduce the size and cost of the air conditioner 1.

In the present embodiment, the porous body 22 has the pores 42 that are closed by the moisture permeable material 43, and at least part of the moisture in the air in the first ventilation portion 31 is in the air in the first ventilation portion 31. Is separated from the gas components other than water and is allowed to permeate into the second ventilation part 32. According to such a porous body 22, the air sent to the air-conditioning target space R can be moistened more efficiently.

In the present embodiment, the porous body 22 has a property of increasing the amount of water permeated from inside the first ventilation portion 31 toward inside the second ventilation portion 32 as the temperature of the porous body 22 increases. According to such a configuration, the relatively warm air in the target space R is supplied to the first ventilation part 31 of the humidity control module 11, so that the performance of the porous body 22 can be further enhanced.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 includes a humidity control module 11 and a first piping section 12. The humidity control module 11 is arranged outside the target space R and includes a first ventilation part 31, a second ventilation part 32, and a porous body 22. The first piping part 12 extends outside the target space R between the outlet Fb of the target space R and the humidity control module 11, and guides air from the target space R toward the first ventilation part 31. According to such a configuration, the air in the target space R can be efficiently supplied to the humidity control module 11 arranged outside the target space R by the first piping section 12. As a result, the target space R can be humidified more efficiently. As a result, the air conditioner 1 can be further downsized.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 1 includes the second piping section 14. The second piping part 14 extends between the humidity control module 11 and the second inlet Fa2 of the target space R outside the target space R, and guides air from the second ventilation part 32 toward the target space R. Then, the length of the second piping portion 14 is shorter than the length of the first piping portion 12. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that moisture (water vapor) in the air flowing through the second pipe portion 14 will condense in the second pipe portion 14. As a result, the target space R can be humidified more efficiently. As a result, the air conditioner 1 can be further downsized.

The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment has a second blower 16. The second air blower 16 supplies the air outside the target space R to the target space R. On the other hand, the first ventilation unit 31 has an opening 25a for exhausting at least a part of the air passing through the first ventilation unit 31 toward the outside of the target space R. According to such a configuration, the air in which the moisture is absorbed by the porous body 22 can be efficiently exhausted to the outside of the target space R, and new air outside the target space R can be taken into the target space R. As a result, the target space R can be efficiently humidified. As a result, the air conditioner 1 can be further downsized.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a merging portion 52 that joins the air outside the target space R is provided in the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has an inflow pipe section 51, a merging section 52, and a flow rate adjusting section 53 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The inflow pipe section 51 is open to the outside of the target space R. Fresh air outside the target space R flows into the inflow pipe section 51.

The merging section 52 is provided in the middle of the first piping section 12, and connects the inflow piping section 51 and the first piping section 12. The merging unit 52 merges the air flowing through the first piping unit 12 with the air flowing through the inflow piping unit 51. That is, the merging unit 52 merges the air outside the target space R with the air flowing from the target space R into the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11.

The flow rate adjusting unit 53 is provided in the inflow pipe section 51. The flow rate adjusting unit 53 is, for example, a flow rate adjusting valve provided in the inflow piping section 51, and is capable of adjusting the flow rate of air flowing through the inflow piping section 51. The flow rate adjusting unit 53 measures the flow rate of air flowing from the target space R to the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 and the flow rate of air flowing from the outside of the target space R to the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 through the confluence section 52. The ratio with can be adjusted. For example, the flow rate adjusting unit 53 restricts the flow rate of the air flowing through the inflow pipe section 51 to adjust the humidity from the outside of the target space R more than the flow rate of the air flowing from the target space R into the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11. The flow rate of the air flowing into the first chamber 25 of the module 11 is reduced.

According to the above configuration, the air conditioner 1 can be downsized as in the first embodiment. Here, the amount of water vapor in the air flowing through the first piping portion 12 may be smaller than the amount of water vapor necessary to maintain the humidity of the target space R. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 1 includes the confluence section 52 that causes the air outside the target space R to merge with the air flowing from the target space R to the first ventilation section 31. With such a configuration, water vapor can be taken in from the outside of the target space R, and the amount of water vapor necessary to maintain the humidity of the target space R can be secured.

In the present embodiment, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, the ratio of the flow rate of air flowing from the target space R to the first ventilation section 31 and the flow rate of air flowing from the outside of the target space R to the first ventilation section 31 through the confluence section 52. It has a flow rate adjusting unit 53 capable of adjusting With such a configuration, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the air flowing from the outside of the target space R to the first ventilation unit 31 through the confluence portion 52, and to adjust the amount of water vapor necessary to maintain the humidity of the target space R. It becomes easy to secure.

In the present embodiment, the flow rate adjusting unit 53 reduces the flow rate of the air flowing from the outside of the target space R to the first ventilation unit 31 as compared with the flow rate of the air flowing from the target space R to the first ventilation unit 31. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the porous body 22 from being lowered by the air flowing from the outside of the target space R to the first ventilation portion 31, and to suppress the performance degradation of the porous body 22.

Next, one modification of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5: is a figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the modification of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this modification, the confluence part 52 is provided in the first piping part 12 between the first air blow part 13 and the humidity control module 11.

The air conditioner 1 of the present modified example has a third blower 55 provided in the inflow pipe section 51 as a “flow rate adjusting section”. The third blower 55 sends the air outside the target space R to the confluence section 52 through the inflow piping section 51. In the present modification, the output of the third blower unit (the amount of blown air) relative to the output of the first blower unit 13 (the amount of blown air) is controlled, and the flow rate of the air flowing from the target space R to the first blower unit 31 The ratio of the flow rate of the air flowing from the outside of the target space R to the first ventilation section 31 is adjusted through the confluence section 52. For example, the third blower 55 is driven by an output in which the flow rate of the air flowing from the outside of the target space R to the first ventilation section 31 is smaller than the flow rate of the air flowing from the target space R to the first ventilation section 31.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the air conditioner 1 has a function as a dehumidifier in addition to a function as a humidifier. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

6 and 7 are views showing the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a first switching unit 61, a second switching unit 62, and a third switching unit 63 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. ing.

The 1st switching part 61 switches the flow direction of the air regarding the 1st ventilation part 31 between 1st direction A1 and 2nd direction A2. In the first direction A1, the air in the target space R flows toward the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11, and the air that has passed through the first chamber 25 is outside the target space R from the opening 25a of the first chamber 25. This is the direction of exhaust (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, the second direction A2 is a direction in which the air outside the target space R flows toward the target space R through the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 (see FIG. 7 ). For example, the first switching unit 61 is a blower or fan motor as the first blower 13. The first switching unit 61 switches the rotation direction (normal rotation/reverse rotation) of the blower or the fan as the first blower unit 13 to switch the air flow direction with respect to the first ventilation unit 31. The first switching unit 61 is not limited to the above example, and may be a switching valve provided in the first blower unit 13 or the like.

The 2nd switching part 62 switches the flow direction of the air regarding the 2nd ventilation part 32 between the 1st direction B1 and the 2nd direction B2. The first direction B1 is a direction in which the air that has received moisture from the porous body 22 in the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 flows toward the target space R (see FIG. 6 ). On the other hand, the second direction B2 is a direction in which the air that has received moisture from the porous body 22 in the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 flows toward the outside of the target space R (see FIG. 7). The second switching section 62 is, for example, a three-way valve provided in the second piping section 14. The second switching unit 62 is not limited to the above example.

The 3rd switching part 63 switches the flow direction of the air regarding the 1st inflow port Fa1 between the 1st direction C1 and the 2nd direction C2. The first direction C1 is a direction in which air outside the target space R is supplied into the target space R (see FIG. 6 ). On the other hand, the second direction C2 is a direction in which the air in the target space R is exhausted to the outside of the target space R (see FIG. 7). For example, the third switching unit 63 is a blower or fan motor as the second blower 16. The third switching unit 63 switches the rotation direction (forward/reverse rotation) of the blower or the fan as the second blower unit 16 to switch the air flow direction at the first inlet Fa1. The third switching unit 63 is not limited to the above example and may be a switching valve provided in the third blower unit 16 or the like.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 shows a state of the air conditioning apparatus 1 during the humidifying operation. As shown in FIG. 6, during the humidifying operation of the air conditioner 1, the first switching unit 61 switches the air flow direction of the first ventilation unit 31 to the first direction A1. The 2nd switching part 62 has switched the flow direction of the air regarding the 2nd ventilation part 32 to the 1st direction B1. The third switching unit 63 switches the air flow direction regarding the first inflow port Fa1 to the first direction C1. As a result, the flow of air by the air conditioner 1 becomes the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the air conditioning apparatus 1 can supply the target space R with moist air.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioner 1. As illustrated in FIG. 7, during the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioner 1, the first switching unit 61 switches the air flow direction regarding the first ventilation unit 31 to the second direction A2. The 2nd switching part 62 has switched the flow direction of the air regarding the 2nd ventilation part 32 to 2nd direction B2. The third switching unit 63 switches the air flow direction regarding the first inlet Fa1 to the second direction C2. As a result, the air outside the target space R is supplied to the first chamber 25 from the opening 25 a of the humidity control module 11 by driving the first blower 13. Water in the air supplied to the first chamber 25 is adsorbed by the porous body 22. As a result, the air in the first chamber 25 is dehumidified. The air dehumidified in the first chamber 25 is supplied to the target space R through the first pipe section 12. As a result, the target space R is dehumidified. On the other hand, the air that has absorbed moisture in the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 is exhausted to the outside of the target space R through the second switching unit 62.

According to the above configuration, the air conditioner 1 can be downsized as in the first embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the air conditioner 1 has a first switching unit 61 and a second switching unit 62. The first switching unit 61 switches the flow direction of the first ventilation unit 31 so that the air flows from the first ventilation unit 31 toward the target space R. The second switching unit 62 switches the flow direction of the second ventilation unit 32 so that the air flows from the second ventilation unit 32 to the outside of the target space R. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide the air conditioning apparatus 1 capable of both humidifying and dehumidifying the target space R with substantially the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the differential pressure generator 15 is realized by the first blower 13. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8: is a figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the differential pressure generating unit 15 of the present embodiment is realized by the first blower unit 13 that sends air to the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 instead of the pressure reducing device. The first blower unit 13 is a blower, a fan, a reciprocating type compressor, a twin screw type compressor, a scroll type compressor, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 is not depressurized. In this embodiment, the pressure in the first chamber 25 is made higher than the atmospheric pressure by the first blower 13 sending pressurized air to the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11. This causes a pressure difference between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26. As a result, the porous body 22 adsorbs moisture in the air in the first chamber 25 and permeates it toward the second chamber 26.

Further, the air conditioning apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the flow rate adjusting unit 71 provided in the opening 25a of the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11. The flow rate adjusting unit 71 adjusts the flow rate of air exhausted to the outside of the target space R from the opening 25a of the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11. For example, the flow rate adjustment unit 71 further increases the pressure in the first chamber 25 by reducing the flow rate of the air exhausted from the opening 25a of the first chamber 25 of the humidity control module 11 to the outside of the target space R. .. As a result, a large pressure difference can be generated between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26 as compared with the case where the flow rate adjusting unit 71 is not provided.

With the configuration as described above, the size of the air conditioning apparatus 1 can be reduced as in the first embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 1 includes a flow rate adjusting unit 71 in addition to the first air blowing unit 13. Therefore, the pressure difference between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26 can be increased. If the pressure difference between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26 can be increased, the moisture permeation efficiency of the porous body 22 can be increased, so that the performance of the humidity control module 11 can be improved. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can be further downsized.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the differential pressure generator 15 has a pressure reducer 81. The configuration other than that described below is similar to that of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9: is a figure which shows the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the differential pressure generation unit 15 of the present embodiment has a pressure reducer 81 and a bypass piping unit 82.

The decompressor 81 is provided, for example, in the second piping section 14. The decompressor 81 is, for example, a vacuum generator, and has an air supply port (nozzle) 81a and a suction port 81b. The decompressor 81 draws air from the space communicated with the suction port 81b by supplying air to the air supply port 81a and discharging the air at high speed. In the present embodiment, the suction port 81b communicates with the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11.

The detour piping section 82 branches from the first piping section 12 between the first blower section 13 and the humidity control module 11. The bypass piping section 82 is connected to the air supply port 81 a of the pressure reducer 81. The bypass piping unit 82 supplies a part of the air sent by the first blower unit 13 to the air supply port 81a of the pressure reducer 81 as pressurized air. As a result, the decompressor 81 draws the air in the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 from the suction port 81b by supplying the air to the air supply port 81a and discharging the air at high speed. As a result, the pressure inside the second chamber 26 of the humidity control module 11 is reduced. This causes a pressure difference between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26. As a result, the porous body 22 adsorbs moisture in the air in the first chamber 25 and permeates it toward the second chamber 26.

With the configuration as described above, the size of the air conditioning apparatus 1 can be reduced as in the first embodiment.

Next, modified examples of the porous body 22 according to the first to fifth embodiments will be described.
FIG. 10 is a sectional perspective view showing a first modification of the porous body 22.
As shown in FIG. 10, the porous body 22 of this modification is formed in a cylindrical shape. For example, a first chamber 25 on the high pressure side is formed on the outer peripheral side of the porous body 22. On the other hand, on the inner peripheral side of the porous body 22, a second chamber 26 that is a low pressure side is formed. With such a configuration, even if a large pressure is applied to the porous body 22, the porous body 22 is unlikely to be damaged. Therefore, a large pressure difference can be applied between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26. If a large pressure difference can be applied between the first chamber 25 and the second chamber 26, the moisture permeation efficiency of the porous body 22 can be increased, and thus the performance of the humidity control module 11 can be improved. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can be further downsized. Instead of the above, the second chamber 26 on the low pressure side may be formed on the outer peripheral side of the porous body 22, and the first chamber 25 on the high pressure side may be formed on the inner peripheral side of the porous body 22.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a second modification of the porous body 22.
As shown in FIG. 11, the porous body 22 of the present modification has a base material 41, a large number of small diameter pores 91, and a large number of large diameter pores 92. The small-diameter pores 91 are pores having a diameter of 1 nm to 20 nm. The large-diameter pores 92 are pores having a diameter of 50 nm to 10 μm. The small-diameter pores 91 have a high vapor pressure in the pores due to capillary condensation, and water in the air is easily condensed. The condensed water blocks the small-diameter pores 91 to block the permeation of gas components other than water. As a result, the small-diameter pores 91 separate at least a part of the moisture in the air in the first ventilation portion 31 from the gas components other than the moisture in the air in the first ventilation portion 31 to separate the moisture in the second ventilation portion 32. Let it pass through. On the other hand, the large-diameter pores 92 are less likely to condense in the pores, and thus both water and other gas components permeate. Therefore, by adjusting the ratio of the small-diameter pores 91 and the large-diameter pores 92 provided to the base material 41, the permeation ratio of water and other gas components can be adjusted.

The first to fifth embodiments and the modified examples thereof have been described above. However, the configuration of the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the “pipe part” in the present application is not limited to a pipe, and may be a duct or a partition provided between a plurality of members. That is, the term “pipe part” as used in the present application broadly means a flow path structure that moves (circulates) air. For this reason, the above-mentioned piping parts 12, 14, 51, and 82 may be read as “flow path parts”, respectively.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the air conditioner directs the first ventilation part through which air flows from the air conditioning target space and the moisture in the air in the first ventilation part toward the second ventilation part. And a porous body for permeation. As a result, the size of the air conditioning apparatus 1 can be reduced.

While some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and the scope thereof, as well as in the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Air conditioner, 11... Humidity control module, 12... 1st piping part (1st flow path part), 13... 1st ventilation part, 14... 2nd piping part (2nd flow path part), 15... Difference Pressure generator, 16... Second air blower (air supply), 22... Porous body, 31... First air blower, 32... Second air blower, 52... Merger, 53... Flow rate adjuster, 61... First Switching unit, 62... Second switching unit, R... Target space, Fa1... First inflow port, Fa2... Second inflow port, Fb... Outflow port.

Claims (9)

A first ventilation part through which air flows from the air-conditioned space,
A second ventilation part through which air flowing toward the target space flows;
A differential pressure generation unit that lowers the pressure inside the second ventilation unit below the pressure inside the first ventilation unit;
A cylindrical side surface is formed of metal having a plurality of holes formed by etching, and the cylindrical side surface is disposed between the first ventilation portion outside the side surface and the second ventilation portion inside the side surface, and Since the pressure in the ventilation part is lower than the pressure in the first ventilation part, a porous body that allows moisture and other gas components in the air in the first ventilation part to permeate into the second ventilation part,
A cylindrical case that is provided outside the side surface of the cylindrical porous body and that forms the first ventilation portion between the porous body and the porous body;
Air conditioner equipped with. The porous body has the holes closed by a moisture permeable material or condensed moisture, and at least a part of the moisture in the air in the first ventilation unit is different from the moisture in the air in the first ventilation unit. Separating from the gas component and permeating into the second ventilation part,
The air conditioner according to claim 1. The porous body has a property of increasing the amount of water permeated from the inside of the first ventilation portion into the inside of the second ventilation portion as the temperature of the porous body increases.
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2. A humidity control module that is disposed outside the target space and that includes the first ventilation portion, the second ventilation portion, and the porous body,
A first flow path portion that extends between the outlet of the target space and the humidity control module outside the target space and guides air from the target space toward the first ventilation unit;
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: A second flow path portion that extends between the humidity control module and the inflow port of the target space outside the target space, and that guides air from the second ventilation unit toward the target space,
The length of the second flow path portion is shorter than the length of the first flow path portion,
The air conditioner according to claim 4. Further comprising an air supply unit that supplies air outside the target space to the target space,
The first ventilation part has an exhaust port for exhausting at least a part of the air passing through the first ventilation part toward the outside of the target space,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A first ventilation part through which air flows from the air-conditioned space,
A second ventilation part through which air flowing toward the target space flows;
A differential pressure generation unit that lowers the pressure inside the second ventilation unit below the pressure inside the first ventilation unit;
Moisture in the air in the first ventilation unit is disposed between the first ventilation unit and the second ventilation unit, and the pressure in the second ventilation unit is lower than the pressure in the first ventilation unit. And a porous body for permeating the inside of the second ventilation part,
A merging portion that merges air outside the target space with air flowing from the target space to the first ventilation portion,
When the air outside the target space is taken in, it is arranged on the upstream side of the porous body and the confluence part in the flow of air toward the first ventilation part, and flows from the target space to the first ventilation part. A flow rate adjusting unit capable of adjusting a ratio of a flow rate of air and a flow rate of air flowing from the outside of the target space to the first ventilation unit;
Air conditioner equipped with. The flow rate adjusting unit reduces the flow rate of air flowing from the outside of the target space to the first ventilation unit less than the flow rate of air flowing from the target space to the first ventilation unit.
The air conditioner according to claim 7 . A first ventilation part through which air flows from the air-conditioned space,
A second ventilation part through which air flowing toward the target space flows;
A differential pressure generation unit that lowers the pressure inside the second ventilation unit below the pressure inside the first ventilation unit;
Moisture in the air in the first ventilation unit is disposed between the first ventilation unit and the second ventilation unit, and the pressure in the second ventilation unit is lower than the pressure in the first ventilation unit. And a porous body for permeating the inside of the second ventilation part,
A first switching unit that switches a flow direction of air with respect to the first ventilation unit such that air flows from the first ventilation unit toward the target space;
A second switching unit that switches a flow direction of air with respect to the second ventilation unit so that the air flows from the second ventilation unit to the outside of the target space;
Air conditioner equipped with.

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