Dehumidification device

Abstract

A dehumidification device (1A) comprises an accommodation part (21) for accommodating a moisture absorbing material (22) having a first state capable of absorbing water and a second state to release water absorbed in the first state. The accommodation part (21) is formed so that a pressure in the accommodation part (21) becomes higher than a pressure in front of an opening (21a) by the introduction of air through the opening (21a). This can increase the water adsorption rate of the moisture absorbing material.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidification device and a dehumidification method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are two general types of dehumidifiers and humidity control devices: a refrigeration cycle type and a zeolite type.

[0003] The refrigeration cycle type is a system that has a built-in compressor and dehumidifies the indoor air by cooling it with an evaporator, causing the moisture in the air to condense.

[0004] On the other hand, the zeolite type uses a hygroscopic porous material such as zeolite processed into a rotor shape. Specifically, the moisture (water vapor) contained in the air in the room is first absorbed by the rotor. Next, high-temperature hot air created by an electric heater is applied to the rotor that has absorbed the moisture, and the moisture inside the rotor is extracted as high-temperature, high-humidity air. This air is then cooled with room air, causing the humidity in the high-temperature, high-humidity air to condense and dehumidify.

[0005] Known examples of the former refrigeration cycle type include the dehumidifier disclosed in Patent Document 1. Known examples of the latter zeolite type include the dehumidifier disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the dehumidifier disclosed in Patent Document 3.

[0006] There is also a dehumidifier that combines the features of both, as disclosed in Patent Document 4, for example.

[0007] Furthermore, so-called desiccant air conditioning systems, which use zeolite-type adsorption and desorption of moisture using adsorbents such as hygroscopic silica gel and activated carbon to perform air conditioning such as cooling, are also widely used as large-scale air conditioning systems. An example of a desiccant air conditioning system is an open adsorption air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 5. Highly efficient humidity control systems, including this desiccant air conditioning system, are currently being actively developed in response to the need to protect the global environment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-310485 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-259349 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-144833 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-34838 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-301014 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent No. 6159822 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent No. 6349556 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Meanwhile, there are several highly moisture-absorbent materials used in zeolite dehumidifiers and desiccant air-conditioning systems, including zeolite and silica gel. There are few practical examples of using stimuli-responsive materials as moisture absorbents, but examples include (Patent Documents 6 and 7), and there are several possible materials that are responsive to stimuli such as heat, such as pNIPAM (poly N-isopropylacrylamide) and composites with acrylic acid.

[0010] However, the moisture absorption speed of conventional dehumidifiers and dehumidifying materials was not sufficient. The researchers recognized that increasing the moisture absorption speed would lead to more efficient dehumidification, and that this was an essential technical challenge for saving energy, which motivated them to pursue their research.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its object is to provide a dehumidification device and a dehumidification method, or a method for collecting moisture from air, which can increase the moisture absorption rate of a stimuli-responsive moisture absorbent consisting of an IPN or semi-IPN of a stimuli-responsive polymer and a hydrophilic polymer, and a composite material thereof, as well as acrylic and other polymeric materials, zeolite, silica gel, calcium chloride, and other moisture absorbents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, a dehumidifier according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: The air conditioner is provided with a blower fan that generates air, an intake throttle through which the air generated by the blower fan passes, and an absorbent material storage section that stores an absorbent material having sorption properties and has an introduction hole that is connected to an accommodation space in which the absorbent material is stored, and through which the air generated by the blower fan flows into the accommodation space via the intake throttle and the introduction hole, and an exhaust side opening of the intake throttle faces the introduction hole of the absorbent material storage section and is formed larger than the introduction hole. It is characterized by the following. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the rate at which moisture is adsorbed (absorbed) into the moisture absorbent can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a moisture absorbing unit included in the dehumidifier shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing various configurations such as the arrangement position of a moisture absorbent material for investigating the moisture absorption rate. [Figure 4] 4 is a graph showing moisture absorptivity corresponding to each configuration shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 10A and 10B show a modified example of the moisture absorbing unit, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in (a). [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dehumidifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modified example of the dehumidifier shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0017] (Dehumidification device configuration) The configuration of the dehumidifier according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view seen from the side, showing the configuration of the dehumidifier 1A during moisture absorption. The thermosensitive polymer gel dried material used as the moisture absorbent 22 in the dehumidifier 1A adsorbs moisture (water vapor) in the air on its surface and absorbs it into the interior. This is called sorption. Here, it is the moisture inside the gel that causes dehydration by raising the temperature to a temperature-sensitive point (LCST: Lower Critical Solution Temperature) and releasing liquid water. For this reason, in this specification, for emphasis, moisture absorption is defined as "absorption of moisture (water vapor)" and releasing liquid water from the gel surface is defined as "dehydration or release of water".

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the dehumidifier 1A of this embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 2. The housing 2 includes an intake port 3 with a lattice 3a formed on the upper front surface, an exhaust port 4 with a lattice 4a formed on the upper rear surface, and a drain tank housing portion 5 formed on the lower front side for housing a drain tank 6 described later. The housing 2 is made of resin or metal. The shape of the housing 2 is not necessarily limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be, for example, another polygonal cylindrical shape, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, or the like.

[0019] 1, an air flow wall 11 that forms an air flow passage 10 is formed at the upper part inside the dehumidifier 1A. In the air flow passage 10, there are provided, in order from the entrance side, which is the front side of the housing 2, an air intake port 3 equipped with the lattice 3a, a blower fan 13, an air intake throttle 12, a moisture absorption unit 20A, and an exhaust port 4 equipped with the lattice 4a.

[0020] Further, below the air flow wall 11 forming the air flow passage 10, a water droplet receiving portion 14 for receiving water droplets dropped from the moisture absorption unit 20A is formed below the moisture absorption unit 20A. The lower end of the water droplet receiving portion 14 is an opening 14a, and below this opening 14a, the drainage tank 6 having an opening 6a formed at its upper end is provided.

[0021] The air intake 3 is for taking in air from within a room in which the dehumidifier 1A is installed.

[0022] The intake throttle 12 is provided before the moisture absorption unit 20A is supplied. The opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12 is formed to be the same as or slightly larger than the surface on which the moisture absorbent 22 of the moisture absorption unit 20A is arranged. The intake throttle 12 throttles the moist air flowing in from the intake port 3 so that it hits almost the entire surface on which the moisture absorbent 22 is arranged. In this way, the moist air flowing in from the intake port 3 hits the entire surface of the moisture absorbent 22, so that the moisture absorbent 22 can efficiently dehumidify the moist air.

[0023] The blower fan 13 is disposed between the intake port 3 and the intake throttle 12 inside the housing 2. The blower fan 13 is preferably disposed directly below the intake port 3. It is more preferable that the blower fan 13 is disposed near the moisture absorbent 22 (upwind) or in the vicinity of the moisture absorbent 22 via the intake throttle 12. In addition to being disposed in the vicinity, an air passage (which may be long) that also serves as the intake throttle 12 or is an additional air passage may be provided, and the blower fan 13 may be disposed at the entrance or inside of the air passage.

[0024] In this way, by arranging the blower fan 13 near the upwind side of the moisture absorbent 22, the blower fan 13 can directly blow air from the intake port 3 onto the moisture absorbent 22. That is, the effect of pressurization and positive pressure on the moisture absorbent 22 is increased, and moisture absorption by the moisture absorbent 22 is performed at high speed. Moreover, since the blower fan 13 is larger in diameter than the opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12, it is possible to blow more air toward the intake throttle 12. As a result, more air is discharged from the opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12, and the pressurization and positive pressure on the moisture absorbent 22 can be increased.

[0025] The moisture absorption unit 20A has a characteristic configuration of this embodiment, and absorbs moisture contained in the air flowing into the dehumidifier 1A and releases it as water droplets. The detailed structure of the moisture absorption unit 20A will be described later.

[0026] The air flow passage 10 is formed with a gap between the air flow wall 11 and the outer shape of the moisture absorbent unit 20A. As a result, the moist air flowing in from the air intake 3 hits the entire surface of the moisture absorbent 22 of the moisture absorbent unit 20A and is dehumidified, and then moves from both ends of the moisture absorbent unit 20A to the air flow passage 10, passes between the moisture absorbent unit 20A and the air flow wall 11, and exits from the exhaust port 4.

[0027] The floor of the water droplet receiving portion 14 formed on the lower side of the moisture absorbent 22 of the air flow wall 11 is inclined downward toward the opening 14a. This prevents water droplets dripping from the moisture absorbent 22 from accumulating in the water droplet receiving portion 14.

[0028] Water droplets discharged from the water droplet receiving portion 14 drop from the opening 14a and accumulate in the drainage tank 6. When the drainage tank 6 becomes full of water, the drainage tank 6 can be pulled out of the drainage tank housing portion 5, so that the water in the drainage tank 6 can be easily discarded. As a result, in this embodiment, the front surface of the drainage tank 6 is preferably made of a transparent material such as glass so that the level of the accumulated water can be confirmed.

[0029] (Moisture absorption unit 20A) Next, the configuration of the moisture absorbent unit 20A of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the moisture absorbent unit 20A having the moisture absorbent material 22 of this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the moisture absorption unit 20A of this embodiment comprises a rectangular storage section (moisture absorbent storage section) 21 having an opening 21a that is open on one side, a moisture absorbent 22 stored in the storage section 21, and a heater 23 as a heating section provided on the back side of the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21.

[0031] The storage section 21 is made of, for example, resin, and the bottom surface 21b is configured so as not to allow wind to pass through. The base material of the storage section 21 is not limited to resin, and may be metal or ceramic. The storage section 21 is preferably made of a material having high thermal conductivity. The shape of the storage section 21 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be a cube, a sphere, or the like. The storage section 21 may be a plate-shaped member. In this case, the moisture-absorbing material 22 may be fixed to the plate-shaped portion. What is important here is that the storage section 21 is configured so as not to pass through in the direction in which the wind blows (downwind side). The storage section 21 may be formed so that the wind, after hitting the moisture-absorbing material 22, flows in a direction different from the direction until it hits the moisture-absorbing material 22. For example, the portion of the storage section 21 through which the wind does not pass through does not necessarily need to be located at a position where the opening 21a, which is a wind introduction hole, is vertically opposed to the bottom surface 21b, and may be formed at a position where it is opposed with an inclination. That is, in the storage section 21, the wind introduced from the opening 21a may hit the bottom surface 21b from an oblique direction.

[0032] With the moisture absorbent material 22 housed in the storage section 21 having the above-mentioned configuration, air is introduced through the opening 21a. In this case, the air (wind) is blown toward the bottom surface 21b, which is a member that does not allow wind to pass through and faces the opening 21a, which serves as an inlet hole for introducing air into the storage section 21, so that the air remains in the storage section 21. As a result, the pressure in the storage section 21 becomes higher than the pressure in front of the opening 21a of the storage section 21.

[0033] In this way, the air stagnation in the storage section 21 increases the pressure in the storage section 21, and therefore the humidity or water vapor pressure also increases, improving the moisture absorption rate of the stored moisture absorbent material 22. In other words, the moisture absorption rate (amount of water absorbed per unit time) of the moisture absorbent material 22 increases when wind pressure is applied to the moisture absorbent material 22.

[0034] (Moisture absorbent 22) The moisture absorbent 22 contained in the container 21 is made of a polymer gel moisture absorbent, and in this embodiment, the moisture absorbent 22 is applied to the bottom surface 21b of the container 21, for example.

[0035] The moisture absorbent 22 has a first state in which it can absorb moisture and a second state in which it releases the moisture absorbed in the first state, and has the property of changing from the first state to the second state by an external stimulus and returning to the first state when the stimulus is removed. Specifically, the moisture absorbent 22 has the property of being hydrophilic in a temperature range below a temperature-sensitive point, which is a certain temperature, and being hydrophobic in a temperature range above the temperature-sensitive point. As a result, in a temperature range below the temperature-sensitive point, that is, in the temperature range of the dehumidification target environment at room temperature, the moisture absorbent absorbs moisture contained in the air introduced into the moisture absorbent unit 20A, while in a temperature range above the temperature-sensitive point, the absorbed moisture is released as water droplets. Since this phenomenon is a reversible operation, the moisture absorbent unit 20A can repeatedly absorb moisture contained in air at room temperature and release the absorbed moisture as liquid water by heating it by repeatedly applying temperature changes.

[0036] Here, in this embodiment, a polymer gel containing N-isopropylacrylamide is used as the material of the hygroscopic material 22 (FIG. 2 shows an example of a hygroscopic material in the form of particles, plates, blocks or films). If the hygroscopic material 22 has such a configuration, it is easy to realize a configuration that can alternately transition between a hydrophilic state as a first state in which moisture can be absorbed by a stimulus of heat and a hydrophobic state as a second state in which the absorbed moisture is released. Those skilled in the art can appropriately prepare a polymer hygroscopic material having desired properties by using a thermosensitive polymer such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) and its derivatives, polyvinyl ether and its derivatives, etc. as a material.

[0037] More specifically, examples of the temperature-responsive polymer that is the material of the moisture absorbent 22 include poly(N-alkyl(meth)acrylamides) such as poly(N-isopropyl(meth)acrylamide), poly(N-normal propyl(meth)acrylamide), poly(N-methyl(meth)acrylamide), poly(N-ethyl(meth)acrylamide), poly(N-normal butyl(meth)acrylamide), poly(N-isobutyl(meth)acrylamide), and poly(Nt-butyl(meth)acrylamide); poly(N-vinyl isopropylamide), poly(N-vinyl normal propylamide), poly(N-vinyl normal butylamide), poly(N-vinyl isobutylamide), and poly(N-vinyl Examples of the temperature-responsive polymer include poly(N-vinyl alkylamides) such as poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone); poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazolines) such as poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline), and poly(2-normal propyl-2-oxazoline); polyvinyl alkyl ethers such as polyvinyl methyl ether and polyvinyl ethyl ether; copolymers of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide; poly(oxyethylene vinyl ether); cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and copolymers of the above polymers. It is more preferable that the temperature-responsive polymer is a crosslinked product of these polymers.

[0038] In the present invention, the stimuli-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer form an interpenetrating polymer network structure or a semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure, so that at least one of the stimuli-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer is crosslinked.

[0039] When the temperature-responsive polymer is a crosslinked product, examples of such a crosslinked product include N-alkyl(meth)acrylamides such as N-isopropyl(meth)acrylamide, N-normal propyl(meth)acrylamide, N-methyl(meth)acrylamide, N-ethyl(meth)acrylamide, N-normal butyl(meth)acrylamide, N-isobutyl(meth)acrylamide, and Nt-butyl(meth)acrylamide; N-vinyl alkylamides such as N-vinyl isopropylamide, N-vinyl normal propylamide, N-vinyl normal butylamide, N-vinyl isobutylamide, and N-vinyl-t-butylamide; vinyl alkyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether and vinyl ethyl ether; ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and monomers such as 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline, 2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline, and 2-normal propyl-2-oxazoline, or polymers obtained by polymerizing two or more of these monomers in the presence of a crosslinking agent.

[0040] The crosslinking agent may be appropriately selected from conventionally known agents, and examples of crosslinking agents that can be suitably used include crosslinking monomers having polymerizable functional groups such as ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, N,N'-methylene bis(meth)acrylamide, tolylene diisocyanate, divinylbenzene, and polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate; glutaraldehyde; polyhydric alcohols; polyvalent amines; polyvalent carboxylic acids; and metal ions such as calcium ions and zinc ions. These crosslinking agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0041] Alternatively, when the temperature-responsive polymer is a crosslinked material, such a crosslinked material may be a crosslinked material obtained by reacting an uncrosslinked temperature-responsive polymer, such as the temperature-responsive polymer exemplified above, with the crosslinking agent to form a network structure.

[0042] Examples of stimuli-responsive polymers that reversibly change their affinity for water in response to light include photoresponsive polymers such as azobenzene derivatives and spiropyran derivatives whose hydrophilicity or polarity changes with light, copolymers of these with at least one of temperature-responsive polymers and pH-responsive polymers, crosslinked bodies of the photoresponsive polymers, and crosslinked bodies of the copolymers. Furthermore, photoresponsiveness can be achieved by mixing in a material that generates heat when exposed to light. Examples of materials that can be mixed in include metal nanoparticles, graphite, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, conductive polymers, iron oxide fine particles, and polymer complexes of lanthanoid elements such as Hо and Tb.

[0043] Furthermore, examples of stimuli-responsive polymers whose affinity for water changes reversibly in response to an electric field include polymers having dissociable groups such as carboxyl groups, sulfonic acid groups, phosphate groups, and amino groups; polymers that form complexes through electrostatic interactions or hydrogen bonds, such as complexes between carboxyl group-containing polymers and amino group-containing polymers; and crosslinked products thereof.

[0044] Examples of stimuli-responsive polymers whose affinity for water changes reversibly in response to pH include polymers having dissociable groups such as carboxyl groups, sulfonic acid groups, phosphate groups, and amino groups; polymers that form complexes through electrostatic interactions or hydrogen bonds, such as complexes between carboxyl group-containing polymers and amino group-containing polymers; and crosslinked products thereof.

[0045] The molecular weight of the stimuli-responsive polymer is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the number average molecular weight determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is 3000 or more.

[0046] (Hydrophilic polymer) The hydrophilic polymer used in the moisture absorbent material according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a hydrophilic polymer other than a stimuli-responsive polymer that forms an interpenetrating polymer network structure or a semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure together with the hydrophilic polymer.

[0047] Examples of such hydrophilic polymers include polymers having hydrophilic groups, such as hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, sulfonic acid groups, phosphate groups, and amino groups, on the side chains or main chains. More specific examples of the hydrophilic polymer include polysaccharides such as alginic acid and hyaluronic acid; chitosan; cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl cellulose; poly(meth)acrylic acid, polymaleic acid, polyvinyl sulfonic acid, polyvinyl benzene sulfonic acid, polyacrylamide alkyl sulfonic acid, polydimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, copolymers of these with (meth)acrylamide, hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, and (meth)acrylic acid alkyl esters, complexes of polydimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol, complexes of polyvinyl alcohol and poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly(meth)acrylonitrile, polyallylamine, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, poly(meth)acrylamide, poly-N,N'-dimethyl(meth)acrylamide, poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, poly-alkyl (meth)acrylate, polydimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide, poly(meth)acrylonitrile, and copolymers of the above polymers. Moreover, the hydrophilic polymer is more preferably a crosslinked product of these.

[0048] In the present invention, the stimuli-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer form an interpenetrating polymer network structure or a semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure, so that at least one of the stimuli-responsive polymer and the hydrophilic polymer is crosslinked.

[0049] When the hydrophilic polymer is a crosslinked product, examples of such crosslinked products include polymers obtained by polymerizing monomers such as (meth)acrylic acid, allylamine, vinyl acetate, (meth)acrylamide, N,N'-dimethyl(meth)acrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, alkyl(meth)acrylate, maleic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, vinylbenzenesulfonic acid, acrylamide alkylsulfonic acid, dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide, and (meth)acrylonitrile in the presence of a crosslinking agent.

[0050] The crosslinking agent may be appropriately selected from conventionally known agents, and examples of crosslinking agents that can be suitably used include crosslinking monomers having polymerizable functional groups such as ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, N,N'-methylene bis(meth)acrylamide, tolylene diisocyanate, divinylbenzene, and polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate; glutaraldehyde; polyhydric alcohols; polyvalent amines; polyvalent carboxylic acids; and metal ions such as calcium ions and zinc ions. These crosslinking agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0051] Alternatively, when the temperature-responsive polymer is a crosslinked product, such a crosslinked product may be a non-crosslinked hydrophilic polymer, for example, a polymer obtained by polymerizing the monomer, or a crosslinked product obtained by reacting a polysaccharide such as alginic acid or hyaluronic acid; chitosan; or a cellulose derivative such as carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, or hydroxyethylcellulose, with the crosslinking agent to form a network structure.

[0052] The molecular weight of the hydrophilic polymer is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the number average molecular weight determined by GPC is 3,000 or more.

[0053] A heater 23 is, for example, attached to the back surface of the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21. This makes it possible to heat the moisture absorbent material 22 via the bottom surface 21b.

[0054] The heater 23 may be able to heat up to about 100°C with some margin of error. That is, the dehumidifier 1A may be used in an environment of 40°C or higher in the summer. For this reason, it is sufficient to apply a temperature of 50°C to 70°C (approximately 60°C) for dehydration of the element, so the heater capacity may be able to reach about 100°C.

[0055] The heater 23 in this embodiment has, for example, an electric heating wire such as a nichrome wire, or a high resistance heat generating material such as AlN or silicon. It is necessary for the heater 23 to quickly release heat when not in use. For this reason, it is preferable that the peripheral members of the heater 23 are made of a material with high thermal conductivity, or that the heater 23 is provided with cooling fins or a fan.

[0056] In the case where the moisture absorbent of this embodiment is a photoresponsive polymer, a light-emitting body, lamp, LED, etc. can be used instead of the heater 23, and the storage section 21 can also be made of a material with high light transmittance such as transparent resin or mesh-like metal, or the light-emitting body can be installed on the side exposed to the wind. The light-emitting body (not shown) may be placed on the windward side, side, or back side of the moisture absorption unit 20A. In this case, a light-transmitting material is used for the storage section 21.

[0057] (Operation of dehumidifier 1A) The operation of the dehumidifier 1A having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0058] First, the control circuit (not shown) of the moisture absorption unit 20A in the dehumidifier 1A turns on the power supply (not shown) of the blower fan 13 while turning off the power supply (not shown) of the heater 23. This causes external air to flow in from the air intake 3 of the dehumidifier 1A. The external air (humid air) is taken in by the air intake fan 13, then narrowed by the intake throttle 12, and collides with the entire surface of the moisture absorbent 22 of the moisture absorption unit 20A. The external moist air that collides with the entire surface of the moisture absorbent 22 comes into contact with the moisture absorbent 22 below the temperature-sensitive point. As a result, the moist air is dehumidified by the moisture absorbent 22. The dehumidified air moves from both ends of the moisture absorption unit 20A to the air flow passage 10, and further moves along the vicinity of the air flow wall 11, becoming dry air and being exhausted from the exhaust port 4 of the housing 2 to the outside of the dehumidifier 1A.

[0059] In addition, the external moist air collides with the moisture absorbent 22 in the storage section 21, increasing the pressure inside the storage section 21, so that the moisture absorbent 22 in the storage section 21 can efficiently absorb moisture.

[0060] Next, when it is determined that moisture has accumulated sufficiently in the absorbent 22 of the moisture absorption unit 20A in the dehumidifier 1A, the power supply to the heater 23 fixed to the back surface of the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21 is turned on. The heater 23 can be fixed to the back surface of the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21 by, for example, gluing, or by a method other than gluing in which the heater 23 is tightly attached so that there are no gaps and is pressed down with a frame, net, or the like.

[0061] At this time, the power supplied to the heater 23 is supplied so as to raise the temperature above the temperature-sensitive point of the moisture absorbent 22. Incidentally, the fact that moisture has accumulated sufficiently in the moisture absorbent 22 is detected, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed using a timer.

[0062] As a result, the moisture absorbent 22 becomes hydrophobic by being heated to a temperature exceeding the temperature-sensitive point, and the moisture absorbed from the outside air by the moisture absorbent 22 is released. The released moisture accumulates as water droplets, which fall and are stored in the drainage tank 6 via the water droplet receiver 14.

[0063] The water collected in the drainage tank 6 can be discarded after removing the drainage tank 6 from the housing 2.

[0064] In addition, the moisture absorbent 22 in this embodiment can be made to exhibit hydrophilicity as a first state and hydrophobicity as a second state according to the stimulus response level by the stimulus (heating). As a result, it is possible to provide a moisture absorbent that can efficiently release absorbed moisture by various stimuli without using a large amount of heat.

[0065] Here, as the external stimulus, in addition to the above-mentioned heat, for example, an electric field, light, electricity, or pH can be adopted. This allows the moisture absorbent 22 to change from the first state to the second state, and to return to the first state when the stimulus is removed, so that these various stimulus factors can be used, increasing versatility. In addition, it is easy to select a different stimulus response level for each of these stimulus factors. Note that the stimulus response level is, for example, wavelength or intensity in the case of light stimulus, voltage or current in the case of electricity, and pH value in the case of pH.

[0066] In addition, when releasing water, a stimulus such as heating can be applied, or immediately after that, an assist mechanism can be used to apply mechanical force to the absorbent material by pressing it with a plate material, thereby squeezing the water out, or the released water can be collected, preferably by contacting it with a hydrophilic member.

[0067] (Moisture absorption rate of moisture absorbent 22) The following describes the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing six examples of the arrangement of the moisture absorbent 22. Fig. 4 is a graph showing the moisture absorption rate in each of the examples of the arrangement of the moisture absorbent 22 shown in Fig. 3.

[0068] Here, in (A) to (D) and (F) of Fig. 3, granular moisture absorbent material 22 with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm was used, and in (E) of Fig. 3, a plate-shaped moisture absorbent material 22 with a thickness of 1.3 mm was used. The moisture absorption rates shown in Fig. 4 were obtained in an environment with an environmental temperature of 27°C, an environmental humidity of 70% RH, and an air volume of about 1 m 3The white arrows in (A) to (F) of Figure 3 indicate the direction in which the wind was blowing.

[0069] 3A shows a state in which the moisture absorbent 22 is dispersed on the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21, FIG. 3B shows a state in which the moisture absorbent 22 is packed into a cylindrical hole 21d formed in a resin or metal layer 21c provided on the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21, and FIG. 3C shows a state in which the moisture absorbent 22 is packed into a cylindrical hole 21d formed in the resin or metal layer 21c provided on the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21 and which is shallower than the hole 21d in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3(D) shows a state in which the moisture absorbent material 22 is packed into an inverted cone-shaped hole 21d formed in a resin or metal layer 21c formed on the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21, FIG. 3(E) shows a state in which a plate-shaped moisture absorbent material 22 is placed on the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21, and FIG. 3(F) shows a state in which an opening 21e is formed in the bottom surface 21b of the hole 21d (air passage state) in the state shown in FIG. 3(C).

[0070] From the graph shown in Fig. 4, it was found that the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 in the state shown in Fig. 3(D) is higher than the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 in other states. It was also found that the moisture absorption rates of the moisture absorbent 22 in the state shown in Fig. 3(A) and the moisture absorbent 22 in the state shown in Fig. 3(E) are low. The moisture absorption rates of the moisture absorbent 22 in the states shown in Fig. 3(B), (C), and (F) are higher than the moisture absorption rates of the moisture absorbent 22 in the states shown in Fig. 3(A) and (E), but are lower than the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 in the state shown in Fig. 3(D).

[0071] From the above, it is found that the preferred method for increasing the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 is to pack the moisture absorbent 22 into the hole 21d and blow air into it. Specifically, it is preferred that the storage section 21 is concave with an air inlet as an opening. That is, in the hole 21d, the pressure caused by the blown air increases in the hole 21d, so that the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 increases. Therefore, when the moisture absorbent 22 is packed into the hole 21d as shown in (B), (C), (D), and (F) of FIG. 3, the pressure in the hole 21d increases due to the blown air, so that the moisture absorption rate increases. In particular, it is preferred that the hole 21d of the resin or metal layer 21c formed on the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21 has an inverted cone shape as shown in (D) of FIG. 3. On the other hand, as shown in (A) and (E) of Figures 3, when no hole 21d is provided and the moisture absorbent 22 is simply placed on the bottom surface 21b, the blown wind escapes to the outside along the bottom surface 21b, so that the pressure does not increase near the moisture absorbent 22 and the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 does not increase.

[0072] 3A, even if the moisture absorbent material 22 is dispersed on the bottom surface 21b of the storage section 21, it is possible to increase the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent material 22 by surrounding each predetermined area with a wall. This point will be described in the following modified example.

[0073] (Variation 1) FIG. 5 shows a state in which a predetermined number of absorbent materials 22 are surrounded by walls 21f, with the absorbent materials 22 dispersed on the bottom surface 21b as shown in FIG. 3(A), where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in (a).

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the internal pressure is increased by the wind blowing in the area surrounded by the walls 21f. In other words, the pressure is higher on the leeward side than on the windward side of the walls 21f. This increases the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 housed in the area surrounded by the walls 21f. In other words, if the pressure increases locally in the area surrounded by the walls 21f, the humidity and water vapor pressure also increase, so that the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22 can be increased. Note that the walls do not have to be square when viewed from the air blowing side, and may be triangular, polygonal, honeycomb, circular, etc., and an optimal shape that can efficiently absorb moisture and can house the largest amount of moisture absorbent is adopted.

[0075] In the above example, since a particulate moisture absorbent is assumed as the moisture absorbent 22, a structure is formed in which a predetermined number of moisture absorbent materials 22 are surrounded and divided by walls 21f, but if the moisture absorbent 22 is a plate-shaped moisture absorbent, a structure is formed in which the moisture absorbent is divided into predetermined areas by partitions (same as walls 21f). In other words, by dividing the moisture absorbent 22 into predetermined amounts (predetermined numbers, predetermined areas, etc.) by walls 21f, pressure increases locally within the divided areas, and the humidity and water vapor pressure increase, making it possible to increase the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22.

[0076] Moreover, examples for further increasing the effect of pressurization and positive pressure on the moisture absorbent material 22 are shown in the following modified examples 2 to 4.

[0077] (Variation 2) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a dehumidifier 1B which is a modified example of the dehumidifier 1A shown in FIG.

[0078] In the dehumidifier 1B, as shown in Fig. 6, the moisture absorption unit 20A is enlarged, and the opening on the exhaust side of the intake throttle 12 is also enlarged to match the size of this intake unit 20A. This allows the wind from the blower fan 13 to be blown over a wider area of ​​the moisture absorption unit 20A than in the case shown in Fig. 1. This makes it possible to increase the effect of pressurization and positive pressure on almost all of the moisture absorbent 22 in the moisture absorption unit 20A.

[0079] (Variation 3) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a dehumidifier 1C which is a modified example of the dehumidifier 1A shown in FIG.

[0080] In dehumidifier 1C, as shown in Fig. 7, like moisture absorber 1B shown in Fig. 6, the overall size of the exhaust side opening of intake throttle 12 is approximately the same as the planar size of moisture absorbent unit 20A, but it is divided internally. This makes the effect of pressurization and positive pressure in parts of moisture absorbent unit 20A greater than when it is not divided, and the pressurized range can be expanded by rotating or moving the moisture absorbent unit laterally.

[0081] (Variation 4) FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a dehumidifier 1D which is a modified example of the dehumidifier 1A shown in FIG.

[0082] In the dehumidifier 1D, as shown in Fig. 8, the exhaust side opening of the intake throttle 12 is divided internally, similarly to the moisture absorber 1C shown in Fig. 7. Unlike the moisture absorber 1C, the moisture absorption unit 20B is divided into a plurality of units 20B1. The exhaust side opening of the intake throttle 12 corresponds to each unit 20B1. This increases the effect of pressurization and positive pressure in the unit 20B1.

[0083] 5, it is preferable to use a moisture absorption unit in which a plurality of areas surrounded by walls 21f are provided in the housing section 21 for the moisture absorbent material 22. This allows the wind to strike only the moisture absorbent material 22 present in the area surrounded by the wall 21f, thereby making it possible to increase the effect of pressurization and positive pressure on the moisture absorbent material 22 in the area surrounded by the wall 21f.

[0084] It is more preferable that these moisture absorbing units have an outer wall (not shown) on the side where the wind hits, so that the wind is retained and pressure is promoted.

[0085] In the first embodiment, the moisture absorption unit 20A is described, which has a structure in which the storage section 21 is fixed inside the dehumidifier 1A, and the wind taken in from the air intake 3 by the blower fan 13 is blown from the opening 21a side to the moisture absorbent material 22 stored in the storage section 21. In the following embodiment, the moisture absorption unit 20B is described, which has a structure in which the storage section 21 is rotatably provided inside the dehumidifier, and the storage section 21 is rotated to take in wind from the opening 21a of the storage section 21 and blow the wind to the moisture absorbent material 22 stored in the storage section 21.

[0086] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0087] (Dehumidification device configuration) The configuration of a dehumidifier according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a moisture absorption unit 20B mounted on a dehumidifier 1E.

[0088] The moisture absorbing unit 20B has four storage sections 21, each of which is fixed to the rotating shaft 30 at equal intervals (90°). In other words, when the rotating shaft 30 is rotated, the four storage sections 21 rotate. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, an example in which the storage sections 21 rotate clockwise will be described. For this reason, the rotation direction is set to a clockwise rotation direction. However, the rotation direction is not limited to clockwise, and may be counterclockwise.

[0089] The four storage sections 21 are provided so that the openings 21a are located in the direction of rotation. As a result, when the storage section 21 rotates clockwise, wind is taken in through the openings 21a, and the wind can be blown onto the moisture absorbent material 22 stored in the storage section 21.

[0090] In this way, by rotating the storage section 21, it is possible to increase the pressure inside the storage section 21, which increases the humidity or water vapor pressure inside the storage section 21 and increases the moisture absorption rate of the moisture absorbent 22. Although not shown, the opening 21a can be provided with an intake throttle 12 shown in Figure 6 or the like to enhance the effect.

[0091] As in the first embodiment, the moisture absorbent 22 can release water by heating the rear surface of the storage section 21 .

[0092] In addition, while the example shown in Figure 9 shows an example with four storage sections 21, the number of storage sections 21 is not limited to four, and may be any number as long as it is two or more and within the range allowed by the surrounding structure of the dehumidifier.

[0093] (effect) By rotating the storage section 21, which is a closed space surrounded by walls, the humidity or water vapor pressure within the storage section 21 increases, and the moisture absorption rate of the stored moisture absorbent 22 can be improved.

[0094] Furthermore, if a dehumidifier is provided with the moisture absorption unit 20B having the above-described configuration, a space for rotation of the storage section 21 and a drive mechanism for rotating the storage section 21 are required, but unlike the case of the dehumidifier 1A of embodiment 1, there is no need to provide a blower fan 13 for taking in outside air.

[0095] [Embodiment 3] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0096] (Dehumidification device configuration) The configuration of a dehumidifier according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view seen from the side, showing the configuration of a dehumidifier 1F during moisture absorption.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 10, the dehumidifier 1F has the same basic structure as the dehumidifier 1A described in the first embodiment, but differs in the position of the blower fan 13. In the dehumidifier 1F, the blower fan 3 is disposed in the vicinity of the exhaust port 4, not in the vicinity of the intake throttle 12 as in the dehumidifier 1A. Even if the blower fan 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the exhaust port 4 in this way, it is possible for the air to be sucked in from the intake port 3 and to hit the entire surface of the moisture absorbent 22 of the moisture absorption unit 20A. In this case, unlike the dehumidifier 1A of the first embodiment, although it is not possible to increase the pressurization / positive pressure on the moisture absorbent 22, the moist air is dehumidified since it comes into contact with the moisture absorbent 22 below the temperature-sensitive point.

[0098] In the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the case where a moisture-absorbing material having sorptive properties is used is described in which a dry body of a polymer gel containing a stimuli-responsive polymer whose affinity with water reversibly changes in response to an external stimulus and a hydrophilic polymer is used as the moisture-absorbing material having sorptive properties, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any moisture-absorbing material may be used as long as the moisture-absorbing speed increases with increasing pressure. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to other polymer-based moisture-absorbing materials (including those not responsive to stimuli), salts, zeolites, etc. as moisture-absorbing materials having sorptive properties. (summary) A dehumidifier according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises a moisture-absorbent storage section which stores a moisture-absorbent material having sorptive properties and has an introduction hole formed therein for introducing air from the outside into the stored moisture-absorbent material, and the moisture-absorbent storage section is formed so that the pressure within the moisture-absorbent storage section becomes higher than the pressure immediately before the introduction hole when air is introduced through the introduction hole. A dehumidifier according to a second aspect of the present invention may be configured in such a manner that, in the first aspect, a blower fan is provided in front of the moisture absorbent material accommodated in the moisture absorbent material accommodation section. A dehumidifier according to aspect 3 of the present invention is, in aspect 1 or 2 above, such that the surface facing the introduction hole in the absorbent material storage section is formed from a material that prevents wind from passing through in the same direction as before after the wind hits the surface of the absorbent material, and is formed so that after the wind hits the absorbent material in the absorbent material storage section, it flows in a direction different from the direction before it hits the absorbent material. A dehumidifier according to aspect 4 of the present invention is any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, wherein a side surface of the inlet hole in the absorbent material storage section may be provided with a wall that is higher than the surface of the absorbent material for the purpose of retaining the wind hitting the surface of the absorbent material. A dehumidifier according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the moisture absorbent material-accommodating section is recessed with the introduction hole as an opening. A dehumidifier according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the moisture absorbent material-accommodating section has an inverted cone shape with the introduction hole as an opening. A dehumidifier according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the moisture absorbent accommodation section is formed with a wall surrounding a predetermined amount of the accommodated moisture absorbent. The dehumidification method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a dehumidification method using a moisture absorbing device that improves the moisture absorption rate by increasing the pressure near the moisture absorbent, and is characterized in that air is introduced from the inlet while the moisture absorbent is housed in a moisture absorbent housing section having an inlet for introducing air and a surface facing the inlet made of a material that does not allow air to pass through. This moisture absorption promotion technology that partially increases the air pressure is particularly significant in moisture absorption / release materials that use interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) or semi-IPNs made of stimuli-responsive polymers and hydrophilic polymers, or stimuli-responsive polymer gels formed from copolymers of these.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F Dehumidifier 2. Chassis 3. Air Intake 3a grid 4. Exhaust port 4a grid 5 Drain tank housing 6. Drainage tank 6a aperture 10 Air flow passage 11 Air circulation wall 12 Intake throttle 13 Blower fan 14 Water drip tray 14a aperture 20A Moisture Absorption Unit 20B Moisture absorption unit 21 Storage section (moisture absorbent storage section) 21a opening 21b Bottom 21c Resin or metal layer 21d Hole 21e opening 21F Wall 22 Moisture absorbent 23 Heater 30 Rotational Axis

Claims

1. A blower fan for generating wind; an intake throttle through which the air generated by the blower fan passes; a moisture-absorbent storage section that stores a moisture-absorbent material having a sorptive property, and has an introduction hole that is connected to a storage space in which the moisture-absorbent material is stored, and the wind generated by the blower fan flows into the storage space through the intake throttle and the introduction hole, A dehumidifying device, wherein an exhaust side opening of the intake throttle faces the introduction hole of the moisture absorbent housing portion and is formed larger than the introduction hole.

2. A dehumidification device as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent material storage section is formed so that the pressure within the absorbent material storage section is higher than the pressure in front of the inlet hole by introducing air through the inlet hole.

3. A dehumidifier as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opposing surface of the introduction hole in the absorbent material storage section is formed of a material that prevents wind from passing through in the same direction as before after the wind hits the surface of the absorbent material, and is formed so that after the wind hits the absorbent material in the absorbent material storage section, it flows in a direction different from the direction before it hits the absorbent material.

4. A dehumidifier as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a side of the inlet hole in the absorbent material storage section has a wall that is higher than the surface of the absorbent material for the purpose of retaining the wind hitting the surface of the absorbent material.

5. The moisture absorbent storage section is 5. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the introduction hole is a concave opening.

6. The moisture absorbent storage section is 5. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the introduction hole is an opening of the dehumidifier, and the introduction hole is an inverted cone shape.

7. The moisture absorbent storage section is 7. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, further comprising a wall surrounding a predetermined amount of the absorbent material contained therein.

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