Dehumidifier

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier that dehumidifies a room.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, with the increasing density and sealing of residential environments, it has been required to remove airborne bacteria that are harmful to the human body. For this reason, an air purifier has been put into practical use in which positive ions and negative ions generated by electric discharge are sent indoors to sterilize airborne bacteria with active species generated by both ions.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, according to the above-mentioned air purifier, when the humidity of the air in the room is high, the amount of ions generated at the time of discharge decreases, and there is a problem that the airborne bacteria in the room cannot be effectively sterilized. In particular, when clothes are dried indoors, the humidity in the room rises, and it is difficult to sterilize airborne bacteria adhering to the clothes.

【0004】

An object of the present invention is to provide a dehumidifier capable of effectively removing airborne bacteria in a room even if the humidity in the room is high.

【0005】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a dehumidifier for dehumidifying indoor air by providing an ion generator that generates positive ions and negative ions, and guides the dehumidified dry air to the ion generator. It is characterized by sending ions into the room by dry air. According to this configuration, the dehumidified dry air is guided to the ion generator and sent out into the room together with the ions.

【0006】

In a dehumidifier that takes in indoor air and exchanges heat with a heat exchanger that executes a refrigeration cycle to condense and remove the moisture contained in the air and send out dry air from the air outlet into the room. It is characterized in that an ion generator for generating ions and negative ions is provided on the outlet side of the heat exchanger.

【0007】

According to this configuration, the indoor air taken into the dehumidifier undergoes heat exchange and heat exchange by the refrigeration cycle, and the moisture is condensed to become dry air. The dry air is guided to an ion generator, and carries positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generator and sends them out into the room. As a result, a stable amount of ions is sent out into the room even if the humidity in the room is high.

【0008】

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, a part of the dry air is guided to the ion generator. According to this configuration, a part of the dehumidified dry air is guided to the ion generator to contain ions, and then merges with the remaining dry air and is sent out into the room.

【0009】

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, the ratio of the air guided to the ion generator is changed according to the amount of air sent into the room. According to this configuration, the amount of air guided to the ion generator is kept substantially constant regardless of the amount of air blown into the room.

【0010】

Further, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, the present invention generates positive ions and negative ions by applying a voltage to the electrodes to discharge the dehumidifier, and the ion generator according to the humidity of the dry air. It is characterized in that the applied voltage of is variable. According to this configuration, for example, when the humidity of the dry air is high, the amount of ions generated by the discharge is reduced, so that the applied voltage is increased to maintain the desired amount of ions generated.

【0011】

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, the amount of ions generated by the ion generator is changed according to the amount of air sent into the room. According to this configuration, for example, when the amount of air blown is large, the concentration of ions sent into the room decreases, so that the amount of ions generated increases.

【0012】

Further, according to the present invention, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, a swingable wind direction plate that changes the direction of the air sent into the room is provided, and ions are generated by the ion generator according to the swing angle of the wind direction plate. It is characterized by a variable amount. According to this configuration, for example, when the swing angle of the wind direction plate is large, the ions sent out into the room are diffused, so that the amount of ions generated is increased.

【0013】

Further, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, the amount of ions generated by the ion generator when the wind direction plate swings is calculated from the amount of ions generated by the ion generator when the wind direction plate stops swinging. It is characterized by having many.

【0014】

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, the air outlet can be closed by the wind direction plate. According to this configuration, the air outlet is closed by the wind direction plate to prevent the intrusion of dust and the like.

【0015】

Further, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, the ion generator is provided in the vicinity of the air outlet, and the contact between the finger and the ion generator invading from the air outlet when the wind direction plate is opened is prevented. It is characterized by providing a shielding means. According to this configuration, the fingers entering from the air outlet when the wind direction plate is opened are blocked by the shielding means to prevent accidents such as electric shock, and ions are sent out from the vicinity of the air outlet to suppress the disappearance of ions.

【0016】

Further, according to the present invention, in the dehumidifier having the above configuration, a lamp for illuminating the ion generator to make it visible while the ion generator is in operation is provided, and the ion generator is operated by the user during the operation of the ion generator. The feature is that the lamp can be turned off. According to this configuration, when an applied voltage is applied to the ion generator, the lamp lights up and the operating state can be visually recognized. Since the lamp is turned off while the ion generator is operating at bedtime or the like by the operation of the user, it is easy to use and power consumption is reduced.

【0017】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view showing the dehumidifier of one embodiment. The dehumidifier 1 is used by being installed on a floor surface or the like in the orientation shown in these figures, and the vertical direction in the figure coincides with the vertical direction at the time of use. In the dehumidifier 1, the front side of the side surface, the front side of the bottom surface, and the front surface are covered by the front frame 2, and the rear side of the side surface, the rear side of the bottom surface, and the back surface are covered by the rear frame 3.

【0018】

Then, they are assembled so as to engage with each other by engaging claws (not shown) formed on the side surfaces of the front frame 2 and the rear frame 3 and the peripheral edges of the bottom surface to form an opening in a part of the upper surface. An exhaust unit 12 that sends out air is attached to the opening. The exhaust unit 12 is formed with outlets 4 and 18 for blowing dry air upward and backward, respectively. Although details will be described later, a wind direction variable device 17 that shields the air outlet 4 and changes the wind direction by driving a wind direction plate (not shown) is attached to the air outlet 4.

【0019】

A suction port 15 for taking in indoor air is formed on the back side of the rear frame 3. A filter 7 is attached to the rear frame 3 on the inner side of the dehumidifier 1 at a position corresponding to the suction port 15. The filter 7 has an antibacterial specification that is antibacterial with apatite or the like, and removes dust, pollen, viruses, nitrogen oxides, etc. contained in the air flowing into the dehumidifier 1 from the suction port 15. The filter 7 is removable by inserting an opening 61 formed on the upper surface of the rear frame 3.

【0020】

A handle 10 is pivotally supported behind the exhaust unit 12 so that the dehumidifier 1 can be carried. Further, the front frame 2 is provided with a viewing window 14 for visually recognizing the inside of the dehumidifier 1 on one of the upper front surfaces, and an operation panel 13 for operating and displaying the dehumidifier 1 is provided substantially in the center of the upper front surface. ing.

【0021】

3 (a) and 3 (b) are a top view and a front view showing the details of the operation panel 13. An air cleaning button 21, a dehumidifying button 22, and a clothes drying button 23 are provided on the upper surface side of the operation panel 13. When the air-cleaning button 21 is pressed, air is blown without dehumidifying operation to perform air-cleaning operation, and positive ions and negative ions are simultaneously sent into the room to remove airborne bacteria in the room.

【0022】

When the dehumidifying button 22 is pressed, the compressor described later is driven with a normal output to dehumidify the air in the room. When the clothes drying button 23 is pressed, the compressor is driven at almost the maximum output to dehumidify the air in the room and dry the clothes dried in the room. The ion generator described later is driven in combination with the air cleaning operation, the dehumidifying operation, and the clothes drying operation.

【0023】

A display panel 29 for displaying the room temperature and the operating state is provided on the front side of the operation panel 13. Below the display panel 29, a dehumidification switching button 24, an air volume switching button 25, a swing button 27, and a timer switching button 28 are arranged. When the dehumidification switching button 24 is pressed, the operation mode is switched in the order of "automatic dehumidification", "mold attack", "continuous dehumidification", and "condensation prevention".

【0024】

When the air volume switching button 25 is pressed, the air volume of the air sent into the room is switched in the order of "medium", "quiet", and "strong". When the swing button 27 is pressed, the wind direction plate is switched in the order of "off", "upward", "rear", and "wide angle", and the wind direction of the air sent into the room can be switched. When the timer switching button 28 is pressed, the timer can be switched on and off, and the timer time can be set from 1 to 9 hours.

【0025】

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the inside of the dehumidifier 1. A compressor 5 is arranged in the lower part on the back side of the dehumidifier 1, and a tank 6 for collecting condensed water via a drain pan 19 is arranged in the lower part on the front side. The tank 6 can be taken out by opening a part of the front frame 2 to drain the stored condensed water. Above the compressor 5, an evaporator 8, a condenser 9, and a blower 11 are arranged in order from the side of the filter 7 arranged facing the suction port 15. Above the blower 11, an ion generator 16 that simultaneously generates positive ions and negative ions by electric discharge is arranged.

【0026】

The blower 11 is composed of a sirocco fan that rotates an impeller 11b provided on the outer periphery of the motor 11a by driving the motor 11a and discharges air sucked from a suction port 15 on the back side of the dehumidifier 1 in the circumferential direction. As a result, air is guided in the directions of the ion generator 16 and the outlets 4 and 18.

【0027】

One end of the evaporator 8 and one end of the condenser 9 are connected by a first connecting pipe (not shown) via a compressor 5, and the other end of the evaporator 8 and the other end of the condenser 9 are expansion valves (not shown). It is connected by a second connecting pipe (not shown) via a second connecting pipe (not shown). Therefore, by driving the compressor 5, the refrigerant in the first and second connecting pipes flows and the refrigeration cycle is operated. That is, the high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 5 releases heat in the condenser 9 and condenses. The refrigerant liquefied by condensation is decompressed by the expansion valve, and then when vaporized, the evaporator 8 takes away the heat of vaporization and returns to the compressor 5.

【0028】

The indoor air sucked from the suction port 15 by the drive of the blower 11 exchanges heat with the evaporator 8 on the low temperature side and is cooled. At this time, the water contained in the air is condensed and collected in the tank 6 as condensed water. Since the temperature of the air that has been dried by removing water (hereinafter referred to as "dry air") has decreased, it exchanges heat with the condenser 9 that is on the high temperature side and is heated to the temperature before dehumidification.

【0029】

After that, as will be described in detail later, a part of the dry air is guided to the ion generator 16 through the blower 11. The remaining dry air is guided to outlets 4 and 18 (see FIG. 2), joins the dry air containing ions after passing through the ion generator 16, and is sent out into the room. As a result, the room is dehumidified and sterilized.

【0030】

5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are a side sectional view, a rear view and a top view showing the details of the upper part of the dehumidifier 1. An ion generator 16 is arranged on one upper portion of the dehumidifier 1 on the front surface side facing the viewing window 14. The ion generator 16 is covered with a casing 41. The casing 41 is attached to the fan case 44 that covers the blower 11 with screws. The upper surface and the back surface of the casing 41 are covered with an upper cover 43 so as to open a part of the rear part of the casing 41 to form an outlet 41a.

【0031】

The casing 41 is partitioned in the vertical direction by a partition plate 41h, and the ion generator 16 is arranged on the upper side. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the details of the ion generator 16. In the ion generator 16, the inner electrode 51 is arranged along the inner surface of the tubular dielectric 50, and the outer electrode 52 is arranged along the outer surface. The outer electrode 52 is bound to the dielectric 50 by a band 57.

【0032】

In this embodiment, a glass tube having an outer diameter of 20 mm is used as the dielectric 50. Further, as the inner electrode 51, a flat plate of SUS304 is rolled and used, and as the outer electrode 52, a wire rod of SUS304 or SUS316 is plain-woven with 16 mesh and used by rolling.

【0033】

Both ends of the dielectric 50 are fitted with the grooves 53a and 54a formed in the insulating packings 53 and 54, and the insulating packings 53 and 54 are attached. Lead wires 55 and 56 connected to a power supply unit (not shown) composed of a high voltage circuit are welded to the inner electrode 51 and the outer electrode 52, respectively, and the outer electrode 52 is grounded. The lead wire 55 is inserted and held through an insertion hole 53c formed at substantially the center of the insulating packing 53.

【0034】

Grooves 53d and 54d are formed on the peripheral surfaces of the insulating packings 53 and 54. Ribs (not shown) provided on the inner wall of the casing 41 are fitted into the grooves 53d and 54d to support the ion generator 16.

【0035】

When a high-voltage AC voltage is applied between the inner electrode 51 and the outer electrode 52, it is mainly H when the applied voltage is a positive voltage due to plasma discharge.⁺(H₂O)_nPositive ions consisting of are generated, mainly O in the case of negative voltage₂^-(H₂O)_mNegative ions consisting of are generated.

【0036】

H⁺(H₂O)_nAnd O₂^-(H₂O)_mWhen released into the room from the outlets 4 and 18 of the dehumidifier 1, it aggregates on the surface of airborne bacteria such as microorganisms and surrounds the airborne bacteria such as microorganisms. Then, as shown in equations (1) to (3), the active species [ OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H are produced by collision.₂O₂(Hydrogen peroxide) is generated on the surface of microorganisms and the like to sterilize airborne bacteria.

【0037】

H⁺(H₂O)_n+ O₂^-(H₂O)_m OH + 1 / 2O₂+ (n + m) H₂O (1) H⁺(H₂O)_n+ H⁺(H₂O)_n'+ O₂^-(H₂O)_m+ O₂^-(H₂O)_m' 2 OH + O₂+ (n + n'+ m + m') H₂O (2) H⁺(H₂O)_n+ H⁺(H₂O)_n'+ O₂^-(H₂O)_m+ O₂^-(H₂O)_m' H₂O₂+ O₂+ (n + n'+ m + m') H₂O (3) [0038]

In FIGS. 5 to 7, a blue lamp 49 composed of a light emitting diode or the like that illuminates the ion generator 16 is attached to the upper cover 43. Further, a transparent plate 46 is attached to the front surface of the casing 41 at a position facing the viewing window 14. As a result, the operating state of the ion generator 16 can be visually recognized from the viewing window 14.

【0039】

The circumference of the impeller 11b of the blower 11 is covered with a fan case 44. An opening 44b for discharging dry air is formed in the upper part of the fan case 44. A protective plate 45 made of a wire mesh or the like for preventing foreign matter from entering is provided in the opening 44b, and a humidity sensor 70 for detecting the humidity of the dry air discharged from the opening 44b is provided above the protective plate 45. ..

【0040】

In FIG. 6, the fan case 44 is formed with a bypass portion 44a extending substantially horizontally from one end of the opening 44b. A duct 42 that covers a part of the opening 44c is provided on the bypass portion 44a. The bypass portion 44a and the duct 42 form a bypass passage 48 that guides a part of the dry air sent out in the circumferential direction by the blower 11 to the inflow port 41b of the casing 41. Further, a movable air volume adjusting plate 60 is provided at the end of the duct 42. The air volume adjusting plate 60 can adjust the amount of dry air flowing into the bypass passage 48 according to the air volume of the blower 11.

【0041】

The air flowing into the casing 41 from the inflow port 41b is guided to the ion generator 16 through the opening 41c formed in the partition plate 41h. FIG. 9 shows a top view of the duct 42 as viewed from above. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the air that has passed through the ion generator 16 flows out from the outlet 41a. A step portion 42a is formed in the duct 42, and a partition rib 42b that allows air to flow smoothly is formed on the upper surface of the step portion 42a.

【0042】

The air flowing out from the outflow port 41a is guided to the exhaust unit 12 having the wind direction variable device 17. Further, the remaining air sent out in the circumferential direction by the blower 11 is guided from the opening 44b to the exhaust unit 12 by the peripheral wall of the fan case 44. Then, the merged air is sent out in a predetermined direction in the room by the wind direction variable device 17.

【0043】

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the wind direction variable device 17. In FIGS. 5 and 10, the wind direction variable device 17 has first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 and four horizontal wind direction plates 33 that change the wind direction according to the direction. The first vertical wind direction plate 30 is curved along the outer shape of the exhaust unit 12. The first vertical wind direction plate 30 is pivotally supported on the horizontal axis and rotates together with the second vertical wind direction plate 31 attached substantially parallel to the first vertical wind direction plate 30 to change the wind direction in the front-rear direction. The cross wind direction plate 33 is pivotally supported by the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31, and the wind direction in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the dehumidifier 1 is changed by rotation.

【0044】

A shaft portion 12a is provided on one side wall 4a of the air outlet 4 formed in the exhaust unit 12. A stepping motor 34 is installed on the outside of the other side wall 4a. The first vertical wind direction plate 30 has an E-shaped cross section, and has a top plate 30j, side walls 30e, 30f, and an intermediate wall 30b.

【0045】

A shaft hole 30c is formed in one side wall 30e of the first vertical wind direction plate 30, and a shaft portion 30g is formed in the other side wall 30f. The shaft hole 30c and the shaft portion 12a are fitted, and the shaft portion 30g and the shaft portion 34a of the stepping motor 34 are connected via the hole portion 4b formed in the side wall 4a to form the first vertical wind direction plate 30. It is pivotally supported.

【0046】

As shown in FIG. 12, a part of the peripheral edge of the hole 4b is notched in a fan shape, and a stopper projecting from the end face of the notch to the peripheral surface of the shaft portion 30 g of the first vertical wind direction plate 30. The rotation angle of the first vertical wind direction plate 30 is regulated by the contact of the pieces 30h.

【0047】

The second vertical wind direction plate 31 has a U-shaped cross section, and has a bottom plate 31d and side walls 31e and 31f. A hole 31c is formed in the center of the bottom plate 31d, and a hole 31b is formed in the side walls 31e and 31f. The hole 31b engages with the claws 30d provided on the side walls 30e and 30f of the first vertical wind direction plate 30. Further, a screw (not shown) is inserted into the hole portion 31c and screwed into the screw hole 30e formed in the intermediate wall 31b of the first vertical wind direction plate 30. As a result, the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 are integrated substantially in parallel.

【0048】

The top plate 30j of the first vertical wind direction plate 30 is formed with boss holes 30a having a circular cross section at four locations. The bottom plate 31d of the second vertical wind direction plate 31 is formed with bosses 31a having a circular cross section at four locations. A boss 33a and a boss hole 33b having a circular cross section are formed above and below the crosswind direction plate 33, respectively. The crosswind direction plate 33 is pivotally supported by fitting the boss hole 30a and the boss 33a and fitting the boss 31a and the boss hole 33b.

【0049】

Further, the cross wind direction plate 33 is provided with a notch portion 33 g in which a part of the surface facing the second vertical wind direction plate 31 is cut out, and a boss 33d having a circular cross section is projected from the notch portion 33 g. Each boss portion 33d of the two crosswind direction plates 33 is loosely fitted in a hole portion (not shown) provided in the connecting plate 35. As a result, the two crosswind direction plates 33 are connected by the connecting plate 35 and rotate in conjunction with each other.

【0050】

When the swing button 27 (see FIG. 3) is operated, the step motor 34 is driven, and the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 rotate around the shaft portions 12a and 30g. When the dehumidifier 1 is not used, the air outlet 4 is closed by the first vertical wind direction plate 30 as shown in FIG. As a result, intrusion of dust and the like from the air outlet 4 is prevented.

【0051】

When the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 are rotated about 100 °, the results are shown in FIG. At this time, the air outlet 4 is opened, and the direction of the crosswind direction plate 33 can be changed by moving the protruding portion 33c of the crosswind direction plate 33 with a finger. Further, as will be described later, it is also possible to swing the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 within a predetermined angle range by operating the swing button 27.

【0052】

The front wall 4c of the air outlet 4 and the upper wall 43a of the air outlet 41a constitute a shielding means for preventing the invading fingers from coming into contact with the ion generator 16 when the air outlet 4 is opened. As a result, it is possible to prevent accidents such as electric shock due to contact between the fingers and the ion generator 16, and the ion generator 16 is arranged in the vicinity of the outlet 4 so as to be connected to the wall surface in the distribution path after ion generation. It is possible to suppress the disappearance of ions due to the collision of.

【0053】

The operation of the dehumidifier 1 having the above configuration will be described below. When the power of the dehumidifier 1 is turned on, it waits until any of the air cleaning button 21, the dehumidification button 22, and the clothes drying button 23 is pressed. When the dehumidification button 22 is pressed, the compressor 5 is driven with a normal output, and the blower 11 is driven with an air volume of "medium". Further, the stepping motor 34 of the wind direction variable device 17 is driven, and the wind direction is set to "upward".

【0054】

By pressing the air volume switching button 25, it is possible to switch to "quiet", which has less air volume than "medium", which reduces the noise caused by the operation of the blower 11, and "strong", which has more air volume than "medium". it can.

【0055】

Further, as described above, the wind direction switching device 17 switches to "off", "wide angle", "upward", and "rear" in order by pressing the swing button 27 (see FIG. 3). When set to "wide angle", the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 sway at a swing angle of about 100 ° between the substantially horizontal state shown in FIG. 5 and the substantially vertical state shown in FIG. Move.

【0056】

When set to "upward", the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 swing at a swing angle of about 50 ° in the direction of closing the air outlet 4 from the substantially vertical state shown in FIG. 11, mainly upward. Air is sent out from the air outlet 4. When set to "rear", the first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 swing at a swing angle of about 50 ° in the direction of opening the air outlet 4 from the substantially horizontal state shown in FIG. 5, and the upper air outlet. Air is sent out from 4 and the rear outlet 18. When set to "OFF", the swinging first and second vertical wind direction plates 30 and 31 can be stopped at any position. Further, when the dehumidifying operation, the clothes drying operation, and the air cleaning operation of the dehumidifier 1 are stopped, the air outlet 4 is closed as shown in FIG.

【0057】

The operation mode of the dehumidification operation is initially set to "automatic dehumidification". If the room temperature is lower than 28 ° C, the compressor 5 is stopped when the humidity is 60% or less, and if the room temperature is 28 ° C or higher, the humidity is high. Compressor 5 is stopped when it becomes 55% or less. When the dehumidification button 22 is pressed to switch the operation mode to "mold attack", the compressor 5 is stopped when the humidity becomes 49% or less.

【0058】

When the operation mode is switched to "continuous dehumidification", the compressor 5 is continuously operated. Then, when the humidity becomes, for example, 30% or less, the dehumidification efficiency decreases, so that the compressor 5 is stopped. In addition, when the operation mode is switched to "prevention of dew condensation", when the room temperature becomes lower than 15 ° C, the air volume is automatically switched to "strong" to prevent dew condensation on the evaporator 9.

【0059】

When the refrigeration cycle is operated by driving the compressor 5 and the blower 11 is driven, the air in the room is taken into the dehumidifier 1 from the suction port 15. The indoor air containing moisture is cooled by the evaporator 8 on the low temperature side, and the moisture is condensed into dry air. After that, the temperature is raised to the original temperature by the condenser 9 on the high temperature side, and the temperature is raised from the opening 44b of the fan case 44.

【0060】

Some dry air is guided from the fan case 44 through the bypass passage 48 to the ion generator 16 via the inflow port 41b. The dry air passing through the ion generator 16 carries the ions generated by the ion generator 16 and is sent out into the room from the outlet 4.

【0061】

The ion generator 16 sets the applied voltage based on the flowchart of the ion generation process shown in FIG. 13 to generate ions. In step # 31, the maximum applied voltage P of the ion generator 16 is set. In this embodiment, P = 1.8 kV. In step # 32, it is determined whether or not the humidity of the dry air detected by the humidity sensor 70 is equal to or less than a predetermined humidity. If the humidity is higher than the predetermined humidity, the applied voltage P is left as it is and the process proceeds to step # 34.

【0062】

When the humidity of the dry air is lower than the predetermined humidity, the applied voltage P is newly set by multiplying the applied voltage P by a predetermined coefficient in step # 33. Here, the coefficient is 0.85. Since the amount of ions generated by the ion generator 16 decreases when the humidity is high, the applied voltage P is set high to maintain the ion concentration appropriately.

【0063】

In step # 34, it is determined whether or not the air volume of the blower 11 is strong. When the air volume is "strong", the applied voltage P is newly set by multiplying the applied voltage P by a predetermined coefficient in step # 36. Here, since the coefficient is 1, step # 36 may be omitted.

【0064】

If it is determined in step # 34 that the air volume is not "strong", it is determined in step # 35 whether or not the air volume is "medium", and if the air volume is "medium", the applied voltage P is set to 1 in step # 37. The applied voltage P is newly set by multiplying by a predetermined coefficient smaller than that. Here, the coefficient is 0.85. If it is determined in step # 35 that the air volume is not "medium", the air volume of the blower 11 is "quiet". Therefore, in step # 38, the applied voltage P is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient smaller than 0.85 to newly apply the voltage. P is set. Here, the coefficient is 0.7.

【0065】

If the air volume of the blower 11 is large, the ion concentration decreases, so that the ability to sterilize airborne bacteria cannot be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, when the air volume of the blower 11 is large, the applied voltage P is set high, and when the air volume is small, the applied voltage P is set low to maintain an appropriate ion concentration.

【0066】

Next, the process proceeds to step # 39, and it is determined whether or not the wind direction of the wind direction switching device 17 is wide angle. If it is determined in step # 39 that the wind direction is "wide-angle", the applied voltage P is newly set by multiplying the applied voltage P by a predetermined coefficient in step # 41. Here, since the coefficient is 1, step # 41 may be omitted. If it is determined that the wind direction is not "wide-angle", it is determined in step # 40 whether or not the wind direction is "upward".

【0067】

When the wind direction is "upward", the applied voltage P is newly set by multiplying the applied voltage P by a predetermined coefficient smaller than 1 in step # 42. Here, the coefficient is 0.85. If it is determined in step # 40 that the wind direction is not "upward", the wind direction of the wind direction switching device 17 is "rearward" or in the swing stop state ("off"). The applied voltage P is newly set by multiplying by a small predetermined coefficient. Here, the coefficient is 0.7.

【0068】

When the swing angle of the wind direction variable device 17 is large, ions are released over a wide range in the room, so that the ions diffuse and the bactericidal ability of airborne bacteria is reduced. Therefore, the applied voltage P is set high when the swing angle of the wind direction variable device 17 is large, and the applied voltage P is set low when the swing angle of the wind direction variable device 17 is small. Therefore, the applied voltage P at the time of stopping the swing is set to the lowest. As a result, the proper sterilizing ability is maintained.

【0069】

Further, although the swing angle is the same when the wind direction of the wind direction variable device 17 is "upward" and "rear", the dehumidifier 1 is usually installed along the wall surface of the room and the wind direction is "upward". In the case of, ions are released in a wider range. Therefore, the applied voltage P is set higher when the wind direction is "upward" than when it is "rear".

【0070】

Then, in step # 44, the set applied voltage P is applied to the ion generator 16 to generate positive ions and negative ions. At the same time, the lamp 49 (see FIG. 5) is turned on so that the operating state of the ion generator 16 can be visually recognized from the viewing window 14.

【0071】

As a result, ions are carried by a part of the dry air guided to the ion generator 16 and flow out from the casing 41 through the outlet 41a. Then, it merges with the remaining dry air sent out from the opening 44b of the fan case 44, and positive ions and negative ions are released into the room from the outlet 4 or the outlet 18, and 1 hour after the ion generator 16 is driven. Therefore, about 80% of the bacteria floating in the room can be removed. Therefore, while dehumidifying the indoor air, airborne bacteria in the room that are harmful to the human body are removed by hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, and a comfortable living environment can be obtained.

【0072】

When the air volume of the blower 11 is "quiet", the air volume adjusting plate 60 shown in FIG. 6 is at the position shown by the solid line. This increases the proportion of dry air flowing into the bypass passage 48. When the air volume of the blower 11 is "strong", the air volume adjusting plate 60 is at the position indicated by the broken line. This reduces the proportion of dry air flowing into the bypass passage 48. When the air volume of the blower 11 is "medium", the air volume adjusting plate 60 is between the position of the solid line and the position of the broken line.

【0073】

Therefore, the amount of dry air guided to the ion generator 16 is kept substantially constant regardless of the air volume of the blower 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent the disappearance of ions due to collision with a wall surface or the like due to an increase in air volume, and to supply a stable amount of ions.

【0074】

Next, when the clothes drying button 21 is pressed, the compressor 5 is driven at the maximum output, and the blower 11 is driven at the air volume "medium". Further, the stepping motor 34 of the wind direction variable device 17 is driven, and the wind direction is set to "upward". As a result, the clothes drying operation is performed, the temperature of the evaporator 8 is lower than that during the dehumidifying operation, and the air taken into the dehumidifier 1 is rapidly dehumidified.

【0075】

Therefore, further dry air is sent out from the outlets 4 and 18, and the dried clothes can be dried indoors. At this time, as in the dehumidifying operation, the ion generator 16 simultaneously generates positive ions and negative ions, which are sent indoors by dry air. This removes airborne bacteria in the room.

【0076】

When the air clear button 23 is pressed, the compressor 5 is not driven and the blower 11 is driven with an air volume of "medium". Further, the stepping motor 34 of the wind direction variable device 17 is driven, and the wind direction is set to "upward". Then, ions are generated by the ion generator 16 and sent out into the room, and an air cleaning operation is performed in which air in the room is circulated to remove airborne bacteria.

【0077】

The lamp 49 can be turned off while the ion generator 16 is operating by pressing the dehumidification switching button 24 and the swing button 27 at the same time for 3 seconds. As a result, the lamp 49 can be turned off to reduce power consumption when lighting is unnecessary, such as at bedtime. In addition, since an independent switch is not provided for turning off the lamp 49, cost reduction can be achieved.

【0078】

Further, when the air volume switching button 25 and the timer switching button 28 are pressed at the same time for 5 seconds, the operation of the ion generator 16 is stopped. When pressed again, the ion generator 16 is operated. As a result, it is not necessary to independently provide a switch for turning on / off the ion generator 16, which can reduce the cost and the space of the operation panel 13 (see FIG. 1).

【0079】

According to the present embodiment, since the dried air is guided to the ion generator 16 through the evaporator 8, a desired amount of ions can be stably generated. Therefore, the bactericidal ability of airborne bacteria in the room can be stably obtained.

【0080】

Further, since a part of the dry air that has passed through the evaporator 8 is guided to the ion generator 16, the wind speed of the dry air guided to the ion generator 16 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the disappearance of ions due to collision with the wall surface or the like between the ion generator 16 and the outlets 4 and 18. Then, after merging with the remaining air that does not pass through the ion generator 16, ions having a predetermined concentration are emitted by strong wind power, and the ions can be distributed to every corner of the room.

【0081】

The dehumidifier 1 of the present embodiment operates a refrigeration cycle driven by the compressor 5 to guide the dry air that has passed through the heat exchanger 8 to the ion generator 16. The configuration of the dehumidifier is not limited to this embodiment, and a dehumidifier that does not operate the refrigeration cycle may be used. Even in this case, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained by guiding the dehumidified dry air to the ion generator 16.

【0082】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, since the dry air is guided to the ion generator and positive ions and negative ions are sent out into the room by the dry air, a desired amount of ions can be stably generated even if the humidity in the room is high. Can be done. Therefore, the bactericidal ability of airborne bacteria in the room can be stably obtained. In particular, even if the humidity in the room rises when the clothes are dried indoors, the airborne bacteria adhering to the clothes can be effectively removed.

【0083】

Further, according to the present invention, since a part of the dry air is guided to the ion generator, the wind speed of the dry air guided to the ion generator can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the disappearance of ions due to collision with the wall surface or the like after flowing out from the ion generator. Then, after merging with the remaining air that does not pass through the ion generator, ions having a predetermined concentration are emitted by strong wind power, and the ions can be distributed to every corner of the room.

【0084】

Further, according to the present invention, since the ratio of the air guided to the ion generator is changed according to the amount of air sent into the room, the amount of air guided to the ion generator is substantially constant regardless of the air volume of the dehumidifier. Be kept. Therefore, as a result, it is possible to prevent the disappearance of ions due to collision with the wall surface of the distribution path in the dehumidifier due to the increase in air volume, and to supply a stable amount of ions.

【0085】

Further, according to the present invention, by varying the applied voltage of the ion generator according to the humidity of the dry air guided to the ion generator, the decrease in the amount of ions generated due to high humidity is suppressed and the ion concentration is appropriately maintained. can do.

【0086】

Further, according to the present invention, since the amount of ions generated by the ion generator is changed according to the amount of air sent out into the room, the ion concentration of the air sent out into the room can be maintained appropriately and sufficient sterilization ability can be obtained. Can be obtained.

【0087】

Further, according to the present invention, since the amount of ions generated by the ion generator is changed according to the swing angle of the wind direction plate, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the bactericidal ability of airborne bacteria due to the diffusion of ions at a large swing angle. it can.

【0088】

Further, according to the present invention, since the air outlet that sends out air into the room is closed by the wind direction plate, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of dust and the like from the air outlet and to send out clean air.

【0089】

Further, according to the present invention, by providing the ion generator in the vicinity of the air outlet, it is possible to suppress the disappearance after ion generation. In addition, since a shielding means is provided to prevent contact between the finger and the ion generator that intrudes from the air outlet when the wind direction plate is opened, it is possible to prevent an accident such as electric shock due to contact between the finger and the ion generator. ..

【0090】

Further, according to the present invention, the lamp that illuminates and makes the ion generator visible while the ion generator is in operation can be turned off by the user's operation during the operation of the ion generator, so that the lamp can be turned off during bedtime, etc. It is possible to reduce the power consumption by turning off the lamp when it is not necessary to turn on the lamp.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a perspective view which shows the front surface of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a perspective view which shows the back surface of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows the operation panel of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 4]

It is a side view which shows the internal structure of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 5]

It is a side sectional view which shows the upper part of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 6]

It is a rear view which shows the structure of the upper part of the dehumidifier of the embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 7]

It is a top sectional view which shows the structure of the upper part of the dehumidifier of the embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 8]

It is sectional drawing which shows the ion generator of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 9]

It is a top view which shows the structure of the upper part of the dehumidifier of the embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 10]

It is an exploded view which shows the wind direction variable apparatus of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 11]

It is a side sectional view which shows the upper part of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 12]

It is a side sectional view which shows the upper part of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 13]

It is a flowchart which shows the ion generation processing of the dehumidifier of embodiment of this invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Dehumidifier 2 Front frame 3 Rear frame 4 outlet 5 compressor 6 tank 7 filter 8 evaporator 9 Condenser 10 handle 11 Blower 12 Exhaust unit 13 Operation panel 14 View window 15 suction port 16 Ion generator 17 Wind direction variable device 18 outlet 19 Drain pan 21 Sky Qing Button 22 Dehumidifying button 23 Clothes drying button 24 Dehumidification switching button 25 Air volume switching button 27 Swing button 28 Timer switch button 29 Display panel 30 1st vertical wind direction plate 31 2nd vertical wind direction plate 33 Crosswind direction plate 34 Stepping motor 41 Casing 42 duct 44 fan case 45 Protective plate 48 Bypass passage 49 lamps 50 Dielectric 51 Inner electrode 52 External electrode 60 Air volume adjustment plate 61 opening 70 Humidity sensor