Abstrict A humidity adjusting apparatus includes at least one desiccant
linearly reciprocated between a dehumidifying unit and a drying
unit, and a motor for driving the desiccant to be moved, thereby
improving dehumidifying and humidifying efficiency.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A humidity adjusting apparatus comprising: a dehumidifying unit
for absorbing moisture contained in air; a drying unit for emitting
moisture to air so that the air is changed into a humid air; a barrier
wall for partitioning the dehumidifying unit and the drying unit;
at least one plate-shaped desiccant translated across the barrier
wall to the dehumidifying unit or the drying unit; and a motor for
giving a driving force to move the desiccant.
2. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
there are provided at least two desiccants to be vertically laminated.
3. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 further
comprising: a rack formed on the desiccant; and a pinion engaged
with the rack and connected to the motor.
4. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the desiccant has a rectangular shape.
5. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 further
comprising a heater mounted in the drying unit.
6. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the motor is a step motor.
7. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
at least one fan is installed to the drying unit and/or the dehumidifying
unit.
8. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
there are provided at least two desiccants with the same shape.
9. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the desiccant shifts its position to the drying unit and the dehumidifying
unit at predetermined intervals.
10. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
there are provided at least two desiccants, and wherein the apparatus
further comprises: a rack formed on at least one of faced surfaces
of the desiccants; and a pinion engaged with the rack and connected
to the motor.
11. A humidity adjusting apparatus, comprising: a barrier wall
for partitioning an inner space of the apparatus into a dehumidifying
unit and a drying unit; a plurality of desiccants linearly reciprocated
across the barrier wall; and a motor for giving a driving force
to move the desiccants.
12. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein
the desiccants are laminated.
13. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein
the desiccants have the same shape.
14. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 11 further
comprising: racks formed on faced surfaces of the desiccants; and
a pinion formed between the racks and receiving a driving force
from the motor.
15. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein
a moving direction of the desiccants is orthogonal to a flow channel
of an air passing through the desiccants.
16. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein
the drying unit has an air temperature higher than that of the dehumidifying
unit.
17. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein
the drying unit has a heater so as to heat air introduced to the
desiccants.
18. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 11 wherein
one desiccant is moved in a direction opposite to another desiccant
at the same time.
19. A humidity adjusting apparatus, comprising: a plurality of
desiccants linear reciprocated between a drying unit and a dehumidifying
unit and moving together; and a motor for giving a driving force
to the desiccants.
20. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 19 wherein
the desiccants have a rectangular shape.
21. The humidity adjusting apparatus according to claim 19 further
comprising: racks formed to each desiccant; and a pinion engaged
with the racks and connected to the motor.
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 a dehumidifying volume,
and more particularly, to a humidity adjusting apparatus with an
improved structure that can increase an amount of a desiccant received
in a limited space, resultantly increasing or decreasing humidifying
and/or dehumidifying volumes.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A general humidity adjusting apparatus uses a desiccant
to increase or decrease the humidity in a room or other enclosure.
The desiccant is a substance that has a high affinity for water
and is used as moisture absorbent. The desiccant absorbs moisture
from ambient air in a common state, thereby making the air dry.
The moisture is then evaporated by means of the ambient conditions
such as heating, and then the moisture absorbent returns to its
original state. As the desiccant repeats to absorb moisture and
be dried, the moisture is moved from one spot to another spot, thereby
controlling humidity in a system that is a desired indoor space.
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.
[0005] 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 circular desiccant
is received. The desiccant wheel is designed to periodically rotate
in the wheel so as to absorb and discharge moisture from and to
air being introduced.
[0006] However, the desiccant wheel receiving a desiccant has a
shape of a circular flat plate that two-dimensionally rotates. The
humidity adjusting apparatus is operated by absorbing moisture at
one side while rotating, and removing moisture at the other side
with applying heat. Thus, in order to increase a humidifying or
dehumidifying amount for use in a high humid region, the size of
the desiccant wheel should be increased. However, if the size of
the desiccant wheel is increased, the whole size of the humidity
adjusting apparatus itself should be increased resultantly.
[0007] In addition, if the humidity adjusting apparatus is enlarged,
the manufacture cost for the apparatus is increased and the convenience
for using the apparatus becomes worse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a desiccant
humidifier with an improved structure that increases a volume of
a desiccant received in a limit space, resultantly increasing a
humidifying and/or dehumidifying amount.
[0009] To achieve the object, there is provided a humidity adjusting
apparatus including: a dehumidifying unit for absorbing moisture
contained in air; a drying unit for emitting moisture to air so
that the air is changed into a humid air; a barrier wall for partitioning
the dehumidifying unit and the drying unit; at least one plate-shaped
desiccant translated across the barrier wall to the dehumidifying
unit or the drying unit; and a motor for giving a driving force
to move the desiccant.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, there is also provided
a humidity adjusting apparatus including a barrier wall for partitioning
an inner space of the apparatus into a dehumidifying unit and a
drying unit; a plurality of desiccants linearly reciprocated across
the barrier wall; and a motor for giving a driving force to move
the desiccants.
[0011] In still another aspect of the invention, there is also
provided a humidity adjusting apparatus including a plurality of
desiccants linear reciprocated between a drying unit and a dehumidifying
unit and moving together; and a motor for giving a driving force
to the desiccants.
[0012] According to the present invention, the humidity adjusting
apparatus may be small-sized. In addition, the humidity adjusting
apparatus of the present invention may give increased humidifying
and dehumidifying volumes with a small size rather than the conventional
one.
[0013] Furthermore, the humidity adjusting apparatus of the present
invention may be more efficiently used due to the increased humidifying
volume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidity adjusting apparatus
according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along I-I' line of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view for illustrating that the air
containing moisture is introduced into the humidity adjusting apparatus
after the humidity adjusting apparatus using desiccant according
to the present invention starts operation;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional view for illustrating that positions
of first and second desiccants are shifted in the humidity adjusting
apparatus using desiccant according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional view for illustrating that moisture
is removed in the humidity adjusting apparatus using desiccant according
to the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional view for illustrating that positions
of first and second desiccants are shifted in the humidity adjusting
apparatus using desiccant according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] 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.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a humidity adjusting
apparatus according to the present invention.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1 the humidity adjusting apparatus 1
includes a dehumidifying unit 40 for removing moisture from air
by keeping the moisture in a desiccant, a drying unit 30 for drying
air by evaporating the moisture kept in the desiccant and then emitting
it in the air, and a barrier wall 35 for partitioning the dehumidifying
unit 40 and the drying unit 30. A desiccant unit is formed to move
between the dehumidifying unit 40 and the drying unit 30 so that
the moisture absorbed in the dehumidifying unit 40 is evaporated
in the drying unit 30. The desiccant unit is translated with coming
and going between the dehumidifying unit 40 and the drying unit
30.
[0024] The desiccant unit includes a first desiccant 3 positioned
in an upper position and a second desiccant 4 positioned below the
first desiccant 3. The first desiccant 3 has a plate shape with
a front surface 5 and a rear surface 6 while the second desiccant
4 has a plate shape with a front surface 7 and a rear surface 8.
The desiccant preferably has a rectangular shape to improve moisture
absorbing and emitting efficiency since it is linearly moved. The
first and second desiccants 3 and 4 carry moisture with coming and
going across the barrier wall 35 between the drying unit 30 and
the dehumidifying unit 40. Now, mechanism for moving the desiccants
3 and 4 is described below.
[0025] A first rack 9 is formed at one side of the bottom 6 of
the first desiccant 3 and a second rack 10 is formed at one side
of the upper surface 7 of the second desiccant 4 respectively.
Of course, the first and second racks 9 and 10 are faced with each
other to be moved together. A pinion 11 is formed between the first
and second racks 9 and 10 so that the first and second racks 9 and
10 are engaged with it. A motor 13 is also provided as a driving
means for rotating the pinion 11. By using this configuration, if
the motor 13 gives a rotational force, the pinion 11 is rotated
so that the racks 9 and 10 engaged with the pinion 11 itself are
translated in a lateral direction, thereby making the desiccant
moved. Of course, it is also possible that the desiccants 3 and
4 are moved and selectively put in the drying unit 30 and the dehumidifying
unit 40 in order to move humidity.
[0026] Here, in case the configuration using the racks 9 and 10
and the pinion 11 is applied to the humidity adjusting apparatus
1 using desiccant, the motor 13 should give repeated clockwise and
counterclockwise rotations at regular intervals. Thus, the motor
13 preferably uses a step motor that gives clockwise/counterclockwise
rotations with relatively more accurate angle and velocity.
[0027] In this embodiment, there is used only one set of the first
desiccant 3 the second desiccant 4 and/or the motor 13. However,
not limited to that case, the humidity adjusting apparatus of the
present invention may have two or more sets only if it may guide
movement of the desiccants 3 and 4 accurately. In addition, the
positions of the sets may be variously selected. That is to say,
there may be included several sets of the first desiccant 3 the
second desiccant 4 and the motor 13 according to the required humidifying
and dehumidifying amounts and the output of a blowing fan.
[0028] The structure having the racks 9 and 10 and the pinion 11
acts as a means for converting a rotation force of the motor 13
into a linear reciprocating movement. Thus, the structure having
the racks 9 and 10 and the pinion 11 may be replaced with a cam
structure that is also used for converting a rotation movement of
a driving means into a linear reciprocating movement.
[0029] As known from the aforementioned configuration, in the humidity
adjusting apparatus 1 of the present invention, the desiccant is
linearly reciprocated, not rotated. Thus, it may accomplish the
humidifying and dehumidifying function with a space smaller than
required for rotation of the desiccant in the conventional humidity
adjusting apparatus. Thus, various means for linear reciprocation
of the desiccant, not rotation thereof, may be proposed, and they
also belong to the scope of the invention.
[0030] Meanwhile, to describe the configuration of the dehumidifying
unit 40 in detail, the dehumidifying unit 40 includes an intake
fan 14 for introducing air into the dehumidifying unit 40 and an
exhaust fan 18 for exhausting the air introduced by the intake fan
14 and then exchanging moisture with the desiccant. In more detail,
the intake fan 14 and the exhaust fan 18 respectively have intake
holes 15 and 19 for introducing air and exhaust holes 16 and 20
for exhausting air. In the figure, the space formed between the
intake fan 14 and the desiccant 3 is an intake channel 17 for a
humid air to flow, while the space formed between the desiccant
3 and the exhaust fan 18 is a drying channel 21 for a dry air to
flow. It might be easily guessed that much moisture is kept in the
air passing through the intake channel 17 and moisture is removed
from the air passing through the drying channel 21 so that relatively
dry air flows therein.
[0031] To describe the drying unit 30 in detail, the drying unit
30 includes an exhaust fan 26 for introducing and exhausting air
with forming a channel separate from the channels formed by the
intake fan 14 and the exhaust fan 18 of the dehumidifying unit 40
and a heater 22 acting as a heating means for heating the air introduced
in the desiccants 3 and 4 into a high temperature air. In more detail,
the exhaust fan 26 has an intake hole 27 for introducing air and
an exhaust hole 28 for exhausting air. In addition, the heater 22
includes a heater case 23 and a grill 24 to form an appearance of
the heater 22. The space formed between the heater 22 and the desiccant
2 s a high temperature channel 25 for the air heated by the heater
22 to flow, while the space formed between the desiccants 3 and
4 and the exhaust fan 26 is a humid channel 29 for the air with
high temperature and high humidity to flow.
[0032] Meanwhile, the exhaust fan 26 plays roles of introducing
and exhausting air at the same time inside the drying unit 30. However,
it is also possible to form another intake fan for better air introduction
into the drying unit 30.
[0033] Hereinafter, operation of the humidity adjusting apparatus
using desiccants according to the present invention will be described
in order with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is
a sectional view taken along I-I' line of FIG. 1.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2 the barrier wall 35 is formed between
the drying unit 30 and the dehumidifying unit 40. In the dehumidifying
unit 40 the moisture kept in the introduced air is absorbed in
the desiccants 3 and 4 and then removed, while, in the drying unit
30 the moisture kept in the desiccants 3 and 4 is removed into
air. It may be easily guessed that moisture is removed in the drying
unit 30 by means of the heater 22.
[0035] The first and second desiccants 3 and 4 are moved laterally
by means of the pinion 11. If any of the desiccants 3 and 4 is moved
to the dehumidifying unit 40 it holds moisture, while, if the desiccant
with moisture is moved to the drying unit 30 the moisture kept
in the desiccant is emitted to air by means of a high temperature
air and then dried. As this procedure is repeated, moisture included
in the air passing through the dehumidifying unit 40 may be exhausted
to the drying unit 30.
[0036] If the dehumidifying unit is connected indoors, the humidity
adjusting apparatus of the present invention functions as a dehumidifier,
while, if the drying unit is connected indoors, the apparatus functions
as a drier. However, all devices functioning as a passage of moisture
as mentioned above are commonly called `dehumidifier`.
[0037] Hereinafter, operation of the humidity adjusting apparatus
according to the present invention will be described in order. FIGS.
3 to 6 are sectional views showing operation procedures of the humidity
adjusting apparatus according to the present invention. Now, operation
of the humidity adjusting apparatus according to the present invention
is described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows that the air containing moisture is introduced
into the humidity adjusting apparatus after the apparatus starts
operating.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3 the first desiccant 3 is positioned
in the dehumidifying unit 40 between the intake fan 14 and the exhaust
fan 18 and the second desiccant 4 is positioned in the drying unit
30 between the exhaust fan 26 and the heater 22. In this state,
if a user turns on the humidity adjusting apparatus, the intake
fan 14 and the exhaust fan 18 are operated to form an air channel
in the dehumidifying unit 40. In detail, an external air passes
through the intake fan 14 and is then introduced into the dehumidifying
unit 40. In addition, the introduced air passes through the first
desiccant 3 via the intake channel 17. During this process, moisture
contained in the air is absorbed to the first desiccant 3. At this
time, the first desiccant 3 is originally dry. Since the first desiccant
3 is dry, the moisture contained in the introduced air is absorbed
to the first desiccant 3 while passing through it. Thus, the first
desiccant 3 becomes humid with keeping moisture therein, and the
air loses moisture and is changed into a dry air.
[0040] The dry air without moisture passes through the dry channel
21 and is then exhausted out of the humidity adjusting apparatus
1 through the exhaust fan 18. It may be easily guessed that the
air passing through the dehumidifying unit 40 is in a dry state.
It is also guessed that, in case the dehumidifying unit 40 is connected
indoors, the humidity adjusting apparatus removes moisture in the
room.
[0041] Meanwhile, it may be easily guessed that the second desiccant
4 is put in the drying unit 30 and operated without moisture in
the case of FIG. 3.
[0042] FIG. 4 is for illustrating that the first and second desiccants
shift their positions in the humidity adjusting apparatus according
to the present invention.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4 when the first desiccant 3 keeps moisture
to a certain level and cannot take moisture any more, the first
desiccant 3 shifts its position with the second desiccant 4 by means
of a rotational force of the motor 13. In detail, If the motor 13
gives a counterclockwise rotational force, the pinion 11 is also
rotated in a counterclockwise direction with giving its force to
the racks 9 and 10 engaged with the pinion 11. Then, the first rack
9 is moved left on the figure, and the second rack 10 is moved right.
That is to say, the racks 9 and 10 are moved in opposite directions.
As a result, the first and second desiccants 3 and 4 connected to
the first and second racks 9 and 10 respectively are also linearly
moved in opposite directions.
[0044] Meanwhile, it may be seen that the movement direction the
desiccants 3 and 4 and the length direction of the desiccants 3
and 4 are orthogonal to the flowing direction of air passing through
the desiccants 3 and 4. This makes a larger area of the desiccants
be contacted with air.
[0045] FIG. 5 is for illustrating the process of removing moisture
in the humidity adjusting apparatus according to the present invention.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 5 due to the introduction force generated
by the exhaust fan 26 put in the drying unit 30 an external air
is introduced and converted into a high temperature air with passing
through the heater 22 and then the air passes through the first
desiccant 3. During this procedure, moisture absorbed in the first
desiccant 3 is evaporated and absorbed in the air by means of the
heat transferred by the high temperature air. Thus, the air is changed
into a humid air. The humid air with moisture is exhausted out of
the humidity adjusting apparatus through the exhaust fan 26.
[0047] In case the drying unit 30 is connected indoors, the humidity
adjusting apparatus may function as a dryer. In addition, since
the second desiccant 4 is put in the dehumidifying unit 40 when
the first desiccant 3 is put in the drying unit 30 it may be easily
guessed that the second desiccant 4 absorbs moisture.
[0048] FIG. 6 is for illustrating that the first and second desiccants
shift their positions in the humidity adjusting apparatus according
to the present invention. In FIG. 6 the desiccants are moved reverse
to that of FIG. 4.
[0049] That is to say, the motor 13 the pinion 11 and the racks
9 and 10 are moved in opposite directions to the case of FIG. 4
thereby shifting the positions of the first and second desiccants.
After those movements, the first desiccant 3 will collect moisture
as suggested in FIG. 3.
[0050] The procedures explained in FIGS. 3 to 6 will be repeated,
and the repeated operations help moisture to be moved from one spot
to another spot. Though the behavior of moisture was explained above
on the basis of the first desiccant 3 it may be understood that
the same behavior may be applied to the second desiccant 4. Furthermore,
it may be easily guessed that the second desiccant 4 removes moisture
when the first desiccant 1 collects moisture, the first desiccant
3 removes moisture when the second desiccant 4 collects moisture,
and the second desiccant 4 is moving when the first desiccant 3
is moving.
[0051] If the motor 13 repeats clockwise and counterclockwise rotations,
the first and second desiccants 3 and 4 alternately absorb moisture
or exhaust the absorbed moisture, respectively. Thus, the humidity
adjusting apparatus of the present invention may conduct the humidifying
function and/or the dehumidifying function continuously. The motor
13 is preferably a step motor so that the motor 13 may give accurate
periodical clockwise and counterclockwise rotations.
[0052] Since the first and second desiccants 3 and 4 are linearly
reciprocated, the space required for regenerating the desiccant
may be remarkably reduced rather than the conventional one. Thus,
the humidity adjusting apparatus may be made smaller than a conventional
one with ensuring increased humidifying and dehumidifying amounts.
[0053] Meanwhile, the humidity adjusting apparatus of the present
invention may function as a dehumidifier and a humidifier respectively
according to the connection state of the humidifying unit and the
drying unit. In addition, the moisture is moved by means of linear
reciprocation of the plate-shaped desiccant in the present invention,
and any operation mechanism other than that the rack-pinion mechanism
may be applied if it satisfies the above operation condition.
[0054] In addition, though two plate-shaped desiccants are spaced
apart in this embodiment, the spirit of the present invention may
be easily realized even when more than two desiccants are installed
at intervals.
[0055] Moreover, the interval that the desiccants shift their positions
may be set on the basis of the time required for absorbing moisture
or evaporating moisture. In addition, it is also possible that the
desiccant shifts its position in real time by measurement of weight
or like of the desiccant.
[0056] The scope of the invention is not limited to the aforementioned
embodiments, but various embodiments may be further proposed by
simple change, addition and deletion of components of the present
invention. |