Total heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a total heat exchanger capable of properly preventing water splash from a humidifying element of a humidifying part even when the humidifying part is provided.SOLUTION: The total heat exchanger includes a humidifying part, and a total heat exchanging part having the humidifying part, an exhaust passage and a total heat exchanging element. The humidifying part has a humidifying element for passing and humidifying the outdoor air guided from the air supply passage, a water supply header for dropping water to the humidifying element, a drain pan for receiving drain water dropped from the water supply header and dropped from the humidifying element without being absorbed by the humidifying element, and a drain guide for guiding the drain water dropped from the humidifying element to the drain pan. The drain guide includes a guide part for guiding the drain water dropped from the humidifying element to the drain pan, and a water splash preventing part for receiving the drain water splashed together with the air passing through the humidifying element without being guided to the drain pan, and guiding it to the guide part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a total heat exchanger equipped with a humidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] A total heat exchanger exchanges heat between, for example, intake air from outdoors to indoors and exhaust air from indoors to outdoors. A total heat exchanger includes a pair of air passages that connect the outdoors and indoors, fans provided in each of these air passages, and a total heat exchange element interposed in each of these air passages. When the fans are operating, air is guided from outdoors to indoors through one air passage (hereinafter referred to as the intake passage), and air is guided from indoors to outdoors through the other air passage (hereinafter referred to as the exhaust passage). When the air passing through the intake passage and the exhaust passage passes through each of the total heat exchange elements, heat is exchanged between the indoor and outdoor air. The intake passage has an intake port on the primary side that draws in outdoor air and an outlet port on the secondary side that blows air into the room. The exhaust passage has an intake port on the primary side that draws in indoor air and an outlet port on the secondary side that blows air outdoors and exhausts it.

[0003] Furthermore, a total heat exchanger may be configured with a total heat exchange section and a humidifying section. The total heat exchange section is the main body of the total heat exchanger, which includes the above-mentioned air passage, fan, and total heat exchange element. The humidifying section is a unit for humidifying the air supplied from the total heat exchange section to the room, and is an additional functional section of the total heat exchanger for the main body. The humidifying section includes, for example, a humidifying element, a water supply unit that supplies water to the humidifying element, and a drain pan that receives water (drain water) that does not contribute to humidification in the humidifying element.

[0004] When such a humidifier is provided, it is necessary to appropriately prevent water from splashing from the humidifier element. For example, some total heat exchangers have a mesh eliminator on the downwind side of the humidifier element to prevent water from splashing. However, even when an eliminator is provided, the eliminator may not be sufficient to prevent water from splashing depending on the flow of air supply from the total heat exchanger to the humidifier and the unevenness of the air volume. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3301175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention was made based on this, and its purpose is to provide a total heat exchanger that can appropriately prevent water from splashing from the humidifying element of a humidifying section, even when it is equipped with a humidifying section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an embodiment, the total heat exchanger includes a humidifier and a total heat exchanger. The humidifier humidifies air supplied to a room. The total heat exchanger has an air supply passage, an exhaust passage, and a heat exchange element. The air supply passage connects the outside of the room to the humidifier and guides the outside air to the humidifier. The exhaust passage connects the humidifier to the outside and guides the air from the humidifier to the outside. The heat exchange element performs total heat exchange between the air flowing through the air supply passage and the air flowing through the exhaust passage. The humidifier includes a humidifier element, a water supply header, a drain pan, and a drain guide. The humidifier element humidifies the outside air guided from the air supply passage by passing it through. The water supply header drips water onto the humidifier element. The drain pan receives drain water that drips from the water supply header and is not absorbed by the humidifier element. The drain guide guides drain water dripping from the humidifying element to the drain pan. The drain guide includes a guide portion and a water splash prevention portion. The guide portion guides drain water dripping from the humidifying element to the drain pan. The water splash prevention portion catches drain water that is not guided to the drain pan but splashes along with the air that has passed through the humidifying element and guides it to the guide portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the overall appearance of a total heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a total heat exchanger according to an embodiment, with a portion of the exterior thereof being transparent. [Figure 3] 3 is a plan view showing the state of the total heat exchanger shown in FIG. 2, viewed from the direction of arrow A2 in the same figure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a humidification unit of a total heat exchanger according to an embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the entire drain guide of the total heat exchanger according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] 5B is a plan view showing the drain guide shown in FIG. 5A from the direction of arrow A5B in the same figure. [Figure 5C] 5B is a side view of the drain guide shown in FIG. 5A, viewed from the direction of arrow A5C in the same figure. FIG. [Figure 6A] 5B is a plan view schematically showing the relative positional relationship between the drain guide and the drain pan of the total heat exchanger according to the embodiment, viewed from the same direction as the arrow A5B in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 6B] 5B is a plan view schematically showing the relative positional relationship between the drain guide and the drain pan of the total heat exchanger according to the embodiment, viewed from the same direction as the arrow A5C in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an inspection hatch cover for a total heat exchanger according to an embodiment. [Figure 7B] 7B is a side view of the inspection hatch cover shown in FIG. 7A, viewed from the direction of arrow A7B in the same figure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a modified example of an inspection hatch cover for a total heat exchanger according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A total heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The total heat exchanger is a component included in, for example, a ventilation system, and is installed in the attic of a building to ventilate the room by exchanging heat between air supplied from the outside to the room (hereinafter referred to as supply air) and air exhausted from the room to the outside (hereinafter referred to as exhaust air).

[0010] 1 to 3 each schematically show a total heat exchanger 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the total heat exchanger 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration, with a portion of the exterior of the total heat exchanger 1 shown in FIG. 1 seen through. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the state of the total heat exchanger 1 shown in FIG. 2, viewed from the direction of arrow A2 in the same figure. In the following description, a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3 are defined as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 (the same applies to each figure described later). These directions D1, D2, and D3 are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, as an example, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 define a horizontal plane. The third direction D3 is a direction along a vertical line (up-down direction). In the illustrated example, the arrow points downward (downward), and the opposite direction points upward (upward). However, the directions and planes defined by D1, D2, and D3 are not limited to the above example.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the total heat exchanger 1 is configured to include a total heat exchange section 2 and a humidification section 4. The total heat exchange section 2 is the main body (main unit) of the total heat exchanger 1 that performs total heat exchange between air supplied from the outdoors to the indoors and air exhausted from the indoors to the outdoors. The humidification section 4 is a unit for humidifying the air supplied from the total heat exchange section 2 to the indoors, and is an additional functional section (sub-unit) of the total heat exchanger 1 relative to the main body. The components of the total heat exchange section 2 are housed in a housing 24. The components of the humidification section 4 are housed in a housing 45 that is separate from the housing 24. These housings 24, 45 are assembled to form a single total heat exchanger 1. However, these housings 24, 45 do not have to be separate, and the components of the total heat exchange section 2 and the humidification section 4 may be housed in a common housing.

[0012] The total heat exchanger 2 includes, as its main components, an air passage 21, a blower 22, and a heat exchanger element 23. The air passage 21, the blower 22, and the heat exchanger element 23 are housed in a housing 24. The housing 24 is a component that defines the outer shape of the total heat exchanger 2, and has, for example, a box portion 241 that houses the air passage 21, the blower 22, and the heat exchanger element 23, and a lid portion 242 that closes the box portion 241.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the housing 24 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with six main surfaces. For example, the housing 24 includes a box portion 241 that is configured by five of the six surfaces, and a lid portion 242 that closes the box portion 241. The box portion 241 includes a bottom surface 24a and two pairs of side surfaces 24b, 24c, 24d, and 24e. The bottom surface 24a is a surface along the D1-D2 plane and, for example, defines the bottom surface of the housing 24 (one end surface in the third direction D3). The D1-D2 plane is a plane (for example, a horizontal plane) defined by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The pair of side surfaces 24b and 24c are surface portions along the D1-D3 plane and, for example, define the end surfaces of the housing 24 in the second direction D2. The D1-D3 plane is a plane defined by the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The pair of side portions 24d, 24e are surfaces along the D2-D3 plane and, as an example, define end faces of the housing 24 in the first direction D1. The D2-D3 plane is a plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. The lid portion 242 is a surface disposed opposite the bottom surface portion 24a along the D1-D2 plane and defines the top surface portion 24f of the housing 24 (the other end face in the third direction D3).

[0014] The air passage 21 is a passage inside the housing 24 that guides air between the outside and the inside of the room via the humidifier 4, and has a pair of an air intake passage 211 and an exhaust passage 212. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the air intake passage 211 and the exhaust passage 212 extend continuously along the second direction D2. Therefore, the direction along the second direction D2 corresponds to the direction in which the air intake passage 211 and the exhaust passage 212 guide air, or more simply, the main flow direction of air in these air passages 21. The air intake passage 211 and the exhaust passage 212 are aligned in the first direction D1.

[0015] The air supply path 211 is an air passage 21 for guiding outdoor air into the room via an air supply path 461 of the humidifier 4, which will be described later. In short, the air supply path 211 connects the outside of the room with the humidifier 4 and guides outdoor air to the humidifier 4. The air supply path 211 has an intake port 21a on the primary side that draws in outdoor air (hereinafter referred to as outside air), and an outlet port 21b on the secondary side that blows (supplies) air (supply air) into the room via the air supply path 461 of the humidifier 4. The primary side is the upstream side of the heat exchange element 23 in the air supply path 211, and is the side through which the outdoor air flows before heat exchange. The secondary side is the downstream side of the heat exchange element 23 in the air supply path 211, and is the side through which the supply air that has undergone heat exchange with the outdoor air flows.

[0016] The exhaust path 212 is an air passage 21 for guiding indoor air to the outside of the room via an exhaust path 462 of the humidifier 4, which will be described later. In short, the exhaust path 212 connects the humidifier 4 to the outside of the room and guides the air from the humidifier 4 to the outside of the room. The exhaust path 212 has an intake port 21c on the primary side that draws in indoor air (hereinafter referred to as return air) via the exhaust path 462 of the humidifier 4, and an outlet (hereinafter referred to as exhaust port) 21d on the secondary side that blows air (exhaust air) to the outside of the room. The primary side is the upstream side of the heat exchange element 23 in the exhaust path 212, and is the side through which the return air flows before heat exchange. The secondary side is the downstream side of the heat exchange element 23 in the exhaust path 212, and is the side through which the exhaust air flows after heat exchange with the return air.

[0017] Intake ports 21a and 21c, outlet port 21b, and outlet port 21d are openings formed in housing 24. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, intake port 21a and outlet port 21d each open to side surface 24b of housing 24, and intake port 21c and outlet port 21b each open to side surface 24c of housing 24. Intake port 21a and outlet port 21d have cylindrical connectors 25 and 26 to which ducts (not shown) are connected. Connecting ducts to these connectors 25 and 26 enables ventilation of, for example, a room in a building. Intake port 21c communicates with return air port 46c via an exhaust passage 462 of humidifier 4 (described later), and outlet port 21b communicates with intake port 46b via an intake passage 461 of humidifier 4. The opening shapes of these intake ports 21a and 21c, outlet port 21b, and exhaust port 21d are not limited to the illustrated examples, and may be any shapes.

[0018] Blower device 22 is a device that generates an air flow (air current) in air passage 21, and has intake fan 221 and exhaust fan 222. Intake fan 221 is provided in intake passage 211 and generates an air current in intake passage 211. The air current generated by intake fan 221 draws outside air into intake passage 211 from intake port 21a, and blows out intake air from outlet 21b. Exhaust fan 222 is provided in exhaust passage 212 and generates an air current in exhaust passage 212. The air current generated by exhaust fan 222 draws return air into exhaust passage 212 from intake port 21c, and blows out exhaust air from exhaust port 21d.

[0019] 1 to 3, intake fan 221 is arranged on the secondary side of intake path 211, that is, closer to outlet 21b than heat exchange element 23 in intake path 211. Exhaust fan 222 is arranged on the secondary side of exhaust path 212, that is, closer to outlet 21d than heat exchange element 23 in exhaust path 212.

[0020] For example, when intake air fan 221 is driven, outside air drawn into intake air path 211 from intake port 21a passes through heat exchange element 23 and exchanges heat with return air. The heat-exchanged outside air is blown out as intake air from outlet 21b to humidifier 4, which will be described later. Also, when exhaust fan 222 is driven, return air drawn into exhaust path 212 from intake port 21c via humidifier 4 passes through heat exchange element 23 and exchanges heat with the outside air. The heat-exchanged return air is blown out as exhaust air from exhaust port 21d.

[0021] The heat exchange element 23 exchanges heat between air flowing through the air intake path 211 (outside air) and air flowing through the exhaust path 212 (return air). The heat exchange element 23 has, for example, a three-dimensional structure in which first air flow paths and second air flow paths are alternately stacked in multiple stages. The air flowing through the air intake path 211 passes through the multiple stages of the first air flow path. The first air flow path has an inlet section 231 into which the air flowing through the air intake path 211 flows in and an outlet section 232 arranged opposite the inlet section 231 and from which the air flows out. The air flowing through the exhaust path 212 passes through the multiple stages of the second air flow path. The second air flow path has an inlet section 233 into which the air flowing through the exhaust path 212 flows in and an outlet section 234 arranged opposite the inlet section 233 and from which the air flows out. Dust removal filters may be arranged in the inlet sections 231 and 233. Heat exchange element 23 exchanges heat between air (outside air) flowing through the first air flow path and air (return air) flowing through the second air flow path while blocking the flow of air through air supply path 211 and air through exhaust path 212. Heat exchange element 23 also exchanges humidity at the same time as this heat exchange. That is, heat exchange element 23 is configured as a total heat exchange element.

[0022] The heat exchange element 23 extends along the first direction D1 over substantially the entire area between the side surface portions 24d and 24e within the housing 24. The heat exchange element 23 is disposed in a position rotated approximately 45° about an axis along the first direction D1 from a state in which the inlet portion 231 and the outlet portion 232 are aligned along the D1-D2 plane and the inlet portion 233 and the outlet portion 234 are aligned along the D1-D3 plane. Therefore, the inlet portions 231 and 233 and the outlet portions 232 and 234 have the first direction D1 as their longitudinal direction and extend in a planar shape that is inclined with respect to both the D1-D2 plane and the D1-D3 plane.

[0023] 1 to 3, the total heat exchanger 1 further includes a control unit 6. The control unit 6 includes, for example, various electric components and boards (not shown) that control the driving of the air blower 22, specifically the air supply fan 221 and the exhaust fan 222, and an electric component box 61 that houses these components. The electric component box 61 is disposed outside the box portion 241 of the housing 24, or in the illustrated example, on the outer surface 240d of the side surface portion 24d.

[0024] Next, the humidifying unit 4 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the humidifying unit 4 mainly comprises a humidifying element 41, a water supply header 42, a drain pan 43, and a drain guide 44. The humidifying element 41, the water supply header 42, the drain pan 43, and the drain guide 44 are stored in a housing 45. The housing 45 is a component that defines the outer shape of the humidifying unit 4, and has, for example, a box portion 451 that stores the humidifying element 41, the water supply header 42, the drain pan 43, and the drain guide 44, and a lid portion 452 that closes the box portion 451.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the housing 45 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with six main surfaces. For example, the housing 45 has a box portion 451 formed by five of the six surfaces, and a lid portion 452 that closes the box portion 451. The box portion 451 has a bottom surface 45a and two pairs of side surfaces 45b, 45c, 45d, and 45e. The bottom surface 45a is a surface along the D1-D2 plane and, as an example, defines the bottom surface of the housing 45 (one end surface in the third direction D3). The pair of side surfaces 45b and 45c are surface portions along the D1-D3 plane and, as an example, define end surfaces of the housing 24 in the second direction D2. Of these, the side surface portion 45b also serves as the side surface portion 24c of the total heat exchanger 2, and the total heat exchanger 2 and the humidifier 4 are in contact at these side surfaces 24c, 45c. The pair of side surfaces 45d, 45e are surfaces along the D2-D3 plane, and, as an example, define end surfaces in the first direction D1 of the housing 45. The lid portion 452 is a surface disposed opposite the bottom surface portion 45a along the D1-D2 plane, and defines a top surface portion 45f of the housing 45 (the other end surface in the third direction D3).

[0026] In the housing 45, the space closed by the box portion 451 and the lid portion 452 constitutes an air passage 46 in the humidifier unit 4 that connects the air passage 21 of the total heat exchange unit 2 with the room. The air passage 46 is separated into two spaces by a partition plate 453. One space of the air passage 46 separated by the partition plate 453 constitutes an air supply passage 461 that connects the air supply passage 211 of the air passage 21 with the room. The other space of the air passage 46 separated by the partition plate 453 constitutes an exhaust passage 462 that connects the exhaust passage 212 of the air passage 21 with the room.

[0027] 1 to 3, the air intake path 461 and the air exhaust path 462 extend continuously along the second direction D2. Therefore, the direction along the second direction D2 corresponds to the direction in which the air intake path 461 and the air exhaust path 462 guide air, or more simply, the main flow direction of air in these air passages 46. Furthermore, the air intake path 461 and the air exhaust path 462 are aligned in the first direction D1.

[0028] The air supply path 461 is an air passage 46 that communicates with the air supply path 211 of the total heat exchanger 2 and guides outdoor air (outdoor air) into the room via the air supply path 211. The air supply path 461 has an inlet 46a on the upstream side of the air flow in the air supply path 461 and an air supply port 46b on the downstream side of the flow. When the air supply fan 221 is driven, the air (supply air) that flows into the air supply path 461 from the inlet 46a (air outlet 21b) passes through the humidifying element 41, which will be described later, and is humidified. The humidified supply air is blown out into the room from the air supply port 46b.

[0029] The exhaust path 462 is an air passage 46 that communicates with the exhaust path 212 of the total heat exchange unit 2 and guides indoor air (return air) to the outside of the room via the exhaust path 212. The exhaust path 462 has a return air port 46c on the upstream side of the air flow in the exhaust path 462 and an outlet 46d on the downstream side of the flow. When the exhaust fan 222 is driven, indoor air (return air) is sucked into the exhaust path 462 from the return air port 46c and blown out from the outlet 46d (inlet 21c) into the exhaust path 212 of the total heat exchange unit 2.

[0030] 1 to 3, the inlet 46a, the supply port 46b, the return port 46c, and the outlet 46d are openings formed in the housing 45. In the example shown in Fig. 1 to 3, the inlet 46a and the outlet 46d each open to a side surface 45b of the housing 45, and the supply port 46b and the return port 46c each open to a side surface 45c of the housing 45. As described above, in this embodiment, the side surface 45b also serves as the side surface 24c of the total heat exchanger 2, and therefore the inlet 46a also serves as the outlet 21b, and the outlet 46d also serves as the intake port 21c.

[0031] The air inlet 46b and the air return port 46c have cylindrical connectors 47, 48 to which ducts (not shown) are connected. Connecting ducts to these connectors 47, 48 makes it possible to ventilate, for example, the interior of a building. The opening shapes of the air inlet 46a, the air inlet 46b, the air return port 46c, and the air outlet 46d are not limited to the illustrated example and may be any shape.

[0032] In addition to the inlet 46a, the air supply port 46b, the return air port 46c, and the outlet 46d, the housing 45 also has an inspection hatch 454. The inspection hatch 454 is an opening formed in the housing 45 that allows external access to the interior of the housing 45, such as the humidification element 41, the water supply header 42, the drain pan 43, and the drain guide 44. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the inspection hatch 454 opens to a side surface 45d of the housing 45. An inspection hatch cover 455 is provided over the inspection hatch 454 and is normally closed by the inspection hatch cover 455. The inspection hatch cover 455 is fastened to the side surface 45d of the housing 45 with fastening members such as screws or bolts. When inspecting the humidifier unit 4, the inspection hatch cover 455 can be removed from the side surface 45d by loosening the fastening members. By removing the inspection hatch cover 455 and opening the inspection hatch 454, the inside of the housing 45 of the humidifying unit 4 can be accessed from the outside of the housing 45 during inspection, etc.

[0033] As described above, the humidifying section 4 includes the humidifying element 41, the water supply header 42, the drain pan 43, and the drain guide 44, which are housed in the housing 45. The humidifying element 41, the water supply header 42, the drain pan 43, and the drain guide 44 form a single humidifying unit, which is disposed in the air supply path 461 of the housing 45. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the humidifying unit.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the humidifying element 41 humidifies outdoor air (outdoor air) introduced from the air supply passage 211 of the total heat exchanger 2 by passing the outdoor air through it. The humidifying element 41 is configured, for example, by arranging a number of moisture-absorbing plates at predetermined intervals, and humidifies the air passing through the gaps between the plates by evaporating the moisture absorbed by the plates. In the illustrated example, the humidifying element 41 has a rough overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated along the first direction D1. The humidifying element 41 is held by a header guide 421 and a drain guide 44, both of which will be described later, and is positioned and fixed relative to the housing 45.

[0035] Humidifying element 41 is provided with eliminator 411. Eliminator 411 is a member for preventing water splashing caused by air that is blown out from air outlet 21b of air supply path 211 by air supply fan 221 (in other words, inlet 46a of air supply path 461) and passes through humidifying element 41. Water splashing is a state in which water droplets are scattered inside housing 45.

[0036] Eliminator 411 is disposed on a predetermined surface (hereinafter referred to as the leeward surface) 41a of humidifying element 41 so as to face leeward surface 41a. In humidifying element 41, which has an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape, leeward surface 41a is located downstream in the flow direction of air passing through humidifying element 41 (in the illustrated example, the direction of the arrow in second direction D2), and is a surface that stands perpendicular to bottom surface portion 45a (in the illustrated example, the surface along third direction D3). Eliminator 411 is fixed to humidifying element 41 by, for example, a predetermined fixing device (for example, a plate-shaped fixing piece).

[0037] Water supply header 42 is a tubular member for dripping water onto humidifying element 41. The tubular member of water supply header 42 has a number of holes for dripping water onto each plate of humidifying element 41. Water supply header 42 is fixed to top surface 45f of housing 45 by a fixing bracket or the like above the humidifying element 41 in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example) while being supported by, for example, header guide 421. Water supply unit 422, which supplies water to water supply header 42, is connected to water supply header 42 by water distribution pipe (see FIG. 4) 423. Water supply unit 422 has a water supply port 424 to which a water supply pipe (not shown) connected to an external water source is connected, and water supplied from the water supply pipe connected to water supply port 424 is supplied to water supply header 42 via water distribution pipe 423.

[0038] Drain pan 43 is a tray for receiving drain water that drips from water supply header 42 onto humidifying element 41 but is not absorbed by humidifying element 41. Drain water is water that drips from water supply header 42 but is not absorbed by humidifying element 41 and drips from humidifying element 41, and does not contribute to humidifying the outdoor air (outside air) guided from air supply path 211. Drain pan 43 has a drain outlet 431 to which a drain pipe (not shown) is connected for draining the received drain water, and the drain water is drained through the drain pipe connected to drain outlet 431.

[0039] The drain pan 43 is placed on the bottom surface 45a of the housing 45. In this embodiment, the drain pan 43 has a substantially quadrilateral bottom surface 43a placed on the bottom surface 45a and two pairs of side surfaces 43b, 43c, 43d, and 43e rising from each side of the bottom surface 43a. The bottom surface 43a is a surface along the D1-D2 plane and defines the bottom surface of the drain pan 43 (one end surface in the third direction D3). The pair of side surfaces 43b and 43c are surface surfaces along the D1-D3 plane and, for example, define the end surface of the drain pan 43 in the second direction D2. The pair of side surfaces 43d and 43e are surface surfaces along the D2-D3 plane and, for example, define the end surface of the drain pan 43 in the first direction D1. A drain port 431 is formed in the side surface 43d.

[0040] In the illustrated example, the pair of side portions 43b, 43c are side portions in the long dimension direction of the drain pan 43, and the pair of side portions 43d, 43e are side portions in the short dimension direction of the drain pan 43. However, the lengths of the side portions 43b, 43c and the side portions 43d, 43e may be reversed. The bottom portion 43a of the drain pan 43 is sized to cover an area of ​​the bottom portion 45a of the housing 45 that is smaller than the entire area facing the air supply passage 461 (area S1 shown in FIG. 3). In the illustrated example, the length of the bottom portion 43a in the long dimension (dimension in the first direction D1) is smaller than the dimension of the area S1 of the bottom portion 45a in the first direction D1. The length of the bottom portion 43a in the short dimension direction (dimension in the second direction D2) is smaller than the dimension of the area S1 of the bottom portion 45a in the second direction D2.

[0041] The drain guide 44 is a member that holds the humidifying element 41 and guides drain water that drips from the humidifying element 41 to the drain pan 43. That is, the drain water that drips from the humidifying element 41 is temporarily received by the drain guide 44, and then guided by the drain guide 44 to the drain pan 34 where it is collected.

[0042] 5A, 5B, and 5C show a schematic configuration of drain guide 44. Fig. 5A is a perspective view showing the entire drain guide 44. Fig. 5B is a plan view showing drain guide 44 shown in Fig. 5A from the direction of arrow A5B in the same figure. Fig. 5C is a side view showing drain guide 44 shown in Fig. 5A from the direction of arrow A5C in the same figure.

[0043] 2 to 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C, the drain guide 44 is disposed above the drain pan 43 in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example) while fixed to the housing 45. In this state, the drain guide 44 holds the humidifying element 41 and positions and fixes the humidifying element 41 relative to the housing 45 of the humidifying unit 4. In this state, the humidifying element 41 is positioned above the drain pan 43 in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example). That is, the humidifying element 41, the drain guide 44, and the drain pan 43 are disposed in this order from top to bottom in the vertical direction.

[0044] The drain guide 44 is composed of two main plate-shaped members assembled together. One of the two members is a member (hereinafter referred to as an element holding member) 52 for holding the humidifying element 41, and the other member is a member (hereinafter referred to as a drain water guide member) 54 for guiding the drain water dripping from the humidifying element 41 to the drain pan 43.

[0045] The element holding member 52 has a plurality of legs 521, and these legs 521 raise the drain water guide member 54, specifically, the guide portion 542 described below. The portion raised by the legs 521 (hereinafter referred to as the base portion 522) is substantially horizontal and flat, and in the illustrated example has two openings 523 that penetrate the base portion 522 in the vertical direction. The base portion 522 is provided with guide rails 524a and 524b that position the humidifying element 41, and a guide groove 525 that positions the eliminator 411.

[0046] The guide rails 524a, 524b are formed by bending a portion of the base portion 522 upward in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example). The guide rails 524a, 524b form a pair and extend linearly in a direction intersecting the flow direction of air passing through the humidifying element 41. In the illustrated example, the guide rails 524a, 524b extend linearly in the first direction D1 so as to be perpendicular to the flow direction of air passing through the humidifying element 41 (the direction of the arrow in the second direction D2). The humidifying element 41 is arranged along the pair of guide rails 524a, 524b so as to be sandwiched between them.

[0047] The guide groove 525 extends linearly along and adjacent to one of the pair of guide rails 524a, 524b, the guide rail 524a, which is located downstream in the flow direction of air humidified after passing through the humidifying element 41 (the direction of the arrow in the second direction D2 in the illustrated example). In the illustrated example, the guide groove 525 is trough-shaped and has a groove bottom 525a and a pair of groove walls 525b, 525c rising from both edges of the groove bottom 525a. The groove bottom 525a is configured as a part of the base portion 522. The groove wall 525b is configured to also serve as the side wall 524c of the guide rail 524a. The groove wall 525c rises upward in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example) from the edge of the base portion 522. The eliminator 411 is disposed along the pair of groove walls 525b, 525c so as to be sandwiched between them. As a result, the eliminator 411 is positioned directly opposite the leeward surface 41a of the humidifying element 41.

[0048] The drain water guide member 54 has a plurality of legs 541, and is fixed to the housing 45 of the humidifying unit 4 by these legs 541. These legs 541 abut against the side surface portion 43e of the drain pan 43, and position the drain pan 43 relative to the housing 45.

[0049] The drain water guide member 54 also has a guide portion 542 that receives drain water dripping from the humidification element 41 and guides it to the drain pan 43, and side wall portions 543a, 543b, 543c, and 543d that are continuous with the periphery of the guide portion 542. The guide portion 542 is flat and large enough to cover almost the entire drain pan 43 above the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example).

[0050] Guide portion 542 is positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane (D1-D2 plane). In the illustrated example, guide portion 542 is inclined so as to descend toward drain outlet 431 of drain pan 43. Therefore, the position of the edge of guide portion 542 in the vertical direction is such that edge 542c on the drain outlet 431 side in first direction D1 is low and edge 542d on the opposite side to drain outlet 431 is high. The predetermined angle can be any angle as long as it allows drain water dripping from humidification element 41 to be smoothly guided into drain pan 43, and in this embodiment, it is set to about 1°, as an example.

[0051] The guide portion 542 has an outflow portion 542e on its edge 542c, which allows drain water received by the guide portion 542 to flow out into the drain pan 43. The outflow portion 542e is arranged on the edge 542c at a position overlapping the vicinity of the drain outlet 431 of the drain pan 43 when viewed from the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example). The outflow portion 542e is configured as a portion obtained by removing a corresponding portion of the guide portion 542, such as a notch. As a result, the drain water received by the guide portion 542 is guided by the guide portion 542 to the outflow portion 542e, flows out from the outflow portion 542e, and falls into the drain pan 43.

[0052] The side walls 543a and 543b are walls along the D1-D3 plane and are continuous with the edges 542a and 542b of the guide portion 542 in the second direction D2. The side walls 543c and 543d are walls along the D2-D3 plane and are continuous with the edges 542c and 542d of the guide portion 542 in the first direction D1. The side walls 543a, 543b, and 543d rise up in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example) from the edges 542a, 542b, and 542d of the guide portion 542. The side wall 543c includes both a portion that rises up in the vertical direction from the edge 542c of the guide portion 542 and a portion that hangs down. The downwardly hanging portion of the side wall portion 543c is contained within the range of the bottom surface portion 43a of the drain pan 43 when viewed from above in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example). This ensures that the drain water received by the guide portion 542 is guided to the drain pan 43.

[0053] Side wall portion 543b has a canopy-shaped portion (hereinafter referred to as a water splash prevention portion) 56 that is continuous with the upright end of side wall portion 543b. Side wall portion 543b is located downstream in the flow direction of air passing through humidifying element 41 (in the illustrated example, the direction of the arrow in second direction D2), and is a surface that stands perpendicular to bottom surface portion 45a (in the illustrated example, a surface along third direction D3). In other words, side wall portion 543b corresponds to a portion of side wall portions 543a, 543b, 543c, and 543d that are continuous with the periphery of guide portion 542 that stands downstream in the flow direction of air passing through humidifying element 41.

[0054] The water splash prevention section 56 receives the outdoor air that has passed through the humidifying element 41 without being led to the drain pan 43, specifically the drain water that splashes along with the air that has passed through the humidifying element 41, and guides it to the guide section 542.

[0055] The water splash prevention portion 56 is configured in a flat quadrilateral shape defined by four sides 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d. The two sides 56a and 56b extend as a pair along the second direction D2. The two sides 56c and 56d extend as a pair along the first direction D1.

[0056] 6A and 6B show the relative positional relationship between the drain guide 44 having such a water splash prevention portion 56 and the drain pan 43. Fig. 6A is a plan view showing the positional relationship between them from the same direction as arrow A5B in Fig. 5A. Fig. 6B is a side view showing the positional relationship between them from the same direction as arrow A5C in Fig. 5A.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the water splash prevention portion 56 is arranged in an area of ​​the side wall portion 543b that is relatively far from the air intake port 46b (an area toward the top in FIG. 3), rather than in an area relatively close to the air intake port 46b (an area toward the bottom in FIG. 3).

[0058] 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B, water splash prevention portion 56 is positioned at a predetermined angle (angle α shown in FIG. 6A) with respect to the horizontal plane (D1-D2 plane). In the illustrated example, water splash prevention portion 56 is inclined so as to descend toward guide portion 542. Therefore, with regard to the positions of sides 56a, 56b of water splash prevention portion 56 in the vertical direction, side 56a on the guide portion 542 side in second direction D2 is lower, and side 56b on the opposite side to guide portion 542 is higher. Sides 56a, 56b are two sides that are aligned intersecting the flow direction of air that has passed through humidifying element 41 (orthogonal in the illustrated example).

[0059] By tilting water splash prevention portion 56 in this manner, water splash prevention portion 56 receives drain water that splashes along with the air that has passed through humidifying element 41 on surface portion 56e surrounded by four sides 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d, and guides the water to guide portion 542. The predetermined angle (α) is arbitrary as long as it can efficiently receive the splashing drain water and smoothly guide it to guide portion 542, and in this embodiment, for example, it may be set to 10° or more and 20° or less (10°≦α≦20°).

[0060] Similarly, from the viewpoint of efficiently receiving splashing drain water and smoothly guiding it to the guide portion 542, the width of the water splash prevention portion 56 (dimension W shown in FIG. 6B) and the overlap length of the water splash prevention portion 56 with the drain pan 43 (dimension L shown in FIG. 6B) are set as follows.

[0061] The width (W) of the water jump prevention portion 56 is the dimension in the second direction D2 of the sides 56c, 56d of the water jump prevention portion 56 when viewed from above in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example). In other words, the width (W) of the water jump prevention portion 56 corresponds to the length (extension length) of the water jump prevention portion 56 that exists in the flow direction of air passing through the humidifying element 41 (the direction of the arrow in the second direction D2 in the illustrated example).

[0062] The width (W) of the water splash prevention portion 56 is arbitrary as long as it can efficiently catch splashing drain water and smoothly guide it to the guide portion 542. However, it is desirable that the width (W) of the water splash prevention portion 56 be within the range of the bottom surface 43a of the drain pan 43 when viewed from above in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example). In this embodiment, it is desirable that the width (W) of the water splash prevention portion 56 be a dimension such that the side portion 56b of the water splash prevention portion 56 substantially coincides with the position of the inner surface 430c (see FIG. 6B) of the side portion 43c of the drain pan 43 when viewed from above in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example). The side portion 56b corresponds to the tip of the water splash prevention portion 56 in the flow direction of air passing through the humidifying element 41 (the direction of the arrow in the second direction D2 in the illustrated example). In this embodiment, as an example, the width (W) of the water splash prevention portion 56 may be set to 70 mm or more and 80 mm or less (70 mm≦W≦80 mm).

[0063] The overlap length (L) of the water splash prevention portion 56 is the dimension in the first direction D1 of the portion of the side portions 56a, 56b that overlaps with the bottom surface portion 43a of the drain pan 43 when viewed from above in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example). In other words, the overlap length (L) of the water splash prevention portion 56 corresponds to the length (extension length) of the water splash prevention portion 56 that exists in a direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) the flow direction of the air humidified by the humidifying element 41 (the direction of the arrow in the second direction D2 in the illustrated example).

[0064] The overlap length (L) of the water splash prevention portion 56 is arbitrary as long as it can efficiently catch splashing drain water and smoothly guide it to the guide portion 542. However, it is desirable that the overlap length (L) of the water splash prevention portion 56 be a dimension such that, when viewed from above in the vertical direction (the third direction D3 in the illustrated example), the side portion 56c of the water splash prevention portion 56 extends beyond the position of the inner surface 430e (see FIG. 6B) of the side portion 43e of the drain pan 43 and overlaps with the bottom surface portion 43a. As an example, in the present embodiment, the overlap length (L) of the water splash prevention portion 56 may be set to 10 mm or more (L≧10 mm).

[0065] In this embodiment, in addition to the water splash prevention section 56 described above, the total heat exchanger 1 is also provided with a member (hereinafter referred to as a drain cover) 58 for receiving drain water that splashes along with the air that has passed through the humidifying element 41 without being guided to the drain pan 43, and guiding the water to the guide section 542. The drain cover 58 is provided on the inspection hatch cover 455 of the housing 45 of the humidifying section 4.

[0066] Fig. 7A is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of inspection hatch cover 455 equipped with drain cover 58. Fig. 7B is a side view showing inspection hatch cover 455 shown in Fig. 7A, viewed from the direction of arrow A7B in the same figure.

[0067] 7A and 7B, drain cover 58 is integral with inspection hatch cover 455. Inspection hatch cover 455 is a member that faces the outside of housing 45, and drain cover 58 is a member that faces the inside of housing 45. In other words, inspection hatch 454 is closed by a member that is an integrated unit of inspection hatch cover 455, which is a member that faces the outside of housing 45, and drain cover 58, which is a member that faces the inside of housing 45.

[0068] The inspection hatch cover 455 has a generally box-shaped exterior with five main surfaces. In the illustrated example, the inspection hatch cover 455 is formed by bending a flat plate material into a generally rectangular box shape. This box-shaped inspection hatch cover 455 has a main surface 455a and two pairs of peripheral surfaces 455b, 455c, 455d, and 455e. The main surface 455a is a surface along the D2-D3 plane and is a flat portion that, together with the side surface 45d of the housing 45, defines the side of the housing 45 (one end surface in the third direction D3). In other words, the main surface 455a is a closing portion of the inspection hatch 454 that constitutes part of the side surface 45d. The pair of peripheral surfaces 455b and 455c are surfaces that are continuous with the short sides of the main surface 455a and, in the illustrated example, are surfaces that are along the D1-D2 plane. The pair of peripheral surface portions 455d, 455e are surface portions that are continuous with the long side of the main surface portion 455a, and in the illustrated example, are surface portions that are along the D1-D3 plane.

[0069] These peripheral surface portions 455b, 455c, 455d, and 455e all rise from main surface portion 455a in the same direction (the direction of the arrow in first direction D1 in the illustrated example) with approximately the same dimension (height). In the present embodiment, when inspection hatch cover 455 closes inspection hatch 454, peripheral surface portions 455b, 455c, 455d, and 455e of inspection hatch cover 455 all rise outward from housing 45.

[0070] Drain cover 58 is disposed on the opposite side to the rising direction of peripheral surface portions 455b, 455c, 455d, and 455e (opposite the arrow indicating first direction D1 in the illustrated example) on main surface portion 455a of inspection hatch cover 455. In other words, when inspection hatch cover 455 closes inspection hatch 454, drain cover 58 faces the inside of housing 45, specifically, air supply path 461.

[0071] In the present embodiment, as an example, drain cover 58 is spot welded to main surface portion 455a of inspection hatch cover 455 and is integrated with inspection hatch cover 455. However, as long as drain cover 58 can be integrated with inspection hatch cover 455, any method of attaching drain cover 58 to inspection hatch cover 455 may be used, and is not limited to spot welding.

[0072] In the illustrated example, drain cover 58 is formed by bending a flat plate material. Drain cover 58 has a flat portion 58a and a bent portion 58b that is bent and continuous with flat portion 58a. Flat portion 58a is the portion of drain cover 58 that is attached to main surface portion 455a of inspection hatch cover 455, and is part of the closing portion of inspection hatch 454. Flat portion 58a extends along main surface portion 455a over an area that is smaller than the area of ​​main surface portion 455a, and has a pair of upstanding portions 581a that stand up from the ends of that area (both ends in the second direction D2 in the illustrated example). The pair of upright portions 581a are continuous over the entire length of the end of the flat portion 58a and stand up with approximately the same dimensions (height) on the opposite side to the upright direction from the main surface portion 455a of the peripheral portions 455b, 455c, 455d, 455e of the inspection hatch cover 455 (in the illustrated example, the opposite direction to the arrow in the first direction D1).

[0073] Bent portion 58b is continuous with an end portion of the above-mentioned region of flat portion 58a that is different from the end portion from which upright portion 581a stands (one end portion in third direction D3 in the illustrated example). Specifically, bent portion 58b is continuous with an end portion on the lower side in the vertical direction in the region of flat portion 58a. As a result, bent portion 58b is configured as a canopy-like portion for flat portion 58a. In other words, when inspection hatch cover 455 closes inspection hatch 454, bent portion 58b of drain cover 58 protrudes into the interior of housing 45, specifically into air supply path 461.

[0074] The bent portion 58b has a pair of upright portions 581b that stand up from the ends of the eave-shaped portion (both ends in the second direction D2 in the illustrated example). The pair of upright portions 581b are continuous over the entire length of the ends of the bent portion 58b and stand up vertically (in the third direction D3 in the illustrated example) at approximately the same dimension (height).

[0075] Bent portion 58b bends relative to flat portion 58a and protrudes into air supply passage 461, whereby bent portion 58b performs the same function as water splash prevention portion 56. That is, bent portion 58b receives drain water that splashes together with the air that has passed through humidifying element 41 without being guided to drain pan 43, with surface portion 582b, and guides the drain water to drain pan 43. Surface portion 582b is a surface portion of bent portion 58b that faces upward in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example).

[0076] Bent portion 58b is inclined at a predetermined angle (angle β shown in FIG. 7B) relative to flat portion 58a, in other words, relative to main surface 455a of inspection hatch cover 455, on the same side as the rising direction of upright portion 581a on flat portion 58a. Furthermore, bent portion 58b protrudes a predetermined distance (distance N shown in FIG. 7B) from flat portion 58a, in other words, from main surface 455a of inspection hatch cover 455, on the same side as the rising direction of upright portion 581a on flat portion 58a.

[0077] The predetermined angle (β) is the angle between the main surface portion 455a and the mounting surface 455f of the drain cover 58. The predetermined distance (N) is the normal distance (the distance in the normal direction (the direction along the first direction D1 in the illustrated example)) of the mounting surface 455f. The mounting surface 455f is the surface that faces the inside of the housing 45, specifically the air supply path 461, when the inspection hatch cover 455 closes the inspection hatch 454.

[0078] These predetermined angle (β) and predetermined distance (N) may be any value as long as they can efficiently catch the scattered drain water and smoothly guide it to drain pan 43. However, it is desirable that predetermined distance (N) be a dimension such that, when viewed from above in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example), side portion 583b of bent portion 58b extends beyond inner surface 430d (see FIG. 6B) of side portion 43d of drain pan 43 and fits within the range of bottom surface portion 43a. Side portion 583b corresponds to the protruding end of bent portion 58b that protrudes into air supply passage 461 when inspection hatch cover 455 closes inspection hatch 454. This ensures that the drain water received by bent portion 58b drips and is guided reliably into drain pan 43.

[0079] Furthermore, the length of drain cover 58 in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example) may be any length as long as it is possible to efficiently receive the splashing drain water and smoothly guide it to drain pan 43. In this embodiment, it is desirable that the length be a height at which water is expected to splash when passing through humidifying element 41, for example, approximately the same as the height of humidifying element 41. This ensures that the drain water received by drain cover 58 drips and is guided reliably into drain pan 43.

[0080] In this embodiment, for example, the predetermined angle (β) may be set to 60° or more and less than 90° (60°≦β<90°). Also, in this embodiment, for example, the predetermined distance (N) may be set to 25 mm or more (N≧25 mm).

[0081] As described above, according to this embodiment, when air blown out from outlet 21b of air supply passage 211 (inlet 46a of air supply passage 461) by air supply fan 221 passes through humidifying element 41, water splashing that could not be completely prevented by eliminator 411 can be prevented by water splash prevention portion 56 of drain guide 44. In other words, drain water that drips from humidifying element 41 without contributing to humidification by humidifying element 41 can be temporarily received by guide portion 542 of drain guide 44, and can be guided to outlet portion 542e to fall into drain pan 43.

[0082] Furthermore, drain water that splashes along with the air that has passed through the humidifying element 41 can be received by the water splash prevention portion 56 and guided to the guide portion 542 without being guided to the drain pan 43 .

[0083] Water splash prevention portion 56 is disposed in a region of sidewall portion 543b of guide portion 542 that is relatively closer to air intake port 46b (a region toward the top in FIG. 3 , hereinafter referred to as the first region), rather than in a region relatively closer to air intake port 46b (a region toward the bottom in FIG. 3 , hereinafter referred to as the second region). Therefore, when air intake fan 221 is driven to blow air (supply air) into the room through air intake port 46b, the air flow (wind speed) is slower in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example) above the first region of sidewall portion 543b than above the second region of sidewall portion 543b by the distance from air intake port 46b. Therefore, in humidifying element 41, the amount of water absorbed (water retention) near the first region tends to be greater than the amount of water retention near the second region.

[0084] Therefore, the amount of drain water scattered along with the air that passes near the first region of the humidifying element 41 tends to increase, making water splashing relatively more likely to occur. Therefore, even if the eliminator 411 is unable to completely prevent water splashing, the water splash prevention portion 56 of the drain guide 44 can adequately prevent it.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, similar to the water splash prevention section 56, the drain water that splashes along with the air that has passed through the humidifying element 41 can be received by the bent section 58b of the drain cover 58 and guided to the drain pan 43, without being guided to the drain pan 43.

[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, even when the total heat exchanger 1 includes the humidifying section 4, splashing of water from the humidifying element 41 of the humidifying section 4 can be appropriately prevented.

[0087] Here, in this embodiment, because water splash prevention portion 56 can appropriately prevent water splashing, there is no need for a drain pan that covers the entire bottom surface 45a of housing 45 of humidifier 4, as in the past. For example, if a drain pan that covers the entire bottom surface 45a is required, it is necessary to prepare drain pans of different sizes depending on the size of housing 45, or more specifically, the size of humidifier 4. In contrast, according to this embodiment, water splash prevention portion 56 can appropriately prevent water splashing even without a drain pan that covers the entire bottom surface 45a of housing 45. In other words, it is possible to standardize the size of drain pans, thereby reducing the cost of procuring drain pans of various sizes.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bent portion 58b of the drain cover 58 allows the drain to be properly guided to the drain pan 43, thereby reducing the impact on the interior of the room during inspection. For example, if the bent portion 58b of the drain cover 58 were not provided, a service technician would sometimes remove the inspection hatch cover 455 to access the inspection hatch 44 when inspecting the total heat exchanger 1. At that time, there was a risk that drain water accumulated between the inspection hatch cover 455 and the drain pan 43 would drip into the room. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the bent portion 58b allows the drain adhering to the drain cover 58 to be properly guided to the drain pan 43. In other words, the impact on the interior of the room during inspection can be reduced.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the inspection hatch cover 455 is configured with a drain cover 58, but the drain cover 58 may be omitted, the shape of the inspection hatch cover may be changed, and the inspection hatch cover itself may have the same function as the drain cover 58.

[0090] Figure 8 is a perspective view that shows a schematic diagram of inspection hatch cover 456, which is a modification of inspection hatch cover 455. The basic configuration of inspection hatch cover 456 is the same as that of inspection hatch cover 455, and the same or similar components are given the same reference numerals in the drawings and will not be described again. As shown in Figure 8, inspection hatch cover 456, this modification, has bent portion 59 on main surface portion 455a that is bent and continuous with main surface portion 455a.

[0091] In this embodiment, the bent portion 59 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the main surface portion 455a. The bent portion 59 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the main surface portion 455a on the side opposite to the direction in which the peripheral surface portions 455b, 455c, 455d, and 455e rise from the main surface portion 455a (in the illustrated example, the opposite direction to the arrow in the first direction D1). The bent portion 59 has a substantially rectangular surface portion 59a with long sides 59b and 59c along the edges of the peripheral surface portions 455b and 455c and short sides 59d and 59e along the edges of the peripheral surface portions 455d and 455e. The bent portion 59 is continuous with the main surface portion 455a at the upper long side 59b in the vertical direction (in the illustrated example, the third direction D3). The short sides 59d and 59e and the lower long side 59c in the vertical direction are not continuous with the main surface portion 455a. As a result, an opening 59f that is slightly larger than the surface portion 59a and has a similar shape to the surface portion 59a is formed in the main surface portion 455a.

[0092] In this way, bent portion 59 is configured as a canopy-like portion for main surface portion 455a. In other words, when inspection hatch cover 456 closes inspection hatch 454, bent portion 59 of inspection hatch cover 456 protrudes into the interior of housing 45, specifically into air supply path 461.

[0093] Bent portion 59 bends relative to main surface portion 455a and protrudes into air supply passage 461, thereby fulfilling the same function as bent portion 58b. That is, bent portion 59 receives drain water that is scattered together with the air that has passed through humidifying element 41, without being guided to drain pan 43, with surface portion 59a, and guides the drain water to guide portion 542. Surface portion 59a is a surface portion of bent portion 59 that faces upward in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example).

[0094] Bent portion 59 is inclined at a predetermined angle (the same angle as angle β shown in FIG. 7B) with respect to main surface portion 455a. Bent portion 59 also protrudes a predetermined distance from main surface portion 455a of inspection hatch cover 456.

[0095] These predetermined angles and predetermined distances may be any value as long as they can efficiently catch the scattered drain water and smoothly guide it to the guide portion 542. The predetermined distance is the distance between the long sides 59b and 59c of the bent portion 59 as viewed from above in the vertical direction (third direction D3 in the illustrated example). However, the predetermined distance is preferably such that the long side 59c of the bent portion 59 extends beyond the inner surface 430d (see FIG. 6B) of the side portion 43d of the drain pan 43 and fits within the range of the bottom surface 43a when viewed from above in the vertical direction. The long side 59c corresponds to the protruding end of the bent portion 59 that protrudes into the air supply passage 461 when the inspection hatch cover 456 closes the inspection hatch 454. This ensures that the drain water caught by the bent portion 59 drips and is guided into the drain pan 43.

[0096] In this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined angle of bent portion 59 may be set to 60° or more and less than 90°, similar to bent portion 58b. Also, in this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined distance of bent portion 59 may be set to 25 mm or more, similar to bent portion 58b.

[0097] As a result, drain water that splashes along with the air that has passed through the humidifying element 41 can be received by the bent portion 59 of the inspection hatch cover 456 and guided to the drain pan 43 without being guided to the drain pan 43.

[0098] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1...total heat exchanger, 2...total heat exchange section, 4...humidification section, 6...control section, 21...air passage, 21a...inlet, 21b...outlet, 21c...inlet, 21d...exhaust port, 22...blower device, 23...heat exchange element, 24...casing, 25, 26...connection section, 24a...bottom section, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e...side section, 24f...top section, 41...humidification element, 41a...downwind surface, 43...drain pan, 43a...bottom section, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e...side section, 44...drain guide, 45...casing, 46...air passage, 46a...inlet, 46b...air intake port, 4 6c... return air port, 46d... outlet, 47, 48... connection portion, 45a... bottom surface portion, 45b, 45c, 45d, 45e... side portion, 45f... top surface portion, 52... element holding member, 54... drain water guide member, 56... water splash prevention portion, 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d... side portion, 56e... surface portion, 58... drain cover, 58a... flat portion, 58b... bent portion, 59... bent portion, 59a... surface portion, 59b, 59c... long side, 59d, 59e... short side, 59f... opening, 211... air supply path, 212... exhaust path, 221... air supply fan, 222... exhaust fan, 231, 233...inlet portion, 232, 234...outlet portion, 240d...outer surface, 241...box portion, 242...lid portion, 411...eliminator, 42...water supply header, 421...header guide, 422...water supply unit, 423...distribution pipe, 424...water supply port, 430c, 430d, 430e...inner surface, 431...drain port, 451...box portion, 452...lid portion, 453...partition plate, 454...inspection hatch, 455, 456...inspection hatch cover, 455a...main surface portion, 455b, 455c, 455d, 455e...peripheral surface portion, 455f...mounting surface, 461...air supply passage, 462...exhaust passage, 521 ...leg portion, 522...base portion, 523...opening, 524a, 524b...guide rail, 524c...side wall portion, 525...guide groove, 525a...groove bottom portion, 525b, 525c...groove wall portion, 541...leg portion, 542...guide portion, 542a, 542b, 542c, 542d...edge, 542e...outflow portion, 543a, 543b, 543c, 543d...side wall portion, 581a, 581b...standing portion, 582b...surface portion, 583b...edge portion, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, D3...third direction, S1...entire area of ​​bottom portion 45a facing air supply path 461.

Claims

1. a humidifying unit that humidifies the air supplied to the room; an air intake passage that communicates the outside of the room with the humidifying unit and leads the air from the outside of the room to the humidifying unit; an exhaust passage that communicates the humidifying unit with the outside of the room and leads the air from the humidifying unit to the outside of the room; and a total heat exchanger that has a heat exchange element that performs total heat exchange between air flowing through the air intake passage and air flowing through the exhaust passage, The humidifying unit is a humidifying element that humidifies the outdoor air introduced from the air supply passage by passing the outdoor air; a water supply header for dripping water onto the humidifying element; a drain pan for receiving drain water that drips from the water supply header and is not absorbed by the humidifying element; a drain guide that guides the drain water dripping from the humidifying element to the drain pan, The drain guide is a guide portion that guides drain water dripping from the humidifying element to the drain pan; a water splash prevention section that receives drain water that is not guided to the drain pan but splashes along with the air that has passed through the humidifying element and guides it to the guide section. Total heat exchanger.

2. The drain guide has a side wall portion that is continuous with the periphery of the guide portion and rises upward in the vertical direction, The side wall portion has a visor-shaped water splash prevention portion at a position that rises downstream of the humidifying element in the flow direction of air that has passed through the humidifying element, the visor-shaped water splash prevention portion receiving drain water that splashes together with the air that has passed through the humidifying element and guiding the drain water to the guide portion. The total heat exchanger according to claim 1 .

3. The water splash prevention portion is configured in a quadrilateral shape defined by four sides and inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and the positions of the two sides aligned intersecting the flow direction of the air passing through the humidifying element are such that the side on the guide portion side is lower and the side opposite to the guide portion is higher. The total heat exchanger according to claim 2.

4. The water splash prevention portion has an inclination angle of 10° or more and 20° or less with respect to the horizontal plane. The total heat exchanger according to claim 3.

5. The length of the water splash prevention portion, which exists in the flow direction of the air that has passed through the humidifying element as viewed from above in the vertical direction, is within the range of the bottom surface of the drain pan, A portion of the water splash prevention portion that exists in a direction intersecting the flow direction of air that has passed through the humidifying element when viewed from above in the vertical direction overlaps with the bottom surface of the drain pan. The total heat exchanger according to claim 3.

6. The length of the water splash prevention portion, which exists in the flow direction of air that has passed through the humidifying element as viewed from above in the vertical direction, is 70 mm or more and 80 mm or less, The length of a portion of the water splash prevention portion that exists in a direction that intersects with the flow direction of air that has passed through the humidifying element when viewed from above in the vertical direction is 10 mm or more. The total heat exchanger according to claim 5.

7. The drain guide has a base portion that is raised relative to the guide portion and has a substantially horizontal, flat shape, The base portion is provided with a guide rail that extends linearly in a direction intersecting the flow direction of air passing through the humidifying element and positions the humidifying element. The total heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the humidifying unit has a housing that houses the humidifying element, the water supply header, the drain pan, and the drain guide; the housing has an opening through which the interior of the housing can be accessed from the outside, and a cover that closes the opening; The cover includes a flat portion that closes the opening, and a bent portion that is bent relative to the flat portion and receives drain water that is scattered together with the air that has passed through the humidifying element without being guided to the drain pan, and guides the drain water to the guide portion. The total heat exchanger according to claim 7.

9. the cover is configured by integrating a member facing the outside of the housing and a member facing the inside of the housing, The bent portion is provided on a member facing the inside of the housing. The total heat exchanger according to claim 8.

10. The bent portion is formed by cutting and raising a part of the flat portion. The total heat exchanger according to claim 8.

Images