dehumidifier

Abstract

A dehumidifier (1) is provided with a housing in which an inlet port (11) and an outlet port (12) are formed; and an air blowing means (21) for generating air flow from the inlet port (11) to the outlet port (12). The outlet port (12) through which dehumidified air is blown out is provided at the front-side upper portion of the housing so as to be open upward, and the housing is provided with an upper-surface opening (12b) and a front-surface opening (12a), respectively, on the upper surface and the front surface contiguous thereto. A louver (18), which changes directions of blown air from the upper-surface opening (12b) and the front-surface opening (12a), is provided at the downstream side of the outlet port (12). A projection part (22) for guiding blown air rearward from the outlet port (12) is provided between the outlet port (12) and the louver (18), and when the louver (18) is supported in a horizontally frontward orientation, the leeward-side end of the louver (18) does not project forward from the front-surface opening (12a), and the leeward-side end of the louver (18) is positioned forward of the rear end of the projection part (22).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dehumidifier with louvers. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, dehumidifiers have been required to be multipurpose, not only for their intended purpose of removing moisture from the air, but also for their use as a substitute for a dryer by blowing dry air directly onto wet laundry, etc., and have been designed to allow the direction of the airflow to be changed significantly depending on the type of use.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the dehumidifier is provided with an air outlet 18 that opens from the top to the rear, and an air direction changing louver 19 consisting of two long and short vanes 19a, 19b that are installed on the inner wall of the air outlet 18 and supported by a support shaft 20 that can rotate freely.The top surface of the dehumidifier is provided with a sloped section 21 that is flush with the rear opening of the air outlet 18 and is continuous with it, and is inclined slightly downward toward the rear.By rotating the air direction changing louver 19, the angle of the air blowing direction can be changed as desired within a range from slightly upward and forward to slightly horizontal and downward.

[0004] When the two vanes 19a, 19b of the air direction changing louver 19 are set in a position where they face upward, the rear opening of the air outlet 18 is closed by the second long vane 19b, and the airflow is blown out upward. When the air direction changing louver 19 is positioned in a position where it faces horizontally, the opening on the top of the air outlet 18 is closed by both the first and second vanes, and the airflow is blown out slightly downward from the rear opening toward the rear, along the slope 21 provided on the top of the dehumidifier. In this case, the air direction changing louver 19 not only covers the entire air outlet 18, but also protrudes from the air outlet 18 toward the slope 21 that extends rearward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3807184 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In Patent Document 1, if the air outlet 18 is open from the top to the rear of the dehumidifier and does not have a slope 21 that is flush with and continuous with the air outlet 18 and faces rearward, when the air direction changing louvers 19 are positioned horizontally, the air direction changing louvers 19 protrude from the rear of the dehumidifier. This is undesirable from the standpoint of both exterior design and safety. On the other hand, if the air direction changing louvers 19 do not protrude in the airflow direction from the air outlet 18, the vane length that redirects the upward airflow backward is insufficient, which poses a problem that the airflow blows out from the air outlet 18 closer to the rear opening, and therefore the airflow blows out upward or diagonally upward and rearward instead of backward.

[0007] To efficiently change the direction of blown airflow laterally when an airflow direction changing louver is supported in a position facing horizontally, even when the airflow direction changing louver does not protrude from an opening through which the blown air is blown out from a housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The dehumidifier according to the present disclosure comprises a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port formed therein, and a blower means for generating an airflow from the intake port to the exhaust port, and a dehumidifier means inside the housing for removing moisture from the air sucked into the housing through the intake port, the exhaust port being provided at an upper front portion of the housing and opening upward, and the top surface of the housing and a front surface connected to the top surface are provided with an upper surface opening and a front surface opening, respectively, and a louver made of a plurality of vanes is provided downstream of the exhaust port, the louver being rotatably supported and redirecting the direction of the air blown out from the upper surface opening and the front surface opening, and a protrusion between the exhaust port and the louver protruding from the front wall side of the housing so as to partially block the upper part of the exhaust port and guiding the air blown out from the exhaust port rearward, and when the downwind portion of the vane is supported in a position facing forward in the horizontal direction, the downwind end of the vane does not protrude forward from the front surface opening, and the downwind end of the vane is disposed forward of the rear end of the protrusion When the louver is supported in a position that does not obstruct the top opening, the leeward end of the vane is positioned rearward of the rear end of the protrusion. This is what is done. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, when the downwind portion of the vane is supported in a horizontally forward-facing position, the airflow blown from the outlet closest to the front opening is guided rearward by the protruding portion, so that the airflow blown from the outlet is efficiently directed toward the vane, making it easy to ensure the vane length necessary to redirect the airflow from the outlet laterally. Furthermore, because the downwind end of the vane is positioned forward of the rear end of the protruding portion, the airflow blown from the outlet closest to the front opening is prevented from escaping upward through the downwind end of the vane. Therefore, the direction of the airflow blown from the outlet can be efficiently changed laterally. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the dehumidifier according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of a louver in the dehumidifier of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of a louver in the dehumidifier of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the air outlet when the louver in the dehumidifier of the first embodiment is supported horizontally. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the louver in the dehumidifier of the first embodiment when the louver is supported facing obliquely downward and forward. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the louver in the dehumidifier of the first embodiment when the louver is supported facing vertically upward. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the louver in the dehumidifier of the first embodiment when the louver is supported facing obliquely upward and rearward. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of a louver in a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment when the louver is supported horizontally. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of a louver in a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment when the louver is supported facing obliquely downward and forward. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or corresponding parts. Furthermore, in this disclosure, duplicated explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that while this disclosure describes the configuration of a dehumidifier with an air purification function as a representative example, it is not limited to dehumidifiers and also applies to air conditioners and air purifiers that may have the same configuration, and may include any combination of possible configurations among the configurations described in the following embodiments.

[0012] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a rear view of the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment, as seen from direction A in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment, as seen from direction B in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a side view of the louver 18 in the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view of the louver 18 in the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the air outlet 12 when the louver 18 in the dehumidifier 1 of the first embodiment is supported horizontally. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the air outlet 12 when the louver 18 in the first embodiment is supported obliquely downward and forward. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the air outlet 12 when the louver 18 in the first embodiment is supported vertically upward. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the air outlet 12 when the louver 18 in the first embodiment is supported obliquely upward and rearward. In the present disclosure, the dehumidifier 1 will be described based on the state in which the dehumidifier 1 is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the dehumidifier 1 includes a case 10. The case 10 is an example of a housing that forms the outer shell of the dehumidifier 1. The case 10 is formed, for example, in the shape of a self-standing box. Wheels 20 may be provided on the bottom of the case 10 for moving the dehumidifier 1.

[0014] 2, the case 10 has a front case 10a and a rear case 10b. The front case 10a is a member that forms the front portion of the case 10. The rear case 10b is a member that forms the rear portion of the case 10. The rear case 10b is fixed to the front case 10a by, for example, screws.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, case 10 is formed with a first air inlet 11a, a second air inlet 11b, and an air outlet 12. First air inlet 11a and second air inlet 11b may be collectively referred to as air inlet 11, and are openings for taking air from the outside of case 10 to the inside. Air outlet 12 is an opening through which airflow passes to blow air from the inside of case 10 to the outside. First air inlet 11a and second air inlet 11b are formed in the rear surface portion of case 10. Note that, although the present embodiment will be described taking as an example a configuration with first air inlet 11a and second air inlet 11b, a configuration with a single air inlet may also be used.

[0016] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, front open port 12a, through which the air passing through air outlet 12 is blown out in front of the housing, opens from the top surface of case 10 to the front, and front open port 12a and the front surface of the housing of dehumidifier 1 are configured to be flush and continuous with each other. Furthermore, top open port 12b, through which the air passing through air outlet 12 is blown out above the housing, opens to the top surface of case 10, and top open port 12b of air outlet 12 and the top surface of the housing of dehumidifier 1 are configured to be flush and continuous with each other. Because front open port 12a and the front surface of the housing of dehumidifier 1 are configured to be flush and continuous with each other, and top open port 12b and the top surface of the housing of dehumidifier 1 are configured to be flush and continuous with each other, the design is not impaired.

[0017] The dehumidifier 1 includes an inlet cover 14 that covers the first inlet 11a and the second inlet 11b. The inlet cover 14 is formed, for example, in a mesh shape. The inlet cover 14 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the case 10 through the first inlet 11a and the second inlet 11b. The inlet cover 14 is formed, for example, to be detachable from the rear case 10b.

[0018] The dehumidifier 1 is provided with a net 13 at the air outlet 12. The net 13 is formed, for example, in a lattice shape. The net 13 prevents foreign matter from entering the inside of the case 10 through the air outlet 12.

[0019] The dehumidifier 1 also includes an operation display unit 15. The operation display unit 15 is used by the user to operate the dehumidifier 1. The operation display unit 15 also displays the status of the dehumidifier 1 to the user. A control board 15a that controls the operation display unit 15 is arranged inside the case 10 facing the operation display unit 15. On the control board 15a, an operation switch that starts / stops the operation of the dehumidifier 1, an operation mode selector switch that switches the operation mode between dehumidification operation mode, air purification operation mode, and dehumidification / air purification operation mode, an LCD display unit, etc. are arranged. The dehumidifier 1 is operated and the status of the dehumidifier 1 is displayed via the operation display unit 15. The control board 15a is arranged inside the rear case 10b.

[0020] A board box 16 that houses a power supply board (not shown) is disposed in the rear case 10b.

[0021] The dehumidifier 1 also includes a fan 21. The fan 21 is a blower that draws air into the case 10 and sends the drawn-in air to the outside of the case 10. The fan 21 is housed inside the front case 10a. The dehumidifier 1 has an air passage that runs from the first air inlet 11a through a HEPA filter 41 and an activated carbon filter 42, which are examples of air purifying means described below, to an evaporator 31, which is an example of dehumidifying means described below, via a main air passage to the air outlet 12, and an air passage that runs from the second air inlet 11b through a bypass air passage that leads to the evaporator 31 without passing through the air purifying means, to the air outlet 12. The fan 21 is a device that generates airflows that run from the first air inlet 11a and the second air inlet 11b to the air outlet 12.

[0022] The main air passage is provided with a HEPA filter 41 and an activated carbon filter 42, which are air purification filters for purifying the air, as an example of an air purification means for removing dust and odors from the air. The HEPA filter 41 and the activated carbon filter 42 are detachably housed in the rear case 10b.

[0023] The HEPA filter 41 is a filter that captures fine dust particles in the air. The activated carbon filter 42 is a filter that deodorizes odors in the air. A lattice section 10c is arranged behind the activated carbon filter 42 with a gap therebetween. An evaporator 31 is arranged behind the lattice section 10c with a gap therebetween. The airflow flowing through the main air passage and the airflow flowing through the bypass air passage are configured to merge in the spaces before and after the lattice section 10c.

[0024] The bypass air passage is provided with a shutter 17 that can open and close the bypass air passage. The shutter 17 is located downstream of the second air inlet 11b. The shutter 17 is rotatably supported on the upper and lower wall surfaces of the wall surfaces that form the bypass air passage. The rotation position of the shutter 17 is controlled by a control board 15a, which serves as control means, driving a shutter drive motor (not shown) that rotates the shutter 17.

[0025] In the air purification operation mode, which is one of the operation modes of the dehumidifier 1, the control board 15a controls the shutter 17 to rotate to a position that blocks the entrance to the bypass air duct, so that air is drawn in only through the first intake port 11a, passes through the main air duct equipped with a HEPA filter 41 and an activated carbon filter 42, and is blown out from the outlet port 12.

[0026] In the dehumidification operation mode, which is another operation mode of the dehumidifier 1, the control board 15a controls the shutter 17 to rotate to a position that opens the entrance to the bypass air passage, so that air is mainly sucked in through the second intake port 11b, passes through the bypass air passage, and is blown out from the outlet port 12.

[0027] A motor 21a is housed inside the case 10. The motor 21a is a device that rotates the fan 21. In the first embodiment, the fan 21 and the motor 21a are disposed inside the front case 10a. That is, they are disposed on the front side of the dehumidifier 1. The motor 21a is connected to the fan 21 via a shaft 21b. The rotational operation of the motor 21a is controlled by a control board 15a, which is a control means.

[0028] The dehumidifier 1 also includes an evaporator 31, a condenser 32, a compressor (not shown), and a pressure reducing device (not shown) as an example of a dehumidifying means for removing moisture contained in the air. The evaporator 31 and the condenser 32, together with the compressor and the pressure reducing device, form a refrigerant circuit. The evaporator 31, the condenser 32, the compressor, and the pressure reducing device are housed in a case 10. A compressor drive motor for the compressor is controlled by control means. In the first embodiment, the evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 are enclosed in a rear case 10b. The rear case 10b has a lattice portion 10c. The lattice portion 10c is an opening having a cross-sectional area similar to that of the evaporator 31.

[0029] The evaporator 31, the compressor, the condenser 32, and the pressure reducing device are connected in this order via piping (not shown), etc. A refrigerant flows through a refrigerant circuit formed by the evaporator 31, the compressor, the condenser 32, and the pressure reducing device.

[0030] The evaporator 31 and the condenser 32 are heat exchangers for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air. The compressor is a device for compressing the refrigerant. The pressure reducing device is a device for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant. The pressure reducing device is, for example, an expansion valve or a capillary tube.

[0031] The air passing through the evaporator 31 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 31. As described above, the refrigerant that has been decompressed by the decompression device flows through the evaporator 31. The refrigerant that is at a lower temperature than the air taken into the case 10 flows through the evaporator 31. The refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 31 absorbs heat from the air passing through the evaporator 31.

[0032] The air passing through the evaporator 31 absorbs heat by the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 31. That is, the air passing through the evaporator 31 is cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 31. This causes moisture contained in the air passing through the evaporator 31 to condense. That is, condensation occurs. The moisture in the condensed air is removed from the air as liquid water. The removed water is stored, for example, in a tank 19 provided inside the case 10. The tank 19 is formed to be detachable from the case 10.

[0033] The air that has passed through the evaporator 31 is sent to the condenser 32. Heat exchange occurs between the air passing through the condenser 32 and the refrigerant flowing through the condenser 32. The refrigerant flowing through the condenser 32 is cooled by the air passing through the condenser 32. The air passing through the condenser 32 is heated by the refrigerant flowing through the condenser 32.

[0034] The air that has passed through condenser 32 is drier than the air outside dehumidifier 1. This dry air passes through fan 21. The air that has passed through fan 21 passes through outlet 12. The airflow that has passed through outlet 12 is redirected by louver 18, which will be described later, and is sent out to the outside of case 10 through front opening 12a or top opening 12b. In this way, dehumidifier 1 dehumidifies the air. Dehumidifier 1 also supplies dry air to the outside.

[0035] The dehumidifier 1 also has a humidity sensor (not shown). The humidity sensor is disposed inside the case 10. An opening (not shown) that communicates with the outside of the case 10 is provided near the humidity sensor in the case 10. The humidity sensor can measure the indoor humidity by acquiring humidity detection information from the control means. The measurement results of the humidity sensor are displayed on the operation display unit 15 by the control board 15a to which the humidity detection information acquired by the control means is transmitted.

[0036] The case 10 also has a dust sensor (not shown). The dust sensor is disposed inside the case 10. An opening (not shown) that communicates with the outside of the case 10 is provided near the dust sensor in the case 10. The dust sensor acquires dust detection information from the control means and can measure the amount and concentration of dust in the room. The dust sensor has the ability to detect particles of, for example, 0.1 μm. The detection results of the dust sensor are displayed on the operation display unit 15 by the control board 15a to which the dust detection information acquired by the control means is transmitted.

[0037] The case 10 also has a gas sensor (not shown). The gas sensor is disposed inside the case 10. An opening (not shown) that communicates with the outside of the case 10 is provided near the gas sensor. The gas sensor acquires gas detection information by the control means and is able to measure odors in the air within the room. The measurement results of the gas sensor are displayed on the operation display unit 15 by the control board 15a to which the gas detection information acquired by the control means is transmitted.

[0038] The dehumidifier 1 also includes louvers 18 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIGS. 2, 6 to 9, etc., the louvers 18 are airflow direction changing louvers that change the direction of the airflow blown out from the front opening 12a and the top opening 12b. The louvers 18 are disposed downstream of the air outlet 12. The louvers 18 are disposed above the air outlet 12, with a support shaft 18c rotatably supported on the inner wall at the top of the air outlet 12. The support shaft 18c is connected directly or via a gear to a louver drive motor (not shown), and the louver 18 rotates by controlling the louver drive motor with the control board 15a, which serves as control means, thereby changing the direction of the airflow blown out from the front opening 12a and the top opening 12b.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the louver 18 is composed of two plate-shaped vanes. That is, it is composed of a first vane 18a and a second vane 18b, one of which is longer and the other of which is shorter along the direction in which the airflow discharged from the air outlet 12 is guided. The length of each vane along the direction in which the airflow is guided (the length of the short side (short side)) is shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the airflow is guided (the length of the long side (long side)). That is, the short side of the first vane 18a is longer than that of the second vane 18b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first vane 18a is a flat plate. The second vane 18b is a plate-like vane bent in the middle. With respect to the airflow guided by the first vane 18a and the second vane 18b, the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b is configured to be parallel to the leeward portion 18a1 of the first vane 18a. The leeward end, which is the tip of the leeward portion 18a1 of the first vane 18a, faces the leeward end, which is the tip of the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b. The windward portion 18b2 of the second vane 18b has an inclined portion 18d that is bent in a direction away from the windward portion 18a2 of the first vane 18a.

[0040] 6, a protrusion 22 is provided between the air outlet 12 and the louver 18. The protrusion 22 protrudes from the front wall side of the housing (the back surface side of the front case 10a) so as to partially block the upper part of the air outlet 12. The protrusion 22 forms a slope that juts out rearward as it extends upward from the air outlet 12. The upper end of this slope is the rear end of the protrusion 22, and the upper surface of the protrusion 22 is a horizontal plane that continues to the rear end of the protrusion 22.

[0041] When the first vane 18a is supported in a position facing horizontally forward and to the side, the leeward end of the leeward portion 18a1 of the first vane 18a and the leeward end of the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b of the louver 18 do not protrude forward from the front opening 12a or the front case 10a. When the first vane 18a is supported in a position facing horizontally forward and to the side, the leeward end of the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b is positioned forward of the rear end of the protrusion 22. The second vane 18b and the protrusion 22 are preferably positioned so that they overlap by at least 5 mm in the horizontal lateral direction (front-to-back direction). In other words, the leeward end of the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b is preferably positioned forward of the rear end of the protrusion 22 by at least 5 mm. By arranging it in this manner, the airflow blown out from the air outlet 12 is prevented from going around from the rear end of the protrusion 22 to the downwind end of the downwind portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b, thereby preventing the airflow blown out from the air outlet 12 from escaping upward from the downwind end of the downwind portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, when the first vane 18a of the louver 18 is supported in a position facing horizontally forward, the upper opening 12b of the air outlet 12 (see FIG. 7) is closed by the first vane 18a, and the airflow is blown forward from the front opening 12a of the air outlet 12. Hereinafter, the first vane 18a will represent the position of the louver 18. As indicated by arrow A in the figure, the airflow blown out from the rear side of the dehumidifier 1 of the air outlet 12 flows between the first vane 18a and the second vane 18b, is turned by both vanes, and is blown forward. As indicated by arrow B in the figure, the airflow blown out from the front side of the dehumidifier 1 of the air outlet 12 is guided rearward by the slope of the protrusion 22, then turned forward by the underside of the second vane 18b and is blown forward. Protruding portion 22 forms a slope that protrudes rearward from the front wall of the housing as it extends upward from air outlet 12, and therefore can guide the airflow blown out from air outlet 12 to the rear of air outlet 12. Therefore, the airflow blown out from air outlet 12 is efficiently blown onto second vane 18b, and it is easy to ensure the length of second vane 18b for turning the airflow blown out from air outlet 12 laterally.

[0043] As shown in Figure 7, when louver 18 is supported in a position facing diagonally downward and forward, the airflow blown out from air outlet 12 is divided into an airflow blown out from front open port 12a and an airflow blown out from top open port 12b. The airflow blown out from the rear side of air outlet 12 of dehumidifier 1 flows between first vane 18a and second vane 18b as shown by arrow C in the figure, is turned by both vanes, and is blown out diagonally downward and forward. Furthermore, as shown by arrow D in the figure, because louver 18 is arranged facing diagonally downward and forward, part of the airflow blown out from the rear side of air outlet 12 of dehumidifier 1 is blown out diagonally upward and backward through a gap formed between the rear edge of upwind portion 18a2 of first vane 18a and the top surface of dehumidifier 1. As shown by arrow E in the figure, the airflow blown out from the front side of the dehumidifier 1 at the air outlet 12 is guided rearward by the slope of the protrusion 22, and then is attracted by the airflow flowing diagonally downward forward by the underside of the second vane 18b, is turned around, and is blown out diagonally downward forward.

[0044] When louver 18 is supported in a position facing diagonally downward and forward, inclined portion 18d of second vane 18b is at least parallel to the outlet surface of air outlet 12 and bends toward air outlet 12 so that angle X between second vane 18b and inclined portion 18d is smaller than 180 degrees. As a result, the airflow guided rearward by the inclined surface of protrusion 22 is prevented from merging with the airflow indicated by arrow D by the underside of inclined portion 18d of second vane 18b.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, when the louver 18 is positioned and supported in a vertically upward position, the airflow blowing out from the air outlet 12 is blown upward from the upper surface opening 12a without being blocked by the first vane 18a and the second vane 18b.

[0046] 9, when louver 18 is supported in a position facing diagonally upward and rearward, the airflow blown out from air outlet 12 is blown out from top open opening 12a. As indicated by arrow F in the figure, the airflow blown out from the rear side of air outlet 12 of dehumidifier 1 is blown out diagonally upward and rearward from a gap formed between the upper surface of first vane 18a and the upper surface of dehumidifier 1. As indicated by arrow G in the figure, the airflow blown out from below louver 18 of air outlet 12 flows between first vane 18a and second vane 18b, is turned by both vanes, and is blown out diagonally upward and rearward.

[0047] When louver 18 is supported in a rearward and upward orientation, angle X between second vane 18b and inclined portion 18d is smaller than 180 degrees, so that the windward inlets of first vane 18a and second vane 18b are larger than when windward portion 18a2 of first vane 18a and windward portion 18b2 of second vane 18b are parallel to each other. As a result, the airflow blown out from air outlet 12 can be efficiently guided into first vane 18a and second vane 18b.

[0048] Thus, the dehumidifier of embodiment 1 comprises a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port, and a blowing means for generating an airflow from the intake port to the exhaust port. Inside the housing is a dehumidifying means for removing moisture from the air sucked into the housing through the intake port. The exhaust port is provided at the top of the front side of the housing, opening upward, and the top surface of the housing and the front surface connected to the top surface are provided with an upper opening and a front opening, respectively. Downstream of the exhaust port is a louver made of a plurality of vanes that are supported rotatably and that redirects the direction of the air blown out from the upper opening and the front opening. When the downwind end of the vane is supported in a horizontal, forward-facing position, the downwind end of the vane does not protrude forward from the front opening, so that the design is not impaired.

[0049] In addition, a protrusion is provided between the air outlet and the louver to protrude from the front wall of the housing so as to partially block the area above the air outlet and guide the air blown out from the air outlet rearward.Therefore, when the downwind end of the vane is supported in a horizontal, forward-facing position, the airflow blown out from the air outlet closer to the front opening is guided rearward by the protrusion, allowing the airflow blown out from the air outlet to be efficiently blown onto the vane.This makes it easy to ensure the length of the vane is sufficient to redirect the airflow blown out from the air outlet sideways, and the direction of the airflow blown out from the front opening can be efficiently changed sideways, i.e., forward.

[0050] Furthermore, when the downwind end of the vane is supported in a horizontal, forward-facing position, the downwind end of the vane is positioned forward of the rear end of the protrusion, which prevents the airflow from the outlet closest to the front opening from escaping upward through the downwind end of the vane, thereby efficiently changing the direction of the airflow from the outlet to the side.

[0051] In addition, the louver is composed of two plate-shaped vanes, and the first vane that closes the upper opening when the downwind portion of the louver vane is supported in a horizontal, forward-facing position has a longer short side length than the other second vane, and the upwind portion of the second vane has a sloping portion that bends in a direction away from the upwind portion of the first vane.Therefore, the airflow guided rearward by the sloping surface of the protrusion can be prevented by the underside of the sloping portion of the second vane from merging with the airflow that is blown diagonally upward and rearward from the gap that occurs between the rear edge of the upwind portion of the first vane and the top surface of the dehumidifier.

[0052] Furthermore, the front opening and the front surface of the housing are flush and continuous, so the design is not impaired.

[0053] Furthermore, the top opening and the top surface of the housing are flush and continuous, so the design is not impaired.

[0054] Furthermore, the protruding portion forms a slope that protrudes rearward from the front wall of the housing as it extends upward from the air outlet, so that the airflow blown out from the air outlet can be efficiently guided rearward.

[0055] Embodiment 2 The configuration of a dehumidifier according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described below, focusing on differences from embodiment 1. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] The configuration of protrusion 22a formed at the end of air outlet 12 on the front side of dehumidifier 1 in embodiment 2 will be described. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of air outlet 12 when louver 18 in embodiment 2 is arranged horizontally. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of air outlet 12 when louver 18 in embodiment 2 is arranged diagonally downward. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of air outlet 12 when louver 18 in embodiment 2 is arranged diagonally upward.

[0057] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a protrusion 22a that protrudes from the rear surface side of the front wall of the housing of the dehumidifier 1 and protrudes so as to partially close the air outlet 12 is provided at the air outlet 12.

[0058] Protrusion 22a forms a gently curved surface from the middle of front case 10a, which houses fan 21 and motor 21a, toward front open opening 12a of air outlet 12 so as to partially block air outlet 12. That is, this curved surface protrudes rearward from the front wall of the housing as it extends upward. This curved surface is formed at least further outward than the outer diameter of fan 21.

[0059] When the louver 18 is supported in a position facing horizontally forward and to the side, the leeward portion 18a1 of the first vane 18a and the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18 of the louver 18 do not protrude forward from the front opening 12a and do not protrude forward from the front case 10a. Furthermore, when the first vane 18a is supported in a position facing horizontally forward and to the side, the end of the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b is positioned forward of the rear end of the protrusion 22. It is desirable that the second vane 18b and the protrusion 22 be positioned so that they overlap by at least 5 mm in the horizontal lateral direction (front-to-back direction). This positioning prevents the airflow blown out from the air outlet 12 from escaping upward from the tip of the leeward portion 18b1 of the second vane 18b.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10, when the louver 18 is supported in a position facing horizontally forward and sideways, the airflow blown out from the front side of the dehumidifier 1 at the air outlet 12 is guided rearward by the curved surface of the protrusion 22a, and then turned forward by the second vane 18b and blown out forward, as indicated by arrow H in the figure.

[0061] As shown in Figure 11, when the louver 18 is supported in a position facing diagonally downward and forward, the airflow blown out from the front side of the dehumidifier 1 at the air outlet 12 is guided rearward by the curved surface of the protrusion 22a, and then turned diagonally downward by the second vane 18b, as indicated by arrow J in the figure, and is blown out diagonally downward.

[0062] In this way, protrusion 22a forms a gentle curve from the middle of front case 10a, which houses fan 21 and motor 21a, toward the front open end of air outlet 12 so as to partially block air outlet 12. This reduces contact friction between protrusion 22a and the airflow guided rearward by protrusion 22a, and enables the airflow blown out from air outlet 12 to be guided rearward efficiently. Furthermore, the effects of reducing pressure loss and noise are obtained.

[0063] In this way, the protruding portion forms a curved surface that protrudes rearward from the front wall of the housing as it extends upward from the air outlet, so that the airflow blown out from the air outlet can be efficiently guided rearward. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] The dehumidifier according to the present disclosure can be used, for example, to dehumidify the air in a room. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 dehumidifier 10 cases 10a Front case 10b Rear case 10c lattice part 11 Intake port 11a First intake port 11b Second intake 12 Air outlet 12a Front opening 12b Top opening 13 Net 14 Intake cover 15 Operation display section 15a Control board 16 PCB box 17 Shutter 18 Louvers 18a First vane 18a1 Leeward section 18a2 Windward part 18b Second vane 18b1 Leeward part 18b2 Windward part 18c spindle 18d Slope 19. Tank 20 wheels 21 Fan 21a motor 21b axis 22 Protrusion 22a Protrusion 31 Evaporator 32 Condenser 41 HEPA filter 42 Activated carbon filter

Claims

1. a housing having an inlet and an outlet formed therein; a blowing means for generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet; Equipped with a dehumidifying means disposed inside the housing for removing moisture from the air drawn into the housing through the intake port; Equipped with The air outlet is provided in the upper front portion of the housing and opens upward, a top opening and a front opening are provided on the top surface of the housing and on a front surface connected to the top surface, respectively; a louver made of a plurality of vanes that is rotatably supported on the downstream side of the air outlet and that changes the direction of air blown from the top opening and the front opening; a protruding portion is provided between the air outlet and the louver so as to protrude from the front wall side of the housing so as to partially block an upper portion of the air outlet and guide the air blown from the air outlet rearward; when the leeward portion of the vane is supported in a horizontally forward-facing position, the leeward end of the vane does not protrude forward from the front open port, and the leeward end of the vane is positioned forward of the rear end of the protruding portion, When the louver is supported in a position that does not obstruct the top surface opening, the downwind end of the vane is positioned rearward of the rear end of the protrusion.

2. 2. The dehumidifier of claim 1, wherein the louver is composed of two plate-shaped vanes, and the first vane that closes the upper opening when the downwind portion of the vane of the louver is supported in a horizontal, forward-facing position has a longer short side length than the other second vane, and the upwind portion of the second vane has an inclined portion bent in a direction away from the upwind portion of the first vane.

3. The dehumidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front opening and the front surface of the housing are flush and continuous with each other.

4. The dehumidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top open port and the top surface of the housing are flush and continuous with each other.

5. The dehumidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion forms a slope that protrudes rearward from the front wall of the housing as it extends upward from the air outlet.

6. The dehumidifier according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion forms a curved surface that protrudes rearward from the front wall of the housing as it extends upward from the air outlet.

Images