WO2001096789A1 - Humidifier and air conditioner using the humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

A humidifier capable of performing an optimum humidifying operation and increasing a comfortableness by eliminating the shortage of the amount of humidification and an air conditioner using the humidifier; the humidifier, comprising a humidifying rotor (11), a moisture sucking fan (13) installed in a moisture sucking path passing through the humidifying rotor (11), a humidifying fan (15) installed in a humidifying path passing through the humidifying rotor (11), a motor for humidifying rotor (12) for driving the humidifying rotor (11), and a heater (17) installed on the upstream side of the humidifying rotor (11) in the humidifying path, wherein at least one of the moisture sucking fan (13), humidifying fan (15), motor for humidifying rotor (12), and heater (17) is controlled according to the atmospheric humidity.

Description

 Description Humidifier and air conditioner using the same

 The present invention relates to a humidifying device for supplying humidified air to a room and an air conditioner using the same. Background art

 Conventionally, as a humidifying device, a humidifying rotor, a humidifying fan provided in a humidifying passage passing through the humidifying rotor, a humidifying fan provided in a humidifying passage passing through the humidifying rotor, and driving the humidifying rotor Some motors include a humidifying rotor motor and a heater provided in the humidifying passage upstream of the humidifying rotor. The humidifying device absorbs moisture from the outside air to the humidifying rotor outside the room, and then desorbs the moisture from the humidifying rotor and supplies the humidified air to the room through a humidifying hose. By doing so, it is possible to improve the comfort by adjusting the indoor humidity, which tends to dry in winter. However, the humidifying device has a problem that the humidifying rotor cannot perform an optimal humidifying operation because the adsorption / desorption capacity of the humidifying rotor changes due to a change in outside air humidity.

In addition, the present applicant has proposed a humidifying device in which humidifying operation for blowing humidified air into a room through a humidifying hose and drying operation for blowing dry air into a humidifying hose are alternately repeated. This humidifier can prevent the dew water from staying in the humidifier hose at a low cost (this humidifier is described in order to make the present invention easier to understand, and is well known in the art. But not the prior art). However, in the humidifier that alternates between the humidifying operation and the drying operation, the drying operation is controlled irrespective of the level of the outside air humidity. Since the drying operation is performed, there is a problem that the humidification operation time is short, the humidification amount is insufficient, and comfort is impaired. Disclosure of the invention

 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier capable of performing an optimal humidifying operation, eliminating a humidifying amount shortage and improving comfort, and an air conditioner using the same.

 In order to achieve the above object, a humidifying device of the present invention includes a humidifying rotor, a humidifying fan provided in a humidifying passage passing through the humidifying rotor, and a humidifying fan provided in a humidifying passage passing through the humidifying rotor. A humidifying rotor motor that drives the humidifying rotor, and a heater provided on the humidifying passage upstream of the humidifying rotor, and obtains humidified air from the humidifying passage.

 Control means for controlling at least one of the moisture absorption fan, the humidification fan, the humidification rotor motor and the heater in accordance with the outside air humidity so that the humidification air has a desired humidification amount. Features.

 According to the humidifying device having the above configuration, the following operation and effect can be obtained by the following control of the control unit.

 (1) By increasing the number of rotations of the moisture absorption fan as the outside air humidity decreases, the amount of outside air passing through the humidification rotor through the moisture absorption passage can be increased, and the amount of moisture absorbed by the humidification rotor can be secured. The higher the humidity, the lower the number of rotations of the humidifying fan, so that even if the amount of outside air passing through the humidifying passage through the humidifying passage is reduced, a sufficient amount of moisture can be absorbed by the humidifying rotor.

 (2) By increasing the rotation speed of the humidification fan as the outside air humidity is lower, the amount of air passing through the humidification passage and through the humidification rotor can be increased to secure the humidification amount. By lowering the rotation speed of the humidifier, sufficiently humidified air can be obtained even if the amount of air flowing through the humidification passage is reduced by reducing the amount of air flowing through the humidification passage.

 (3) The higher the outside air humidity, the lower the number of rotations of the humidifying rotor motor, thereby reducing the amount of heat exhausted.

(4) The higher the outside air humidity, the greater the amount of moisture adsorbed by the humidifying rotor, so that the heater input can be reduced. Thus, by performing at least one of the above (1) to (4), it is possible to perform an optimal humidification operation according to the outside air humidity. In any of the cases (1) to '(4), energy can be saved.

 In one embodiment, the humidifying device further includes an outside air temperature sensor for detecting an outside air temperature, and based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor, the control unit controls the humidifying fan, the humidifying fan, and the humidifying rotor. Control at least one of the motor and heater.

 According to the humidifier of the embodiment, the higher the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is, the higher the outside air humidity is, and the amount of adsorption of the humidifying rotor tends to be large, as in the case of the outside air temperature sensor. Optimal humidification operation according to the outside air humidity can be performed based on the outside air temperature without a detected humidity sensor. In this humidification operation, the outside air humidity is estimated based on the outside air temperature, and the control is performed based on the estimated outside air humidity. In one embodiment, the humidifying device further includes an outlet temperature sensor for detecting an outlet temperature of the humidifier passage on a downstream side of the humidifier rotor, and the controller controls the outlet based on the outlet temperature detected by the outlet temperature sensor. Controls at least one of the moisture absorption fan, the humidification fan, the humidification rotor motor, and the heater.

 According to the humidifier of the embodiment, the lower the blow-out temperature of the humidifier passage downstream of the humidifier passage detected by the blow-out temperature sensor, the greater the amount of adsorption of the humidifier rotor as in the case of higher outside air humidity, Since there is a tendency, an optimum humidification operation can be performed according to the outside air humidity based on the above-mentioned blowing temperature without a humidity sensor for detecting the outside air humidity. In this humidification operation, the outside air humidity is estimated based on the outlet temperature, and the control is performed based on the estimated outside air humidity.

In one embodiment, the humidifier further includes an outside air temperature sensor that detects an outside air temperature, and a blowout temperature sensor that detects a blowout temperature of the humidification passage downstream of the humidification rotor, and is detected by the outside air temperature sensor. The control means controls at least one of the moisture absorbing fan, the humidifying fan, the humidifying rotor motor, and the heater based on the outside air temperature and the outlet temperature detected by the outlet temperature sensor. According to the humidifier of the embodiment, the higher the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor, and the lower the blow-out temperature detected by the blow-out temperature sensor, the higher the outside air humidity, Since the humidifying rotor tends to attract a large amount of air, it is possible to perform optimal humidifying operation in accordance with the outside air humidity based on the outside air temperature and the temperature on the blowing side without a humidity sensor that detects the outside air humidity. In this humidifying operation, the outside air humidity is estimated based on the outside air temperature and the blow-out temperature, and the control is performed based on the estimated outside air humidity.

 In one embodiment, the humidifying device further includes an outside air humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the outside air, and the control unit performs the operation based on the outside air humidity detected by the outside air humidity sensor. And controls at least one of the humidifying rotor motor and heater.

 According to the humidification device of the above embodiment, the higher the outside air humidity is, the more the amount of moisture adsorbed by the humidification rotor tends to be. Therefore, the outside air humidity is directly detected by the outside air humidity sensor, and the optimum value according to the outside air humidity is obtained. Humidification operation is possible.

 In one embodiment, the humidifying device further includes a humidifying hose that conveys the humidified air from the humidifying passage into the room, and the control unit blows the dry air heated by the heater into the humidified hose to perform the humidification. The drying operation time for drying the inside of the hose is controlled to be longer or shorter according to the level of the outside air humidity.

 According to the humidifier of the above embodiment, when the outside air humidity is high, a sufficient drying time is necessary.However, when the outside air humidity is low, dew condensation hardly occurs in the humidification hose. As a result, the humidification shortage can be resolved and the comfort can be improved.

 Further, the humidifying device of one embodiment includes a display unit for displaying the outside air humidity near the humidified air outlet.

 According to the humidifying device of the above embodiment, the occupant can confirm the outside air condition displayed on the display section near the humidified air outlet, so that the state of the outside air can be accurately grasped.

Further, the air conditioner of the present invention is provided with any one of the above humidifiers. And

 According to this air conditioner, more comfortable heating can be provided by effectively humidifying the room by the humidifying device during the drying operation and the heating operation of the room. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioner using a humidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an air conditioner using the humidifier.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the outside air humidity and the blowing temperature. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 Hereinafter, a humidifying device of the present invention and an air conditioner using the same will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioner using a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is an indoor unit, 2 is an outdoor unit, and 3 is a humidifier disposed above the outdoor unit 2. The device 4 is a humidification hose 4 connecting the indoor unit 1 and the humidification device 3. The air conditioner using this humidifier supplies humidified air from the humidifier 3 to the outdoor unit 1 via the humidifier hose 4 to humidify the room.

 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of FIG. 1. The humidifying device 3 has a disk-shaped humidifying rotor 11 arranged in a casing (not shown). The humidifying rotor 11 is formed of an adsorbent such as silica gel, zeolite, alumina or the like into a honeycomb shape or a multi-hole multi-particle shape, and is rotated about a shaft 1 la by a humidifying rotor motor 12. In addition, the casing is partitioned by a partition plate (not shown) to form a moisture absorption passage A and a humidification passage B passing through each part of the humidification rotor 11.

A moisture absorption fan 13 is provided downstream of the humidification rotor 11 in the moisture absorption passage A, and a motor 14 for driving the moisture absorption fan 13 is provided. The humidification rotor 11 absorbs moisture (adsorbs moisture) from the air flowing through the moisture absorption passage A in the direction of the arrow. On the other hand, a humidification fan 15 is provided downstream of the humidification rotor 11 in the humidification passage B, A humidifying fan motor 16 for driving the humidifying fan 15 is provided to suck and flow air as shown by the arrow. A heater 17 is provided above the humidification rotor 11 in the humidification passage B, and the air heated by the heater 17 is humidified by the humidification rotor 11 when passing through the humidification port 11. (The humidifying rotor removes moisture from the power). The moisture adsorbed by the humidifying rotor 11 is desorbed and desorbed by the air in the humidifying passage B heated by the heater 17, the air is humidified, and the humidified air is supplied to the humidifying hose 4 by the humidifying fan 15. Sent to In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity of the blow-off air, which is disposed near the air outlet 4a of the humidifying hose 4 of the indoor unit body 5, and 22 denotes a humidity sensor for the air outlet 4a. An outlet-side outlet temperature sensor for detecting the outlet temperature of the outlet of the humidifying hose 4, 23 is disposed near the downstream side of the humidifying fan 15 of the humidifying hose 4, and detects the outlet temperature of the inlet of the humidifying hose 4. An inlet-side outlet temperature sensor for detecting, and 24 are outside air temperature sensors for detecting the outside air temperature. Reference numeral 31 denotes an indoor control unit which receives signals from the humidity sensor 21 and the outlet-side outlet temperature sensor 22 and controls an indoor fan (not shown) and the like, and 32 denotes an inlet-side outlet temperature. An outdoor control unit that receives a signal from the sensor 23 and the outside air temperature sensor 24 to control a compressor (not shown) and the like, and 33 receives a signal from the outdoor control unit 32 to It is a humidification operation control unit as control means for controlling the humidification operation. The humidification operation control section 33 controls the humidification rotor motor 12, the humidification fan motor 1.4, the humidification fan motor 16 and the heater 17.

 Further, a display unit 6 for displaying the outside air humidity is provided near the outlet 4a of the humidifying hose 4 of the indoor unit body 5. The display unit 6 displays the outside air humidity estimated by the humidification operation control unit 33.

Figure 3 shows the relationship between the outside air humidity (relative humidity) when the outside air temperature is 0 ° C and 7 ° C, and the blowing temperature of the humidifying fan 15. The higher the outside air humidity, the lower the outside air temperature. However, the blowing temperature decreases. Therefore, a table for determining the outside air humidity based on such a relationship between the outside air temperature and the blowing temperature is created in advance as shown in Table 1 (in Table 1, the value of the outside air humidity is omitted). Outlet temperature (° C)

 ϋ ϋ. 5 1, 5 c 100

 ー 丄 ハ U

 _Q

 o

 r Ό

 Ki. -4

 On-2

 Degree 0

(.C)

20

 twenty two

 24 Instead of the table as shown in Table 1, a relational expression or the like for determining the outside air humidity from the relationship between the outside air temperature and the blowing temperature may be used. Further, the relational expressions may be combined, and the actuator operating parameters may be directly determined from the outside air temperature and the outlet air temperature.

 In the air conditioner using the humidifier having the above configuration, the humidification operation control unit 33 is based on signals from the inlet-side outlet temperature sensor 23 and the outside air temperature sensor 24 received by the outdoor control unit 32. The outside air humidity is estimated using Table 1 above. Then, during the humidification operation, the humidification operation control unit 33 controls the humidification rotor motor 12 according to the estimated outside air humidity. That is, by controlling the motor 14 for the moisture absorption fan to increase the rotation speed of the moisture absorption fan 13 as the estimated outside air humidity becomes lower, the outside air passing through the humidification rotor 11 through the moisture absorption passage Α is controlled. Increase the amount to secure the amount of water absorbed. On the other hand, by controlling the moisture absorption fan motor 14 so that the rotation speed of the moisture absorption fan 13 becomes lower as the outside air humidity becomes higher, the amount of outside air passing through the humidification rotor 11 through the moisture absorption passage A is controlled. Even if the amount is reduced, a sufficient amount of adsorption can be secured.

Further, as another control, during the humidification operation, the humidification operation control unit 33 controls the humidification fan motor 16 according to the estimated outside air humidity. That is, the estimated outside air humidity By controlling the humidifying fan motor 16 so that the lower the temperature, the higher the rotation speed of the humidifying fan 15, the amount of air passing through the humidifying rotor 11 through the humidifying passage B is increased to reduce the humidifying amount. Secure. On the other hand, by controlling the humidifying fan motor 16 so that the rotation speed of the humidifying fan 15 becomes lower as the outside air humidity becomes higher, the amount of air flowing through the humidifying passage is reduced so that the air passes through the humidifying rotor 11. Even if the air volume is reduced, sufficient humidified air can be obtained.

 Further, as another control, during the humidification operation, the humidification operation control unit 33 controls the humidification rotor motor 12 according to the estimated outside air humidity. That is, the exhaust heat is reduced by controlling the motor 12 for the humidifying rotor so that the higher the estimated outside air humidity is, the slower the rotation of the humidifying rotor 11 is.

 Further, as another control, during the humidification operation, the humidification operation control unit 33 controls the input of the heater 17 according to the estimated outside air humidity. That is, the higher the estimated outside air humidity is, the larger the adsorption amount of the humidifying rotor 11 is. Therefore, the input of the heater 17 is reduced.

 In any case of the control according to the outside air humidity, energy saving can be achieved, and two or more controls may be performed simultaneously.

 Thus, an optimal humidification operation according to the outside air humidity can be performed.

 The humidifying device 3 also includes a humidifying operation in which humidified air is blown into a room through a humidifying hose 4 and a drying operation in which dry air heated by a heater 7 is blown into the humidifying hose 4 to dry the inside of the humidified hose 4. Are alternately repeated to prevent stagnation of condensed water in the humidification hose 4. At this time, the humidification operation control section 33 controls the drying operation time to be longer or shorter according to the level of the outside air humidity, and the low humidification hose 4 has a low humidity.

In the case of (outside air humidity), the lower the outside air humidity, the shorter the drying operation time.

 In addition, by checking the outside air humidity displayed on the display section 6 near the outlet 4a of the humidifying hose 4, the occupant can accurately grasp the state of the outside air while staying indoors.

In the above embodiment, the outside air humidity is estimated based on the outside air temperature and the blowing temperature, At least one of the moisture absorption fan, humidification fan, humidification rotor motor, and heater was controlled in accordance with the estimated outside air humidity, but the moisture absorption fan, humidification fan, and humidification fan were controlled based on either the outside air temperature or the blow-out temperature. At least one of the terminal, the humidifying rotor motor and the heater may be controlled according to the outside air humidity. In this case, after all, the control is performed by estimating the outside air humidity based on either the outside air temperature or the blow-out temperature.

 Also, the power outlet temperature sensor using the inlet side outlet temperature sensor 23 as the outlet temperature sensor for detecting the outlet temperature downstream of the humidifying rotor B of the humidifying passage B is not limited to this, and the outlet side outlet temperature sensor 22 May be used, or a temperature sensor arranged anywhere in the humidification hose may be used.

 Further, the humidifier of the above embodiment does not include an outside air humidity sensor for directly detecting the outside air humidity. However, the outside air humidity sensor (not shown) directly detects the outside air humidity, and based on the outside air humidity, At least one of a humidifying fan, a humidifying fan, a humidifying rotor motor, and a heater may be controlled so as to obtain a humidified amount of humidified air.

 Further, in the above embodiment, the air conditioner using the humidifying device has been described. The humidifying device of the present invention may be used for another heating device, or the present invention may be applied to a humidifying device used alone. May be applied.

 As is clear from the above, the humidifying device of the present invention includes a humidifying rotor, a humidifying fan provided in a humidifying passage passing through the humidifying rotor, and a humidifying fan provided in a humidifying passage passing through the humidifying rotor. A humidifying fan comprising: a humidifying rotor motor for driving the humidifying rotor; and a heater provided upstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying passage. And at least one of the humidifying rotor motor and the heater is controlled by the control means. Therefore, according to the humidifying device of the present invention, it is possible to perform an optimal humidifying operation according to the outside air humidity and to save energy.

In one embodiment, the humidifying device further includes an outside air temperature sensor for detecting an outside air temperature, and the control unit, based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor, By controlling at least one of the humidifying fan, the humidifying fan, the humidifying rotor motor, and the heater, the higher the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor, the larger the amount of adsorption of the humidifying rotor. The optimum humidification operation according to the outside air humidity can be performed based on the outside air temperature without newly providing a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity.

 In one embodiment, the humidifier further includes a blow-off temperature sensor for detecting a blow-out temperature of the humidifying passage downstream of the humidifying rotor. Based on the blow-out temperature detected by the blow-out temperature sensor, By controlling at least one of a humidification fan, a humidification fan, a humidification rotor motor and a heater, the blow-out temperature of the humidification passage downstream of the humidification rotor detected by the blow-out temperature sensor is low. Therefore, the optimal humidification operation can be performed according to the outside air humidity based on the above-mentioned blowing temperature without newly installing a humidity sensor for detecting the outside air humidity because the humidification rotor tends to attract more suction. .

 In one embodiment, the humidifying device further includes an outside air temperature sensor that detects an outside air temperature, and a blowing temperature sensor that detects a blowing temperature downstream of the humidifying rotor in the humidifying passage. The outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor The control means controls at least one of a moisture absorption fan, a humidification fan, a humidification rotor motor, and a heater based on the blow-out temperature detected by the blow-out temperature sensor. The higher the outside air temperature and the lower the blow-out temperature detected by the blow-out temperature sensor, the larger the amount of adsorption of the humidification rotor tends to be.Therefore, without installing a new humidity sensor to detect the outside air humidity, An optimum humidification operation can be performed according to the outside air humidity based on the blowing temperature.

 In one embodiment, the humidifying device further includes a humidifying hose that conveys the humidified air into the room, and the control unit performs a drying operation in which the drying air heated by the heater is blown into the humidifying hose to dry the inside of the caro-humidified hose. By controlling the time according to the level of the outside air humidity, the drying operation time can be shortened when the outside air humidity is low where condensation does not easily occur in the humidifying hose, and the lack of humidification amount is eliminated to improve comfort. Can be improved.

Further, the humidifying device of one embodiment displays the outside air humidity near the outlet of the humidified air. Since the display unit is provided, the resident can check the outside air condition displayed on the display unit near the outlet of the humidified air, so that the state of the outside air can be accurately grasped. Further, since the air conditioner of the present invention includes any one of the humidifiers described above, the room is effectively humidified by the kamo humidifier during the heating operation in which the room is easily dried, so that the air conditioner is more comfortable. Can provide heating.

Claims

The scope of the claims 1. A humidification rotor (11), a humidification fan (13) provided in a humidification passage passing through the humidification rotor (11), and a humidification passage provided in the humidification passage passing through the humidification rotor (11). A humidification fan (15), a humidification rotor motor (12) for driving the humidification rotor (11), and a heater (17) provided in the humidification passage upstream of the humidification rotor (11). ), Wherein the humidifying fan (13) and the humidifying fan (15) are provided according to the outside air humidity so that the humidified air has a desired humidification amount. ), A control means (33) for controlling at least one of the humidifying rotor motor (12) and the heater (17). 2. The humidifier according to claim 1,  Equipped with an outside air temperature sensor (24) that detects the outside air temperature,  Based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (24), the control means (33) controls the humidification fan (13), the humidification fan (15), the humidification rotor motor (12), and the heater ( 17) controlling at least one of 3. The humidifier according to claim 1,  An outlet temperature sensor (23) for detecting an outlet temperature of the humidifier passage downstream of the humidifier rotor (11);  Based on the blow-out temperature detected by the blow-out temperature sensor (23), the control means (33) controls the humidifying fan (13), the humidifying fan (15), and the humidifying port motor (12). ) And a heater (17).  4. The humidifier according to claim 1,  An outside air temperature sensor (24) for detecting outside air temperature, An outlet temperature sensor (23) for detecting an outlet temperature downstream of the humidifier rotor (11) in the humidifier passage; Based on the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor (24) and the blow-out temperature detected by the blow-out temperature sensor (23), the control means (33) controls the moisture absorption fan (13), A humidifying device characterized by controlling at least one of a fan (15), a humidifying rotor motor (12), and a heater (17). 5. The humidifier according to claim 1,  Equipped with an outside air humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the outside air,  The control means (33) controls the humidifying fan (13), the humidifying fan (15), the humidifying rotor motor (12) and the heater (12) based on the outside air humidity detected by the outside air humidity sensor. A humidifier that controls at least one of 17). 6. The humidifier according to claim 1,  A humidifying hose (4) for conveying humidified air from the humidifying passage into the room; and the control means (33) blows dry air heated by the heater (17) into the humidified hose (4). A humidifying device, wherein the drying operation time for drying the inside of the humidifying hose (4) is controlled to be longer or shorter according to the level of the outside air humidity.  7. The humidifier according to claim 1,  A humidifying device comprising a display section (6) for displaying outside air humidity near a humidified air outlet.  8. An air conditioner comprising the humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.