JPH0749136A - Air quality regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve dehumidifying and humidifying capacities by effectively using radiant heat of a heater. CONSTITUTION:An air quality regulator comprises an adsorption material 11 and a heater 13 disposed in an air duct 14. The heater 13 is composed of a heat generator and a support. The generator is formed of small-gage wires formed in a dimensional shape for raising radiating radiant heat such as a coiled shape and disposed at a position where the heat reaches the material 11 to heat the material 11. Thus, since the material 11 is heated, in addition to indirect heating by heat exchanging with supplied air, by the radiant heat, a temperature rise of the material 11 immediately after energization of the heater 13 is faster than that of prior art and its reaching temperature becomes high, and an isolation amount per unit time is increased. Accordingly, since an adsorption amount is also increased in response to this, dehumidifying and humidifying capacities can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air quality controller having functions of dehumidifying, humidifying, and ventilating and controlling the quality of indoor air such as humidity and cleanliness.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional dehumidifying device, humidifying device, and ventilation device will be described.

(Dehumidifier) Conventionally, there is no apparatus that can perform dehumidification, humidification, ventilation, etc. by one device, but a similar apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-286634, for example, TSA method. There is a dry dehumidifier.

This conventional dry dehumidifier will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Reference numeral 1 is a casing forming an air passage. The casing 1 is installed on the outer wall 5, and the openings A and B provided on the outer wall 5 are provided in the casing 1 so that the outdoor air intake port 8 and the outdoor air discharge port 9 communicate with each other. ing. Also, casing 1
Is provided with an indoor air intake 6 corresponding to the outdoor air intake 8. The outdoor air intake 8 and the indoor air intake 6 are alternately opened and closed by a damper 1A installed in the casing 1. You can do it. Similarly, the casing 1 is provided with an indoor air discharge port 7 corresponding to the outdoor air discharge port 9. The outdoor air discharge port 9 and the indoor air discharge port 7 are the dampers 1 installed in the casing 1.
B can be opened and closed alternately. Also,
A blower 2, a heater 3 and an adsorbent 4 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the air passage formed by the casing 1.

In the above apparatus, when the indoor air intake 6 and the indoor air discharge port 7 are open, the indoor air enters the casing 1 through the indoor air intake 6, and this indoor air is The air path in the casing 1 is blown by the blower 2 to reach the indoor air discharge port 7, and is blown out into the room through the indoor discharge port 7. Therefore, the room air passes through the inside of the adsorbent 4 provided in the casing 1 which is the air passage,
The adsorbent 4 removes the humidity of the indoor air and discharges dry air into the room.

On the contrary, when the indoor air inlet 6 and the indoor air outlet 7 are closed and the outdoor air inlet 8 and the outdoor air outlet 9 are opened to cause the heater 3 to generate heat, The heated air enters the adsorbent 4 through the outdoor air intake port 8, and the heated air desorbs the moisture adsorbed on the adsorbent 4 and discharges it to the outside through the outdoor discharge port 9. In this way, the indoor dehumidification is performed by repeating the circulation of the indoor air and the circulation of the outdoor air.

In such a conventional dry dehumidifier, a sheath heater, a ceramic heater, heat exchange with combustion gas or heated steam, etc. are generally considered as the heater 3 for desorption, and have been actually used.

[0008]

However, the above-mentioned conventional structure has the following problems.

1. The desorption process is not limited to the device that continuously dehumidifies by rotating the adsorbent, but the device that alternately causes the adsorption phenomenon and the desorption phenomenon in the entire adsorbent to be mounted as in the conventional example described above. It is necessary to quickly heat the adsorbent within a certain time. That is, the heater is required to have a rapid temperature rising performance and a high reached temperature. However, in any of the heaters shown in the above-mentioned conventional examples, the rising speed of the temperature immediately after energization is slow, and most of the desorption process time is spent, so that the desorption capability is not sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the efficiency is poor and the dehumidification capacity is low.

2. The radiant heat of the heater is small, or the distance between the heater and the adsorbent is relatively large, and the radiant heat of the heater is hardly used. In the conventional dry dehumidifier, particularly in the devices currently on the market, the adsorbent is indirectly heated by using the blast air that has exchanged heat with the heater as the sole heat source. Therefore, the desorption temperature is insufficient and the temperature distribution is likely to be non-uniform, resulting in uneven desorption state of the adsorbent. Moreover, heat loss to the outside easily occurs due to indirect heating.
Therefore, there are problems such as poor desorption efficiency, low dehumidification capacity, and high power consumption.

3. When the temperature of the heater is raised to increase the desorption capacity, the temperature of the air passage also rises. Therefore, it is necessary to give heat resistance to the control parts, resin parts, wire coatings, etc. around the air passage, which is not preferable in terms of safety, cost and durability.

4. When a thin wire-like material is used as the heating element of the heater, this type of heater may be broken or bent over time. Therefore, there is a possibility that electric leakage, short circuit, etc. may occur due to the contact between the heating elements or between the heating elements and other good conductor parts, and those without any measures are dangerous.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to increase the desorption amount of the adsorbent and improve the dehumidifying and humidifying capabilities by effectively utilizing the radiant heat of the heater and homogenizing the heating temperature distribution during desorption. Is the first purpose, and the second purpose is to ensure electrical and temperature safety.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides, as a first means for solving the problems, an adsorbing section composed of an air passage, an adsorbent disposed in the air passage, and a heater. A blower that blows air to the adsorption unit, a damper that switches the downstream end of the air passage, an adsorption step that adsorbs the moisture content of the blown air to the adsorbent by interlocking control of the heater, the air blower, and the damper. The heater is composed of a heating element and a supporting body, and the heating element is adsorbed by radiant heat emitted from the controller. It is configured to have an arrangement position where the material can be heated and a surface temperature.

As a second means for solving the above problems, in addition to the above-mentioned constitution, the support body holds a heater support portion and a distance between the heater support portion and the adsorbent, and an outer periphery of a gap formed between them. And a frame having a size and shape for covering the above, and an insulating plate disposed inside the frame and alternating with the heating element.

[0016]

The present invention has the following functions due to the above structure.

While the blower is operated and the damper is used to switch the air passage, the circulation of indoor air and the circulation of outdoor air are alternately repeated.

At this time, the outdoor circulating air remains at room temperature by causing the heater to generate heat only during indoor circulation.
Indoor circulating air becomes warm air. When this warm air passes through the adsorbent, it gives heat to the moisture adsorbed to the adsorbent, and when the adsorbed moisture receives heat exceeding the total amount of heat of adsorption and heat of wetting during adsorption, adsorption It is desorbed from the material and released into the room together with the circulating air (TSA method). The adsorbent that has desorbed the adsorbed moisture adsorbs and removes the moisture in the outdoor air that passes through the adsorbent during the outdoor circulation. The chamber is humidified by repeating this desorption and adsorption cycle.

By heating the heater only during outdoor circulation, the indoor circulation air remains at room temperature, but the outdoor circulation air becomes warm air. When this warm air passes through the adsorbent, it gives heat to the moisture adsorbed to the adsorbent, and when the adsorbed moisture receives heat exceeding the total amount of heat of adsorption and heat of wetting during adsorption, adsorption It is desorbed from the material and discharged together with the circulating air to the outside (TSA method). The adsorbent from which the adsorbed moisture is desorbed adsorbs and removes the moisture in the indoor air passing through the adsorbent during the indoor circulation. The chamber is dehumidified by repeating this desorption and adsorption cycle.

In ventilation, the heater is not caused to generate heat, the damper is moved to communicate the inside and outside of the room, and the blower is operated. Airflow occurs between the inside and outside of the room, that is, ventilation can be performed.

The heater which causes the desorption phenomenon during the dehumidifying and humidifying operations has a heating element having a size and shape which increases radiant heat, and is arranged at a position where the radiant heat reaches the adsorbent and can heat the adsorbent. I am doing it. Therefore, not only indirectly heating the adsorbent by heat exchange with the blown air, but also directly heating the adsorbent by the radiant heat from the heater, the temperature rise of the adsorbent immediately after the heater is energized Compared with the conventional method, the reached temperature also rises faster and the amount of desorption per unit time increases. Accordingly, the amount of adsorption is correspondingly increased, and the dehumidifying and humidifying capabilities are improved.

Further, according to the structure of the second problem solving means, since there is a gap between the heater supporting portion and the adsorbent, the heated warm air easily flows uniformly, and the constituent element of the heater is the adsorbent. There are advantages that the rate of blocking the cells is small, and that the adsorbent does not receive the radiant heat of the heater excessively and is burnt out. Also, since the frame covers the outer circumference of the gap formed between the adsorbent and the heater support,
The distance between the adsorbent and the heater support can be kept constant, and the temperature rise on the air passage surface can be reduced. Furthermore, when the heating element is placed inside the frame, the insulating plates are arranged alternately with the heating element, so when the heating element deteriorates with age and breaks or bends occur, the heating elements can It is possible to prevent electrical accidents such as short circuit and short circuit due to contact with other good conductors such as air passages.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the adsorbent 11 and the heater 13 are arranged in the air passage 14, and the heater 13
Is composed of a thin wire heating element 13a processed into a coil shape and a support 13b supporting the heating element 13a, in which the surface temperature easily rises and the heat exchange efficiency with the blown air is relatively good. A rectifying plate 15 is provided in the air passage 14 on the upstream side of the heater 13, and the adsorbent 11, the heater 13, the air passage 14, and the rectifying plate 15 constitute an adsorption portion 16. In the adsorption unit 16, the adsorbent 11 and the heater 13 are arranged in close proximity to each other so that the radiant heat of the heater 13 reaches sufficiently.

The blower 17 is arranged at a position where the air is blown with the side of the rectifying plate 15 upstream of the suction portion 16. The suction air passage 18 connected to the suction port of the blower 17 includes an indoor suction port 19 and an outdoor suction port 20, and the first motor 2
Only the indoor or outdoor side is communicated with the blower 17 by the suction damper 22 driven by 1. Wind path 14
The blowout air passage 23 connected to is provided with an indoor air outlet 24 and an outdoor exhaust outlet 25, and only one of the room and the outside is communicated with the air passage 14 by a blowout damper 27 driven by a second motor 26. .

The heater 13, the blower 17, the first motor 21, and the second motor 26 are the controller 2
Controlled by 8 The operation unit 29 inputs commands to the controller 28.

The above-mentioned components are arranged in the base 30 and the cabinet 31 as an exterior. The cabinet 31 is provided with the above-mentioned operation part 29, a suction louver 32 is provided at a portion where the indoor suction port 19 communicates with the room, and a blowout louver 33 is provided at a portion where the indoor air outlet 24 communicates with the room. is there.

Next, the operation of the above structure will be described.
First, when the operation power supply (not shown) is turned on and the operation mode switch (not shown) for dehumidification, humidification, or ventilation is selected and turned on in the operation unit 29, the operation in the selected mode is performed according to the contents described below. I do. (Dehumidification Operation) In the dehumidification operation, the adsorption step and the desorption step described below are alternately repeated to dehumidify the room.

In the desorption process, the suction damper 22 makes the outdoor suction port 20 communicate with the blower 17, and the blow-out damper 27 has the outdoor exhaust port 25 communicated with the air passage 14. When the heater 13 and the blower 17 are operated in this state, the outdoor air 34 introduced by the blower 17 through the outdoor suction port 20 is heated by the heater 13 to become warm air, and then passes through the adsorbent 11. At this time, the adsorbent 11
The moisture adsorbed on the adsorbent 11 is sequentially desorbed from the adsorbent 11 into the passing air when it receives heat corresponding to the total amount of heat released as adsorption heat at the time of adsorption and the moist heat. The heated outdoor air is discharged as outdoor air 35 through the outdoor exhaust port 25 together with the desorbed moisture.

During this desorption process, the adsorbent 11 is heated by the outdoor air 34 that has exchanged heat with the heater 13, and
It is directly heated by the radiant heat from the heater 13. Therefore, the temperature of the adsorbent 11 rises faster than the conventional desorption process using only heated air and the reached temperature is high, so that the desorption amount per unit time increases. Further, the blower 17 is set to have a lower rotation speed than during the adsorption stroke described later, and the heater 13 is maintained at a high temperature as much as the amount of the blown air decreases, so that the adsorbent 11 is heated by the intense radiant heat. The desorption amount is further improved.

In the adsorption process, the suction damper 22 is in a position where the indoor suction port 19 is in communication with the blower 17, and the blowout damper 27 is in a position where the indoor air outlet 24 is in communication with the air passage 14. In this state, when the heater 13 is not operated and only the blower 17 is operated, the indoor air 39 introduced by the blower 17 through the indoor suction port 19 passes through the adsorbent 11. At this time, the moisture contained in the passing air is adsorbed by the adsorbent 11 to become dry air. This dry air is supplied to the indoor air outlet 2
4 is supplied as blown air 40 into the room.

During this adsorption process, the amount of desorption during the desorption process increases, so that the adsorbent 11 is in a state where the adsorption phenomenon is likely to occur, and the adsorption amount per unit time increases.

Thus, the dehumidifying capacity is increased as compared with the conventional means. (Humidification operation) In the humidification operation, the adsorption step and the desorption step described below are alternately repeated to perform humidification in the room.

In the desorption process, the suction damper 22 makes the indoor suction port 19 communicate with the blower 17, and the blow-out damper 27 makes the indoor air outlet 24 communicate with the air passage 14. When the heater 13 and the blower 17 are operated in this state, the indoor air 39 introduced by the blower 17 through the indoor suction port 19 is heated by the heater 13 to become warm air, and then passes through the adsorbent 11. At this time, the adsorbent 11
The moisture adsorbed on the adsorbent 11 is sequentially desorbed from the adsorbent 11 into the passing air when it receives heat corresponding to the total amount of heat released as adsorption heat at the time of adsorption and the moist heat. The heated outdoor air is supplied to the room as the blown air 40 through the indoor outlet 24 together with the desorbed moisture.

During this desorption process, the adsorbent 11 is heated by the outdoor air 34 that has exchanged heat with the heater 13, and
It is directly heated by the radiant heat from the heater 13. Therefore, the temperature of the adsorbent 11 rises faster than the conventional desorption process using only heated air and the reached temperature is high, so that the desorption amount per unit time increases. Further, as in the dehumidifying operation, the rotation speed of the blower 17 becomes lower than that in the adsorption stroke, the heater 13 is maintained at a high temperature, and the desorption amount is further improved.

In the adsorption step, the suction damper 22 communicates the outdoor suction port 20 with the blower 17, and the blowout damper 27 is located with the outdoor exhaust port 25 communicated with the air passage 14. In this state, when the heater 13 is not operated and only the blower 17 is operated, the outdoor air 34 introduced by the blower 17 through the outdoor suction port 20 passes through the adsorbent 11. At this time, the moisture contained in the passing air is adsorbed by the adsorbent 11 to become dry air. This dry air is used as the outdoor exhaust port 2
After passing through 5, the exhaust gas 35 is discharged to the outside of the room.

During this adsorption process, the amount of desorption during the desorption process is increasing, so that the adsorbent 11 is in a state where the adsorption phenomenon is likely to occur, and the adsorption amount per unit time increases.

Thus, the dehumidifying capacity is increased as compared with the conventional means. (Ventilation operation) In ventilation operation, the heater 13 is not operated.

The suction damper 22 connects the indoor suction port 19 to the blower 17, and the blow-out damper 27 is the outdoor exhaust port 25.
Is in a position communicating with the air passage 14. When the blower 17 is operated in this state, the blower 17 causes the indoor suction port 1
The indoor air 39 introduced via 9 is discharged as the exhaust air 35 to the outside of the room through the blower 17, the adsorption unit 16 and the outdoor exhaust port 25. At this time, since the introduced air passes through the adsorbent 11, the moisture content in the introduced air is adsorbed and removed in the initial stage of the operation, but the adsorbent 11 depends on the ventilation operation without desorption. It becomes saturated with the adsorbed moisture, and finally reaches a breakthrough state and stops adsorbing.
Therefore, even if it is configured to pass through the adsorbent 11, ventilation similar to that of a general ventilation device can be performed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the dry dehumidifying system using the adsorbent 11 is adopted, and the heater 1 which causes the desorption phenomenon during dehumidifying and humidifying operations.
The heating element 3 has a size and shape so that the radiant heat becomes high, and is arranged at a position where the radiant heat reaches the adsorbent 11 and can heat the adsorbent 11. Therefore, while having the functions of dehumidification, humidification, and ventilation that do not require time and effort for treatment of water supply and drain water, the adsorbent 1 is indirectly provided by heat exchange with blown air.
In addition to heating No. 1, the adsorbent 11 is also directly heated by the radiant heat from the heater 13. Therefore, the temperature rise of the adsorbent 11 immediately after energizing the heater 13 is faster than the conventional one and the reached temperature is also high. Therefore, the desorption amount per unit time increases. Therefore, in response to this, the adsorption amount also increases, and the dehumidifying and humidifying capabilities can be improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. 1 and 2, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the present embodiment, the heater 13 of the adsorption section
Is composed of a thin wire heating element 13a processed into a coil and having a relatively high surface temperature and a relatively high heat exchange efficiency with the blown air, and a support 13b supporting the heating element 13a. The support body 13b includes a heater support portion 13ba that directly supports the heating element 13a, a frame 13bb that forms the appearance of the heater 13 and that keeps a constant distance between the heater support portion 13ba and the adsorbent 11, and a frame 13b.
It is composed of heating elements 13a and insulating bodies 13bc arranged alternately in b. A space T is provided between the heating element 13a and the adsorbent 11, and the frame 13bb covers the outer periphery of the space T in addition to the portion where the heating element 13a is disposed.
The heat shield between the hot air and radiant heat and the air passage is performed.

The operation of the above structure will be described below.
Each component performs the same mechanical operation as in the first embodiment.
At the time of desorption, since the air gap T is provided between the heater supporting portion 13ba and the adsorbent 11, the blown air introduced into the heater 13 is heated by the heating element 13a to become warm air, and then in the air gap. It diffuses and mixes into the adsorbent 11 with a substantially uniform temperature distribution. Also, due to this void T,
The heater 13 has a small portion that closes the cells of the adsorbent 11, and the radiant heat of the heating element 13a is also radiated to the adsorbent 11 almost uniformly. In this way, the adsorbent 11 is heated almost uniformly, and almost the entire adsorbent 11 can operate efficiently.

During this heating, since the frame 13bb is provided on the outer periphery of the void T for heat shielding, the temperature of the heating element 13a is raised to rapidly heat the adsorbent 11, and a large amount of radiant heat is radiated. However, the temperature rise on the surface of the air passage 14 is reduced. Further, inside the frame 13bb, the insulating plate 13 is orthogonal to the heater supporting portion 13ba and alternates with the heating element 13a.
Since bc is installed, when the heating element 13a deteriorates due to secular change and breaks or warps occur, the heating elements come into contact with each other or the heating element and other good conductors such as the air passage, causing an electrical accident such as short circuit or short circuit. Can be prevented.

Therefore, the phenomenon aimed at by the first embodiment can be effectively generated, and the safety and durability at that time can be improved.

In this embodiment, two dampers, the suction damper 22 and the blowing damper 27, are provided as the dampers for switching the air passage 14, but the number of dampers is not limited to two, and one or more dampers may be provided. It is also possible. For example, when the function of the air quality controller is limited to dehumidification, it is possible to circulate the indoor air and discharge the desorbed air to the outside by connecting the suction side of the air passage 14 to only the room. Can perform the function of. Therefore, the damper need only have one blowout damper 27.

Further, in the present embodiment, the heating element 13a has been described as a thin wire processed into a coil shape, but this is merely an example, and the aim of the present invention is, as described in the claims, that the adsorbent is energized. It suffices if radiant heat capable of heating 11 can be emitted. Therefore, the heating element 13a may not have the shape shown in the embodiment.

[0047]

As described above, according to the air quality control device of the present invention, as a first effect, the dehumidifying and humidifying capabilities can be improved by performing quick and efficient desorption.

As the second effect, the first effect can be enhanced and the safety and durability of the device can be improved.

Further, the functions of dehumidifying, humidifying and ventilating can be realized by one unit, and the device can be used easily without the trouble of treating the water supply and drain water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an air quality control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a suction section of the air quality control device.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a heater mounted on the air quality adjuster.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a heater support according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main body of a conventional dry dehumidifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Adsorbent 13 Heater 13a Heating Element 13b Support 13ba Heater Support 13bb Frame 13bc Insulating Plate 14 Airway 16 Adsorption 22 Suction Damper 27 Blowout Damper 28 Controller

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuaki Tawa 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An air duct, an adsorption section composed of an adsorbent and a heater disposed in the air channel, a blower for blowing air to the adsorption section, a damper for switching the air channel, and the heater. From the controller that alternately operates the adsorption step of adsorbing the moisture content of the blast air to the adsorbent by interlockingly controlling the blower and the damper and the desorption step of desorbing the adsorbed moisture of the adsorbent. The air quality controller having an arrangement position and a surface temperature capable of heating the adsorbent by radiant heat emitted from the heating element and the supporting element. 2. An air duct, an adsorbing section composed of an adsorbent and a heater disposed in the air duct, a blower for blowing air to the adsorbing section, a damper for switching the air duct, and the heater. From the controller that alternately operates the adsorption step of adsorbing the moisture content of the blast air to the adsorbent by interlockingly controlling the blower and the damper and the desorption step of desorbing the adsorbed moisture of the adsorbent. The heater is composed of a heating element and a support, and the support covers the outer periphery of the heater support and the space between the heater support and the adsorbent, and the gap between them. An air quality adjuster comprising a frame having a dimension and a shape, and insulating plates arranged in the frame and arranged alternately with the heating elements. 3. The air quality control device according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is arranged with a gap provided between the heating element and the adsorbent. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller sets the rotation speed of the blower during the desorption process to a value lower than that during the adsorption process.