WO2021112025A1

WO2021112025A1 - Dehumidification device and dehumidification method

Info

Publication number: WO2021112025A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/044408
Authority: WO
Inventors: 伸基崎川
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2019-12-05
Filing date: 2020-11-30
Publication date: 2021-06-10
Also published as: JPWO2021112025A1

Abstract

A dehumidification device (1A) comprises an accommodation part (21) for accommodating a moisture absorbing material (22) having a first state capable of absorbing water and a second state to release water absorbed in the first state. The accommodation part (21) is formed so that a pressure in the accommodation part (21) becomes higher than a pressure in front of an opening (21a) by the introduction of air through the opening (21a). This can increase the water adsorption rate of the moisture absorbing material.

Description

Dehumidifying device and dehumidifying method

The present invention relates to a dehumidifying device and a dehumidifying method.

Conventionally, two types of dehumidifying devices and humidity control devices, a refrigeration cycle type and a zeolite type, are generally used.

The refrigeration cycle type is a method in which a compressor (compressor) is built in and the indoor air is cooled by an evaporator (evaporator) to condense and dehumidify the moisture in the air.

On the other hand, the zeolite type uses a hygroscopic porous material such as zeolite processed into a rotor shape. Specifically, the rotor temporarily absorbs the moisture (water vapor) contained in the indoor air. Next, the high-temperature warm air created by the electric heater is applied to the moisture-absorbed rotor, the moisture in the rotor is taken out as high-temperature and high-humidity air, and the air is cooled by the indoor air to create the high-temperature and high-humidity air. Dehumidify by condensing humidity.

As an example of the former refrigeration cycle type, for example, the dehumidifier disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. As an example of the latter zeolite type, the dehumidifier disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the dehumidifier disclosed in Patent Document 3 are known.

There is also a dehumidifying device disclosed in Patent Document 4, for example, which combines the characteristics of both.

Furthermore, as a large-scale air-conditioning system, a so-called desiccant air-conditioning system that performs air-conditioning such as cooling by utilizing the adsorption and desorption of water by a zeolite type using an adsorbent such as silica gel and activated carbon having hygroscopicity is also widespread. As an example of the desiccant air conditioning system, for example, the open suction type air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 5 is known. Highly efficient humidity control systems, including this desiccant air conditioning system, are still being actively developed in response to the demand for global environmental protection.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-310485 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-259349 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-144833 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-34838 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-301014 Japanese Patent No. 6159822 Japanese Patent No. 6349556

By the way, there are a plurality of high hygroscopic materials used in zeolite dehumidifiers and desiccant air conditioning systems, including zeolite and silica gel. There are few practical examples of using a stimulus-responsive material as a moisture-absorbing material, but examples thereof include (Patent Documents 6 and 7), and the material having a stimulus-responsive property due to heat or the like used here is also, for example, pNIPAM (poly N-isopropylacrylamide). And multiple materials such as composite materials with acrylic acid can be considered.

However, the conventional dehumidifying device and dehumidifying material did not have a sufficient moisture absorption rate. Increasing the rate of moisture absorption led to more efficient dehumidification, and it was a motivation to pursue diligent research, recognizing that it is a technical issue indispensable for energy saving.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is a stimulus-responsive hygroscopic material composed of IPN or semi-IPN of a stimulus-responsive polymer and a hydrophilic polymer, a composite material thereof, an acrylic system, or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dehumidifying device and a dehumidifying method or an air moisture collecting method capable of increasing the hygroscopicity rate of a hygroscopic material such as a polymer material, zeolite, silica gel, or calcium chloride.

In order to solve the above problems, the dehumidifying device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a stimulus-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to an external stimulus and a hydrophilic polymer. Various moisture-absorbing material particles, films, and blocks including a moisture-absorbing material containing a dried body of a polymer gel containing the same are accommodated, and an introduction hole for introducing air from the outside is formed in the contained moisture-absorbing material to absorb moisture. The moisture absorbing material accommodating portion is provided with a material accommodating portion, and the pressure (atmospheric pressure) in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion becomes higher than the pressure (atmospheric pressure) in front of the introduction hole due to the introduction of air from the introduction hole. It is characterized in that it is formed like this.

Further, the dehumidifying method according to one aspect of the present invention is a dried product of a polymer gel containing a stimulus-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to an external stimulus and a hydrophilic polymer. It is a dehumidifying method using various hygroscopic material particles, films, blocks, especially polymer hygroscopic hygroscopic materials including a hygroscopic material containing, and has an introduction hole for introducing air and an introduction hole. It is characterized in that air is introduced from the introduction hole in a state where the moisture absorbing material is accommodated in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion whose surface facing the surface is made of a member that does not allow air to pass through.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the rate of water adsorption (absorption) to the hygroscopic material can be increased.

It is the schematic sectional drawing of the dehumidifying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the moisture absorption unit provided in the dehumidifying apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows each structure such as the arrangement position of the hygroscopic material for checking the hygroscopicity. It is a graph which shows the hygroscopicity corresponding to each configuration shown in FIG. A modified example of the moisture absorbing unit is shown, where FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the dehumidifying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the dehumidifying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the modification of the dehumidifying apparatus shown in FIG. 7. It is a schematic block diagram of the dehumidifying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the dehumidifying apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

(Configuration of dehumidifier)
The configuration of the dehumidifying device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dehumidifying device 1A at the time of moisture absorption when viewed from the side surface. The temperature-sensitive polymer gel dried body as the hygroscopic material 22 used in the dehumidifying device 1A adsorbs moisture (water vapor) in the air on its surface and absorbs it inside. This is called settlement. Here, it is the water inside the gel that causes dehydration by raising the temperature to the temperature sensitive point (LCST: Lower Critical Solution Temperature) and producing liquid water. Therefore, in the present specification, in the sense of emphasis, moisture absorption is defined as "absorption of water (water vapor)", and the method of discharging liquid water from the gel surface is defined as "dehydration or release of water".

As shown in FIG. 1, the dehumidifying device 1A of the present embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 2. The housing 2 has an intake port 3 having a grid 3a formed on the upper front surface, an exhaust port 4 having a grid 4a formed on the upper rear surface, and a drainage port 4 formed on the lower front side, which will be described later. A drainage tank accommodating portion 5 for accommodating the tank 6 is provided. The housing 2 is made of resin or metal. The shape of the housing 2 is not necessarily limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be, for example, another polygonal cylinder shape, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylinder shape, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, an air flow wall 11 forming an air flow passage 10 is formed in the upper part inside the dehumidifying device 1A. In the air flow passage 10, in order from the inlet side, which is the front side of the housing 2, the intake port 3 provided with the grid 3a, the blower fan 13, the intake throttle 12, the moisture absorption unit 20A, and the exhaust port provided with the grid 4a are provided. 4 is provided.

Further, on the lower side of the air flow wall 11 forming the air flow passage 10, a water droplet receiving portion 14 for receiving water droplets dropped from the moisture absorbing unit 20A is formed below the moisture absorbing unit 20A. The lower end of the water drop receiving portion 14 has an opening 14a, and the drainage tank 6 having an opening 6a formed at the upper end is provided below the opening 14a.

The intake port 3 is for taking in the air in the room where the dehumidifying device 1A is installed.

The intake throttle 12 is provided before the flow of the moisture absorption unit 20A is obtained. The opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12 is formed to be the same as or slightly larger than the arrangement surface of the moisture absorbing material 22 of the moisture absorbing unit 20A. The intake throttle 12 narrows down the moist air flowing in from the intake port 3 so as to hit almost the entire surface of the moisture absorbing material 22. In this way, when the moist air flowing in from the intake port 3 hits the entire surface of the moisture absorbing material 22, the moist air can be efficiently dehumidified by the moisture absorbing material 22.

The blower fan 13 is arranged between the intake port 3 and the intake throttle 12 in the housing 2. The blower fan 13 is preferably arranged directly below the intake port 3. Further, it is more preferable that the blower fan 13 is arranged near the moisture absorbing material 22 (upwind) or near the moisture absorbing material 22 via the intake throttle 12. In addition to the arrangement in the vicinity, an air passage (which may be long) that also serves as or is added to the intake throttle 12 may be provided, and the blower fan 13 may be arranged at the inlet or inside thereof.

By arranging the blower fan 13 near the windward side of the moisture absorbing material 22 in this way, the air can be directly pressed against the moisture absorbing material 22 by the blower fan 13 from the intake port 3. That is, the effect of pressurization and positive pressure on the hygroscopic material 22 becomes large, and the hygroscopic material 22 absorbs moisture at high speed. Moreover, since the blower fan 13 is larger than the diameter of the opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12, it is possible to blow more wind toward the intake throttle 12. As a result, more wind is discharged from the opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12, and the pressurization / positive pressure on the moisture absorbing material 22 can be increased.

The moisture absorbing unit 20A has the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment, and absorbs the moisture contained in the air flowing into the dehumidifying device 1A and releases it as water droplets. The detailed structure of the moisture absorption unit 20A will be described later.

The air flow wall 11 forming the air flow passage 10 is formed so as to have a gap between it and the outer shape of the moisture absorption unit 20A. As a result, the moist air flowing in from the intake port 3 hits the entire surface of the hygroscopic material 22 of the hygroscopic unit 20A to be dehumidified, and then moves from both ends of the hygroscopic unit 20A to the air flow passages 10 to flow with the hygroscopic unit 20A. It passes between the wall 11 and exits from the exhaust port 4.

The floor of the water droplet receiving portion 14 formed on the lower side of the moisture absorbing material 22 of the air flow wall 11 is formed to have a downward slope toward the opening 14a. As a result, the water droplets dropped from the moisture absorbing material 22 do not collect in the water droplet receiving portion 14.

The water droplets discharged from the water droplet receiving portion 14 fall from the opening 14a and collect in the drainage tank 6. When the drainage tank 6 is full of water, the drainage tank 6 can be pulled out from the drainage tank accommodating portion 5, so that the water in the drainage tank 6 can be easily discarded. As a result, in the present embodiment, the front surface of the drainage tank 6 is preferably made of a transparent member such as glass so that the water level of the accumulated water can be confirmed.

(Moisture absorption unit 20A)
Next, the configuration of the moisture absorption unit 20A of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the moisture absorbing unit 20A having the moisture absorbing material 22 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the moisture absorbing unit 20A of the present embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped accommodating portion (moisture absorbing material accommodating portion) 21 having an opening 21a having an opening on one side, and a hygroscopic material accommodating in the accommodating portion 21. It is composed of 22 and a heater 23 as a heating portion provided on the back surface of the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21.

The accommodating portion 21 is made of, for example, resin, and the bottom surface 21b is configured to prevent air from passing through. The base material of the accommodating portion 21 is not limited to resin, but may be metal or ceramic. Further, the accommodating portion 21 preferably has a high thermal conductivity. Further, the shape of the accommodating portion 21 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be a cube, a sphere, or the like. Further, the accommodating portion 21 may be a plate-shaped member. In this case, the moisture absorbing material 22 may be fixed to the plate-shaped portion. What is important here is that the accommodating portion 21 is configured so as not to pass through in the direction in which the wind blows (leeward side). Further, the accommodating portion 21 may be formed so as to flow in a direction different from the direction in which the wind hits the moisture absorbing material 22 and then hits the moisture absorbing material 22. For example, the portion of the accommodating portion 21 through which the wind does not pass does not necessarily have to be at a position where the opening 21a, which is a wind introduction hole, faces the bottom surface 21b vertically, and is formed at a position facing the bottom surface 21b with an inclination. You may. That is, in the accommodating portion 21, the wind introduced from the opening 21a may hit the bottom surface 21b from an oblique direction.

Air is introduced from the opening 21a with the moisture absorbing material 22 accommodated in the accommodating portion 21 having the above configuration. In this case, since the air (wind) is blown toward the bottom surface 21b whose surface facing the opening 21a which is the introduction hole for introducing air in the accommodating portion 21 is a member which does not allow air to pass through, the accommodating portion 21. Air stays in 21. As a result, the pressure inside the accommodating portion 21 becomes higher than the pressure in front of the opening 21a of the accommodating portion 21.

As the air stays in the accommodating portion 21 in this way, the pressure in the accommodating portion 21 increases, so that the humidity or the vapor pressure also increases, and the moisture absorption rate in the accommodating hygroscopic material 22 can be improved. That is, the hygroscopic material 22 increases the hygroscopicity (water absorption amount per unit time) by applying wind pressure to the hygroscopic material 22.

(Moisture absorbent 22)
The hygroscopic material 22 housed in the accommodating portion 21 is made of a hygroscopic material of a polymer gel, and in the present embodiment, the hygroscopic material 22 is applied, for example, on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21.

The moisture absorbing material 22 has a first state in which it can absorb water and a second state in which it releases the water absorbed in the first state, and changes from the first state to the second state by an external stimulus. It has the property of changing and returning to the first state when the stimulus disappears. Specifically, the moisture absorbing material 22 has a property of exhibiting hydrophilicity in a temperature range below the temperature sensing point, which is a constant temperature, and exhibiting hydrophobicity in a temperature range exceeding the temperature sensing point. As a result, in the temperature range below the temperature sensing point, that is, in the temperature range of the dehumidifying target environment at room temperature, the moisture contained in the air introduced into the moisture absorbing unit 20A is absorbed, while in the temperature range exceeding the temperature sensing point, moisture is absorbed. It is designed to release water as water droplets. Since this phenomenon is a reversible operation, the moisture absorbing unit 20A repeatedly gives a temperature change to absorb the moisture contained in the air at room temperature and release the absorbed moisture as liquid water by heating. Can be repeated.

Here, in the present embodiment, a polymer gel containing, for example, N-isopropylacrylamide as a material of the hygroscopic material 22 (an example of particles in FIG. 2) which is in the form of particles, plates, blocks, or films). Is using. If the moisture absorbing material 22 has such a configuration, the hydrophilic state as the first state in which water can be absorbed by the stimulus of heat and the hydrophobic state as the second state in which the absorbed water is released are alternately transitioned. The configuration that can be achieved can be easily realized. Those skilled in the art can appropriately prepare a polymer hygroscopic material having desired properties by using a temperature-sensitive polymer such as poly N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM) and its derivative, polyvinyl ether and its derivative as a material. Is possible.

More specifically, as the temperature-responsive polymer which is the material of the moisture absorbing material 22, for example, poly (N-isopropyl (meth) acrylamide), poly (N-normal propyl (meth) acrylamide), poly (N-). Methyl (meth) acrylamide), poly (N-ethyl (meth) acrylamide), poly (N-normal butyl (meth) acrylamide), poly (N-isobutyl (meth) acrylamide), poly (N-t-butyl (meth) acrylamide), poly (N-t-butyl (meth) acrylamide) ) Poly (N-alkyl (meth) acrylamide) such as acrylamide); poly (N-vinylisopropylamide), poly (N-vinylnormalpropylamide), poly (N-vinylnormalbutylamide), poly (N-vinyl) Poly (N-vinylalkylamide) such as isobutylamide) and poly (N-vinyl-t-butylamide); poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone); poly (2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), poly (2-isopropyl-) Poly (2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) such as 2-oxazoline) and poly (2-normalpropyl-2-oxazoline); polyvinylalkyl ether such as polyvinylmethyl ether and polyvinylethyl ether; copolymerization of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide Combined; Poly (oxyethylene vinyl ether); Cellulous derivatives such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and the like, and copolymers of the above polymers can be mentioned. The temperature-responsive polymer is more preferably a crosslinked product of these polymers.

In the present invention, since the stimulus-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer form a mutually infiltrated polymer network structure or a semi-mutually infiltrated polymer network structure, at least the stimulus-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer are formed. Either is a crosslinked body.

When the temperature-responsive polymer is a crosslinked product, such crosslinked product includes, for example, N-isopropyl (meth) acrylamide, N-normalpropyl (meth) acrylamide, N-methyl (meth) acrylamide, and N-ethyl (meth). ) N-alkyl (meth) acrylamides such as acrylamide, N-normal butyl (meth) acrylamide, N-isobutyl (meth) acrylamide, Nt-butyl (meth) acrylamide; N-vinylisopropylamide, N-vinylnormalpropyl N-vinylalkylamides such as amides, N-vinylnormal butylamides, N-vinylisobutylamides and N-vinyl-t-butylamides; vinylalkyl ethers such as vinylmethyl ethers and vinylethyl ethers; ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; 2 Monomers such as 2-alkyl-2-oxazoline such as -ethyl-2-oxazoline, 2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline, 2-normalpropyl-2-oxazoline, or two or more of these monomers in the presence of a cross-linking agent. Examples of the polymer obtained by polymerization with.

As the above-mentioned cross-linking agent, conventionally known ones may be appropriately selected and used. For example, ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, propylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, N, N'-methylenebis (meth) acrylamide, tri. Crosslinkable monomers having polymerizable functional groups such as range isocyanate, divinylbenzene, polyethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate; glutaaldehyde; polyhydric alcohols; polyvalent amines; polyvalent carboxylic acids; metals such as calcium ions and zinc ions. Ions and the like can be preferably used. These cross-linking agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Alternatively, when the temperature-responsive polymer is a crosslinked product, the crosslinked product has a network structure in which an uncrosslinked temperature-responsive polymer, for example, the temperature-responsive polymer exemplified above is reacted with the cross-linking agent. It may be a crosslinked product obtained by forming the above.

Examples of the stimulus-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to light include photoresponsive polymers whose hydrophilicity or polarity changes with light, such as azobenzene derivatives and spiropyran derivatives. And a copolymer with at least one of a temperature-responsive polymer and a pH-responsive polymer, a crosslinked product of the photoresponsive polymer, or a crosslinked product of the copolymer. Furthermore, photoresponsiveness can be obtained by mixing a material that receives light and generates heat. Materials to be mixed include metal nanoparticles, graphite, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, conductive polymers, iron oxide fine particles, lanthanoid elements such as Hо and Tb, and polymer complexes.

Further, as the stimulus-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to an electric field, a polymer having a dissociating group such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, or an amino group, or a carboxyl group Examples thereof include a polymer in which a complex is formed by electrostatic interaction, a hydrogen bond, or the like, such as a complex of a containing polymer and an amino group-containing polymer, or a crosslinked product thereof.

Further, as the stimulus-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to pH, a polymer having a dissociating group such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, or an amino group, or a carboxyl group Examples thereof include a polymer in which a complex is formed by electrostatic interaction, a hydrogen bond, or the like, such as a complex of a containing polymer and an amino group-containing polymer, or a crosslinked product thereof.

The molecular weight of the stimulus-responsive polymer is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the number average molecular weight determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is 3000 or more.

(Hydrophilic polymer)
The hydrophilic polymer used in the hygroscopic material according to the present invention is hydrophilic other than the stimulus-responsive polymer forming a reciprocally infiltrated polymer network structure or a semi-mutually infiltrated polymer network structure together with the hydrophilic polymer. The polymer is not particularly limited.

Examples of such a hydrophilic polymer include a polymer having a hydrophilic group such as a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, and an amino group in a side chain or a main chain. As a more specific example of the hydrophilic polymer, for example, polysaccharides such as alginic acid and hyaluronic acid; chitosan; cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose; poly (meth) acrylic acid and polymaleic acid. , Polypolysulfonic acid, polyvinylbenzenesulfonic acid, polyacrylamidealkylsulfonic acid, polydimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylamide, and (meth) acrylamide, hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester, etc. Polymers, composites of polydimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol, composites of polyvinyl alcohol and poly (meth) acrylic acid, poly (meth) acrylonitrile, polyallylamine, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol , Poly (meth) acrylamide, poly-N, N'-dimethyl (meth) acrylamide, poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, poly-alkyl (meth) acrylate, polydimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylamide, poly (meth) acrylonitrile And a copolymer of the above polymer and the like. Further, the hydrophilic polymer is more preferably a crosslinked product of these.

In the present invention, the stimulus-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer form a mutually infiltrated polymer network structure or a semi-mutually infiltrated polymer network structure, and therefore at least one of the stimulus-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer. Is a crosslinked body.

When the hydrophilic polymer is a crosslinked product, such crosslinked product includes, for example, (meth) acrylic acid, allylamine, vinyl acetate, (meth) acrylamide, N, N'-dimethyl (meth) acrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl. Monomers such as methacrylate, alkyl (meth) acrylate, maleic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, vinyl benzene sulfonic acid, acrylamide alkyl sulfonic acid, dimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylamide, and (meth) acrylonitrile are polymerized in the presence of a cross-linking agent. Examples of the obtained polymer can be mentioned.

Alternatively, when the temperature-responsive polymer is a crosslinked product, the crosslinked product is the uncrosslinked hydrophilic polymer, for example, a polymer obtained by polymerizing the monomer, or alginic acid, hyaluronic acid, or the like. Polysaccharide; chitosan; a crosslinked product obtained by reacting a cellulose derivative such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose or the like with the cross-linking agent to form a network structure may be used.

The molecular weight of the hydrophilic polymer is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the number average molecular weight determined by GPC is 3000 or more.

A heater 23 is adhered to, for example, the back surface of the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21. As a result, the moisture absorbing material 22 can be heated via the bottom surface 21b.

The heater 23 may be heated to about 100 ° C with a margin. That is, the dehumidifying device 1A may be used in an environment of 40 ° C. or higher in summer. Therefore, since it is sufficient that a temperature of 50 ° C. to 70 ° C. (around 60 ° C.) can be applied to dehydrate the element, the heater capacity may be up to about 100 ° C.

The heater 23 of the present embodiment has, for example, a heating wire such as a nichrome wire, or a high resistance exothermic material such as AlN or silicon. The heater 23 needs to quickly release heat when it is not heated. Therefore, it is preferable that the peripheral members of the heater 23 are configured to have high heat transfer properties, or that the heater 23 is provided with cooling fins or fans.

When the moisture absorbing material of the present embodiment is a photoresponsive polymer, a light emitter, a lamp, an LED, or the like is used instead of the heater 23, and the accommodating portion 21 is also a highly light-transmitting material transparent resin or mesh-like metal. Etc., or the issuer can be installed on the side exposed to the wind. The light emitting body (not shown) may be arranged on the side surface or the back side of the moisture absorbing unit 20A in addition to the windward side. In this case, a light-transmitting material is used for the accommodating portion 21.

(Operation of dehumidifier 1A)
The operation of the dehumidifying device 1A having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the control circuit (not shown) of the moisture absorbing unit 20A in the dehumidifying device 1A turns on the power supply (not shown) of the blower fan 13 with the power supply (not shown) of the heater 23 turned off. As a result, external air flows in from the intake port 3 of the dehumidifying device 1A. The outside air (wet air) is taken in by the blower fan 13 and then narrowed down by the intake throttle 12, and collides with the entire surface of the moisture absorbing material 22 of the moisture absorbing unit 20A. The external moist air that collides with the entire surface of the moisture absorbing material 22 comes into contact with the moisture absorbing material 22 below the temperature sensing point. As a result, the moist air is dehumidified by the moisture absorbing material 22. The dehumidified air moves from both ends of the moisture absorption unit 20A to the air flow passage 10, further moves along the vicinity of the air flow wall 11, becomes dry air, and dehumidifies the dehumidifier 1A from the exhaust port 4 of the housing 2. It is exhausted to the outside.

Since the external moist air collides with the hygroscopic material 22 in the accommodating portion 21 and increases the pressure in the accommodating portion 21, the hygroscopic material 22 in the accommodating portion 21 efficiently absorbs moisture. Can be done.

Next, after observing that sufficient moisture has accumulated in the hygroscopic material 22 of the hygroscopic unit 20A in the dehumidifying device 1A, the power of the heater 23 fixed to the back surface of the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21 is turned on. It should be noted that the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21 of the heater 23 can be fixed to the back surface by, for example, adhesion, and the heater 23 can be adhered with a frame, a net, or the like so as not to have a gap except when bonding. There is a method of fixing by such a method.

The electric power supplied to the heater 23 at this time is supplied so as to exceed the temperature sensing point of the moisture absorbing material 22. It should be noted that the detection that sufficient water has accumulated in the moisture absorbing material 22 is performed, for example, when a predetermined time elapses with a timer.

As a result, the hygroscopic material 22 becomes hydrophobic by being heated to a temperature exceeding the temperature sensing point, and the moisture absorbed from the outside air is released to the hygroscopic material 22. The released water accumulates as water droplets, and the water droplets fall and are stored in the drain tank 6 via the water droplet receiving portion 14.

The water collected in the drainage tank 6 can be discarded after the drainage tank 6 is taken out from the housing 2.

The moisture absorbing material 22 in the present embodiment can be said to exhibit hydrophilicity as a first state and hydrophobicity as a second state according to the stimulus response level by the stimulation (heating). As a result, it is possible to provide a hygroscopic material capable of efficiently releasing the absorbed moisture by various stimuli without using a large amount of heat.

Here, as the external stimulus, for example, electric field, light, electricity, and pH can be adopted in addition to the above-mentioned heat. As a result, the moisture absorbing material 22 changes from the first state to the second state and returns to the first state when the stimulation disappears. Therefore, these various stimulating factors can be utilized, and the versatility is increased. In addition, these stimulus factors can easily select different stimulus response levels from each other. The stimulus response level is, for example, a wavelength or intensity in the case of light stimulation,, for example, a voltage or current in the case of electricity, and a pH value in the case of pH.

In addition, when releasing water, an assist mechanism that applies mechanical force to the hygroscopic material by applying a stimulus such as heating or immediately after that by pressing with a plate material to squeeze it, and collects the released water. Water can also be collected, preferably in contact with a hydrophilic member.

(Hygroscopicity of hygroscopic material 22)
The hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 will be described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing six arrangement examples of the moisture absorbing material 22. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the hygroscopicity in each arrangement example of the hygroscopic material 22 shown in FIG.

Here, in FIGS. 3A to 3D and F, a granular moisture absorbing material 22 having a diameter of 1 to 2 mm is used, and in FIG. 3E, a plate having a thickness of 1.3 mm is used. The moisture absorbing material 22 was used. The environment in which the hygroscopicity shown in FIG. 4 was obtained was an environmental temperature of 27 ° C., an environmental humidity of 70% RH, and an air volume of about 1 m ³ / min. The white arrows in FIGS. 3A to 3F indicate the direction in which the wind blows.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the moisture absorbing material 22 is dispersed on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21, and FIG. 3B shows a resin or metal layer provided on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21. A state in which the moisture absorbing material 22 is packed in the cylindrical hole portion 21d formed in the 21c is shown, and FIG. 3C is formed in a resin or metal layer 21c provided on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21. A state in which the moisture absorbing material 22 is packed in a cylindrical hole 21d shallower than the hole 21d in FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3D shows a resin formed on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21. Alternatively, a state in which the moisture absorbing material 22 is packed in the inverted conical hole portion 21d formed in the metal layer 21c is shown, and FIG. 3 (E) shows a plate-shaped moisture absorbing material 22 placed on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21. The placed state is shown, and FIG. 3F shows a state in which the opening 21e is formed on the bottom surface 21b of the hole portion 21d in the state shown in FIG. 3C (wind vent state).

From the graph shown in FIG. 4, it was found that the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 in the state shown in FIG. 3D is higher than the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 in the other state. Further, it was found that the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 in the state shown in FIG. 3 (A) and the hygroscopic material 22 in the state shown in FIG. 3 (E) is low. The hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 in the states shown in FIGS. 3 (B), (C), and (F) is higher than the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 in the states shown in FIGS. Although it was high, it was lower than the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 in the state shown in FIG. 3D.

From the above, it can be seen that as a method of increasing the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22, it is preferable to stuff the hygroscopic material 22 into the hole 21d and blow the wind. Specifically, it is preferable that the accommodating portion 21 has a concave shape having an air introduction hole as an opening. That is, in the hole portion 21d, the pressure due to the blown wind increases in the hole portion 21d, so that the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 increases. Therefore, when the hygroscopic material 22 is packed in the hole 21d as shown in FIGS. 3B, C, D, and F, the wind blown in the hole 21d causes the hygroscopic material 22 to be packed in the hole 21d. As the pressure increases, the hygroscopicity increases. Among them, as shown in FIG. 3D, it is preferable that the hole portion 21d of the resin or metal layer 21c formed on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21 has an inverted conical shape. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3E, when the hygroscopic material 22 is simply placed on the bottom surface 21b without providing the hole 21d, the blown wind is blown outward along the bottom surface 21b. In order to escape, the pressure does not increase in the vicinity of the moisture absorbing material 22, and the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbing material 22 does not increase either.

As shown in FIG. 3A, even when the hygroscopic material 22 is dispersed on the bottom surface 21b of the accommodating portion 21, the hygroscopic material 22 is surrounded by a wall at predetermined ranges to absorb moisture. It is possible to increase the rate. This point will be described in the following modification.

(Modification example 1)
FIG. 5 shows a state in which a predetermined number of moisture absorbing materials 22 are surrounded by a wall 21f in a state where the moisture absorbing materials 22 are dispersed on the bottom surface 21b, as shown in FIG. A plan view and (b) show a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of (a).

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), in the portion surrounded by each wall 21f, the internal pressure is increased by the blowing wind. That is, the pressure on the leeward side of the wall 21f is higher than that on the leeward side. Therefore, the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 housed in the portion surrounded by each wall 21f can be increased. That is, when the pressure is locally increased in the range surrounded by each wall 21f, the humidity and the vapor pressure also increase, so that the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 can be increased. It should be noted that this wall does not have to be square when viewed from the ventilation side, and may be triangular, polygonal, honeycomb-shaped, circular, etc., and can efficiently absorb moisture and accommodates the largest amount of moisture absorbing material. Adopt the optimal shape to do.

In the above example, since a particle-shaped moisture-absorbing material is assumed as the moisture-absorbing material 22, a predetermined number of moisture-absorbing materials 22 are surrounded by a wall 21f and divided, but the moisture-absorbing material 22 is plate-shaped. In the case of a moisture absorbing material, the structure is divided into predetermined areas by a partition (same as the wall 21f). That is, by adopting a structure in which a predetermined amount (predetermined number, predetermined area, etc.) of the hygroscopic material 22 is divided by the wall 21f, the pressure is locally increased in the divided region, the humidity and the vapor pressure are increased, and the hygroscopic material is absorbed. The moisture absorption rate of the material 22 can be increased.

Further, examples for further increasing the effect of pressurization / positive pressure on the moisture absorbing material 22 are shown in the following modified examples 2 to 4.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the dehumidifying device 1B showing a modified example of the dehumidifying device 1A shown in FIG.

In the dehumidifying device 1B, as shown in FIG. 6, the moisture absorbing unit 20A is enlarged, and the opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12 is also enlarged according to the size of the intake unit 20A. As a result, the wind from the blower fan 13 is blown to a wider range of the moisture absorbing unit 20A as compared with the case shown in FIG. Therefore, the effect of pressurization / positive pressure on almost all of the hygroscopic material 22 in the hygroscopic unit 20A can be increased.

(Modification example 3)
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the dehumidifying device 1C showing a modified example of the dehumidifying device 1A shown in FIG.

In the dehumidifying device 1C, as shown in FIG. 7, the size of the entire opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12 is substantially the same as the size of the flat surface of the moisture absorbing unit 20A, similarly to the moisture absorbing device 1B shown in FIG. However, it is divided internally. As a result, in the moisture absorbing unit 20A, the effect of pressurization / positive pressure becomes larger than in the case where the effect of pressurization / positive pressure is not divided, and the pressurization range can be expanded by the rotation or lateral movement of the moisture absorption unit.

(Modification example 4)
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the dehumidifying device 1D showing a modified example of the dehumidifying device 1A shown in FIG.

In the dehumidifying device 1D, as shown in FIG. 8, the opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12 is internally divided as in the moisture absorbing device 1C shown in FIG. Unlike the case of the moisture absorbing device 1C, the moisture absorbing unit 20B is divided into a plurality of units 20B1. The opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12 corresponds to each unit 20B1. As a result, the effect of pressurization / positive pressure is increased in the unit 20B1.

As the hygroscopic unit 20B, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable to use a hygroscopic unit in which a plurality of areas surrounded by the wall 21f are provided in the accommodating portion 21 of the hygroscopic material 22. As a result, the wind hits only the moisture absorbing material 22 existing in the area surrounded by the wall 21f, so that the effect of pressurization / positive pressure on the moisture absorbing material 22 in the area surrounded by the wall 21f is further increased. Can be done.

It is more preferable that these moisture absorbing units have a structure in which an outer wall (not shown) is provided on the side exposed to the wind to promote pressurization as the wind stays.

In the first embodiment, the accommodating portion 21 is fixed in the dehumidifying device 1A, and the air taken in from the intake port 3 by the blower fan 13 is blown to the hygroscopic material 22 accommodated in the accommodating portion 21 from the opening 21a side. The moisture absorption unit 20A of the above was described. In the following embodiment, the accommodating portion 21 is rotatably provided in the dehumidifying device, and by rotating the accommodating portion 21, wind is taken in from the opening 21a of the accommodating portion 21 and is accommodated in the accommodating portion 21. The moisture absorbing unit 20B having a structure in which wind is blown onto the moisture absorbing material 22 will be described.

[Embodiment 2]
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be added to the members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment, and the description will not be repeated.

(Configuration of dehumidifier)
The configuration of the dehumidifying device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the moisture absorbing unit 20B mounted on the dehumidifying device 1E.

The moisture absorbing unit 20B has four accommodating portions 21, each of which is fixed to the rotating shaft 30 at equal intervals (90 °). That is, when the rotating shaft 30 is rotated, the four accommodating portions 21 rotate. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, an example in which the accommodating portion 21 rotates clockwise will be described. Therefore, the direction of rotation is the direction of rotation clockwise. However, the direction of rotation is not limited to clockwise, and may be a direction of rotation counterclockwise.

Each of the four accommodating portions 21 is provided so that the opening 21a comes in the rotation direction. As a result, the accommodating portion 21 rotates clockwise to take in the wind from the opening 21a, and the air absorbing material 22 accommodated in the accommodating portion 21 can be blown with the wind.

By rotating the accommodating portion 21 in this way, the pressure inside the accommodating portion 21 can be increased, the humidity or vapor pressure inside the accommodating portion 21 can be increased, and the hygroscopicity of the hygroscopic material 22 can be increased. it can. Although not shown, the opening 21a may be provided with an intake throttle 12 shown in FIG. 6 or the like to enhance the effect.

The moisture absorbing material 22 can release water by heating from the back surface of the accommodating portion 21 as in the first embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, an example including four accommodating portions 21 is shown, but the number of accommodating portions 21 is not limited to four, and may be two or more, and is a dehumidifying device. Any number may be used as long as it is within the permissible range from the peripheral structure of.

(effect)
By rotating the accommodating portion 21 which is surrounded by a wall and is a closed space, the humidity or water vapor pressure in the accommodating portion 21 rises, and the moisture absorption rate of the accommodating hygroscopic material 22 can be improved.

Further, if the dehumidifying device 20B having the above configuration is provided, a space for rotating the accommodating portion 21 and a driving mechanism for rotating the accommodating portion 21 are required, but the dehumidifying device 1A of the first embodiment is required. Unlike the case of the above case, it is not necessary to provide the blower fan 13 for taking in the outside air.

[Embodiment 3]
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be added to the members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment, and the description will not be repeated.

(Configuration of dehumidifier)
The configuration of the dehumidifying device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of the dehumidifying device 1F at the time of moisture absorption when viewed from the side surface.

As shown in FIG. 10, the dehumidifying device 1F has the same basic structure as the dehumidifying device 1A described in the first embodiment, and the difference is the position of the blower fan 13. In the dehumidifying device 1F, the blower fan 3 is arranged not at a position close to the intake throttle 12 but at a position close to the exhaust port 4 as in the dehumidifying device 1A. In this way, even when the blower fan 13 is arranged at a position close to the exhaust port 4, it is possible to take in air from the intake port 3 and apply it to the entire surface of the moisture absorbing material 22 of the moisture absorbing unit 20A. In this case, unlike the dehumidifying device 1A of the first embodiment, the pressure and positive pressure cannot be increased with respect to the moisture absorbing material 22, but the moist air comes into contact with the moisture absorbing material 22 below the temperature sensitive point and is therefore dehumidified. ..

In the first to third embodiments, the hygroscopic material includes a stimulus-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to an external stimulus and a hydrophilic polymer. The case where a hygroscopic material containing a dried polymer gel is used has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any hygroscopic material in which the rate of moisture absorption is improved by increasing the pressurization. For example, any hygroscopic material may be used. Further, the present invention can be applied to other polymer (even those having no stimulus response) -based hygroscopic material, salts, zeolite and the like as a hygroscopic hygroscopic material.
(Summary)
The dehumidifying device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a moisture-absorbing material accommodating portion that accommodates a hygroscopic moisture-absorbing material and has an introduction hole for introducing air from the outside into the contained moisture-absorbing material. The moisture-absorbing material accommodating portion is formed so that the pressure inside the moisture-absorbing material accommodating portion becomes higher than the pressure in front of the introduction hole due to the introduction of air from the introduction hole.
In the dehumidifying device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a blower fan may be provided in front of the moisture absorbing material housed in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion.
In the dehumidifying device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the facing surface of the introduction hole in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion is blown in the same direction as before after the wind hits the surface of the moisture absorbing material. It may be formed of a member that does not pass through, and may be formed so as to flow in a direction different from the direction in which the wind hits the moisture-absorbing material in the moisture-absorbing material accommodating portion and then hits the moisture-absorbing material.
In the dehumidifying device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the side surface of the introduction hole in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion is intended to retain the wind that hits the surface of the moisture absorbing material. A wall that is higher than the surface of the moisture absorbing material may be provided.
In any one of the above aspects 1 to 4, the dehumidifying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention may have a concave shape with the introduction hole as an opening.
In any one of the above aspects 1 to 4, the dehumidifying device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention may have an inverted conical shape with the introduction hole as an opening.
In the dehumidifying device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects 1 to 6, the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion may be formed with a wall surrounding the accommodating moisture absorbing material by a predetermined amount.
The dehumidifying method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a dehumidifying method using a hygroscopic device that improves the hygroscopic rate by increasing the pressure in the vicinity of the hygroscopic material, and has an introduction hole for introducing air and is introduced. It is characterized in that air is introduced from the introduction hole in a state where the moisture absorbing material is housed in a moisture absorbing material accommodating portion whose surface facing the hole is made of a member that does not allow air to pass through. In particular, in interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and semi-IPNs made of stimulus-responsive polymers and hydrophilic polymers, and in moisture-absorbing and water-discharging materials using stimulus-responsive polymer gels formed from these copolymers. This moisture absorption promoting technique that partially increases the air pressure has remarkable significance.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F Dehumidifier 2 Housing 3 Intake port 3a Grid 4 Exhaust port 4a Grid 5 Drain tank housing 6 Drain tank 6a Opening 10 Air flow passage 11 Air flow wall 12 Intake throttle 13 Blower fan 14 Water drop receiving part 14a Opening 20A Moisture absorbing unit 20B Moisture absorbing unit 21 Accommodating part (moisture absorbing material accommodating part)

21a Opening

21b Bottom surface 21c Resin or metal layer 21d Hole 21e Opening 21f Wall 22 Moisture absorbing material 23 Heater 30 Rotating shaft

Claims

A moisture-absorbing material accommodating portion, which accommodates a moisture-absorbing material having a cohesive property and has an introduction hole for introducing air from the outside into the accommodated moisture-absorbing material, is provided.
The above-mentioned moisture absorbing material accommodating part
A dehumidifying device characterized in that the pressure in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion is formed to be higher than the pressure in front of the introduction hole by introducing air from the introduction hole.
The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, wherein a blower fan is provided in front of the moisture absorbing material housed in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion.
The facing surface of the introduction hole in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion is formed of a member that prevents the wind from passing through in the same direction as before after the wind hits the surface of the moisture absorbing material, and the wind is inside the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dehumidifying device is formed so as to flow in a direction different from the direction from hitting the moisture absorbing material to hitting the moisture absorbing material.
Claims 1 to 3 are characterized in that the side surface of the introduction hole in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion is provided with a wall higher than the surface of the moisture absorbing material for the purpose of retaining the wind hitting the surface of the moisture absorbing material. The dehumidifying device according to any one of the above.
The above-mentioned moisture absorbing material accommodating part
The dehumidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dehumidifying device has a concave shape with the introduction hole as an opening.
The above-mentioned moisture absorbing material accommodating part
The dehumidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dehumidifying device has an inverted conical shape with the introduction hole as an opening.
The above-mentioned moisture absorbing material accommodating part
The dehumidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a wall surrounding a predetermined amount of the contained moisture absorbing material is formed.
It is a dehumidification method using a hygroscopic device that improves the hygroscopic rate by increasing the pressure near the hygroscopic material.
Air is introduced from the introduction hole in a state where the moisture absorbing material is accommodated in the moisture absorbing material accommodating portion which has an introduction hole for introducing air and whose surface facing the introduction hole is composed of a member which does not allow air to pass through. A dehumidifying method characterized by that.