WO2004029516A1

WO2004029516A1 - Drying apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004029516A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/012189
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fumitoshi Nishiwaki; Yuichi Yakumaru; Tomoichiro Tamura
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-09-26
Filing date: 2003-09-25
Publication date: 2004-04-08
Also published as: JP2004116899A; EP1550829A4; CN1695029A; US20050204755A1; EP1550829A1; JP2005016779A

Abstract

A drying apparatus comprises a heat pump apparatus where a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a heat radiator, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator, in that order. Drying air heated by the heat radiator is introduced to an object to be dried, the drying air that absorbed moisture from the object to be dried is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator, and after that the air is heated again by the heat radiator for reuse as drying air. Drained water that is produced when the drying air is dehumidified by the evaporator is dropped or sprayed on the heat radiator.

Description

Details ^:

Technical field

The present invention relates to a drying device provided with a heat pump device configured by connecting a compressor, a radiator, a throttle device, and an evaporator in a ring shape. Background art

Electric clothes dryers used in ordinary households use a heater to convert the amount of heat required for drying from electric energy, and the amount of heat is limited by the current capacity of household outlets. This was an obstacle to shortening the clothes drying time. Since it was still used for drying clothes and the heat was discharged to the outside without being reused, it was wasted energy.

As a conventional clothes dryer, a clothes dryer with low power and high dehumidification rate is proposed by using a heat pump device as a heat source for drying clothes and discharging a part of the drying air out of the main body. (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-18289 (pages 4-5, FIG. 1)). FIG. 13 shows a conventional drying apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-178289.

In the drying device shown in the figure, a rotating drum 1 2 2 is a drying chamber that is rotatably provided in the main body 1 2 1 of the drying device and dries clothes 1 3 6 therein. Driven by 2 7 via drum belt 1 3 5. The blower 1 2 3 sends drying air from the rotating drum 1 2 2 to the circulation duct 1 2 6 through the filter 1 2 4 and the rotating drum side intake air 1 2 5 in the flow direction indicated by the arrow M. It is driven by a motor 127 through a fan belt 128.

In addition, the evaporator 1 29 placed in the circulation duct 1 26 cools and dehumidifies the drying air by evaporating the refrigerant, and the condenser 130 circulates by condensing the solvent. The drying air flowing through duct 1 2 6 is heated. The heated drying air is guided to the circulation duct 126 to return to the drying chamber again. A part of the drying air is discharged from the exhaust port 1 34 to the outside of the main body 121. Compressor 1 3 1 pressurizes refrigerant A difference is generated, and the expansion mechanism 13 2 including a capillary tube or the like maintains the pressure difference of the refrigerant. Then, these evaporator 12 9, condenser 13 0, compressor 13 1, and expansion mechanism 13 2 are connected by piping 13 3, and refrigerant is passed through the piping 13 3 to heat pump Make up the device.

On the other hand, as a refrigerant for the heat pump device, HCFC refrigerant (a refrigerant containing each atom of chlorine, hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon in a molecule) and HFC refrigerant (a hydrogen atom containing each atom of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon in a molecule) are used. While refrigerant) has been used conventionally, since directly affect the ozone layer destruction or global warming, as these alternative refrigerants, referred to coal hydrogen boiled carbon dioxide (hereinafter C_〇 ₂ existing in nature) such as Conversion to natural refrigerant has been proposed.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional drying apparatus, the required electric energy can be reduced by replacing the heating by the electric heater with the heating by the heat pump, but at least the compressor, the condenser and the expansion mechanism constituting the refrigeration cycle are required. However, the provision of an evaporator is an essential requirement, and there are many components compared to a drying device using an electric heater.

In particular, considering the refrigeration cycle of a heat pump device, the amount of heat released from the condenser to the drying air is the amount of heat absorbed by the evaporator from the drying air plus the amount of heat equivalent to the energy consumed by the compressor. Therefore, the size of the condenser generally needs to be significantly larger than that of the evaporator, which has been a factor of increasing the size of the drying apparatus using the heat pump.

On the other hand, natural refrigerants such as CO ₂ that do not directly affect ozone depletion or global warming must be used to achieve energy savings that further reduce the indirect impact on global warming. There was a problem.

The present invention is the a Chino been made in consideration of the conventional problems, Agego date with refrigerant can be brought into a supercritical state on the heat radiation side of the refrigeration cycle of co ₂ such as a refrigerant, suppressing an increase in the size of the device In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump type drying device that achieves higher efficiency. Disclosure of the invention The drying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a heat pump device in which a refrigerant circulates in the order of a compressor, a radiator, a throttling device, and an evaporator. A drying device that guides and dehumidifies the air exiting the drying chamber with an evaporator, and heats the air dehumidified with the evaporator again with a radiator, equipped with a water spray mechanism that drops water or sprays the radiator. It is characterized by having.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, in the drying device according to the first embodiment, the water spraying mechanism is characterized by dropping or spraying drain water generated by dehumidifying air in an evaporator. I do.

The third embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the drying device according to the first embodiment is provided with a collecting mechanism for collecting moisture contained in air between the evaporator and the radiator.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the drying device according to the first embodiment, the evaporator and the radiator are constituted by heat transfer tubes and fins, and are generated by dehumidifying the drying air in the evaporator. It has a mechanism to pump drain water and spray it to a radiator.

The drying device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a heat pump device in which a refrigerant circulates in the order of a compressor, a radiator, a throttling device, and an evaporator, and heats the air by the radiator into the drying chamber. A drying device for guiding and dehumidifying the air exiting from the drying chamber with an evaporator, and heating the air dehumidified by the evaporator again with a radiator, wherein the evaporator is installed above the radiator, and And a spraying mechanism for dropping or spraying drain water generated by dehumidification by the radiator.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the drying device according to the fifth embodiment, drain water is dropped on a radiator by gravity or wind power.

The sixth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the drying device according to the sixth embodiment, unevenness is provided on a lower surface in a gravitational direction of a fin constituting an evaporator.

An eighth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the drying device according to the fifth embodiment, the fin constituting the evaporator is a corrugated fin by bending a fin base material.

A ninth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a drying apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, The generator and radiator are composed of heat transfer tubes and fins, and have a mechanism to pump up the drain water generated by dehumidifying the drying air in the evaporator and spray it to the radiator.

The first embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the drying device according to the fifth embodiment is provided with a collecting mechanism for collecting moisture contained in air between the evaporator and the radiator. .

The drying device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention includes a heat pump device in which a refrigerant circulates in the order of a compressor, a radiator, a throttling device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator. The air heated by the radiator is led to the drying chamber, and the air exiting the drying chamber is dehumidified by the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and is dehumidified by the first evaporator and the second evaporator. A drying device that reheats the dehumidified air with a radiator, a drainage mechanism that discharges drain water generated by dehumidification by the first evaporator, and a drain water generated by dehumidification by the second evaporator. A spraying mechanism for dropping or spraying water onto the radiator.

According to a 12th embodiment of the present invention, in the drying device according to the 11th embodiment, a recovery mechanism for recovering moisture contained in air between the second evaporator and the radiator is provided. Features.

According to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, in the drying device according to the eleventh embodiment, the heat pump device has a bypass circuit in which the refrigerant bypasses the second evaporator. I do.

According to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, in the drying device according to the first to thirteenth embodiments, the heat pump device is characterized in that the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the radiator is equal to or higher than the boiling point of water. And

According to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, in the drying device according to the first to thirteenth embodiments, the heat pump device is operated such that the high-pressure side pressure becomes a supercritical pressure. I do.

The sixteenth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that in the first to thirteenth drying apparatuses, carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of a fin constituting an evaporator in the drying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view of a main part of another fin constituting an evaporator of the drying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 (b) is a drying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Enlarged view of main parts of other fins that make up the evaporator

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a change in the degree of flatness of refrigerant and: X in the radiator of the drying apparatus according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows the temperature change of refrigerant and air in the radiator of the drying device when using chlorofluorocarbon.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a conventional drying apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 31 denotes a compressor, 32 denotes a radiator, 33 denotes an expansion valve (expansion mechanism), and 34 denotes an evaporator. the devices are configured radiation side (compressor 3 1 discharge unit-radiator 3 2 decompressor 3 3 inlet) in 5 Ru refrigerant brought into a supercritical state, for example, C 0 ₂ refrigerant is sealed as the refrigerant. In addition, 36 is a drying target (for example, clothes, bathroom space, etc.), 3 is a blower fan, 38 is a rough heat removal heat exchanger for drying air, 39 is a blower fan for a rough heat removal heat exchanger, 4 0 is dress It is a water receiver. And, the evaporator 34 is installed on the windward side of the radiator 32 and at the top in the direction of gravity. The solid arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the flow of the refrigerant, the white arrows indicate the flow of the drying air, and the diagonal arrows indicate the flow of the outside air.

Next, the operation will be described. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 31 into a state of high temperature and high pressure, and the radiator 32 exchanges heat with the drying air exiting the evaporator 34 to heat the drying air, thereby cooling the refrigerant. Then, the pressure is reduced by the expansion mechanism 3 to a low-temperature and low-pressure state.The heat is exchanged with the drying air through the drying target 36 in the evaporator 34, and the drying air is cooled and contained in the drying air. The refrigerant is heated by condensing and dehumidifying the water, and is sucked into the compressor 31 again. However, the drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 3 4 and then heated by the radiator 32 to become high temperature and low humidity. However, moisture is removed from the object to be dried 36 to be in a humid state. After the heat is exchanged with the outside air in the crude heat removal heat exchanger 38 to lower the temperature, it is cooled and dehumidified again in the evaporator 34.

By repeating the above operation, a drying operation for removing moisture from the drying target 36 can be performed.

In the present embodiment, the evaporator 34 exchanges heat with the humid drying air through the drying object 36 to cool the drying air, and removes the moisture contained in the drying air from the evaporator 34. Condensed on the fin surface, and the resulting drain water is dropped onto the radiator 32 using the shear force generated by gravity and blast, so that the radiator 32 can exchange sensible heat with drying air and Latent heat exchange with drain water is performed, and heat transfer is promoted. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator 32 increases, and heat transfer with the refrigerant flowing in the radiator 32 is promoted, so that the size of the radiator 32 is made equal to that of the evaporator 34. It is possible to reduce the size. Therefore, the size of the heat pump device can be reduced.

In addition, since the heat transfer in the radiator 32 is promoted, the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the radiator 32 decreases, the cooling capacity in the evaporator 34 increases, and the energy is further saved. Moreover, among the natural refrigerant is small adverse effect on the global environment as the refrigerant, in the case of using the CO ₂ refrigerant in the heat radiation side of the heater Bok pump apparatus becomes supercritical Fukutai, since the transcritical refrigeration Sa Ikuru The temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the radiator 32 decreases, This also has the effect of greatly improving the vehicle COP, and it is possible to further save energy.

In addition, the transcritical refrigeration cycle using CO ₂ refrigerant is used, so compared to the case of the subcritical refrigeration cycle using the conventional HFC refrigerant, the high-temperature CO ₂ refrigerant and drying air are heated by the radiator 32. The heat exchange efficiency of the exchange can be increased, and the temperature of the drying air can be raised to a high temperature. Accordingly, the ability to remove moisture from the drying target 36 is increased, and drying can be performed in a short time.

In this embodiment, the expansion valve is used for the expansion mechanism. However, needless to say, the same effect can be obtained by using a capillary tube.

Further, in the present embodiment uses the C_〇 ₂ refrigerant in the heat radiation side becomes supercritical state, date when using a conventional HFC refrigerants, by dropping the drain water generated by the evaporator to the radiator Similarly, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator increases, the size of the radiator can be reduced, and the size of the heat pump device can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of a fin constituting an evaporator of a heat pump type dryer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. is there. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 31 is a compressor, 42 is a radiator, 33 is an expansion valve (expansion mechanism), and 44 is an evaporator. These are connected in order by piping, and a refrigerant is sealed, so that a heat pump device is provided. And a co ₂ refrigerant that can be in a supercritical state on the heat radiation side is enclosed as a refrigerant. The difference from the first embodiment is that the evaporator 44 and the radiator 42 are installed at an angle, and the fins 45 constituting the evaporator 44 have irregularities 46 formed on the lower end surface in the direction of gravity. is there. It is the same that the evaporator 44 is installed on the windward side of the radiator 42 and above the gravitational direction. The solid arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of the refrigerant, the white arrows indicate the flow of the drying air, and the hatched arrows indicate the flow of the outside air.

Next, the operation will be described. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 31 into a high-temperature, high-pressure state, and the radiator 42 exchanges heat with the drying air exiting the evaporator 44 to heat the drying air, thereby cooling the refrigerant. And decompressed by the expansion mechanism 3 3 The evaporator 4 4 exchanges heat with the drying air that has passed through the drying object 3 6, and rejects the drying air to condense and dehumidify the moisture contained in the drying air. It is heated and sucked into the compressor 31 again. Therefore, the drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 44 and then heated by the radiator 42 to become high temperature and low humidity. When the drying air is forcibly brought into contact with the drying target 36 by the blower fan 3, the drying air 3 Moisture is taken from 6 to make it humid, and the temperature is reduced by heat exchange with the outside air in the crude heat exchanger 38, and then cooled and dehumidified again by the evaporator 44.

By repeating the above operations, a drying operation for removing moisture from the drying target 36 can be performed.

In this embodiment, since the evaporator 44 and the radiator 42 are installed at an angle, the installation space for the heat exchanger can be reduced, and the heat pump dryer can be downsized. . In addition, the unevenness 46 (convex portion 46 a) is formed on the lower end surface of the fin 45 in the direction of gravity, and the drainage is formed by dehumidifying the drying air on the surface of the fin 45 of the evaporator 34. Water converges on the protrusions 46a to form droplets 4a. The droplet 4 grows and drops on the radiator 42 using the shear force generated by gravity and blowing. As described above, since the drain water condenses on the convex portion 46a and forms a droplet, the instability of the formation location of the droplet 4 is eliminated. If the liquid droplet 4 7 is formed uniformly over the entire surface of the evaporator 4 4, the liquid droplet 4 is uniformly dropped on the heat radiator 42, so that the entire surface of the heat radiator 4 2 Thus, a liquid film of the drain water is uniformly formed. In the radiator 42, sensible heat exchange with the drying air and latent heat exchange with the drain water are performed, thereby promoting heat transfer. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator 42 increases, and heat transfer with the cooling medium flowing in the radiator 42 is promoted. Therefore, the size of the radiator 42 can be further reduced. It becomes possible. Therefore, the size of the heat pump device can be reduced. Further, since the heat transfer in the radiator 42 is promoted, the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the radiator 42 decreases, and the cooling capacity in the generator 44 increases, thereby conserving energy. Furthermore, the transcritical refrigeration cycle in which the heat radiation side is in a supercritical state causes the refrigerant temperature at the radiator 42 outlet to drop, resulting in the effect of greatly improving the refrigeration cycle COP, thereby achieving further energy savings. It becomes possible.

Next, the fins constituting the evaporator of the heat pump dryer in another embodiment FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) show a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, a bent portion 56 is provided on a fin 55 constituting an evaporator, and a corrugated fin is used. The direction of the ridge line of the bent portion 56 is substantially the direction of gravity. As described above, since the bent portion 56 is formed in the direction of gravity of the fin 55, the drain water generated by dehumidifying the drying air on the surface of the fin 55 of the evaporator and condensed and generated is formed in the valley portion of the bent portion 56. Combined into 5 and 7 to form droplets. The droplet grows and drops on the radiator 42 using the shear force caused by gravity and blowing. In this way, since the drain water is concentrated at the valley 5 and forms the droplet 47, the instability of the place where the droplet 4 is formed is eliminated. If the valleys 57 where the droplets 47 are formed are formed uniformly over the entire surface of the evaporator, the droplets 4 are uniformly dropped on the radiator 42, so that the drain water is uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the radiator 42. Is formed. In the radiator 32, sensible heat exchange with the drying air and latent heat exchange with the drain water are performed, and heat transfer is promoted. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator 42 is increased, and heat transfer with the medium flowing in the radiator 42 is promoted, so that the size of the radiator 42 is further reduced. Becomes possible. Therefore, the size of the heat pump device can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the heat transfer area of the fin can be significantly increased as compared with the case where the fin has unevenness on the lower end surface in the direction of gravity, so that the heat transfer performance of the evaporator can be significantly improved. Becomes possible. As a result, the dehumidifying ability of the drying air is improved, and the refrigeration cycle COP is greatly improved, so that it is possible to further save energy.

(Embodiment 3)

Hereinafter, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump dryer according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. 1, and description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 31 denotes a compressor, 62 denotes a radiator, 33 denotes an expansion valve (expansion mechanism), and 64 denotes an evaporator. These are connected in order by piping, and a refrigerant is sealed to constitute a heat pump device. , C 0 ₂ refrigerant Ru ο brought into a supercritical state is filled in the heat radiation side as a refrigerant. The difference from the first embodiment is that the drying air is dehumidified by the evaporator 64 and condensed and generated, and the drain water is received by the drain water receiver 65 and the drain water stored in the drain water receiver 65 is stored. This is the point where the pump water is pumped up by the pump 66 and the spray mechanism 6 is provided to spray the drain water to the radiator 62.

The solid arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the flow of the refrigerant, the white arrows indicate the flow of the drying air, and the hatched arrows indicate the flow of the outside air. The drying air flows from below the drying target 36 in the order of the evaporator 64 and the radiator 62. That is, the evaporator 64 was installed on the windward side of the radiator 62 and below the radiator 62.

Next, the operation will be described. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 31 into a state of high temperature and high pressure, and the radiator 62 exchanges heat with the drying air exiting the evaporator 64 to heat the drying air, thereby cooling the refrigerant. Then, the pressure is reduced by the expansion mechanism 33 to a low-temperature and low-pressure state, and the evaporator 64 exchanges heat with the drying air that has passed through the drying target 36, and cools the drying air to be included in the drying air. The condensed water is condensed and dehumidified, so that the refrigerant is heated and sucked into the compressor 31 again. Therefore, the drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 64, then heated by the radiator 62 to become high temperature and low humidity, and when it is forcibly brought into contact with the drying target 36 by the blower fan 37, the drying target is Moisture is deprived from 36, and the temperature is lowered by heat exchange with the outside air in the crude heat removal heat exchanger 38, and is further dehumidified by the evaporator 64 again.

In the present embodiment, the drain water that has been decondensed and produced by dehumidifying the drying air in the evaporator 64 is received in the drain water receiver 65, and the drain water stored in the drain water receiver 65 is pumped up by the pump 66. Since the radiator 62 is sprayed by using the spray mechanism 67, a constant amount of drain water can be stably sprayed over the entire surface of the radiator 62. Therefore, a liquid film of the drain water is uniformly formed on the entire surface of the radiator 62. Then, in the radiator 62, sensible heat exchange with drying air and latent heat exchange with drain water are performed, and heat transfer is promoted. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator 62 is increased, and heat transfer with the refrigerant flowing in the radiator 62 is promoted, so that the size of the radiator 62 can be further reduced. It becomes. Therefore, the size of the heat pump device can be reduced.

Also, since heat transfer at the radiator 62 is promoted, the refrigerant at the outlet of the radiator 62 is As the temperature drops, the cooling capacity of the evaporator 64 increases, which saves energy. Furthermore, a transcritical refrigeration cycle that becomes a supercritical state on the heat radiation side is not achieved, and the temperature of the refrigerant at the radiator 62 outlet is reduced, which has the effect of greatly improving the refrigeration cycle COP. Can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, the drain water produced by dehumidifying the drying air in the evaporator 64 and being condensed is supplied to the radiator 62 by the pump 66, but external water is used instead of drain water. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained.

In addition, the drying air is forcibly flowed from above to below the drying target 36 to bring them into contact with each other, deprives the drying target 36 of moisture, and is dried. Heat pump dryer is suitable for a vertical washing machine with a dryer]!

In the present embodiment, a configuration is described in which the drying air is forced to flow downward from above from the drying target 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Even in the configuration in which the drying air is forced to flow from below to the drying target 36 as in Embodiment 2, the drain water condensed and generated in the evaporator 64 is radiated by the pump 66 to the radiator 62. It is needless to say that the same effect can be obtained by supplying

(Embodiment 4)

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the drying apparatus according to the fourth embodiment shown in the figure, a compressor 1, a radiator 2, a squeezing device 3, and an evaporator 4 are sequentially connected by pipes, and a refrigerant flows as indicated by a solid line arrow. A pump device. Further, a drying chamber 5, a circulation duct 6, a blower fan, a water spray mechanism 8, a drain water receiver 9, and a recovery mechanism 10 are provided.

The drying air circulating as indicated by the white arrow M is sent by the blower fan, enters the circulation duct 6 from below the drying chamber 5, passes through the evaporator 4 and the radiator 2 in this order. The drying chamber 5 is configured to flow upward. That is, the evaporator 4 is installed on the windward side of the radiator 2 and below the radiator 2.

In addition, a water sprinkling mechanism 8 for supplying water from the outside with piping or the like is installed on the leeward side of the radiator 2 and in the direction of gravity above the radiator 2. Furthermore, the drain water receiver 9 is installed on the windward side of the evaporator 4 and below the evaporator 4 in the direction of gravity. And the collection mechanism 10 It is configured to be installed between the radiator 2 and the evaporator 4.

Next, the operation of the drying apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

When the operation of the heat pump device is started, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 1 to be in a state of high temperature and high pressure, exits the evaporator 4 in the radiator 2 and exchanges heat with the drying air to convert the drying air. It is cooled by heating. Then, the air is decompressed by the expansion device 3 and becomes a low-temperature low-pressure state. The evaporator 4 exchanges heat with the drying air through the drying object 16 to cool the drying air, and the water contained in the drying air is cooled. By condensing and dehumidifying the refrigerant, the refrigerant is heated and sucked into the compressor 1 again.

On the other hand, the drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 4 and then heated by the radiator 2 to become high-temperature and low-humidity, sent to the drying chamber 5 by the blower fan 7 and forcedly contact the drying target 16. . At this time, moisture is taken from the object 16 to be dried to be in a humid state, and the evaporator 4 cools and dehumidifies it again. By repeating the above operation, a drying operation for removing moisture from the drying target 16 placed in the drying chamber 5 can be performed.The watering mechanism 8 drops water to the radiator 2 from above. Or spray. The drain water receiver 9 receives the drain water that has fallen from the evaporator 4 and discharges the stored drain water to the outside. Further, the recovery mechanism 10 recovers the moisture contained in the drying air by exposing the drying air between the radiator 2 and the evaporator 4 to low-temperature outside air. However, since the water spray mechanism 8 is used to drop or spray water to the radiator 2, it is possible to stably and uniformly spray a certain amount of water over the entire surface of the radiator 2. Therefore, a liquid film of water is uniformly formed on the entire surface of the radiator 2. That is, in the radiator 2, the sensible heat exchange with the drying air and the latent heat exchange with the water are performed, and the heat transfer is promoted. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator 2 increases, and heat transfer with the refrigerant flowing in the radiator 2 is promoted, so that the size of the radiator 2 can be further reduced. Therefore, the size of the heat pump device can be reduced. .

The water that is cooled by the evaporator 4 and dehumidifies the drying air to form condensation is dropped into the drain water receiver 9 and discharged to the outside, but the water in the air downstream of the evaporator 4 is removed. However, the condensed water is condensed by the recovery mechanism 10 disposed at a position where it comes into contact with low-temperature outside air, and is discharged to the outside, whereby the removal of water in the object 16 to be dried can be further promoted. Further, the recovery mechanism 10 may be configured not only to be brought into contact with the outside air but also to be forcibly cooled by a fan or the like, so that the drying of the object 16 to be dried can be further promoted.

Further, since the heat transfer in the radiator 2 is promoted, the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the radiator 2 decreases, and the cooling capacity in the evaporator 4 increases, thereby saving energy. Furthermore, since the transcritical refrigeration cycle is in a supercritical state on the heat radiation side of the refrigerant, the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the radiator 2 drops, and the refrigeration cycle COP can be greatly improved. Energy can be saved.

Still, the drying air is forced to flow from above to below the drying target 16 to bring them into contact with each other, deprive the drying target 16 of moisture and dry, and heat pump drying from below the drying target 16 Since it is designed to flow into a machine, it has the characteristic that a heat pump dryer is suitable for a vertical washing machine with a dryer.

(Embodiment 5)

Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In Embodiment 5 of the drawings, the same components as those in Embodiment 4 of FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. ,

The drying device according to the fifth embodiment is different from the configuration according to the fourth embodiment in that the drain water stored in the drain water receiver 9 is pumped up by a pump 14 and supplied through a pipe or the like, and then dropped into the radiator 2 or Spraying mechanism 8a for spraying is different.

In the drying apparatus of the present embodiment, low-temperature drain water condensed and generated in the evaporator 4 is dropped or sprayed on the radiator 2, so that latent heat exchange is performed with a larger temperature difference from the refrigerant temperature of the radiator 2, Since the pressure on the high pressure side of the heat pump device can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the required power of the compressor, that is, to save energy of the heat pump device.

(Embodiment 6)

Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 8 shows FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram illustrating a drying device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In Embodiment 6 in FIG. 8, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in Embodiment 4 in FIG. 6, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The drying device according to the sixth embodiment differs from the configuration according to the fourth embodiment in the configuration for circulating the drying air and the water spraying mechanism.

That is, the drying air enters the circulation duct 6 from above the drying chamber 5, passes through the evaporator 4 and the radiator 2 in this order, is sent by the blower fan, and circulates below the drying chamber 5 and flows. And

Then, the evaporator 4 is installed on the windward side of the radiator 2 and above the radiator 2 in the direction of gravity, and drain water generated by dehumidification by the evaporator 4 is dropped on the radiator 2 by gravity wind. Constitutes a watering mechanism. In addition, a drain water receiver 9 is installed on the leeward side of the radiator 2, in the direction of gravity, below the radiator 2, and the drain water that has dropped from the evaporator 4 and passed through the radiator 2 is stored in the drain water receiver 9. It has a configuration.

When the operation of the heat pump device is started, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 1 to be in a state of high temperature and high pressure, exits the evaporator 4 in the radiator 2 and exchanges heat with the drying air to convert the drying air. It is cooled by heating. Then, the pressure is reduced by the expansion device 3 to a low-temperature and low-pressure state, and the evaporator 4 exchanges heat with the drying air that has passed through the drying target 16 to cool the drying air, and removes the moisture contained in the drying air. By condensing and dehumidifying, the refrigerant is heated and sucked into the compressor 1 again.

On the other hand, the drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 4 and then heated by the radiator 2 to become high-temperature and low-humidity, sent to the drying chamber 5 by the blower fan 7 and forcedly contact the drying target 16. Can be At this time, moisture is taken from the object 16 to be dried to be in a humid state, and the evaporator 4 cools and dehumidifies it again. By repeating the above operation, a drying operation for removing moisture from the drying target 16 placed in the drying chamber 5 can be performed, and the drain water generated in the evaporator 4 can be removed by the watering mechanism. Drop onto the radiator 2 from above due to gravity. The drain water stored in the drain water receiver 9 is discharged to the outside. Further, as in Embodiment 4, the recovery mechanism 10 is connected to the radiator 2 The drying air flowing between the generators 4 is brought into contact with low-temperature outside air to perform an operation of recovering the moisture contained in the drying air.

In the drying device of the present embodiment, the evaporator 4 exchanges heat with the humid drying air that has passed through the drying object 16 to cool the drying air, and removes the moisture contained in the drying air from the evaporator 4. The condensed water is condensed on the fin surface, and the resulting drain water is dropped onto the radiator 2 using the shear force generated by gravity and blast, so that the radiator 2 can exchange sensible heat with the drying air. Latent heat exchange with drain water is performed, and heat transfer is promoted. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator 2 increases, and heat transfer with the refrigerant flowing in the radiator 2 is promoted, so that the size of the radiator 2 is made approximately equal to the size of the evaporator 4, The size of the drying device can be reduced.

Further, compared to the configuration of the fourth or fifth embodiment, the water can be brought into contact with the radiator 2 only by the gravity and the shearing force due to the blast without the need for water supply or pump power. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the size of the drying apparatus and save energy.

In the fourth to sixth embodiments, the configuration in which the expansion valve is used for the expansion device 3 has been described. However, it is needless to say that the same effect can be obtained by using a capillary tube. In the sixth embodiment, the sprinkler system using the drain water generated in the evaporator 4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It is needless to say that the same effect can be obtained even if the water sprinkling mechanism is configured to use water supply from the pump or pump power.

(Embodiment)

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In the end of the embodiment in FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the sixth embodiment in FIG. 8, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The drying device according to the seventh embodiment is different from the configuration according to the sixth embodiment in that a first evaporator 4a and a second evaporator 4b, a first circulation duct 6a and a second circulation duct 6b and a first drain water receiver 9a and a second drain water receiver 9b. That is, the drying air enters the first circulation duct 6 a from above the drying chamber 5, Pass through evaporator 4a of 1. After that, it enters the second circulation duct 6b, passes through the second evaporator 4b and the radiator 2 in that order, is sent by the blower fan, and circulates to the lower part of the drying chamber 5 to flow. I do.

Also, the first evaporator 4a is installed on the windward side of the second evaporator 4b.

In addition, the first drain water receiver 9a is installed on the leeward side of the first evaporator 4a and below the first evaporator 4a in the direction of gravity, and is generated by dehumidification by the first evaporator 4a. The collected drain water is received by the first drain water receiver 9a, and a drainage mechanism is configured to discharge the stored drain water to the outside.

Then, the second evaporator 4 b is located on the windward side of the radiator 2,

5 or I, the drain water generated by dehumidification by the second evaporator 4b is dropped on the heat radiator 2 by gravity or wind power to form a water spray mechanism.

In addition, a drain water receiver 9 b is installed on the leeward side of the radiator 2, in the direction of gravity, below the radiator 2, and the drain water that has dropped from the second evaporator 4 b and passed through the radiator 2 is It is configured to store in the drain water receiver 9 b of 2.

When the operation of the heat pump device is started, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 1 to be in a state of high temperature and high pressure, exits the second evaporator 4b in the radiator 2, and exchanges heat with the drying air. It is cooled by heating the drying air. Then, the pressure is reduced by the squeezing device 3 to be in a state of low temperature and low pressure, and the first evaporator 4a and the second evaporator 4b exchange heat with the drying air that has passed through the drying target 16 to cool the drying air. Then, by condensing and dehumidifying the water contained in the drying air, the refrigerant is heated and sucked into the compressor 1 again, while the drying air is supplied to the first evaporator 4a and the second evaporator 4a. After being cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator 4 b, it is heated by the radiator 2 to become high temperature and low humidity, sent to the drying chamber 5 by the blower fan 7, and forcedly contact the drying target 16. At this time, moisture is deprived from the drying target 16 to be in a humid state, and is cooled and dehumidified again by the first evaporator 4a and the second evaporator 4b. By repeating the above operations, a drying operation of entering the drying chamber 5 and removing moisture from the drying target 16 can be performed.

In addition, the sprinkling mechanism causes the drain water generated in the second evaporator 4b to fall into gravity or the like. Drop the radiator 2 from above. The drain water stored in the second drain water receiver 9b is discharged to the outside. Further, similarly to the fifth embodiment, the recovery mechanism 1 、 allows the drying air flowing between the second evaporator 4 b and the radiator 2 to be exposed to low-temperature outside air and includes the drying air in the drying air. Perform the operation to collect the water that is collected.

In the drying device of the present embodiment, a first drain water receiver 9a is provided below the first evaporator 4a, and the radiator 2 is arranged below the second evaporator 4b. . With this configuration, the humid drying air passing through the drying target 16 exchanges heat with the first evaporator 4a, and is condensed and generated by the first evaporator 4a. Drops on 9a and is discharged outside. Then, the drying air after heat exchange with the first evaporator 4a exchanges heat with the second evaporator 4b, and the moisture condensed and generated by the second evaporator 4b becomes a radiator. By dropping on the radiator 2, the radiator 2 performs sensible heat exchange with the drying air and latent heat exchange with the drain water, thereby promoting heat transfer. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator 2 increases, and heat transfer with the refrigerant flowing in the radiator 2 is promoted, so that the size of the radiator 2 is made approximately equal to the size of the evaporator. The size of the drying device can be reduced.

In addition, by dividing the evaporator into the first evaporator 4a and the second evaporator 4b in this way, the water condensed and generated in the first evaporator 4a is reduced to the first drain. Water can be reliably discharged from the water receiver 9a. Therefore, as compared with the sixth embodiment, the water that cannot be completely condensed can be more reliably recovered by the recovery mechanism 10, so that the time required for removing the water from the object 16 to be dried is reduced, and further energy saving is achieved. Can be achieved.

(Embodiment 8)

Hereinafter, Embodiment 8 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a drying apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The drying apparatus according to the eighth embodiment is different from the configuration according to the eighth embodiment in that a drying circuit is provided.

That is, the bypass circuit is provided between the first evaporator 4a and the second evaporator 4b. A three-way valve 12 connects the three-way valve 12 to the inlet of the compressor 1 and is formed by a bypass pipe 13.

When the operation of the heat pump device is started, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 1 to be in a state of high temperature and high pressure, exits the second evaporator 4b in the radiator 2, and exchanges heat with the drying air. It is cooled by heating the drying air. Then, the pressure is reduced by the expansion device 3 to be in a state of low temperature and low pressure. Furthermore, after being heated by exchanging heat with the drying air that has passed through the drying object 16 in the first evaporator 4a, the heat is flown in the direction A by the three-way valve 12 and is then sent to the second evaporator 4b. The refrigerant flows in and exchanges heat with the drying air again to condense and dehumidify the water contained in the drying air, whereby the refrigerant is heated and sucked into the compressor 1.

On the other hand, the drying air is cooled and dehumidified by the first evaporator 4a and the second evaporator 4b, then heated by the radiator 2 to become high temperature and low humidity, and sent to the drying chamber 5 by the blower fan 7. The dry object is forcibly brought into contact with 16. At this time, moisture is taken from the drying target 16 to be in a humid state, and is cooled and dehumidified again by the first evaporator 4a and the second evaporator 4b.

After a lapse of T minutes (for example, 60 minutes) from the start of the operation of the heat pump, the refrigerant is exchanged with the first evaporator 4a by controlling the three-way valve 12 to switch to the B direction. After that, it flows to the bypass pipe 13 and is sucked into the compressor 1. Therefore, since the refrigerant does not flow through the second evaporator 4b, the drain water does not drop to the radiator 2, and the moisture re-evaporated by the radiator 2 can be suppressed. By repeating the above operations, a drying operation for removing moisture from the drying target 16 placed inside the drying chamber 5 can be performed.

In the drying apparatus of the present embodiment, a bypass circuit including a three-way valve 12 and a bypass pipe 13 is provided, and by changing the flow direction, a radiator is provided after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of the heat pump operation. Since the re-evaporated water can be suppressed in step 2, the water in the object 16 to be dried can be reliably removed.

In the drying apparatus according to the first to fifth embodiments, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing to the heat radiator 2 of the heat pump device is set to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of water (illustration and description are omitted). good. According to this configuration, the temperature of the drain water dropped onto the radiator 2 is adjusted to the boiling point of water. It can be heated to a temperature above the point. Thereby, growth of mold and the like generated on the fins of the radiator 2 can be suppressed or reduced.

(Embodiment 9)

Embodiment 9 Embodiment 9 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. FIG. 11 shows a drying apparatus according to the ninth embodiment in which a refrigerant (for example, C〇 ₂ ) whose pressure on the high pressure side is in a supercritical state is used for the heat pump apparatus according to the fourth to ninth embodiments. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a change in the temperature of the refrigerant and the air in the radiator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a change in the temperature of the refrigerant and the air in the radiator in the case of using the Freon refrigerant.

That is, as shown in Fig. 12, in the case of a CFC refrigerant, the heat exchanger in the radiator 2 changes its state from a superheated state to a gas-liquid two-phase state and a supercooled state, and exchanges heat with air. The outlet air temperature rises to C.

On the other hand, when the pressure on the high pressure side is in a supercritical state and the refrigerant is a poor refrigerant of C 熱₂ in which heat exchange of the radiator 2 can be performed in a supercritical state, as shown in FIG. The heat exchange takes place without phase change. Therefore, the temperature difference Δt between the air outlet temperature and the refrigerant inlet temperature can be made smaller than the temperature difference Δ 場合 when using a Freon refrigerant, and the air outlet temperature of the radiator 2 becomes D. That is, if the refrigerant inlet temperature To is the same temperature, the air outlet temperature D when using the CO ₂ refrigerant can be made higher than the air outlet temperature C when merging with CFCs. . Accordingly, the ability to remove moisture from the drying target 16 is increased, and drying can be performed in a short time.

In the drying apparatus of the ninth embodiment, the drying air temperature can be further increased by operating the pressure on the high pressure side of the heat pump apparatus at a supercritical pressure. Therefore, the drying time can be shortened, and the drying device can be operated with high efficiency.

The drying apparatus described in the above embodiment can be used not only as a clothes dryer and a bathroom dryer, but also as a tableware dryer and a garbage disposal dryer. Industrial applicability

As is clear from the above description, according to the drying device of the present invention, water is dropped or sprayed on the radiator by using the water spray mechanism. The sensible heat exchange with the working air and the latent heat exchange with the drain water are performed. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the radiator increases, and the heat transfer with the refrigerant flowing in the radiator is promoted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the radiator and the size of the heat pump type drying device. Further, since the heat transfer in the radiator is promoted, the Agego with refrigerant can be brought into a supercritical state on the heat radiation side of the refrigeration cycle such as C_〇 ₂ as a refrigerant, the refrigerant temperature at the radiator exit drop And the cooling capacity of the evaporator is increased, it is possible to realize a more efficient heat pump type drying apparatus.

Further, according to the drying device of the present invention, the low-temperature drain water condensed and generated in the evaporator is dropped or sprayed on the radiator, thereby performing latent heat exchange with a larger temperature difference from the refrigerant temperature of the radiator, Since the pressure on the high pressure side of the heat pump device can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the required power of the compressor, that is, to save energy of the heat pump device.

Further, according to the drying apparatus of the present invention, the drain water condensed and generated in the evaporator is dropped on the radiator by utilizing the shear force generated by gravity and blast, so that water supply and pump power <Since the water can be brought into contact with the heatsink only by gravity and shearing force due to air blowing, energy can be further saved.

Further, according to the drying device of the present invention, by dividing the evaporator into the first evaporator and the second evaporator, the water condensed and generated in the first evaporator is surely received by the drain water receiver. Since the water can be discharged to the outside, the water that cannot be completely condensed by the recovery mechanism can be collected more reliably, the time required for removing the water to be dried can be shortened, and further energy saving can be achieved.

Further, according to the drying device of the present invention, a three-way valve is provided between the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and the flow direction is changed, so that the radiator after a certain time from the start of the operation of the heat pump. Since the water that re-evaporates can be suppressed, the water to be dried can be reliably removed.

Further, according to the drying device of the present invention, the refrigerant flowing through the radiator has a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of water, thereby heating the temperature of the drain water dripped onto the radiator and generating the fins of the radiator. The growth of mold and the like can be suppressed or reduced. Further, according to the drying apparatus of the present invention, by operating the heat pump apparatus at the supercritical pressure at the high pressure side, the temperature of the drying air can be further increased, so that the drying time can be further reduced. This makes it possible to operate the drying device with high efficiency.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1 A heat pump device is provided in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of a compressor, a radiator, a throttle device, and an evaporator, and the air heated by the radiator is guided to a drying chamber, and the air exiting from the drying chamber is evaporated. A drying device for dehumidifying in a radiator, dehumidifying in the evaporator, and heating the air again in the radiator, comprising a water spray mechanism for dropping or spraying water on the radiator.

2. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water spray mechanism drops or sprays drain water generated by dehumidifying the air in the evaporator.

3. The drying device according to claim 1, further comprising a recovery mechanism configured to recover moisture contained in air between the evaporator and the radiator. .

(4) The evaporator and the radiator include a heat transfer tube and fins, and have a mechanism for pumping drain water generated by dehumidifying the drying air by the evaporator and spraying the drain water to the radiator. The drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

5 A heat pump device that circulates a refrigerant in the order of a compressor, a radiator, a throttle device, and an evaporator is provided. The air heated by the radiator is guided to a drying chamber, and the air exiting from the drying chamber is evaporated. A drying device for heating the air dehumidified by the evaporator again by the radiator, wherein the evaporator is installed above the radiator, and is generated by dehumidification by the evaporator. A drying apparatus, comprising: a sprinkler mechanism for dropping or spraying drain water onto the radiator.

6. The drying device according to claim 5, wherein the drain water is dropped on the radiator by gravity or wind force.

7. The drying device according to claim 6, wherein the fins constituting the evaporator are provided with irregularities on the lower end surface in the direction of gravity.

8. The drying device according to claim 5, wherein the fins constituting the evaporator are corrugated fins obtained by bending a fin base material.

(9) The evaporator and the radiator include a heat transfer tube and fins, and a mechanism for pumping drain water generated by dehumidifying the drying air by the evaporator and spraying the drain water to the radiator. A drying device according to claim 5, which is characterized in that:

10 A recovery machine for recovering moisture contained in the air between the evaporator and the radiator The drying device according to claim 5, comprising a frame.

11 1 a refrigerant, a heat pump device that circulates in order of a compressor, a radiator, a throttle device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator, is heated by the radiator, and guides air to a drying chamber; The air exiting the drying chamber is dehumidified by the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and the air dehumidified by the first evaporator and the second evaporator is heated again by the radiator. A drain device for discharging drain water generated by dehumidification by the first evaporator; and a drip or spray of drain water generated by dehumidification by the second evaporator to the radiator. A drying device comprising a watering mechanism.

12. The drying device according to claim 11, further comprising a recovery mechanism that recovers moisture contained in air between the second evaporator and the radiator.

13. The drying device according to claim 11, wherein the heat pump device has a bypass circuit that allows the refrigerant to bypass the second evaporator.

14. The drying device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the heat pump device sets the temperature of the solvent flowing through the radiator to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of water.

15 The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the heat pump device is operated so that the high-pressure side pressure becomes a supercritical pressure.

16 The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant.