JP7522957B2 - Dehumidifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier.

Conventional dehumidifiers include a main body case having an intake port and an air outlet that opens upward, an up-down air direction changing unit that changes the air direction located above the air outlet, a dehumidifying unit located within the main body case, a blower that blows air outside the main body case from the intake port into the main body case, a sensor unit that detects the state of the laundry, and a control unit that controls the dehumidifying unit and the up-down air direction changing unit based on the detection results of the sensor unit. The sensor unit is located in the up-down air direction changing unit and moves together with the up-down air direction changing unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-225247 A

The problem with such conventional dehumidifiers is that the sensor unit is mounted on the vertical airflow direction changing section and moves with the vertical airflow direction changing section, so the direction in which the sensor unit detects the state of the laundry is limited to the direction in which the dehumidified air is blown out of the air outlet.

In order to achieve this object, a dehumidifier according to the present invention includes a main body case having an intake port and an air outlet opening upward, an up-down air direction changing unit that changes the air direction provided above the air outlet, a dehumidifying unit provided within the main body case, a blower that blows air outside the main body case from the intake port into the main body case, a sensor unit that detects a state of laundry, and a control unit that controls the dehumidifying unit and the up-down air direction changing unit based on a detection result of the sensor unit, the up-down air direction changing unit being rotated in a vertical direction by an up-down air direction rotating unit, the sensor unit being rotated in a vertical and left-right direction by a sensor rotating unit, and a control unit that controls the dehumidifying unit and the up-down air direction changing unit based on a detection result of the sensor unit , The sensor unit has a sensor box that rotates by the sensor rotation unit and a sensor provided in the sensor box, and when the sensor unit is not operating, the sensor is not exposed, and the sensor box is arranged between two box bearing units so that it can rotate freely in the vertical direction, and when the sensor box rotates in the vertical direction and moves to the lowest position, the outer surfaces of the two box bearing units and the exposed outer surface of the sensor box become substantially flush with each other, and the sensor box becomes part of the top surface of the main body case , thereby achieving the desired objective.

According to the present invention, the sensor unit can move separately from the up/down airflow direction changing unit, so that the dehumidifier can blow dehumidified air in the desired direction while the sensor unit can detect the state of the laundry in a direction other than the direction of the airflow.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a left/right airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the left-right airflow direction changing portion of the dehumidifier taken along line B-B of FIG. 3 . FIG. 13 is a detailed perspective view of a clutch mechanism of a left/right airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier; 5A and 5B are perspective views showing an airflow state of a left-right airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clutch mechanism of the left/right airflow direction changing unit of the dehumidifier taken along line B-B of FIG. 3 . FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the exterior of the dehumidifier with a first side case removed; FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a vertical airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier; FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a vertical airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower airflow direction changing unit and the air outlet of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor unit in the dehumidifier. Exploded view of the sensor part of the dehumidifier FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor portion of the dehumidifier taken along line E-E of FIG. 8 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sensor in the dehumidifier. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the sensor unit of the dehumidifier is not in operation. FF cross-sectional view of the sensor part in the dehumidifier FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operating state of the sensor unit and the up-down airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operating state of the sensor unit and the up-down airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front side. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the A-A cross section in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment has suction ports 2a on both sides of a main body case 2 having a vertically long box shape, an operation unit 3 on the front side of the upper surface of the main body case 2, and an air outlet 2b on the rear side of the upper surface of the main body case 2. The dehumidifier 1 has a left-right air direction changing unit 4 on the air outlet 2b, which changes the wind direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 2b in the left-right direction in the main body case 2, and a vertical air direction changing unit 5 above the left-right air direction changing unit 4, which changes the wind direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 2b in the up-down direction via the left-right air direction changing unit 4.

The main body case 2 contains a compressor 21, a radiator 22, an expander 23, a heat absorber 24, and a blower 7. The compressor 21, the radiator 22, the expander 23, and the heat absorber 24 are connected in a ring shape to form a refrigeration cycle that circulates the refrigerant. The blower 7 has the function of blowing indoor air from the intake port 2a to the air outlet 2b. The dehumidifier further includes a dehumidifying rotor 25 having a moisture absorption section 25a that absorbs moisture from the air and a moisture release section 25b that releases moisture into the air, and includes air supplied to the moisture release section 25b and a heating section 26 that heats the moisture release section 25b.

Then, within the main body case 2, the dehumidification rotor 25, heat absorber 24, radiator 22, and blower 7 are arranged in this order. The upper ends of the heat absorber 24 and radiator 22 are arranged to be at the same height. The dehumidification rotor 25 is formed in a disk shape and is rotatably erected with its central axis in the horizontal direction, and is rotated by a drive unit 27. Furthermore, a heating unit 26 is installed on the windward side of the moisture discharging unit 25b of the dehumidification rotor 25. The moisture discharging unit 25b and the heat absorber 24 are arranged to face each other. The refrigeration cycle, the dehumidification rotor 25, and the heating unit 26 constitute the dehumidification unit 6.

In addition, within the main body case 2, a funnel-shaped water collection section 28 is provided below the heat absorber 24. Furthermore, a water collection tank 29 is disposed below the water collection section 28 so that it can be freely attached and detached from the main body case 2. In other words, moisture is condensed in the heat absorber 24, and the condensed water is collected by the funnel-shaped water collection section 28 and flows into the water collection tank 29.

Inside the main body case 2, a first air passage 10 and a second air passage 11 are provided, which connect the intake port 2a and the air outlet 2b.

The first air passage 10 is an air passage that supplies air sucked in from the intake port 2a to the moisture absorbing section 25a and exhausts it to the air outlet 2b via the blower 7. In the first air passage 10, the indoor air sucked in from the intake port 2a is supplied to the moisture absorbing section 25a of the dehumidifying rotor 25. At this time, the moisture in the indoor air is adsorbed by the moisture absorbing section 25a, and the indoor air becomes dry. Furthermore, since heat of adsorption is generated when the moisture is adsorbed, the indoor air is sucked into the blower 7 mainly through the upper part of the radiator 22 and the heat absorber 24 in a state where the humidity is reduced and the temperature is increased, and the indoor air is then blown into the room from the air outlet 2b.

The second air passage 11 is an air passage that supplies the air sucked from the intake port 2a to the heating section 26, the moisture releasing section 25b, the heat absorber 24, and the radiator 22 in that order, and discharges it from the air outlet 2b via the blower 7. In the second air passage 11, the indoor air heated by the heating section 26 is supplied to the moisture releasing section 25b of the dehumidification rotor 25. In the moisture releasing section 25b, the moisture adsorbed by the moisture absorbing section 25a moves to the moisture releasing section 25b by the rotational drive of the dehumidification rotor 25, and is released into the air heated by the heating section 26. This highly humid air is supplied to the heat absorber 24, where it is cooled to condense, and the moisture is removed as water droplets. The cooled air is then supplied to the radiator 22, where it cools the radiator 22. The cooled air then absorbs heat from the radiator 22, causing the temperature to rise. The air with the increased temperature is then sucked into the blower 7. In terms of the refrigeration cycle, effectively cooling the radiator 22 increases the cooling efficiency when cooling the heat absorber 24.

The main body case 2 also contains a sensor unit 9 and a control unit 8. Based on the operation of the operation unit 3 by the user and the detection results of the sensor unit 9, the control unit 8 controls the dehumidification unit 6, the blower 7, the left/right airflow direction changing unit 4, and the up/down airflow direction changing unit 5.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the left/right air direction changing section of the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention, as viewed from the rear side. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the B-B cross section of the left/right air direction changing section in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the clutch mechanism of the left/right air direction changing section in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the air blowing state of the left/right air direction changing section in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention, and a cross-sectional view showing the C-C cross section in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the B-B cross section in Figure 3.

As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the left/right air direction changing unit 4 is a mechanism that changes the direction of air blown from the air outlet 2b by the blower 7, widening, narrowing, directing to the left, or directing to the right in the left/right direction of the main body case 2. The left/right air direction changing unit 4 has a first air direction changing unit 41, a second air direction changing unit 42, and a clutch mechanism 43. With this configuration, the left/right air direction changing unit 4 can blow four types of air (wide air, spot air, right air, left air) with one motor.

Specifically, the first airflow direction changing unit 41 and the second airflow direction changing unit 42 are provided at the air outlet 2b so as to be aligned in the left-right direction of the main body case 2. The first airflow direction changing unit 41 is disposed on the right side (one side) when viewed from the front side of the main body case 2, and the second airflow direction changing unit 42 is disposed on the left side (the other side) when viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. The clutch mechanism 43 is disposed between the first airflow direction changing unit 41 and the second airflow direction changing unit 42.

The first wind direction changing unit 41 includes a first rotating shaft 41a, a first rotating bearing 41b, a number of first wind direction changing plates 41c, a number of first connecting rods 41d, and a motor 41e.

The first rotating shaft 41a is rod-shaped and is arranged so that the direction of the rotation axis of the first rotating shaft 41a extends horizontally in the left-right direction of the main body case 2. Both ends of the first rotating shaft 41a are supported by the first rotating bearings 41b so as to be freely rotatable.

The first air direction changing plate 41c is a flat plate with a roughly oval shape, and the multiple first air direction changing plates 41c are arranged on the first rotation shaft 41a so that their respective faces are aligned opposite each other in the left-right direction of the main body case 2. The first air direction changing plate 41c is fixed to the first rotation shaft 41a so that the first rotation shaft 41a passes through the center of the first air direction changing plate 41c. When viewed from the front side of the main body case 2, the first air direction changing plate 41c is fixed at an angle to the first rotation shaft 41a. The projection shape of the first air direction changing plate 41c in the direction of the rotation shaft is circular, and the movable range when rotating the tilted first air direction changing plate 41c is roughly circular.

The first connecting rod 41d is rod-shaped and is arranged to extend horizontally in the left-right direction of the main body case 2. The first connecting rod 41d is fixed to the periphery of the multiple first air direction changing plates 41c so as to connect the multiple first air direction changing plates 41c.

The motor 41e is disposed at the end on the right side (one side) of the first rotating shaft 41a when viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. When the motor 41e rotates, the first rotating shaft 41a also rotates.

The second wind direction changing unit 42 includes a second rotating shaft 42a, a second rotating bearing 42b, a number of second wind direction changing plates 42c, and a number of second connecting rods 42d.

The second rotating shaft 42a is rod-shaped, and the direction of the rotation axis of the second rotating shaft 42a is arranged to extend horizontally in the left-right direction of the main body case 2. Both ends of the second rotating shaft 42a are supported by second rotating bearings 42b so as to be freely rotatable.

The second air direction changing plate 42c is a flat plate with a roughly oval shape, and the multiple second air direction changing plates 42c are arranged on the second rotation shaft 42a so that their respective faces are aligned opposite each other in the left-right direction of the main body case 2. The second air direction changing plates 42c are fixed to the second rotation shaft 42a so that the second rotation shaft 42a passes through the center of the second air direction changing plates 42c. When viewed from the front side of the main body case 2, the second air direction changing plates 42c are fixed at an angle to the second rotation shaft 42a. The projection shape of the second air direction changing plates 42c in the direction of the rotation shaft is circular, and the movable range when rotating the tilted second air direction changing plates 42c is roughly circular.

The second connecting rod 42d is rod-shaped and is arranged to extend horizontally in the left-right direction of the main body case 2. The second connecting rod 42d is fixed to the periphery of the second air direction changing plates 42c so as to connect the second air direction changing plates 42c.

The clutch mechanism 43 is a mechanism that transmits or blocks the rotation of the first rotating shaft 41a to the second rotating shaft 42a. The clutch mechanism 43 has a first protrusion 43a that extends from the left end (other end) of the first rotating shaft 41a as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 to the second rotating shaft 42a, and a second protrusion 43b that extends from the right end (one end) of the second rotating shaft 42a as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 to the first rotating shaft 41a.

The left/right air direction changing unit 4 has two types of air blowing directions, wide air blowing and spot air blowing, when the first rotating shaft 41a rotates in a first direction by the motor and the first protrusion 43a and the second protrusion 43b of the clutch mechanism 43 come into contact with each other while rotating.

Wide airflow is a state in which the first airflow direction changing plate 41c and the second airflow direction changing plate 42c are arranged at an inclination angle with respect to the blowing direction from the air outlet 2b so as to widen the blowing direction in the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 2b. Specifically, the first airflow direction changing unit 41 arranged on the right side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 has the upper part of the first airflow direction changing plate 41c of the first airflow direction changing unit 41 inclined to the right as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. The second airflow direction changing unit 42 arranged on the left side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 has the upper part of the second airflow direction changing plate 42c of the second airflow direction changing unit 42 inclined to the left as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2.

Spot airflow is a state in which the first airflow direction changing plate 41c and the second airflow direction changing plate 42c are arranged at an inclination angle with respect to the blowing direction from the air outlet 2b so as to narrow the blowing direction in the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 2b. Specifically, the first airflow direction changing unit 41 arranged on the right side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 has the upper part of the first airflow direction changing plate 41c of the first airflow direction changing unit 41 inclined to the left side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 (the center side of the air outlet 2b). The second airflow direction changing unit 42 arranged on the left side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 has the upper part of the second airflow direction changing plate 42c of the second airflow direction changing unit 42 inclined to the right side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 (the center side of the air outlet 2b).

In addition, the clutch mechanism 43 rotates the first rotating shaft 41a in a first direction by the motor, and the first protrusion 43a and the second protrusion 43b come into contact with each other. When the first rotating shaft 41a rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the motor 41e, and the first protrusion 43a rotates, the clutch mechanism 43 has an idle region 43c where the first protrusion 43a and the second protrusion 43b do not come into contact for 180 degrees. This allows the left/right air direction changing unit 4 to blow air to the right side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2 from the first air direction changing plate 41c and the second air direction changing plate 42c, and to blow air to the left side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. In addition, spot airflow occurs when the first airflow direction changing blade 41c and the second airflow direction changing blade 42c are rotated 180 degrees in the first direction from the wide airflow direction state, and the first rotating shaft 41a and the second rotating shaft 42a are rotated 180 degrees in the first direction.

In the case of right-side airflow, the first airflow direction changing unit 41, which is disposed on the right side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2, has the upper part of the first airflow direction changing plate 41c of the first airflow direction changing unit 41 inclined to the right as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. The second airflow direction changing unit 42, which is disposed on the left side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2, has the upper part of the second airflow direction changing plate 42c of the second airflow direction changing unit 42 inclined to the right as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. In addition, right-side airflow is a state in which the first airflow direction changing plate 41c and the second airflow direction changing plate 42c are rotated 180 degrees in the second direction from the spot airflow state. This 180 degrees is the free-spinning region 43c in which the first protrusion 43a and the second protrusion 43b do not come into contact.

In the case of left-side airflow, the first airflow direction changing unit 41, which is disposed on the right side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2, has the upper part of the first airflow direction changing plate 41c of the first airflow direction changing unit 41 inclined to the left as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. The second airflow direction changing unit 42, which is disposed on the left side as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2, has the upper part of the second airflow direction changing plate 42c of the second airflow direction changing unit 42 inclined to the left as viewed from the front side of the main body case 2. Note that left-side airflow is in a state in which the first airflow direction changing plate 41c and the second airflow direction changing plate 42c are rotated 180 degrees in the second direction from the right-side airflow state.

In this way, the clutch mechanism 43 has an idle region 43c where the first protrusion 43a and the second protrusion 43b do not come into contact, so the first air direction changing blade 41c and the second air direction changing blade 42c have right-side air direction and left-side air direction in addition to wide air direction and spot air direction.

The first wind direction changing unit 41 has a first holding part 41f that holds the first rotating shaft 41a so that it does not rotate due to the blowing of air, and the second wind direction changing unit 42 has a second holding part 42f that holds the second rotating shaft 42a so that it does not rotate due to the blowing of air. Specifically, the first rotating shaft 41a is rotatably supported by the first rotating bearing 41b. The first holding part 41f increases the frictional resistance between the first rotating shaft 41a and the first rotating bearing 41b to a predetermined value, and holds the first rotating shaft 41a so that it does not rotate due to the blowing of air. An example of the first holding part 41f is a spring that presses the first rotating shaft 41a against the first rotating bearing 41b. Similarly, the second holding part 42f increases the frictional resistance between the second rotating shaft 42a and the second rotating bearing 42b to a predetermined value, and holds the second rotating shaft 42a so that it does not rotate due to the blowing of air. An example of the second retaining portion 42f is a spring that presses the second rotating shaft 42a against the second rotating bearing 42b.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the first side case removed, viewed from diagonally behind. As shown in Figures 2 and 8, the vertical airflow direction changer 5 is a mechanism that changes the direction of air blown by the blower 7 from the air outlet 2b through the horizontal airflow direction changer 4, widening or narrowing the airflow in the vertical direction of the main body case 2. The vertical airflow direction changer 5 has a first airflow direction louver unit 51, a first rotating part 52, a second airflow direction louver unit 53, and a second rotating part (not shown). The first rotating part 52 and the second rotating part (not shown) are collectively referred to as the vertical airflow direction rotating part 5a.

The first airflow direction louver unit 51 and the second airflow direction louver unit 53 are rotatably provided above the upwardly opening air outlet 2b. The first airflow direction louver unit 51 is moved so as to rotate in the vertical direction by the first rotating part 52, and the second airflow direction louver unit 53 is moved so as to rotate in the vertical direction by the second rotating part (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 8, a first wind direction louver unit 51 and a second wind direction louver unit 53 are rotatably provided above the upwardly opening air outlet 2b. The first wind direction louver unit 51 and the second wind direction louver unit 53 are arranged perpendicular to the direction of rotation. Specifically, the first wind direction louver unit 51 and the second wind direction louver unit 53 are aligned in the long side direction of the air outlet 2b, with the first wind direction louver unit 51 on the right side of the air outlet 2b (one short side of the air outlet 2b) and the second wind direction louver unit 53 on the left side of the air outlet 2b (the other short side of the air outlet). The rotation axis of the first wind direction louver unit 51 and the second wind direction louver unit 53 extends in the long side direction of the air outlet 2b.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first louver unit of the up-down air direction changing section in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 11 is a view showing a D-D cross section of the up-down air direction changing section and the air outlet in Figure 8. As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the first louver unit 51 comprises a first air direction plate 51a having a substantially horizontally elongated rectangular, substantially flat plate shape, and two first shaft portions 51b extending horizontally from the left and right ends of the first air direction plate 51a. The air outlet 2b is provided with two first support portions 51c that support the two shaft portions. A first gear 51d is fixed to one side of the first shaft portion 51b.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the second louver unit of the up/down air direction changing section in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first rotating section 52 includes a first motor 52a and a first motor gear 52b fixed to the rotating shaft of the first motor 52a. The first motor gear 52b meshes with the first gear 51d, and when the first motor 52a is driven, the first motor gear 52b rotates, and the first air direction plate 51a rotates via the first gear 51d and the first shaft portion 51b.

The second air direction louver unit 53 comprises a second air direction plate 53a that is a substantially horizontally elongated rectangular plate, and two second shaft portions 53b that extend horizontally outward from the short sides of the second air direction plate 53a. The air outlet 2b is provided with two second support portions 53c that support the two shaft portions. A second gear 53d is fixed to one side of the second shaft portion 53b.

The second rotating part 54 includes a second motor 54a and a second motor gear 54b fixed to the rotating shaft of the second motor 54a. The second motor gear 54b meshes with the second gear 53d. When the second motor 54a is driven, the second motor gear 54b rotates, and the second wind direction vane 53a rotates via the second gear 53d and the second shaft portion 53b.

The first wind direction louver unit 51 and the first rotating part 52, and the second wind direction louver unit 53 and the second rotating part are configured symmetrically about the center of the left and right sides of the main body.

The first airflow direction louver unit 51 and the second airflow direction louver unit 53 are aligned perpendicular to the direction of rotation. The first airflow direction louver unit 51 is provided on the right side of the air outlet 2b, and the second airflow direction louver unit 53 is provided on the left side of the air outlet 2b. The first axis portion 51b of the first airflow direction plate 51a, which is the first airflow direction louver unit 51, and the second axis portion 53b of the second airflow direction plate 53a, which is the second airflow direction louver unit 53, are arranged coaxially and extend in the left-right direction of the main body case 2.

The right end of the air outlet 2b is provided with a first side case 55, which contains a first motor 52a, a first motor gear 52b, and a first gear 51d. The left side of the first side case 55 is provided with a first support part 51c that supports the first shaft part 51b on one side of the first air deflector 51a.

The left end of the air outlet 2b is provided with a second side case 56, which contains a second motor 54a, a second motor gear 54b, and a second gear 53d. The right side of the second side case 56 is provided with a second support part 53c that supports the second shaft part 53b on one side of the second air deflector 53a.

Between the first side case 55 and the second side case 56, there is a third side case 57 that protrudes upward from the air outlet 2b. On the right side of the third side case 57, there is a first support part 51c that supports the first axis part 51b on the other side of the first air direction vane 51a, and on the left side of the third side case 57, there is a second support part 53c that supports the second axis part on the other side of the second air direction vane 53a.

Figure 12 is an external perspective view of the sensor unit in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 13 is an exploded view of the sensor unit in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the E-E cross section of Figure 8. Figure 15 is an external perspective view of the sensor in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figures 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15, the sensor unit 9 has a sensor box 61, a sensor case 62, and a sensor 63.

The sensor box 61 has a horizontally long box shape and is provided on the top of the main body case 2 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The sensor box 61 can be disassembled into two parts. The sensor box 61 has two cylindrical box axles 61a extending outward (horizontally) from the left and right sides of the sensor box 61 in the main body case 2. Inside the main body case 2, there are two box bearings 61b that rotatably support the box axles 61a. The sensor box 61 rotates in the vertical direction around the central axis of the box axles 61a as the central axis of rotation by the box rotation part 61c.

The box rotation part 61c is electrically connected to the control part 8 provided in the main body case 2. When the sensor box 61 is rotated upward from the front side of the main body case 2 by the box rotation part 61c from a state in which it is inserted in the main body case 2, the sensor box 61 protrudes from the main body case 2. When the sensor box 61 is inserted in the main body case 2, it has a box opening 61d on the front side. A sensor case 62 is provided in the sensor box 61, and a part of the sensor case 62 is exposed from the box opening 61d of the sensor box 61.

The sensor case 62 is a substantially cylindrical box-shaped body and is rotatably disposed within the sensor box 61. The sensor case 62 can be disassembled into two parts. When the sensor box 61 is inserted into the main body case, the central axis of the sensor case 62 extends in the vertical direction. When the sensor box 61 is inserted into the main body case 2, the sensor case 62 has a case shaft portion 62a extending upward from the upper surface of the sensor case 62. The sensor box 61 is provided with a case bearing portion 61e that rotatably supports the case shaft portion 62a. The sensor case 62 rotates around the central axis of the sensor case 62 as the rotation central axis by the case rotation portion 62b. The case rotation portion 62b is electrically connected to the control unit 8 disposed within the main body case 2. The peripheral surface of the sensor case 62 has a case opening 62c that is an elongated hole-shaped opening. A sensor 63 is provided inside the sensor case 62, and a portion of the sensor is exposed through a case opening 62c of the sensor case 62.

The sensor 63 has a light-emitting portion 63a that irradiates light toward the object, a light-receiving portion 63b that receives the light reflected by the object, and a moisture content calculation portion 63c that calculates the moisture content. The light-emitting portion 63a emits detection light, which is light with a wavelength that is absorbed by water, and reference light, which is light with a wavelength that is less absorbed by water than the detection light. The light-receiving portion 63b receives the reflected light of the detection light and reference light reflected by the object. The moisture content calculation portion 63c calculates the moisture content by comparing the intensity of the detection light and the reference light received by the light-receiving portion 63b. When the object is laundry, the moisture content calculation portion 63c can calculate the dryness of the laundry. The sensor 63 is electrically connected to the control portion 8 provided in the main body case 2 by a signal line 64. The control unit 8 operates the sensor unit 9 according to the operation contents of the user's operation of the operation unit 3, and controls the blower 7, the dehumidification unit 6, the left/right airflow direction changing unit 4, and the up/down airflow direction changing unit 5 based on the moisture amount calculated by the moisture amount calculation part 63c of the sensor unit 9. The box rotation unit 61c and the case rotation unit 62b are collectively referred to as the sensor rotation unit 9a.

As shown in Figures 1, 11, and 14, the vertical airflow direction changing unit 5 rotates vertically by the vertical airflow direction rotating unit 5a, and the sensor unit 9 rotates vertically and horizontally by the sensor rotating unit 9a. The sensor rotating unit 9a is specifically a box rotating unit 61c and a case rotating unit 62b.

As a result, the sensor unit 9 can operate separately from the up/down airflow direction changing unit 5, so the dehumidifier 1 can blow dehumidified air in the desired direction while the sensor unit 9 can detect the state of laundry in areas other than the direction of the airflow. In other words, the control unit 8 can independently control the up/down airflow direction changing unit 5 and the sensor unit 9.

The vertical airflow direction changer 5 is disposed on the rear side (one side) of the top surface of the main body case 2, and the sensor unit 9 is disposed closer to the front side (the other side) of the top surface of the main body case 2 than the vertical airflow direction changer 5. The main airflow direction from the vertical airflow direction changer 5 is from the front side to the rear side (from the other side to the one side) of the top surface of the main body case 2. This prevents the main airflow from the vertical airflow changer 5 from hitting the sensor unit 9, suppressing a decrease in air volume.

The top surface of the main body case 2 has an operation unit 3, which is disposed on the front side (the other side) of the top surface of the main body case 2, and the sensor unit 9 is disposed between the up/down air direction changing unit 5 and the operation unit 3. This prevents the sensor unit 9 from getting in the way when the user operates the operation unit 3 from the other side of the top surface of the main body case 2.

Furthermore, FIG. 16 is an external perspective view showing the sensor unit in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention in a stopped state. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the F-F cross section of the sensor unit in FIG. 16. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the sensor unit 9 has a sensor box 61 that rotates by a sensor rotation unit 9a, and a sensor 63 provided in the sensor box 61. When the sensor unit 9 is not operating, the sensor 63 is covered by the sensor box 61 and is not exposed. This allows the dehumidifier to reduce dust adhesion to the sensor 63, for example, when operation is stopped.

Specifically, when the sensor unit 9 is not operating, the sensor box 61 rotates vertically and moves to the lowest position. When it moves to the lowest position, the sensor box 61 of the sensor unit 9 becomes part of the top surface of the main body case 2, and the sensor 63 is disposed inside the main body case 2. The sensor box 61 is disposed between the two box bearing parts 61b, and the outer surfaces of the two box bearing parts 61b and the exposed outer surface of the sensor box 61 are substantially flush with each other. Furthermore, the sensor case 62 rotates horizontally, and the light-emitting part 63a and the light-receiving part 63b of the sensor 63 are disposed in a position that is out of the box opening 61d. As a result, even if laundry falls on the top surface of the main body case 2 while the machine is stopped, the laundry is caught only by the sensor box 61, and the sensor 63 is prevented from being subjected to a load.

Figure 18 is a side view showing the operating state of the sensor unit and the up/down airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 18, when the laundry on the upper side is to be dried, the sensor 63 rotates upward when the sensor unit 9 is operating compared to when the sensor unit 9 is not operating, and detects the dryness of the laundry. This allows the sensor unit 9 to detect the state of the laundry from a high position, reducing the influence of the up/down airflow direction changing unit 5 and allowing the position of the clothes to be detected accurately.

Also, FIG. 19 is a side view showing the operating state of the sensor unit and the vertical airflow direction changing unit in the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, when drying the laundry at the bottom, the vertical airflow direction changing unit 5 rotates vertically and becomes part of the top surface of the main body case 2 when it is at the lowest position, and the top surfaces of the first airflow direction louver unit 51 and the second airflow direction louver unit 53 in the vertical airflow direction changing unit 5 are inclined downward as they move from the sensor unit 9 side toward the back side of the main body case 2, and the sensor unit 9 detects the dryness of the laundry below the top surface of the main body case 2 by irradiating light from the light-emitting portion 63a of the sensor 63 diagonally downward. As a result, the sensor unit 9 can detect the state of the laundry even in low areas, so that the position of the clothes can be detected accurately.

The dehumidifier of the present invention is expected to be useful as a dehumidifier for home use to dry clothes.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Dehumidifier 2 Main body case 2a Intake port 2b Air outlet 3 Operation section 4 Left/right airflow direction changing section 5 Up/down airflow direction changing section 5a Up/down airflow direction rotation section 6 Dehumidifier 7 Blower 8 Control section 9 Sensor section 9a Sensor rotation section 21 Compressor 22 Heat radiator 23 Expansion device 24 Heat absorber 25 Dehumidifier rotor 25a Moisture absorption section 25b Moisture discharge section 26 Heater 27 Drive section 28 Water collection section 29 Water collection tank 41 First airflow direction changing unit 41a First rotating shaft 41b First rotating bearing 41c First airflow direction changing plate 41d First connecting rod 41e Motor 41f First holding section 42 Second airflow direction changing unit 42a Second rotating shaft 42b Second rotating bearing 42c Second airflow direction changing plate 42d Second connecting rod 42f Second holding portion 43 Clutch mechanism 43a First protrusion 43b Second protrusion 43c Idle rotation area 51 First airflow direction louver unit 51a First airflow direction plate 51b First shaft portion 51c First support portion 51d First gear 52 First rotating portion 52a First motor 52b First motor gear 53 Second airflow direction louver unit 53a Second airflow direction plate 53b Second shaft portion 53c Second support portion 53d Second gear 54 Second rotating portion 54a Second motor 54b Second motor gear 55 First side case 56 Second side case 57 Third side case 61 Sensor box 61a Box shaft portion 61b Box bearing portion 61c Box rotating portion 61d Box opening 61e Case bearing portion 62 Sensor case 62a Case shaft portion 62b Case rotation portion 62c Case opening 63 Sensor 63a Light emitting portion 63b Light receiving portion 63c Moisture amount calculation portion 64 Signal line

Claims (5)

a main body case having an intake port and an air outlet opening upward;
An up-down airflow direction changing unit that changes the airflow direction and is provided above the air outlet;
a dehumidifying unit provided in the main body case and a blower configured to blow air from outside the main body case into the main body case through the suction port;
A sensor unit that detects the state of laundry;
a control unit that controls the dehumidifier and the up/down airflow direction changing unit based on a detection result of the sensor unit,
The vertical airflow direction changing unit is rotated in the vertical direction by a vertical airflow direction rotating unit,
The sensor unit is rotated up and down and left and right by a sensor rotation unit ,
The sensor unit includes:
a sensor box that is rotated by the sensor rotation unit;
A sensor provided in the sensor box,
When the sensor unit is not operating, the sensor is not exposed.
The sensor box is disposed between two box bearing portions so as to be rotatable in the up-down direction,
A dehumidification device characterized in that when the sensor box rotates vertically and moves to the lowest position, the outer surfaces of the two box bearing parts and the exposed outer surface of the sensor box become substantially flush with each other, and the sensor box becomes part of the top surface of the main body case . The vertical airflow direction changing unit is disposed on one side of the top surface of the main body case,
the sensor unit is disposed on the top surface of the main body case closer to the other side than the up-down airflow direction changing unit,
2. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein a main direction of airflow from the vertical airflow direction changing portion is from the other side to the one side on the top surface of the main body case. The main body case has an operation unit on a top surface thereof,
the operation unit is disposed on the other side of the top surface of the main body case,
The dehumidifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is disposed between the vertical airflow direction changing unit and the operation unit. 2. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects the dryness of the laundry by rotating upward when the sensor unit is in operation compared to when the sensor unit is not in operation. A dehumidifying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the vertical airflow direction changing section rotates vertically and reaches its lowest position, the sensor section detects the dryness of laundry below the top surface of the main body case.

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