JPH1183073A - Drainage apparatus for humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drainage apparatus for a humidifier for improving handleability by increasing a capacity of a drainage tank. SOLUTION: This drainage apparatus for humidifier comprises devices for constituting a humidifying refrigerating cycle, and a drainage tank 11 mounted in a body case 1 to collect drain water generated in an evaporator and constituted to be discharged from and inserted into an opening 21 formed at the case 1. In this case, the apparatus also comprises a receiving tray 24 for placing to support the tank 11, and a pair of guide rails 25 for guiding the tray 24 while maintaining the tray 24 in a horizontal attitude as it is to discharge or insert the tank 11 into or from the opening 21, in such a manner that the tray 24 is constituted to be drawably moved until the overall tank 11 placed in and supported to the tray 24 is exposed from the opening 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a device for forming a refrigeration cycle for dehumidification, a drain tank for collecting drain water generated in an evaporator, and a drain tank formed in the main case. The present invention relates to a drain device for a dehumidifier configured to be able to be taken in and out of an opening that can be opened and closed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a drainage device of this kind of dehumidifier, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-52015,
There is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-90219.

[0003] The former is a drainage device that is commonly seen, and a container whose upper part is completely open is used as a drainage tank, and a fixed handle is provided on the front upper part of the drainage tank and the upper part is provided on the upper part. A portal handle is rotatably provided.

The latter uses a polytank-shaped drainage tank provided with a small drain water receiving port on the upper surface, and fixed handles are provided on the upper surface of the tank and on the upper part of the front surface, respectively.

[0005]

The former drainage device is
To remove the drain tank that is full, first grasp the fixed handle at the top of the front, pull it out horizontally, hold the bottom of the tank from the opening of the body case, grasp the gate-shaped handle, and hold the drain tank. Is lifted, suspended and transported to the excretion site.

In this case, when the drainage tank is pulled out and lifted, if the drainage tank is tilted or shaken, the stored drain water will be spilled, so it is necessary to take out the drainage tank while maintaining the level. In this case, if the tank capacity is as small as about 2 liters, the total weight is not so large, and the removal operation while keeping the level is not so difficult, but when the tank capacity is 3 to 4 liters or more. , The total weight becomes considerably large (about 4-4.
5 kg), the outer shape of the tank became large and handling became extremely difficult, and it was almost impossible in practical use to increase the capacity of an open drain tank.

Further, in the latter drainage device, the drainage tank which is full of water is taken out by grasping the fixed handle at the upper part of the front face, pulling it out to the front, and holding the fixed handle at the upper face as described above. become. In this case, because the drain water receiving port is small, even if the drainage tank is slightly tilted or shaken, there is no fear that the water inside will spill out.
Superior in handleability compared to the former.

However, since the receiving port of the drain tank is only a small opening, it takes time to drain the drain water from the tank, and it becomes difficult to remove dirt from the tank. Also, a heavy and large drainage tank having a tank capacity of 3 to 4 liters or more makes handling difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a drain device for a dehumidifier capable of increasing the capacity of a drain tank and improving handleability. The task is to

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises, in a main body case, equipment constituting a refrigeration cycle for dehumidification and a drain tank for collecting drain water generated in an evaporator. In addition, a dewatering device for a dehumidifier configured to allow a drain tank to be taken in and out of an opening formed in a main body case has the following configuration.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a tray for placing and supporting the drainage tank, and a pair of left and right guide rails for guiding the tray while keeping it in a horizontal position and moving out of the opening. The tray is drawn out and movable until the entire drainage tank placed and supported on the tray is exposed from the opening.

According to this configuration, in order to take out the drain tank that is full of water, the drain tank is pulled out together with the tray from the opening of the opened main body case. At this time, since the receiving tray is maintained in a horizontal posture by the left and right guide rails, the drainage tank does not tilt or swing during the drawing. Since the entire drain tank can be pulled out horizontally until it is exposed from the opening, the drain tank can be easily lifted and carried out.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stopper means for preventing further movement of the tray drawn out to a position where the entire drainage tank is exposed from the opening. It is characterized by.

According to this configuration, even if the drawing operation is performed casually, the stopper means works when the entire drainage tank is exposed from the opening, so that the tray cannot be moved.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the invention described in the above, a lock mechanism for engaging and fixing the tray at the pushed-in position is provided.

According to this configuration, when the drainage tank is pushed into the main body case together with the receiving tray to a predetermined position, the locking mechanism operates to make it impossible to move the receiving tray in either the pushing direction or the pulling-out direction. Fixed in the correct receiving position. Also, when removing the full drain tank, release the lock,
Withdrawal becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the lock mechanism comprises a lock claw provided on the receiving tray and a locking hole formed in the main body case. It is characterized in that the claw can be released by a finger and is elastically returned to the lock side.

According to this configuration, since the locking mechanism is based on the locking between the locking claw and the locking hole, the unlocking operation can be easily performed by one-touch operation of the finger, and the locking claw that has been elastically restored is automatically operated. That is, a so-called self-lock that performs a lock operation is performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the lock claw is formed integrally with the resin-formed receiving tray, and is configured to perform a return operation by elasticity of the resin material. It is characterized by.

According to this structure, the elastic return of the lock claw is achieved by utilizing the elasticity of the resin material integrally forming the tray and the lock claw, so that a dedicated elastic return member such as a spring is not required.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a guide roller for placing and guiding the tray is disposed near an opening. .

According to this configuration, the tray is guided by the guide rails and is also placed and guided by the guide rollers, so that the drain tank that is full of water can be smoothly and smoothly pulled out. In addition, since the guide roller is disposed near the opening, the guide roller operates in the entire stroke of drawing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a door for opening and closing the opening is provided on the front surface of the drainage tank via an elastic engaging means. It is characterized by being detachably attached.

According to this configuration, the opening is opened by pulling out the drainage tank with the door attached together with the tray,
The opening is closed by pushing the drain tank fitted with the door together with the tray, so that no operation is required to open and close the door at the opening.

[0025] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the drainage tank is
An upper wall provided with a small mouth for receiving drain water and a float for detecting full water, and configured as a container with a bottom that can be fully opened and closed, and by inverting a drainage tank, It is characterized in that the float is configured to close the fore-edge from the inside.

According to this configuration, the opening of the drainage tank in use is only a small opening for receiving drain water provided on the upper surface, so that the drainage tank filled with water is not greatly inclined or shaken when taken out and carried. As long as the water inside does not spill.

In addition, by inverting the drain tank upside down and opening the bottom, the drain tank is completely opened upward, so that the water inside can be quickly drained and the inside of the tank can be cleaned. Easy to do. In addition, when the drainage tank is inverted, the float for detecting the full water will automatically close the small opening for receiving the drain water from the inside.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entire external appearance of the dehumidifier, FIG. 2 shows the inside of the front surface thereof, and FIG. 3 shows the side surface of the entire dehumidifier.

The main body case 1 of the dehumidifier comprises a base 2,
Front case 3, rear case 4, detachable upper front cover 5,
And a front door 6 that can be opened and closed. Inside the main body case 1, a compressor 7, a condenser 8, an evaporator 9, an electric fan 10, and other equipment constituting a refrigeration cycle, and an evaporator 9. Drain tank 1 for collecting drain water generated in
1, and the like, and an operation panel 12 provided with various operation switches, display lamps, a liquid crystal display, and the like is provided on the upper surface of the main body case 1.

On the left and right sides of the front case 3, there are formed air inlets 13 for taking in room air, and the air taken in from the inside is first guided to the filter 14 from inside the upper front cover 5 to remove dust.

The clean room air is guided to the evaporator 9 where it is cooled, and the contained moisture is removed by condensation. The dehumidified low-temperature dry air is heated while passing through the condenser 8, and the dry air heated to room temperature is sent into the room by the electric fan 10 from the outlet 15 provided at the upper part of the rear case 4.

The drain water condensed in the evaporator 9 is:
Drain tank 1 through drain port 17 provided in upper and lower bulkheads 16
1 is supplied downward.

A partition 18 is erected in the middle of the base 2 in the front-rear direction, and a compressor storage chamber 19 is provided on the rear side of the partition 18.
On the front side of the partition wall 18, a drainage tank storage chamber 20 is formed.

The front door 6 opens and closes an opening 21 for taking in and out the tank formed on the front surface of the drainage tank storage chamber 20. The front door 6 is hinged to the front end of the front case 3 so as to swing freely in the horizontal direction. Are linked.

The engaging claw 22 provided on the inner surface of the front door 6
Is elastically locked in an engaging hole 23 provided on the front surface of the front case 3 so as to elastically hold the front door 6 in a closed state. Can be released, and the opening 21 can be opened.

At the lower part of the drainage tank storage chamber 20, a resin tray 24 for mounting the drainage tank is provided.
A long guide rail 25 is fixed to the base 2 by screws so that the guide rail 25 slides back and forth freely.

The guide rail 25 is formed by stamping and pressing a metal plate. The guide rail 25 is provided with a seat 25a for attachment to the base 2 and a folded portion 25b for engaging and guiding the upper ends of the left and right side walls 24a of the tray 24 from above. And

Further, the guide rail 25 is provided with the partition wall 18.
Through the openings 26 provided on the left and right sides of the tray 24, and protrudes to the compressor storage chamber side 19 from the right and left rear ends of the tray 24. The tray 24 is guided left and right on the guide rail 25 over a long distance back and forth.

Opening 21 in drainage tank storage room 20
Guide rollers 28 for placing and supporting the left and right lower ends of the tray 24 are supported at the front and the left of the guide rails 25 at the left and right portions close to the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, this guide roller 28
The support shaft 28a is engaged with the bearing portion 29 provided on the base 2 from above, and the guide roller 28 is prevented from being detached upward by the tongue 25c extending from the front end of the guide rail 25.

As described above, the tray 24 is placed and guided by the left and right guide rails 25 and the guide rollers 28, so that the tray 24 can be moved back and forth while maintaining the horizontal posture. By pulling out, the placed drainage tank 11 can be brought out in front of the opening 21, and the placed drainage tank 11 can be loaded into the drain water receiving position by pushing the tray 24 inward.

Here, regarding the forward and backward movement of the tray 24,
The following attachment mechanisms are provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, at the front of the tray 24 and the front of the base 2, a lock mechanism 30 for fixing the tray 24 at the pushed-in position is provided.

The lock mechanism 30 includes a vertically swinging lock claw 31 integrally formed on the bottom surface of the tray 24 and a base 2.
The receiving tray 24 is prevented from further moving forward by engaging with a locking hole 32 formed on the upper surface of the tray.

That is, the lock claw 31 is configured to be swingable up and down around a thin fulcrum portion 33 in the middle of the front and rear thereof, and an operation piece 34 integrated with the lock claw 31.
Is continuously provided forward from the thin fulcrum portion 33, and by pushing the operation piece 34 downward with a finger, the lock claw 31 is swung upward while the thin fulcrum portion 33 is elastically deformed, and the lock is released. can do.

When the finger is released from the operation piece 34, the lock claw 31 returns to the original lock position by the elastic return action of the thin connecting portion 33.

Further, when the lock mechanism 30 is in the locked state, the rear side wall 24b of the tray 24 comes close to the partition wall 18, and the further backward movement of the tray 24 is prevented. I have.

A step-shaped gap 35 is provided at the left and right center of the lower part of the front of the drain tank 11 for putting a finger for unlocking operation and for swinging the lock claw 31 upward and backward. Is formed.

As described above, since the lock claw 31 is stabilized in the lock position by the elastic return action of the thin connecting portion 33, the lock claw 31 is pushed into the original storage position by the lock claw 31. Is pushed up to the upper surface of the base once at the front end of the base 2 and is deformed. However, when the lock claw 31 is pushed back to a predetermined storage position, the lock claw 31 which has been elastically restored automatically engages with the locking hole 32, so-called Self-lock works.

The extension arm 27 extending from the left and right sides of the tray 24 is formed as a hollow arm opened downward, and its extension end is closed by a hanging wall 27a.
Further, a stopper 36 which protrudes from below into the hollow portion of the extension arm 27 is provided upright at a position near the front of the base 2, and the receiving tray 24 is large until the entire placed drainage tank 11 is exposed from the opening 21. When pulled forward,
As shown in FIG. 4, the hanging wall 27a at the rear end of the extension arm 27
Abuts against the stopper 36 to prevent the tray 24 from being further pulled out.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drainage tank 11 is formed of a transparent resin into a box shape whose upper part is completely open, and a gate-shaped handle 40 is provided on the left and right upper parts thereof. It is pivotally connected so as to be rotatable up and down around a.

The handle 40 is turned forward to be accommodated in the tank by being turned forward, and a projection 42 provided at one position on the peripheral surface of the fulcrum shaft 41 is provided at the peripheral portion of the pivot portion. As shown in FIG. 7, it is held in a posture in which the handle 43 is turned horizontally horizontally forward of the handle 40 as shown in FIG.

A full-water detecting float 44 is pivotally connected to one lateral side on the rear side of the drain tank 11 so as to be rotatable up and down around a fulcrum axis b. A protrusion 45 is provided rearward from the float 44 so that even if the float 44 rotates downward by its own weight, the protrusion 45 abuts against the inner surface of the tank rear wall so that the float 44 is maintained in a horizontal posture. Has become.

A detection lever 46 extends rearward and upward from the float 44, and this detection lever 46 comes into contact with a bell-crank-shaped operation lever 47 which is rotatably mounted around a fulcrum c in the main body case from below. It is supposed to.

The operation lever 47 is used to operate a limit switch 48 for detecting a full state of the water.
When there is no buoyancy in the horizontal position, the operation lever 47 is pushed up by the detection lever 46, and the limit switch 48 is in the off state where the push operation is performed.

When the level of the drain water in the tank rises above the set level, the float 44 pivots upward due to a large buoyancy, whereby the push-up of the operation lever 47 by the detection lever 46 is released and the limit switch 48 is released. Is released, and is turned on. When the limit switch 48 is turned on, the dehumidifying operation is automatically stopped to prevent the drain water from flowing into the drain tank 11 any more, and a full-water alarm and a full-water display are made. Of water is encouraged.

A mark m for displaying a water level is provided on the front surface of the drainage tank 11, and a monitoring window 49 for monitoring the mark m from the outside is opened in the front door 6.

The present invention can be modified and implemented in the following forms.

(1) As shown in FIG. 10, the front door 6 is supported by the drain tank 11 through the engagement claws 50 provided on the inner surface thereof and the engagement holes 51 provided on the front surface of the drain tank 11. In this case, the operation for opening and closing the front door 6 becomes unnecessary. In this case, it is necessary to form a notch 52 for inserting a finger in the lower part of the front door 6.

(2) As shown in FIG.
1 comprises a tank body 11a having an upper wall and a tank bottom 11b having a lower end fitted and connected in a watertight manner, and a funnel 53 for collecting water is formed at the center of the upper wall.
A small port 54 for receiving the drain water is formed radially at the center of the bottom, and a support shaft 56 extending from a float 55 for detecting full water is supported through the center of the small port group so as to be vertically movable.

The float 55 is formed of a hollow sphere, and the lower end of a support shaft 56 is screwed and connected to the float 55, and a flange-shaped stopper 5 provided in the middle of the support shaft 56.
7 determines the lower limit of the lowering of the float 55.

A conical detection piece 58 is attached to the upper end of the support shaft 56, and a bent tip 59a of an operation lever 59 attached to the main body case 1 so as to be able to swing around a fulcrum d is a detection piece. 58 is supported in contact with the peripheral surface.

The operation lever 59 is provided at the bent tip 5
9a is urged to swing toward the peripheral surface of the detection piece 58 by its own weight or by a spring. As shown in FIG.
When the float 55 rises to the set position due to the buoyancy due to the rise in the level of the drain water, the bent distal end portion 59a of the operation lever 59 is disengaged downward from the peripheral surface of the detection piece 58, and the operation lever 59 swings. 60 is turned on to detect full water.

Therefore, when the drain water of the drain tank 11 is discarded, first, as described above, the drain tank 11 is largely pulled out from the opening 21 of the main body case 1 through the receiving tray 24, and then through the gate-shaped handle 61. Then, the drainage tank 11 is lifted, suspended and moved to a predetermined disposal place.

Next, the drain tank 11 is turned upside down so that the tank bottom 11b faces upward. At this time, the float 55 is pressed against the cylindrical valve seat 62 projecting inward from the center of the upper wall, and the small opening 54 is closed from inside the tank.
The water inside does not leak.

Subsequently, the tank bottom 11b of the inverted drainage tank 11 is separated from the tank body 11a, the tank upper part is completely opened, and the drain water inside is drained. Further, it is also possible to clean the inner surface of the tank that is largely opened after the discharge.

As shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 11, the connecting portion between the tank body 11a and the tank bottom portion 11b needs to withstand the weight of the drain water and to prevent water leakage. Full circumference engagement structure 6 by groove and annular ridge
4 and the introduction of the seal ring 65 to the joint, the connection strength and the sealability are increased.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the float 55 used in this embodiment is formed in a conical shape, the function as a valve closing the small opening 54 is enhanced. In addition, detection piece 5
8 can be a simple disk, and a pin can be penetrated through the support shaft 56 so as to form a stopper 57 for regulating the lower limit of the float 55.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the opening 21 for taking in and out the drain tank 11 is provided on the front surface of the main body case 1 is exemplified.
Can be formed on the lateral side surface of the main body case 1. At this time, the door 6 that opens and closes the opening 21 is a horizontal door.

(4) The guide rail 25 may be formed integrally with a fixing member on the side of the main body case 1, for example, the base 2. In this case, if the base 2 is made of sheet metal, a high-strength guide rail 25 can be formed.

(5) Lock Claw 31 of Lock Mechanism 30
Can be formed separately from the tray 24 and attached to the tray 24. Further, the lock claw 31 is attached to the main body case 1.
It is also possible to provide the locking holes 32 in the receiving tray 24 by providing them on the side.

[0073]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the drainage tank is configured to have a large capacity and a large size, the main body case can be maintained in a state in which the full drainage tank placed on the tray is stably maintained in a horizontal posture. Can be easily pulled out even if the drainage tank has a large capacity and a large size.

(2) According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is no excessive withdrawal even if it is withdrawn randomly, so that the above-described effect of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained and the product can be handled safely.

(3) According to the third aspect of the present invention, the drainage tank can be reliably positioned and fixed in the pushed state, so that drain water can be accurately received in the drainage tank. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the above effects can be obtained, and water leakage in the main body case can be avoided.

(4) According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fixing and releasing of the receiving tray can be easily performed by the locking claw, and compared with the locking means for fixing and releasing by tightening and loosening on the set bolt or the like. Handling becomes extremely easy, and the above effect of the invention according to claim 3 is promoted.

(5) According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the lock mechanism is simplified and the number of parts is reduced as compared with the case where the lock claw is formed as a separate component and is elastically restored by a spring. Thus, the invention according to claim 4 can be implemented at low cost.

(6) According to the invention of claim 6, since a part of the weight acting on the tray is supported by the guide roller, even if the full water drain tank is heavy, the pull-out operation can be performed smoothly and lightly. This is effective for increasing the capacity of the drainage tank.

(7) According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a special operation for opening and closing the opening of the main body case is not required, and the above-described effects of each invention can be obtained, and the handleability can be further improved.

(8) According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the drainage tank in a full state is pulled out and transported, the water in the tank can be easily handled in a state where the water in the tank is not easily spilled out, and the water in the tank is not easily spilled out. Discharge and cleaning of the tank can be performed in a largely open state, so that handling and maintenance can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the entire dehumidifier.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of an opening;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the dehumidifier.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing a state in which a drainage tank is pulled out.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a main part in a tank storage state.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a main part showing a guide structure of a tray;

FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view of a drainage tank.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a tray, a guide rail, and a drain tank.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a guide roller installation portion.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a drainage tank according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a main part in still another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a full water detection state in another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a full water detection float according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an overall perspective view of a drainage tank according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a modification of the full water detection float according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 6 Door (front door) 9 Evaporator 11 Drain tank 21 Opening 24 Receiving tray 25 Guide rail 28 Guide roller 30 Lock mechanism 31 Locking claw 32 Locking hole

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A device for forming a refrigeration cycle for dehumidification, and a drainage tank for collecting drain water generated in an evaporator are provided in a main body case, and the drainage tank can be taken in and out of an opening formed in the main body case. A drain device for a configured dehumidifier, comprising: a tray for placing and supporting the drain tank; and a pair of left and right guide rails for guiding the tray while maintaining the tray in a horizontal posture and retracting from the opening. A drain device for a dehumidifier, wherein the drain tray is drawn out and movable until the entire drain tank mounted and supported on the tray is exposed from the opening. 2. A draining device for a dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising stopper means for preventing further movement of the tray drawn out to a position where the entire drainage tank is exposed from the opening. . 3. The drainage device for a dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism for engaging and fixing the tray at a pushing position. 4. The lock mechanism comprises a lock claw provided on the tray and a locking hole formed on a main body case side, the lock claw can be released by a finger and an elasticity is provided on the lock side. The drainage device for a dehumidifier according to claim 3, wherein the drainage device is configured to return. 5. The drain device for a dehumidifier according to claim 4, wherein the lock claw is formed integrally with the tray formed of resin, and is configured to perform a return operation by elasticity of a resin material. . 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide roller for placing and guiding the tray is arranged near an opening.
The drainage device for a dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The drainage tank according to claim 1, wherein a door that opens and closes the opening is detachably attached to a front surface of the drainage tank via elastic engagement means. A dewatering device for a dehumidifier as described in the above. 8. The drainage tank is formed in a container shape having an upper wall provided with a mouth for receiving drain water and a float for detecting fullness, and a bottom portion which can be completely opened and closed, and The drainage device for a dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the float is configured to close the small opening from the inside by turning the drainage tank upside down.