Dehumidifier

Abstract

The objective is to provide a dehumidifier that can easily perform operations corresponding to water levels other than when the drainage tank is full. [Solution] The dehumidifier 1 comprises a drain tank 4 and a detection unit 6. The drain tank 4 is detachably attached to the device body 10 capable of performing dehumidification operations. When attached to the device body 10, it stores water generated by the dehumidification operation, and when detached from the device body 10, the stored water can be drained. The detection unit 6 detects the amount of water stored in the drain tank 4 in three or more stages.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] This disclosure relates to a dehumidifying device.

Background Art

[0002] As related art, a dehumidifier is known that includes a drain tank for storing generated drain water, a float that moves up and down according to the water level in the drain tank, a magnet provided on the float, and an AMR sensor that detects the magnetic field of the magnet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this dehumidifier, the fullness of the drain tank is detected based on the detection result of the AMR sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] <000​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A dehumidifier according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a drain tank and a detection unit. The drain tank is detachably mounted on a device body capable of performing a dehumidification operation, stores water generated by the dehumidification operation when mounted on the device body, and can drain the stored water when detached from the device body. The detection unit detects the amount of water stored in the drain tank in three or more stages. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a dehumidifier that can easily perform operations corresponding to water levels other than when the drainage tank is full. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a dehumidifier according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a detection unit of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the detection unit and float of the dehumidifier according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the correspondence between the detection signal and the water volume. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control unit of the dehumidifier according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Embodiment) The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody this disclosure and are not intended to limit the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0010] [1] Configuration of the dehumidifier First, the overall configuration of the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the vertical direction when the dehumidifier 1 is in a usable state is defined as the up-down direction D1. Furthermore, the left-right direction D2 is defined based on the direction when the dehumidifier 1 is viewed from the front, and the front-back direction D3 is defined with the front side of the dehumidifier 1 being the front and the back side being the rear. However, these directional definitions are not intended to limit the direction of use (direction during use) of the dehumidifier 1.

[0012] The dehumidifier 1 is used when placed on an installation surface, such as the top surface of a desk or the floor surface of a living room in a house. The dehumidifier 1 is self-supporting on the installation surface when it is placed there. In other words, the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment is a self-supporting and portable device, and the user can freely carry the dehumidifier 1 and install it at any position on the installation surface. Although not shown in the figures, the bottom surface of the dehumidifier 1 may be provided with a plurality of casters to allow the dehumidifier 1 to move on the installation surface.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dehumidifier 1 comprises a main unit 10, a dehumidification unit 2, a blower unit 3, a drain tank 4, a control unit 5, a detection unit 6, a humidity sensor 7, and an operation unit 8.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the main body of the device 10 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape (rectangular prism shape) with a length in the vertical direction D1. The main body of the device 10 can take on various shapes; in addition to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, it may also be a polygonal prism shape, a cylindrical shape, or the like.

[0015] An air outlet 11 for blowing out air is provided at the upper end of the front of the main body 10 of the device. A cover 12 is attached to the air outlet 11. The cover 12 is movable between an open position that opens the air outlet 11 and a closed position that closes the air outlet 11, and functions as a louver that controls the direction of the airflow blown out from the air outlet 11. The user can control the direction of the airflow blown out from the air outlet 11 by moving the cover 12 as needed.

[0016] Further, on the rear surface of the apparatus main body 10, a suction port 13 (see FIG. 2) for sucking air is provided. The suction port 13 is composed of a plurality of opening groups formed in a lattice shape by the intersection of a plurality of bars extending in the vertical direction D1 and a plurality of bars extending in the horizontal direction D2.

[0017] Inside the apparatus main body 10, an air passage for allowing air flow is formed. The air passage is configured to connect between the suction port 13 and the air outlet 11, and the dehumidifying unit 2 and the air blowing unit 3 are arranged in this order from the suction port 13 to the air outlet 11.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the dehumidifying unit 2 dehumidifies the air passing through the air passage. In this embodiment, the dehumidifying unit 2 is of the compressor type and includes an evaporator and a condenser. The evaporator and the condenser are connected to a compressor and an expansion valve to form a refrigeration cycle. In the dehumidifying unit 2, the air in the air passage is cooled by the evaporator. As a result, the moisture in the air is removed by condensation. The condensed moisture (condensate water) in the evaporator drops downward due to its own weight and is stored in a drain tank 4 located below the dehumidifying unit 2 in the apparatus main body 10.

[0019] In this embodiment, the dehumidifying unit 2 is of the compressor type, but it is not limited to this. For example, the dehumidifying unit 2 may be of the desiccant type, or may have a configuration that combines the compressor type and the desiccant type.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the air blowing unit 3 sends out air from the suction port 13 toward the air outlet 11. In this embodiment, the air blowing unit 3 is a sirocco fan. Note that the air blowing unit 3 is not limited to a sirocco fan, and it may be provided with a mechanism for sending out air from the suction port 13 toward the air outlet 11.

[0021] The drain tank 4 is detachably attached to the main unit 10 of the device, which is capable of performing dehumidification. When attached to the main unit 10, the drain tank 4 stores water (condensation) generated by the dehumidification operation of the dehumidification unit 2. Furthermore, when the drain tank 4 is detached from the main unit 10, the stored water can be drained. Specifically, when the drain tank 4 is housed inside the main unit 10, it stores the condensation generated in the dehumidification unit 2. However, there is a limit to the amount of condensation that can be stored in the drain tank 4. Therefore, before the amount of condensation stored in the drain tank 4 reaches the capacity limit of the drain tank 4, the user needs to detach the drain tank 4 from the main unit 10 and drain the condensation stored in the drain tank 4 (hereinafter referred to as "drainage work").

[0022] The detection unit 6 detects the amount of water stored in the drainage tank 4 in three or more stages. The "three stages" here include, for example, the stage when the drainage tank 4 is empty, the stage when the water stored in the drainage tank 4 reaches a first water level (for example, half the amount of water that can be stored in the drainage tank 4), and the stage when the drainage tank 4 reaches its upper limit water level.

[0023] Here, "maximum water volume" refers to the upper limit of the amount of water that can be stored in the drainage tank 4. In this embodiment, the maximum water volume is defined as the amount of water when the drainage tank 4 is 100% full. Of course, the maximum water volume is not limited to the amount of water when the tank is full; for example, it could be 80% of the amount of water when the tank is full, or 90% of the amount of water when the tank is full. In other words, the maximum water volume can be any amount of water specific to the drainage tank 4.

[0024] In this embodiment, the detection unit 6 is a water level sensor comprising a substrate 60, an IC (Integrated Circuit) 62, a plurality (in this case, 9) of sensor elements 61, and a float 63, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In other words, in this embodiment, the detection unit 6 detects the amount of water stored in the drainage tank 4 by detecting the water level of the water stored in the drainage tank 4 using the water level sensor.

[0025] The number of sensor elements 61 is not limited to 9; it may be 10 or more, or less than 9. The more sensor elements 61 there are, the more precisely the amount of water stored in the drainage tank 4 can be detected.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the substrate 60 has a length in the vertical direction D1. On the first surface of the substrate 60 facing the drainage tank 4 (the right surface in Figure 4), a plurality of sensor elements 61 are mounted so as to be roughly equally spaced along the vertical direction D1. In addition, an IC 62 is mounted on the upper end of the surface of the substrate 60 opposite to the first surface (the left surface in Figure 4).

[0027] Each sensor element 61, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is an element capable of detecting the material to be detected, which will be described later. In this embodiment, each sensor element 61 is a Hall element and outputs a voltage proportional to the magnetic field.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, a float 63 is positioned at the end of the drainage tank 4 so as to float and sink, generating buoyancy relative to the water (condensed water) stored in the drainage tank 4. A magnet 631 is attached to the float 63 as a detectable material that can be detected by each sensor element 61.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, each sensor element 61 is located inside the main body of the device 10 and close to the end of the drain tank 4 where the float 63 is installed (the left end in Figure 4). In the example shown in Figure 4, each sensor element 61 is arranged in the order of sensor elements 61A, 61B, ..., 61I from bottom to top. Also, in the example shown in Figure 4, assuming that the water level when the drain tank 4 is full is 100% and the water level when the drain tank 4 is empty is 0%, each sensor element 61A to 61I is arranged as follows: Sensor element 61I is positioned near the 100% water level, sensor element 61G is positioned near the 75% water level, and sensor element 61F is positioned near the 50% water level. Furthermore, sensor element 61D is positioned near the 25% water level, sensor element 61B is positioned near the 1% water level, and sensor element 61A is positioned near the 0% water level.

[0030] Here, for each sensor element 61, the closer it is to the magnet 631, the stronger the magnetic field becomes, and the further it is from the magnet 631, the weaker the magnetic field becomes. The voltage output by each sensor element 61 is stronger when the magnetic field is strong, and weaker when the magnetic field is weak. Therefore, the position of the sensor element 61 that outputs the largest voltage among the multiple sensor elements 61 will roughly indicate the water level in the drainage tank 4.

[0031] IC62 processes the signals (voltages) output from each sensor element 61 and outputs the detection signal obtained from the signal processing to the control unit 5. In this embodiment, the signal processing includes comparing the signals (voltages) output from each sensor element 61 with a threshold value. Therefore, IC62 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 5 indicating whether the voltage output by each sensor element 61 is above or below the threshold value.

[0032] Figure 5 shows an example of the correspondence between the detection signal output by the detection unit 6 to the control unit 5 and the water level (in other words, the amount of water) in the drainage tank 4. This correspondence information is pre-stored in the memory of the control unit 5. In Figure 5, each column represents whether the voltage of each sensor element 61 is above a threshold. In Figure 5, cells corresponding to sensor elements 61 whose voltage is above the threshold, i.e., on, are marked with a black circle, and cells corresponding to sensor elements 61 whose voltage is below the threshold, i.e., off, are left blank. Also, in Figure 5, each row represents the on / off combination of each sensor element 61 at the time of detection. In other words, the correspondence shown in Figure 5 represents the relationship between the on / off combination of each sensor element 61 at the time of detection and the water level in the drainage tank 4.

[0033] The correspondence shown in Figure 5 specifies that the water level is 100% when only sensor element 61I is on, 75% when only sensor element 61G is on, and 50% when only sensor element 61E is on. Furthermore, the correspondence shown in Figure 5 specifies that the water level is 25% when only sensor element 61C is on, 1% when only sensor element 61A is on, and 0% when all sensor elements 61 are off. Therefore, the control unit 5 can determine the water level (in other words, the amount of water) stored in the drain tank 4 based on the detection signal obtained from the detection unit 6 and the information showing the above correspondence.

[0034] The humidity sensor 7 is a resistive or capacitive sensor that measures the humidity (relative humidity) of the space where the dehumidifier 1 is located. The signal indicating the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 7 is provided to the control unit 5. This allows the control unit 5 to perform processing according to the humidity of the space where the dehumidifier 1 is located.

[0035] The control unit 5 primarily consists of a computer system comprising one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and one or more memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and performs various processes (information processing). Specifically, the control unit 5 realizes its function as a control unit 5 by executing programs stored in one or more memories on one or more processors. For example, the control unit 5 controls the dehumidifier 1 by controlling the dehumidifier unit 2 and the blower unit 3 in response to input received by the operation unit 8.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 5 executes specific processing according to the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6. In this embodiment, the control unit 5 executes specific processing when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a preset first water level. The details of the specific processing executed by the control unit 5 will be explained in detail later in "[3] Specific Processing Executed by the Control Unit". Note that the first water level can be set as appropriate, for example, by the user operating the operation unit 8.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 8 is located on the top surface of the main body 10 of the device. The control unit 8 includes a number of buttons, each of which can be pressed by the user. The control unit 8 is configured to accept operations such as starting and stopping the dehumidifier 1, setting the airflow rate of the dehumidifier 1, setting the timer, setting the operating mode, setting the first water volume, and setting the target humidity value.

[0038] In this embodiment, the operating mode can be selectively switched between a dehumidification mode and a clothes drying mode. The dehumidification mode is a mode in which both the air blower unit 3 and the dehumidification unit 2 are operated to send out dehumidified airflow from the outlet 11. The clothes drying mode is a mode in which the air blower unit 3 and the dehumidification unit 2 are operated alternately to send airflow from the outlet 11 to clothes placed near the outlet 11.

[0039] Furthermore, if the dehumidifier 1 has a communication function that allows it to connect to a network such as the Internet, the user can perform remote operations similar to those accepted by the control unit 8 by using their own mobile device such as a smartphone.

[0040] [2] Operation Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the control unit 5 of the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Here, steps S1, S2, ... represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 5 of the dehumidifier 1.

[0041] <Step S1> First, the detection unit 6 of the dehumidifier 1 detects the amount of water stored in the drainage tank 4. Then, the control unit 5 of the dehumidifier 1 acquires the detection result from the detection unit 6 by obtaining the detection signal obtained from the detection unit 6.

[0042] <Step S2> Next, the control unit 5 identifies the amount of water stored in the drain tank 4 based on the detection result of the detection unit 6, and compares the identified amount with a preset first amount. If the identified amount of water in the drain tank 4 reaches the first amount (step S2: Yes), the control unit 5 executes step S3. On the other hand, if the identified amount of water in the drain tank 4 has not reached the first amount, the control unit 5 does not execute step S3.

[0043] <Step S3> The control unit 5 executes a specific process. In this embodiment, the control unit 5 executes at least one of the first to eighth control examples described later.

[0044] Subsequently, if the control unit 5 has not stopped the operation of the dehumidifier 1 by the specific process performed in step S3, it will continue to operate the dehumidifier 1 until the drain tank 4 is full. Then, when the detection unit 6 detects that the drain tank 4 is full, the control unit 5 will stop the operation of the dehumidifier 1.

[0045] [3] Specific processing to be executed by the control unit The following lists examples of specific processes performed by the control unit 5 in the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment. The control unit 5 may perform the first to eighth control examples described below in appropriate combinations. Note that the specific processes in the first to eighth control examples described below are just examples, and the control unit 5 may perform specific processes other than those in the first to eighth control examples.

[0046] <First control example> The control unit 5 may perform a notification process to notify the user that the water level has reached a first water level when the water level detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. This notification process can be performed, for example, by displaying it on a display (not shown) attached to the operation unit 8, or by outputting it as sound from a speaker (not shown) attached to the dehumidifier 1. This has the advantage that the user can understand when the water level in the drainage tank 4 has reached a first water level, making it easier to decide whether or not to perform drainage work when the weight of the drainage tank 4 is relatively light before it is full.

[0047] In the first control example, the control unit 5 may change the content of the notification depending on the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6. For example, when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches the first water level, the control unit 5 may notify a message such as, "The drainage tank is filling up with water, so you may want to start draining the tank while it is still light." Alternatively, when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches the second water level (> first water level), the control unit 5 may notify a message such as, "The drainage tank is filling up with water, so we recommend you start draining the tank now."

[0048] <Second control example> The control unit 5 may perform a stop process to stop the dehumidification operation by the dehumidification unit 2 when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. In other words, the specific process performed by the control unit 5 may include a stop process to stop the dehumidification operation. This has the advantage that, for example, the dehumidification operation can be stopped when the amount of water in the drainage tank 4 is at a first water level, which is lower than when it is full, making it easier for the user to perform the drainage work. Specifically, a user would normally perform the drainage work after the drainage tank 4 is full. Here, if the amount of water in the drainage tank 4 when full is relatively heavy, for example, 4.5 liters, then it becomes difficult for users with less strength, such as children, women, or the elderly, to carry the drainage tank 4, making it difficult to perform the drainage work. Also, when the drainage tank 4 is full, there is a problem that the water surface may ripple and spill when the drainage tank 4 is carried.

[0049] In contrast, by stopping the dehumidification operation when the water level in the drainage tank 4 is at the first water level, the user can carry the drainage tank 4, which is lighter than when it is full (for example, with a water level of 1.5 liters or 3 liters), and perform the drainage work. Therefore, even users with relatively little strength can easily carry the drainage tank 4, and the possibility of water spilling due to the water surface swaying is also reduced, making it easier for the user to perform the drainage work.

[0050] Here, the stop process may include a process to stop the dehumidification operation in a manner that allows the dehumidification operation to be resumed if the detection result of the detection unit 6 indicates that the drainage tank 4 is not full. In other words, the stop process may include a process to stop the dehumidification operation in a manner that allows the dehumidification operation to be resumed if the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 is less than the upper limit of water in the drainage tank 4. For example, if the control unit 5 receives an input from the operation unit 8 to start the dehumidification operation by the dehumidification unit 2 after the execution of the stop process, the control unit 5 may resume the dehumidification operation. This has the advantage of making the operation of the dehumidifier 1 more flexible, as the dehumidification operation can be resumed even after it has been stopped if the user wishes to do so.

[0051] Specifically, if the user sets a timer on the control unit 8 to stop the dehumidification operation after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 5 may restart the dehumidification operation. In this case, the control unit 5 may limit the predetermined time according to the amount of water that can be stored in the drainage tank 4. For example, the control unit 5 estimates the execution time required for the dehumidification operation until the drainage tank 4 is full, based on the amount of water in the drainage tank 4 at the time the timer is set and the rate at which the water level rises. Then, if the estimated execution time is shorter than the predetermined time, the control unit 5 does not limit the predetermined time, and if the execution time is longer than the predetermined time, it limits the predetermined time to that execution time.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 5 may resume the dehumidification operation if the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 7 reaches a predetermined humidity after the execution of the stop process. For example, if the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 7 is 40% at the time the stop process is executed, and the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 7 subsequently reaches 60% (the predetermined humidity), the control unit 5 may resume the dehumidification operation. The predetermined humidity may be set as appropriate, for example, by the user operating the operation unit 8.

[0053] As described above, the control unit 5 may restart the dehumidification operation based on at least one of the user's operation of the device body 10 and the humidity around the device body 10. This has the advantage of making the operation of the dehumidifier 1 more flexible, as it allows the dehumidification operation to be restarted according to the user's wishes or the humidity around the device body 10, even after the dehumidification operation has stopped when the amount of water in the drain tank 4 reaches the first amount.

[0054] <Third control example> The control unit 5 may perform a change process to change the target humidity value when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. In other words, the specific process performed by the control unit 5 may include a change process to change the target humidity value around the main body of the device 10. For example, when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level, the control unit 5 may raise the target humidity value that is set at that time. Specifically, if the target humidity value was set to 40% in advance, the control unit 5 may change the target humidity value to 60% when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. This has the advantage that, while continuing the dehumidification operation, the rate at which the water level in the drainage tank 4 rises can be suppressed compared to when the change process is not performed, thus making it easier to delay the time it takes for the drainage tank 4 to become full.

[0055] <Fourth control example> The control unit 5 may perform a limiting process to reduce the intensity of the dehumidification operation by the dehumidification unit 2 when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. In other words, the specific processing performed by the control unit 5 may include a limiting process to reduce the intensity of the dehumidification operation. Here, "intensity of dehumidification operation" may include, for example, the amount of airflow sent out by the blower unit 3, or the rotational speed of the motor of the compressor.

[0056] For example, the control unit 5 may perform the limiting process by reducing the airflow volume of the air blower unit 3. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 5 may perform the limiting process by reducing the rotational speed of the motor of the compressor using inverter control. This has the advantage of being able to suppress the rate at which the water level in the drain tank 4 rises while continuing the dehumidification operation, compared to when the limiting process is not performed, thus delaying the time it takes for the drain tank 4 to become full.

[0057] <Fifth control example> The control unit 5 may change the content of a specific process to be executed according to the operating mode of the main unit 10 when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. In other words, the control unit 5 may change the content of a specific process according to the operating mode of the main unit 10. For example, if the control unit 5 was operating in dehumidification mode when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reached a first water level, it may execute a stop process. On the other hand, if the control unit 5 was operating in clothes drying mode when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reached a first water level, it may stop only the operation of the dehumidification unit 2 and continue operation in clothes drying mode. This has the advantage that, for example, if the dehumidifier 1 is operating in clothes drying mode, it will continue to operate with only airflow without stopping, making it easier to achieve the objective of drying clothes.

[0058] <Sixth control example> The control unit 5 may decide whether or not to execute a specific process when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level, depending on whether or not specific conditions are met. In other words, the control unit 5 may decide whether or not to execute a specific process depending on whether or not specific conditions are met. Here, specific conditions may include, for example, conditions based on time of day, conditions based on the presence or absence of a user, conditions based on season, conditions based on weather, conditions based on temperature, etc. Specific examples are listed below.

[0059] For example, if a specific condition is based on a time of day, the control unit 5 determines whether the specific condition of nighttime being met when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. For this determination, the timing function provided by the dehumidifier 1 can be used, for example. If the time of day is not nighttime, the control unit 5 performs a stop process. On the other hand, if the time of day is nighttime, the control unit 5 continues to operate the dehumidifier 1 without performing a stop process. For example, if clothes are being dried indoors at night, stopping the operation of the dehumidifier 1 would result in the clothes not being able to dry. Therefore, by continuing to operate the dehumidifier 1 when the time of day is nighttime, the above problem can be resolved. The control unit 5 may also perform a limiting process when continuing to operate the dehumidifier 1. In this case, it is possible to suppress the rise in the amount of water in the drainage tank 4 while drying the clothes, which has the advantage of making it easier to avoid a situation where the drainage tank 4 becomes full at night when drainage work cannot be performed.

[0060] For example, if a specific condition is based on the presence or absence of a user, the control unit 5 determines whether the specific condition of the user being at home is met when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. In this determination, for example, the control unit 5 can use the communication function with the user's mobile terminal to determine if the user is at home if communication is possible, and if communication is not possible, it determines that the user is absent. If the user is at home, the control unit 5 performs a stop process. On the other hand, if the user is absent, the control unit 5 continues to operate the dehumidifier 1 without performing a stop process. For example, if clothes are being dried indoors, stopping the operation of the dehumidifier 1 while the user is absent would result in the clothes not being able to dry sufficiently. Therefore, by continuing to operate the dehumidifier 1 when the user is absent, the above problem can be resolved. Also, if the stop process is performed while the user is at home, the user can restart the operation of the dehumidifier 1 as appropriate. The control unit 5 may also perform a limiting process when continuing to operate the dehumidifier 1. In this case, it is possible to suppress the rise in the water level of the drainage tank 4 while drying the clothes, which has the advantage of making it easier to avoid a situation where the drainage tank 4 becomes full at night when drainage work cannot be performed.

[0061] For example, if the specific condition is a seasonal condition, the control unit 5 determines whether the specific condition of summer being the season is met when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water volume. For this determination, the timing function provided by the dehumidifier 1 can be used, for example. If the season is summer, the control unit 5 performs a stop process. On the other hand, if the season is not summer, the control unit 5 continues to operate the dehumidifier 1 without performing a stop process. For example, in the summer when humidity is relatively high, continuing to operate the dehumidifier 1 for as long as possible has the advantage of prioritizing humidity suppression over making it easier to carry the light drainage tank 4 and perform drainage work. On the other hand, for example, in the winter when humidity is relatively low, there is an advantage in prioritizing making it easier to carry the light drainage tank 4 and perform drainage work over humidity suppression.

[0062] For example, if the specific condition is a weather-based condition, the control unit 5 determines whether the specific condition of sunny weather is met when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level. For this determination, the control unit 5 can obtain information on the weather forecast via the internet using the communication function based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) provided by the dehumidifier 1, and use the obtained weather forecast information. If the weather is sunny, the control unit 5 performs a stop process. On the other hand, if the weather is rainy, the control unit 5 continues to operate the dehumidifier 1 without performing a stop process. For example, in rainy weather when humidity is relatively high, continuing to operate the dehumidifier 1 as much as possible has the advantage of prioritizing humidity suppression over making it easier to carry the light drainage tank 4 and perform drainage work. On the other hand, in sunny weather when humidity is relatively low, for example, there is an advantage in prioritizing making it easier to carry the light drainage tank 4 and perform drainage work over humidity suppression.

[0063] For example, if the specific condition is based on temperature or humidity (in this case, if the specific condition is based on humidity), the control unit 5 determines whether the specific condition that humidity has reached a target value is met when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water volume. For this determination, the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 7 can be used, for example. If the humidity has reached the target value, the control unit 5 performs a stop process. On the other hand, if the humidity has not reached the target value, the control unit 5 continues to operate the dehumidifier 1 without performing a stop process. This has the advantage that, when the humidity has not reached the target value, it is easier to prioritize suppressing humidity by continuing to operate the dehumidifier 1 as much as possible, rather than making it easier to carry the light drainage tank 4 and perform drainage work. On the other hand, if the humidity has reached the target value, it has the advantage that it is easier to prioritize making it easier to carry the light drainage tank 4 and perform drainage work rather than suppressing humidity.

[0064] <Seventh Control Example> When the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level, the control unit 5 may calculate the estimated time required for the drain tank 4 to be full and notify the calculated estimated time. The estimated time can be notified, for example, by displaying it on a display attached to the operation unit 8 or by outputting it as an audible message from the speaker attached to the dehumidifier 1.

[0065] For example, various pieces of information that the dehumidifier 1 can acquire can be used to calculate the estimated time to full capacity. Specifically, the control unit 5 may calculate the estimated time to full capacity based on the current humidity measured by the humidity sensor 7, the current temperature measured by the temperature sensor (not shown), and the rate at which the water volume rises detected by the detection unit 6. Alternatively, the control unit 5 may acquire information on weather forecasts via the internet using a communication function based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) provided by the dehumidifier 1, and calculate the estimated time to full capacity based on future humidity and future temperature. For example, the control unit 5 may calculate the estimated time to full capacity so that the higher the humidity, the shorter the estimated time to full capacity; the higher the temperature, the longer the estimated time to full capacity; and the faster the rate at which the water volume rises, the shorter the time to full capacity.

[0066] This has the advantage that users who check the estimated time for full capacity can take appropriate measures according to that time. For example, if the estimated time for full capacity is relatively short, the user can decide to perform drainage work even though the drainage tank 4 is not yet full, thus avoiding a situation where the drainage tank 4 becomes full. Also, for example, if the estimated time for full capacity is relatively long, the user has ample time before the drainage tank 4 becomes full, allowing them to decide to perform other tasks.

[0067] <8th Control Example> The control unit 5 may calculate the volume or weight of the water stored in the drain tank 4 when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level, and may notify the calculated volume or weight of the water. The weight or volume of the water can be notified, for example, by displaying it on a display attached to the operation unit 8, or by outputting it as an audible signal from a speaker attached to the dehumidifier 1.

[0068] The volume or weight of the water can be calculated, for example, by multiplying a numerical value indicating the bottom area of ​​the drainage tank 4, which is pre-stored in the memory of the control unit 5, by the water level detected by the detection unit 6 to determine the volume. Alternatively, if the drainage tank 4 is equipped with a weight sensor (not shown), the volume or weight of the water can be calculated based on the weight measured by the weight sensor. This has the advantage that the user can clearly understand the weight or volume of the water in numerical form, which is difficult to grasp simply by looking at the amount of water in the drainage tank 4.

[0069] By the way, in the first to eighth control examples described above, the control unit 5 performs a specific process when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level, but it is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 5 may perform a specific process according to the rate at which the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 rises. Specifically, the control unit 5 may perform a specific process when the rate at which the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 rises reaches a first speed. Alternatively, the control unit 5 may perform a specific process when the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 reaches a first water level AND the rate at which the amount of water rises reaches a first speed. Furthermore, the control unit 5 may perform an estimation process to estimate the environment in which the dehumidifier 1 is placed, according to the rate at which the amount of water detected by the detection unit 6 rises. Specifically, if the rate at which the amount of water rises reaches a second speed (> first speed), the control unit 5 may estimate that the room in which the dehumidifier 1 is placed is in an environment where humidity is likely to rise, such as when the windows of the room are left open, and report the estimation result. This has the advantage of making it easier for users to take measures such as closing windows to change the room environment to one where humidity is less likely to rise.

[0070] [4] Advantages The advantages of the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. As described above, in the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment, the detection unit 6 detects the amount of water stored in the drain tank 4 in at least three stages. For this reason, the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment can perform operations such as issuing a notification not only when the drain tank 4 is full, but also when the amount of water in the drain tank 4 is not full. In other words, the dehumidifier 1 according to this embodiment has the advantage of being able to easily perform operations corresponding to the amount of water in the drain tank 4 other than when it is full.

[0071] [5] Variant The following lists some modifications of the embodiment. The modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0072] In this embodiment, the detection unit 6 detects the amount of water (in other words, the water level) stored in the drainage tank 4 using a Hall element, but is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 6 may detect the water level of the drainage tank 4 using a capacitive sensor. In this case, the sensor may have, for example, a pair of electrodes, and the water level of the drainage tank 4 may be detected by utilizing the fact that the capacitance between the pair of electrodes increases in proportion to the water level.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water stored in the drainage tank 4 is condensed water, but is not limited to this. For example, the water stored in the drainage tank 4 may contain dirt components generated inside the device body 10 while it is installed inside the device body 10.

[0074] Furthermore, in the dehumidifier 1, the control unit 5 is not an essential component and can be omitted as appropriate. In other words, the dehumidifier 1 only needs to have the function of detecting the amount of water stored in the drainage tank 4, and does not need to have the function of performing specific processing according to the amount of water. Also, if the dehumidifier 1 does not have the control unit 5, it does not need to have a configuration for acquiring various information used in the specific processing performed by the control unit 5, such as a humidity sensor 7.

[0075] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0076] <Note 1> A drain tank is detachably attached to the main body of a device capable of performing a dehumidification operation, stores water generated by the dehumidification operation when attached to the main body of the device, and can drain the stored water when removed from the main body of the device. The system includes a detection unit that detects the amount of water stored in the drainage tank in three or more stages. Dehumidifier.

[0077] <Note 2> The system further includes a control unit that performs a specific process according to the amount of water detected by the detection unit. The dehumidifier described in Appendix 1.

[0078] <Note 3> The control unit executes the specific processing according to the rate of increase of the water volume detected by the detection unit. The dehumidifier described in Appendix 2.

[0079] <Note 4> The aforementioned specific process includes a stop process that stops the dehumidification operation. A dehumidifying device as described in Appendix 2 or 3.

[0080] <Note 5> The aforementioned stopping process includes a process to stop the dehumidification operation in a manner that allows the dehumidification operation to be restarted if the amount of water detected by the detection unit is less than the upper limit of water in the drainage tank. The dehumidifier described in Appendix 4.

[0081] <Note 6> The control unit restarts the dehumidification operation based on at least one of the user's operation of the device body and the humidity around the device body. The dehumidifier described in Appendix 5.

[0082] <Note 7> The aforementioned specific process includes a modification process to change the target value of the humidity around the main body of the device. A dehumidifier described in any one of the appendices 2 to 6.

[0083] <Note 8> The aforementioned specific processing includes a limiting process that reduces the intensity of the dehumidification operation. A dehumidifier described in any one of the appendices 2 to 7.

[0084] <Note 9> The control unit changes the content of the specific processing according to the operating mode of the main body of the device. A dehumidifier described in any one of the appendices 2 to 8.

[0085] <Note 10> The control unit determines whether or not to execute the specific process depending on whether or not specific conditions are met. A dehumidifier described in any one of the appendices 2 to 9. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1 Dehumidifier 10 Main unit of the device 4. Drainage tank 5. Control Unit 6. Detection Unit

Claims

1. A drain tank is detachably attached to the main body of a device capable of performing a dehumidification operation, stores water generated by the dehumidification operation when attached to the main body of the device, and can drain the stored water when removed from the main body of the device. The system includes a detection unit that detects the amount of water stored in the drainage tank in three or more stages. Dehumidifier.

2. The system further includes a control unit that performs a specific process according to the amount of water detected by the detection unit. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit executes the specific processing according to the rate of increase of the water volume detected by the detection unit. The dehumidifying device according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned specific process includes a stop process that stops the dehumidification operation. The dehumidifying device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The aforementioned stopping process includes a process to stop the dehumidification operation in a manner that allows the dehumidification operation to be restarted if the amount of water detected by the detection unit is less than the upper limit of water in the drainage tank. The dehumidifying device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit restarts the dehumidification operation based on at least one of the user's operation of the device body and the humidity around the device body. The dehumidifying device according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned specific process includes a modification process to change the target value of the humidity around the main body of the device. The dehumidifying device according to claim 2 or 3.

8. The aforementioned specific processing includes a limiting process that reduces the intensity of the dehumidification operation. The dehumidifying device according to claim 2 or 3.

9. The control unit changes the content of the specific processing according to the operating mode of the main body of the device. The dehumidifying device according to claim 2 or 3.

10. The control unit determines whether or not to execute the specific process depending on whether or not specific conditions are met. The dehumidifying device according to claim 2 or 3.

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