Dehumidifier

Abstract

We provide technology to improve dehumidification capacity. [Solution] The dehumidifier 100 comprises a main body case 1 having an air intake port and an air outlet port 4. A heat absorber 10, a heat exchanger 11, a heat radiator 8, and a blower 6 are arranged sequentially in the front-to-back direction of the main body case 1. The dehumidifier 100 has a first dehumidification path through which a first portion of the intake air drawn into the main body case 1 from the air intake port is blown out of the main body case 1 from the air outlet port 4 via the first passage of the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11 and the heat radiator 8, and a second dehumidification path through which a second portion of the intake air is blown out of the main body case 1 from the air outlet port 4 via the second passage of the heat exchanger 11 and the heat radiator 8. The second passage includes a heat absorber side passage that goes from top to bottom on the heat absorber 10 side and a heat radiator side passage that goes from top to bottom on the heat radiator 8 side. An opening area adjustment unit 130 is provided above the inlet opening of the radiator-side passage to suppress the inflow of the second portion of the intake air into the radiator-side passage.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a dehumidifying device that is used in a living space and reduces the humidity in the living space or the like. For example, the dehumidifying device of Patent Document 1 includes a main body case having a suction port and a blowout port, a dehumidifying unit provided in the main body case for dehumidifying air, and a blowing unit that blows the air sucked from the suction port to the blowout port through a part of the dehumidifying unit. The dehumidifying unit includes an absorber, a heat exchanger, and a radiator. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of first passages extending in the lateral direction and a plurality of second passages extending in the longitudinal direction and independent of the first passages. By performing heat exchange between the air flowing through the first passages and the air flowing through the second passages, the air in the second passages is cooled and condensed by the air flowing through the first passages (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the main body case, the blower is disposed closer to the radiator than to the absorber. Therefore, among the plurality of second passages extending in the longitudinal direction, the air volume of the second passages closer to the radiator is larger than the air volume of the second passages closer to the absorber. As a result, if the cooling of the air flowing through the second passages becomes insufficient, the condensation becomes insufficient, and it becomes difficult to improve the dehumidifying ability.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for improving the dehumidifying ability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a main body case having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a heat absorber, a heat exchanger, a heat radiator, and a blower arranged sequentially in the front-rear direction of the main body case, a first dehumidification path which, by the action of the blower, blows out a first portion of the intake air drawn into the main body case from the air intake port located on the side of the main body case through the heat absorber, the first passage of the heat exchanger, and the heat radiator to the outside of the main body case from the air outlet port, and a second dehumidification path which blows out a second portion of the intake air through the second passage of the heat exchanger and the heat radiator to the outside of the main body case from the air outlet port. The second passage of the heat exchanger includes a heat absorber side passage that goes from the top to the bottom on the heat absorber side, and a heat radiator side passage that goes from the top to the bottom on the heat radiator side. An opening area adjustment part is further provided above the inlet opening of the heat radiator side passage to suppress the inflow of the second portion of the intake air into the heat radiator side passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, dehumidification capacity can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the dehumidifier according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the dehumidification device. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows the air passage of the dehumidifier shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This diagram schematically shows the airflow of the dehumidifier shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the heat sink. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a rear view showing the heat sink. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show the configuration of the heat exchanger shown in Figure 2. [Figure 8] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heat exchanger and the opening area adjustment unit. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dehumidifier. [Figure 10] This is another cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dehumidifier in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described below all represent preferred specific examples of this disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, as well as the steps (processes) and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Accordingly, among the components in the following embodiments, those components that are not described in the independent claims representing the highest-level concept of this disclosure will be described as arbitrary components. In addition, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each figure, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0010] Furthermore, while terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these terms are used solely to distinguish one component from others, and do not limit the components themselves.

[0011] This embodiment will be described in the following order: (1) the overall configuration, and (2) the configuration of the second passage of the heat exchanger. (1) Overall structure The schematic configuration of the dehumidifier 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the dehumidifier 100. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier 100 along line AA in Figure 1.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, a Cartesian coordinate system including the x, y, and z axes is defined. The x-axis extends in the front-to-back direction, the y-axis extends in the left-to-right direction, and the z-axis extends in the up-to-down direction. The positive direction of the x-axis is called "front" or "front side," and the negative direction of the x-axis is called "back" or "rear side." Similarly, the positive direction of the y-axis is called "right" or "right side," and the negative direction of the y-axis is called "left" or "left side." Furthermore, the positive direction of the z-axis is called "up" or "upper side," and the negative direction of the z-axis is called "down" or "lower side." Views of the dehumidifier 100 from the front and rear are sometimes called "front view" or "rear view," views from the left or right are called "side view," and views from above are sometimes called "plan view."

[0013] The airflow in the dehumidifier 100 is sometimes referred to as "wind," and the upstream and downstream of this airflow are sometimes referred to as "upwind" and "downwind." These terms do not limit the operating position of the dehumidifier 100, and the dehumidifier 100 can be used in any position.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the dehumidifier 100 according to this embodiment has a box-shaped main case 1 as its outer shell, and the main case 1 distinguishes the area outside the main case 1 from the area inside the main case 1. The main case 1 has a front-to-back width that is smaller than its left-to-right width, and a top-to-bottom width that is larger than its left-to-right width. The upper surface of the main case 1 is the top surface portion 20, the left surface is the first side surface portion 21a, the right surface is the second side surface portion 21b, the front surface is the front surface portion 22, and the rear surface portion is the rear surface portion 23. The first side surface portion 21a and the second side surface portion 21b face each other, and the front surface portion 22 and the rear surface portion 23 face each other. The first side surface portion 21a and the second side surface portion 21b are collectively referred to as the side surface portion 21.

[0015] On the first side surface portion 21a, a first air inlet 2a (not shown) is arranged, and on the second side surface portion 21b, a second air inlet 2b is arranged. The first air inlet 2a and the second air inlet 2b are collectively referred to as the air inlet 2. The air inlet 2 is a rectangular opening that sucks air from a direction perpendicular to the side surface portion 21 on the side surface portion 21 of the main body case 1 and has a grid. An air outlet 4 and a louver 31 are arranged in a rear portion of the upper surface portion 20. The louver 31 is arranged above the air outlet 4 and changes the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 4. An operation unit 25 is arranged in a front portion of the upper surface portion 20. The operation unit 25 is an interface for, for example, receiving an input from a user or displaying information about the dehumidifying device such as an operation mode and the current humidity to the user.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the dehumidifying device 100 includes a dehumidifying unit 5, a blower 6, and a heat exchanger 11. The dehumidifying unit 5 includes a compressor 7, a radiator 8, an expander 9, and a heat absorber 10. The heat absorber 10, the heat exchanger 11, the radiator 8, and the blower 6 are arranged in the main body case 1 side by side in the front-rear direction in this order. Also, in the front-rear direction, a heat absorber gap 15 is provided between the heat absorber 10 and the front surface portion 22, and a radiator gap 19 is provided between the radiator 8 and the heat exchanger 11.

[0017] The blower 6 includes a motor 32 and a fan 33 that is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 32 and sucks and exhausts air. The blower 6 has an air intake 68 that is an opening provided on a surface facing the radiator 8. The blower 6 sucks the air that has passed through the dehumidifying unit 5 through the air intake 68 and blows it out to the outside of the blower 6. As a result, the blower 6 blows the air outside the main body case 1 sucked from the air inlet 2 out of the main body case 1 from the air outlet 4 after passing through the dehumidifying unit 5. This air passage is the air passage 34. That is, the air passage 34 communicates the air inlet 2 and the air outlet 4, and due to the action of the blower 6, the suction air 60 is sucked into the main body case 1 from the air inlet 2 and blown out from the air outlet 4 through the air passage 34.

[0018] Here, Figures 3 and 4 are also used to explain the air passage 34. Figure 3 schematically shows the air passage of the dehumidifier 100. The intake air 60 is divided within the main body case 1 into a first part 61, a second part 62, a third part 63, and a fourth part 64, which are parts of the intake air 60. Figure 4 schematically shows the airflow of the dehumidifier 100, with the flows of the first part 61, the second part 62, and the third part 63 superimposed on a cross-sectional view.

[0019] The air passage 34 includes multiple dehumidification paths, namely the first dehumidification path 51, the second dehumidification path 52, the third dehumidification path 53, and the fourth dehumidification path 54. The airflow path of the first dehumidification path 51 is called the first air passage 71, the airflow path of the second dehumidification path 52 is called the second air passage 72, the airflow path of the third dehumidification path 53 is called the third bypass air passage 73, and the airflow paths of the fourth dehumidification path 54 are called the first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75. In other words, the air passage 34 can be said to be composed of the first air passage 71, the second air passage 72, the third bypass air passage 73, the first bypass air passage 74, and the second bypass air passage 75. The first air passage 71, the second air passage 72, the third bypass air passage 73, the first bypass air passage 74, and the second bypass air passage 75 will be described later.

[0020] The dehumidification unit 5 is composed of a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor 7, a radiator 8, an expander 9, and a heat absorber 10 are connected in this order in a ring shape. For example, a substitute fluorocarbon (HFC134a) is used as the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant pushed out from the compressor 7 flows from top to bottom inside the radiator 8 through the refrigerant piping 80. As a result, the temperature of the radiator 8 increases towards the top. The refrigerant pushed out from the radiator 8 is supplied to the heat absorber 10 via the expander 9. The refrigerant supplied to the heat absorber 10 flows from bottom to top inside the heat absorber 10 and flows into the compressor 7 through the refrigerant piping 83. Since the refrigeration cycle is well known, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0021] Within the main case 1, a heat absorber 10 is provided on the air intake 2 side, which is the upstream side of the airflow in the air passage 34, and a heat radiator 8 is provided on the air outlet 4 side, which is the downstream side of the airflow in the air passage 34. A sensible heat type heat exchanger 11 is placed in the space between the heat absorber 10 and the heat radiator 8. In other words, the heat absorber 10, heat exchanger 11, and heat radiator 8 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the airflow in the air passage 34.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger 11 has a horizontal first passage 17 through which a first portion 61 of the intake air 60 passes, and a vertical second passage 18 through which a second portion 62 of the intake air 60 passes. The first passage 17 and the second passage 18 are independent air passage spaces. There are no limitations on the configuration or shape of the heat exchanger 11. As an example, the heat exchanger 11 is formed by laminating a plurality of resin plates (not shown), with the first passage 17 and the second passage 18 formed between them. The heat exchanger 11 is configured to be able to exchange heat between the first portion 61 passing through the first passage 17 and the second portion 62 passing through the second passage 18. As an example, the heat exchanger 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0023] The first air passage 71 (first dehumidification path 51), through the action of the blower 6, blows out the first portion 61 of the intake air 60 drawn into the main case 1 from the air intake port 2, through the heat absorber 10, the first passage 17 of the heat exchanger 11, and the heat radiator 8, to the outside of the main case 1 through the air outlet 4. The second air passage 72 (second dehumidification path 52), through the action of the blower 6, blows out the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 drawn into the main case 1 from the air intake port 2, through the second passage 18 of the heat exchanger 11 and the heat radiator 8, to the outside of the main case 1 through the air outlet 4.

[0024] The first section 61 is first cooled by the heat absorber 10. At this time, condensation forms on the first section 61, generating condensed water. The condensed water drips downward and is collected in a funnel-shaped water collection section 12a located below the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11. The condensed water collected in the water collection section 12a flows into a water collection tank 12b located below the water collection section 12a. The water collection tank 12b can be easily attached to and detached from the main body case 1.

[0025] Through heat exchange, the cooled first portion 61 flowing through the first passage 17 lowers the temperature of the second portion 62 flowing through the second passage 18. As a result, condensation occurs in the second portion 62 that does not pass through the heat absorber 10, generating condensation water. The condensation water drips downward from the second passage 18, is collected in the funnel-shaped water collection section 12a, and flows into the water collection tank 12b.

[0026] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 11 has the airflow resistance of the second passage 18 set to be greater than that of the first passage 17. As a result, the amount of the second portion 62 flowing through the second passage 18 is less than the amount of the first portion 61 flowing through the first passage.

[0027] The first part 61, which has dried after condensation, is blown out of the main case 1 through the air outlet 4. The second part 62, which has dried after condensation, is blown out of the main case 1 through the air outlet 4 via the heat exchanger 11, the heat radiator 8, and the blower 6. In this way, the dehumidifier 100 reduces the humidity of the surrounding space.

[0028] Next, the third bypass air passage 73 will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the third bypass air passage 73 is a bypass air passage that blows out the third portion 63 of the intake air 60 from the air outlet 4 to the outside of the main body case 1 via a specific portion 88 of the heat exchanger 8, without passing through the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11. In other words, the third bypass air passage 73 is a bypass air passage through which the third portion 63, which is part of the intake air 60, flows around the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11.

[0029] In this embodiment, the third bypass air passage 73 is located above the first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75. The third bypass air passage 73 blows out the third portion 63 of the intake air 60 from the air outlet 4 to the outside of the main body case 1 via the upper part 8a of the heat sink 8, without passing through the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11. In this case, the upper part 8a of the heat sink 8 is cooled by the third portion 63, which improves the cooling capacity of the heat sink 8, thereby improving the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidifier 100 and further reducing power consumption.

[0030] The upper part 8a of the heat sink 8 refers to the portion above the vertical center of the heat sink 8. In this embodiment, the heat sink 8 protrudes above the upper end of the heat absorber 10 and the upper end of the heat exchanger 11, and this protruding portion is referred to as the upper part 8a.

[0031] By having a third bypass air passage 73, the third section 63 can pass through the upper part 8a of the radiator 8 to cool the upper part 8a, and also cool the heat absorber 10 through the refrigeration cycle of the dehumidification unit 5, thereby improving the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidification device. The refrigerant, which has become hot in the compressor 7, first flows into the upper part 8a of the radiator 8, so the upper part 8a is hotter than other parts. Therefore, by the third section 63 cooling the upper part 8a, the radiator 8 can be effectively cooled. The first section 61 and the second section 62 pass through the part of the radiator 8 below the upper part 8a.

[0032] Next, the first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the radiator 8 as seen from the front left. Figure 6 is a rear view of the radiator 8. The first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75 are air passages through which the fourth portion 64, which is part of the intake air 60, flows around the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11.

[0033] The radiator 8 has refrigerant piping 80 consisting of pipes for carrying the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant piping 80 includes a plurality of main refrigerant pipes 81a extending to the left and right, and a first U-shaped pipe 81b and a second U-shaped pipe 81c connecting the plurality of main refrigerant pipes. The first U-shaped pipe 81b is provided on one side of the radiator 8, and the second U-shaped pipe 81c is provided on the other side of the radiator 8. In the dehumidifier 100, air passages are provided surrounding the first U-shaped pipe 81b and the second U-shaped pipe 81c, respectively. The air passage surrounding the first U-shaped pipe 81b is called the first bypass air passage 74, and the air passage surrounding the second U-shaped pipe 81c is called the second bypass air passage 75. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which both the first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75 are provided, but either the first bypass air passage 74 or the second bypass air passage 75 may be omitted.

[0034] The first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75 will be described in detail. Here, the first bypass air passage 74 will be mainly described, but the description of the first bypass air passage 74 is also applicable to the second bypass air passage 75. In this case, the first U-shaped pipe 81b shall be read as the second U-shaped pipe 81c. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the radiator 8 has a resin outer frame 84 that supports the refrigerant piping 80. The first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75 are provided on the side of the outer frame 84, and a radiator-side cylindrical portion 85 is provided in front of the outer frame 84. The radiator-side cylindrical portion 85 extends forward from the radiator 8 toward the heat exchanger 11. The radiator-side cylindrical portion 85 surrounds a part or the front part of the heat exchanger 11. The outer frame 84, the first bypass air passage 74, the second bypass air passage 75, and the radiator-side cylindrical portion 85 are integrally formed by resin molding.

[0035] The radiator side cylindrical portion 85 is integrally formed from four plate-shaped protruding members that extend forward from the four edges (top, bottom, left, and right) of the outer frame 84. The radiator side cylindrical portion 85 is composed of an upper protruding member 85a on the upper side, a left protruding member 85b on the left side, a lower protruding member 85c on the lower side, and a right protruding member 85d on the right side. In particular, as shown in Figure 5, the upper protruding member 85a has a plurality of rectangular openings 86 arranged on the left and right sides. The plurality of rectangular openings 86 open upward. The second portion 62 can flow from top to bottom through the rectangular openings 86.

[0036] The first bypass air passage 74 is composed of a hollow rectangular tubular member that extends vertically on the side of the outer frame 84 and is provided to surround the first U-shaped pipe 81b. The first bypass air passage 74 has a first opening 74a into which the fourth section 64 flows, and in this embodiment, the first opening 74a is provided at the top of the first bypass air passage 74. The first opening 74a is provided above the vertical center of the first bypass air passage 74. Preferably, the first opening 74a is provided in the range of 30% from the top end when the vertical length of the first bypass air passage 74 is 100%. In this embodiment, the first opening 74a is a rectangular opening that opens upward at the upper end of the first bypass air passage 74.

[0037] The first bypass air passage 74 communicates with the radiator gap 19 (see Figure 2), which is a gap between the heat exchanger 11 and the radiator 8. As shown in Figure 3, the fourth portion 64 of the intake air 60 is drawn in through the first opening 74a, flows downward through the first bypass air passage 74, and flows into the radiator gap 19. The fourth portion 64 that flows into the radiator gap 19 diffuses up, down, left, and right within the radiator gap 19 and flows into the radiator 8 from the front surface 8c of the radiator 8, cooling the radiator 8. The fourth portion 64 that has cooled the radiator 8 is blown out of the main body case 1 through the air outlet 4.

[0038] The fourth portion 64 of the intake air 60 flows from the first bypass air passage 74 through the radiator gap 19 into the radiator 8, so that air flows throughout the entire radiator 8, reducing uneven cooling of the radiator 8. As a result, the cooling capacity of the radiator 8 is improved, and the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidifier 100 is improved. Consequently, the power consumption of the dehumidifier can be reduced for the same dehumidification capacity.

[0039] The first bypass air passage 74 may communicate with the radiator gap 19 above the vertical center of the first bypass air passage 74, but in this embodiment, it communicates with the radiator gap 19 below the vertical center.

[0040] In this embodiment, a second bypass air passage 75 is also provided surrounding the second U-shaped pipe 81c, and the second bypass air passage 75 has a second opening 75a similar to the first opening 74a. As a result, the fourth section 64 flows into the radiator 8 from both the left and right sides through the radiator gap 19 from the first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75. As a result, the left-right bias of the air flowing into the radiator 8 is reduced, and the left-right bias in the cooling of the radiator 8 is further reduced. Since the cooling bias is reduced, the cooling capacity of the radiator 8 is improved, which in turn improves the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidifier 100 and further reduces power consumption.

[0041] By having a first bypass air passage 74 and a second bypass air passage 75, the fourth section 64 cools the heat sink 8 and also cools the heat absorber 10 through the refrigeration cycle of the dehumidification section 5, thereby improving the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidification device.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first opening 74a is provided at the top of the first bypass air passage 74, and the second opening 75a is provided at the top of the second bypass air passage 75. By providing the first opening 74a and the second opening 75a at the top in this way, the upper side of the heat sink 8 is relatively hotter, which improves the cooling capacity of the heat sink 8, thereby improving the dehumidification capacity of the dehumidifier 100 and reducing power consumption.

[0043] As mentioned above, the air intake port 2 is located on the side surface 21 of the main body case 1. In this case, air can flow more easily, improving the cooling capacity of the heat sink 8, which in turn improves the dehumidifying capacity of the dehumidifier 100 and reduces power consumption.

[0044] (2) Configuration of the second passage of the heat exchanger The configuration of the second passage 18 of the heat exchanger 11 will be described in more detail below. As mentioned above, the second passage 18 is a vertical passage in the heat exchanger 11 through which the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 passes. More specifically, the second portion 62 flows through the second passage 18 from top to bottom. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, within the main case 1, the blower 6 is positioned closer to the radiator 8 than to the heat absorber 10. Therefore, the airflow in the part of the second passage 18 closer to the radiator 8 is greater than the airflow in the part of the second passage 18 closer to the heat absorber 10. Since the temperature of the radiator 8 is higher than that of the heat absorber 10, if the airflow in the part of the second passage 18 closer to the radiator 8 is greater and the airflow in the part of the second passage 18 closer to the heat absorber 10 is less, the cooling of the air flowing through the second passage 18 will be insufficient. As a result, condensation will be insufficient, making it difficult to improve the dehumidification capacity.

[0045] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show the configuration of the heat exchanger 11. Figure 7(a) shows the configuration of the first layer 110a, and Figure 7(b) shows the configuration of the second layer 110b. The heat exchanger 11 is constructed by stacking multiple first layers 110a and second layers 110b alternately in the y-axis direction. The first layer 110a and the second layer 110b are collectively referred to as layer 110.

[0046] The first layer 110a and the second layer 110b are resin plates having the same external shape. Both the first layer 110a and the second layer 110b have a roughly trapezoidal shape in the xz plane. The roughly trapezoidal shape may include a trapezoidal shape or a shape close to a trapezoid. For example, the lower edge of each layer 110 slopes upward from the front to the rear. Inside the main case 1, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, a heat absorber 10 is placed on the front side of each layer 110, and a heat sink 8 is placed on the rear side of each layer 110. Therefore, the length of the edge of each layer 110 facing the heat absorber 10 is longer than the length of the edge facing the heat sink 8.

[0047] The first layer 110a shown in Figure 7(a) includes the first front-rear passage 132a, second front-rear passage 132b, third front-rear passage 132c, fourth front-rear passage 132d, and fifth front-rear passage 132e, collectively referred to as the front-rear passage 132. The number of front-rear passages 132 included in the first layer 110a is not limited to "5". The front-rear passage 132 is a passage that extends in the front-rear direction and corresponds to the first passage 17 mentioned above.

[0048] The first longitudinal passage 132a includes a first longitudinal passage inlet opening 134a, which is the front opening, and a first longitudinal passage outlet opening 136a, which is the rear opening. The first portion 61 of the intake air 60 enters the first longitudinal passage 132a from the first longitudinal passage inlet opening 134a, moves along the first longitudinal passage 132a from front to rear, and exits from the first longitudinal passage outlet opening 136a. The same applies to the second longitudinal passage 132b to the fifth longitudinal passage 132e. The first longitudinal passage inlet openings 134a to the fifth longitudinal passage inlet openings 134e are collectively referred to as the longitudinal passage inlet opening 134, and the first longitudinal passage outlet openings 136a to the fifth longitudinal passage outlet openings 136e are collectively referred to as the longitudinal passage outlet opening 136.

[0049] The second layer 110b shown in Figure 7(b) includes a heat absorber-side passage 112 and a heat sink-side passage 122. The heat absorber-side passage 112 and the heat sink-side passage 122 correspond to the second passage 18 mentioned above. The heat absorber-side passage 112 is a passage that runs from top to bottom on the front side (heat absorber 10 side), and the heat sink-side passage 122 is a passage that runs from top to bottom on the rear side (heat sink 8 side).

[0050] The heat absorber side passage 112 includes an upper opening, which is the heat absorber side inlet opening 114, and a lower opening, which is the heat absorber side outlet opening 116. The second portion 62 of the intake air 60 enters the heat absorber side passage 112 from the heat absorber side inlet opening 114, moves through the heat absorber side passage 112 from top to bottom, and exits through the heat absorber side outlet opening 116.

[0051] The radiator-side passage 122 includes an upper opening, which is the radiator-side inlet opening 124, and a lower opening, which is the radiator-side outlet opening 126. The second portion 62 of the intake air 60 enters the radiator-side passage 122 from the radiator-side inlet opening 124, moves along the radiator-side passage 122 from top to bottom, and exits through the radiator-side outlet opening 126.

[0052] As mentioned above, the length of the edge of the second layer 110b facing the heat absorber 10 is longer than the length of the edge facing the heat sink 8. Therefore, the vertical length of the heat absorber-side passage 112 is longer than the vertical length of the heat sink-side passage 122. This is to make the heat exchange area of ​​the heat absorber-side passage 112 larger than the heat exchange area of ​​the heat sink-side passage 122.

[0053] In the dehumidifier 100 according to this embodiment, an opening area adjustment unit 130, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 8, is provided to prevent the airflow rate in the radiator-side passage 122 from being greater than the airflow rate in the heat absorber-side passage 112. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heat exchanger 11 and the opening area adjustment unit 130. An opening area adjustment unit 130, which is plate-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction, is provided above the radiator-side inlet opening 124. The opening area adjustment unit 130 does not seal the radiator-side inlet opening 124, but by being positioned above the radiator-side inlet opening 124, it suppresses the inflow of the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 into the radiator-side passage 122. On the other hand, the opening area adjustment unit 130 is not positioned above the heat absorber-side inlet opening 114. Since the inflow of the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 into the radiator-side passage 122 is suppressed, and the inflow of the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 into the heat absorber-side passage 112 is not suppressed, it is prevented that the airflow in the radiator-side passage 122 will be greater than the airflow in the heat absorber-side passage 112.

[0054] To further explain the configuration of the opening area adjustment unit 130, Figures 9 and 10 are also used here. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dehumidifier 100. Figure 10 is another cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dehumidifier 100. Both Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of the dehumidifier 100 along line BB in Figure 1. Figure 9 shows a configuration in which the upper overhang member 85a of Figure 5 is omitted, and Figure 10 shows a configuration in which the upper overhang member 85a of Figure 5 is not omitted.

[0055] In the main case 1, as described above, the first side section 21a is located on the right side, the second side section 21b is located on the left side, the front section 22 is located on the front side, and the rear section 23 is located on the rear side. In addition, the first air intake port 2a is located on the first side section 21a, and the second air intake port 2b is located on the second side section 21b. On the side of the first air intake port 2a of the main case 1, the heat absorber 10, heat exchanger 11, heat radiator 8, and blower 6 are arranged in order from the front section 22 toward the rear section 23. In addition, the compressor 7 is located on the side of the second air intake port 2b and on the side of the rear section 23 of the main case 1.

[0056] In the heat exchanger 11, as described above, multiple first layers 110a (not shown) and multiple second layers 110b (not shown) are alternately stacked in the y-axis direction. Also, as shown in Figure 9, an absorber-side inlet opening 114 is located on the front side of the upper surface of the second layer 110b, and a radiator-side inlet opening 124 is located on the rear side of the upper surface of the second layer 110b. Therefore, multiple absorber-side inlet openings 114 are arranged in the y-axis direction on the front side of the upper surface of the heat exchanger 11, and multiple radiator-side inlet openings 124 are arranged in the y-axis direction on the rear side of the upper surface of the heat exchanger 11.

[0057] As shown in Figure 10, the upper surface of the heat absorber 10 is covered by the upper overhang member 85a of the heat sink 8. Since the upper surface of the heat absorber 10 and the upper overhang member 85a are not in contact, a gap (hereinafter referred to as the "upper gap") exists between the upper surface of the heat absorber 10 and the upper overhang member 85a. The upper overhang member 85a has a rectangular shape. Rectangular openings 86 labeled "10" are arranged in the y-axis direction on the front portion of the upper overhang member 85a, and rectangular openings 86 labeled "3" are arranged in the y-axis direction on the rear portion of the upper overhang member 85a. In particular, the rectangular openings 86 on the rear portion are positioned on the side of the first air intake port 2a. The left portion of the rectangular openings 86 on the rear portion of the upper overhang member 85a, that is, the portion on the rear portion of the upper overhang member 85a where no rectangular openings 86 are arranged, corresponds to the aforementioned opening area adjustment section 130. In other words, the opening area adjustment unit 130 is positioned above a portion of the radiator-side inlet opening 124 on the second air intake port 2b side, and is not positioned in any other portion.

[0058] Since a rectangular opening 86 is positioned above the heat absorber side inlet opening 114, the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 flows easily into the heat absorber side inlet opening 114. An opening area adjustment section 130 is positioned above some of the heat sink side inlet openings 124, and a rectangular opening 86 is positioned above the remaining heat sink side inlet openings 124, making it difficult for the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 to flow into the heat sink side inlet openings 124. As a result, the airflow in the heat absorber side passage 112 becomes greater than the airflow in the heat sink side passage 122.

[0059] Since the compressor 7 generates heat, it is preferable that the intake air 60 does not flow near the compressor 7. The blower 6 is positioned on the second side section 21b, so the effect of the heat generated by the compressor 7 on the intake air 60 flowing into the main case 1 from the first air intake port 2a is small. Also, since the compressor 7 is positioned offset from the path from the second air intake port 2b to the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11, the effect of the heat generated by the compressor 7 on the intake air 60 flowing into the main case 1 from the second air intake port 2b is small. Furthermore, the compressor 7 is positioned closer to the heat radiator 8 than to the heat absorber 10. Therefore, the effect of the heat generated by the compressor 7 on the heat absorber 10 is also small.

[0060] The operation of the dehumidifier 100 configured in this way will now be explained. When the blower 6 is activated, intake air 60 is drawn into the main body case 1 from the air intake port 2 provided on the side section 21. The intake air 60 is divided into a first section 61, a second section 62, a third section 63, and a fourth section 64. The first section 61 flows into the radiator 8 through the first passage 17 of the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11, cooling the radiator 8. The second section 62 flows into the radiator 8 through the second passage 18 of the heat exchanger 11 (heat absorber side passage 112, radiator side passage 122), cooling the radiator 8.

[0061] The third section 63 flows into the radiator 8 through a third bypass air passage 73 that bypasses the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11, and cools the radiator 8. The fourth section 64 flows into the radiator 8 through the radiator gap 19 from the first bypass air passage 74 and the second bypass air passage 75 that bypass the heat absorber 10 and the heat exchanger 11, and cools the radiator 8. After the radiator 8 has been cooled, the first section 61, the second section 62, the third section 63 and the fourth section 64 are blown out of the main body case 1 from the air outlet 4 via the blower 6.

[0062] The first portion 61 and the second portion 62 of the intake air 60 are cooled by the heat absorber 10 and heat exchanger 11 of the refrigeration cycle, causing condensation and drying. The dried first portion 61 and the second portion 62 are blown out from the air outlet 4, thereby reducing the humidity of the space around the dehumidifier 100.

[0063] In this embodiment, since the opening area adjustment section 130 is provided above the radiator-side inlet opening 124, it is possible to make it difficult for the second portion 62 to flow into the radiator-side inlet opening 124. Also, since it is difficult for the second portion 62 to flow into the radiator-side inlet opening 124, the airflow of the heat absorber-side passage 112 can be increased. In addition, since the airflow of the heat absorber-side passage 112, which is prone to condensation, is increased, the dehumidification capacity can be improved. Furthermore, since the length of the heat absorber-side passage 112 is longer than the length of the radiator-side passage 122, the heat exchange area of ​​the heat absorber-side passage 112 can be made larger than the heat exchange area of ​​the radiator-side passage 122. Also, since the heat exchange area of ​​the heat absorber-side passage 112 is larger than the heat exchange area of ​​the radiator-side passage 122, the dehumidification capacity can be improved. Furthermore, the compressor 7 is positioned on the second air intake 2b side, opposite to the first air intake 2a side where the heat absorber 10, heat exchanger 11, and heat radiator 8 are located, and is positioned closer to the heat radiator 8 than to the heat absorber 10, thus reducing the impact of heat dissipation from the compressor 7. In addition, the reduced impact of heat dissipation from the compressor 7 improves the dehumidification capacity.

[0064] Furthermore, since the opening area adjustment section 130 is positioned above a portion of the radiator-side inlet opening 124 on the side of the second air intake 2b, it becomes more difficult for the second portion 62 flowing in from the second air intake 2b to flow into the radiator-side inlet opening 124. Also, since it becomes more difficult for the second portion 62 flowing in from the second air intake 2b to flow into the radiator-side inlet opening 124, the airflow of the heat absorber-side passage 112 can be increased. Also, since it becomes more difficult for the second portion 62 flowing in from the second air intake 2b to flow into the radiator-side inlet opening 124, the inflow of the second portion 62 from the second air intake 2b, which heats up more easily than the second portion 62 from the first air intake 2a, can be reduced. Also, since it becomes more difficult for the second portion 62 flowing in from the second air intake 2b, which heats up more easily than the second portion 62 from the first air intake 2a, to flow in, the temperature rise can be suppressed.

[0065] An overview of one aspect of this disclosure is as follows: (Item 1) A main body case (1) having an air intake port (2) and an air outlet port (4), The heat absorber (10), heat exchanger (11), heat sink (8), and blower (6) are arranged in order in the front-to-back direction of the main body case (1), Due to the action of the blower (6), a first portion (61) of the intake air (60) drawn into the main body case (1) from the air intake port (2) located on the side surface (21) of the main body case (1) is blown out of the main body case (1) from the air outlet (4) via the heat absorber (10), the first passage (17) of the heat exchanger (11), and the heat radiator (8) in a first dehumidification path (51), The system includes a second dehumidification path (52) that blows a second portion (62) of the intake air (60) out of the main body case (1) through the second passage (18) of the heat exchanger (11) and the heat radiator (8) from the air outlet (4), The second passage (18) of the heat exchanger (11) includes a heat absorber side passage (112) that goes from top to bottom on the heat absorber (10) side and a heat sink side passage (122) that goes from top to bottom on the heat sink (8) side. A dehumidifying device (100) further comprising an opening area adjustment unit (130) above the inlet opening (124) of the heat sink side passage (122) for suppressing the inflow of the second portion (62) of the intake air (60) into the heat sink side passage (122).

[0066] (Item 2) The dehumidifying device (100) described in item 1, wherein the length of the heat absorber side passage (112) is longer than the length of the heat radiator side passage (122).

[0067] (Item 3) The main body case (1) is further equipped with a compressor (7) located within it. The side portion (21) of the main body case (1) includes a first side portion (21a) and a second side portion (21b) that face each other, The air intake port (2) includes a first air intake port (2a) located on the first side portion (21a) and a second air intake port (2b) located on the second side portion (21b). The heat absorber (10), the heat exchanger (11), the heat radiator (8), and the blower (6) are arranged on the side of the main body case (1) to the first air intake port (2a). The compressor (7) is located on the side of the main body case (1) where the second air intake port (2b) is located. The compressor (7) is positioned closer to the heat exchanger (8) than to the heat absorber (10) in the dehumidifier (100) described in item 1.

[0068] (Item 4) The aforementioned opening area adjustment section (130) is The inlet opening (124) of the heat sink side passage (122) is located above a portion of the second air intake port (2b) side, A dehumidifying device (100) according to item 3, which is not located in any part of the inlet opening (124) of the heat exchanger side passage (122) other than the aforementioned portion.

[0069] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each component or combination of processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] In the description of the embodiment, an example was shown that includes a first bypass airflow path 74 and a second bypass airflow path 75, but it is not essential to include the first bypass airflow path 74 and the second bypass airflow path 75. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1 Main case, 2 Air intake, 4 Air outlet, 5 Dehumidification section, 6 Blower, 7 Compressor, 8 Heat sink, 8a Top, 8c Side, 9 Expander, 10 Heat absorber, 11 Heat exchanger, 12a Water collection section, 12b Water collection tank, 15 Heat absorber gap, 17 First passage, 18 Second passage, 19 Heat sink gap, 20 Top surface, 21 Side surface, 22 Front surface, 23 Rear surface, 25 Control panel, 31 Louver, 32 Motor, 33 Fan, 34 Air passage, 51 First dehumidification path, 52 Second dehumidification path, 53 Third dehumidification path, 54 Fourth dehumidification path, 60 Intake air, 61 First section 62 Second part, 63 Third part, 64 Fourth part, 68 Air intake, 71 First air passage, 72 Second air passage, 73 Third bypass air passage, 74 First bypass air passage, 74a First opening, 75 Second bypass air passage, 75a Second opening, 80 Refrigerant piping, 81a Main refrigerant piping, 81b First U-shaped pipe, 81c Second U-shaped pipe, 83 Refrigerant piping, 84 Outer frame, 85 Radiator side cylindrical part, 85a Upper protruding member, 85b Left protruding member, 85c Lower protruding member, 85d Right protruding member, 86 Rectangular opening, 88 Specific part, 100 Dehumidifier, 110 Layer, 112 Heat absorber side passage, 114 Heat absorber side inlet opening, 116 Heat sink side exit opening, 122 Heatsink side passage, 124 Heatsink side inlet opening, 126 Heatsink side exit opening, 130 Opening area adjustment section, 132 Front-rear passage, 134 Front-rear passage inlet opening, 136 Front-rear passage outlet opening, 140 Radiator top surface, 142 Heat sink side opening.

Claims

1. A main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, The heat absorber, heat exchanger, heat sink, and blower are arranged in order in the front-to-back direction of the main body case, A first dehumidification path is formed in which, due to the action of the blower, a first portion of the intake air drawn into the main body case from the air intake port located on the side of the main body case is blown out of the main body case from the air outlet via the heat absorber, the first passage of the heat exchanger, and the heat radiator, The system includes a second dehumidification path through which the second portion of the intake air is blown out of the main body case from the air outlet via the second passage of the heat exchanger and the heat sink, The second passage of the heat exchanger includes a heat absorber-side passage that extends from the top to the bottom on the heat absorber side, and a heat sink-side passage that extends from the top to the bottom on the heat sink side. A dehumidifying device further comprising an opening area adjustment unit above the inlet opening of the heat sink side passage, which suppresses the inflow of the second portion of the intake air into the heat sink side passage.

2. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the heat absorber-side passage is longer than the length of the heat radiator-side passage.

3. The main body case further comprises a compressor located within the aforementioned main body case, The side portion of the main body case includes a first side portion and a second side portion that face each other, The air intake port includes a first air intake port located on the first side surface and a second air intake port located on the second side surface. The heat absorber, the heat exchanger, the heat radiator, and the blower are arranged on the side of the first air intake of the main body case. The compressor is positioned on the second air intake side of the main body case. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is positioned closer to the heat exchanger than the heat absorber.

4. The aforementioned opening area adjustment unit is The inlet opening of the heat sink side passage is positioned above a portion of the second air intake side, The dehumidifying device according to claim 3, wherein the device is not located in any part of the inlet opening of the heat exchanger-side passage other than the aforementioned portion.

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