TWI661164B - dehumidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the dehumidifier of the present invention, the direction in which the air is blown out can be more reliably recognized visually. The dehumidifier has a light source (19a) for emitting visible light, a lens (19b) for collecting visible light emitted from the light source (19a), and a housing (17) for housing the light source (19a) and the lens (19b) as Irradiation device that irradiates visible light in a direction in which air is blown. The light source (19a) and the lens (19b) are arranged so that the optical axis of the light source (19a) and the optical axis of the lens (19b) coincide.

Description

   dehumidifier   

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier.

Patent Document 1 describes a clothes dryer having a luminous body as an example of a dehumidifier that blows out dry air. The luminous body in Patent Document 1 irradiates light in a direction in which dry air is blown out. This allows the user to identify the direction in which the dry air is being blown out.

    Advance technical literature         Patent Literature:    

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-188188

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not disclose the detailed structure of the light-emitting body. In addition, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not describe a configuration that allows a user to reliably visually recognize light radiated from a light-emitting body.

The present invention is to solve the problems described above. An object of the present invention is to obtain a dehumidifier that allows a user to more reliably visually recognize the direction in which air is blown out.

The dehumidifier of the present invention includes a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air, a blower to blow out the air after the moisture is removed by the dehumidifier, and an irradiation device to irradiate visible light toward the direction from which the air is blown from the blower. The irradiation device includes: a light source emitting visible light; a lens for collecting visible light emitted from the light source; and a housing for containing the light source and the lens. The light source and the lens are arranged such that the optical axis of the light source and the optical axis of the lens coincide. The housing has an opening through which the optical axis of the light source passes, and a covering member is provided to cover the opening.

The dehumidifier according to the present invention includes a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air, a blower to blow out the air after the moisture has been removed by the dehumidifier, and an irradiation device to irradiate visible light toward the direction from which the air is blown from the blower. The irradiation device includes: a light source emitting visible light; and a lens for collecting visible light emitted from the light source. The light source and the lens are configured such that the optical axis of the light source is consistent with the optical axis of the lens, and the distance from the light source to the lens is consistent with the focal length of the lens.

The dehumidifier of the present invention includes an irradiating device, and irradiates visible light in a direction in which air is blown out from the air outlet. The irradiation device includes a light source emitting visible light, and a lens for collecting visible light emitted from the light source. The light source and the lens are arranged so that the optical axis of the light source and the optical axis of the lens coincide. Therefore, the dehumidifier of the present invention can more accurately visually recognize the direction in which the air is blown out.

1‧‧‧shell

2‧‧‧ wheels

3‧‧‧ Suction port

4‧‧‧ blowout

5‧‧‧ wind road

6‧‧‧fan motor

6a‧‧‧ send fan

7‧‧‧Dehumidifying section

8‧‧‧ Water storage department

9‧‧‧ filter

10‧‧‧Wind direction changing department

11‧‧‧ louver

12‧‧‧1st motor

13‧‧‧ Left and right louvers

14‧‧‧The second motor

15‧‧‧ connecting rod

16‧‧‧ Irradiation device

17‧‧‧ shell

17a‧‧‧upper shell

17b‧‧‧lower case

18‧‧‧Surface temperature detection section

19a‧‧‧light source

19b‧‧‧lens

19c‧‧‧ aperture

20‧‧‧Control device

20a‧‧‧Action Control Department

20b‧‧‧Memory Department

20c‧‧‧Temperature determination section

20d‧‧‧Setting Department

21‧‧‧Operation Department

21a‧‧‧Run button

21b‧‧‧Mode selection button

21c‧‧‧set button

21d‧‧‧operation buttons

30‧‧‧ Irradiated area

31‧‧‧ Clothing

40‧‧‧resin sheet

40a‧‧‧ transparent area

40b‧‧‧opaque area

40c‧‧‧ opening

41‧‧‧ Irradiation window

42‧‧‧Sensor window

100‧‧‧ Dehumidifier

200‧‧‧ dedicated hardware

201‧‧‧ processor

202‧‧‧Memory

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the dehumidifier of the first embodiment.

[Fig. 3] A side view of the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 4] A longitudinal sectional view of the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a wind direction changing section according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a view of the irradiation apparatus according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a structure of an irradiation apparatus according to a first embodiment.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of a control device according to the first embodiment.

9 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control device according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 10] A flowchart showing the operation of the fixed concentration mode according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 11] A diagram showing a dehumidifier during operation of Embodiment 1. [Fig.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same symbols in the drawings indicate the same or equivalent parts. In this description, overlapping descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate. The present description may include all combinations of combinable configurations among the configurations described in the following embodiments.

    Embodiment 1    

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view of the dehumidifier of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a side view of the dehumidifier 100 according to the first embodiment. 1, 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the appearance of the dehumidifier 100.

Here, the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 2 is the vertical direction of the dehumidifier 100. In addition, the near direction of the paper surface in FIG. 2 is taken as the front direction of the dehumidifier 100. The depth direction of the paper surface in FIG. 2 is taken as the rear direction of the dehumidifier 100. In FIG. 2, the left direction on the paper surface is the right direction of the dehumidifier 100, and the right direction on the paper surface is the left direction of the dehumidifier 100.

The left-right direction on the paper surface in FIG. 3 is the front-rear direction of the dehumidifier 100. The vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 3 is the vertical direction of the dehumidifier 100. In FIG. 3, the near direction of the paper surface is the left direction of the dehumidifier 100, and the depth direction of the paper surface is the right direction of the dehumidifier 100.

4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dehumidifier 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the dehumidifier 100 at the A-A position in Fig. 2. FIG. 4 schematically shows the internal structure of the dehumidifier 100. The vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 4 corresponds to the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 3.

The dehumidifier 100 includes a casing 1. The casing 1 is a part serving as an outer shell of the dehumidifier 100. The casing 1 is formed in a shape of, for example, a vertically long box that can stand on its own. The dehumidifier 100 may be provided with wheels 2. The wheels 2 are provided, for example, at the bottom of the casing 1. The dehumidifier 100 can be moved by this wheel 2.

A suction port 3 is formed in the casing 1. The suction port 3 is an opening for sucking air into the inside of the casing 1. The suction port 3 is formed, for example, at the rear of the casing 1. An air outlet 4 is formed in the casing 1. The air outlet 4 is an opening for blowing air from the inside of the casing 1 to the outside. The air outlet 4 is formed in, for example, an upper portion of the front face of the casing 1. The shape of the air outlet 4 is, for example, a rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction of the casing 1.

An air passage 5 is formed inside the casing 1. The air path 5 is a space from the suction inlet 3 to the air outlet 4. The dehumidifier 100 includes a blower 6a and a fan motor 6 as an example of the blower. The blower fan 6 a is a fan that generates an air flow in the air path 5 from the suction port 3 to the air outlet 4. The fan motor 6 is connected to the fan 6a. The fan motor 6 is a motor that rotates the blower fan 6a.

The fan 6 a and the fan motor 6 are provided inside the casing 1. The blower fan 6 a is disposed in the air passage 5. In the air path 5 in the present embodiment, air is flowed from the suction port 3 to the blow-out port 4 by a fan 6a. In this embodiment, air is blown out from the air outlet 4 by the blower 6a. Here, in the air path 5, the side where the suction port 3 is located is the upstream side, and the side where the air outlet 4 is located is the downstream side. The blower fan 6 a allows air to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in the air passage 5.

The dehumidifier 100 includes a dehumidification unit 7 as an example of a dehumidifier that removes moisture contained in the air. The dehumidifier 7 is a device that condenses and discharges moisture in the air. For example, the dehumidifying section 7 causes the condensed water to drip downward in the form of liquid water. The dehumidifier 7 removes moisture from the air, that is, dehumidifies the air. The air that has been dehumidified by the dehumidifying section 7 is dry air.

The dehumidifier 7 is a device using a heat pump circuit, for example. The dehumidifier 7 of the heat pump circuit condenses the moisture in the air by the evaporator. The dehumidifier 7 may be a desiccant device. The desiccant type dehumidifier 7 includes an adsorbent and a heat exchanger that adsorb moisture in the air. The desiccant-type dehumidifier 7 condenses the moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent through a heat exchanger.

The dehumidifying section 7 is provided inside the casing 1. The dehumidifying section 7 is arranged in the air passage 5. For example, the dehumidifier 7 is disposed between the suction port 3 and the blower 6a. The dehumidifying unit 7 of this embodiment is disposed on the upstream side of the blower fan 6a. In this embodiment, the suction port 3, the dehumidifying section 7, the blower fan 6a, and the blow-out port 4 are sequentially arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The dehumidifier 100 according to this embodiment includes a water storage unit 8. The water storage unit 8 stores water discharged from the dehumidification unit 7. The water storage unit 8 is, for example, a container-like member having an opened upper portion. The water storage part 8 is provided below the dehumidification part 7 in the inside of the casing 1. The water storage unit 8 receives and stores water dripped from the dehumidification unit 7 through the opening in the upper part. This water storage unit 8 is provided to be detachable from the casing 1.

The dehumidifier 100 may include a filter 9. The filter 9 is provided inside the casing 1. The filter 9 is provided so as to cover the suction port 3 from the inside of the housing 1. The filter 9 prevents dust from entering the inside of the casing 1.

The dehumidifier 100 includes a wind direction changing unit 10. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the wind direction changing unit 10 according to the first embodiment. The vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 5 corresponds to the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 2. Fig. 5 shows a cross section at a position B-B in Fig. 3.

The wind direction changing unit 10 is a device that determines a direction in which air is blown from the air outlet 4. Hereinafter, a direction in which air is blown out from the blow-out port 4 is referred to as a blow-out direction. As the wind direction changing section 10 moves, the blowing direction changes. The wind direction changing section 10 is arranged near the air outlet 4. The wind direction changing unit 10 of this embodiment is an example of a wind direction determining device.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the wind direction changing section 10 includes a vertical louver 11 as an example of the first changing section. The up-and-down louver 11 is formed in the shape which cooperates with the air outlet 4. The up-and-down louver 11 of this embodiment is a rectangular frame-shaped member extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the up-down louver 11 includes three plate-shaped members extending in the left-right direction. The up-down louver 11 of this embodiment has a rectangular-shaped opening extending in the left-right direction. The up and down direction louver 11 is formed to be rotatable to change the direction of the opening up and down.

The wind direction changing unit 10 includes a first motor 12 for moving the louver 11 in the vertical direction. The first motor 12 is provided inside the casing 1. The first motor 12 rotates the louver 11 in the up-down direction through the gear 12a, the gear 12b, and the gear 12c. When the up-down louver 11 is rotated, the direction of the opening of the up-down louver 11 is changed in the up-down direction. Thereby, the blowing direction is changed in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the wind direction changing section 10 includes a left-right louver 13 as an example of the second changing section. The left-right louver 13 has a plate-like member extending in the up-down direction. For example, the left and right louver 13 has six plate-like members extending in the up and down direction. The six plate-shaped members extending in the vertical direction are arranged at equal intervals. The left-right louver 13 is arranged inside the frame-shaped up-down louver 11. The left-right louver 13 is attached to the up-down louver 11 through an axis along the up-down direction. The left-right direction louver 13 can be rotated about the axis along the vertical direction. In addition, for example, the up-down louver 11 and the left-right louver 13 are arranged such that the center of the left-right louver 11 in the left-right direction coincides with the center of the left-right louver 13 as a whole.

The wind direction changing unit 10 includes a second motor 14 for moving the louver 13 in the left-right direction. The second motor 14 is provided inside the casing 1. The wind direction changing unit 10 includes a link 15. This link 15 is connected to the rear of the louver 13 in the left-right direction. The link 15 is connected to the second motor 14. The left-right louver 13 and the second motor 14 are connected through a link 15. When the second motor 14 is driven, the left-right louver 13 is rotated through the link 15. By turning the louver 13 in the left-right direction, the blowing direction is changed in the left-right direction.

The link 15 is formed to interlock with the up-and-down louver 11. When the up-down louver 11 moves, the link 15 moves with the up-down louver 11. When the link 15 moves, the left-right louver 13 connected to the link 15 also moves. That is, when the up-and-down louver 11 moves, the left-and-right louver 13 moves with this up-and-down louver 11. The left-right direction louver 13 moves in the same direction as the up-down direction louver 11 moves.

The dehumidifier 100 includes an irradiation device 16. This irradiation device 16 is arranged inside the frame-shaped up-and-down louver 11. For example, the irradiation device 16 is arranged at the center position in the left-right direction of the up-down louver 11.

FIG. 6 is a view of the irradiation device 16 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the irradiation device 16 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 shows a cross section at the C-C position in Fig. 6. In the present embodiment, the near direction of the paper surface in FIG. 6 is the front direction of the irradiation device 16. The vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 6 is the vertical direction of the irradiation device 16. In FIG. 7, the left direction on the paper surface is the front direction of the irradiation device 16, and the right direction on the paper surface is the rear direction of the irradiation device 16. The vertical direction on the paper in FIG. 7 is the vertical direction of the irradiation device 16.

The irradiation device 16 includes a housing 17. The housing 17 is sufficient as the outer frame of the irradiation device 16. In this embodiment, the case 17 includes an upper case 17a and a lower case 17b. The shape of the upper case 17a is cylindrical. The upper case 17a has an opening. The lower case 17b closes the opening of the upper case 17a. The lower case 17b is a cover-shaped member. Inside the upper case 17a and the lower case 17b, there is a space for accommodating components. In addition, the upper case 17a and the lower case 17b may be integrally formed. The lower case 17b can be detachably attached to the upper case 17a. The casing 17 is formed so as to be able to rotate up, down, left and right.

For example, the casing 17 is connected to the link 15 at the center position in the left-right direction of the up-and-down louver 11. The casing 17 is connected to the left and right louvers 13 through a link 15. In addition, the casing 17 may be directly connected to the louver 13 in the left-right direction without transmitting through the link 15.

The casing 17 is provided so that the front direction of the casing 17 faces the blowing direction. As described above, the casing 17 is mechanically connected to the left and right louvers 13. The casing 17 moves with the louver 13 in the left-right direction. The casing 17 moves in the same direction as the moving direction of the left and right louvers 13. As described above, when the up-down louver 11 is moved, the left-right louver 13 and the up-down louver 11 are moved together. That is, when the up-down louver 11 moves, the casing 17 moves with this up-down louver 11 and the left-right louver 13. In this way, even if the blowing direction is changed, the front surface of the casing 17 can be oriented to the changed blowing direction.

The irradiation device 16 includes a light source 19a and a lens 19b. The light source 19 a and the lens 19 b are housed inside the casing 17. The lens 19b is arranged in front of the light source 19a. The light source 19a is arranged behind the lens 19b. In other words, the lens 19b is disposed on the front side of the light source 19a. The light source 19a is arranged on the back side of the lens 19b.

As shown in FIG. 7, an irradiation window 41 is formed on a front side portion of the casing 17 of the present embodiment. The irradiation window 41 is an opening for radiating visible light from the inside of the case 17 to the outside. The irradiation window 41 is an opening through which the optical axis of the light source 19a and the optical axis of the lens 19b pass. When the irradiation window 41 is viewed from the front side, its shape is, for example, circular.

In this embodiment, the light source 19a and the lens 19b are arranged so that the optical axis of the light source 19a and the optical axis of the lens 19b are aligned. In addition, the optical axis of the light source 19a and the optical axis of the lens 19b may not exactly match. In one example, the irradiation window 41 is formed so that the optical axis of the light source 19a and the optical axis of the lens 19b pass through the center of the irradiation window 41. As shown in FIG. 7, the optical axis of the light source 19 a and the optical axis of the lens 19 b are also referred to as an axis L hereinafter.

The light source 19a is a device that emits visible light. The light source 19a is, for example, an LED or a laser diode. The light source 19a is, for example, a bullet-type LED having a diameter of 5 mm. For example, the light source 19a emits visible light having a luminance of 1000 mcd or more. In addition, for example, the light source 19a emits green visible light. The color of the visible light emitted from the light source 19a may be a color other than green such as orange.

The lens 19b is a device that collects visible light emitted from the light source 19a. The lens 19b is, for example, a lenticular lens made of acrylic resin. The material of the lens 19b may be polycarbonate resin or glass. In addition, the lens 19b may be a Fresnel lens.

A space is formed in the housing 17 between the light source 19a and the lens 19b. The visible light emitted by the light source 19a passes through this space and reaches the lens 19b. As shown in FIG. 7, a distance F is separated from the front end of the light source 19 a to the center of the lens 19 b. This distance F corresponds to the focal length of the lens 19b. The distance F and the focal length of the lens 19b may not be exactly the same. In the present embodiment, the light source 19a and the lens 19b may be arranged so that the distance from the light source 19a to the lens 19b and the focal length of the lens 19b may match.

When the lens 19b is a lenticular lens, the focal length of the lens 19b is determined by the refractive index of the material of the lens 19b, the curvature radius of the lens 19b, and the thickness of the lens 19b.

The visible light emitted from the light source 19a is collected by the lens 19b. The visible light collected by the lens 19b is easily visible. The visible light collected by the lens 19 b passes through the irradiation window 41 and is irradiated to the outside of the housing 17. The light source 19 a and the lens 19 b are provided so that visible light collected by the lens 19 b is radiated toward the front direction of the housing 17. The visible light collected through the lens 19b is irradiated toward the blowing direction.

Here, an area irradiated with visible light collected through the lens 19 b is referred to as an irradiation area 30. For example, the light source 19a and the lens 19b are arranged and formed such that the irradiation area 30 at a position 1 m away from the housing 1 is a circle having a diameter of 200 mm. The shape of the irradiation area 30 may be rectangular or the like.

As shown in FIG. 7, the irradiation device 16 according to the present embodiment includes a diaphragm 19 c. The diaphragm 19c is provided between the light source 19a and the lens 19b. The diaphragm 19c is a device for adjusting the amount of visible light transmitted from the light source 19a through the lens 19b. The size of the irradiation area 30 can be adjusted by this aperture 19c. For example, the central axis of the diaphragm 19c coincides with the axis L. The housing 17, the light source 19a, the lens 19b, and the diaphragm 19c in this embodiment are examples of the irradiation device.

In the present embodiment, a resin sheet 40 is provided on the front portion of the case 17. The resin sheet 40 is a resin-like plate-like member. The material of the resin sheet 40 is, for example, polyester. The thickness of the resin sheet 40 is, for example, 0.2 mm. The resin sheet 40 covers the irradiation window 41. The resin sheet 40 of this embodiment is an example of a covering member. In a front view, a portion of the resin sheet 40 that overlaps the irradiation window 41 is transparent. In this embodiment, the visible light collected by the lens 19b is transmitted through the resin sheet 40 and irradiated in the blowing direction.

As described above, the casing 17 moves together with the vertical louver 11 and the horizontal louver 13. The front direction of the casing 17 faces the blowing direction. The light source 19 a and the lens 19 b are provided in this case 17. The light source 19a and the lens 19b move together with the housing 17. In this embodiment, even if the blowing direction is changed, the visible light collected through the lens 19b is irradiated to the changed blowing direction.

The dehumidifier 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 20 and an operation unit 21. The control device 20 is provided inside the casing 1, for example. In addition, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the operation section 21 is provided on the rear surface side of the upper surface of the housing 1. The control device 20 and the operation portion 21 are electrically connected.

The control device 20 is electrically connected to each device included in the dehumidifier 100. The control device 20 controls each device included in the dehumidifier 100. The control device 20 according to this embodiment is electrically connected to the fan motor 6, the dehumidifying unit 7, the first motor 12, the second motor 14, and the irradiation device 16. The control device 20 of this embodiment controls the fan motor 6, the dehumidifying unit 7, the first motor 12, the second motor 14, and the irradiation device 16.

The operation unit 21 is a device for a user to operate the dehumidifier 100. For example, the operation unit 21 includes an operation button 21a, a mode selection button 21b, a setting button 21c, and an operation button 21d. The operation button 21 a is a device for starting and stopping the operation of the dehumidifier 100.

The mode selection button 21b is a device for selecting an operation mode of the dehumidifier 100. The mode selection button 21 b transmits a signal corresponding to a user's operation to the control device 20. The setting button 21c is a device for setting the dehumidifier 100. The setting button 21 c transmits a signal corresponding to a user's operation to the control device 20.

The operation button 21d is an example of an operation device that transmits an operation instruction. The operation button 21 d is a device for moving the wind direction changing unit 10. The operation button 21d is, for example, a cross button. The operation button 21d transmits an operation instruction corresponding to the user's operation to the control device 20. When receiving the operation instruction, the control device 20 operates based on the received operation instruction. The operation button 21d may be a device other than the cross button.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing functions of the control device 20 according to the first embodiment. The control device 20 according to this embodiment includes an operation control unit 20a, a memory unit 20b, and a setting unit 20d. The operation control unit 20 a is an example of a control device that controls each device included in the dehumidifier 100. The operation control unit 20a controls the first motor 12 and the second motor 14 based on an operation instruction from the operation button 21d.

The memory unit 20b included in the control device 20 is an example of a memory device. For example, a plurality of operation modes are set in the storage unit 20b. For example, based on a signal from the mode selection button 21b, the motion control unit 20a executes processing of one operation mode from among the plurality of operation modes set in the memory unit 20b. The operation control unit 20a controls the fan motor 6, the dehumidifying unit 7, the first motor 12, the second motor 14, and the irradiation device 16 based on a signal from the mode selection button 21b.

The memory unit 20b of this embodiment memorizes a fixed concentration mode as one of the plural operation modes. The fixed concentration mode is an operation mode used when the dehumidifier 100 dries a small amount of objects. This object includes, for example, shoes and clothing 31.

The setting section 20d sets the setting direction in the memory section 20b in response to a signal from the setting button 21c. When the irradiation device 16 emits visible light, when the setting button 21c is pressed, a signal is transmitted to the setting unit 20d. When the setting unit 20d receives a signal from the setting button 21c, the setting unit 20d sets the direction in which the irradiation device 16 emits visible light to the storage unit 20b as the setting direction. The setting button 21c and the setting portion 20d are examples of a setting device for setting a setting direction.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control device 20 according to the first embodiment. Each function of the operation control section 20a, the storage section 20b, and the setting section 20d of the control device 20 is realized by, for example, a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware 200. The processing circuit may include a processor 201 and a memory 202. The processing circuit may also be formed as a dedicated hardware 200, and then equipped with a processor 201 and a memory 202. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 200, and the processing circuit includes a processor 201 and a memory 202.

The processing circuit having a part of at least one dedicated hardware 200 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 201 and at least one memory 202, each function of the operation control section 20a, the memory section 20b, and the setting section 20d of the control device 20 is software, firmware, or software and firmware Combination of the body.

The software and firmware are recorded as programs and stored in the memory 202. The processor 201 reads and executes the programs stored in the memory 202, thereby realizing the functions of each part. The processor 201 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing device, a processing device, a calculation device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 202 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, or a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, or a compact disk (CD, CD), minidisc, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.

As described above, the processing circuit can realize each function of the operation control section 20a, the memory section 20b, and the setting section 20d of the control device 20 by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The configuration of the dehumidifier 100 is not limited to a configuration in which the operation is controlled by the single control device 20. The configuration of the dehumidifier 100 may be a configuration in which operations are controlled in cooperation by a plurality of devices.

Next, an example of the operation of the dehumidifier 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the operation of the fixed concentrated mode will be described as an example of the operation of the dehumidifier 100. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fixed focus mode in the first embodiment. 11 is a diagram showing the dehumidifier 100 during the operation of the first embodiment.

The dehumidifier 100 is used, for example, indoors. The dehumidifier 100 starts operation when the operation button 21a is pressed. The operation button 21a pressed by the user transmits a signal to the motion control unit 20a. When the operation control unit 20a receives a signal from the operation button 21a, it drives the fan motor 6 and the dehumidifying unit 7.

When the fan motor 6 is driven, the fan 6a is rotated. The blower 6a generates airflow. As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor air P is sucked into the interior of the housing 1 from the suction port 3 by the air flow generated by the blower 6 a. The indoor air P is dehumidified by the dehumidifying section 7 and becomes dry air Q. The dry air Q is blown into the room from the air outlet 4 by the air flow generated by the blower 6a. The blowing direction of the dry air Q is determined by the wind direction changing unit 10. As described above, the dehumidifier 100 starts operation (step S101).

After the user starts the operation of the dehumidifier 100 by the operation button 21a, the user operates the mode selection button 21b. As described above, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects a fixed concentration mode. Based on the signal from the mode selection button 21b, the motion control unit 20a executes the process of the fixed focus mode set in the memory unit 20b (step S102).

When the processing of the fixed focus mode is performed, the light source 19a emits visible light. Visible light is collected by the lens 19b. The visible light collected by the lens 19b is irradiated toward the blowing direction of the dry air Q (step S103).

As shown in FIG. 11, the visible light irradiated in the blowing direction of the dry air Q irradiates the irradiation area 30. The user operates the operation button 21d while looking at the irradiation area 30. The operation button 21d transmits an operation instruction based on a user's operation to the motion control unit 20a. The operation control unit 20a controls the first motor 12 and the second motor 14 based on the received operation instruction. Thereby, the up-down louver 11 and the left-right louver 13 are moved. By moving the louver 11 in the up-down direction and the louver 13 in the left-right direction, the blowing direction is changed.

When the vertical louver 11 and the horizontal louver 13 move, the irradiation device 16 also moves together. The irradiation device 16 moves to irradiate light toward the changed blowing direction. The irradiation area 30 moves in accordance with the change in the blowing direction (step S104). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the user operates the operation button 21 d while looking at the irradiation area 30, so that the clothes 31 placed in advance are visible and illuminated. Thereby, the dry air Q is blown to the clothes 31 collectively.

Here, the user may press the setting button 21c in a state where the clothes 31 are illuminated by visible light. The setting button 21c pressed by the user transmits a signal to the setting unit 20d. When the setting unit 20d receives a signal from the setting button 21c, the setting unit 20d sets the direction in which the irradiating device 16 emits visible light as the setting direction in the storage unit 20b. When the setting direction is set in the memory unit 20b, the operation control unit 20a controls the first motor 12 and the second motor 14 to fix the blowing direction at this setting direction (step S105).

When the blowing direction is fixed in the set direction, the dry air Q is continuously blown in the set direction for a certain period of time. The operation control unit 20a stops the fan motor 6, the dehumidifying unit 7, and the irradiation device 16 at a point after a certain time has elapsed after the blowing direction is fixed at the set direction (step S106). As a result, the operation of the dehumidifier 100 is completed.

In the above embodiment, when the fixed focus mode is selected, the irradiation device 16 irradiates visible light. The irradiation device 16 may start irradiation of visible light at the same time when the operation of the dehumidifier 100 is started. That is, the light source 19a may emit visible light at the same time when the operation of the dehumidifier 100 is started. In addition, the light source 19a may start emitting visible light while the setting button 21c is pressed.

The user of the dehumidifier 100 according to the above embodiment can easily recognize the blowing direction of the dry air Q by looking at the irradiation area 30. In addition, the user can easily change the blowing direction of the dry air Q to an arbitrary direction by operating the button 21d. The user moves the irradiation area 30 toward the clothes 31 to be dried, thereby changing the blowing direction of the dry air Q to the direction of the clothes 31 to be dried. The user does not need to cooperate with the dehumidifier 100 to move the clothes 31 to be dried, but can collectively dry the clothes 31 air-dried beforehand.

The user of the dehumidifier 100 can concentrate the dry air Q in an arbitrary direction by operating the setting button 21c. The dry air Q can be blown to the clothes 31 reliably and without waste. This reduces the waste of electricity costs caused by blowing air to things that do not have to be dried.

In the above embodiment, the light source 19a and the lens 19b are arranged so that the optical axis of the light source 19a and the optical axis of the lens 19b coincide. Thereby, the irradiation area 30 becomes a clearer and brighter area. The dehumidifier 100 according to the above embodiment enables the user to more surely visually recognize the direction in which the dry air Q is blown out.

In the above embodiment, the light source 19a and the lens 19b are arranged such that the distance from the light source 19a to the lens 19b is consistent with the focal length of the lens 19b. As a result, visible light is radiated straight from the dehumidifier 100. Therefore, a situation in which visible light is diffused and darkened is prevented. The irradiated area 30 becomes a clearer and brighter area. The dehumidifier 100 according to the above embodiment enables the user to more surely visually recognize the direction in which the dry air Q is blown out. In addition, according to the above embodiment, it is easier to adjust the size of the irradiation area 30.

In the above embodiment, the resin sheet 40 is provided on the front portion of the case 17. The resin sheet 40 covers the irradiation window 41. This can prevent foreign matter such as water from entering the inside of the casing 17. In the above embodiment, foreign matter such as water does not affect the operation of the dehumidifier 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the resin sheet 40 may be provided with a transparent region 40 a and an opaque region 40 b. The transparent region 40a is an example of a first region formed of a material that is transparent to visible light. The opaque region 40b is an example of a second region where the visible light transmittance is lower than the first region. The transparent region 40a is an annular region having the axis L as a center axis. The opaque region 40b is a circular region having the axis L as a center axis. The opaque region 40b is located inside the transparent region 40a. In front view, the outer diameter D1 of the transparent region 40a is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the opaque region 40b. The outer diameter D1 is, for example, 10 mm. The outer diameter D2 is, for example, 5 mm. In front view, the opaque region 40b overlaps the light source 19a. Thereby, when the user looks at the front of the irradiation device 16, the degree of glare that the user feels can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the diaphragm 19c is provided between the light source 19a and the lens 19b. Thereby, the size of the irradiation area 30 can be easily adjusted.

In addition, the housing 17, the light source 19a, the lens 19b, and the diaphragm 19c, which are examples of the irradiation device, may be arranged and formed so that the irradiation area 30 is smaller than the area to which the dry air Q blown from the wind direction changing portion 10 is blown. The housing 17, the light source 19a, the lens 19b, and the diaphragm 19c may be formed so that the irradiation area 30 is included in the area to which the dry air Q blown from the wind direction changing portion 10 is blown. Thereby, the dry air Q is reliably blown to the irradiation area 30.

According to the above embodiment, a dehumidifier 100 can be obtained, which can more easily recognize the blowing direction of the dry air Q, and can more easily change the blowing direction of the dry air Q toward an arbitrary direction. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the operation of drying the clothes 31 is shown as an example, but the object to be blown by the dry air Q is not limited to the clothes 31. The dehumidifier 100 may also be used when drying a humid place in a room such as a bathroom wall and a floor.

Next, a modification of the dehumidifier 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 7, the dehumidifier 100 may include a surface temperature detection unit 18 as an example of a surface temperature detection device. The surface temperature detection unit 18 is a device that detects a surface temperature of a target region in a non-contact state.

The surface temperature detection section 18 is provided inside the casing 17. As an example, the surface temperature detection unit 18 is provided above the light source 19a and the lens 19b.

The housing 17 may also have a sensor window 42 on a front portion thereof. The sensor window 42 is formed of a material with high infrared transmittance. The sensor window 42 is an element formed of, for example, a polyethylene resin. The sensor window 42 prevents foreign matter such as water from entering the housing 17. The sensor window 42 is arranged and formed so that infrared rays radiated from a region to which air is blown from the air outlet 4 are transmitted. Hereinafter, a region to which air is blown from the blow-out port 4 is referred to as a blow-out region. In the resin sheet 40, an opening 40 c is formed in a portion overlapping the sensor window 42 in a front view.

The surface temperature detection section 18 is disposed on the back side of the sensor window 42. As an example, the surface temperature detection unit 18 uses an element that generates electricity using heat. The surface temperature detection unit 18 includes, for example, an infrared absorbing film and a thermistor. The infrared absorbing film of the surface temperature detecting section 18 absorbs infrared rays transmitted through the sensor window 42.

The infrared absorbing film has a heat sensitive portion. The heat-sensitive portion of the infrared absorbing film is heated because it absorbs infrared rays that penetrate the sensor window 42. The heat-sensitive portion of the infrared absorbing film serves as a warm contact. In addition, the thermistor detects a temperature of a portion of the non-infrared absorbing film that is a thermal contact portion as an example of a cold junction. The surface temperature detecting unit 18 detects the surface temperature of an area (that is, a blowing area) that emits infrared rays absorbed by the infrared absorbing film from the temperature difference between the warm contact and the cold contact.

The sensor window 42 and the surface temperature detection section 18 are formed so that the target area where the surface temperature detection section 18 detects the surface temperature coincides with the irradiation area 30. The target region and the irradiation region 30 where the surface temperature is detected by the surface temperature detection unit 18 may not completely match. For example, the target region where the surface temperature detection unit 18 detects the surface temperature is in a state where most of the target region overlaps with the irradiation region 30. In addition, the target region where the surface temperature is detected by the surface temperature detection unit 18 may be included in the irradiation region 30. The surface temperature detection unit 18 may detect the surface temperature of the irradiation area 30. Thereby, the surface temperature detection unit 18 can detect the temperature of the object in the blowing direction set by the user while viewing the irradiation area 30.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 20 may further include a temperature determination unit 20c. The control device 20 may be connected to the surface temperature detection unit 18. The function of the temperature determination unit 20c is realized by a processing circuit shown in FIG. The surface temperature detecting unit 18 converts the detected surface temperature information into an electric signal such as a voltage. The surface temperature detection unit 18 outputs the converted electric signal to the control device 20. The temperature determination unit 20 c of the control device 20 operates based on an electric signal from the surface temperature detection unit 18.

The temperature determination unit 20 c determines the surface temperature based on the electric signal output from the surface temperature detection unit 18. In this modification, the storage unit 20b stores information of a reference value of the surface temperature. This reference value is set based on, for example, the temperature of a human face. The temperature determination unit 20c determines the surface temperature based on the temperature information included in the electric signal from the surface temperature detection unit 18 and the reference value information stored in the storage unit 20b. The temperature determination unit 20c determines whether the surface temperature of the irradiation area satisfies a preset condition. For example, this condition is satisfied when visible light hits a human face. When the temperature determination unit 20c determines that this condition is satisfied, the operation control unit 20a stops the light source 19a from emitting light. As a result, the irradiation of visible light by the irradiation device 16 is stopped. In addition, when the temperature determination unit 20c determines that this condition is satisfied, the operation control unit 20a may also control the irradiation device 16 so that the illuminance of the irradiation area 30 is reduced. Thereby, the glare felt by the user can be reduced.

Generally speaking, the height of the dehumidifier 100 is lower than a person's line of sight. In this modification, the surface temperature detection unit 18 faces the front direction of the irradiation device 16. The surface temperature detection unit 18 is provided above the light source 19a and the lens 19b. Thereby, the surface temperature detection part 18 can detect the surface temperature of a human face before visible light is irradiated to a human eye. In this modification, it is possible to more reliably prevent the shining visible light from directly irradiating the human eye.

In addition, the reference value stored in the memory section 20b may be set to a temperature for determining whether the washed laundry is dry. The temperature determination unit 20c may also determine whether the washed laundry is dry based on the temperature information included in the electric signal from the surface temperature detection unit 18 and the reference value information stored in the storage unit 20b. The dehumidifier 100 may be configured to stop operation when it is determined that the washed laundry is dry.

    [Industrial possibilities]    

The dehumidifier of the present invention can be used to dry any object, for example.

Claims (11)

A dehumidifier includes: a dehumidifier, which removes moisture from the air; a blower, which blows out the air after the moisture is removed by the dehumidifier; The illumination device includes: a light source emitting visible light; a lens configured to collect visible light emitted from the light source; a housing that houses the light source and the lens; the light source and the lens are configured such that an optical axis of the light source and the lens The optical axis of the light source is the same; the housing has an opening through which the optical axis of the light source passes, and a covering member is provided to cover the opening. According to the dehumidifier described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the covering member includes a first circular area having the optical axis of the light source as a central axis, and a second circular area having the optical axis as a central axis; The second region is located inside the first region; the first region is formed of a material that is transparent to visible light; the visible light transmittance of the second region is lower than the visible light transmittance of the first region. A dehumidifier includes: a dehumidifier, which removes moisture from the air; a blower, which blows out the air after the moisture is removed by the dehumidifier; The irradiation device includes: a light source emitting visible light; and a lens for collecting visible light emitted from the light source, and the light source and the lens are configured so that an optical axis of the light source is consistent with an optical axis of the lens, and The distance from the light source to the lens is consistent with the focal length of the lens. According to the dehumidifier described in item 3 of the scope of patent application, the irradiating device has an aperture for adjusting the amount of visible light emitted by the light source transmitted through the lens; the aperture is disposed between the light source and the lens, so that the aperture The central axis coincides with the optical axis of the light source. According to the dehumidifier described in item 3 or 4 of the scope of the patent application, the area illuminated by the visible light irradiated by the irradiation device is included in the area where the air blown from the air outlet is blown. According to the dehumidifier according to item 3 or 4 of the scope of patent application, the irradiating device has a housing for housing the light source and the lens, and the housing is formed with an opening through which the optical axis of the light source passes, and a covering member is provided to cover the opening . According to the dehumidifier described in item 6 of the scope of the patent application, the covering member includes a ring-shaped first region with the optical axis of the light source as a central axis, and a circular second region with the optical axis as a central axis; The second region is located inside the first region; the first region is formed of a material that is transparent to visible light; the visible light transmittance of the second region is lower than the visible light transmittance of the first region. The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including: a surface temperature detection device that detects a surface temperature of an object to which air is blown from the air outlet; and a control device. Controlling the irradiation device based on a surface temperature detected by the surface temperature detection device. According to the dehumidifier described in item 8 of the scope of the patent application, the surface temperature detection device detects a surface temperature of a region illuminated by the visible light irradiated by the irradiation device. The dehumidifier according to item 9 of the scope of patent application, including a control device for controlling the above-mentioned irradiation device; the above-mentioned control device, when the surface temperature detected by the above-mentioned surface temperature detection device meets a preset condition, causes the above-mentioned irradiation device to execute One of the following: a decrease in the illuminance of a region to which the visible light is being irradiated and a stop of the irradiation of visible light. According to the dehumidifier described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, the surface temperature detection device is disposed above the light source and the lens.