Humidifying unit

Abstract

To provide a humidifying unit for suppressing the degeneration of a rotor which is formed of at least a polymeric material.SOLUTION: A humidifying unit 150 includes a rotor 58, a body 50, and a first heater 76A, the rotor 58 being formed of at least a polymeric material to humidify air with moisture desorption, the body 50 being formed with a desorption flow path R1, and an opening, the desorption flow path R1 including a moisture desorption area DA as an area where moisture desorption is performed in the rotor 58, the desorption flow path R1 being formed to suppress the radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58, the opening serving for taking in air from the outside into the desorption flow path R1, and the first heater 76A being arranged between the opening and the rotor 58 in the desorption flow path R1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Regarding the humidification unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-60872 A) discloses an air conditioner in which a heater heats the air to remove moisture from an absorbent material. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the heater heats the absorbent material more than necessary.

[0004] The present disclosure proposes a humidification unit capable of suppressing denaturation of at least a rotor made of a polymer material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A humidification unit according to a first aspect includes a rotor, a main body, and a first heater. The rotor is formed from at least a polymeric material and humidifies air by desorbing moisture. A desorption flow path and an opening are formed in the main body. The desorption flow path includes a moisture desorption region in which moisture is desorbed from the rotor. The desorption flow path is formed so as to suppress radiation from the first heater to the rotor. The opening takes air from the outside into the desorption flow path. The first heater is disposed in the desorption flow path between the opening and the rotor.

[0006] The humidification unit according to the present disclosure includes a main body having a desorption flow path formed to suppress radiation from a first heater to a rotor. Therefore, the humidification unit can suppress denaturation of at least the rotor made of a polymer material.

[0007] A humidification unit according to a second aspect is the humidification unit according to the first aspect, wherein the wall forming the desorption flow path suppresses radiation from the first heater to the rotor.

[0008] A humidifying unit according to a third aspect is the humidifying unit according to the first or second aspect, wherein the opening has a shutter structure.

[0009] A humidification unit according to a fourth aspect is the humidification unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the position of the lowest stage of the first heater is higher than the position of the lowest stage of the opening.

[0010] A humidification unit according to a fifth aspect is the humidification unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the position of the lowest stage of the first heater is not higher than the position of the highest stage of the rotor.

[0011] A humidification unit according to a sixth aspect is a humidification unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the difference between the distance from one end of the first heater to the rotor and the distance from the other end of the first heater to the rotor is 100 mm or less.

[0012] A humidification unit according to a seventh aspect is the humidification unit according to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, in which the polymer material undergoes a phase change from hydrophobic at high temperatures to hydrophilic at low temperatures.

[0013] A humidification unit according to an eighth aspect is the humidification unit according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising a second heater. The second heater is disposed in the desorption flow path. The rotor is rotationally driven by a motor. In the moisture desorption region, a first passing region, which is a region through which air passes after passing through the first heater, is located upstream in the rotation direction of the rotor from a second passing region, which is a region through which air passes after passing through the second heater.

[0014] A humidification unit according to a ninth aspect is the humidification unit according to the eighth aspect, wherein the output of the first heater is greater than the output of the second heater.

[0015] A humidification unit according to a tenth aspect is the humidification unit according to the eighth or ninth aspect, further comprising a third heater which is a planar heater. The first heater and the second heater are non-planar heaters. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an air conditioner 100. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a main body 50. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body 50 with some of its components removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the main body 50 with some of its components removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an exploded perspective view of some components of the main body 50. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main body 50. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a moisture desorption area DA and a moisture non-desorption area nDA. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main body 50. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] First Embodiment (1) Overall structure An air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner 100. The air conditioner 100 performs air conditioning of an indoor ID by heat exchange between a refrigerant and air and supplying air. Examples of air conditioning include cooling, refrigeration, heating, humidification, dehumidification, air purification, ventilation, and the like. In this embodiment, the air conditioning performed by the air conditioner 100 is cooling, heating, and humidification.

[0018] The air conditioner 100 includes an indoor unit 110 and an outdoor unit 120. The indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 120 are electrically connected to each other.

[0019] (1-1) Indoor unit The indoor unit 110 is installed in the indoor ID. The indoor unit 110 includes an indoor air inlet IP1, an indoor air outlet IP2, an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), and an indoor fan (not shown).

[0020] The indoor air inlet IP1 is an opening for drawing air from the room ID into the indoor unit 110. The indoor air outlet IP2 is an opening for blowing air from within the indoor unit 110 to the room ID.

[0021] The indoor heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air. The indoor heat exchanger constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with an outdoor heat exchanger (to be described later) and the like. The indoor heat exchanger operates as an evaporator or a condenser.

[0022] The indoor fan rotates to generate suction force, which draws air from the indoor air inlet IP1 and blows it out from the indoor air outlet IP2.

[0023] (1-2) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 120 is installed in the outdoor OD. The outdoor unit 120 includes a heat exchange unit 121 and a humidification unit 150.

[0024] (1-2-1) Heat exchange unit The heat exchange unit 121 includes an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and air. The outdoor heat exchanger constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with an indoor heat exchanger, etc. The outdoor heat exchanger operates as an evaporator or a condenser.

[0025] (1-2-2) Humidification unit The humidifying unit 150 supplies outdoor OD air to the indoor ID to condition the indoor ID. The humidifying unit 150 includes a main body 50 and a hose 56. The detailed configuration of the main body 50 will be described later. The hose 56 forms an air path between the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 120.

[0026] (2) Detailed configuration The detailed configuration of the main body 50 will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the main body 50. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the main body 50 with some of the components removed. Fig. 4 is a top view of the main body 50 with some of the components removed. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main body 50. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components of the main body 50. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main body 50.

[0027] The main body 50 includes a casing 52, a humidifier 57, a fan unit 65, a damper unit 74, a second fan 84, a control device (not shown), and the like.

[0028] (2-1) Casing The casing 52 is a housing that houses the humidifier 57, the fan unit 65, the damper unit 74, the second fan 84, a control device, etc. The casing 52 is placed on the upper surface side of the heat exchange unit 121 and has a rectangular box shape.

[0029] (2-1-1) Opening The casing 52 is formed with an intake port 52a, an intake port 52b, an intake port 52c, an outlet port 52d, and an exhaust port 52e. The casing 52 is also formed with a desorption flow path R1, a desorption flow path R2, and a sorption flow path R3. The intake port 52a, the intake port 52b, the intake port 52c, the outlet port 52d, and the exhaust port 52e are examples of openings. The desorption flow path R1, the desorption flow path R2, and the sorption flow path R3 will be described in detail later.

[0030] The suction port 52a takes in outdoor air Aout from the outdoor OD (outside) into the desorption flow path R1. The suction port 52b takes in outdoor air Aout from the outdoor OD (outside) into the desorption flow path R2. The suction port 52c takes in outdoor air Aout from the outdoor OD (outside) into the sorption flow path R3. The blow-out port 52d blows air from the main body 50 to the hose 56. The hose 56 is connected to the blow-out port 52d. The exhaust port 52e exhausts air from the main body 50 to the outdoor OD.

[0031] The intake port 52a, the intake port 52b, the intake port 52c, the exhaust port 52d, and the exhaust port 52e have a shutter structure.

[0032] (2-1-2) Seal part The casing 52 has a seal portion 52j on a bottom plate portion 52g of the casing 52. The seal portion 52j blocks the passage of the outdoor air Aout between a lower space S2 described later and a lower space S4 described later.

[0033] (2-2) Humidifier The humidifier 57 includes a rotor 58, a holder 60, a motor 64, a first heater 76A, a second heater 76B, etc. The humidifier 57 may include at least one of a pre-filter, a dust-collecting filter, and a deodorizing filter.

[0034] (2-2-1) Rotor, holder, motor The rotor 58 humidifies the outdoor air Aout by desorbing and absorbing moisture. The rotor 58 is constituted by a humidifying element. The humidifying element is formed from at least a polymer material. The polymer material will be described in detail later. The humidifying element may be a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric.

[0035] The rotor 58 is provided at the center of the casing 52. The rotor 58 is a disk-shaped member through which air can pass in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and which rotates about a rotation center line C1 extending in the vertical direction. The rotor 58 is held by a cylindrical holder 60.

[0036] The rotor 58 is rotationally driven by a motor 64. The motor 64 has a gear 62 that engages with the external teeth of the holder 60. The rotor 58 continues to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed during operation of the main body 50. The rotation direction of the rotor 58 is the rotation direction DR.

[0037] An upper surface 58a of the rotor 58 is covered by a heater cover 80. Therefore, the outside air Aout can pass through the rotor 58.

[0038] (2-2-1-1) Polymer materials The humidifying element is manufactured using a temperature-responsive polymeric material that adsorbs moisture in the air at room temperature and desorbs moisture when exposed to heated air or the like and the temperature rises. The affinity of the temperature-responsive polymeric material with water changes reversibly in response to heat. The temperature at which the affinity with water changes reversibly is called the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The polymeric material becomes hydrophobic and desorbs the moisture contained therein when the temperature is equal to or higher than a first temperature, which is the lower critical solution temperature, and becomes hydrophilic and sorbs moisture when the temperature is lower than the first temperature. The lower critical solution temperature is adjusted to be any temperature between 60°C and 100°C. The polymeric material can desorb the moisture held at a lower heating temperature than adsorbents such as silica gel and zeolite. Therefore, the amount of heat applied by the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B can be suppressed.

[0039] (2-2-1-2) Moisture desorption area, moisture non-desorption area 8 is a diagram showing a moisture desorption area DA and a moisture non-desorption area nDA in the rotor 58. The moisture desorption area DA is an area where at least moisture is desorbed in the rotor 58. Specifically, in the moisture desorption area DA, moisture in the rotor 58 is desorbed to humidify the outdoor air Aout. The moisture desorption area DA includes a first passing area PA1 and a second passing area PA2.

[0040] The first passing area PA1 is an area where the outside air Aout, which has passed through the first heater 76A, passes through the rotor 58. The second passing area PA2 is an area where the outside air Aout, which has passed through the second heater 76B, passes through the rotor 58. In the moisture desorption area DA, the first passing area PA1 is located upstream of the second passing area PA2 in the rotation direction DR of the rotor 58.

[0041] The moisture non-desorption region nDA is a region in which moisture is not desorbed from the rotor 58. Specifically, in the moisture non-desorption region nDA, moisture is removed from the outside air Aout, and the moisture is sorbed onto the rotor 58.

[0042] (2-2-2) Heater (2-2-2-1) First heater The first heater 76A is disposed in the desorption flow path R1 between the suction port 52a and the rotor 58. The first heater 76A is disposed in the vicinity of the rotor 58, and is disposed upstream of the rotor 58 in the desorption flow path R1. The first heater 76A is provided on the partition plate 78.

[0043] The first heater 76A may be a heater having the same heating capacity as the second heater 76B, or may be a heater having a heating capacity different from that of the second heater 76B. The output of the first heater is greater than the output of the second heater.

[0044] The position of the lowest stage of the first heater 76A is higher than the position of the lowest stage of the suction port 52a. Moreover, the position of the lowest stage of the first heater 76A is not higher than the position of the top stage (upper surface 58a) of the rotor 58. Examples of the position of the lowest stage of the first heater 76A include a position lower than the position of the top stage of the rotor 58 and a position equal to the position of the top stage of the rotor 58. The difference between the distance from one end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 and the distance from the other end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 is 100 mm or less.

[0045] (2-2-2-2) Second heater The second heater 76B is disposed in the desorption flow path R2 between the suction port 52b and the rotor 58. The second heater 76B is disposed in the vicinity of the rotor 58, and is disposed upstream of the rotor 58 in the desorption flow path R2. The second heater 76B is provided on the partition plate 78.

[0046] The position of the lowest stage of the second heater 76B is higher than the position of the lowest stage of the suction port 52b. Moreover, the position of the lowest stage of the second heater 76B is not higher than the position of the top stage (upper surface 58a) of the rotor 58. Examples of the position of the lowest stage of the second heater 76B include a position lower than the position of the top stage of the rotor 58 and a position equal to the position of the top stage of the rotor 58. The difference between the distance from one end of the second heater 76B to the rotor 58 and the distance from the other end of the second heater 76B to the rotor 58 is 100 mm or less.

[0047] (2-3) Fan unit The fan unit 65 includes a fan impeller 66, a partition plate 68, a fan housing 70, a fan motor 72, a wall 90A, and a wall 90B.

[0048] (2-3-1) Fan impeller The fan impeller 66 is disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the main body 50 with respect to the rotor 58. An example of the fan impeller 66 is a sirocco fan. The fan impeller 66 is housed in a cylindrical portion 68a provided in a partition plate 68 that divides the space on one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rotor 58 into upper and lower portions.

[0049] (2-3-2) Fan housing, fan motor A fan housing 70 that covers the fan impeller 66 is attached to the cylindrical portion 68a of the partition plate 68. A fan motor 72 that rotates the fan impeller 66 is provided in the fan housing 70.

[0050] (2-3-3) Wall 90A The wall 90A is disposed between the rotor 58 and the first heater 76A so that the area of ​​the first heater 76A facing the rotor 58 is narrowed. Alternatively, the wall 90A is disposed between the rotor 58 and the first heater 76A so that the area of ​​the first heater 76A facing the rotor 58 is zero. The wall 90A suppresses radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. Specifically, the wall 90A blocks electromagnetic waves from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. Examples of electromagnetic waves include microwaves, infrared rays, visible light, and ultraviolet rays. Even if the wall 90A exists, the outdoor air Aout can pass through a portion of the first heater 76A that does not face the rotor 58. Therefore, the outdoor air Aout is heated by the first heater 76A and then directed toward the rotor 58. The wall 90A forms a desorption flow path R1.

[0051] (2-3-4) Wall 90B The wall 90B is disposed between the rotor 58 and the second heater 76B so that the area of ​​the second heater 76B facing the rotor 58 is narrowed. Alternatively, the wall 90B is disposed between the rotor 58 and the second heater 76B so that the area of ​​the second heater 76B facing the rotor 58 is zero. The wall 90B suppresses radiation from the second heater 76B to the rotor 58. Specifically, the wall 90B blocks electromagnetic waves from the second heater 76B to the rotor 58. Even if the wall 90B exists, the outside air Aout can pass through a portion of the second heater 76B that does not face the rotor 58. Therefore, the outside air Aout is heated by the second heater 76B and then directed toward the rotor 58. The wall 90B forms a desorption flow path R2.

[0052] (2-4) Damper unit, second fan The damper unit 74 switches the air flow path. The second fan 84 is rotationally driven to generate suction force. The second fan 84 generates a flow of outdoor air Aout in the sorption flow path R3 described below. The second fan 84 is disposed on the other side of the main body 50 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) with respect to the rotor 58. An example of the second fan 84 is a sirocco fan.

[0053] (2-4-1) Motor, cylindrical part The second fan 84 is rotated by a motor 86 attached to the outer surface of the bottom plate portion 52g of the casing 52. The second fan 84 is housed in a cylindrical portion 52h provided on the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 52g. The internal space of the cylindrical portion 52h communicates with the exhaust port 52e.

[0054] (2-5) Control device The control device controls the operations of the humidifier 57, the fan unit 65, the damper unit 74, the first heater 76A, the second heater 76B, and the like to perform cooling, heating, and humidification.

[0055] The control device is realized by a computer. The control device includes a control arithmetic unit and a storage device. The control arithmetic unit can be a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control arithmetic unit reads a program stored in the storage device, and performs predetermined image processing and arithmetic processing according to the program. Furthermore, the control arithmetic unit can write the results of the calculation to the storage device and read information stored in the storage device according to the program. The storage device can be used as a database.

[0056] (3) Operation and flow path The operation of the air conditioner 100 and each flow path will now be described.

[0057] Cooling is an operation in which the refrigerant removes heat from the indoor air through a refrigerant circuit with the indoor heat exchanger as the evaporator and the outdoor heat exchanger as the condenser. Heating is an operation in which the refrigerant supplies heat to the indoor air through a refrigerant circuit with the indoor heat exchanger as the condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger as the evaporator.

[0058] Humidification is an operation in which the fan unit 65 is driven to supply humidified outdoor air Aout to the room ID, and the second fan 84 is driven so that the rotor 58 adsorbs moisture from the outdoor air Aout and exhausts it again to the outside OD.

[0059] (3-1) Humidification, desorption flow path R1, desorption flow path R2, sorption flow path R3 The following describes the humidification, desorption flow path R1, and desorption flow path R2 of the air conditioner 100. In the case of humidification, the control device drives the fan unit 65, the motor 64, the second fan 84, etc., and heats the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B.

[0060] When the fan unit 65 is driven, the fan impeller 66 is rotationally driven. A suction force is generated by the rotation of the fan impeller 66. The outdoor air Aout is taken in through the suction port 52a and the suction port 52b by the suction force.

[0061] The taken-in outdoor air Aout passes through the first heater 76A or the second heater 76B. Since the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B are heated, the outdoor air Aout passing through the first heater 76A or the second heater 76B is also heated. Due to the heating of the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B, radiant heat is generated from the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B to the rotor 58. The generated radiant heat is blocked by the wall 90A or the wall 90B, and is prevented from reaching the rotor 58. In other words, the desorption flow path R1 is formed so as to suppress radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. The desorption flow path R2 is formed so as to suppress radiation from the second heater 76B to the rotor 58.

[0062] The heated outdoor air Aout flows into the moisture desorption area DA. It can be said that the desorption flow path R1 and the desorption flow path R2 comprise the moisture desorption area DA. The heated outdoor air Aout passes through the first passing area PA1 or the second passing area PA2, and thereby passes through the rotor 58 rotating in the rotational direction DR. As the outdoor air Aout passes through the rotor 58, moisture is desorbed from the rotor 58, and the outdoor air Aout is humidified.

[0063] Of the paths for the outdoor air Aout, the path from the suction port 52a to the blowout port 52d is referred to as a desorption path R1. Of the paths for the outdoor air Aout, the path from the suction port 52b to the blowout port 52d is referred to as a desorption path R2.

[0064] The outdoor air Aout flows to the indoor unit 110 through the hose 56. The outdoor air Aout that has flowed to the indoor unit 110 flows into the room ID through the indoor air outlet IP2. The air in the room ID is humidified by the humidified outdoor air Aout.

[0065] The control device may heat only one of the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B. In this case, the air passing through the unheated first heater 76A or second heater 76B is not heated. Even if unheated air passes through the rotor 58, moisture is not desorbed and the air is not humidified. Therefore, when only one of the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B is heated, the degree of humidification can be reduced compared to when both the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B are heated.

[0066] The sorption flow path R3 will now be described.

[0067] When the second fan 84 is driven to rotate, a suction force is generated. The suction force causes the outdoor air Aout to be taken in through the suction port 52c. The taken in outdoor air Aout flows into the lower space S4 below the partition plate 78. The outdoor air Aout that has flowed into the lower space S4 flows into the moisture non-desorption area nDA below the rotor 58.

[0068] The outside air Aout passes through the rotor 58 rotating in the rotation direction DR via the moisture non-desorption region nDA. Since the outside air Aout is not heated, moisture is removed by the rotor 58. In other words, the rotor 58 sorbs moisture from the outside air Aout.

[0069] The outdoor air Aout that has passed through the rotor 58 flows into the upper space S3 above the partition plate 78. The outdoor air Aout that has flowed into the upper space S3 passes through the through-holes 78a and is taken in by the second fan 84. The outdoor air Aout taken in by the second fan 84 is exhausted to the outside OD through the exhaust port 52e. Of the flow paths of the outdoor air Aout, the flow path from the suction port 52c to the exhaust port 52e is referred to as a sorption flow path R3.

[0070] By simultaneously desorbing moisture in the desorption flow path R1 and the desorption flow path R2 and sorbing moisture in the sorption flow path R3, the amount of moisture in the rotor 58 does not change significantly. Therefore, the air conditioner 100 can continue humidifying.

[0071] (4) Features (4-1) The humidification unit 150 includes a rotor 58, a main body 50, and a first heater 76A. The rotor 58 is made of at least a polymeric material and humidifies air by desorbing moisture. The main body 50 is formed with a desorption flow path R1 and an opening. The desorption flow path R1 includes a moisture desorption area DA, which is an area where moisture is desorbed in the rotor 58. The desorption flow path R1 is formed so as to suppress radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. The opening takes air from the outside into the desorption flow path R1. The first heater 76A is disposed in the desorption flow path R1 between the opening and the rotor 58.

[0072] In some cases, a heater is placed near the rotor to heat the air. Radiant heat is generated from the heated heater, causing electromagnetic waves to reach the rotor. The electromagnetic waves that reach the rotor may heat the rotor more than necessary. If the rotor is heated more than necessary, the rotor may be denatured. If the rotor is denatured, the efficiency of humidification may decrease.

[0073] The humidification unit 150 includes a main body 50 in which a desorption flow path R1 is formed so as to suppress radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. Therefore, the humidification unit 150 can suppress denaturation of at least the rotor 58 made of a polymer material.

[0074] (4-2) In the humidification unit 150, the wall 90A that defines the desorption flow path R1 suppresses radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58.

[0075] Electromagnetic waves are hardly able to penetrate the wall 90A. The wall 90A can block electromagnetic waves from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. This allows the wall 90A to suppress radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. Therefore, the humidification unit 150 can suppress denaturation of at least the rotor 58 made of a polymer material.

[0076] (4-3) The opening structure of the humidifying unit 150 is a shutter structure. The shutter structure opening can take in air while preventing water from entering the components of the humidifying unit 150 (particularly, the first heater 76A).

[0077] (4-4) In the humidification unit 150, the position of the lowest stage of the first heater 76A is higher than the position of the lowest stage of the opening.

[0078] Water may seep in through the opening. The water that enters through the opening flows away due to gravity. If the position of the lowest stage of the first heater 76A is not higher than the position of the lowest stage of the opening, the first heater 76A may become flooded. The position of the lowest stage of the first heater 76A of the humidifying unit 150 is higher than the position of the lowest stage of the opening. Therefore, the humidifying unit 150 can prevent water from seeping in the first heater 76A.

[0079] (4-5) In the humidification unit 150, the position of the lowest stage of the first heater 76A is not higher than the position of the highest stage of the rotor 58.

[0080] Therefore, the vertical position of the first heater 76A partially or completely overlaps with the vertical position of the rotor 58. Therefore, the vertical length (height) of the humidification unit 150 can be shortened, and the humidification unit 150 can be placed in a lower space.

[0081] (4-6) In the humidification unit 150, the difference between the distance from one end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 and the distance from the other end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 is 100 mm or less.

[0082] The desorption flow path R1 is formed so as to suppress radiation from the first heater 76A to the rotor 58. However, there are cases in which some of the electromagnetic waves from the first heater 76A reach the rotor 58. In this case, the rotor 58 is heated by radiant heat from the electromagnetic waves.

[0083] When there is a large difference between the distance from one end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 and the distance from the other end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58, temperature unevenness may occur in the rotor 58. The temperature unevenness in the rotor 58 may denature a part of the rotor 58, reducing the efficiency of humidification. On the other hand, when there is almost no difference (a value close to 0) between the distance from one end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 and the distance from the other end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58, there is a disadvantage in that the shape of the first heater 76A is limited to an arc shape due to the shape of the rotor 58.

[0084] In the humidification unit 150, the difference between the distance from one end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 and the distance from the other end of the first heater 76A to the rotor 58 is 100 mm or less. Therefore, the humidification unit 150 can suppress temperature unevenness of the rotor 58 while preventing the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0085] (4-7) The humidification unit 150 changes the phase of the polymer material from hydrophobic at high temperatures to hydrophilic at low temperatures.

[0086] When heated air passes through the rotor 58, the rotor 58, which has become hot due to the air, changes in phase to hydrophobic. Therefore, moisture is efficiently absorbed and desorbed from the rotor 58 to the air. On the other hand, when unheated air passes through the rotor 58, the rotor 58, which is at a low temperature, changes in phase to hydrophilic. Therefore, moisture is efficiently absorbed from the air to the rotor 58. Therefore, the humidification unit 150 can efficiently humidify the air.

[0087] (4-8) The humidification unit 150 further includes a second heater 76B. The second heater 76B is disposed in the desorption flow path R2. The rotor 58 is rotationally driven by a motor 64. In the moisture desorption area DA, a first passing area PA1, which is an area through which air passes after passing through the first heater 76A, is located upstream in the rotation direction DR of the rotor 58 from a second passing area PA2, which is an area through which air passes after passing through the second heater 76B.

[0088] There may be a case where the rotor 58 holds a large amount of moisture. If the first passing area PA1 and the second passing area PA2 are the same or largely overlap each other, there is a possibility that moisture cannot be efficiently desorbed (vaporized) from the rotor 58, compared to the outputs of the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B.

[0089] The first passing area PA1 is located upstream in the rotation direction DR of the rotor 58 due to the second passing area PA2. The humidification unit 150 desorbs moisture from the rotor 58 on the upstream side, and desorbs moisture again on the downstream side of the rotor 58. Therefore, the humidification unit 150 can efficiently humidify the air even when the rotor 58 holds a large amount of moisture.

[0090] (4-9) In the humidification unit 150, the output of the first heater 76A is greater than the output of the second heater 76B.

[0091] In the moisture desorption region DA, moisture is desorbed from the rotor 58. Therefore, the amount of moisture on the upstream side of the rotation direction DR of the rotor 58 may be greater than the amount of moisture on the downstream side of the rotation direction DR of the rotor 58.

[0092] The output of the first heater 76A of the humidifying unit 150 is greater than the output of the second heater 76B. The greater output causes moisture to be desorbed on the upstream side where the amount of moisture is greater, and the smaller output causes moisture to be desorbed on the downstream side where the amount of moisture is less. Therefore, the humidifying unit 150 can efficiently humidify the air.

[0093] <Second embodiment> An air conditioner 101 according to the second embodiment will be described. The air conditioner 101 differs from the air conditioner 100 in that it includes a humidification unit 151 instead of the humidification unit 150. Below, the differences between the air conditioner 100 and the air conditioner 101 will mainly be described.

[0094] (1) Composition Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the main body 50. Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main body 50. The humidification unit 151 further includes a third heater 91.

[0095] The third heater 91 is disposed in the desorption flow path R1 between the rotor 58 and the fan unit 65. The third heater 91 is disposed in the desorption flow path R2 between the rotor 58 and the fan unit 65. For example, the third heater 91 is disposed below the rotor 58 and above the holder 60. The third heater 91 may also be disposed below the holder 60.

[0096] The first heater 76A and the second heater 76B are non-planar heaters, whereas the third heater 91 is a planar heater. The third heater 91 has a structure that allows the outside air Aout to pass therethrough.

[0097] The walls 90A and 90B suppress radiation from the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B to the rotor 58. However, no wall is disposed between the third heater 91 and the rotor 58. Therefore, radiation from the third heater 91 to the rotor 58 is not suppressed. Therefore, the third heater 91 can heat the rotor 58 by at least one of radiation and conduction.

[0098] (2) Features The humidification unit 151 further includes a third heater 91 which is a planar heater. The first heater 76A and the second heater 76B are non-planar heaters.

[0099] A planar heater may be suitable for heating the disk-shaped rotor 58. On the other hand, a non-planar heater may be suitable for the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B that mainly heat the outdoor air Aout.

[0100] The third heater 91 is a planar heater. On the other hand, the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B are non-planar heaters. The humidifying unit 151 can mainly heat the rotor 58 with the third heater 91, and mainly heat the air with the first heater 76A and the second heater 76B. The humidifying unit 151 can utilize the degeneration of the rotor 58 by heating the rotor 58 with the third heater 91.

[0101] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 50 Body 58 Rotor 64 Motor 76A 1st heater 76B Second heater 90A Wall 91 Third heater 150 Humidification unit 151 Humidification unit DA water desorption area DR Rotation direction R1 Desorption channel R2 Desorption channel PA1 1st passing area PA2 2nd passing area [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0103] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-60872

Claims

1. a rotor (58) formed from at least a polymeric material and configured to humidify air by desorbing and absorbing moisture; a main body (50) in which a desorption flow path (R1) including a moisture desorption area (DA) in which the moisture is desorbed in the rotor, and an opening for taking in the air from the outside into the desorption flow path are formed; a first heater (76A) disposed in the desorption flow path between the opening and the rotor; Equipped with The desorption flow path is formed to suppress radiation from the first heater to the rotor. Humidification unit.

2. A wall (90A) forming the desorption flow path suppresses radiation from the first heater to the rotor. The humidification unit (150) of claim 1.

3. The structure of the opening is a shutter structure. A humidification unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The position of the lowest stage of the first heater is higher than the position of the lowest stage of the opening. A humidification unit according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a position of the bottom stage of the first heater is not higher than a position of the top stage of the rotor; A humidification unit according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a difference between a distance from one end of the first heater to the rotor and a distance from the other end of the first heater to the rotor is 100 mm or less; A humidification unit according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The polymeric material changes phase from hydrophobic at high temperature to hydrophilic at low temperature. A humidification unit according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Further comprising a second heater (76B) disposed in the desorption flow path (R2); The rotor is rotated by a motor (64); In the moisture desorption region, a first passage region (PA1) through which the air that has passed through the first heater passes is located upstream in the rotation direction (DR) of the rotor from a second passage region (PA2) through which the air that has passed through the second heater passes. A humidification unit according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The output of the first heater is greater than the output of the second heater. A humidification unit according to claim 8.

10. Further comprising a third heater (91) which is a planar heater; the first heater and the second heater are non-planar heaters; A humidification unit (151) according to claim 8.

Images