Dehumidifying device

Abstract

To provide a dehumidifier capable of dehumidifying the inside of a room without the trouble of draining water.SOLUTION: A dehumidifying device (2) provided in a room (S1) of a building (1), the dehumidifying device (2) being provided on a first path from a first air intake port (21) to an indoor air outlet (23), the dehumidifier is provided with a dehumidifying means 3 for removing moisture in air by cooling the air taken in from a first air intake port and an atomizing means 4 provided on a second path from a second air intake port 22 to an exhaust port 24 communicating with the outdoors and atomizing the dew condensation water W1 dripping from the dehumidifying means and discharging it to the air taken in from the second air intake port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to the recent increase in humidity, mold damage is occurring frequently in hotel rooms and other facilities that have room air conditioners. The main cause of mold growth is insufficient dehumidification due to the room air conditioner's thermostat being turned off. Thermostating means that when the room temperature drops below the set temperature, the compressor stops and only the air is blown.

[0003] When air conditioning is on during high humidity summer months, the outlet air temperature is lowered to around 10°C, which inevitably dehumidifies the indoor air. However, during periods when the outside air is relatively cold but humid, such as the rainy season, when cold air is supplied into the room through ventilation, the room temperature does not rise, and the air conditioner's thermostat is turned off for a longer period of time. As a result, the relative humidity in the room can increase without dehumidification due to air conditioning, and if this situation continues for a long period of time, the risk of mold growth increases.

[0004] An example of a dehumidifier is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-232576 (Patent Document 1). This dehumidifier is an electronic dehumidifier provided for the purpose of dehumidifying the inside of an equipment box, and it uses a Peltier element to perform dehumidification, stores condensed water in an external water receiver outside the equipment box, and evaporates the stored water at the bottom of the receiver via a heat conductive plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-232576 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Commercially available dehumidifiers are commonly used to combat indoor mold, but they require the water accumulated in the tank to be manually drained, which is time-consuming and unsuitable for combating mold in hotel rooms, etc.

[0007] Furthermore, when the device of Patent Document 1 is used to dehumidify a room, the external water receiver must be placed outdoors, which reduces the durability of the external water receiver and makes it impossible to evaporate the stored water during rainfall.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dehumidifier that can dehumidify a room without the trouble of draining water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The dehumidifier of the present invention is a dehumidifier installed indoors in a building, and includes a dehumidifying means installed in a first path from a first air intake to an indoor outlet, which cools the air taken in from the first air intake to remove moisture from the air, and an atomizing means installed in a second path from a second air intake to an exhaust port communicating with the outdoors, which atomizes condensation water dripping from the dehumidifying means and releases it into the air taken in from the second air intake.

[0010] Preferably, the second path is provided with a water receiving section for receiving condensed water, and the atomizing means is constituted by an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the water receiving section.

[0011] Preferably, a fan is provided at each of the indoor air outlet and the exhaust outlet.

[0012] Preferably, the dehumidifying means is configured by a Peltier element having a cooling surface on the front side and a heat generating surface on the rear side.

[0013] Preferably, the exhaust port also serves as a ventilation port for the room, and the device further includes a switching means for switching between a first state in which the exhaust port is exposed to the room and a second state in which the exhaust port is concealed from the room.

[0014] Preferably, the dehumidifier has a humidifying function and further includes a water supply means for supplying water to the water receiving section when the dehumidifying means is inactive, and a path change means for directing air containing mist generated by the atomizing means toward the indoor air outlet of the first path.

[0015] Preferably, the path changing means includes an opening / closing member that can be switched between a partition position that separates the first downstream end space of the first path from the second downstream end space of the second path, and a communication position that connects the first downstream end space with the second downstream end space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, condensed water in a room is atomized and discharged to the outside, so that the room can be dehumidified without the trouble of draining the water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the interior of a room in which the dehumidifier according to each embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] FIG. 1A is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a control unit of the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a dehumidification process executed by a control unit of a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10(A) is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the air flow in the dehumidification mode of the dehumidifier according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10(B) is a table roughly showing the temperature and moisture content of the air. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a humidification process executed by a control unit of a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(A) is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the air flow in a humidification mode of a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10(B) is a table roughly showing the temperature and moisture content of the air. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like or corresponding parts are designated by like reference numerals and will not be described repeatedly.

[0019] <About the room> 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a room S1 of a building 1 in which a dehumidifier 2 (2A) according to each embodiment is installed. The height direction of the room S1 is indicated by the symbol Y, and the horizontal (depth) direction is indicated by the symbol X. The same applies to the other figures.

[0020] The room S1 may be, for example, a hotel room, and is partitioned by walls 12 including an exterior wall 11, a ceiling 13, and a floor 14. In this embodiment, as an example, a packaged air conditioner PA is attached to the wall 12, and the room temperature is adjusted by turning on the air conditioner PA. A ventilation opening 15 is formed in the exterior wall 11, which connects the room S1 with the outside S2. An air intake opening 16 is provided in the ceiling 13, and outside air is supplied through the air intake opening 16.

[0021] When the outside air temperature is relatively low but the humidity is high, when low-temperature air is supplied into the room by ventilation, the room temperature does not rise, and the air conditioner's thermostat is turned off for a long time. As a result, the relative humidity in the room S1 increases, creating a risk of mold growing on the wall 12. In this invention, as a measure against mold in the room S1, a dehumidifier 2 is installed on the exterior wall 11 so as to cover the ventilation opening 15 from the room S1 side.

[0022] Hereinafter, a dehumidifier 2 that performs only dehumidification will be described in a first embodiment, and a dehumidifier 2A that performs both dehumidification and humidification will be described in a second embodiment.

[0023] <First Embodiment> A dehumidifier 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2(A) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier 2 (a cross-sectional view taken along line IIA-IIA in Figure 2(B)), and Figure 2(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB in Figure 2(A).

[0024] The dehumidifier 2 includes a first air intake 21, an indoor air outlet 23, a dehumidifying means 3, a second air intake 22, an exhaust port 24, and an atomizing means 4. Specifically, the dehumidifying means 3 and the atomizing means 4 are provided inside the casing 20, the indoor air outlet 23 and the first and second air intakes 21, 22 are provided on the front surface side of the casing 20 facing the room S1, and the exhaust port 24 is provided on the back surface side of the casing 20 facing the outer wall 11.

[0025] An indoor air outlet 23 is provided above the first air intake 21, and a second air intake 22 is provided below it. The exhaust port 24 is connected to the ventilation port 15, and also serves as a ventilation port for the room S1.

[0026] In the dehumidifier 2, a first path α1 is formed that runs from the first air intake 21 to the indoor air outlet 23. An outlet fan 23a is provided at the indoor air outlet 23, and when the outlet fan 23a is operated, air from the room S1 flows into the first path α1 from the first air intake 21.

[0027] The dehumidifier 2 also has a second path α2 that runs from the second air intake 22 to an exhaust port 24 that communicates with the outdoors S2. An exhaust fan 24a is provided at the exhaust port 24, and when the exhaust fan 24a is activated, air from the room S1 flows into the second path α2 from the second air intake 22. The exhaust fan 24a also serves as a ventilation fan for the room via the second path α2.

[0028] (Dehumidification methods) The dehumidifying means 3 is provided in the first path α1 between the first air intake 21 and the indoor air outlet 23. The dehumidifying means 3 is composed of an element having a cooling surface 31 on its front surface and a heat-generating surface 32 on its back surface, and is composed of, for example, a Peltier element. A heat sink 33 is attached to the heat-generating surface 32, and the heat sink 33 has a number of heat-dissipating fins 33a (FIG. 2(B)). The dehumidifying means 3 is arranged approximately vertically so that the cooling surface 31 faces the indoor space S1.

[0029] (Regarding the first pathway) The first path α1 includes a front-side space A1 on the side where the cooling surface 31 of the dehumidifying means 3 is disposed, a lower space A2 below the dehumidifying means 3, and a rear-side space A3 downstream of the lower space A2 on the side where the heat-generating surface 32 is disposed. That is, the first path α1 runs from the first air intake 21 through the substantially U-shaped front-side space A1, lower space A2, and rear-side space A3 in that order, to the indoor air outlet 23. A drain pan 25 that collects condensation water produced by cooling is disposed in the lower space A2.

[0030] (Regarding the second pathway) The second path α2 is formed independently of the first path α1. Specifically, the second path α2 includes a first space B1 that is vertically partitioned by a first partition 27 from a lower space A2 of the first path α1, a third space B3 that is vertically partitioned by a second partition 28 from a back surface side space A3 of the first path α1, and a second space B2 between (at the intersection of) the first space B1 and the third space B3. A water receiving portion 26 is provided facing the second space B2. The water receiving portion 26 is formed by being recessed downward from the bottom of the first space B1.

[0031] (About atomization means) The atomization means 4 is provided directly or indirectly on the second path α2, and atomizes the condensed water W1 that drips from the dehumidification means 3 and accumulates in the water receiving portion 26, and releases the atomized water into the air taken in from the second air intake 22. In this embodiment, an ultrasonic vibrator 41 is provided on the bottom surface of the water receiving portion 26 facing the second space B2 as an example of the atomization means 4. An example of the ultrasonic vibrator 41 is a piezoelectric vibrator.

[0032] (Functional configuration of dehumidifier) 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the dehumidifier 2. The dehumidifier 2 includes an operation unit M operated by a user and a control unit C that receives instructions from the operation unit M. The control unit C controls the above-mentioned dehumidifying means 3, atomizing means 4, blowing fan 22a, and exhaust fan 24a.

[0033] (About dehumidification operation) The dehumidifying operation of the dehumidifier 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit C. Note that the exhaust fan 24a operates constantly as a ventilation fan in addition to its dehumidifying function, and an air flow from the second air intake port 22 toward the exhaust port 24 has already been formed in the second path α2.

[0034] When the user issues a command to start dehumidification via the operation unit M, the control unit C activates the blow-out fan 23a (step S11) and energizes the Peltier element 3 (dehumidifying means) (step S12). At the same time, or at a predetermined timing, the control unit C activates the ultrasonic vibrator 41 (atomization means) (step S13). The order of steps S11 to S13 does not matter.

[0035] By the processing of step S11, an air flow is formed in the first path α1 from the first air intake 21 toward the indoor air outlet 23. By the processing of step S12, the front side space A1 of the Peltier element 3 becomes a cooling space via the cooling surface 31, and the back side space A3 becomes a heating space via the heat sink 33.

[0036] Air flowing into the first path α1 from the first air intake 21 is cooled by contacting the cooling surface 31 of the Peltier element 3, and condensation water W1 forms on the surface of the Peltier element 3. In this way, the air flowing through the surface-side space A1 is dehumidified and becomes low in temperature and low in moisture. The condensation water W1 drips along the cooling surface 31 into the drain pan 25 and is drained downward through the drain hose 25a into the first space B1 of the second path α2.

[0037] The dehumidified air flows through the lower space A2 into the rear surface side space A3. The air passes through the heat sink 33 (heat dissipation fins 33a) heated by the heat generating surface 32 of the Peltier element 3. By being heated by the heat sink 33, the air becomes air with a temperature close to room temperature and low moisture content, and is returned to the room S1 through the indoor air outlet 23. In this way, the air taken in through the first air intake 21 is dehumidified.

[0038] Meanwhile, the condensed water W1 drained into the first space B1 of the second path α2 flows into the water receiver 26 of the second path α2. The condensed water W1 accumulated in the water receiver 26 is atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator 41 activated by the processing of step S13, and becomes mist W2. The mist W2 mixes with the air taken in through the second air intake 22.

[0039] The air containing the mist W2 and having a high moisture content is exhausted by the exhaust fan 24a from the exhaust port 24 to the outside S2.

[0040] As an example, if a humidity sensor (not shown) detects that the indoor humidity is below a predetermined humidity level (YES in step S14), the control unit C turns off the blow-out fan 23a, the Peltier element 3, and the ultrasonic vibrator 41, and ends the dehumidification operation. On the other hand, if the humidity is still detected to be above the predetermined humidity level (NO in step S14), the dehumidification operation continues. Note that the dehumidification process may be ended by a command from the user to end the dehumidification.

[0041] (Example of air temperature and moisture content) The changes in air flow and moisture content are the same as when dehumidifier 2A in embodiment 2 described below operates in dehumidification mode, so an example will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8(A) shows the flow of air passing through the dehumidifier with arrows, and Figure 8(B) shows the air temperature and the amount of moisture in the air.

[0042] The air taken into the first path α1 from the first air intake 21 has a temperature of, for example, 26°C and a relative humidity of about 70% (light gray arrow). The air flowing through the surface-side space A1 and reaching the lower space A2 is cooled from 26°C to about 10°C, for example, and its relative humidity becomes 100% (white arrow).

[0043] The air passing from the lower space A2 through the rear surface side space A3 is heated to a temperature of about 26°C and has a relative humidity of about 30% (hatched arrow). Thus, the air passing through the rear surface side space A3 is returned to the room S1 at a temperature (but with a lower humidity) similar to that of the air taken in through the first air intake 21.

[0044] On the other hand, the air taken in through second air intake 22 has, for example, a temperature of 26°C and a relative humidity of about 70% (light gray arrow), the same as the air taken in through first air intake 21. When this air mixes with mist W2 generated by ultrasonic vibrator 41, the temperature remains at 26°C but the relative humidity becomes 100% (dark gray arrow), and the air is exhausted from exhaust port 24 to the outdoors S2.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the condensation water W1 is atomized and discharged outdoors, eliminating the need to manually drain the condensation water W1. Furthermore, the wall surface does not become dirty (limescale or algae), as occurs when the condensation water W1 is directly drained. Furthermore, since the water receiving portion 26 is located indoors, there are no concerns about durability.

[0046] Furthermore, since the dehumidified air returned to the room S1 from the indoor air outlet 23 is heated by the heat sink 33, dehumidification can be performed without lowering the room temperature even when the outside air is cold and humid.

[0047] Furthermore, the Peltier element and ultrasonic vibrator 41 produce little operating noise, making it possible to dehumidify with low noise.

[0048] In addition, since the exhaust fan 24a also serves as a ventilation fan for the room, there is no need to provide a separate ventilation fan.

[0049] <Embodiment 2> A dehumidifier 2A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 10. The dehumidifier 2A has a humidifying function and can operate in a dehumidifying mode or a humidifying mode. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of commonalities with the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the dehumidifier 2A is provided with a switching means 5 and a path changing means 7 near the exhaust port 24, and with a water supply means 6 near the water receiving portion .

[0051] (About switching methods) The switching means 5 switches between a first state in which the exhaust port 24 is exposed to the room S1 and a second state in which the exhaust port 24 is concealed from the room S1. Specifically, the switching means 5 is configured by a horizontal shutter 51 that slides along the top surface (for example, a horizontal plane) of the casing 20.

[0052] In the first state, the horizontal shutter 51 is located at an exposed position H1, connecting the exhaust port 24 to the room S1. In the second state, the horizontal shutter 51 is located at a hidden position H2, as shown by the dashed line, blocking the exhaust port 24 from connecting to the room S1.

[0053] (Methods for changing routes) In this embodiment, the path changing means 7 is configured by a rotating plate 71, which is an example of an opening / closing member. The rotating plate 71 rotates vertically to be switchable between a communication position V1, which connects the downstream end space A4 of the first path α1 with the downstream end space B4 of the second path α2, and a partition position V2 (broken line), which separates the downstream end space A4 from the downstream end space B4.

[0054] That is, when the rotating plate 71 is in the communication position V1, the downstream end space A4 located between the back side space A3 of the first path α1 and the indoor air outlet 23 and the downstream end space B4 located between the third space B3 of the second path α2 and the exhaust port 24 are connected to each other.

[0055] Furthermore, the rotating plate 71 in the communication position V1 blocks the downstream end space B4 of the second path α2 from the exhaust port 24. The rotating plate 71 in the communication position V1 directs the air containing the mist W2 generated by the atomization means 4 toward the indoor air outlet 23 of the first path α1.

[0056] Specifically, in the humidification mode (Figure 10(A)) described below, air passing through the second path α2 passes through the first space B1, the second space B2, the third space B3 and the downstream end space B4, and then does not flow into the exhaust port 24 but instead flows into the downstream end space A4 of the first path α1.

[0057] Meanwhile, at the partitioning position V2, the rotating plate 71 separates the downstream end spaces A4, B4 and connects the downstream end space B4 to the exhaust port 24. In this embodiment, an opening is formed in a part of the second partition part 28 that separates the downstream end spaces A4, B4, and the opening is closed by the rotating plate 71 at the partitioning position V2.

[0058] Specifically, in a dehumidification mode (FIG. 8(A)) described later, air in the first path α1 flows from the first air intake 21 to the indoor air outlet 23, and air in the second path α2 flows from the second air intake 22 to the air outlet 24. In other words, air flows independently in the first path α1 and the second path α2.

[0059] (Water supply method) The water supply means 6 is composed of an electromagnetic valve 61 and a water supply pipe 62, and supplies water to the water receiving section 26. Specifically, the supply of water from the water supply pipe 62 starts or stops in response to the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 61.

[0060] (Functional configuration of dehumidifier) 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a dehumidifier 2A according to this embodiment. A control unit C controls the switching means 5, the path changing means 7, and the water supply means 6 in addition to the controlled objects in the dehumidifier 2 of embodiment 1. The control unit C controls each unit based on an instruction (mode selection) input from an operation unit M.

[0061] 5 shows the dehumidifier 2A in a state where neither the dehumidification mode nor the humidification mode is in operation. In this state, the blowout fan 23a, the Peltier element 3, and the ultrasonic vibrator 41 are all inactive.

[0062] The horizontal shutter 51 is in the exposed position H1, the rotary plate 71 is in the communicating position V1, and the solenoid valve 61 is closed. The exhaust fan 24a is always operating and functions as an indoor ventilation fan without passing through the second path α2.

[0063] (About dehumidification mode) The dehumidification mode of the dehumidifier 2A will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the dehumidification process executed by the control unit C. Note that the exhaust fan 24a is already operating.

[0064] 8(A), the flow of air passing through dehumidifier 2A in the dehumidification mode is indicated by arrows. The changes in air temperature and moisture content in the dehumidification mode are the same as those described in embodiment 1, and therefore will not be described repeatedly.

[0065] When the user issues a command to start dehumidification via the operation unit M, the control unit C changes the position of the horizontal shutter 51 (switching means) to the hidden position H2 (step S21), changes the position of the rotating plate 71 (path changing means) to the partition position V2 (step S22), operates the blow-out fan 23a (step S23), energizes the Peltier element 3 (dehumidifying means) (step S24), and activates the ultrasonic vibrator 41 (atomization means) (step S25). The order of steps S21 to S25 does not matter.

[0066] By the process of step S21, the horizontal shutter 51 is slid to the concealing position H2 to conceal the exhaust port 24 from the room S1, thereby separating the downstream end space B4 of the second path α2 from the room S1.

[0067] By the process of step S22, the rotating plate 71 is moved to the partition position V2, separating the downstream end space A4 from the downstream end space B4. At the same time, the downstream end space B4 of the second path α2 and the exhaust port 24 are connected to each other.

[0068] The following steps S23 to S25 are the same as steps S11 to S13 in the first embodiment, and will therefore only be briefly explained.

[0069] By the processing of step S23, the blow-out fan 23a is operated, and air from the room S1 is taken into the first path α1 from the first air intake 21. By the processing of step S24, the front side space A1 of the Peltier element 3 becomes a cooling space, and the back side space A3 becomes a heating space. Condensed water W1 formed on the surface of the Peltier element 3 flows through the drain pan 25 into the water receiving portion 26 below.

[0070] The dehumidified air is heated by the heat dissipation fins 33a and returned to the room S1 through the indoor air outlet 23 by the air outlet fan 23a.

[0071] The condensed water W1 accumulated in the water receiving portion 26 is atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator 41 activated by the process of step S25, and becomes mist W2. The mist W2 mixes with air taken in from the second air intake 22 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 24 to the outdoors S2 by the exhaust fan 24a.

[0072] As an example, if a humidity sensor (not shown) detects that the indoor humidity is below a predetermined humidity level (YES in step S26), the control unit C returns the horizontal shutter 51 to the exposed position H1 and the rotating plate 71 to the communicating position V1 (FIG. 5). Furthermore, the blowout fan 23a, the Peltier element 3, and the ultrasonic vibrator 41 are all turned off, and the dehumidification mode is terminated. The dehumidification process may also be terminated by a user's instruction to terminate dehumidification.

[0073] On the other hand, if the humidity is still detected to be equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity (NO in step S26), the dehumidification mode continues.

[0074] (About humidification mode) The humidification mode of the dehumidifier 2 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the humidification process executed by the control unit C. Note that the exhaust fan 24a is already operating.

[0075] In Fig. 10(A), arrows indicate the flow of air passing through the dehumidifier 2A in the humidification mode, and Fig. 10(B) shows the magnitude of the air temperature and moisture content.

[0076] When the user issues a command to start humidification via operation unit M, control unit C operates blowout fan 23a (step S31), starts water supply (step S32), and activates ultrasonic vibrator 41 (step S33). The order of steps S31 to S33 does not matter.

[0077] In the humidification mode, the horizontal shutter 51 remains in the exposure position H1, the rotary plate 71 remains in the communication position V1, and the Peltier element 3 is not energized.

[0078] By the processing of step S31, the blow-out fan 23a is operated, and an air flow is formed from the second air intake 22 to the indoor air outlet 23. That is, the air taken in through the second air intake 22 flows through the first to third spaces B1 to B3, and then flows from the downstream end space B4 of the second path α2 to the downstream end space A4 of the first path α1, and reaches the indoor air outlet 23.

[0079] The air taken into the second path α2 from the second air intake 22 has a temperature of, for example, about 20 to 22° C. and a relative humidity of about 50% (white arrow).

[0080] By the process of step S32, the electromagnetic valve 61 (water supply means) opens, and the supply water W3 is supplied from the water supply pipe 62 to the water receiving portion .

[0081] By the process of step S33, ultrasonic vibrator 41 is activated and supply water W3 stored in water receiver 26 is atomized. Mist W2 mixes with the air taken in from second air intake 22, increasing the moisture content in the air. For example, the mixed air has an air temperature of 20 to 22°C and a relative humidity of about 100% (light gray arrow).

[0082] In this way, the air with increased moisture content is returned to the room S1 by the blow-out fan 23a through the indoor air outlet 23. That is, the rotating plate 71 guides the humid air from the downstream end space B4 of the second path α2 to the downstream end space A4 of the first path α1, and prevents it from flowing to the exhaust port 24.

[0083] Meanwhile, the exhaust fan 24a functions as an indoor ventilation fan to ventilate the indoor air. That is, because the horizontal shutter 51 is located at the exposed position H1, the room S1 and the exhaust port 24 are in communication, and the air in the room S1 is exhausted to the outside S2. When the humidification mode is activated, the first air intake port 21 is blocked by the lift-up shutter 8, allowing efficient humidification using the second path.

[0084] As an example, when a humidity sensor (not shown) detects that the indoor humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity level (YES in step S34), the control unit C turns off the blow-out fan 23a and the ultrasonic vibrator 41, closes the solenoid valve 61, and ends the humidification mode. Note that the humidification process may be ended by a command from the user to end dehumidification.

[0085] On the other hand, if the humidity is still detected to be equal to or lower than the predetermined humidity (NO in step S34), the humidification mode continues.

[0086] According to this embodiment, in addition to the advantages obtained in the first embodiment, it is possible to humidify the room.

[0087] Furthermore, by appropriately changing the positions of the horizontal shutter 51 and the rotating plate 71, the exhaust fan 24a can be used as a ventilation fan in either the dehumidification mode or the humidification mode.

[0088] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as the present invention or within an equivalent scope.

[0089] For example, the dehumidifying means 3 is preferably a Peltier element in terms of operating noise, but may also be a compressor type, a desiccant type, or a hybrid type that combines both.

[0090] Moreover, instead of the atomizing means 4, a heater may be used to generate water vapor.

[0091] Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the blow-out fan 23a and the exhaust fan 24a, intake fans may be provided at the first air intake port 21 and the second air intake port 22.

[0092] Furthermore, the exhaust port 24 does not have to double as a ventilation port (there may be a separate ventilation port). In that case, the exhaust fan 24a only needs to be turned on during the dehumidifying operation (dehumidifying mode).

[0093] Furthermore, the supply and stop of water by the water supply means 6 in the second embodiment is not limited to the use of the electromagnetic valve 61, but may be opened and closed manually.

[0094] Furthermore, as the path changing means 7 in the second embodiment, one member may separate / communicate the downstream end spaces A4 and B4 from each other, and another member may separate / communicate the downstream end space B4 from the exhaust port 24. In other words, it is not necessary to use one rotating plate 71. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 building, 15 ventilation opening, 2 dehumidifier, 21 first air intake, 22 second air intake, 23 indoor air outlet, 23a outlet fan, 24 exhaust outlet, 24a exhaust fan, 25 drain pan, 26 water receiving section, 3 dehumidifying means, 31 surface, 32 back surface, 33 heat sink, 4 atomizing means, 41 ultrasonic vibrator, 5 switching means, 51 horizontal shutter, 6 water supply means, 61 solenoid valve, 62 water supply pipe, 7 path changing means, 71 rotating plate, 8 lifting shutter, S1 indoor, S2 outdoor, W1 condensation water, W2 mist, W3 supply water

Claims

1. A dehumidifier installed indoors in a building, a dehumidifying means provided in a first path from the first air intake to the indoor outlet, the dehumidifying means cooling the air taken in through the first air intake to remove moisture from the air; a second air intake port that is connected to an exhaust port that is connected to the outdoors, and a second atomization means that atomizes condensation water dripping from the dehumidifying means and releases the atomized water into the air taken in from the second air intake port.

2. a water receiving portion that receives condensed water is provided in the second path, 2. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the atomizing means comprises an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the water receiving portion.

3. The dehumidifier according to claim 1 , wherein a fan is provided at each of the indoor air outlet and the exhaust outlet.

4. 2. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the dehumidifying means is a Peltier element having a cooling surface on one side and a heat generating surface on the other side.

5. The exhaust port also serves as a ventilation port for the room, The dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a switching means for switching between a first state in which the exhaust port is exposed to the room and a second state in which the exhaust port is concealed from the room.

6. The dehumidifier has a humidifying function, a water supply means for supplying water to the water receiving portion while the dehumidifying means is inactive; The dehumidifier according to claim 2 , further comprising a path changing means for directing the air containing the mist generated by the atomizing means toward the indoor air outlet of the first path.

7. 7. The dehumidification device according to claim 6, wherein the path changing means includes an opening / closing member that can be switched between a partition position that separates a first downstream end space of the first path from a second downstream end space of the second path, and a communication position that connects the first downstream end space with the second downstream end space.

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