Abstrict A humidity adjusting apparatus includes a fan for forcedly generating
airflow, a heater for heating introduced air to a predetermined
temperature, a driving unit for generating driving force; and a
desiccant unit having a rotational shaft driven by the driving unit
and a plurality of desiccant plates supported on the rotational
shaft in a radial direction. An orientation of each desiccant plate
and airflow direction are periodically varied.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A humidity adjusting apparatus comprising: a fan for forcedly
generating airflow; a heater for heating introduced air to a predetermined
temperature; a driving unit for generating driving force; and a
desiccant unit having a rotational shaft driven by the driving unit
and a plurality of desiccant plates supported on the rotational
shaft in a radial direction, an orientation of each desiccant plate
and airflow direction being periodically varied.
2. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
each of the desiccant plate extends in a normal direction of the
rotational shaft.
3. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the desiccant plates are symmetrically disposed with reference to
the rotational shaft.
4. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
each desiccant plate has a surface having a predetermined area.
5. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
a projected surface of each desiccant plate with respect to a normal
direction of the desiccant plate is a rectangular shape.
6. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
a projected surface of each desiccant plate with respect to a normal
direction of the desiccant plate is a linear shape.
7. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the desiccant plate is non-planar.
8. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the desiccant plate has at least one bent portion or at least one
wave.
9. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the fan is selected from the group consisting of a Sirocco fan,
a turbo fan, an axial fan, and a cross flow fan.
10. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the fan is spaced away from a front and/or rear surfaces of the
desiccant plate by a predetermined distance.
11. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the heater is disposed on an airflow passage along which air passes
through the desiccant plate containing moisture.
12. A humidity adjusting apparatus comprising: a driving unit for
generating driving force; a rotational shaft driven by the driving
unit and inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an airflow
direction in the apparatus; and at least one desiccant plate supported
on the rotational shaft in a radial direction.
13. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein
the predetermined angle is 90.degree..
14. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein
the desiccant plate has a rotational motion.
15. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein
the desiccant plate is continuously driven.
16. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein
the desiccant plate rotates against an airflow direction in the
apparatus.
17. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein
the desiccant plate is disposed perpendicular to an airflow direction
in the apparatus.
18. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein
an airflow passage is defined in the apparatus such that air flows
against a rotational direction of the desiccant plate.
19. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein
dehumidifying is performed for air passing the desiccant plate and
humidifying is performed for air passing another desiccant plate.
20. A humidity adjusting apparatus comprising: a rotational shaft
inclined with respect to an airflow direction; and at least one
desiccant plate extending from the rotational shaft in a radial
direction, an angle between the desiccant plate and the airflow
direction being periodically varied.
21. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 20 wherein
the desiccant plates are spaced away from each other by a predetermined
rotational angle.
22. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 20 wherein
a thickness of the desiccant plate is not uniform.
23. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 20 wherein
the desiccant plates are symmetrically disposed, having an identical
thickness to each other.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a humidity adjusting apparatus
using a desiccant, which can easily adjust humidifying and dehumidifying
volumes, and more particularly, to a humidity adjusting apparatus
that can easily increase an amount of a desiccant used for increasing
or decreasing the humidity in a limited space.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, a humidity adjusting apparatus uses a desiccant
to increase or decrease the humidity in a room or other enclosure.
[0005] The desiccant is a substance that has a high affinity for
water and is used as a drying agent. When the desiccant absorbing
water is heated, the affinity for water is restored. Therefore,
the desiccant can be reused. In addition, the desiccant is designed
to absorb moisture in air when surface vapor pressure is less than
partial pressure of ambient air and to discharge moisture when the
surface vapor pressure is less than the partial pressure of the
ambient air.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5148374 discloses such a humidity adjusting
apparatus using a desiccant. The humidity adjusting apparatus disclosed
in the patent has a desiccant wheel in which the desiccant is received.
The desiccant wheel is designed to periodically rotate to absorb
and discharge moisture from and to air being introduced.
[0007] However, the desiccant wheel is formed of a tow-dimensional
circular or semi-circular flat plate that two-dimensionally rotates.
In order to use the humidity adjusting apparatus in a high humid
region, the humidifying or dehumidifying capability should be enhanced.
Therefore, to enhance the capability, the size of the desiccant
wheel should be increased. In this case, since the desiccant wheel
is formed in a two-dimensional plate, an area occupied by the desiccant
wheel is enlarged, increasing a whole size of the dehumidifier.
[0008] Due to this structural problem, more than two dehumidifiers
or a large-sized dehumidifier should be installed in an enclosed
room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a desiccant
humidifier that substantially obviates one or more problems due
to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a humidity
adjusting apparatus that is enhanced in a humidifying/dehumidifying
volume variation.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
humidity adjusting apparatus that can easily vary the volume without
varying an overall size and a shape.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a humidity adjusting apparatus that is enhanced in its humidifying
and dehumidifying capability without increasing the size thereof.
[0013] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention
will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in
part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice
of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings.
[0014] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described
herein, there is provided a humidity adjusting apparatus including:
a fan for forcedly generating airflow; a heater for heating introduced
air to a predetermined temperature; a driving unit for generating
driving force; and a desiccant unit having a rotational shaft driven
by the driving unit and a plurality of desiccant plates supported
on the rotational shaft in a radial direction, an orientation of
each desiccant plate and airflow direction being periodically varied.
[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a humidity adjusting apparatus including: a driving unit for generating
driving force; a rotational shaft driven by the driving unit and
inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an airflow direction
in the apparatus; and at least one desiccant plate supported on
the rotational shaft in a radial direction.
[0016] In still another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a humidity adjusting apparatus including: a rotational
shaft inclined with respect to an airflow direction; and at least
one desiccant plate extending from the rotational shaft in a radial
direction, an angle between the desiccant plate and the airflow
direction being periodically varied.
[0017] According to the present invention, since the desiccant
plates are disposed on the rotational shaft in a radial direction,
a number of desiccant plates can be received in a limited space,
thereby increasing the volume of the desiccant.
[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description of the present invention
are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide
a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in
and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s)
of the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidity adjusting apparatus
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a plane sectional view of a desiccant unit depicted
in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a plane sectional view of a desiccant unit of
a humidity adjusting apparatus according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a desiccant plate depicted
in FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a plane sectional view of a desiccant unit of
a humidity adjusting apparatus according to a third embodiment of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a desiccant plate depicted
in FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a humidity adjusting apparatus
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a humidity adjusting apparatus
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments
of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers
will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a humidity adjusting
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 a humidity adjusting apparatus 1 includes
a desiccant unit 2 for absorbing or discharging moisture from or
to air.
[0031] The humidity adjusting apparatus 1 includes a rotational
shaft 3 a desiccant extending portion 4 and a driving unit mounting
portion 6 where the rotational shaft 3 is coupled to a driving unit
6. The desiccant unit 2 periodically rotates by the driving unit
6.
[0032] The rotational shaft 3 is disposed having a predetermined
angle with respect to an airflow passage defined in the apparatus
1 such that an area of a desiccant contacting the air can be increased
in a limited space. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase a
volume of the desiccant without increasing the size of the apparatus
1. To realize this effect, it is preferable that the rotational
shaft 3 is disposed to be perpendicular to the airflow passage.
[0033] The desiccant unit 2 further includes first, second, third,
and fourth desiccant plates 7 10 13 and 16 in which the desiccant
is received. With reference to a rotational direction of the desiccant
unit, the first desiccant plate 7 has first front and rear surfaces
8 and 9 the second desiccant plate 10 has second front and rear
surfaces 11 and 12 the third desiccant plate 13 has third front
and rear surfaces 14 and 15 and the fourth desiccant plate 16 has
fourth front and rear surfaces 17 and 18. Each of the first through
fourth desiccant plates 7 10 13 and 16 can be formed of more
than one layer. The first and third desiccant plates 7 and 13 are
symmetrically disposed while the second and fourth desiccant plates
10 and 16 are symmetrically disposed.
[0034] Although four desiccant plates are provided in this embodiment,
the present invention is not limited to this case. That is, the
number of desiccant plates can be varied in accordance with the
required dehumidifying/humidifying volume/
[0035] A projected shape of each desiccant plate in a normal direction
of the desiccant plate can be formed in a variety of shapes such
as a rectangular shape, a circular shape, and the like. However,
in the light of an object of the present invention for easily increasing
the humidifying/dehumidifying volume, it may be preferable that
the projected shape is the rectangular shape.
[0036] In addition, an area of each desiccant plate is designed
having a predetermined area to receive much more desiccant in the
limited space.
[0037] The humidity adjusting apparatus 1 further includes an intake
fan for introducing the air into the apparatus 1 and an exhaust
fan 32 for exhausting the air out of the apparatus 1. The intake
and exhaust fans are disposed at opposite sides with reference to
the desiccant unit 2.
[0038] The intake fan 27 is provided with an air inlet 28 for introducing
air and an air outlet 29 for exhausting the introduced air passing
through the desiccant unit 2. The exhaust fan 32 is also provided
with an air inlet 33 and an air outlet 34.
[0039] An air intake passage is defined between the desiccant unit
2 and the intake fan 27 and an air dry passage 31 is defined between
the desiccant unit 2 and the air exhaust fan 32.
[0040] The humidity adjusting apparatus 1 further includes a heater
19 and an intake/exhaust fan 23 disposed at an opposite side of
the heater 19 with reference to the desiccant unit 2. The heater
19 heats air introduced through the intake/exhaust fan 23 to a predetermined
temperature.
[0041] The heater 19 includes a heater case 20 a heat source formed
in the heater case 20 and a grill 21.
[0042] The intake/exhaust fan 23 is provided with an air inlet
24 and an air outlet 25.
[0043] A high temperature air passage 22 is defined between the
desiccant unit 2 and the heater 19 and a wet air passage 26 is
defined between the desiccant unit 2 and the intake/exhaust fan
23.
[0044] As the airflow direction of the air introduced into the
apparatus 1 is at a predetermined angle (about 90.degree.) with
respect to an airflow direction to the desiccant unit 2 the intake
and/or exhaust fan(s) 27 and/or 32 may be formed of a Sirocco fan
or a turbo fan.
[0045] The operation of the above-described humidity adjusting
apparatus will be described hereinafter.
[0046] When the apparatus is turned on, the intake fan 27 is operated
to introduce air through the air inlet 28 and the air outlet 29.
[0047] In this embodiment, since the intake fan 27 is formed of
one of the Sirocco and turbo fans, the introduced air changes its
flow direction to reach the desiccant unit 2 along the air intake
passage 30.
[0048] The air directed to the desiccant unit 2 comes in the third
desiccant plate 13 through the third front surface 14 and comes
out of the same through the third rear surface 15.
[0049] At this point, since the third desiccant plate 13 is in
a dry state, the moisture contained in the introduced air is absorbed
in the third desiccant plate 13. Then, the introduced air is altered
into dry air.
[0050] Here, in order to increase a moisture absorption rate of
the third desiccant plate 13 the airflow passage is formed such
that the air passes the third desiccant plate 13 in a perpendicular
direction while rotating the desiccant plate 13. This feature is
identically applied to other desiccant plates.
[0051] The dry air reaches the exhaust fan 32 along the dry air
passage 31. Then, the dry air is exhausted out of the apparatus
1 through the air outlet 34 of the exhaust fan 32.
[0052] The third desiccant plate 13 absorbing the moisture rotates
by the driving unit 6 by a predetermined angle (about 180.degree.)
so that the third desiccant plate 13 can be replaced to a location
where the first desiccant plate 7 has been located, which is to
be displaced to a location where the third desiccant plate 7 has
been located. That is, the locations of the first and third desiccant
plates 7 and 13 are exchanged with each other.
[0053] That is, an angle between a disposing direction of the desiccant
plate, i.e., a normal direction of the desiccant plate, and an airflow
direction in the apparatus is periodically varied. Namely, since
the rotational shaft 3 periodically rotates, the location of the
desiccant plates coupled to the rotational shaft is varied within
a range of 0-180.degree..
[0054] When the intake/exhaust fan 23 is operated, high temperature
air is introduced through the heat 19. This high temperature air
is directed to the desiccant unit 2 along the high temperature passage
22.
[0055] The high temperature air passes through the third desiccant
plate 13 containing the moisture, during which the moisture contained
in the third desiccant plate 13 is vaporized to make the air wet
air.
[0056] The wet air is directed to the intake/exhaust fan 23 through
the wet air passage 26 and exhausted through the air outlet 25.
[0057] Here, when the intake fan 27 is connected to the outdoor
side and the exhaust fan 32 is connected to the indoor side, the
humidity adjusting apparatus 1 functions as a dehumidifier. When
the intake fan 27 is connected to the indoor side and the exhaust
fan 32 is connected to the outdoor side, the humidity adjusting
apparatus 1 functions as a humidifier.
[0058] The location displacement of the desiccant plates of the
desiccant unit 2 is continuously realized at a predetermined period.
[0059] As the desiccant unit 2 continuously rotates, the third
desiccant plate 13 is displaced to a location where the second desiccant
plate 10 has been located after absorbing the moisture. Then, the
fourth desiccant plate 16 is located between the air intake passage
30 and the dry air passage 31 to function to absorb the moisture
contained in the air.
[0060] After the above, the third desiccant plate 13 is located
between the high temperature passage 22 and the wet air passage
26 to release the moisture, after which the fourth desiccant plate
16 containing the moisture is displaced to the location between
the high temperature passage and the wet air passage 26 to discharge
the moisture.
[0061] Then, the third desiccant plate 13 is again displaced to
the location between the intake passage 30 and the dry air passage
31 to absorb the moisture.
[0062] The above-described process is continuously repeated so
that the apparatus 1 can perform the humidifying/dehumidifying function.
[0063] FIG. 2 shows the desiccant unit depicted in FIG. 1.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 2 the first through fourth desiccant
plates 7 10 13 and 16 are coupled to desiccant extending portion
4 of the rotational shaft 3 to rotate against the airflow direction.
The intake passage 30 and the wet air passage 26 are separated by
a barrier wall 36 while the dry air passage and the high temperature
passage 22 are separated by a barrier wall 35.
[0065] At least one of the first through fourth desiccant plates
7 10 13 and 16 linearly extends from the desiccant extending
portion 4 in a radial direction so that the introduced airflow direction
can be perpendicular to thereof. Accordingly, the moisture absorption/discharge
efficiency for the introduced air can be enhanced.
[0066] In addition, since the first through fourth desiccant plates
7 10 13 and 16 extends in the radial direction, the occupying
space can be saved while effectively increasing the volume of the
apparatus 1.
[0067] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a desiccant unit of a humidity adjusting
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0068] In this embodiment, a description of parts identical to
those of the first embodiment will be omitted.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 each of first to fourth desiccant
plates 37 45 46 and 47 extends from the desiccant extending portion
4 having at least one bent portion.
[0070] In this embodiment, each desiccant plate has first, second
and third bent portions 38 39 and 40 and first to fourth bent surfaces
41 42 43 and 44 formed between the bent portions 38 39 and 40.
[0071] As each of the first to fourth desiccant plates 37 45
46 and 47 is provided with at least one bent portion, an amount
of the desiccant can be increased in a limited space.
[0072] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a desiccant unit of a humidity adjusting
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 first to fourth desiccant plates
48 51 52 and 53 extends from the desiccant extending portion
4 each being formed in a non-planar plate having a plurality of
valleys and ridges defining at least one wave.
[0074] In this embodiment, each desiccant plate has first and second
waves 49 and 50 thereby increasing an amount of desiccant in a
limited space.
[0075] FIG. 7 shows a humidity adjusting apparatus according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] A humidity adjusting apparatus according to this embodiment
includes an axial fan 54.
[0077] As the axial fan 54 is employed to the apparatus 1 an airflow
direction in the apparatus becomes identical to that of airflow
generated by the axial fan 54.
[0078] FIG. 8 shows a humidity adjusting apparatus according to
a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] A humidity adjusting apparatus according to this embodiment
includes a cross flow fan 55.
[0080] As the cross flow fan 55 is employed to the apparatus 1
an airflow direction in the apparatus is inclined to that of airflow
generated by the cross flow fan 54 at a predetermined angle.
[0081] The fourth and fifth embodiment show that the humidity adjusting
apparatus can provide a variety of air passages by employing a variety
of fans in accordance with a variety of conditions such as an install
location and the like.
[0082] The desiccant plates may be designed having an identical
thickness to each other to provide an identical dehumidifying/humidifying
volume. However, the present invention is not limited to this case.
That is, if required, the thickness of the desiccant plates can
be different from each other.
[0083] Since there may be an airflow rate difference according
to a location, the thickness of the desiccant plates can be varied
according to the airflow rate difference to optimize the humidifying/dehumidifying
efficiency.
[0084] Meanwhile, the shape of the desiccant plate is not limited
to the above-described embodiments. The shape of the desiccant plate
can be varied according to a variety of ambient conditions.
[0085] According to the present invention, since the desiccant
plates are disposed on the rotational shaft in a radial direction,
a number of desiccant plates can be received in a limited space,
thereby increasing the volume of the desiccant.
[0086] In addition, since the rotational shaft supporting the desiccant
plates is at a predetermined angle with respect to the airflow passage
formed in the apparatus, much more desiccant can be received in
a limited space.
[0087] Furthermore, by providing the desiccant plates each having
at least one bent portion or wave, an amount of the desiccant can
be further increased, thereby increasing the humidifying/dehumidifying
volume of the apparatus.
[0088] In addition, since a variety of fans such as a turbo fan,
a Sirocco fan, an axial fan, and a cross flow fan can be employed,
the humidity adjusting apparatus can provide a variety of air passages
by employing a variety of fans in accordance with a variety of conditions
such as an install location and the like.
[0089] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope
of the appended claims and their equivalents. |