NZ625338B2

NZ625338B2 - Dehumidifier

Info

Publication number: NZ625338B2
Application number: NZ625338A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Satoshi Arai; Yoshiyuki Fujita; Noriyoshi Kabeta; Yuka Nishida; Hideo Shibata
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-31
Filing date: 2012-11-12
Publication date: 2016-07-01

Abstract

dehumidifier (100) in which the user can verify that the dehumidifier has sensed and identified the placement of an object to be dried, such as clothes, is disclosed. The dehumidifier is provided with: a dehumidification means for removing moisture contained in air and directed blower means (1) for blowing out into the room dried air (B) obtained by suctioning air (A) in the room and passing the air through the dehumidification means. A room temperature detection means and a room surface temperature detection means are used to determine if there is an object in the field of view for the room surface temperature detection means that needs drying. A control means directs a dehumidified stream of air at the object to dry it. The location of the object to be dried is displayed by a display means (8) so the user may see that the object to be dried has been sensed by the dehumidifier and will dry it. r blowing out into the room dried air (B) obtained by suctioning air (A) in the room and passing the air through the dehumidification means. A room temperature detection means and a room surface temperature detection means are used to determine if there is an object in the field of view for the room surface temperature detection means that needs drying. A control means directs a dehumidified stream of air at the object to dry it. The location of the object to be dried is displayed by a display means (8) so the user may see that the object to be dried has been sensed by the dehumidifier and will dry it.

Description

Specification Tile of Invention: DEHUMIDIFIER Technical Field The present invention relates to a dehumidifier which removes the moisture in a room, and in particular to a dehumidifier having the function of drying laundry, which refers to objects that are to be dried and hung in a room.

Background Art There is a conventional dehumidifier in which control means makes a comparison between temperature detection results obtained by infrared detection means and room atmosphere temperature detection results obtained by temperature detection means, whereby a sensible heat decrease due to the evaporation of the moisture absorbed by objects to be dried is recognized and the location where a temperature distribution lower than the room temperature is present is determined to be the placement range of the objects to be dried (refer to Patent Literature 1, for example).

Citation List Patent Literature Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-240100 (Claims, Figures 3 to 5) Summary of Invention Technical Problem The above-described conventional dehumidifier has the problem that a user doesn't know whether the placement range of objects to be dried is capable of being rightly detected and recognized.

The present invention was made in order to solve the problem described above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a dehumidifier in which by indicating the placement range of an object to be dried, a user can ascertain that the object to be dried has been detected and recognized. An additional or alternative object is to provide the public with a useful choice.

Means for Solving the Problems A dehumidifier according to the present invention comprises: dehumidification means which removes moisture contained in the air; an air blowing means which suctions the air in a room and blows out into the room dry air obtained by causing the suctioned air to pass through the dehumidification means; wind direction changing means which changes a blowing direction of the dry air; temperature detection means which detects a temperature of the room air; surface temperature detection means which detects surface temperatures in the room; control means which controls the dehumidification means, the air blowing means, and the wind direction changing means on the basis of detection results of the temperature detection means and the surface temperature detection means; and indication means which indicates information, wherein it is determined from surface temperatures detected by the surface temperature detection means that there is an object to be dried and a position where the object to be dried is placed is indicated on the indication means.

In an embodiment, the blowing direction of the dry air is changed toward a position where the object to be dried is placed.

In an embodiment, the control means makes a comparison between the temperature of the room air detected by the temperature detection means and surface temperatures detected by the surface temperature detection means, and in the case where a surface temperature is lower than the temperature of the room air by a predetermined value or more, the control means determines that there is an object to be dried.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is determined from surface temperatures detected by surface temperature detection means that there is an object to be dried, and the position where the object to be dried is placed is indicated on indication means.

Therefore, it is possible to visualize that the dehumidifier has detected and recognized the object to be dried, and by only looking at the indication, a user can easily ascertain that the object to be dried has been recognized, resulting in improved ease of use.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an appearance perspective view showing a dehumidifier related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of an operating portion of the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as seen from above.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing wind direction changing means of Figure 1, which is enlarged.

Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the detection range of an infrared sensor of the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted in the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic indication diagram showing the areas in which an object to be dried is placed in the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted in the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a schematic indication diagram showing the areas in which an object to be dried is placed in the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted in the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic indication diagram showing the areas in which an object to be dried is placed in the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view of the indication means and input means of the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a schematic indication diagram showing the areas in which an object to be dried is placed in the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a top view of an operating portion of the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, as seen from above.

Figure 15 is a schematic indication diagram of the dehumidifier related to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments Embodiment 1 Figure 1 is an appearance perspective view showing a dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, Figure 2 is a top view of the dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as seen from above, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing wind direction changing means of Figure 1, which is enlarged, and Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the detection range of an infrared sensor of the dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the dehumidifier of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is composed of a dehumidifier cabinet 100 which is formed to be capable of self-standing, an air intake port 101 for taking the room air S into the dehumidifier cabinet 100, a water storage tank 102 which accumulates the moisture removed from the air taken into the air intake port 101, and an air outlet port 103 which exhausts the dry air B, from which moisture was removed, from the dehumidifier cabinet 100 into the room.

The air outlet port 103 is composed of wind direction changing means 1 capable of changing the wind direction of the dry air B. The wind direction changing means 1 is composed of a longitudinal-direction louver 1a which changes the vertical wind direction and a lateral-direction louver 1b which changes the horizontal wind direction. The water storage tank 102 is detachably attached to the dehumidifier cabinet 100.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, indication means 8 and an operating portion are provided on an upper surface of the dehumidifier cabinet 100, and the operating portion 10 is provided with a power switch 11, a dehumidification mode switch 12, and a drying mode switch 13.

And as shown in Figure 3, the above-described dehumidifier is provided with a blower fan 2 which generates an airstream that suctions the room air A from the air intake port 101 and exhausts the dry air B from the air outlet port 103, a fan motor 2a which rotates the blower fan 2, a temperature sensor 3 (temperature detection means) which detects the temperature of the room air A suctioned from the air intake port 101, a humidity sensor 4 (humidity detection means) which detects the humidity of the room air A, and dehumidification means 5 which removes the moisture contained in the room air A and generates the dry air B.

Furthermore, there are provided a longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c which changes the longitudinal-direction louver 1a constituting the wind direction changing means 1, a lateral-direction changing motor 1d which changes the lateral-direction louver 1b constituting the wind direction changing means 1, an infrared sensor 6 which is surface temperature detection means, and a control circuit 7 which includes control means controlling the wind direction changing means 1 and controls the infrared sensor 6, which is surface temperature means, and the like.

The dehumidification means 5 may be any type so long as the moisture in the air is removed and is capable of being condensed, and examples of most general types include a type in which a heat pump circuit is formed and the moisture in the air is condensed in an evaporator and the desiccant type in which the moisture in the air removed by an adsorbent is condensed in an heat exchanger. The moisture removed by the dehumidification means 5 from the room air A is stored in the water storage tank 102 as condensed water C.

As shown in Figure 3, the longitudinal-direction louver 1a has a rectangular opening extending in the width direction of the dehumidifier cabinet 100 and is configured to be variable in the vertical direction, with the rotating shaft of the above- described longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c substantially as an axis. The lateral- direction louvers 1b are arranged in the longitudinal-direction louver 1a at equal intervals, are pivotally supported so as to be variable in the horizontal direction to the back on the side opposite to the opening of the longitudinal-direction louver 1a, and are configured to move in response to the driving of the above-described lateral-direction changing motor The infrared sensor 6 is attached to one surface of the lateral-direction louver 1b arranged almost at the center of the longitudinal-direction louver 1a. As a result of this, the detection range of surface temperatures detected by the infrared sensor 6 becomes almost the same as the direction of the dry air B changed by the wind direction changing means 1. That is, the infrared sensor 6 can detect surface temperatures of objects, for examples, wet clothes and towels after laundry (hereinafter referred to as "objects to be dried") in the whole area within a range to which the wind direction changing means 1 can perform air blowing.

As the above-described infrared sensor 6, for example, an infrared sensor using the thermo-electromotive force effect is used, and the above-described infrared sensor 6 is composed of an infrared absorbing film 6a which receives thermal radiations (infrared rays) emitted from the surfaces in a predetermined region and a thermistor 6b which detects the temperature of the infrared absorbing film 6a (see Figures 2 and 3). This infrared sensor 6 converts a difference in the temperature (a warm junction) of a heat sensing portion of the infrared absorbing film 6a which rises by absorbing thermal radiations and the temperature (a cold junction) of the infrared absorbing film 6a which is detected by the thermistor 6b into an electrical signal, such as voltage, and inputs the difference to a control circuit 7. The surface temperatures in a predetermined region can be determined from the size of this electrical signal.

Here, a method of detecting surface temperatures in a predetermined region will be described with the aid of Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 5, in the case where the whole region in which the infrared sensor 6 is capable of detection is regarded as a whole scanning region 200, the whole scanning region 200 becomes a planar range which extends in the lateral direction (the horizontal direction) and in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction). This infrared sensor 6 is controlled in such a manner as to detect surface temperatures in each of areas of the whole scanning region 200 divided into a plurality of parts (for example, one block of area is denoted by 201) in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

As a result of this, it is possible to prepare detailed temperature maps for a wide-ranging region.

Upon operation of the dehumidification mode switch 12 of the operating portion shown in Figure 2, in the case where the control circuit 7 has detected the selection of the dehumidification mode, the control circuit 7 drives the wind direction changing means 1 and permits air blowing from the air outlet port 103, so that the humidity in the room becomes an optimum humidity, rotates the blower fan 2 by driving the fan motor 2a, and drives the dehumidification means 5.

And the control circuit 7 drives the longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c and lateral-direction changing motor 1d of the wind direction changing means 1 so that air blowing is performed in the direction of a desired region in the room. As a result of this, the room air A is taken from the air intake port 101 into the dehumidifier cabinet 100, and after the detection of temperature and humidity in the room by the temperature sensor 3 and the humidity sensor 4, respectively, the room air A becomes the dry air B by being dehumidified by the dehumidification means 5, and is blown out from the air outlet port 103 into the room.

Furthermore, upon operation of the dehumidification mode switch 13 of the operating portion 10 shown in Figure 2, in the case where the control circuit 7 has detected the selection of the drying mode for objects to be dried, represented by laundry, such as cloths, for example, the control circuit 7 drives the wind direction changing means 1 and permits air blowing from the air outlet port 103, rotates the blower fan 2 by driving the fan motor 2a, and drives the dehumidification means 5.

After that, the control circuit 7 detects surface temperatures for each of the above- described plurality of divided areas using the infrared sensor 6, identifies from the detection results of surface temperatures the range in which the objects to be dried are placed, controls the longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c and the lateral-direction changing motor 1d so that the dry air B reaches the range, and turns each of the louvers 1a, 1b toward the directions of the objects to be dried.

Next, actions which occur when the drying mode is selected will be described with the aid of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted in the dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Upon detection of the selection of the drying mode for laundry (S1), the control circuit 7 of the dehumidifier permits air blowing from the air outlet port 103 by driving the wind direction changing means 1 (S2), rotates the blower fan 2 by driving the fan motor 2a (S3), and drives the dehumidification means 5 (S4).

By the rotation of the blower fan 2, the room air A is taken into the dehumidifier cabinet 100 from the air intake port 101, the moisture contained in the room air A is removed by the dehumidification means 5, and the dry air B is blown out of the air outlet port 103. At this time, the control circuit 7 reads the temperature in the room (rt1) from the temperature of the room air A detected by the temperature sensor 3 (S5).

After that, the control circuit 7 actuates the infrared sensor 6 (S6). As described above, the detection range (the whole scanning range 200) of surface temperatures (st) by the infrared sensor 6 is almost the same as the direction of the dry air B changed by the longitudinal-direction louver 1a and the lateral-direction louver 1b, it is possible to detect surface temperatures of the whole region in the range to which each of the louvers 1a, 1b can perform air blowing, and surface temperatures (st1) in each of the plurality of divided areas (for example, one block of area is denoted by 201) for the whole scanning range 200 of the infrared sensor 6 are detected (S7).

And from the temperature in the room (rt1) read in S5 and the surface temperatures (st1) in each of the divided areas detected by the above-described infrared sensor 6, the control circuit 7 determines whether areas in which objects to be dried are placed have been detected (S8). Whether there are objects to be dried is determined by comparing the detected surface temperatures (st1) with the temperature in the room (rt1) measured in S5.

In the case of an object which is not moist, the surface temperature (st1) is almost the same as the temperature in the room (rt1). However, for an object which is moist like an object to be dried, the surface temperature (st1) is lower than the temperature in the room (rt1). Therefore, when the temperature in the room (rt1) is 25 degrees, in the case where there is an area in which a detected surface temperature (st1) is 22 degrees, it is determined that an object to be dried is placed in that area.

When in S8 the control circuit 7 determines that among a plurality of divided areas for the whole scanning range 200 of the infrared sensor 6, an area in which an object to be dried is placed has been detected, the control circuit 7 controls each of the longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c and the lateral-direction changing motor 1d so that the air blowing direction is turned toward the area in which the object to be dried is placed, and causes the directions of the longitudinal-direction louver 1a and the lateral- direction louver 1b to be changed (S9). As a result of this, the dry air B from the air outlet port 103 is blown out in the direction in which the object to be dried is placed.

After that, the area in which the object to be dried, which was detected in S8, is placed is indicated on the indication means 8 (S10). In this embodiment, the indication means 8 is provided on the upper surface of the dehumidifier cabinet 100. However, the indication means 8 may be provided at any location, such as the front surface of the dehumidifier cabinet 100, so long as the location can be visually recognized from outside, and the location can be set appropriately in terms of the ease of use. Also, visual recognition is possible even when the indication means 8 is provided on external operation means, such as a remote control unit, instead of the inside of a cabinet.

As shown in Figure 7, the indication means 8 is provided with an area indication portion 9 capable of indicating areas obtained by dividing the whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts. The area indication portion 9 is such that divided areas corresponding to areas obtained by dividing the above-described whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts are indicated. The divided-area indication may be performed in a one-to-one relationship to the areas obtained by dividing the whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts, or for the areas obtained by dividing the whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts, several areas may be indicated on one indication area by being brought together.

As shown in Figure 7, for an area where an object to be dried is determined to be placed, an indication mark 14 is indicated in each area of the indication portion 9, for example, 9a to 9f. In the embodiment of the present invention, indication is performed by the picture of clothes. However, others pictures and characters (for examples, clothes and laundry) may be indicated and the inside of an area may be colored or caused to emit light.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it is ensured that an area in question is indicated after the establishment of the determination that an object to be dried is placed.

However, during surface temperature detection an indication mark 14 is indicated in all areas and is caused to blink, whereby it is possible to make a user to visually recognize that surface temperatures are being detected.

After that, the control circuit 7 actuates the infrared sensor 6 (S11), which detects surface temperatures (st2) for each of the areas divided into a plurality of parts for the whole scanning range 200 of the infrared sensor 6 (S12).

After that, the control circuit 7 determines from the detected surface temperatures (st2) whether the degree of drying of the object to be dried is increasing (S13). In the determination as to whether the degree of drying is increasing, a comparison is made between the surface temperatures (st1) detected in S7 and the surface temperatures (st2) detected in S13, and it is determined that the degree of drying is increasing when st1 > st2.

In the embodiment of the present invention, although the determination as to whether the degree of drying is increasing is performed by comparing the surface temperatures, the determination may be performed from a difference between the temperature in the room and the surface temperature observed each time the infrared sensor is actuated, and the determination is not limited to the above-described determination method.

When in S13 it is determined that the degree of drying of the object to be dried is increasing, the fact that the drying condition is changing or proceeding is indicated, for example, by changing the indication color and shade of the indication mark 14 indicated as a picture of clothes in the area indication portion 9 of the indication means 8, changing the indication mark 14 to another picture, and causing the indication mark 14 to blink (S14).

After that, the control circuit 7 reads the temperature in the room (rt2) (S15).

Furthermore, the infrared sensor 6 is activated (S16) and surface temperatures (st3) for each of the plurality of divided areas are detected for the whole scanning range 200 of the infrared sensor 6 (S17).

After that, the control circuit 7 makes a comparison between the temperature in the room (rt2) detected in S15 and the surface temperatures (st3) detected in S17, and determines whether there is an area in which rt2 approximately equals st3 (S18) in an area in which an object to be dried is placed.

In the case where in S18 there was an area in which rt2 approximately equals st3, whether rt2 approximately equals st3 in all areas in which an object to be dried is placed is determined (S19). In the case where there is an area in which rt2 does not approximately equal st3, the flow of actions proceeds to S20, where the lamp of the indication mark 14 is turned off only for areas in which rt2 approximately equals st3.

In the case where rt2 approximately equals st3 in all areas in which an object to be dried is placed, the flow of actions proceeds to S21, where the lamps of all indication marks 14 are turned off, the driving of the dehumidification means 5 is stopped, the driving of the fan motor 2a is stopped, the driving of the wind direction changing means 1 is stopped, a user is informed of that condition by a buzzer, for example, which is not shown in the figures, and the drying mode is finished (S22).

As described above, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, it is ensured that when the drying mode is adopted, an area in which an object to be dried is placed is detected, and that the detected area is indicated on the indication means.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect that by looking at an indication, a user can easily ascertain that the dehumidifier has detected and recognized an object to be dried.

Furthermore, it is ensured that the fact that the degree of drying has increased is indicated by changing an indication. Therefore, even when a user does not move to the location where an object to be dried is placed in order to touch the object to be dried, it is possible to ascertain that the degree of drying has increased and convenience is improved.

Embodiment 2 A dehumidifier in Embodiment 2 of the present invention is the same as the dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in the configuration and the method of detecting surface temperatures described in Figure 1 to Figure 5 as well as the indication described in Figure 7, and differs only in actions when the drying mode is adopted. Therefore, descriptions of parts other than pertinent parts are omitted and the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted will be described with the aid of Figure 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted in the dehumidifier in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a schematic indication diagram showing the areas in which an object to be dried is placed in the dehumidifier in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Upon detection of the fact that the drying mode of laundry has been adopted (S31), the control circuit 7 of the dehumidifier permits air blowing from the air outlet port 103 by driving the wind direction changing means 1 (S32), rotates the blower fan 2 by driving the fan motor 2a (S33), and drives the dehumidification means 5 (S34).

By the rotation of the blower fan 2,the room air A is taken into the dehumidifier cabinet 100 from the air intake port 101, the moisture contained in the room air A is removed by the dehumidifier means 5, and the dry air B is blown out from the air outlet port 103. At this time, the control circuit 7 reads the temperature in the room from the temperature of the room air A detected by the temperature sensor 3 (S35) and reads the humidity in the room (rh1) detected by the humidity sensor 4 (S36).

After that, the control circuit 7 actuates the infrared sensor 6 (S37). As described in Embodiment 1, the detection range (the whole scanning range 200) of surface temperatures by the infrared sensor 6 is almost the same as the direction of the dry air B changed by the longitudinal-direction louver 1a and the lateral-direction louver 1b, it is possible to detect surface temperatures of the whole region in the range to which each of the louvers 1a, 1b can perform air blowing, and surface temperatures in each of the plurality of divided areas (for example, one block of area is denoted by 201) for the whole scanning range 200 of the infrared sensor 6 are detected (S38).

And from the temperature in the room read in S35 and the surface temperatures in each of the divided areas detected by the infrared sensor 6, the control circuit 7 determines whether areas in which objects to be dried are placed have been detected (S39). Whether there are objects to be dried is determined by comparing the detected surface temperatures with the temperature in the room measured in S35.

When in S39 the control circuit 7 determines that among a plurality of divided areas for the whole scanning range 200, an area in which an object to be dried is placed has been detected, the control circuit 7 controls each of the longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c and the lateral-direction changing motor 1d so that the air blowing direction is turned toward the area in which the object to be dried is placed, and causes the directions of the longitudinal-direction louver 1a and the lateral-direction louver 1b to be changed (S40). As a result of this, the dry air B from the air outlet port 103 is blown out in the direction in which the object to be dried is placed.

After that, the area in which the object to be dried is placed, which was detected in S39, is indicated on the indication means 8 (S41). As shown in Figure 7, in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, the indication means 8 is provided with an area indication portion 9 capable of indicating areas obtained by dividing the whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts.

The area indication portion 9 is such that divided areas corresponding to areas obtained by dividing the above-described whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts are indicated, and in an area where an object to be dried is determined to be placed, an indication mark 14 is indicated for each area of the indication portion 9, for example, 9a to 9f.

After that, the control circuit 7 reads the humidity in the room (rh2), which was detected by the humidity sensor 4 (S42), and determines whether the detected humidity in the room (rh2) is not more than a first predetermined humidity (rhX1), which has been set beforehand (S43).

In the case where in S43 rh2 ≦rhX1, it is determined that the degree of drying of the object to be dried has increased, and as shown in Figure 9, the fact that the drying condition is changing or proceeding is indicated, for example, by changing the indication color and shade of the indication mark 14 indicated as a picture of clothes in the area indication portion 9 of the indication means 8, changing the indication mark 14 to another picture, and causing the indication mark 14 to blink (S44).

After that, the control circuit 7 reads the humidity in the room (rh3) detected by the humidity sensor 4 (S45), and determines whether the detected humidity in the room (rh2) is not more than a second predetermined humidity (rhX2), which has been set beforehand (S46).

After that, in the case where in S46 rh3 ≦rhX12, the control circuit 7 determines that the object to be dried has been dried, and the flow of actions proceeds to S47, where the lamps of all indication marks 14 are turned off, the driving of the dehumidification means 5 is stopped, the driving of the fan motor 2a is stopped, the driving of the wind direction changing means 1 is stopped, a user is informed of that condition by a buzzer, for example, which is not shown in the figures, and the drying mode is finished (S48).

As described above, according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, it is ensured that when the drying mode is adopted, an area in which an object to be dried is placed is detected and that the detected area is indicated on the indication means. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the effect that by looking at an indication, a user can easily ascertain that the dehumidifier has detected and recognized an object to be dried.

Embodiment 3 A dehumidifier in Embodiment 3 of the present invention differs from the dehumidifier of Embodiment 2 only in actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted and the addition of the indication of time, which will be described later.

Therefore, descriptions of parts other than pertinent parts are omitted and the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted will be described with the aid of Figure 10.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the actions which occur when the drying mode is adopted in the dehumidifier in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Upon detection of the fact that the drying mode of laundry has been adopted (S51), the control circuit 7 of the dehumidifier permits air blowing from the air outlet port 103 by driving the wind direction changing means 1 (S52), rotates the blower fan 2 by driving the fan motor 2a (S53), and drives the dehumidification means 5 (S54).

By the rotation of the blower fan 2,the room air A is taken into the dehumidifier cabinet 100 from the air intake port 101, the moisture contained in the room air A is removed by the dehumidifier means 5, and the dry air B is blown out from the air outlet port 103. At this time, the control circuit 7 reads the temperature in the room from the temperature of the room air A detected by the temperature sensor 3 (S55) and reads the humidity in the room (rh1) detected by the humidity sensor 4 (S56). Time measuring means 17 starts time measuring from the point of time when the humidity in the room (rh1) was read.

After that, the control circuit 7 actuates the infrared sensor 6 (S58). As described in Embodiment 1, the detection range (the whole scanning range 200) of surface temperatures by the infrared sensor 6 is almost the same as the direction of the dry air B changed by the longitudinal-direction louver 1a and the lateral-direction louver 1b, it is possible to detect surface temperatures of the whole region in the range to which each of the louvers 1a, 1b can perform air blowing, and surface temperatures in each of the plurality of divided areas (for example, one block of area is denoted by 201) for the whole scanning range 200 of the infrared sensor 6 are detected (S59).

And from the temperature in the room read in S55 and the surface temperatures in each of the divided areas detected by the infrared sensor 6, the control circuit 7 determines whether areas in which objects to be dried are placed have been detected (S60). Whether there are objects to be dried is determined by comparing the detected surface temperatures with the temperature in the room measured in S55.

When in S60 the control circuit 7 determines that among a plurality of divided areas for the whole scanning range 200 of the infrared sensor 6, an area in which an object to be dried is placed has been detected, the control circuit 7 controls each of the longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c and the lateral-direction changing motor 1d so that the air blowing direction is turned toward the area in which the object to be dried is placed, and causes the directions of the longitudinal-direction louver 1a and the lateral- direction louver 1b to be changed (S61). As a result of this, the dry air B from the air outlet port 103 is blown out in the direction in which the object to be dried is placed.

After that, the area in which the object to be dried is placed, which was detected in S60, is indicated on the indication means 8 (S62). As shown in Figure 7, in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the indication means 8 is provided with an area indication portion 9 capable of indicating areas obtained by dividing the whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts. The area indication portion 9 is such that divided areas corresponding to areas obtained by dividing the above-described whole scanning range 200 into a plurality of parts are indicated, and in an area where an object to be dried is determined to be placed, an indication mark 14 is indicated for each area of the indication portion 9, for example, 9a to 9f.

After that, the control circuit 7 reads the humidity in the room (rh2), which was detected by the humidity sensor 4 (S63), and determines whether the detected humidity in the room (rh2) is not more than a first predetermined humidity (rhX1), which has been set beforehand (S64).

In the case where in S64 rh2 ≦rhX1, it is determined that the degree of drying of the object to be dried has increased, and as shown in Figure 11, the fact that the drying condition is changing or proceeding is indicated, for example, by changing the indication color and shade of the indication mark 14 indicated as a picture of clothes in the area indication portion 9 of the indication means 8, changing the indication mark 14 to another picture, and causing the indication mark 14 to blink (S65), and determines the time Trh which elapses until rh2 ≦rhX1 (S66).

After that, the control circuit 7 calculates a rough-standard remaining time at which the drying of the object to be dried is completed from a predetermined coefficient set by Trh and parameters, such as the temperature in the room (S67), and indicates this rough-standard remaining time on the indication means 8 (S68). The indication may be changed in such a manner that the rough-standard remaining time is counted down until the finish of drying.

After that, the control circuit 7 reads the humidity in the room (rh3) detected by the humidity sensor 4 (S69), and determines whether the detected humidity in the room (rh2) is not more than a second predetermined humidity (rhX2), which has been set beforehand (S70).

After that, in the case where in S70 rh3 ≦rhX12, the control circuit 7 determines that the object to be dried has been dried, and the flow of actions proceeds to S71, where the lamps of all indications are turned off, the driving of the dehumidification means 5 is stopped, the driving of the fan motor 2a is stopped, the driving of the wind direction changing means 1 is stopped, a user is informed of that condition by a buzzer, for example, which is not shown in the figures, and the drying mode is finished (S72).

As described above, according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, it is ensured that when the drying mode is adopted, an area in which an object to be dried is placed is detected and that the detected area is indicated on the indication means.

Furthermore, because a rough-standard time at which the drying of an object to be dried is completed is indicated, it becomes easy for a user to have prospects of time when the user does other jobs and convenience is improved.

Embodiment 4 A dehumidifier in Embodiment 4 of the present invention differs from the dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in that input means is provided on the surface of the indication means of Embodiment 1, and is the same as Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other respects such as configuration. Therefore, actions of the input means will be described with the aid of Figures 12 and 13 and descriptions of other points are omitted. The figures and contents given in the above-described embodiments of the present invention are partly cited in the following description.

Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view of the indication means and input means of the dehumidifier in Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and Figure 13 is a schematic indication diagram showing the areas in which an object to be dried is placed in the dehumidifier in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 12, input means 15 is provided on the surface side of the indication means 8. The input means 15 is input means which allows input by, for example, a change in electrostatic capacitance, such as a touch panel, and has transmissive properties which allow the indication contents of the indication means 8 to be visually recognized by transmission.

As shown in Figure 7, in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, an area where an object to be dried is placed is indicated on the indication means 8, and an indication mark 14 is indicated for each area of the area indication portion 9, for example, 9a to 9f. And when the degree of drying of an object to be dried has increased, as shown in Figure 13, the fact that the drying condition is changing or proceeding is indicated, for example, by changing the indication color and shade of the indication mark 14 indicated as a picture of clothes in the area indication portion 9 of the indication means 8, changing the indication mark 14 to another picture, and causing the indication mark 14 to blink.

In the case where the change and progress of the drying condition differ from area to area, as shown in Figure 13, the change and progress are indicated by indications which differ from area to area (in this case, the shade of the area indication color).

Figure 13 shows that the degree of drying of 9a to 9c is lower than the degree of drying of 9d to 9f.

In the case where the degree of drying of 9a to 9c is to be improved in such a situation, the input means 15 on the areas 9a to 9c are touched, then the information that the areas 9a to 9c have been selected is transmitted to the control circuit 7. Because the input means 15 is input means such as a touch panel, input is made possible by individually touching each area or by touching continuous areas with a finger in a shingle motion. The indication of an area selected at this time may be changed to an indication indicative of the fact that a selection was made.

On the basis of this inputted area information, the control circuit 7 controls each of the longitudinal-direction changing motor 1c and the lateral-direction changing motor 1d so that the air blowing direction is turned toward the selected area, and causes the directions of the longitudinal-direction louver 1a and the lateral-direction louver 1b to be changed. As a result of this, it is possible to change the wind direction to an area for which the degree of drying is to be improved and it is possible to improve the degree of drying.

As described above, according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, it is ensured that when the drying mode is adopted, an area in which an object to be dried is placed is detected and that the detected area is indicated on the indication means, whereby it is ensured that an area for which the degree of drying is to be improved is selected from the input means provided on the surface of the indication means, with the result that the wind direction can be changed to the area for which the degree of drying of an object to be dried is to be improved. Therefore, the degree of drying of the object to be dried is accelerated and the convenience for a user is improved.

Embodiment 5 A dehumidifier in Embodiment 5 of the present invention differs from the dehumidifier in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in that a collective area selection switch is provided in the vicinity of the indication means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention and is the same as in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in other respects such as configuration. Therefore, with the aid of Figures 14 and 15 actions of the collective area selection switch will be described and other points are omitted. The figures and contents given in the above-described embodiments of the present invention are partly cited in the following description.

Figure 14 is a top view of an operating portion of the dehumidifier in Embodiment of the present invention, as seen from above, and Figure 15 is a schematic indication diagram of the dehumidifier in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 14, a collective area selection switch 16 is provided on the side of the indication means 8. The collective area selection switch 16 may be a touch panel type which allows input by, for example, a change in electrostatic capacitance or a mechanical switch.

In the same manner as in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as shown in Figure 14, an area where an object to be dried is placed is indicated on the indication means 8, and an indication mark 14 is indicated for each area of the area indication portion 9, for example, 9a to 9f. And when the degree of drying of an object to be dried has increased, the fact that the drying condition is changing or proceeding is indicated, for example, by changing the indication color and shade of the indication mark 14 indicated as a picture of clothes in the area indication portion 9 of the indication means 8, changing the indication mark 14 to another picture, and causing the indication mark 14 to blink.

In the case where the change and progress of the drying condition differ from area to area, as shown in Figure 15, the change and progress are indicated by indications which differ from area to area (in this case, the shade of the area indication color).

Figure 15 shows that the degree of drying of 9a to 9c is lower than the degree of drying of 9d to 9f.

In the case where the degree of drying of 9a to 9c is to be improved in such a situation, the collective area selection switch 16 is pressed, then the information that the areas 9a to 9c having a low degree of drying have been collectively selected is transmitted to the control circuit 7. The indication of an area selected at this time may be changed to an indication indicative of the fact that a selection was made.

As described above, according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, it is ensured that when the drying mode is adopted, an area in which an object to be dried is placed is detected and that the detected area is indicated on the indication means, whereby specific areas for which the degree of drying is to be improved are collectively selected using the collective area selection switch, with the result that the wind direction can be changed to the areas for which the degree of drying of an object to be dried is to be improved. Therefore, the degree of drying of the object to be dried is accelerated and the convenience for a user is improved.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at least in part of’. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term ‘comprising’, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

Industrial Applicability The present invention can be used in a dehumidifier which removes the humidity in a room and in particular in a dehumidifier having the function of drying laundry, which refers to objects that are to be dried and hung in a room.

Description of Symbols 1 wind direction changing means, 1a longitudinal-direction louver, 1b lateral-direction louver, 1c longitudinal-direction changing motor, 1d lateral- direction changing motor, 2 blower fan, 2a fan motor, 3 temperature sensor, 4 humidity sensor, 5 dehumidification means, 6 infrared sensor, 6a infrared absorbing film, 6b thermistor, 7 control circuit, 8 indication means, 9 area indication portion, 9a to 9f indication area, 10 operating portion, 11 power switch, 12 dehumidification mode switch, 13 drying mode switch, 14 indication mark, 15 input means, 16 collective area selection switch, 17 time measuring means, 100 dehumidifier cabinet, 101 air intake port, 102 water storage tank, 103 air outlet port, 200 whole scanning range, 201 divided area, A room air, B dry air.

Claims

What we claim is:

[Claim 1] A dehumidifier comprising: dehumidification means which removes moisture contained in the air; an air blowing means which suctions the air in a room and blows out into the room dry air obtained by causing the suctioned air to pass through the dehumidification means; wind direction changing means which changes a blowing direction of the dry air; temperature detection means which detects a temperature of the room air; surface temperature detection means which detects surface temperatures in the room; control means which controls the dehumidification means, the air blowing means, and the wind direction changing means on the basis of detection results of the temperature detection means and the surface temperature detection means; and indication means which indicates information, wherein it is determined from surface temperatures detected by the surface temperature detection means that there is an object to be dried and a position where the object to be dried is placed is indicated on the indication means.
[Claim 2] The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the blowing direction of the dry air is changed toward a position where the object to be dried is placed.
[Claim 3] The dehumidifier according to claim 2, wherein the control means makes a comparison between the temperature of the room air detected by the temperature detection means and surface temperatures detected by the surface temperature detection means, and in the case where a surface temperature is lower than the temperature of the room air by a predetermined value or more, the control means determines that there is an object to be dried.
[Claim 4] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface temperature detection means is capable of detecting surface temperatures in a predetermined range in the room, and wherein the indication means is capable of indicating the predetermined range in the room where surface temperatures are detectable with the predetermined range divided into a plurality of areas, and indicates the position where the object to be dried is placed by using the areas.
[Claim 5] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface temperature detection means is capable of detecting surface temperatures in a range to which the wind direction changing means is capable of blowing the air, and wherein the indication means is capable of indicating a range where the surface temperature detection means is capable of detecting surface temperatures with the range divided into a plurality of areas, and indicates the position where the object to be dried is placed by using the areas.
[Claim 6] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface temperature detection means is capable of detecting surface temperatures in a range to which the wind direction changing means is capable of blowing the air, and is capable of changing a detection direction according to the blowing direction changed by the wind direction changing means, and wherein the indication means is capable of indicating a range where the surface temperature detection means is capable of detecting surface temperatures with the range divided into a plurality of areas, and indicates the position where the object to be dried is placed by using the areas.
[Claim 7] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising: an operating portion for selecting a drying mode for drying an object to be dried, wherein the indication means indicates an area where the object to be dried is placed when the drying mode is selected.
[Claim 8] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the indication means can indicate different indications according to the situation for each of the areas, and wherein a dry condition of the object to be dried is determined from a surface temperature of the object to be dried, which is detected by the surface temperature detection means, and the indication means changes an indication for each of the areas according to the dry condition.
[Claim 9] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein in the case where a surface temperature of the object to be dried, which is detected by the surface temperature detection means, shows a difference of not less than a predetermined temperature after a lapse of a predetermined time, it is determined that a dry condition of the object to be dried has changed, and the indication means changes an indication for each of the areas individually in stages according to the change in the dry condition.
[Claim 10] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 4 to 8, further comprising: humidity detection means which detects humidity in the room, wherein in the case where the humidity in the room decreases to a predetermined humidity, it is determined that a dry condition of the object to be dried has changed, and the indication means changes an indication for each of the areas individually in stages according to the change in the dry condition.
[Claim 11] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 4 to 8, further comprising: humidity detection means which detects humidity in the room; and time measuring means which measures a time which elapses until the humidity in the room decreases to a predetermined humidity, wherein in the case where the humidity in the room decreases to the predetermined humidity, it is determined that a dry condition of the object to be dried has changed and the indication means changes an indication for each of the areas individually in stages according to the change in the dry condition, and wherein a time which elapses until drying is finished is estimated by the control means from the time which elapses until the humidity in the room decreases to the predetermined humidity, which is measured by the time measuring means, and a predetermined coefficient, and the time is indicated on the indication means.
[Claim 12] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the indication means performs indication using a picture, a character, a color or a combination thereof.
[Claim 13] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the indication means changes an indication in stages by a shape change in a picture, a change of a character, a change of shade of the same indication color, a change to a different indication color, or blinking of an indication according to change in a dry condition of the object to be dried.
[Claim 14] The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 4 to 11, further comprising: input means for selecting from the areas provided on the areas indicated on the indication means, the input means being transparent for allowing indications on the indication means to be seen through the input means; wherein the control means controls the wind direction changing means to change the blowing direction of the dry air toward a range in the room indicated by the areas selected by the input means.
[Claim 15] The dehumidifier according to claim 14, wherein the input means is capable of individually selecting two or more of the areas.
[Claim 16] The dehumidifier according to claim 14 or 15, wherein in the case where the plurality of areas are continuously indicated, the input means is capable of select the areas by continuous sliding on the areas.