Dehumidifier

Abstract

A dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing that includes a suction grill formed on the rear surface and a discharge port formed on the upper surface; a dehumidification module provided inside the housing; a water tank that is detachably provided on one side of the housing and stores condensed water generated during a dehumidification process; a discharge cover that opens and closes the discharge port; and a cover drive unit that rotates and tilts the discharge cover. The dehumidification module includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a fan module. The cover drive unit includes: a guide plate that is placed in a discharge port of the fan module and has a discharge opening formed therein; a cylindrical cover sleeve that has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the discharge opening, is placed on the guide plate, and connects the discharge port of the housing and the discharge port of the fan module; a tilting module that is coupled to the inner surface of the cover sleeve and tilts the discharge cover; and a rotation module that rotates the cover sleeve on the guide plate.

Description

dehumidifier

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidifier.

[0002] A dehumidifier is a device that lowers the humidity in a space where it is installed by sucking in air, removing the moisture contained in the air, and then discharging the dehumidified air back into the room.

[0003] In general, dehumidifiers are widely used to lower the humidity of indoor air during humid summers or to quickly dry laundry.

[0004] Dehumidifiers are categorized as either desiccant or condensing, depending on their dehumidification method. The condensing type dehumidifier is described as one in which a refrigerant cycle is installed within the dehumidifier. Air drawn in by a fan passes through an evaporator, condensing the moisture contained in the air. The air is then heated and discharged back into the room through a condenser.

[0005] The dehumidifier disclosed in the prior art below has a discharge port that is always exposed to the outside, which is not only unsightly but also has the disadvantage of foreign substances such as dust flowing into the fan module through the discharge port when not in use.

[0006] In addition, since the direction of flow of air discharged into the room through the outlet is fixed in the up-down direction, there is a disadvantage in that the dehumidifier itself must be rotated in order to adjust the direction of flow in the left-right direction.

[0007] Prior art: Korean Patent Publication No. 2015-0124834 (November 6, 2015)

[0008] The present invention is proposed to improve the above problems.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing including a suction grill formed on a back surface and a discharge port formed on an upper surface; a dehumidifying module provided inside the housing; a water tank detachably provided on one side of the housing and storing condensate generated during a dehumidifying process; a discharge cover for opening and closing the discharge port; and a cover driving unit for rotating and tilting the discharge cover; wherein the dehumidifying module includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a fan module, and the cover driving unit includes: a guide plate positioned at the discharge port of the fan module and having a discharge opening formed on the inside; a cylindrical curved sleeve positioned on the guide plate and having an inner diameter larger than a diameter of the discharge opening, the cylindrical curved sleeve connecting the discharge port of the housing and the discharge port of the fan module; a tilting module coupled to an inner surface of the cover sleeve and tilting the discharge cover; and a rotating module for rotating the cover sleeve on the guide plate.

[0010] The upper surface of the above guide plate is characterized in that a sleeve groove is formed recessed into which the lower end of the cover sleeve is seated.

[0011] A rotary rack is formed on the outer surface of the cover sleeve, and the rotary module includes a pinion that engages with the rotary rack and a rotary motor that rotates the pinion.

[0012] The pinion is mounted on the outer edge of the sleeve groove, and the rotation rack is formed on the lower end of the outer surface of the cover sleeve and is characterized in that it engages with the pinion.

[0013] The cover drive unit further includes a shielding cover coupled to the inner surface of the cover sleeve and accommodating the tilting module.

[0014] The above tilting module includes a tilting motor; a bracket for fixing the tilting motor to the shielding cover; a tilting gear connected to the shaft of the tilting motor; a tilting rack formed on the upper surface to engage with the tilting gear, and a tilting neck that extends roundly at a predetermined curvature and is connected to the lower surface of the discharge cover.

[0015] The bracket comprises a fixing bracket connecting the rear surface of the shielding cover to the inner surface of the cover sleeve; and a support bracket extending from the front surface of the fixing bracket, wherein the shaft of the tilting motor passes through the support bracket and is connected to the tilting gear.

[0016] The tilting module includes at least one of one or more inner guide rollers in contact with the upper surface of the tilting neck and one or more outer guide rollers in contact with the lower surface of the tilting neck.

[0017] The above discharge cover comprises a circular upper plate; a lower plate coupled to the lower surface of the upper plate; and a light emitting module provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, and a transparent portion is surrounded in a ring shape around the edge of the discharge cover, so that light irradiated from the light emitting module is emitted to the outside through the transparent portion.

[0018] The dehumidifier according to the present invention further includes at least one of a temperature sensor exposed to the lower plate and detecting the temperature of air discharged through the discharge port of the housing, and a humidity sensor exposed to the lower plate and detecting the humidity of air discharged through the discharge port of the housing.

[0019] It is characterized in that the brightness or color of the light emitted from the light emitting module changes depending on the temperature of the air detected by the temperature sensor or the humidity of the air detected by the humidity sensor.

[0020] A dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following effects.

[0021] First, the discharge cover that opens and closes the main discharge port is provided so that it can be tilted up and down, which has the advantage of allowing control of the up and down angle of the discharged air.

[0022] Second, when the dehumidifier is not in operation, the discharge cover closes the discharge port, which prevents dust from entering the fan housing.

[0023] Third, since the discharge cover can rotate up to 360 degrees around the vertical axis when opened at a certain angle, the user has the advantage of being able to freely determine the direction of discharge of dry air without moving the dehumidifier itself.

[0024] Fourth, a transparent portion is formed at the edge of the discharge cover, and a light-emitting module and a temperature / humidity sensor are installed inside the discharge cover. In addition, the brightness and color of the light emitted from the light-emitting module vary depending on the temperature / humidity of the discharged air, providing the advantage of visual recognition by the user.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention with the discharge port closed.

[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier with the outlet open.

[0027] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the above dehumidifier.

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier with the housing removed.

[0029] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a cover drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the cover drive unit.

[0031] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the cover drive unit with the cover sleeve removed.

[0032] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional cut view of the cover drive unit taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

[0033] Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the tilting module.

[0034] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the combination of the shielding cover and the tilting module.

[0035] Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional cut along line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

[0036] Fig. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional cut along line 13-13 of Fig. 11.

[0037] Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 8.

[0038] Hereinafter, a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention with the discharge port closed, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier with the discharge port open, FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the dehumidifier, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dehumidifier with the housing removed.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a dehumidifier (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a slim shape having a relatively thin thickness in the front-back direction.

[0041] In detail, the dehumidifier (10) may have a thickness extending in the front-back direction, a width extending in the left-right direction, and a height extending in the up-down direction.

[0042] The dehumidifier (10) includes a housing forming an exterior. The dehumidifier (10) may further include a dehumidification module installed inside the housing. The dehumidifier (10) may further include a water tank (20) for storing condensate generated during the dehumidification process.

[0043] The above housing may include a base (11), a case (12), and a top cover (13).

[0044] The above base (11) can form the lower part of the dehumidifier (10). A number of wheels (16) are mounted on the bottom surface of the base (11) to facilitate movement of the dehumidifier (10).

[0045] The above case (12) is erected on the upper edge of the base (11), and the upper opening of the case (12) is shielded by the top cover (13).

[0046] A suction grill (121) for sucking indoor air may be formed on the back surface of the case (12). A filter module may be mounted on the front of the suction grill (121). The suction grill (121) may be defined as an intake port through which indoor air is sucked.

[0047] A main discharge port (131) through which dehumidified air is discharged is formed on one side of the top cover (13). The main discharge port (131) can be selectively opened and closed by the discharge cover (14).

[0048] A handle (15) may be provided on the other side of the above top cover (13).

[0049] The handle (15) is formed in an n-shape so that the vertical portion can be inserted into the case (12) or withdrawn from the case (12). When the vertical portion is inserted to the maximum extent into the case (12), the upper surface of the horizontal portion of the handle (15), i.e., the portion to be held by hand, can be flush with the top cover (13).

[0050] The main discharge port (131) may be positioned on one edge of the top cover (13). The handle (15) may be positioned on the other edge of the top cover (13). The main discharge port (131) and the handle (15) may be positioned on edges opposite to each other.

[0051] A discharge grill (141) can be mounted on the above main discharge port (131).

[0052] A cutout is formed on one edge of the case (12) into which the water tank (20) is inserted, and the water tank (20) is detachable from the case (12). When the water tank (20) is mounted on the case (12), the outer surface of the water tank (20) can form a part of the case (12). The water tank (20) can be placed directly below the main discharge port (131).

[0053] The above dehumidification module includes a compressor (31) that compresses refrigerant, a condenser (32) that condenses the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor (31), an expansion valve that expands the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser into a two-phase refrigerant, and an evaporator (33) that evaporates the refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve. The above dehumidification module may further include a fan module (34) that sucks indoor air through the suction grill (121).

[0054] The evaporator (33) is positioned in front of the suction grill (121), the condenser (32) is positioned in front of the evaporator (33), and the fan module (34) can be positioned in front of the condenser (32).

[0055] The above condenser (32) and the above evaporator (33) can be mounted on the upper surface of a drain pan (35). Condensate flowing down from the surface of the above evaporator (33) flows along the above drain pan (35) and is collected in the above water tank (20).

[0056] The discharge port of the fan module (34) may be connected to the main discharge port (131). The discharge grill (141) may be arranged directly above the discharge port of the fan module (34).

[0057] Indoor air can be sucked into the fan module (34) after sequentially passing through the suction grill (121), the filter module, the evaporator (33), and the condenser (32). The air sucked into the fan module (34) can be discharged through the main discharge port (131).

[0058] The air introduced into the case (12) through the suction grill (121) is dehumidified as it passes through the evaporator (33), and the moisture contained in the air is condensed. As a result, the introduced air becomes a low-temperature, dry state as it passes through the evaporator (33).

[0059] The above low-temperature, dry air absorbs heat as it passes through the condenser (32), and as a result, changes into a high-temperature, dry state and is then discharged back into the room through the main discharge port (131). Here, the high-temperature air can be understood as air having a temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the indoor space where the dehumidifier (10) is installed.

[0060] Inside the case (12), a control box (17) is accommodated to control the operation of the dehumidification module and various driving means.

[0061] The case (12) may further be formed with a sub-discharge port (122) through which dehumidified air is discharged. The sub-discharge port (122) may be selectively opened and closed by a damper module (40).

[0062] When the sub-outlet (122) is opened, the main outlet (131) is closed, and when the sub-outlet (122) is closed, the main outlet (131) can be opened. Accordingly, the dehumidified air can be selectively discharged through only one of the main outlet (131) or the sub-outlet (122).

[0063] The above sub-outlet (122) may be formed on the front or back of the case (12). The above sub-outlet (122) may be positioned on the upper side of the fan module (34).

[0064] For example, the sub-exhaust port (122) may be formed on the back surface of the case (12) and may be placed on the upper side of the suction grill (121).

[0065] The dehumidifier (10) may further include a damper module (40) that selectively opens and closes the sub-discharge port (122). The damper module (40) is installed inside the sub-discharge port (122) and can open or close the sub-discharge port (122). The damper module (40) may operate in a direction that closes the sub-discharge port (122) to close the sub-discharge port (122).

[0066] A cover driving unit (50) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on the discharge port of the fan module (34). The cover driving unit (50) performs an operation of tilting the discharge cover (14) in an up-and-down direction and an operation of rotating the discharge cover (14) in a tilted state in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a cover drive unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the cover drive unit.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a cover drive unit (50) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a guide plate (51) mounted on the discharge port of the fan module (34), a cylindrical cover sleeve (54) mounted on the guide plate (51) and having a rotation rack (541) formed on the lower portion of the outer circumferential surface, a pinion (53) mounted on the guide plate (51) and meshed with the rack gear (541), a rotation motor (52) supplying rotational force to the pinion (53), and a tilting module that tilts the discharge cover (14) in the up-and-down direction.

[0069] The above discharge cover (14) selectively covers an opening formed at the upper end of the cover sleeve (54), and the inner diameter of the cover sleeve (54) is formed to be the same size as the inner diameter of the main discharge port (131). In addition, the discharge grill (141) is coupled to the inner side of the upper end of the cover sleeve (54) and can rotate as one body with the cover sleeve (54), and can be opened and closed by the discharge cover (14).

[0070] A number of fastening holes (542) are formed on the back surface of the above cover sleeve (54).

[0071] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the cover drive unit with the cover sleeve removed, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cover drive unit taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7, and Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the tilting module.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, a cover drive unit (50) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the guide plate (51), a shielding cover (55) coupled to the back surface of the cover sleeve (54), a tilting module accommodated inside the shielding cover (55), and the tilting module.

[0073] In detail, a discharge port (512) having a size corresponding to the diameter of the discharge port of the fan housing (34) is formed on the guide plate (51), and a sleeve groove (511) in which the cover sleeve (54) is mounted is formed on the upper surface of the guide plate (51) corresponding to the outer side of the discharge port (512).

[0074] The pinion (53) is positioned at the edge of the sleeve groove (511) and engages with the rotary rack (541) formed on the outer surface of the cover sleeve (54). Then, as the rotary motor (52) operates, the pinion (53) rotates by engaging with the rotary rack (541), causing the cover sleeve (54) to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Then, the cover sleeve (54) and the discharge cover (14) rotate as one body.

[0075] The above discharge cover (14) includes a circular upper plate (141) and a lower plate (142) coupled to the lower surface of the upper plate (141), and the lower plate (142) can be formed to be rounded and convex downward from the edge toward the center.

[0076] The above tilting module includes a tilting neck (56) in the shape of an arc that is rounded at a predetermined curvature and has a tilting rack (561) formed on the upper surface, a tilting gear (57) that engages with the tilting rack (561), a tilting motor (58) that rotates the tilting gear (57), a bracket (59) that supports the tilting motor (58), and a guide roller (60) that guides the arc-direction movement of the tilting neck (56).

[0077] In detail, the bracket (59) includes a fixed bracket (591) and a support bracket (592). The fixed bracket (591) is a bracket that connects the back surface of the shielding cover (55) and the back surface of the cover sleeve (54), and one or more fastening members can sequentially pass through a fastening hole (542) formed in the back surface of the cover sleeve (54) and the fixed bracket (591) and be inserted into a mounting protrusion (553) on the back surface of the shielding cover (55). Therefore, when the cover sleeve (54) rotates, the shielding cover (55) and the discharge cover (14) rotate together.

[0078] The above support bracket (592) can be combined in a form orthogonal to the above fixed bracket (591) as shown, and the rotation axis of the tilting motor (58) passes through the support bracket (592). Then, the tilting gear (57) is combined with the rotation axis of the tilting motor (58) that passes through the support bracket (592).

[0079] When the above tilting motor (58) is driven, the above tilting gear (57) rotates to raise or lower the above tilting neck (56). Then, the discharge cover (14) coupled to the upper end of the above tilting neck (56) tilts at a predetermined angle according to the rotation amount of the above tilting neck (56).

[0080] The upper end of the above tilting neck (56) is coupled to the lower plate (142) of the discharge cover (14), but can be coupled to a point spaced apart from the center of the lower plate (142) toward the rear of the shielding cover (55).

[0081] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the combination of the shielding cover and the tilting module, Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional cut view taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional cut view taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 11.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the tilting neck (56) rotates in the up-and-down direction while being supported by the guide roller (60).

[0083] In detail, the outer surface (bottom surface) of the tilting neck (56) is supported by an outer guide roller (602), and the inner surface (top surface) is supported by an inner guide roller (602). In addition, the outer guide rollers (602) may be provided in pairs at the left and right edges of the tilting neck (56). In addition, the outer guide roller pairs composed of a left roller and a right roller may be provided in multiple pairs in the longitudinal direction of the tilting neck (56). The inner guide rollers (602), like the outer guide rollers (602), may be provided in multiple pairs at the inner surface of the tilting neck (56).

[0084] The above outer guide roller (602) is connected to an outer shaft (552) protruding from the inner surface of the shielding cover (55) and can come into contact with the outer surface of the tilting neck (56).

[0085] In addition, the inner guide roller (601) can be connected to an inner shaft (551) provided in the shielding cover (55) and come into contact with the inner surface of the tilting neck (56).

[0086] Figure 14 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 8.

[0087] Referring to Fig. 14, a light emitting module (K) and a sensor member (S) are mounted on the discharge cover (14), and at least a portion of the discharge cover (14) is formed transparently so that light irradiated from the light emitting module (K) can be emitted to the outside.

[0088] In detail, the sensor member (S) may include at least one of a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of air discharged through the main discharge port (131) and a humidity sensor that detects humidity.

[0089] In addition, the light-emitting module (K) may include an LED module that irradiates light of a specific color.

[0090] As an example, only the edge portion of the discharge cover (14) may be formed transparently in a band shape, and the remaining portion may be formed opaquely. The portion formed transparently may be defined as a transparent portion (143).

[0091] And, the light irradiated from the light emitting module (K) passes through the transparent portion (143) and is emitted to the outside of the discharge cover (14), so that it can be recognized by the user's eyes.

[0092] In addition, the brightness of the light emitted from the light emitting module (K) can be varied or the color of the light can be changed depending on the temperature or humidity of the discharged air detected by the sensor member (S). For example, as the temperature of the discharged air increases, the red light can be emitted to the outside through the transparent portion (143), and as the temperature decreases, the blue light can be emitted to the outside through the transparent portion (143).

Claims

1. A housing including a suction grill formed on the back surface and a discharge port formed on the upper surface; A dehumidifying module provided inside the above housing; A water tank provided detachably on one side of the housing, wherein condensate generated during the dehumidification process is stored; A discharge cover that opens and closes the discharge port; and A cover driving unit for rotating and tilting the discharge cover is included; The above dehumidification module includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a fan module, The above cover drive unit, A guide plate placed on the discharge port of the above fan module and having a discharge opening formed on the inside; A cylindrical curved sleeve having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the discharge opening and placed on the guide plate, and connecting the discharge port of the housing and the discharge port of the fan module; A tilting module coupled to the inner surface of the cover sleeve and tilting the discharge cover; and A dehumidifier comprising a rotating module that rotates the cover sleeve on the guide plate.

2. In paragraph 1, A dehumidifier characterized in that a sleeve groove is formed sunken into the upper surface of the guide plate, into which the lower end of the cover sleeve is seated.

3. In paragraph 2, A rotating rack is formed on the outer surface of the above cover sleeve, The above rotation module, A pinion that engages with the above rotating rack, A dehumidifier comprising a rotary motor that rotates the above pinion.

4. In paragraph 3, The above pinion is seated on the outer edge of the above sleeve groove, A dehumidifier characterized in that the above-mentioned rotating rack is formed at the lower end of the outer surface of the cover sleeve and engages with the pinion.

5. In paragraph 4, The above cover drive unit, A dehumidifier further comprising a shielding cover coupled to the inner surface of the cover sleeve and accommodating the tilting module.

6. In paragraph 5, The above tilting module, tilting motor; A bracket for fixing the above tilting motor to the above shielding cover; A tilting gear connected to the shaft of the above tilting motor; A dehumidifier including a tilting rack formed on the upper surface to engage with the tilting gear and a tilting neck extended in a round shape at a predetermined curvature and connected to the lower surface of the discharge cover.

7. In paragraph 6, The above brackets are, A fixing bracket connecting the rear surface of the shielding cover to the inner surface of the cover sleeve; and Including a support bracket extending from the front of the above fixed bracket, A dehumidifier characterized in that the shaft of the tilting motor passes through the support bracket and is connected to the tilting gear.

8. In paragraph 7, The above tilting module, One or more inner guide rollers in contact with the upper surface of the above tilting neck, A dehumidifier comprising at least one of one or more outer guide rollers in contact with the lower surface of the tilting neck.

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, The above discharge cover, Circular top; A lower plate coupled to the lower surface of the upper plate; and Including a light emitting module provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, A dehumidifier characterized in that a transparent portion is surrounded in a ring shape around the edge of the discharge cover, so that light irradiated from the light-emitting module is emitted to the outside through the transparent portion.

10. In paragraph 9, A temperature sensor that is exposed to the lower plate and detects the temperature of air discharged through the discharge port of the housing, A dehumidifier further comprising at least one humidity sensor that detects the humidity of air discharged through the discharge port of the housing and exposed to the lower plate.

11. In paragraph 10, A dehumidifier characterized in that the brightness or color of light emitted from the light-emitting module changes according to the temperature of the air detected by the temperature sensor or the humidity of the air detected by the humidity sensor.

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