JP5014385B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a dehumidifying function, and more particularly to an air conditioner used at a dry bulb temperature of 0 ° C. or lower.

  In a conventional air conditioner having a dehumidifying function, there is an apparatus in which a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator is combined with a moisture adsorption / desorption means for performing dehumidification (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, moisture in the air flowing into the evaporator (heat absorber) is removed in advance by the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and dehumidified air is supplied to the evaporator to remove frost attached to the evaporator. No defrosting operation is required, and the efficiency of the air conditioner is prevented from decreasing due to the defrosting operation. That is, in order to supply air that has been dehumidified beforehand by a desiccant rotor, which is a moisture adsorption / desorption means, to an evaporator (heat absorber), on the other hand, in order to desorb and regenerate moisture from the desiccant rotor that has absorbed moisture, a condenser (radiator) The high-temperature air heated in step 1 is supplied to the desiccant rotor.

  The desiccant rotor is provided with a solid adsorbent having a plurality of pores on the surface thereof, and zeolite or silica gel is generally used as the solid adsorbent. In the adsorbent having a large number of pores, if the air condition is 0 ° C. or higher, the moisture in the pores exists as a liquid without freezing. However, in an environment of 0 ° C. or lower, such as in a freezer, moisture in the pores freezes depending on the temperature and pore diameter conditions. Therefore, in a freezer that requires a temperature of 0 ° C. or lower, it is necessary to set the pore diameter so that freezing does not occur in the pores of the solid adsorbent. Therefore, conventionally, the air in which the pore size of the solid adsorbent is 5 μm or less, more preferably 20 nm or less, and more preferably 1 to 1.4 nm, can prevent the moisture in the pores from freezing. There exists a harmony device (refer to patent documents 2).

JP 2006-46776 A (pages 6 to 8, FIGS. 1 to 4) International Publication No. 2008/084573 (Page 8, Page 9, Figure 3)

  Even if the optimum pore diameter is selected in accordance with the environment and the moisture in the pores of the solid adsorbent is not frozen, the moisture enters the voids between the particles of the solid adsorbent, resulting in freezing. Thus, when the water | moisture content in a pore freezes, the dehumidification performance of a desiccant rotor will fall. Eventually, the blowing in the desiccant rotor becomes impossible and the operation is stopped.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and it is possible to detect the presence / absence of freezing of the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and to release the freezing when freezing is detected to obtain stable dehumidification performance. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner equipped with possible moisture absorption / desorption means.

The air conditioner according to the present invention is formed so that the dehumidified air in the dehumidified space and the regenerated air outside the dehumidified space can be vented, adsorbs moisture contained in the dehumidified air, and gives the adsorbed moisture to the regenerated air to dehumidify Moisture adsorption / desorption means that regenerates the capacity and a metal electrode part that is spaced apart from the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and an electric field is formed on the surface of the electrode part by applying a voltage to the electrode part, thereby moisture adsorption / desorption means The freezing detection means for detecting the freezing of the moisture adsorption / desorption means according to the dielectric constant, the heating means for heating the air passing through the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and the detection result of the freezing detection means Control means for controlling the heating means based on the control means, and when the freezing detection means detects that the moisture adsorption / desorption means is frozen, the control means drives the heating means to remove the heated air from the moisture adsorption / desorption means. Freeze moisture absorption and desorption means It is intended to release the.

  The present invention detects the presence or absence of freezing of the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and releases the freezing when freezing is detected. Therefore, the air capable of stably exhibiting the dehumidifying performance of the moisture adsorption / desorption means. A harmony device can be obtained.

It is the schematic explaining the structure of the air conditioning apparatus (refrigerated warehouse) in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the drive state of the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the adsorption isotherm explaining the water | moisture-content adsorption | suction characteristic of the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG. It is an air line figure explaining operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure and detection method of the freezing detection means 30 of FIG. It is the schematic explaining the installation structure of the freezing detection means 30 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the principal part of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic explaining the structure of the air conditioning apparatus (refrigeration warehouse) in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the drive state of the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the adsorption isotherm explaining the moisture adsorption characteristic of the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG. It is an air line figure explaining operation | movement of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic explaining the structure of the air conditioning apparatus (humidifier) in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is an air line figure explaining operation | movement of the air conditioner of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus (dehumidifier) in Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a driving state of the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG. In the first embodiment, a case of a refrigerated warehouse as an air conditioner will be described as an example.
In the refrigerated warehouse, a desiccant rotor 1 that is a moisture adsorbing / desorbing means is installed so as to straddle between an outside air side 100a that is outside the dehumidifying space and a refrigeration chamber 100b inside the refrigerated warehouse that is the dehumidifying space. The refrigerated warehouse performs a dehumidifying operation in which the desiccant rotor 1 dehumidifies the inside of the refrigerator compartment 100b. Details of the dehumidifying operation will be described later.

  The refrigerator compartment 100b has a dry bulb temperature, which is the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 100b, of −10 [° C.], a relative humidity of 60%, and an absolute humidity of 0.96 [g / kg]. The outside air side 100a outside the refrigerator compartment 100b has a dry bulb temperature of 32 [° C.], a relative humidity of 60%, and an absolute humidity of 18 [g / kg]. The outside air side 100a is an open space, and the dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, and absolute humidity are maintained at 32 [° C.], 60%, and 18 [g / kg], respectively.

Next, the structure of the air conditioning apparatus in this Embodiment 1 is demonstrated.
In FIG. 1, an air conditioner includes a desiccant rotor 1, a motor 2 that is a driving means for moving the desiccant rotor 1, a fan 3a that is a first blowing means, and a fan 3b that is a second blowing means. And. The fan 3a supplies the first air 4a, which is the air (regeneration air) on the outside air side 100a, to the desiccant rotor 1. That is, when the fan 3a rotates, the first air 4a exchanges heat with the condenser 20b described later and forms an airflow passing through the desiccant rotor 1. Further, the fan 3b supplies the second air 4b (dehumidified air), which is the air in the refrigerator compartment 100b, to the desiccant rotor 1. That is, as the fan 3b rotates, the second air 4b passes through the desiccant rotor 1 and forms an air flow that exchanges heat with the evaporator 20d described later.

  The desiccant rotor 1 has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2, and is slowly rotated by the motor 2 in the direction of the arrow 5 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, one rotation in a few minutes), and the outside air side 100a. And the refrigerator compartment 100b move with time. In the desiccant rotor 1, the moisture contained in the second air 4 b is adsorbed in the region where the second air 4 b is supplied in the refrigerator compartment 100 b. Then, after the moisture adsorption, the desiccant rotor 1 is rotated by the motor 2 so that the area where moisture is adsorbed moves to the outside air side 100a. On the outside air side 100a, the first air 4a passes through the desiccant rotor 1, moisture in the desiccant rotor 1 is released to the first air 4a, and the desiccant rotor 1 recovers (regenerates) the dehumidifying function. The region on the outside air side 100a of the desiccant rotor 1 from which moisture has been released is moved again into the refrigerator compartment 100b by the motor 2 and dehumidifies in the refrigerator compartment 100b. By repeating this operation, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 100b is dehumidified.

  The air conditioner further includes a freezing detection means 30 for detecting whether or not the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, and a heating means 31 such as a heater for heating the first air 4 a supplied to the desiccant rotor 1. Although the freezing detection means 30 and the heating means 31 are shown here as examples provided on the outside air side 100a, they may be provided on the refrigerator compartment 100b side. The freeze detection means 30 is installed in the vicinity of the desiccant rotor 1. The freezing detection means 30 may be installed either on the windward side or on the leeward side with respect to the desiccant rotor 1. The heating means 31 is installed on the windward side with respect to the desiccant rotor 1.

  The air conditioner further includes a refrigerant circuit 20 in which R404A, which is an HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant, is sealed, and includes a compressor 20a, a condenser 20b, an expansion valve 20c, which is a throttle device, and an evaporator 20d. The refrigerant may be R407C, R410A, R134a, CO2, ammonia, HC, or the like. The compressor 20a compresses within a range not exceeding the critical pressure for the refrigerant of R404A. The refrigerant circuit 20 further includes a temperature sensor 20f that detects the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 100b.

  The evaporator 20d is disposed on the leeward side of the second air 4b with respect to the desiccant rotor 1. In other words, the desiccant rotor 1 is arranged on the windward side of the evaporator 20d, whereby the moisture of the second air 4b flowing into the evaporator 20d can be removed in advance by the desiccant rotor 1. As a result, since the dehumidified second air 4b is supplied to the evaporator 20d, when heat is absorbed from the second air 4b in the evaporator 20d, the surface (fin, heat transfer tube) of the evaporator 20d is absorbed. It becomes possible to reduce that frost adheres. Further, the condenser 20b is disposed on the windward side of the first air 4a with respect to the desiccant rotor 1.

  The air conditioner further includes control calculation means 20h configured by a microcomputer or the like. The control calculation unit 20h includes a CPU, a RAM that stores various data, and a ROM (none of which is shown) that stores a program and the like for performing operation control of the entire air conditioner. The motor 2, fan 3a, fan 3b, freezing detection means 30, heating means 31, and refrigerant circuit (compressor motor, temperature sensor 20f, etc.) 20 are connected to the control calculation means 20h. The control calculation means 20h receives the detection results of the freezing detection means 30 and the temperature sensor 20f, and appropriately controls each part according to the detection results and the program in the ROM.

  That is, the control calculation means 20h controls the refrigerant circuit 20 so that the inside of the refrigerator compartment 100b is always at a predetermined temperature (−10 ° C. in the first embodiment) based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 20f. Thus, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 100b is always controlled to a temperature environment in which the dry bulb temperature is 0 ° C. or less. Further, the control calculation means 20h performs a dehumidifying operation in which the fan 3a, the fan 3b, and the motor 2 are driven to dehumidify the refrigerator compartment 100b by the desiccant rotor 1. Further, the control calculation means 20h performs a freeze release process when the freeze detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen. Details of the freeze release processing will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an adsorption isotherm for explaining the moisture adsorption characteristics of the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG.
The solid adsorbent is a porous silicon material provided with many pores of about 1.5 nm (nanometers). In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents the relative humidity in the air-conditioned space, and the vertical axis represents the equilibrium adsorption amount of moisture. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the solid adsorbent used in the first embodiment has a slope that is the rate of change of the equilibrium adsorption amount of moisture with respect to the relative humidity in the range of 30% to 40% relative humidity, or less than 30%. It is greater than the slope, which is the rate of change of the equilibrium adsorption amount of moisture relative to the relative humidity in the range exceeding 40%. Here, the first relative humidity, which is the lower limit of the range in which the slope of the moisture adsorption characteristic of the solid adsorbent becomes large, and the second relative humidity, which is the upper limit, are 30% and 40%, respectively. By increasing or decreasing the pore diameter of the solid adsorbent, the first relative humidity and the second relative humidity can be increased or decreased.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner will be described.
FIG. 4 is an air diagram illustrating the operation of the air conditioner of FIG. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the state of the air before passing through the desiccant rotor 1 is (1) with respect to the second air 4b passing through the desiccant rotor 1 on the refrigerator compartment 100b side, and the air immediately after passing through the desiccant rotor 1 The state of (2) is the state of air immediately after heat exchange with the evaporator 20d, and (3). Further, for the first air 4a passing through the desiccant rotor 1 on the outside air side 100a, the state of the air on the windward side of the condenser 20b is (4), and the state of the air immediately after the heat exchange with the condenser 20b is (5). ), Let the state of the air immediately after passing through the desiccant rotor 1 be (6).

  First, the operation in which the desiccant rotor 1 adsorbs moisture in the refrigerator compartment 100b will be described. The air in the state (1) has a dry bulb temperature, which is air temperature, of −10 [° C.], a relative humidity of 60%, and an absolute humidity of 0.96 [g / kg]. The air in the state (1) supplied to the desiccant rotor 1 is dehumidified from 60% to 20%, for example, along the isoenthalpy line, and the absolute humidity is 0.96 [g / kg] to 0. The air is dehumidified to 36 [g / kg], and the dry bulb temperature rises from −10 [° C.] to −8.5 [° C.] as air in the state (2) toward the evaporator 20d. As shown in FIG. 3, since the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 has a large amount of moisture that can be adsorbed in a region where the relative humidity is 40% or more, the air in the state (1) can be dehumidified.

  The air in the state (2) is heat-exchanged by the evaporator 20d, and only the sensible heat is removed and cooled in a state where the absolute humidity is constant, the relative humidity is less than 100%, and the dry bulb temperature is −20 [° C.]. It becomes the air of a state (3). It should be noted that the control calculation means 20h includes the opening of the expansion valve 20c, the compressor 20a so that the dry bulb temperature of the air in the state (3) is higher than the dew point temperature (the temperature at which condensation starts) in the air in the state (2). And the fan 3b are adjusted. Thereby, frost formation of the evaporator 20d can be prevented, and the defrosting operation of the refrigerant circuit 20 can be made unnecessary. The air in the state (3) is diffused into the refrigerator compartment 100b, and the dry bulb temperature of the refrigerator compartment 100b is maintained at -10 [° C]. Further, the region where moisture is adsorbed in the desiccant rotor 1 is moved to the outside air side 100 a by the rotational drive by the motor 2. The moisture adsorbed on the desiccant rotor 1 is desorbed (released) from the desiccant rotor 1 on the outside air side 100a as will be described later.

  Next, an operation in which the moisture adsorbed on the desiccant rotor 1 is desorbed from the desiccant rotor 1 on the outside air side 100a will be described. The air in the state (4) has a dry bulb temperature as a temperature of 32 [° C.], a relative humidity of 60%, and an absolute humidity of 18.0 [g / kg]. The air in the state (4) supplied to the condenser 20b is heated by exchanging heat in the condenser 20b, and only sensible heat is applied with a constant absolute humidity, and the dry bulb temperature rises to 53 [° C.]. . The air is then supplied to the desiccant rotor 1 in the state (5) in which the relative humidity is reduced to 20%. It adjusts with the opening degree of the expansion valve 20c, the rotation speed of the compressor 20a, the rotation speed of the fan 3a, etc. so that the condensation temperature of the condenser 20b may be 53 [degreeC]. Here, the air in the state (5) is sufficiently heated by heat exchange with the condenser 20b even if the heating means 31 is not energized.

  The air in the state (5) supplied to the desiccant rotor 1 is increased in humidity from 20% to 60% along the isoenthalpy line. The air in the state (5) has an absolute humidity increased from 18.0 [g / kg] to 24.4 [g / kg], and a dry bulb temperature from 53 [° C.] to 37.3 [° C.]. The air is in a lowered state (6) and is released to the outside air side 100a. As shown in FIG. 3, the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 has a small amount of water that can be held in a region where the relative humidity is 30% or less. For this reason, if the air in the state (5) having a relative humidity of 20% is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1, the moisture is desorbed from the desiccant rotor 1, and the desorbed moisture is released to the air in the state (5). . That is, the air in the state (5) is humidified by passing through the desiccant rotor 1 and becomes the air in the state (6). A region where moisture is desorbed in the desiccant rotor 1 and the dehumidifying capacity is restored is moved again into the refrigerator compartment 100b by the motor 2. By repeating this operation, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 100b is dehumidified.

  By the way, in the case of pores having pore diameters such as mesopores, nanopores, and micropores, relative humidity according to the pore diameter (when the current humidity is P and the saturation humidity at the current humidity is P0, the relative humidity is Capillary condensation occurs at (P / P0). Capillary condensation is a phenomenon in which moisture contained in the air in the pores is condensed and liquefied. Although the temperature at which water freezes is 0 ° C. or less, it is known that the freezing temperature of water exhibits the property that the freezing temperature decreases as the pore diameter decreases (Gibbs-Thomson). effect). The pore diameter at which water does not freeze around 0 ° C. is 5 μm, and it is 6-7 nm around −10 ° C. Since the solid adsorbent in the first embodiment has a pore diameter of about 1.5 nm as described above, water does not freeze in the pores even when moisture is adsorbed at around −10 ° C.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the desiccant rotor 1. The desiccant rotor 1 carries a solid adsorbent 41 on a substrate 40 made of a fiber such as ceramic or paper. A void is formed around the solid adsorbent 41. The size depends on the carrying density and the internal structure of the substrate 40, but is large enough for the water 42 to enter. Moisture contained in the air passing through the desiccant rotor 1 is adsorbed in the pores of the solid adsorbent 41. However, since the pore diameter is about 1.5 nm as described above, the moisture is absorbed at around −10 ° C. Even if adsorbed, water does not freeze in the pores. Moisture contained in the air passing through the desiccant rotor 1 is not only adsorbed in the pores of the solid adsorbent 41, but also the gap between the solid adsorbent 41 and the gap between the base material 40 and the solid adsorbent 41. It also penetrates into the fiber of the substrate 40. Since the inside of the refrigerator compartment 100b is about −10 ° C., the moisture permeating out of the pores in the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, and eventually the desiccant rotor 1 itself is frozen to block the pores. The solid adsorbent of the present invention is a porous silicon material provided with a large number of pores of about 1.5 nm (nanometers). However, silica gel, zeolite, or solid adsorbent having a pore diameter of 2.7 nm is 4.0 nm. Even if this solid adsorbent is used, it will freeze.

Next, a freezing detection method for detecting freezing of moisture adsorbed on the desiccant rotor 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration and a detection method of the freezing detection means 30 of FIG. 6A is a perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6A.
The freeze detecting means 30 includes a light emitting element 30a and a light receiving element 30b.
The light emitting element 30a is configured by, for example, an infrared light emitting diode, and irradiates the desiccant rotor 1 with infrared light. It is recommended to select an infrared wavelength that is not easily absorbed by water and is easily absorbed by ice.
The light receiving element 30b is composed of, for example, a photodiode or a phototransistor, and receives the infrared light reflected by the desiccant rotor 1, and detects the amount of received light. Whether or not the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen is determined according to the amount of received light. That is, as described above, when the infrared wavelength is selected so that it is not easily absorbed by water and is easily absorbed by ice, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 30b is reduced if it is frozen. Therefore, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of freezing based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element 30b.

  The freezing detection means 30 is arrange | positioned facing the desiccant rotor 1 by the external air side 100a, as shown in FIG. More specifically, the desiccant rotor 1 has a pair of airflow passage surfaces 1a and 1b facing each other as shown in FIG. 6, and the freezing detection means 30 has one airflow passage surface (here, the airflow passage surface 1a). ). The freezing detection range by the freezing detection means 30 is small with respect to the entire airflow passage area of the desiccant rotor 1. The desiccant rotor 1 is rotationally driven during the dehumidifying operation as described above, and the freezing detection means 30 determines whether or not the region on the same circumference around the rotation axis of the desiccant rotor 1 on the airflow passage surface 1a is frozen. Can be detected. Moreover, if the freezing detection means 30 is comprised with a photodiode or LED, it can manufacture cheaply.

  In addition, in the above description, the freezing detection means 30 is a so-called reflective sensor that is disposed on one of the pair of airflow passage surfaces 1 a and 1 b of the desiccant rotor 1 and receives infrared rays reflected by the desiccant rotor 1. Although the case of using is described, a transmission type sensor may be used. In addition, although an example of an integrated type in which the light emitting element 30a and the light receiving element 30b are integrally configured as the freeze detection means 30 has been shown, the light emitting element 30a and the light receiving element 30b are separately separated from each other. You may do it.

  FIG. 7A shows a so-called transmission type freezing detection means 30. The transmissive type is a sensor having a structure in which the light emitting element 30a and the light receiving element 30b face each other. The light emitting element 30 a is disposed on the one airflow passage surface 1 a side of the desiccant rotor 1, and the light receiving element 30 b is disposed on the other airflow passage surface 1 b side of the desiccant rotor 1. The light emitting element 30 a irradiates the desiccant rotor 1 with infrared light, and the light receiving element 30 b receives the infrared light transmitted through the desiccant rotor 1. The amount of light received by the light receiving element 30b differs depending on the difference in the amount of infrared light transmitted between water and ice. The freezing detection means 30 composed of a transmission-type infrared sensor uses this principle to detect the presence or absence of freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element 30b.

  FIG. 7B shows a so-called separation type freezing detection means 30. FIG. 7B shows an example of a transmissive type, but a reflective type may also be used.

  In addition, the detection of the presence or absence of freezing can use arbitrary sensors irrespective of what was mentioned above. For example, a thermopile, an ultrasonic sensor, an electric field sensor, or the like may be used.

  When a thermopile is used as the freezing detection means 30 and an installation structure similar to that shown in FIG. 6 is adopted, the surface temperature of the region on the same circumference centering on the rotation axis on the airflow passage surface is driven by the rotational drive of the desiccant rotor 1. Can be detected. Since the emissivity of ice is 0.96 to 0.98, the thermopile output decreases when ice is present. Using this principle, whether the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen or not is detected according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element 30b.

  When an ultrasonic sensor is used as the freezing detection means 30, an ultrasonic wave oscillating unit and a receiving unit that receives the reflected wave are provided. The ultrasonic sensor is installed at a place where the ultrasonic sensor directly or indirectly contacts the desiccant rotor 1. Specifically, for example, it is installed on a frame (not shown) for holding the desiccant rotor 1. If the frame is used, the ultrasonic sensor can be surely indirectly contacted with the desiccant rotor 1 even when the desiccant rotor 1 is rotating. The ultrasonic sensor oscillates an ultrasonic wave toward the desiccant rotor 1 held by the frame. Since the ultrasonic wave propagates in the substance in contact, the ultrasonic wave propagates to the substance in contact with the frame when the ultrasonic sensor is in contact with the frame. Compared with the state in which the desiccant rotor 1 is not frozen, the ultrasonic wave is more easily propagated in the frozen state, and the speed at which the oscillated ultrasonic wave reaches the receiving unit is increased. The presence or absence of freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 can be detected from the difference in time or propagation speed.

  When an electric field sensor is used as the freezing detection means 30, it is a non-contact type, and therefore, an installation structure similar to that of the infrared sensor shown in FIG. The electric field sensor has a metal electrode part, and an electric field is formed on the surface of the electrode part by applying a voltage to the electrode part, and the sensor output changes depending on the dielectric constant inside the desiccant rotor 1. The dielectric constant is much smaller when the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen than when the desiccant rotor 1 is not frozen. By utilizing this principle, it is possible to detect whether or not the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen. Since the electric field sensor can be configured in a small size, it is possible to detect freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 without obstructing the air flow. Further, the electrode part of the electric field sensor may have any shape as long as it is made of metal. Since the electric field sensor can be freely shaped, the detection range can be freely set, and the frozen portion of the desiccant rotor 1 can be detected in detail.

Next, the operation | movement of the principal part in an air conditioning apparatus (refrigerated warehouse) is demonstrated.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main part of the air conditioner of FIG.
After starting the dehumidifying operation, the control calculation unit 20h continues the dehumidifying operation while the freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 is not detected by the freezing detecting unit 30 (S1, S2). When the freezing detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen (S1), the control calculation means 20h performs a freezing release process for releasing the freezing (S2). As the freeze release processing, for example, the following method (A) or (B) is used. Since freezing occurs in the portion located on the refrigerator compartment 100b side, when the frozen portion reaches the detection region of the freezing detection means 30 due to the rotation of the desiccant rotor 1, the freezing detection means 30 detects the freezing. Will be.

(A) Energization of the heating means 31 The control calculation means 20h energizes the heating means 31 and raises the air temperature in the state (4), then supplies it to the desiccant rotor 1 and melts the frozen portion of the desiccant rotor 1. Further, when the control calculation means 20h detects that the frozen portion of the desiccant rotor 1 has disappeared by the freezing detection means 30, the energization of the heating means 31 is terminated.

(B) Control of Refrigerant Circuit 20 The control calculation means 20h adjusts the opening degree of the expansion valve 20c, the rotation speed of the compressor 20a, the rotation speed of the fan 3a, etc., and raises the condensation temperature of the condenser 20b, The temperature of the air in 4) is raised by heat exchange with the condenser 20b. Thereby, the temperature of the air supplied to the desiccant rotor 1 can be raised, and the frozen part of the desiccant rotor 1 can be melted. In the case of this process, the power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the case where the heating means 31 such as a heater is used.
Further, when an ultrasonic sensor is used as the freezing detection means 30, the ultrasonic sensor may be used not only for freezing detection but also for freezing release. That is, the ice may be melted by oscillating ultrasonic waves and applying vibration energy to the ice.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen under a temperature environment of 0 ° C. or lower, the freeze can be released by performing the freeze release process. For this reason, even if the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, the dehumidifying operation of the refrigerator compartment 100b can be continued and stable dehumidifying performance can be obtained. In addition, the failure due to freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 can be suppressed, and the number of maintenance can be reduced.

  Further, the evaporator 20d is arranged on the leeward side of the second air (dehumidified air) 4b with respect to the desiccant rotor 1, and the dry air dehumidified by the desiccant rotor 1 is supplied to the evaporator 20d. The frosting of the evaporator 20d can be prevented. Further, since the condenser 20b is arranged on the upstream side of the first air (regeneration air) 4a with respect to the desiccant rotor 1, the heat of the condenser 20b of the refrigerant circuit 20 can be effectively used for heating the regeneration air. .

  Further, since the heating means 31 is arranged on the outside air side 100a (in other words, in the air passage through which the regenerative air passes) and the outside air side 100a performs the freezing release, the temperature in the refrigerator compartment 100b is raised. Freezing can be released without any problem. Therefore, the stored food and products do not deteriorate when the freeze is released. In addition, although the arrangement | positioning location of the heating means 31 is not restricted to the outdoor side 100a side and may be in the refrigerator compartment 100b, the state (4) of the 1st air 4a of the outdoor air side 100a is the 2nd air 4b by the side of the refrigerator compartment 100b. The temperature is higher than the state (1). For this reason, the power consumption required to melt the frozen portion can be reduced when the heating means 31 is disposed on the outside air side 100a as compared with the case where the heating unit 31 is disposed on the refrigerator compartment 100b side.

  Similarly, the location of the freeze detection means 30 is not limited to the outside air side 100a, but may be the refrigerating room 100b side. When the freezing detection means 30 is arranged in the refrigerator compartment 100b (in other words, in the air passage through which the dehumidified air passes), the freezing can be detected earlier than the arrangement on the outside air side 100a. For this reason, the freeze release process can be started before the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen and the second air 4b does not completely flow.

  In addition, although the case where both the freezing detection means 30 and the heating means 31 were collectively arrange | positioned at the external air side 100a was demonstrated in this example, it does not necessarily have to arrange | position collectively and may arrange | position separately.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the detection of freezing when the air conditioner is a refrigerated warehouse and the desiccant rotor 1 that dehumidifies the inside of the refrigerated room 100b is frozen has been described. In the second embodiment, freezing detection in the case where the air conditioner is a refrigerated warehouse having a front chamber and the desiccant rotor 1 that dehumidifies the freezer chamber is frozen will be described. The second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment in the configuration and operation of the main part of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus (refrigeration / refrigeration warehouse) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a driving state of the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG.
The refrigerated warehouse has two rooms, a front room 200a and a freezer room 200b. The front chamber 200a is a space outside the dehumidifying space, and the dry bulb temperature, which is the air temperature in the front chamber 200a, is -20 ° C. and the relative humidity is 40%. On the other hand, the freezer compartment 200b is a dehumidifying space, and has a dry bulb temperature of −40 ° C. and a relative humidity of 100%. The front chamber 200a is provided with front chamber air conditioning means (not shown) for maintaining the dry bulb temperature and relative humidity of the front chamber 200a at −20 ° C. and 40%, respectively.

  Next, the configuration of the air conditioner will be described. In FIG. 10, the air conditioner includes a desiccant rotor 1 that is a moisture adsorption / desorption means, a motor 2 that is a driving means for moving the desiccant rotor 1, a fan 3a that is a first air blowing means, The fan 3b which is a ventilation means is provided. The fan 3a supplies the first air 4a (regeneration air), which is the air in the front chamber 200a, to the desiccant rotor 1. That is, as the fan 3a rotates, the first air 4a forms an airflow that passes through the desiccant rotor 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Further, the fan 3b supplies the second air 4b, which is the air in the freezer compartment 200b, to the desiccant rotor 1. That is, as the fan 3b rotates, the second air 4b (dehumidified air) forms an airflow that passes through the desiccant rotor 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  The desiccant rotor 1 has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 10, and is slowly rotated by the motor 2 in the direction of the arrow 5 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, one rotation in a few minutes), and the front chamber 200a. And the freezer compartment 200b move with time. In the desiccant rotor 1, the moisture contained in the second air 4 b is adsorbed in the region where the second air 4 b is supplied in the freezer compartment 200 b. Then, after the moisture adsorption, the desiccant rotor 1 is rotated by the motor 2 so that the area where moisture is adsorbed moves to the front chamber 200a. In the front chamber 200a, the first air 4a passes through the desiccant rotor 1, the moisture in the desiccant rotor 1 is released to the first air 4a, and the desiccant rotor 1 recovers the dehumidifying function. The area of the front chamber 200a of the desiccant rotor 1 that has released moisture is moved again into the freezer compartment 200b by the motor 2, and dehumidifies the freezer compartment 200b. By repeating this operation, the inside of the freezer compartment 200b is dehumidified.

  The air conditioner further includes a freezing detection means 30 for detecting whether or not the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, and a heating means 31 such as a heater for heating the first air 4 a supplied to the desiccant rotor 1. The freeze detection means 30 is installed in the vicinity of the desiccant rotor 1. The freezing detection means 30 may be installed either on the windward side or on the leeward side with respect to the desiccant rotor 1. The heating means 31 is installed on the windward side with respect to the desiccant rotor 1.

  The air conditioner further includes control calculation means 20h configured by a microcomputer or the like. The control calculation unit 20h includes a CPU, a RAM that stores various data, and a ROM (none of which is shown) that stores a program and the like for performing operation control of the entire air conditioner. A motor 2, a fan 3a, a fan 3b, a freezing detection means 30, a heating means 31, and a front chamber air conditioning means (compressor motor, etc.) are connected to the control calculation means 20h. The control calculation unit 20h receives detection results from the freeze detection unit 30 and the like, and appropriately controls each unit in accordance with the detection results and a program in the ROM.

  That is, the control calculation unit 20h always keeps the front chamber 200a at a predetermined temperature (−20 ° C. in the second embodiment) based on the detection result of a temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the front chamber air conditioning unit. The front room air-conditioning means is controlled. Thus, the inside of the front chamber 200a is always controlled in a temperature environment where the dry bulb temperature is -20 ° C. Further, the control calculation means 20h performs a dehumidifying operation in which the fan 3a, the fan 3b and the motor 2 are driven to dehumidify the inside of the freezer compartment 200b by the desiccant rotor 1. Further, the control calculation means 20h performs a freeze release process when the freeze detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen. This freeze release processing is the same as the method (A) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an adsorption isotherm for explaining the moisture adsorption characteristics of the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 of FIG. 9.
The solid adsorbent is a porous silicon material provided with many pores of about 2.5 nm (nanometers). In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the relative humidity of the air-conditioned space, and the vertical axis represents the equilibrium adsorption amount of moisture. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the solid adsorbent used in the second embodiment has a slope that is the rate of change in the amount of equilibrium adsorption of moisture relative to the relative humidity in the range of 45% to 60% relative humidity, or less than 45%. It is greater than the slope, which is the rate of change of the equilibrium adsorption amount of moisture with respect to relative humidity in a range exceeding 60%. Here, the first relative humidity, which is the lower limit of the range in which the slope of the moisture adsorption characteristic of the solid adsorbent becomes large, and the second relative humidity, which is the upper limit, are 30% and 40%, respectively. By increasing or decreasing the pore diameter of the solid adsorbent, the first relative humidity and the second relative humidity can be increased or decreased.

Next, the operation will be described.
In the region where the second air 4b in the freezer compartment 200b is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1, the relative humidity in the freezer compartment 200b is 100%, so the moisture contained in the second air 4b is shown in FIG. Adsorption until the equilibrium adsorption amount is reached. The region on the freezer compartment 200b side of the desiccant rotor 1 that has reached the equilibrium adsorption amount at point B is the region where the first air 4a in the front chamber 200a is supplied by the motor 2 being driven to rotate by the motor 2. Move to. Since the relative humidity of the front chamber 200a is 40%, in the region where the first air 4a of the desiccant rotor 1 is supplied, the moisture in the desiccant rotor 1 is increased until the equilibrium adsorption amount at point A shown in FIG. 1 to the air 4a.

  The moisture desorbed to the first air 4a increases the absolute humidity in the front chamber 200a, but the front chamber air-conditioning means maintains the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity in the front chamber 200a at −20 ° C. and 40%, respectively. . Therefore, the front chamber air conditioning means dehumidifies the moisture desorbed to the first air 4a. In the region on the front chamber 200a side of the desiccant rotor 1 that has reached the equilibrium adsorption amount at the point A, the second air 4b in the freezing chamber 200b is supplied again when the desiccant rotor 1 is rotationally driven by the motor 2. Move to the area. Thus, the moisture in the freezer compartment 200b is transferred to the front chamber 200a side, and the moisture transferred to the front chamber 200a is dehumidified by the front chamber air conditioning means. By repeating this operation, the inside of the freezer compartment 200b is dehumidified.

  The above operation will be described using an air diagram. FIG. 12 is an air diagram illustrating the operation of the air conditioner of FIG. 9, 10, and 11, the state of the air before passing through the desiccant rotor 1 is (3) with respect to the first air 4 a that passes through the desiccant rotor 1 on the front chamber 200 a side, and the state of the air immediately after passing through Is (4). Further, for the second air 4b passing through the desiccant rotor 1 on the freezer compartment 200b side, the state of the air before passing through the desiccant rotor 1 is (1), and the state of the air immediately after passing is (2).

  First, the operation in which the desiccant rotor 1 adsorbs moisture in the freezer compartment 200b will be described. The air in the state (1) has a dry bulb temperature of −40 [° C.], an absolute humidity of 0.1 [g / kg], and an enthalpy of −9.6 [kcal / kg]. The air in the state (1) is dehumidified by the desiccant rotor 1 along the isoenthalpy line from a relative humidity of 100% to 40%, for example, and an absolute humidity of 0.1 [g / kg] to 0.05 [ g / kg]. Then, the air in the state (1) has a dry bulb temperature rising from −40 [° C.] to −39.8 [° C.], and is blown into the freezer compartment 200b as air in the state (2).

  Next, an operation in which the moisture adsorbed on the desiccant rotor 1 is desorbed from the desiccant rotor 1 on the front chamber 200a side will be described. In the front chamber 200a, the dry-bulb temperature and the relative humidity are maintained at −20 ° C. and 40%, respectively, by the front chamber air-conditioning means (not shown) as described above. ) Is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1. That is, the air in the state (3) has a dry bulb temperature of −20 [° C.], an absolute humidity of 0.25 [g / kg], and an enthalpy of −4.7 [kcal / kg]. The air in the state (3) is increased in humidity from 40% to, for example, 100% along the isoenthalpy line by the desiccant rotor 1. In the air in the state (3), the dry bulb temperature decreases from −20 [° C.] to −21 [° C.], and the absolute humidity decreases from 0.25 [g / kg] to 0.55 [g / kg]. It becomes air in a humidified state (4) and blows out into the front chamber 200a. The air in the state (3) having a relative humidity of 100% blown into the front chamber 200a is diffused into the front chamber 200a, and the moisture contained in the air with the relative humidity 100% is dehumidified by the front chamber air conditioning means.

  Here, the air in the state (1) in the freezing chamber 200b and the air in the state (4) in the front chamber 200a have a relative humidity of 100%, and both the freezing chamber 200b and the front chamber 200a are 0 ° C. or less. For this reason, the desiccant rotor 1 part in the vicinity of the air environment in each of the states (1) and (4) is frozen. The freeze detection means 30 detects such freezing of the desiccant rotor 1. The structure and detection method of the freezing detection means 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and refer to FIGS. 6 and 7 and the explanation thereof. The modification applied to the freezing detection means 30 of the first embodiment is similarly applied to the freezing detection means 30 of the second embodiment. In addition to the infrared sensor shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a thermopile, An ultrasonic sensor, an electric field sensor, or the like may be used.

Next, the operation | movement of the principal part in an air conditioning apparatus (refrigerated refrigeration warehouse) is demonstrated. This operation flowchart is the same as FIG. 8 of the first embodiment.
After starting the dehumidifying operation, the control calculation unit 20h continues the dehumidifying operation while the freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 is not detected by the freezing detecting unit 30 (S1, S2). When the freezing detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, the control calculation means 20h performs a freeze release process for releasing the freezing. As the freeze release processing, the method (A) of the first embodiment is used. In addition, the heating means 31 is not used, and the opening degree of the expansion valve, the rotation speed of the compressor, the rotation speed of the fan, etc. of the front chamber air conditioning means (not shown) provided in the front chamber 200a is adjusted. You may raise the air temperature of the state (3) of the air 4a. Further, the ice may be melted by oscillating ultrasonic waves using an ultrasonic sensor and applying vibration energy to the ice.

  As described above, the refrigerated warehouse as the air conditioner of the second embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, even if the desiccant rotor 1 freezes in an environment of 0 ° C. or lower, the freezing can be eliminated by performing the freeze release processing. As a result, even if the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, the dehumidifying operation of the refrigerator compartment 100b can be continued and stable dehumidifying performance can be obtained. In addition, since the failure due to freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 can be suppressed, the number of times of maintenance can be reduced. Moreover, since freezing can be achieved without raising the temperature in the freezer compartment 200b, the foods and products being stored are not deteriorated.

  Further, since the heating means 31 is arranged in the front chamber 200a (in other words, in the air passage through which the regenerative air passes) and the freezing is released in the front chamber 200a, the temperature in the freezer chamber 200b is increased. Freezing can be released without any problem. Therefore, the stored food and products do not deteriorate when the freeze is released. In addition, although the arrangement | positioning location of the heating means 31 is not restricted to the front chamber 200a side, it may be in the freezer compartment 200b, but the front chamber 200a has a temperature higher than the freezer compartment 200b. For this reason, the power consumption required to melt the frozen portion can be reduced when the heating means 31 is disposed in the front chamber 200a as compared with the case where it is disposed on the freezer chamber 200b side.

  Similarly, the freezing detection means 30 is not limited to the front chamber 200a but may be located on the freezer compartment 200b side. When the freezing detection means 30 is disposed in the freezer compartment 200b (in other words, in the air passage through which the dehumidified air passes), freezing can be detected earlier than in the front chamber 200a. For this reason, the freeze release process can be started before the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen and the second air 4b does not completely flow.

  In addition, although the case where both the freezing detection means 30 and the heating means 31 were collectively arrange | positioned in the front chamber 200a was demonstrated in this example, it does not necessarily have to arrange | position collectively and may arrange | position separately.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the air conditioner is a refrigerated warehouse or a frozen refrigerated warehouse that dehumidifies the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment has been described. In the third embodiment, the air conditioner is a humidifier that adsorbs moisture from the low-temperature outside air with the desiccant rotor 1, releases the adsorbed moisture into the room, and humidifies the room, and the desiccant rotor 1 is on the outside air side. Freezing detection in the case of freezing will be described. The third embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment in the configuration and operation of the main part of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus (humidifier) according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 14 is an air line diagram for explaining the operation of the air conditioner of FIG.
In the air conditioning apparatus according to the third embodiment, the moisture adsorbing / desorbing means is provided between the outside air side 300a that is a dehumidifying space and the room 300b that is a humidifying space that performs humidification using moisture acquired on the outside air side 300a. The desiccant rotor 1 is installed so as to straddle.

  The room 300b has a dry bulb temperature, which is the temperature of the room 300b, of 25 [° C.], a relative humidity of 40%, and an absolute humidity of 7.8 [g / kg]. The outside is the outside air side 300a, the dry bulb temperature is 0 [° C.], the relative humidity is 50%, and the absolute humidity is 1.9 [g / kg]. The outside air side 300a is an open space, and the dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, and absolute humidity are maintained at 0 [° C.], 50%, and 1.9 [g / kg], respectively.

Next, the structure of the air conditioning apparatus in Embodiment 3 will be described.
In FIG. 13, the air conditioner includes a desiccant rotor 1, a motor 2 that is a driving means for moving the desiccant rotor 1, a fan 3a that is a first blowing means, and a fan 3b that is a second blowing means. And. The fan 3 a supplies the first air 4 a that is the air on the outside air side 300 a to the desiccant rotor 1. That is, as the fan 3a rotates, the first air 4a (dehumidified air) exchanges heat with an evaporator 20d described later and forms an airflow passing through the desiccant rotor 1. The fan 3b supplies the second air 4b (regenerated air (humidified air)), which is the air in the room 300b, to the desiccant rotor 1. That is, as the fan 3b rotates, the second air 4b passes through the desiccant rotor 1 and forms an air flow that exchanges heat with the condenser 20b described later.

  Further, the air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit 20 similar to that of the first embodiment. The compressor 20a compresses without exceeding the critical pressure for the refrigerant of R404A. The evaporator 20d is disposed on the windward side of the first air 4a with respect to the desiccant rotor 1 which is a moisture adsorption / desorption means. Moreover, the condenser 20b is arrange | positioned in the leeward side of the 2nd air 4b with respect to the desiccant rotor 1 which is a water | moisture-content adsorption / desorption means. Further, the air conditioning apparatus includes the same control calculation means 20h as in the first embodiment.

  The desiccant rotor 1 has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2, and the function and operation of the desiccant rotor 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition, in the vicinity of the desiccant rotor 1 in the room 300b, a freezing detection means 30 and a heating means 31 for detecting whether or not the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen are installed. The freezing detection means 30 may be installed either on the windward side or on the leeward side with respect to the desiccant rotor 1. The heating means 31 is installed on the windward side with respect to the desiccant rotor 1. Further, the moisture adsorption / desorption characteristic of the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 is the characteristic of the porous silicon material shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 14 is an air diagram illustrating the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 13 and 14, the state of the air on the windward side of the evaporator 20d is (1) with respect to the first air 4a on the outside air side 300a side, and the state of the air immediately after heat exchange with the evaporator 20d is (2). ), Let the state of air immediately after passing through the desiccant rotor 1 be (3). The state of the air before passing through the desiccant rotor 1 on the side of the room 300b is (4), the state of air immediately after passing through the desiccant rotor 1 is (5), and the state of air immediately after heat exchange with the condenser 20b is shown. (6).

  First, the operation in which the desiccant rotor 1 adsorbs moisture on the outside air side 300a will be described. The air in the state (1) has a dry bulb temperature that is air temperature of 0 [° C.], a relative humidity of 50%, and an absolute humidity of 1.9 [g / kg]. The air in the state (1) supplied to the evaporator 20d is subjected to heat exchange in the evaporator 20d, only sensible heat is removed in a state where the absolute humidity is constant, and the dry bulb temperature is lowered to −8 [° C.] The air in the state (2) where the relative humidity is increased to 90% is obtained. As shown in FIG. 11, the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 has a large amount of water that can be adsorbed in a region where the relative humidity is 60% or more. For this reason, the first air 4a is allowed to pass through the evaporator 20d, and the state of the first air 4a is raised to 90% of the relative humidity of 60% or more before being supplied to the desiccant rotor 1. Then, the air in the state (2) is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1. In addition, the control calculation means 20h adjusts with the opening degree of the expansion valve 20c, the rotation speed of the compressor 20a, the rotation speed of the fan 3a, etc. so that the condensation temperature of the evaporator 20d may be −8 [° C.].

  The air in the state (2) supplied to the desiccant rotor 1 is dehumidified from 90% to 40% along the isoenthalpy line, and the absolute humidity is 1.9 [g / kg] to 0.96. The air is dehumidified to [g / kg] and air in a state (3) in which the dry bulb temperature is increased from −8 [° C.] to −6 [° C.]. The air in the state (3) dehumidified by passing through the desiccant rotor 1 is released to the outside air side 300a. As shown in FIG. 11, the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 has a large amount of moisture that can be adsorbed in a region where the relative humidity is 60% or more. Therefore, the desiccant rotor 1 is in a state (2) where the relative humidity is 90%. Adsorbs moisture from the air. The region of the desiccant rotor 1 that has adsorbed moisture is moved into the room 300b by the motor 2 and used for humidifying the room 300b.

Next, an operation in which moisture adsorbed on the desiccant rotor 1 is desorbed from the desiccant rotor 1 in the room 300b will be described.
The air in the state (4) has a dry bulb temperature, which is air temperature, of 25 [° C.], a relative humidity of 25%, and an absolute humidity of 4.9 [g / kg]. When the air in the state (4) is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1, the state changes along the isoenthalpy line and becomes the air in the state (5). That is, the air in the state (4) is humidified from a relative humidity of 25% to, for example, 63%, an absolute humidity of 4.9 [g / kg] to 7.8 [g / kg], and a dry bulb temperature. Falls from 25 [° C.] to 17.5 [° C.] and becomes air in the state (5). And the air of a state (5) is supplied to the condenser 20b. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the solid adsorbent provided in the desiccant rotor 1 has a small amount of water that can be held in a region where the relative humidity is 45% or less. For this reason, when the air in the state (4) having a relative humidity of 25% is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1, moisture is desorbed from the desiccant rotor 1 and released into the second air 4b to be increased in humidity. (5) air.

  The air in the state (5) is heated by exchanging heat in the condenser 20b, and is diffused into the room 300b as air in the state (6). That is, the air in the state (5) is subjected to heat exchange of the condenser 20b, and only sensible heat is applied with the absolute humidity being constant, the relative humidity is 40%, and the dry bulb temperature is 25 [° C.]. Is diffused into the room 300b. Thus, by diffusing the air in the state (6) into the room 300b, the dry bulb temperature in the room 300b is maintained at 25 [° C.] and the room 300b is humidified. The region of the desiccant rotor 1 on the indoor 300b side where the moisture is desorbed and the dehumidifying ability (moisture adsorption ability) is restored is moved to the outside air side 300a by the motor 2 and again adsorbs moisture on the outside air side 300a. The inside of the room 300b is humidified by repeating the above operation.

  By the way, on the outside air side 300a, since the air in the state (2) flowing into the desiccant rotor 1 is 0 ° C. or less and the relative humidity is 100%, the portion of the desiccant rotor 1 near the air environment in the state (2) is frozen. End up. The freeze detection means 30 detects such freezing of the desiccant rotor 1. The structure and detection method of the freezing detection means 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and refer to FIGS. 6 and 7 and the explanation thereof. The modification applied to the freezing detection means 30 of the first embodiment is similarly applied to the freezing detection means 30 of the third embodiment. In addition to the infrared sensor shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a thermopile, An ultrasonic sensor, an electric field sensor, or the like may be used.

  The freezing detection means 30 checks whether or not the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen. When the freezing detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, the control calculation means 20h performs a freezing release process for releasing the freezing. Do. As the freeze release processing, the method (A) of the first embodiment is used. The method (A) of the first embodiment is used. That is, the heating means 31 is energized to increase the temperature of the first air 4a after passing through the evaporator, and then supplied to the desiccant rotor 1. Further, the ice may be melted by oscillating ultrasonic waves using an ultrasonic sensor and applying vibration energy to the ice.

  As described above, the air conditioner of the third embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, even if the desiccant rotor 1 freezes in an environment where the outside air is 0 ° C. or less, the freezing can be eliminated by performing the freeze release processing. As a result, even if the desiccant rotor 1 freezes, the dehumidifying operation on the outside air side 300a and the humidifying operation on the indoor 300b side can be continued, and the stable dehumidifying performance of the outside air side 300a and the stable humidifying performance of the indoor 300b can be obtained. Can do. In addition, since the failure due to freezing can be suppressed, the number of maintenance times can be reduced. In addition, since freezing can be released without increasing the temperature in the room 300b, a comfortable indoor environment can be stably provided.

  Further, the evaporator 20d is disposed on the windward side of the first air (dehumidified air) 4a with respect to the desiccant rotor 1, and the relative humidity is increased by lowering the temperature of the first air 4a and then supplied to the desiccant rotor 1. Thus, the moisture adsorption amount in the desiccant rotor 1 can be increased. Further, since the condenser 20b is arranged on the leeward side of the second air (regeneration air) 4b with respect to the desiccant rotor 1, the condenser 20b is condensed to the heating of the second air 4b whose temperature is lowered by the passage of the desiccant rotor 1. The heat of the vessel 20b can be used effectively.

  In addition, although the case where the heating means 31 was arrange | positioned at the outdoor side 300a was demonstrated above, you may arrange | position at the room 300b side. The dry bulb temperature of the second air 4b on the indoor 300b side is higher than the dry bulb temperature of the first air 4a. For this reason, the power consumption amount of the heating means 31 required for melting the frozen part can be reduced as compared with the case where it is arranged on the outside air side 300a.

  In addition, although the case where both the freezing detection means 30 and the heating means 31 were collectively arrange | positioned at the external air side 300a was demonstrated in this example, it does not necessarily have to arrange | position collectively and may arrange | position separately.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the first, second, and third embodiments, the example in which the air conditioner has the refrigerant circuit has been described. In the fourth embodiment, the dehumidifier is described as an air conditioner that does not use the refrigerant circuit. .

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus (dehumidifier) according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
The dehumidifier 50 includes a desiccant rotor 1 that is a moisture adsorption / desorption means, a moisture absorption fan 52, a regeneration fan 53, a regeneration heater 54, a condenser 55, a water storage tank 56, and a louver 57 in a casing 51. And a freezing detection means 30 and a control calculation means 20h for controlling the entire dehumidifier 50.

  The dehumidifier 50 adsorbs and dehumidifies indoor air (dehumidified air) 61 taken in from a suction port 51a provided in the casing 51 with the desiccant rotor 1, and discharges dry air into the room from the air outlet 51b.

  The desiccant rotor 1 is formed so that the dehumidified air 61 and the regeneration air 62 can be ventilated. For example, a cylindrical structure having a honeycomb structure or corrugated structure capable of ventilating in the axial direction is loaded with an inorganic adsorption type moisture absorbent such as silica gel or zeolite, or the porous silicon material shown in FIG. 11 as in the second embodiment. The configuration.

  The desiccant rotor 1 is erected so as to be rotatable in the casing 51, and is rotated around an axis (in the direction of the white arrow (a) in FIG. 15) by a driving motor (not shown). The desiccant rotor 1 adsorbs moisture contained in the dehumidified air 61 in the dehumidifying part 11a. The desiccant rotor 1 whose moisture removal capacity is reduced by adsorbing moisture in the dehumidifying unit 11a moves to the regenerating unit 11b. Then, moisture in the desiccant rotor 1 is released to the regeneration air 62 passing through the regeneration unit 11b to recover the dehumidification performance. The desiccant rotor 1 having recovered the dehumidifying performance performs an operation of moving again to the dehumidifying part 11a.

The moisture absorption fan 52 is provided on the air outlet side of the desiccant rotor 1. The hygroscopic fan 52 introduces the dehumidified air 61 into the dehumidifier 50, passes the condenser 55 and the desiccant rotor 1, and then forms an airflow that is discharged to the outside of the dehumidifier 50.
The louver 57 is provided at the air outlet 51b of the housing 51 and adjusts the blowing direction of the dry air.
The regeneration fan 53 circulates the regeneration air 62 heated by the regeneration heater 54 between the desiccant rotor 1, the condenser 55 and the regeneration heater 54. The regeneration heater 54 heats the regeneration air 62.

  The condenser 55 is provided on the air inlet side of the desiccant rotor 1. The condenser 55 is provided to cool the regeneration air 62 with the dehumidified air 61. The dehumidified air 61 that has flowed into the casing 51 and the high-temperature regeneration air 62 flow into the condenser 55. The regeneration air 62 that has flowed into the condenser 55 is cooled by the dehumidified air 61, and the moisture in the regeneration air 62 is condensed and liquefied and dropped into the water storage tank 56, becomes a low temperature state, and returns to the desiccant rotor 1 again by the regeneration fan 53. Led. The water storage tank 56 stores the water dripped from the condenser 55.

  By the way, when the surrounding environment where the dehumidifier 50 is installed is high humidity and 0 ° C. or less as in a heavy snowy region, the dehumidified air 61 adsorbed to the desiccant rotor 1 is also air having high humidity 0 ° C. or less. The rotor 1 will freeze. The freezing detection means 30 detects whether the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen. The freeze detection means 30 is fixedly disposed on one side of the airflow passage surface of the desiccant rotor 1 on the air path side of the dehumidified air 61. The structure and detection method of the freezing detection means 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and refer to FIGS. 6 and 7 and the explanation thereof. The modification applied to the freezing detection means 30 of the first embodiment is similarly applied to the freezing detection means 30 of the fourth embodiment. In addition to the infrared sensor shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a thermopile, An ultrasonic sensor, an electric field sensor, or the like may be used.

  The freezing detection means 30 checks whether or not the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen. When the freezing detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, the control calculation means 20h performs a freezing release process for releasing the freezing. Do. As the freeze release processing, the energization rate of the regenerative heater 54 is increased. As a result, the air temperature of the regeneration air 62 rises, so that the frozen portion can be melted. Further, when the control calculation means 20h detects that the frozen portion of the desiccant rotor 1 has disappeared by the freezing detection means 30, the energization of the heating means 31 is terminated.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner (dehumidifier) will be described.
The control calculation means 20h starts the dehumidifying operation by driving the moisture absorption fan 52, the regeneration fan 53, the regeneration heater 54, and the driving motor for the desiccant rotor 1. The indoor air (dehumidified air 61) that has flowed into the housing 51 from the suction port 51a by driving the moisture absorption fan 52 is dehumidified by the desiccant rotor 1 and becomes dry air from the air outlet 51b while the air direction is controlled by the louver 57. It is blown out into the room. The area where the dehumidifying capacity is reduced by dehumidifying the dehumidified air 61 (the area located in the dehumidifying part 11a) moves to the reproducing part 11b by driving the driving motor of the desiccant rotor 1.

  In the regeneration unit 11b, the regeneration air 62 heated by the regeneration heater 54 is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1 by the regeneration fan 53, and the moisture of the desiccant rotor 1 is given to the regeneration air 62, whereby the dehumidifying capacity of the desiccant rotor 1 is regenerated. . The regeneration air 62 to which moisture in the desiccant rotor 1 is given is supplied to the condenser 55. The regeneration air 62 supplied to the condenser 55 is cooled by exchanging heat with the dehumidified air 61, becomes a low temperature state, and is guided again to the desiccant rotor 1 by the regeneration fan 53. The regenerated air 62 supplied to the condenser 55 is cooled by exchanging heat with the dehumidified air 61, whereby the water in the regenerated air 62 is condensed and liquefied, and the condensed water is stored in the water storage tank 56.

Next, the operation | movement of the principal part in an air conditioning apparatus (dehumidifier) is demonstrated. This operation flowchart is the same as FIG. 8 of the first embodiment.
After starting the dehumidifying operation, the control calculation unit 20h continues the dehumidifying operation while the freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 is not detected by the freezing detecting unit 30 (S1, S2). When the freezing detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is frozen, the control calculation means 20h performs a freeze release process for releasing the freezing. As the freeze release processing, the control calculation means 20h increases the energization rate of the regenerative heater 54. Accordingly, the regeneration air 62 having a temperature higher than that in the normal dehumidifying operation is supplied to the desiccant rotor 1, and the desiccant rotor 1 can be released from freezing. Then, when the freeze detection means 30 detects that the desiccant rotor 1 is released from freezing, the control calculation means 20h performs a process of returning the energization rate of the regenerative heater 54 to the normal energization rate.

  As described above, the dehumidifier as the air conditioner of the fourth embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, even if the desiccant rotor 1 freezes in an environment of high humidity of 0 ° C. or less, the dehumidifying operation can be continued and stable dehumidifying performance can be obtained. In addition, since the failure due to freezing of the desiccant rotor 1 can be suppressed, the number of times of maintenance can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, this invention demonstrated by each embodiment has favorable dehumidification performance, and can be widely utilized as an air conditioning apparatus for home and business used at 0 degrees C or less.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Desiccant rotor, 1a Airflow passage surface, 1b Airflow passage surface, 2 Motor, 3a fan, 3b fan, 4a 1st air, 4b 2nd air, 11a Dehumidification part, 11b Regeneration part, 20 Refrigerant circuit, 20a Compressor , 20b condenser, 20c expansion valve, 20d evaporator, 20f temperature sensor, 20h control calculation means, 30 freezing detection means, 30a light emitting element, 30b light receiving element, 31 heating means, 40 base material, 41 solid adsorbent, 42 water , 50 Dehumidifier, 51 Housing, 51a Suction port, 51b Air outlet, 52 Hygroscopic fan, 53 Regeneration fan, 54 Regeneration heater, 55 Condenser, 56 Water storage tank, 57 Louver, 61 Dehumidified air, 62 Regenerated air, 100a Outside air Side, 100b refrigerator compartment, 200a front room, 200b freezer room, 300a outside air side, 3 00b Indoors.

Claims (8)

Moisture adsorption / desorption means formed so that the dehumidified air in the dehumidified space and the regenerated air outside the dehumidified space can be vented, adsorbs moisture contained in the dehumidified air, and gives the adsorbed moisture to the regenerated air to regenerate the dehumidifying capacity When,
It has a metal electrode portion disposed apart from the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and an electric field is formed on the surface of the electrode portion by applying a voltage to the electrode portion to detect the dielectric constant of the moisture adsorption / desorption means, Freezing detection means for detecting the presence or absence of freezing of the moisture adsorption / desorption means according to the dielectric constant ;
Heating means for heating air passing through the moisture adsorption / desorption means;
Control means for controlling the heating means based on the detection result of the freezing detection means,
The control means drives the heating means when the freezing detection means detects freezing of the moisture adsorption / desorption means, passes the heated air through the moisture adsorption / desorption means, An air conditioner that releases freezing.   The desiccant rotor, wherein the moisture adsorption / desorption means is a desiccant rotor that repeats movement between a dehumidifying section through which dehumidified air passes and regenerated air through which regenerated air passes by being driven to rotate by a driving means. The air conditioning apparatus according to 1.   3. An air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a condenser, a decompressor, and an evaporator, wherein the heating means is the condenser.   The said condenser is arrange | positioned in the windward side of reproduction | regeneration air with respect to the said moisture adsorption / desorption means, The said evaporator is arrange | positioned in the leeward side of dehumidification air with respect to the said moisture adsorption / desorption means. The air conditioning apparatus described.   4. The condenser is disposed on the leeward side of the regeneration air with respect to the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and the evaporator is disposed on the leeward side of dehumidified air with respect to the moisture adsorption / desorption means. The air conditioning apparatus described.   A condenser for cooling the regeneration air with dehumidified air, a regeneration heater for heating the regeneration air, and the regeneration air heated by the regeneration heater are circulated between the moisture adsorption / desorption means, the condenser and the regeneration heater. The regenerative fan, a moisture absorption fan for sending dehumidified air after passing through the condenser to the moisture adsorption / desorption means, and a water storage tank for storing water condensed by the condenser are provided. Item 3. An air conditioner according to Item 2. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the heating means is provided in an air passage through which the regeneration air passes. The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the freeze detecting means is provided in an air passage through which the dehumidified air passes.

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