Dehumidifier

Abstract

To provide a dehumidifier that can dehumidify indoor spaces while reducing energy consumption. [Solution] The dehumidifier 1 is positioned independently of the air conditioner C and is a duct positioned on the outside air supply path α1 from the outdoors S2 to the indoor space S1. It comprises a moisture absorption and release duct 16 with a moisture absorption and release material 16a inside that can regenerate its moisture absorption capacity by heating, a heater 14 provided upstream of the moisture absorption and release duct which heats the outside air sent to the moisture absorption and release duct when the moisture absorption capacity of the moisture absorption and release material decreases, and a guide means 2 which directs the outside air supplied to the indoor space from the supply air section 17 provided downstream of the moisture absorption and release duct to the air intake port C2 of the air conditioner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidifying device.

Background Art

[0002] Due to the recent high humidity of the climate, mold damage frequently occurs in rooms equipped with room air conditioners. As a main factor for the occurrence of mold, insufficient dehumidification due to the thermo-off of the room air conditioner can be cited. Thermo-off means that when the room temperature becomes lower than the set temperature, the compressor stops and only the blowing operation is performed.

[0003] If cooling is being performed during the high humidity period in summer, since the blown air temperature can be lowered to about 10°C, the indoor air is inevitably dehumidified. However, during the rainy season or the like, when the outside air is relatively low or medium temperature (for example, about 25°C) and high humidity, when low temperature air is supplied into the room by ventilation, the room temperature does not rise, so the time for the air conditioner to enter the thermo-off state becomes longer. Therefore, the relative humidity in the room may increase because dehumidification associated with cooling is not performed, and the risk of mold generation increases if such a situation continues for a long time.

[0004] As an air conditioning device having a dehumidifying function, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-120985 (Patent Document 1) can be cited. This device is a device that can continuously dehumidify without lowering the room temperature by using one of a plurality of heat exchange parts as a reheater and reheating the blown air with the reheater during cooling.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The dehumidification function of the device described in Patent Document 1 consumes a large amount of energy because it continuously reheats using a reheater. Furthermore, air conditioners with reheat dehumidification functions have a large capacity, making them unsuitable for small living spaces.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a dehumidifier that can dehumidify an indoor space while reducing energy consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The dehumidifying device according to the present invention is a dehumidifying device that is arranged independently of an air conditioner, and comprises a duct arranged on the air supply path of outside air from the outdoors to an indoor space, an absorbent and dehumidifying duct with a moisture-absorbing and dehumidifying material inside which can regenerate its moisture-absorbing capacity by heating, a heater provided upstream of the absorbent and dehumidifying duct which heats the outside air sent to the absorbent and dehumidifying duct when the moisture-absorbing capacity of the absorbent and dehumidifying material decreases, and an air supply unit provided downstream of the absorbent and dehumidifying duct which supplies outside air to the indoor space.

[0009] Preferably, the system includes a detection means for detecting the moisture absorption state of the moisture absorption material, and a control means for activating a heater when the detection means detects that the moisture absorption material has reached a predetermined moisture absorption state.

[0010] Preferably, the detection means is a weight sensor that measures the weight of a moisture absorption / release duct containing a moisture absorption / release material.

[0011] Preferably, the system includes connecting pipes connected to the moisture absorption and release duct on both the upstream and downstream sides of the substantially horizontally arranged moisture absorption and release duct, the connecting pipes having the flexibility to allow downward displacement of the moisture absorption and release duct.

[0012] Preferably, the system includes a guide means for directing the outside air supplied from the air intake to the indoor space towards the air intake of the air conditioner.

[0013] Preferably, the guiding means includes a louver provided in the air intake section, which is installed to take a basic position when the heater is not operating and to take an inclined position that points towards the air intake of the air conditioner when the heater is operating.

[0014] Preferably, the air intake section is provided with an expandable / contractible member that expands and contracts vertically according to the temperature of the outside air, and the louver is connected to the lower end of the expandable / contractible member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, since dehumidification by a desiccant and dehumidification by an air conditioner are performed alternately, it is possible to dehumidify an indoor space while suppressing energy consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of a dehumidifying device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic front view showing a dehumidifier according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the ceiling as viewed from below. [Figure 4] (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a moisture absorption / release duct and moisture absorption / release material, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the shape of the moisture absorption / release material. [Figure 5] (A) is a schematic front view showing the moisture intake and release duct in its normal state, and (B) is a schematic front view showing the moisture intake and release duct in a state where it is displaced downward. [Figure 6] (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the basic position of the louver, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the inclined position of the louver. [Figure 7] This is a schematic front view illustrating dehumidification using a moisture-absorbing and releasing material. [Figure 8] This is a schematic front view illustrating dehumidification using an air conditioner. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0018] (Overview of the Arrangement Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the dehumidifying device 1. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction (the direction of gravity) is indicated by reference numerals Y1 and Y2, and the horizontal direction is indicated by reference numerals X1 and X2. The same applies to other figures.

[0019] The dehumidifying device 1 is disposed in the ceiling space S3 above the indoor space S1. The indoor space S1 is a space defined by the ceiling 91, the walls 92, and the floor 93. In the present embodiment, the indoor space S1 and the outdoor space S2 are separated by the wall 92 (on the right side of the paper). The indoor space S1 may be, for example, a living room space of a house or a hotel, or a non-living room space such as a corridor.

[0020] The indoor space S1 and the ceiling space S3 are separated by the ceiling 91. In the ceiling space S3, in addition to the dehumidifying device 1, an air conditioner C is disposed. The air conditioner C is a ceiling-embedded cassette air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 3, air outlets C2 are provided in four directions of the main body C1, and a suction port C3 is provided at the center of the main body C1. The air conditioner C is disposed near an air supply port 17a described later.

[0021] It is desirable that the air outlet C21 closest to the air supply port 17a (the air outlet located between the air supply port 17a and the suction port C3) be blocked by a closing member. The reason will be described later.

[0022] (Regarding the Dehumidifying Device) As shown in FIG. 1, the dehumidifying device 1 is disposed independently of the air conditioner C (not as a part of the air conditioner C). The dehumidifying device 1 takes in outside air from the outdoor space S2 and supplies the outside air to the indoor space S1.

[0023] The dehumidifier 1 includes, in order from the right side of the page (hereinafter referred to as the "upstream side") to the left side of the page (hereinafter referred to as the "downstream side"), an introduction pipe 11, a blower 12, a connecting pipe 13, a duct heater 14, a first connecting pipe 151, a moisture absorption / discharge duct 16, a second connecting pipe 152, and an air supply section 17. The blower 12 and the duct heater (hereinafter referred to as the "heater") 14 may be mounted on the ceiling base material (ceiling joists 911). For ease of identification, the moisture absorption / discharge duct 16 is shown in gray in Figure 1, etc.

[0024] The intake pipe 11 has an outside air intake 11a into which outside air is drawn in from the outdoors S2. The blower 12 connected to the intake pipe 11 has a fan 12a (Figure 2) inside, and the rotation of the fan 12a draws in outside air from the intake pipe 11 and blows it downstream. The blower 12 is connected to the heater 14 via a connecting pipe 13.

[0025] The heater 14 is a device for heating the outside air flowing from the upstream side at the appropriate timing, and it operates intermittently. The timing of operation will be described later. The heater 14 is connected to the moisture intake / dehumidification duct 16 via the first connecting pipe 151.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5(A), the moisture intake / discharge duct 16 is positioned approximately horizontally, connected to the first connecting pipe 151 on the upstream side and to the second connecting pipe 152 on the downstream side. Specifically, both ends 16e, 16e on the upstream and downstream sides of the moisture intake / discharge duct 16 are inserted into and connected to the first and second connecting pipes 151, 152. "Positioned approximately horizontally" means that the moisture intake / discharge duct 16 may be positioned slightly tilted on the upstream or downstream side.

[0027] The first and second connecting pipes 151 and 152 are, for example, pipes formed in a bellows shape, and each has flexibility (stretchability). Both connecting pipes 151 and 152 allow the moisture absorption and release duct 16 to be displaced downward, as shown in Figure 5(B). The downward displacement of the moisture absorption and release duct 16 will be described later.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4(A), the moisture absorption and release duct 16 has a moisture absorption and release material 16a on its inside, which can regenerate its moisture absorption capacity by being heated. In this embodiment, the moisture absorption and release material 16a is bonded to the entire circumferential surface of the inner surface of the moisture absorption and release duct 16.

[0029] The shape of the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a is not particularly limited; it may be provided in a C-shape with a portion missing in the circumferential direction, or it may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. Also, as shown in Figure 4(B), the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a may be formed in a grid shape.

[0030] The moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a is a material that can absorb moisture from the outside air flowing through the moisture-absorbing and releasing duct 16 and dehumidify it, and when heated while it has absorbed moisture, it can release the absorbed moisture back into the outside air flowing through the moisture-absorbing and releasing duct 16. Zeolite is one example of such a material.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, a detection means 3 for detecting the moisture absorption state of the moisture absorption material 16a is provided below the moisture absorption duct 16. In this embodiment, the detection means 3 is a weight sensor and is fixed to the ceiling joist 911. The weight sensor 3 is provided in contact with the moisture absorption duct 16 and measures the change in the weight of the moisture absorption duct 16 in accordance with the change in the amount of moisture contained in the moisture absorption material 16a.

[0032] As the moisture absorption and release material 16a continues to absorb moisture, the weight of the moisture absorption and release duct 16 increases, and the duct 16 displaces downward while maintaining a nearly horizontal position. When the weight sensor 3 detects that a predetermined moisture absorption state (above a predetermined weight) has been reached, the control unit 10 (shown as "CTL" in Figure 2) turns on the heater 14. In order to prevent false detection due to vibration, it is desirable to measure the weight exceeding the predetermined level for a certain period of time (for example, about 1 minute) before activating the heater 14.

[0033] When heater 14 is activated, the outside air flowing downstream of heater 14 is heated, and the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a is heated by this outside air. In this way, moisture is returned from the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a to the outside air.

[0034] When the moisture absorption and release material 16a continues to release moisture and the moisture absorption and release duct 16 falls below a predetermined weight, the control unit 10 turns off the heater.

[0035] The moisture intake / dehumidification duct 16 is connected to the air supply unit 17 via a second connecting pipe 152. As shown in Figure 6, the air supply unit 17 has a hat-shaped cross-section and is installed on the ceiling 91 via a flange 17b at its lower end. At its lower end, the air supply unit 17 has an air inlet 17a that communicates with the indoor space S1. Outside air flowing into the air supply unit 17 from the upstream side is supplied to the indoor space S1 via the air inlet 17a.

[0036] As described above, the connection of each component from the introduction pipe 11 (outside air intake 11a) to the supply unit 17 (air inlet 17a) forms an outside air path α1 from the outdoors S2 to the indoor space S1.

[0037] (Regarding guidance methods) The dehumidifier 1 includes a guide means 2. The guide means 2 directs the outside air blown from the air intake 17a into the indoor space S1 towards the air intake C3 (Figure 3) of the air conditioner C. As shown in Figure 6, the guide means 2 includes a louver 21 provided at the air intake 17a and a guide plate 20.

[0038] The guide plate 20 is positioned to face the air intake 17a. The guide plate 20 is, for example, a rectangular flat plate and is attached to the flange 17b of the air intake 17 via hanging portions 20a provided at its four corners.

[0039] The guide board 20 is suspended from the flange portion 17b, and a gap S11 is formed between the air intake 17a and the guide board 20. The area of ​​the guide board 20 is larger than the area of ​​the air intake 17a, so the outside air flowing from the air intake 17a hits the upper surface of the guide board 20, passes through the space between the guide board 20 and the flange portion 17b, and is dispersed in four directions along the ceiling surface into the indoor space S1.

[0040] As shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), the louver 21 includes multiple vanes and is installed in the air supply section 17. Each vane of the louver 21 extends in the depth direction of the paper and is attached to the air supply section 17 at both ends in the depth direction via a rotating shaft 29.

[0041] The upper end of each louver 21 is rotatably attached to a support member 27 via a joint 28. The support member 27 is, for example, an elongated plate-like member extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the louver 21's louver 21. Each louver 21 is connected to the support member 27 at its longitudinal center.

[0042] The support member 27 has an engaged portion 25, which is slidably connected to the engaged portion 23a of the thermal actuator (cylinder 26, telescopic member 22, and rod 23) in the longitudinal direction of the support member 27. The thermal actuator is shown in a simplified form, with the telescopic member 22 and rod 23 displacing vertically within the cylinder 26, which is attached to the air supply unit 17 via a base 24.

[0043] The expandable member 22 is a member that expands and contracts vertically in response to the temperature of the outside air flowing through the air intake 17a, and one example of such a member is a shape memory spring.

[0044] In one example of this embodiment, the expandable member 22 is configured to expand vertically when the ambient temperature in contact with the expandable member 22 is 30°C or higher (summer), and not deform (remain at its shortest length) when the ambient temperature is below 30°C (intermediate season, winter). When the ambient temperature drops from 30°C or higher to below 30°C, the expandable member 22 is configured to contract from its expanded state and return to its original shape.

[0045] The louver 21 is connected to the telescopic member 22 via a support member 27, and its orientation changes in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the telescopic member 22, as described below.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6(B), when the telescopic member 22 extends, the engaging portion 23a is pushed down, and the engaged portion 25 (support member 27) slides upstream relative to the engaging portion 23a. In response to this sliding movement, the louver 21, whose upper end is fixed to the joint 28, rotates around the rotation axis 29. The louver 21 rotates so that the position of the lower end 21a after rotation is closer to the air conditioner C (located on the left side of the page) than the position of the lower end 21a before rotation.

[0047] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(A), when the expandable member 22 contracts, the engaging portion 23a is lifted, and the engaged portion 25 (support member 27) slides downstream relative to the engaging portion 23a. In response to this sliding movement, the louver 21 rotates around the rotation axis 29 and comes to an upright position. The louver 21's vanes rotate such that the lower end portion 21a is further from the air conditioner C in the position after rotation than in the position before rotation.

[0048] (Regarding dehumidification) The following describes dehumidification using a moisture-absorbing and releasing material and dehumidification using an air conditioner. The scenario assumed is one in which the outside temperature is relatively low and the outside air contains a lot of moisture, such as during the rainy season. The air conditioner is set to operate in cooling mode (compressor ON) when the intake air temperature is 27°C or higher, and in fan mode (thermo OFF) when it is below 27°C. The moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a is in its initial state (no moisture contained), and therefore the heater 14 is also OFF. In the following explanation, "humidity" refers to "relative humidity".

[0049] (Regarding dehumidification using moisture-absorbing and releasing materials) As shown in Figure 7, outside air at a moderate temperature and high humidity (for example, around 25°C and 70% humidity) that has passed through the non-operating duct heater 14 is dehumidified as it passes through the moisture absorption and release material 16a. The outside air that has been dehumidified by the moisture absorption and release material 16a and flows to the air supply section 17 is at a moderate temperature and low humidity (for example, around 25°C and 30% humidity) and is supplied to the indoor space S1 from the downstream air supply port 17a.

[0050] Since the outside air flowing into the air supply section 17 is approximately 25°C (less than 30°C), the expandable member 22 does not extend, as shown in Figure 6(A), and the louvers 21 stand upright along the vertical direction. Therefore, the outside air α11 flowing from the upstream side enters the air supply section 17, flows downward along the louvers 21 towards the guide plate 20, hits the guide plate 20, disperses in all directions, and is supplied to the indoor space S1.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, a portion of the outside air supplied to the indoor space S1 is drawn into the air conditioner C through its intake port C3 (Figure 3) and blown out through its outlet. Since the outside air drawn into the air conditioner C is at approximately 25°C, the compressor of the air conditioner C does not operate, and it is in a thermo-off state, operating only as a fan. Although the air conditioner C does not dehumidify, the outside air is dehumidified by the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a, so the rise in humidity in the indoor space S1 is suppressed.

[0052] (Regarding dehumidification using air conditioners) As moisture absorption by the moisture absorption and release material 16a continues, the weight of the moisture absorption and release duct 16 increases, causing the moisture absorption and release duct 16, which is sandwiched between the flexible first and second connecting pipes 151 and 152, to be displaced downward, as shown in Figure 5(B).

[0053] This displacement increases the load on the weight sensor 3 located below the moisture absorption / release duct 16. Eventually, the moisture absorption / release material 16a reaches a saturated state (contains moisture to its limit), and when the weight sensor 3 detects that the moisture absorption / release duct 16 has exceeded a predetermined weight, the control unit 10 (Figure 2) turns on the heater 14. Thus, as shown in Figure 8, the heater 14 heats the outside air supplied to the moisture absorption / release duct 16 when the moisture absorption capacity of the moisture absorption / release material 16a decreases.

[0054] Medium-temperature, high-humidity outside air (for example, around 25°C and 70% humidity) that flows from outside to the heater 14 is heated by the heater 14 and becomes high-temperature, medium-humidity (for example, around 30°C and 50% humidity).

[0055] As this hot, medium-humid outside air flows through the moisture absorption / release duct 16, it comes into contact with the moisture absorption / release material 16a, causing the material 16a to release the moisture it contained back into the outside air. As a result, the outside air flowing from the moisture absorption / release duct 16 to the air supply unit 17 becomes hot and humid (for example, around 30°C and 70% humidity). Furthermore, since the relative humidity of the outside air flowing into the moisture absorption / release duct 16 is reduced by heating with the heater 14, moisture release by the moisture absorption / release material 16a is promoted.

[0056] The high-temperature, high-humidity outside air that has traveled from the moisture intake / dehydration duct 16 to the air supply section 17 flows into the indoor space S1 through the air supply port 17a. As the high-temperature outside air flows into the air supply section 17, the expandable member 22 extends downward, and the louvers 21 rotate around the rotation axis 29, as shown in Figure 6(B).

[0057] Thus, the louver 21 changes from its basic position when the heater 14 is not operating (Figure 6(A)) to an inclined position (Figure 6(B)) that points towards the air intake of the air conditioner C.

[0058] In the inclined position, the lower end 21a of each louver 21 is closer to the air conditioner C than in the basic position, and the upper end (joint 28) is closer to the upstream side than in the basic position. Thus, the outside air α11 flowing from the upstream side flows to the air supply section 17, is guided by the inclined louver 21, and flows towards the intake of the air conditioner C.

[0059] As shown in Figure 8, the hot, humid outside air directed towards the air conditioner C by the louvers 21 is drawn into the air intake C3 (Figure 3) of the air conditioner C. Since the outlet C21 closest to the air intake 17a is closed, the outside air flowing from the air intake 17a towards the air conditioner C flows smoothly to the air intake C3 of the air conditioner C without being obstructed by the air blown out from the outlet C21.

[0060] When air conditioner C draws in hot, humid outside air, the compressor turns on and cooling operation begins. During cooling operation, the drawn-in outside air is dehumidified and blown out at a low temperature with low moisture content from outlet C2, other than the closed outlet C21.

[0061] (Regarding re-absorption of moisture by moisture-absorbing and releasing materials) As moisture continues to be released from the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a, the amount of moisture contained in the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a decreases, and the weight of the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a decreases. As a result, the moisture-absorbing and releasing duct 16 is pushed back by the weight sensor 3 and displaced upward, returning from the state in Figure 5(B) to the state in Figure 5(A).

[0062] Thus, when the weight applied to the weight sensor 3 falls below a predetermined weight, the control unit 10 turns off the heater 14. The moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a, whose moisture absorption capacity has been restored, makes it possible to absorb moisture from the outside air flowing through the moisture-absorbing and releasing duct 16 again.

[0063] When the heater 14 is turned OFF, the temperature of the outside air flowing out from the air intake 17a decreases, the cooling operation of the air conditioner C ends, and the thermostat turns OFF. Also, because the temperature of the outside air flowing into the air intake 17 decreases, the expandable member 22 contracts, and the louvers 21 stand upright as shown in Figure 6(A). In this way, the outside air dehumidified by the moisture absorption and release material 16a flows vertically along the louvers 21, collides with the guide plate 20, and is dispersed before being supplied to the indoor space S1.

[0064] According to this embodiment, the use of the moisture-absorbing and releasing material 16a reduces the operating time of the heater, thereby reducing energy consumption compared to a reheat dehumidifying air conditioner.

[0065] Furthermore, while a humidity sensor may be used instead of a weight sensor as a detection method, weight sensors can maintain higher measurement accuracy over longer periods than humidity sensors, thus reducing the frequency of equipment maintenance.

[0066] Furthermore, since the position of the louvers 21 is changed by the temperature of the outside air flowing into the air intake 17, excessive heating operation of the air conditioner C can be prevented during winter. When the outside air is cold (for example, around 15°C) and dry during winter, if outside air is continuously supplied to the air conditioner C, it may operate more heating than necessary. In this regard, with the guide means 2 of this embodiment, when the outside air is cold, the expandable member 22 does not expand and the louvers 21 are in an upright position, so the outside air flowing out from the air intake 17a collides with the guide plate 20 and is dispersed. Since cold outside air is not continuously supplied to the air conditioner C, excessive heating operation of the air conditioner C can be avoided.

[0067] (others) In this embodiment, the weight sensor 3 is fixed to the ceiling joist 911, but if it is difficult to fix it to the ceiling joist 911, it may be fixed by a suspension member.

[0068] Furthermore, instead of using a temperature-sensing method with an expandable / contractable member 22 to change the position of the louvers 21, the occupants of the room may remotely control them using a remote control at any time they wish.

[0069] In this embodiment, the basic orientation of the louvers 21 (Figure 6(A)) is upright along the vertical direction, but they may be slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In this case, it is not necessary for all louvers 21 to be in the same inclined orientation, and the orientation of the louvers 21 may differ on the upstream and downstream sides to facilitate the dispersion of outside air flowing from the air intake 17a.

[0070] In this embodiment, the blower 12 is installed on the upstream side of the moisture intake / dehydration duct 16. However, as long as it can create a flow of outside air from the outside air intake 11a to the air supply port 17a, the placement location is not limited, and it may also be installed on the downstream side of the moisture intake / dehydration duct 16.

[0071] In this embodiment, an air conditioner C with four air outlets C2 is shown as an example, but it may also be an air conditioner with one or two air outlets. Furthermore, the air conditioner C may be a wall-mounted air conditioner instead of a ceiling-mounted cassette air conditioner.

[0072] In this embodiment, flexible first and second connecting pipes 151 and 152 are connected to both sides of the moisture absorption and release duct 16 to allow for downward displacement of the moisture absorption and release duct 16. However, instead of this configuration, the moisture absorption and release duct 16 itself may be made of a flexible material that bends downward under its own weight.

[0073] In this embodiment, guide means 2 (louvers 21 and guide plate 20) are provided, but if the air intake 17a is near the intake port C3 of the air conditioner C, guide means 2 may not be provided.

[0074] Although embodiments of this invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, this invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as this invention, or within the equivalent scope. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1 Dehumidifier, 10 Control unit (control unit), 12 Blower, 14 Duct heater, 151 First connecting pipe, 152 Second connecting pipe, 16 Moisture absorption / release duct, 16a Moisture absorption / release material, 17a Air intake port, 2 Guide means, 20 Guide board, 21 Louver, 22 Expandable member, 23 Support member, 3 Detection means (weight sensor), C Air conditioner, C2 Intake port, S1 Indoor space, S2 Outdoors, α1 Air supply path

Claims

1. A dehumidifier that is installed independently of the air conditioner, A duct placed on the air supply path from the outdoors to an indoor space, which has a moisture-absorbing and releasing material inside that can regenerate its moisture-absorbing capacity by heating, A heater is provided upstream of the aforementioned moisture absorption and release duct, which heats the outside air supplied to the moisture absorption and release duct when the moisture absorption capacity of the moisture absorption and release material decreases, A dehumidifier comprising an air supply unit provided downstream of the aforementioned moisture intake and release duct for supplying outside air to an indoor space.

2. A detection means for detecting the moisture absorption state of the moisture absorption material, The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control means for activating the heater when the detection means detects that the moisture-absorbing and releasing material has reached a predetermined moisture absorption state.

3. The dehumidifier according to claim 2, wherein the detection means is a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the moisture absorption and release duct containing the moisture absorption and release material.

4. The upstream and downstream sides of the substantially horizontally arranged moisture absorption and release duct each include connecting pipes that are connected to the moisture absorption and release duct, The dehumidifier according to claim 3, wherein the connecting pipe has flexibility to allow the moisture absorption and release duct to be displaced downward.

5. The dehumidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a guiding means for directing outside air supplied from the air supply unit into the indoor space to the air intake of the air conditioner.

6. The guiding means includes a louver provided in the air intake section. The dehumidifier according to claim 5, wherein the louvers are installed to assume a basic position when the heater is not operating and to assume an inclined position that points towards the air intake of the air conditioner when the heater is operating.

7. The aforementioned air supply section is provided with an expandable / contractable member that expands and contracts vertically in accordance with the temperature of the outside air. The dehumidifying device according to claim 6, wherein the louver is connected to the lower end of the expandable member.

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