JPH1047707A - Humidifying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifying apparatus which is capable of being miniaturized, and ensures water non-supply humidfication and ensures effective humidification by a simple work execution SOLUTION: An adsorbent 7 is provided through which first and second air streams 4, 9 both comprising indoor air, and water in line first air stream 4 is adsorbed by the adsorbent 7, and further the first air stream becoming dried air is exhausted to the outside of a room and the second air stream 9 heated with a regeneration heater 2 is applied to a regeneration zone of the adsorbent 7 whereby water adsorbed by the adsorbent 7 is evaporated and is released into the second air stream 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a humidifying apparatus for humidifying indoor air without water supply by adsorbing and desorbing moisture in air using an adsorbent.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air conditioner having a function of humidifying indoor air without supplying water is known.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-49136 discloses an example of a waterless humidifying device used in combination with an air conditioner. This non-water supply type humidifier has an intake port and an exhaust port opened to the room. In the adsorption step, the heater for regeneration does not operate, and the indoor air introduced through the intake port by the blower contains humid air. The moisture is absorbed by the moisture absorbent and becomes dry air. In the desorption step, the room air introduced through the air inlet by the blower is heated to about 100 ° C. by the regeneration heater, and the air is circulated as regeneration air to the regeneration zone of the absorbent material, thereby forming the absorbent material. The adsorbed moisture is desorbed by heating, and the air containing the moisture is discharged through an exhaust port.

[0004] Also, JP-A-2-17343 discloses that
An example of an air conditioner provided with a non-water supply type humidifier is shown. In this air conditioner, a heater for regeneration of a non-water supply type humidifier and a regeneration zone for a hygroscopic material are located at an outlet side of a heat exchanger in an indoor air circulation path inside an indoor unit, and preheated by the heat exchanger. The indoor air is heated by the heater for regeneration, the air is circulated to the regeneration zone of the hygroscopic material, and the outdoor air is circulated to heat and desorb moisture adsorbed on the hygroscopic material.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional waterless humidifier and air conditioner have the following problems.

In the non-water-supply type humidifying apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-49136, the indoor air is heated to about 100 ° C. only by the regeneration heater without preheating, so that the power consumed by the regeneration heater is large. There is a problem.

Further, in the air conditioner disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-173343, since the regeneration heater and the moisture absorbent are located in the indoor air circulation path, the blowing load of the indoor blower is large, and therefore the power is large. There is a problem that an indoor blower is required, and the blowing noise is increased.

The air conditioner proposed by the applicant of the present invention has been proposed as an air conditioner which solves the above problems and saves power by reducing the power consumption of the regeneration heater and the blowing load of the indoor blower. No. 7-215752 (Heisei 7
(Filed on August 24, 2012).

In the air conditioner of the proposed example, a non-water supply type humidifier is provided in a position other than the indoor air circulation path inside the indoor unit, and the non-water supply type humidification apparatus is provided at a heat exchanger outlet side of the indoor air circulation path. It is configured such that an indoor air intake port is provided.

[0010] The non-water supply type humidifier has a structure as shown in FIG. That is, the rotary heat exchanger 1 is driven by the drive motor 3 via the drive belt 2 for about 10 to 30 r.
It is rotationally driven at a slow speed such as ph. The air flow 4 is taken in by the fan 5 through the air flow passage 6, and the introduced air flow 4 passes the moisture contained in the air flow region of the rotary heat exchanger 1 to the rotary heat exchanger 1. Is adsorbed by the adsorbent 7 including Then, the dried air 13 is exhausted from the air flow passage 6 to the outside of the room. The rotary heat exchanger 1 including the adsorbent 7 that has adsorbed moisture turns to the airflow region 8 while rotating. At this time, the air flow 9 is sucked through the air flow passage 11 by the fan 10 and passes through the air flow region 8 as air heated by the humidifying regeneration heater 12 arranged on the upstream side of the rotary heat exchanger 1. I do. Due to the heat, the water adsorbed on the adsorbent 7 is desorbed and regenerated, and supplied to the room as humidified air 14 containing water.

However, the proposed example is an air conditioner having a humidifying function of adsorbing and desorbing moisture in the air by an adsorbent 7 included in the rotary heat exchanger 1, and has an outdoor air flow passage 6
In order to introduce and discharge the indoor and outdoor air, two flow paths are required, and the space for communication between the indoor and the outdoor is increased.

Further, when the non-water supply type humidifier and the intake / exhaust port are separated from each other, a duct is required, and the pressure loss due to the ventilation is large, which causes problems such as an increase in the size of the blower and an increase in noise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifying device which can be miniaturized, realizes waterless humidification with simple construction, and can humidify efficiently.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidifying apparatus including an adsorbent through which a first air flow and a second air flow each consisting of room air pass. The adsorbent adsorbs moisture in the first airflow, exhausts the first airflow that has become dry air to the outside of the room, and removes the second airflow heated by a regeneration heater into a regeneration zone of the adsorbent. The water adsorbed on the adsorbent is evaporated to be desorbed into the second air flow.

The humidifying device according to a second aspect is characterized in that, in the humidifying device according to the first aspect, the air volume of the first airflow is equal to or larger than the natural ventilation of the room in which the humidifying device is installed.

Further, the humidifying device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the humidifying device according to the second aspect, further comprising control means for calculating a natural ventilation rate from the attenuation of the carbon dioxide concentration in the room where the humidifying device is installed. Things.

In addition, the humidifying device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the humidifying device according to the second aspect, further comprising control means for calculating a natural ventilation amount from attenuation of moisture in the room where the humidifying device is installed. Things.

In addition, the humidifying device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the humidifying device according to the second aspect, further comprising a control unit for calculating a natural ventilation amount according to the size or structure of the room where the humidifying device is installed. It is assumed that.

In addition, the humidifying device according to claim 6 is the humidifying device according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust air blower for exhausting the first airflow to the outside of the room and the supply voltage of the exhaust air blower are variable. Control means for controlling the amount of exhaust air so as to be equal to or more than the natural ventilation amount.

According to the above configuration, the humidifying device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a humidifying device comprising:
An adsorbent through which an air flow passes, wherein the adsorbent adsorbs moisture in the first air flow, exhausts the first air flow that has become dry air to the outside of the room, and heats the first air flow by a regeneration heater. (2) Since the water adsorbed on the adsorbent is evaporated by applying the airflow to the regeneration zone of the adsorbent to be desorbed into the second airflow, only the outdoor exhaust passage is required, The construction can be simplified as compared with a conventional humidifier that requires an outdoor intake passage and an outdoor exhaust passage. Further, the pressure loss of the blower can be reduced, the size can be reduced, and the blow noise can be reduced.

In the humidifying device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the humidifying device according to the first aspect has an air volume of the first air flow which is equal to or larger than the natural ventilation of the room in which the humidifying device is installed. It becomes possible.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the humidifying device according to claim 2, is provided with control means for calculating natural ventilation from attenuation of carbon dioxide concentration in the room where the humidifying device is installed. By calculating the measurement of natural ventilation from the attenuation of the concentration of carbon dioxide generated from the human body in the room by the control means, the calculation can be performed in a manner harmless to the human body.

[0023] In addition, the humidifying device according to claim 4 of the present invention, in the humidifying device according to claim 2, is provided with control means for calculating a natural ventilation amount from attenuation of moisture in the room where the humidifying device is installed. By calculating the natural ventilation from the attenuation of the humidity generated from the human body in the room by the control means, the calculation can be performed in a manner harmless to the human body.

In addition, the humidifying device according to claim 5 of the present invention, in the humidifying device according to claim 2, further comprises control means for calculating a natural ventilation amount according to the size or structure of the room where the humidifying device is installed. Therefore, by setting in advance the control means based on the size or structure of the room to be installed in setting the natural ventilation, a sensor or the like is not required and the cost can be reduced.

In addition, the humidifying device according to claim 6 of the present invention is the humidifying device according to claim 5, wherein the exhaust air blower that exhausts the first airflow to the outside of the room and the supply voltage of the exhaust air blower are reduced. Since it is provided with control means for controlling the exhaust air volume so as to be greater than the natural ventilation volume by making it variable, the outdoor exhaust air volume can be set by varying the supply voltage, and the simplification of the non-water supply type humidifier can be achieved. It is possible.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same operations as those of the above-described proposal example.

The humidifier of this embodiment is a rotary heat exchanger 1 incorporated in a non-water humidifier 15 as shown in FIG.
The adsorbent 7 that adsorbs moisture is formed inside (similar to the proposal example). The indoor air is branched into a first air flow 4 and a second air flow 9, and the first air flow 4 passes through the rotary heat exchanger 1, where moisture is adsorbed, and is exhausted to the outside as dry air 13. The second air flow 9 is heated by the regeneration heater 12 and, when passing through the rotary heat exchanger 1, desorbs moisture and is supplied to the room again through the fan 10.

As described above, it is possible to use the room air and humidify the room air by natural aspiration. At this time, the maximum amount of humidification can be realized as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 by setting the amount of air exhausted outside to be equal to or greater than the natural ventilation amount. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the amount of dry air exhausted to the outside of the room and the relative humidity in the room. FIG. 4 shows a relationship when there is a moisture load when a person or the like is present in the room.

The shape of the rotary heat exchanger 1 does not need to be a honeycomb shape as in the present embodiment, but may be a grid shape, a net shape, a sponge shape, and air can be circulated. Any shape may be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control means of the humidifier according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the microcomputer 1
As the components in 6, a read-only memory (ROM) 17 stores all the operation programs, but the set temperature and the like can be changed using a key. 18 is a data write memory (RAM),
Keys and signals from the environment detection circuit are stored in the RAM 18 through the input control units 22 and 23. 19 is RAM1
8 is a computing unit for comparing data stored in 8 or performing addition and subtraction, 20 is a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit in the microcomputer 16, 21 is a timer, and 24 and 25 are It is a control unit for operating each device by a signal taken out of the RAM 18.

As an external circuit of the microcomputer 16, an input key circuit 26 including the key switch, an environment detecting circuit 27 for detecting temperature, humidity, etc. by a sensor, temperature, mode, wind direction, air volume, humidity setting, etc. A display device 28 for display, a heater 30 for reproduction, a blower 31, a motor 32 for rotation drive, a load drive circuit 29 for a humidifier, a power supply circuit 33, and a reset circuit 34 are connected.

Next, the operation of the control means of the humidifier according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the first control content of the humidifying device according to the present embodiment, where (a) is a main flowchart and (b) is a subroutine.

As shown in FIG. 5A, after the program is started, in step (S1), the process proceeds to a subroutine for measuring the amount of natural ventilation in the room, that is, FIG. 5B. Here, in step (S7), the sensor detects the outdoor carbon dioxide concentration A, which is input as a signal by the environment detection circuit 27 to the microcomputer 16 via the input control unit 23, and is stored in the RAM 18 as data. In step (S8), the number of measurements is cleared. In step (S9), the sensor detects the concentration of carbon dioxide _{Bn in the} room, and the RA is determined in the same manner as the outdoor carbon dioxide concentration data.
It is stored in M18. After the detection, when a predetermined time t has elapsed (step (S10)), the number of measurements is counted by one (step (S11)), and it is determined whether or not the predetermined number of measurements m has been completed, and it is still necessary to perform the measurement. Time (N)
Returns to step (S9), and when finished (Y),
Proceed to the next step (S13). In step (S13), the arithmetic unit 19 in the microcomputer 16
Based on the data stored in the AM 18 (the outdoor carbon dioxide concentration A and the indoor carbon dioxide concentrations B ₁ , B ₂ ,..., B _n ), the natural ventilation F _N is calculated. Here, returning to the main flowchart, that is, FIG. 5 (a), when the humidification operation is started in step (S2), the initially set exhaust air volume F _M (step (S3)) and the natural exhaust gas previously obtained are determined. Quantity F
_N is compared (step (S4)). When the exhaust air volume F _M is equal to or greater than natural ventilation F _N (Y), when it is not changed in the exhaust air volume, exhaust airflow F _M is less than the natural ventilation F _N (N), the step (S5) by substituting the natural ventilation F _N to ensure the natural ventilation and the equivalent of the exhaust air volume in the exhaust air volume F _M Te. Step (S6) indicates the end of the humidification operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the second control content of the humidifying device according to the present embodiment, where (a) is a main flowchart and (b) is a subroutine.

As shown in FIG. 6A, after the program is started, in step (S14), the process proceeds to a subroutine for measuring the amount of natural ventilation in the room, ie, to FIG. 6B. Here, in step (S20), the outdoor humidity C is detected by the outdoor humidity sensor, and the environment detection circuit 27 outputs a signal as a signal through the input control unit 23 to the microcomputer 16.
And stored in the RAM 18 as data. In step (S21), the number of measurements is cleared.
Step (S22) in detecting the room humidity D _i in a room humidity sensor, are stored in the RAM18 as before the outdoor carbon dioxide concentration data. After a certain period of time t 'has elapsed after the detection (step (S23)), the number of measurements is counted by one (step (S24)), and it is determined whether or not the predetermined number of measurements j has been completed. When there is a certain time (N), the process returns to the step (S22), and when it is completed (Y), the process proceeds to the next step (S26). In step (S26), the data stored in the RAM 18 (the outdoor humidity C
And the indoor humidity D _1, D _2, based on the ··· D _I), and calculates the natural ventilation F _N '. Here, returning to the main flowchart, that is, FIG. 6A, when the humidifying operation is started in step (S15), the initially set exhaust air volume F _M ′ (step (S16)) and the previous value are obtained. The natural exhaust amount F _N 'is compared (step (S17)). Exhaust air volume F
_{When M} ′ is equal to or greater than the natural ventilation F _N ′ (Y), the exhaust air volume is not changed, but the exhaust air volume F _M ′ is equal to the natural ventilation volume F _N ′.
_N 'is smaller than (N) is an exhaust air volume F _M at step (S18)' to ensure natural ventilation equivalent exhaust air volume by substituting the natural ventilation F _N 'to. Step (S19) indicates the end of the humidification operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third control content of the humidifying device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the step (S2
In step 7), the exhaust air volume F _M ″ is a default value. In step (S28), the size of the room is set, and the size of the room installed by the input key circuit 26 (for example, “10”).
Tatami ”) is input to the microcomputer 16 via the input control unit 23 and stored in the RAM 18 as data. In step (S29), the structure of the room is set. The structure of the installed room (eg, "wooden") is input by the input key circuit 26, and is input to the microcomputer 16 via the input control unit 23, As R
Stored in AM18. Next, in step (S30),
The arithmetic unit 19 in the microcomputer 16 has a RAM
Data stored in 18 (room size and room structure)
Based, natural ventilation F _N "Compare (step (S31)). Exhaust airflow F _M" natural emissions F _N found earlier to "is calculated. Initially set exhaust airflow are F _M" When the natural ventilation amount F _N ″ or more (Y), the exhaust air volume is not changed, but when the exhaust air volume F _M ″ is smaller than the natural ventilation amount F _N ″ (N), exhaust is performed in step (S32). Air volume F
By substituting the natural ventilation volume F _N ″ for _M ″, an exhaust air volume equivalent to the natural ventilation volume is secured.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fourth control content of the humidifier according to the present embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 8A is a main flowchart, and FIG. 8B is a subroutine.

As shown in FIG. 8, step (S3
Steps 3) to (S38) correspond to steps (S27) to (S32) in FIG. 7 described above. In step (S39), the process proceeds to a subroutine for determining the exhaust blower voltage, that is, FIG. 8B, in order to determine the exhaust blower voltage, when the exhaust air volume F _M ″ is determined.
0 will be explained. FIG. 10 shows the correlation between the applied voltage of the exhaust blower and the exhaust air volume. To output the exhaust air volume a (m ³ / h), a voltage of V ₁ (V) may be applied. Returning to the description of FIG. 8B based on this, the step (S
40) when the exhaust air volume F _M ″ is smaller than a (Y),
The applied voltage V and V ₁ at step (S41). larger than a comparison with b in (N) Step (S42), the smaller the (Y) applied voltage V and V _2, compared with c at greater (N) Step (S44). It is smaller than c and (Y) the applied voltage V and V _3. Where V
₄ is the rated voltage of the exhaust blower, and it is not possible to apply any more voltage.
The applied voltage V is set to V ₄ regardless of the natural exhaust amount.

The humidifier according to the present embodiment described above is integrated with the air conditioner 35 as shown in FIG. 10 to enable an air conditioner with a highly efficient humidifying function.

[0043]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the humidifying apparatus described above, the humidifier includes an adsorbent through which the first airflow and the second airflow made of room air pass, and the adsorbent adsorbs moisture in the first airflow to form dry air. The first air flow is exhausted to the outside of the room, and the second air flow heated by the regeneration heater is applied to the regeneration zone of the adsorbent to evaporate the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent to thereby evaporate the second air. Since it is desorbed in the flow, only the outdoor exhaust passage is required, and the construction can be simplified as compared with a conventional humidifier that requires an outdoor intake passage and an outdoor exhaust passage. Further, the pressure loss of the blower can be reduced, the size can be reduced, and the blow noise can be reduced.

According to the humidifying device of the second aspect of the present invention, the humidifying device of the first aspect is efficient because the air volume of the first airflow is equal to or larger than the natural ventilation of the room in which the humidifying device is installed. Humidification becomes possible.

Further, according to the humidifying device of the third aspect of the present invention, in the humidifying device of the second aspect, there is provided a control means for calculating a natural ventilation from an attenuation of a carbon dioxide concentration in the room where the humidifying device is installed. Therefore, by calculating the measurement of the natural ventilation by the control means from the attenuation of the concentration of carbon dioxide generated from the human body in the room, the calculation can be performed in a manner harmless to the human body.

In addition, according to the humidifying device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the humidifying device of the second aspect, there is provided a control means for calculating a natural ventilation amount from attenuation of moisture in the room where the humidifying unit is installed. Therefore, by calculating the natural ventilation volume from the attenuation of the humidity generated from the human body in the room by the control means, the calculation can be performed in a manner harmless to the human body.

In addition, according to the humidifying device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the humidifying device of the second aspect, the control means for calculating the natural ventilation amount according to the size or structure of the room where the humidifying device is installed is provided. Since the control means determines in advance the size or the size of the room to be installed in the setting of the natural ventilation by the control means, a sensor or the like becomes unnecessary and the cost can be reduced.

[0048] In addition, according to the humidifier of the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the humidifier of the fifth aspect, the first humidifier is provided.
An exhaust blower that exhausts the airflow to the outside of the room, and a control unit that controls the amount of exhaust air to be equal to or more than the natural ventilation amount by making the supply voltage of the exhaust blower variable, so that the outdoor exhaust air amount is set. Can be made possible by varying the supply voltage, and the humidification device can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of dry air exhausted outside the room and the relative temperature inside the room.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship when there is a moisture load when a person or the like is present in a room.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first control content of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second control content of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third control content of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a fourth control content of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a fifth control content of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner obtained by integrating a humidifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a humidifying device as a proposal example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 First air flow 7 Adsorbent 9 Second air flow 12 Regeneration heater

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first air flow comprising room air and a second air flow comprising room air.
An adsorbent through which an air flow passes, wherein the adsorbent adsorbs moisture in the first air flow, exhausts the first air flow that has become dry air to the outside of the room, and heats the first air flow by a regeneration heater. (2) A humidifier, wherein a water stream adsorbed on the adsorbent is evaporated by applying the air stream to a regeneration zone of the adsorbent, and desorbed into the second air stream. 2. The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the air volume of the first airflow is equal to or larger than the natural ventilation volume of the room where the first airflow is installed. 3. The humidifier according to claim 2, further comprising control means for calculating a natural ventilation amount based on an attenuation of a carbon dioxide concentration in the room where the humidifier is installed. 4. The humidifier according to claim 2, further comprising control means for calculating a natural ventilation amount based on attenuation of moisture in the room in which the humidifier is installed. 5. The humidifier according to claim 2, further comprising control means for calculating a natural ventilation rate according to the size or structure of the room in which the humidifier is installed. 6. An exhaust blower for exhausting the first airflow to the outside of the room, and control means for controlling an exhaust air flow so as to be equal to or greater than a natural ventilation amount by making a supply voltage of the exhaust blower variable. The humidifier according to claim 5, wherein