JPH08128682A - Humidifying unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable repairing of a humidifying unit even when a pinhole is generated at a water-proof moisture vapor permeable film by laminating humidifying plates so that feed water supply units are superposed, forming a feed water supply unit common for the respective plates, and forming a space based on the thickness difference between the unit and a humidifying unit between the plates. CONSTITUTION: Many humidifying plates 3 of a laminated structure are inserted into a housing 2 in a humidifying plate 1. A spacer 4 is provided to hold a space between the plates. The front and the rear of the housing 2 are opened with the inlet and the outlet of the air 5, and an opening for feed water 6 is provided above. The plates 3 are fixed at both side surfaces of a frame 7 with humidifying films (water-proof moisture vapor permeable films) 8, 9, and has a feed water supply unit 3-1 and a humidifying unit 3-2. The frame 7 is formed in the shape in which a thin plate is bored in such a manner that the above feed water supply unit 7-1 is thicker than the other part (humidifying unit 7-2) at the left and right (longitudinal members) frame parts 7-a, 7-b and thicker than the frame part 7-c for coupling the parts 7-a to 7-b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a humidifying unit and can be widely used in the field of air conditioning requiring humidification, and is particularly used as a humidifier for air conditioning in buildings, factory environments, homes or vehicles. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a method of humidifying by using a moisture permeable membrane is known. For example, in JP-A-60-171337, a hollow structure of a waterproof and moisture-permeable membrane is formed by folding or rolling up, water is supplied to the hollow portion, and air is blown from the outside to humidify the air. A humidifier is disclosed. However, in a humidifying unit using such a bag-like humidifying membrane, if a pinhole or blockage occurs even in one place, the entire unit becomes unusable or the humidifying performance deteriorates, and it is folded or rolled up to form a structure. There is a problem that a part of the formed hollow structure expands beyond a predetermined clearance to increase the air resistance and also causes evaporation failure due to a partial increase in the amount of water.

Therefore, it is preferable to use a flow path formed by partially inscribed with a flow path formed of a waterproof / moisture permeable membrane.
It is proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 949. Specifically, the thickness is a few mm
In order to increase the surface area of water by arranging the hollow structure of thin leaf-shaped waterproof / moisture permeable membranes in multiple layers, two sheet-like waterproof / moisture permeable membranes are superposed and heat-sealed in a bag shape, and the upper and lower ends There is disclosed a humidifying unit in which a plurality of parallel straight lines are heat-sealed at intervals of 10 mm, leaving a portion, a water supply pipe and a drain pipe are inserted into upper and lower ends, and the units are hung in multiple layers.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 22136/1993, a hydrophobic porous membrane made of a polymer material is formed by integrally projecting hollow bottomed cylinders having substantially the same height in parallel with each other and connecting the openings thereof in sequence. Discloses a structure for separating a water portion from an air portion. In Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-50341, two porous sheets having water repellency are superposed with each other at a minute interval and are polymerized to hermetically seal the periphery. Form a closed chamber that spreads thinly,
A structure is disclosed in which humidifying water is sent into the closed chamber at a predetermined pressure.

[0005]

However, in the humidifying unit disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-72949, the water supply pipe and the drain pipe must be inserted into each sheet-like hollow structure, and a structure such as a manifold is required. Was complicated.

Further, in the proposals of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-22136 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-50341, no measures are taken against the swelling of the humidifying film due to the internal weight of the internal water and the measures to secure the air flow passage. Therefore, there was a problem in practical application.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a structure in which a plurality of independent thin leaf-like humidifying plates are laminated, and each humidifying plate has a hollow thin plate. It is made by fixing waterproof and moisture permeable membranes on both main surfaces of the frame of the shape
The humidifying plate can supply water from one end to the humidifying part between the waterproof and moisture permeable membranes in the frame, the thickness of the frame is thicker in the part defining the water supplying part than in the part defining the humidifying part, and the humidifying plate is different between the water supplying parts. The humidifying plates are stacked so as to be overlapped with each other to form a common water supply part, and a space is formed between the humidifying plates based on a difference in thickness between the water supply part and the humidifying part. Provided is a humidifying unit having a means for ensuring an air flow path.

[0008] Preferably, the thickness of the frame is thicker in the part defining the drainage part forming one end of the humidifying plate than in the part defining the humidifying part and the same as the part defining the water supply part.
In addition, the humidifying plates are stacked so that the drainage parts are overlapped with each other to form a common draining part for each humidifying plate.

[0009]

Since the humidifying unit of the present invention is constructed by stacking independent humidifying plates, only the humidifying plate can be replaced even if a partial pinhole or blockage occurs. Further, since the frame structure and a means for securing a space between humidifying plates, which will be described later, are adopted, the interval between the waterproof and moisture permeable membranes can be kept constant and the air circulation space can be kept constant. Further, the humidifying plate with the frame body and the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane bonded together only needs to be assembled in layers, and the water supply part to each humidifying plate of the humidifying unit (and also the drain part) has a common water supplying part due to the laminated structure of the humidifying plates. It is formed as a (drainage part) and is simple in structure and manufacturing.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a humidifying unit in which only the water supply section is shared, and FIG. 2 is a humidifying plate constituting the humidifying unit,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a frame body forming the humidifying plate. In the humidifying unit 1, a large number of humidifying plates 3 having a laminated structure are inserted in a housing 2. Reference numeral 4 is a spacer as one means for ensuring the space between the humidifying plates. Front and rear of the housing 2 is an inlet (front side in the figure) and an outlet (back side in the figure) for air 5.
There is an opening for the water supply 6 above. However, if water can be supplied above the housing 2,
It is not necessary for the entire ceiling to be open as shown. Further, since it is sufficient that air can circulate before and after the housing 2, it may be covered with a decorative plate or a mesh plate having an appropriate circulation port.

As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifying plate 3 is one in which humidifying membranes (waterproof moisture permeable membranes) 8 and 9 are fixed on both sides of a frame body 7, and has a water supply portion 3-1 and a humidifying portion 3-2. . As shown in FIG. 3, the frame body 7 has a shape in which a thin plate is hollowed out, but in the left and right (vertical members) frame portions 7-a and 7-b, the upper water supply portion 7 is provided.
-1 is thicker than the other portion (humidifying portion 7-2) and thicker than the frame portion 7-c connecting the left and right frame portions 7-a and 7-b. By doing so, the humidifying films 8 and 7 are formed on both main surfaces of the left and right frame portions 7-a and 7-b of the frame body 7, respectively.
By bonding 9 to each other, it is possible to supply water from the water supply section 3-1 to each of the humidification plates 3 between the humidification films 8 and 9 in the frame body 7, that is, a portion 3-2. FIG. 4 shows a cross section when the humidifying plates 3 are stacked. When such humidifying plates 3 are packed in the housing 2 in the laminated structure as shown in FIG. 1, the humidifying film 8 on the front surface of one humidifying plate 3 and the rear surface of the adjacent humidifying plate 3 in the region of the humidifying section 3-2. A space corresponding to the difference in the thickness of the frame is formed between the humidifying films 9 to form an air circulation space. Further, by stacking the water supply parts 7-1 of the frame body 7 on top of each other, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the water supply parts 3-1 of the humidifying plates 3 share a common water supply part (A part in FIG. 4). )become. The water supplied to the humidifying plate 3 simply evaporates into the air through the humidifying film, and the humidifying plate 3 has no drainage portion.

The material of the frame body 7 may be an appropriate rigid material such as plastics or metal (aluminum etc.). The waterproof and moisture permeable membrane is not particularly limited as long as it has a waterproof and moisture permeable function. Examples of the film having such a function include hydrophobic porous films such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polyvinyl fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride. However, stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene is preferable from the viewpoint of heat resistance, chemical resistance and the like. Such a polytetrafluoroethylene porous body has a thickness of 1 to 1000.
Examples include those having a pore size of μm, a porosity of 5 to 95%, and a pore size of 0.01 to 15 μm. The thickness is 20 to 200 μm and the porosity is 60 to 9 in consideration of water vapor permeability, water resistance, and strength.
It is preferably 0%. Hydrophobic porous membranes having such a waterproof and moisture permeable function are known, and stretched and porous, solvent extraction,
It can be manufactured by casting or the like. Further, a film in which the surface of the hydrophilic porous film is made water-repellent by a fluorine-based treating agent can also be used. Further, the surface may be coated with a moisture-permeable polymer (for example, a hydrophilic polymer such as polyurethane or a hydrophobic polymer such as silicone), and a reinforcing layer such as a non-woven fabric or knit may be laminated (bonded) as needed. , Fusion bonding) is also possible.

The method of fixing the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane to the frame is that the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane is porous, and therefore the method of fixing the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane to the frame by an anchor effect using an adhesive or the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane itself is thermoplastic. In some cases, known techniques such as a method of fusing by heating can be used. However, in the water supply portion, the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane 8 needs to be watertightly integrated with the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane 9 of the adjacent humidifying plate 3 via a straight line or a reinforcing member.

When such a humidifying plate 3 is laminated, as described above, the thickness of the humidifying portion is relatively thin with respect to the thickness of the frame body of the water supply portion, so that there is a difference in thickness between adjacent humidifying plates. The original space 10 is formed. In the present invention, the spacer 4 may be interposed in this space 10 (FIG. 6 (A)).
This spacer 4 is at least on both sides 7-a, 7 of the frame.
It is desirable to contact with -b, so that the distance between the humidifying plates is kept constant and the waterproof and moisture permeable membranes 8 and 9 are prevented from swelling due to water pressure, so that there is an effect that a uniform air circulation space is secured.

The spacer may be, for example, a thin plate of corrugated or triangular plastic or metal having a continuous cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 6A shows the spacer seen from the side surface of the frame body, and FIG. 6B shows the spacer seen from the front surface of the frame body. 7A and 7B show a modification of the frame body of FIG. These frame bodies 7'have a water supply portion 7'-1 and a humidifying portion 7'-2, and the frame portion 7'of the humidifying portion is provided in the hollow portion of the humidifying portion 7'-2.
-Thin ribs 7'-e, 7'- having the same thickness as a, 7'-b
f is provided. This added rib 7'-e, 7 '
By attaching the humidifying films 8 and 9 to -f, it is possible to prevent the humidifying films 8 and 9 from expanding in a bag shape at the time of water injection. This eliminates the need for a corrugated sheet spacer for securing the air flow path, can minimize the reduction in air pressure loss, and can save the cost of the corrugated sheet spacer. At this time, it is preferable to make the width of the rib as narrow as possible in order not to reduce the effective humidifying area. On the other hand, if the number of ribs is extremely reduced, the humidifying film swells like a bag and the space between the humidifying plates is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to adjust the ribs according to the elongation characteristics of the humidifying film. In assembling the humidifying unit, the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane attached to the frame of the adjacent humidifying plate may be fixed directly or through the reinforcing member, for example, by adhesion or heat fusion. Thereby, as described above, the adjacent humidifying plates have the common water supply section. When replacing the humidifying plate, the joint is peeled off and a new humidifying plate is fixed again in the same manner. Also, with these,
The amount of humidification can be easily controlled simply by increasing or decreasing the number of humidifying plates that are assembly units. Although not shown, in the frame body that corresponds to the end portion of the humidification unit, one end portion is used in which the frame portion 7′-c extends to the top of the water supply portion 7′-1 and the other end portion is used. Then, after fixing the humidifying membrane 8 to the frame body, an additional plate that reaches the top of the water supply part 7'-1 is attached to the surface of the frame part 7'-b opposite to the frame part 7'-c is used. Thus, the water supply unit 7'-1 can be preferably constructed. 8 and 9 show modified examples of the water supply unit 7-1 of the frame body 7. In this example, the number of frame portions (cross members) 7-c of the water supply unit 7-1 is not one but two, 7-c-1, 7-.
It is c-2, and water A is supplied through it. 8 is a perspective view of the frame body 7, FIG. 9 (A) is a partial side sectional view when the frame body is assembled, and FIG. 9 (B) is a partial vertical sectional view. In this modification, frame portions (7-c-1, 7-c-) are provided on both sides of the frame body 7.
2) makes it easy to attach the humidifying films 8 and 9 to the water supply unit 7-1. In the case of the frame body shown in FIG. 2, for example, a spacer whose surface is covered with a release paper is inserted into the water supply portion to insert the humidifying film 8,
It is necessary to devise such as bonding 9 together, assembling and bonding the frames together, and removing the spacer after the adhesive is cured. The modifications of FIGS. 8 and 9 do not have such inconvenience. However, when the area occupied by the frame parts 7-c-1, 7-c-2 in the water supply part A increases, the opening area of the water supply part decreases, so the frame parts (cross members) 7-c-1, 7-c. -2
If the thickness is made thin, bending may occur at the central part thereof, resulting in insufficient pressing pressure and poor adhesion resulting therefrom. Therefore, as necessary, as shown in FIG. 8, ribs 7-c-1 and 7-c-2 are provided at the centers of the frame parts (cross members) 7-c-1 and 7-c-2.
It is preferable to provide c-3. 10 (A) (B)
(C) is a further modification of the frame body 7 of FIGS. This frame body is a frame body element 7 ″ obtained by dividing the frame body of FIGS.
-1, 7 "-2 are integrally configured.
0 (A) and (B) are frame elements 7 "-1, 7"-before integration
2 respectively, and FIG. 10C shows the frame element 7 ″ -1,
7 shows a side surface of the frame body after integration of 7 "-2. Since the frame body elements 7" -1, 7 "-2 have the same shape, they can be manufactured in the same mold and are excellent in mass productivity. Body element 7 "-1,7"-
2 is a frame material fixed by adhesion or fusion. After that, each of the humidifying plates may be similarly adhered or fused, or may be fixed via a hacking material. At this time, a fixing / tightening hole 7 ″ -h is provided in the water supply portion of the frame element. It can be pierced through so that it can be firmly assembled with a bolt, etc. Further, a rib 7 "-i can be provided at the center of the water supply portion of the frame element.
Can also be used as a hole for fixing and tightening. The moisturizing film 8'is fixed to the frame element by an existing method such as adhesion or fusion. However, when the frame element is manufactured by an injection molding machine, the moisturizing film is previously inserted in the mold surface, and the insert is integrated. Can be converted. According to this method, the molding of the frame and the fixing of the humidifying film are performed in the same step, so that there is an effect that the simplification of the steps can be achieved. In this respect, with the method of fixing the humidifying film on both sides of the frame, it is difficult to fix the humidifying film on both sides by injection molding at once, so it is completely impossible to fix the humidifying film on both sides by injection molding. It is necessary to fix the humidifying film on the remaining surface in another step. Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, since the single insert injection molding for fixing the humidifying film on one side is repeated, there is no variation in the fixing quality on the front and back of the humidifying film,
There is also an advantage that it can be manufactured stably. In this modification, the humidifying unit that shares only the water supply unit has been described, but it is easy to make a humidifying unit that shares the drainage unit with the same structure.

Although the housing 2 is used in FIG. 1, the humidifying function can be provided by, for example, notching the top plate portion of the rectangular air duct and inserting the humidifying plate laminated structure. FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the humidifying unit 2
No. 0 has a structure in which not only the water supply unit 31 but also the drainage unit 32 is shared, and the water supply unit 31 and the drainage unit 32 are arranged on the left and right instead of the top and bottom.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the frame 27 of the humidifying plate 23,
13 and 10 show a side sectional view and a side view of the laminated structure of the humidifying plate 23. Water supply section 27-1 and drain section 2 of frame 27
7-3 has the same thickness and is formed thicker than the humidifying section 27-2. Therefore, when this humidifying plate has a laminated structure, a space 30 (for example, a spacer 24 is inserted as a means to secure the space here) is formed in the humidifying part 23-2 between the humidifying plates 23, and the humidifying plate of FIG. Unlike the humidification unit,
Not only the water supply section A but also the drainage section B is shared. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the water supply portion 31 and the drainage portion 3 of the housing 22.
It becomes possible to have a structure in which the water supply part and the drain part are arranged on the left and right by making 2 a closed structure. 33 is a water supply pipe and 34 is a drainage pipe.

Of course, it is also possible to make this humidifying unit vertical and dispose the water supply unit 31 on the upper side. Further, the water supply part 31 may be disposed below if sufficient pressure supply of the water supply is possible. Other configurations of the humidifying unit of FIG. 11 are shown in FIG.
It is basically similar to that of the humidification unit of.

[0019]

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION The humidifying unit of the present invention is a humidifying method utilizing a waterproof and moisture-permeable membrane, and has a structure in which thin leaf-like humidifying plates are laminated with a means for ensuring a space between the humidifying plates. As a result, the humidifying surface can be formed in a large area, the air circulation space between the humidifying plates can be kept constant, and since the humidifying plates can be replaced as a unit, pinholes are generated in the waterproof and moisture permeable membrane. Alternatively, even if the water flow path is blocked, the humidifying unit can be repaired and continued to be used. And, the structure and assembly are simple.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidifying unit according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a humidifying plate according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a frame body of the humidifying plate according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the laminated structure of the humidifying plate according to the first embodiment.

5A and 5B respectively show spacers.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a structure in which the humidifying plates of the first embodiment are stacked with a spacer interposed therebetween, and FIG. 6B is a front view showing a state where the spacer is inserted in the humidifying plate of the first embodiment. Is.

7A and 7B show a modified example of the frame body of the humidifying plate.

FIG. 8 shows another modification of the frame body of the humidifying plate.

9A and 9B are a side sectional view and a vertical sectional view of the frame body of the humidifying plate of FIG.

10 (A), (B) and (C) show still another modified example of the frame body of the humidifying plate.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a humidifying unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a humidifying plate according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of a structure in which the humidifying plates of the second embodiment are stacked.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a structure in which the humidifying plates of the second embodiment are stacked with a spacer interposed therebetween.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 20 ... Humidification unit 2, 22 ... Housing 3, 23 ... Humidification plate 3-1 ... Water absorption part 3-2 ... Humidification part 4, 24 ... Spacer 5 ... Air 6 ... Water 7, 27 ... Frame body 8, 9, 28, 29 ... Waterproof and moisture permeable membrane 10, 30 ... Air circulation space

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A humidifying plate having a plurality of independent thin leaf-like humidifying plates, wherein each humidifying plate is formed by fixing waterproof and moisture permeable membranes to both main surfaces of a frame body in which thin plates are hollowed out. The humidifying plate can supply water from one end to the humidifying portion between the waterproof and moisture permeable membranes in the frame,
The thickness of the frame is thicker in the part defining the water supply part than in the part defining the humidification part, and the humidification plates are stacked so that the water supply parts overlap each other to form a common water supply part for each humidification plate. The humidifying unit is characterized in that a space is formed between the humidifying plates based on a difference in thickness between the water supply unit and the humidifying unit. 2. The thickness of the frame body is thicker than the portion defining the humidifying portion and is the same as the portion defining the water supplying portion even in the portion defining the drainage portion forming one end of the humidifying plate, and The humidification unit according to claim 1, wherein the humidification plates are stacked so that the drainage parts are overlapped with each other to form a common drainage part for each humidification plate.