JP7674864B2 - Dehumidifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier.

Conventionally, dehumidifiers equipped with a heating section and a dehumidifying rotor are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a dehumidifying device equipped with a heating means and a dehumidifying rotor through which air passes. The dehumidifying device of Patent Document 1 includes a second air passage through which air passes through the heating means and the dehumidifying rotor, a first air passage through which air passes through the dehumidifying rotor without passing through the heating means, and a third air passage through which air passes through the heat absorber without passing through either the heating means or the dehumidifying rotor.

JP 2018-161630 A

However, in the dehumidifier of Patent Document 1, the dehumidifier rotor rotates, and the heating means is separated from the dehumidifier rotor. Therefore, part of the air that passes through the heating means leaks from the gap between the heating means and the dehumidifier rotor, for example, into the third air passage. Therefore, part of the air heated by the heating means does not contribute to dehumidification. As a result, there is a problem in that it is difficult to improve the dehumidification performance of the dehumidifier.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a dehumidifier that can improve dehumidification performance by suppressing the increase in air that does not contribute to dehumidification.

The dehumidifier of one aspect of the present invention has a heating section, a dehumidifying rotor, a first flow path, a second flow path, a guide member, and a third flow path. The heating section includes a heat generating section and a storage section that houses the heat generating section and through which air passes. The dehumidifying rotor rotates about a rotation axis. The first flow path allows air to pass through the heating section and the dehumidifying rotor in a first direction along the rotation axis. The second flow path is separated from the first flow path, and air passes through the dehumidifying rotor in the first direction. The guide member is disposed between the first flow path and the second flow path, and has a space between the heating section and the guide member. The third flow path allows air to pass through the space between the heating section and the guide member in the first direction between the first flow path and the second flow path.

The present invention provides a dehumidifier that can improve dehumidification performance by suppressing the increase in air that does not contribute to dehumidification.

1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention; 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure around a heater according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the structure around the heater according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure around a heater of a dehumidifier according to a modified example of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference symbols and will not be described repeatedly.

1 and 2, a dehumidifier 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of a dehumidifier 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown in the figure, which are mutually perpendicular. The Z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal direction. The positive direction of the X-axis indicates the front side of the dehumidifier 100, and the negative direction of the X-axis indicates the rear side of the dehumidifier 100. In this embodiment, for convenience, the right side of the dehumidifier 100 when viewed from the front side may be described as the right side of the dehumidifier 100, and the opposite side may be described as the left side of the dehumidifier 100. In addition, the front side of the dehumidifier 100 may be described as the front side of the dehumidifier 100, and the rear side of the dehumidifier 100 may be described as the rear side of the dehumidifier 100. In addition, in this embodiment, the rotation axis AX of the dehumidifier rotor 7 is approximately parallel to the X-axis. One side of the rotation axis AX indicates the front side of the dehumidifier 100, and the other side of the rotation axis AX indicates the rear side of the dehumidifier 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dehumidifier 100 includes a casing 1, a cover member 2a, a drainage tank 4, and an operating unit 5.

The casing 1 is a hollow member. As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 1 includes an air outlet 2, a first air inlet 3a, and a second air inlet 3b.

The air outlet 2 is formed, for example, on the front surface of the casing 1. The air outlet 2 connects the inside and outside of the casing 1. The air outlet 2 releases air inside the casing 1 to the outside of the casing 1. The air outlet 2 only needs to be formed in the casing 1, and may be located in a location other than the front surface of the casing 1.

The cover member 2a (see FIG. 1) is a generally plate-shaped member. The cover member 2a covers the air outlet 2. The cover member 2a is rotatably attached to the casing 1. By changing the rotation angle of the cover member 2a, the cover member 2a functions as a wind direction plate that determines the flow direction of the air discharged from the air outlet 2 according to the rotation angle of the cover member 2a.

The first suction port 3a is formed, for example, on the rear surface of the casing 1. The first suction port 3a is located, for example, at the upper part and in the center of the left and right part of the rear surface of the casing 1. The first suction port 3a connects the inside and outside of the casing 1. The first suction port 3a allows air outside the casing 1 to flow into the inside of the casing 1. The first suction port 3a only needs to be formed in the casing 1, and may be located in a place other than the rear surface of the casing 1.

The second suction port 3b is formed, for example, on the rear surface of the casing 1. The second suction port 3b is located, for example, in the center between the left and right sides of the rear surface of the casing 1. The second suction port 3b is located, for example, below the first suction port 3a. The second suction port 3b connects the inside and outside of the casing 1. The second suction port 3b allows air outside the casing 1 to flow into the inside of the casing 1. The second suction port 3b only needs to be formed in the casing 1, and may be located in a location other than the rear surface of the casing 1.

The drainage tank 4 is disposed at the bottom inside the casing 1. The drainage tank 4 is removably stored in the casing 1. The drainage tank 4 stores water generated by the dehumidifier 100.

The operation unit 5 is disposed, for example, at the top of the casing 1. The operation unit 5 receives instructions from the outside.

Next, the dehumidifier 100 will be further described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the dehumidifier 100 further includes a heating section 6, a dehumidification rotor 7, a cooling section 8, a heat dissipation section 9, a water collection section 10, an air blowing section 11, a compression section 12a, and an expansion section 12b. The heating section 6, the dehumidification rotor 7, the cooling section 8, the heat dissipation section 9, the air blowing section 11, the compression section 12a, and the expansion section 12b are disposed inside the casing 1.

The heating unit 6 heats the air by generating heat. The heating unit 6 also heats the dehumidification rotor 7. The heating unit 6 is positioned in front of the first suction port 3a. The heating unit 6 faces the first suction port 3a.

The dehumidifying rotor 7 is a substantially disk-shaped member. The dehumidifying rotor 7 rotates about the rotation axis AX. The rotation shaft 19 is disposed on the rotation axis AX. The rotation shaft 19 rotatably supports the dehumidifying rotor 7. The dehumidifying rotor 7 rotates about the rotation shaft 19.

The dehumidifying rotor 7 allows air to pass through. The dehumidifying rotor 7 is capable of adsorbing and desorbing moisture. The dehumidifying rotor 7 contains, for example, zeolite.

The dehumidifying rotor 7 includes a moisture release section 7a and a moisture absorption section 7b. The moisture release section 7a is the upper part of the dehumidifying rotor 7. The moisture release section 7a is located above the moisture absorption section 7b. The heating section 6 and the first suction port 3a are arranged behind the moisture release section 7a. The moisture release section 7a faces the heating section 6. Heat is supplied to the moisture release section 7a from the heating section 6. The moisture absorption section 7b is the lower part of the dehumidifying rotor 7. The moisture absorption section 7b does not face the heating section 6. As the dehumidifying rotor 7 rotates, the outer periphery of the dehumidifying rotor 7 alternates between being located in the moisture release section 7a and being located in the moisture absorption section 7b.

The moisture absorber 7b dehumidifies the air. More specifically, the part of the dehumidifier rotor 7 that is located in the moisture absorber 7b dehumidifies the air. As a result, dehumidified air (dry air) is released from the moisture absorber 7b.

The moisture release section 7a has a moisture release function of releasing air (high humidity air) containing moisture dehumidified by the moisture absorption section 7b when air heated by the heating section 6 is supplied to it. In detail, when air heated by the heating section 6 is supplied to it, the moisture dehumidified from the air by the moisture absorption section 7b is vaporized in the moisture release section 7a. As a result, high humidity air is released from the moisture release section 7a.

The relationship between the heating section 6 and the moisture release section 7a will be explained.

The heating unit 6 includes, for example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater and is operated by electricity. The heating unit 6 has a heating function according to the moisture release function of the moisture release unit 7a. In other words, the heating unit 6 heats the air so that the temperature of the air supplied to the moisture release unit 7a becomes a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is a temperature at which the moisture release unit 7a (e.g., zeolite) can effectively perform the moisture release function. In this embodiment, the heating unit 6 heats the air by generating heat at, for example, about 200°C to 300°C so that the temperature of the air supplied to the moisture release unit 7a becomes a predetermined temperature. The type of the heating unit 6 is not particularly limited, and the heating unit 6 may include, for example, a nichrome heater or a ceramic heater. The detailed structure of the heating unit 6 will be described later.

The compression section 12a pumps the refrigerant. The compression section 12a includes a compressor. The expansion section 12b reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. The expansion section 12b includes, for example, a capillary tube. A refrigeration cycle is formed inside the casing 1. The refrigeration cycle is a cycle in which a circulation path is formed by connecting the compression section 12a, the heat dissipation section 9, the expansion section 12b, and the cooling section 8 in a ring shape, and the compression section 12a circulates the refrigerant through the circulation path. In the refrigeration cycle, the compression section 12a operates to increase the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is sent to the heat dissipation section 9. The heat dissipation section 9 cools the refrigerant by dissipating heat of the refrigerant into the air passing through the heat dissipation section 9. The refrigerant that has passed through the heat dissipation section 9 is sent to the expansion section 12b. The expansion section 12b reduces the pressure of the refrigerant cooled by the heat dissipation section 9 to generate a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant that has passed through the expansion section 12b is sent to the cooling section 8. The cooling section 8 is cooled by being supplied with low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant from the expansion section 12b. The refrigerant that has passed through the cooling section 8 is sent to the compression section 12a. In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant circulates through the compression section 12a, the heat dissipation section 9, the expansion section 12b, and the cooling section 8 in that order, thereby suppressing a rise in temperature of the cooling section 8. In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant that has been made high-temperature and high-pressure by the compression section 12a is sent to the heat dissipation section 9, so the temperature of the heat dissipation section 9 rises.

The cooling unit 8 cools the air by exchanging heat. The cooling unit 8 includes an evaporator. The cooling unit 8 has a shape that extends in the vertical direction. The cooling unit 8 is disposed opposite the moisture absorption unit 7b. The cooling unit 8 is disposed behind the moisture absorption unit 7b. The cooling unit 8 is disposed below the heating unit 6. The moisture absorption unit 7b is disposed in front of the cooling unit 8.

The cooling unit 8 cools the air, causing the water vapor in the air to condense. As a result, the air is dehumidified and water is produced.

In this embodiment, high humidity air is discharged from the moisture discharge section 7a. The air discharged from the moisture discharge section 7a is supplied to the cooling section 8. The cooling section 8 then generates condensation from the air discharged from the moisture discharge section 7a to perform dehumidification.

The heat dissipation unit 9 cools the cooling unit 8 by cooling the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. That is, the heat dissipation unit 9 cools the cooling unit 8 via the refrigerant (e.g., freon gas). The heat dissipation unit 9 includes a capacitor. The heat dissipation unit 9 is disposed in front of the moisture absorption unit 7b.

The water collection section 10 collects the water generated in the cooling section 8. The water collection section 10 is disposed below the cooling section 8. The water generated in the cooling section 8 drips into the water collection section 10.

The water collection section 10 is formed, for example, in a funnel shape, and guides the received water to the drainage tank 4. As a result, the water is stored in the drainage tank 4.

The blower 11 blows air. The blower 11 includes a fan. The blower 11 is disposed, for example, in front of the heat dissipation section 9.

The dehumidifier 100 further includes a memory unit 13 and a control unit 14.

The storage unit 13 includes a main storage device (e.g., a semiconductor memory) such as a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), and may further include an auxiliary storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive). The main storage device and/or the auxiliary storage device store various computer programs executed by the control unit 14.

The control unit 14 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 14 controls each element of the dehumidifier 100.

Next, the first flow path F1 and the second flow path F2 formed inside the casing 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the dehumidifier 100 has a first circulation path F1 and a second circulation path F2. The blower unit 11 blows air to cause the air to flow through the first circulation path F1 and the second circulation path F2. The first circulation path F1 and the second circulation path F2 are flow paths through which the air moves.

The first distribution path F1 includes a first path portion F11, a pair of second path portions F12, a pair of third path portions F13, a pair of fourth path portions F14, and a fifth path portion F15.

The first path portion F11 is located in the left-right center of the casing 1, and above the cooling section 8 and the heat dissipation section 9. The first path portion F11 is connected to the first suction port 3a and extends forward from the first suction port 3a. The first path portion F11 passes through the heating section 6 and the moisture discharging section 7a. In other words, the first path portion F11 is a portion where air passes through the heating section 6 and the dehumidification rotor 7 in a first direction along the rotation axis AX. The front end portion F11a of the first path portion F11 is located in front of the heating section 6. In this embodiment, the first direction is the positive direction of the X-axis. The first path portion F11 is an example of the "first flow path" of the present invention.

The pair of second path portions F12 are connected to the front end portion F11a of the first path portion F11. The pair of second path portions F12 extend in opposite directions (left and right directions) so as to branch off from the front end portion F11a of the first path portion F11. The dehumidifier 100 has a partition portion 15 below the second path portion F12. The partition portion 15 is disposed between the second path portion F12 and the heat dissipation portion 9. The partition portion 15 is a plate-shaped member. The partition portion 15 divides the space in front of the dehumidification rotor 7 into a space in which the second path portion F12 is formed and a space in which the heat dissipation portion 9 is disposed.

The pair of third path portions F13 are connected to the ends F12a of the pair of second path portions F12, respectively, and extend rearward from the ends F12a. The pair of third path portions F13 pass through both the left and right sides of the moisture release section 7a. The rear ends F13a of the pair of third path portions F13 are located above the cooling section 8.

The pair of fourth path portions F14 are connected to the rear end portions F13a of the pair of third path portions F13, respectively, and extend downward from the rear end portions F13a. The pair of fourth path portions F14 approach each other downward and join behind the dehumidification rotor 7. The pair of fourth path portions F14 are formed in the cooling section 8.

The fifth path portion F15 is connected to the lower end F14a of the fourth path portion F14 and extends forward from the lower end F14a. The fifth path portion F15 is separated from the first path portion F11. Specifically, the fifth path portion F15 is separated from the first path portion F11 inward in the radial direction RD relative to the rotation axis AX. In this embodiment, the fifth path portion F15 is separated downward from the first path portion F11. The fifth path portion F15 passes through the cooling section 8, the dehumidification rotor 7, and the heat dissipation section 9. In other words, the fifth path portion F15 is a portion where air passes through the dehumidification rotor 7 in the first direction (positive direction of the X-axis) along the rotation axis AX. The fifth path portion F15 leads to the blower section 11. In other words, the air that has passed through the first path portion F11 flows in the order of the fifth path portion F15 and the blower section 11. The fifth path portion F15 is an example of the "second flow path" of the present invention.

The second flow path F2 is located below the first flow path F1. The second flow path F2 is connected to the second air inlet 3b. In the second flow path F2, the cooling section 8, the moisture absorption section 7b, and the heat dissipation section 9 are arranged in this order: the cooling section 8, the moisture absorption section 7b, and the heat dissipation section 9. The second flow path F2 is connected to the blower section 11.

The dehumidifier 100 also has an exhaust flow path FZ. The blower unit 11 blows air, causing the air to flow through the exhaust flow path FZ inside the casing 1. The exhaust flow path FZ is a flow path through which the air moves. The exhaust flow path FZ is formed from the blower unit 11 to the air outlet 2.

Next, the heating section 6 and the third flow path F3 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2, 4, and 5. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the heating section 6 of this embodiment. Figure 5 is a view showing the structure around the heating section 6 of this embodiment from the rear. Note that in Figure 4, hatching of the heat generating section 60 of the heating section 6, the dehumidifying rotor 7, the cooling section 8, and the heat dissipation section 9 has been omitted for ease of understanding. Also, in Figure 4, the second guide section 52 of the guide member 50 has been omitted for ease of understanding.

As shown in FIG. 4, the heating unit 6 faces the dehumidification rotor 7. The heating unit 6 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the dehumidification rotor 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heating unit 6 includes a heat generating unit 60 and a housing unit 61. The heat generating unit 60 is substantially rectangular. The heat generating unit 60 is, for example, a PTC heater. The heat generating unit 60 has a plurality of through holes 60a that penetrate in the front-rear direction. Air passes through the plurality of through holes 60a from the rear to the front.

The storage section 61 stores the heat generating section 60. The storage section 61 is a tubular member having a substantially rectangular internal space. The heat generating section 60 is disposed in the internal space of the storage section 61. Air passes through the interior of the storage section 61. The air is heated as it passes through the interior of the storage section 61.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the dehumidifier 100 further includes a guide member 50 that guides air toward the dehumidification rotor 7, and a third flow path F3 through which the air passes. The guide member 50 is disposed between the first path portion F11 as the first flow path and the fifth path portion F15 as the second flow path. The guide member 50 has a space between it and the heating unit 6. Specifically, the guide member 50 has at least a first guide portion 51 that is disposed between the first path portion F11 and the fifth path portion F15. The first guide portion 51 has a space S1 between it and the heating unit 6. The first guide portion 51 is also spaced inward in the radial direction RD from the heating unit 6.

The third flow path F3 communicates with the first suction port 3a. In this embodiment, the third flow path F3 branches off from the first path portion F11. The third flow path F3 is a flow path through which air passes through the space S1 between the heating unit 6 and the guide member 50 in the first direction along the rotation axis AX. Here, the air that has passed through the third flow path F3 flows toward the fifth path portion F15. Since the air A1 that passes through the third flow path F3 and flows into the fifth path portion F15 functions as an air curtain, the air that passes through the first path portion F11 (see air A2 in FIG. 4) is less likely to flow into the fifth path portion F15. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air that has passed through the heating unit 6 from leaking to an unintended location. In other words, it is possible to prevent an increase in air that does not contribute to dehumidification. As a result, it is possible to improve the dehumidification performance of the dehumidifier 100.

As shown in FIG. 5, the guide member 50 has a pair of second guide parts 52 that are spaced apart from the heating unit 6 in the left-right direction. In other words, the guide member 50 has a pair of second guide parts 52. The pair of second guide parts 52 are spaced apart from the heating unit 6 in a second direction that intersects the first direction along the rotation axis AX and the radial direction RD. Therefore, the second guide part 52 has a space S2 between it and the heating unit 6. In addition, a part of the air that flows in from the first suction port 3a passes through the space S2 between the heating unit 6 and the second guide part 52. Here, the air that passes through the space S2 flows toward the dehumidification rotor 7. Therefore, since the air that passes through the space S2 functions as an air curtain, the air that passes through the heating unit 6 is less likely to flow in the left-right direction. Therefore, the increase in air that does not contribute to dehumidification can be suppressed. As a result, the dehumidification performance of the dehumidifier 100 can be further improved. In this embodiment, the second direction is the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the distance L2 between the guide member 50 and the dehumidification rotor 7 is smaller than the distance L1 between the guide member 50 and the heating section 6. Therefore, the air that has passed through the space S1 is less likely to flow between the first guide section 51 and the dehumidification rotor 7. In other words, the air that has passed through the space S1 is prevented from leaking downward along the surface of the dehumidification rotor 7. Therefore, the air that has passed through the space S1 is more likely to flow in the first direction along the rotation axis AX. As a result, the air that has passed through the space S1 can be made to function effectively as an air curtain.

The fifth path portion F15 is disposed closer to the blower 11 than the first path portion F11. That is, the fifth path portion F15 is disposed downstream of the air flow from the first path portion F11. Therefore, the fifth path portion F15 has a lower air pressure than the first path portion F11. In general, when the fifth path portion has a lower air pressure than the first path portion, air is likely to leak from the first path portion to the fifth path portion. Therefore, in this embodiment, in a configuration in which the fifth path portion F15 is disposed downstream of the air flow from the first path portion F11, the third flow path F3 is provided, thereby effectively preventing air from leaking from the first path portion F11 to the fifth path portion F15.

For example, in a configuration in which the heat dissipation section is located downstream of the dehumidification rotor in the fifth path section, when air in the first path section leaks into the fifth path section, high-temperature air that has passed through the heating section flows into the heat dissipation section. In this case, the heat dissipation section is heated by the high-temperature air, and the dehumidification efficiency decreases. Therefore, in this embodiment, in a configuration in which the heat dissipation section 9 is located downstream of the dehumidification rotor 7 in the fifth path section F15, the third flow path F3 is provided, thereby effectively preventing air from leaking from the first path section F11 to the fifth path section F15.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heating unit 6 further includes a plurality of terminals 62. The terminals 62 are connected to the heat generating unit 60. The terminals 62 and the heat generating unit 60 may be integrally molded. The terminals 62 are disposed in the internal space of the accommodation unit 61. The terminals 62 are disposed, for example, on one side in the left-right direction relative to the heat generating unit 60. The terminals 62 are electrically connected, for example, to a heater control board (not shown).

Next, the operation of the dehumidifier 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

2 and 3, air outside the casing 1 flows into the casing 1 through the first suction port 3a, then flows through the heating section 6, moisture release section 7a, cooling section 8, dehumidification rotor 7, and heat dissipation section 9, in that order, before being discharged to the outside of the casing 1 through the air outlet 2. In this embodiment, a portion of the air that flows into the casing 1 through the first suction port 3a passes through the space S1 (see FIG. 4) between the guide member 50 (see FIG. 4) and the heating section 6, then flows through the dehumidification rotor 7 and heat dissipation section 9, in that order, before being discharged to the outside of the casing 1 through the air outlet 2.

Air that flows into the casing 1 through the first suction port 3a and passes through the heating section 6 is heated by the heating section 6. The air heated by the heating section 6 is supplied to the moisture discharging section 7a. The air heated by the heating section 6 then vaporizes the moisture contained in the portion of the dehumidification rotor 7 that is located in the moisture discharging section 7a. As a result, high humidity air is generated. The high humidity air is released from the moisture discharging section 7a.

The high humidity air discharged from the moisture release section 7a is cooled by the cooling section 8. As a result, condensation is generated. The water generated by the condensation is discharged into the drainage tank 4 via the water collection section 10.

The air discharged from the cooling section 8 passes through the dehumidifying rotor 7 and is supplied to the heat dissipation section 9, and then is discharged to the outside of the casing 1 through the air outlet 2.

In addition, air outside the casing 1 flows into the inside of the casing 1 through the second air inlet 3b, then flows through the cooling section 8, the moisture absorption section 7b, and the heat dissipation section 9 in that order, and is discharged to the outside of the casing 1 through the air outlet 2.

Air that flows into the inside of the casing 1 through the second intake port 3b is dehumidified by condensing the moisture in the air with the cooling unit 8. The air dehumidified by the cooling unit 8 is then further dehumidified by the moisture absorption unit 7b. As a result, the air can be effectively dried. The air dehumidified by the moisture absorption unit 7b is supplied to the heat dissipation unit 9 and then discharged to the outside of the casing 1 through the air outlet 2. In this embodiment, the air cooled by the cooling unit 8 is supplied to the heat dissipation unit 9, so that the temperature rise of the heat dissipation unit 9 can be suppressed. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the cooling unit 8 by the refrigeration cycle can be improved.

(Modification)
A dehumidifier 100 according to a modified example of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the dehumidifier 100 according to the modified example of the present invention, an example in which a shielding section 16 is provided between the dehumidification rotor 7 and the heat dissipation section 9 will be described. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure around the heating section 6 of the dehumidifier 100 according to the modified example of the present invention. Note that, like Fig. 4, hatching of the heat generating section 60 of the heating section 6, the dehumidification rotor 7, the cooling section 8, and the heat dissipation section 9 is omitted in Fig. 6. Also, the second guide section 52 of the guide member 50 is omitted in Fig. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, the dehumidifier 100 of the modified embodiment of the present invention includes a shielding portion 16 between the dehumidification rotor 7 and the heat dissipation portion 9. The shielding portion 16 is a plate-shaped member. The shielding portion 16 extends vertically along the dehumidification rotor 7 and the heat dissipation portion 9. The shielding portion 16 is disposed between the upper end of the heat dissipation portion 9 and the dehumidification rotor 7. In other words, the shielding portion 16 is disposed between the end 9a of the heat dissipation portion 9 on the first path portion F11 side and the dehumidification rotor 7. The shielding portion 16 blocks the flow of air toward the heat dissipation portion 9. Therefore, the air A1 that has passed through the third flow path F3 can be prevented from flowing into the fifth path portion F15. Therefore, the air that passes through the first path portion F11 (see air A2 in FIG. 6) can be further prevented from flowing into the fifth path portion F15. As a result, the dehumidification performance of the dehumidifier 100 can be further improved.

The shielding portion 16 extends downward from, for example, the end portion 15a of the partition portion 15 on the dehumidification rotor 7 side. The shielding portion 16 and the partition portion 15 are, for example, integrally molded products. Note that the shielding portion 16 and the partition portion 15 may be separate parts.

Above, the embodiments of the present invention (including modified examples) have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings are mainly shown schematically for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are only examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the guide member 50 has a space S1 and a space S2 between it and the heating unit 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. The guide member 50 does not need to have a space S2 between it and the heating unit 6. In other words, the distance between the pair of second guide parts 52 may be approximately the same as the length of the heating unit 6 in the left-right direction.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the fifth path portion F15 is shown as an example of the second flow path, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second flow path F2 may be the second flow path. Furthermore, the fifth path portion F15 and the second flow path F2 may be the second flow path.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the blower 11 is disposed downstream of the air flow relative to the first path portion F11 as the first flow path and the fifth path portion F15 as the second flow path, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the blower 11 may be disposed upstream of the air flow relative to the first path portion F11 and the fifth path portion F15.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the rotation axis AX extends in the front-rear direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotation axis AX may be arranged to extend in the left-right direction (parallel to the Y axis).

This invention can be used in the field of dehumidifiers.

6: Heating section 7: Dehumidification rotor 8: Cooling section 9: Heat dissipation section 9a: End section 16: Shielding section 50: Guide member 51: First guide section 52: Second guide section 60: Heat generating section 61: Storage section 100: Dehumidifier AX: Rotation axis F11: First path section (first flow path)
F15: Fifth path portion (second flow path)
F3: Third flow path RD: Radial direction S1: Space

Claims (5)

A heating unit including a heat generating unit and a housing unit that houses the heat generating unit and through which air passes;
a dehumidifying rotor having a moisture releasing section and a moisture absorbing section, the positions of the moisture releasing section and the moisture absorbing section being changed by rotating about a rotation axis;
a refrigeration cycle including a cooling unit disposed upstream of the moisture absorption unit of the dehumidification rotor in an airflow direction, and a heat dissipation unit disposed downstream of the moisture absorption unit of the dehumidification rotor in an airflow direction;
a first flow path in which the heating unit and the moisture discharging unit of the dehumidification rotor are disposed, and through which air flowing in from the outside passes first through the heating unit and then through the moisture discharging unit of the dehumidification rotor;
a second flow passage, which is spaced apart from the first flow passage in a radial direction of the rotation axis and in which the cooling unit, the moisture absorption unit of the dehumidification rotor, and the heat dissipation unit are disposed, and in which air having passed through the first flow passage passes through the cooling unit, the moisture absorption unit of the dehumidification rotor, and the heat dissipation unit in this order;
a third flow path formed between the first flow path and the second flow path in the radial direction and upstream of the dehumidification rotor, in which the heating unit is not disposed , through which air flowing in from the outside passes and flows toward the second flow path . The dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member including a first guide portion spaced apart from the heating portion in the radial direction and forming a space between the heating portion as the third flow path, and a pair of second guide portions spaced apart from the heating portion in a second direction intersecting a first direction along the rotation axis and the radial direction. The dehumidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second flow path is disposed downstream of the first flow path in the air flow direction. Further comprising a blower for blowing air,
The dehumidifier according to claim 3 , wherein the air having passed through the first flow path flows through the second flow path and the blower section in this order. The dehumidifier according to claim 4, further comprising a shielding section disposed between the end of the heat dissipation section on the first flow path side and the dehumidification rotor, for blocking the flow of air toward the heat dissipation section.

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