KR102762859B1 - Dehumidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier, comprising: a condenser for condensing a refrigerant; an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant; and a heat transfer module for absorbing heat of air flowing into the evaporator and transferring the heat to air flowing out of the evaporator, wherein the heat transfer module comprises a heat absorption pipe extending from a front side of the evaporator and a heat radiation pipe extending to a rear side of the evaporator, and comprises a plurality of heat pipes arranged in a vertical direction of the evaporator, heat absorption fins arranged between the heat absorption pipes and exchanging heat with air flowing into the evaporator, and heat radiation fins arranged between the heat radiation pipes and exchanging heat with air flowing out of the evaporator.

Description

Dehumidifier

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier, and more particularly, to a dehumidifier having a heat pipe arranged around an evaporator.

A dehumidifier is an air conditioner that lowers humidity by directly removing moisture from the air.

The way dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air can be divided into cooling and drying types.

Dry dehumidifiers use a chemical substance called a desiccant, which absorbs or adsorbs moisture in the air like a dehumidifier used at home. When the desiccant can no longer absorb moisture, the desiccant is reheated and the separated moisture is released outside the dehumidifier, so that the desiccant can be used again.

This method is useful for removing small amounts of moisture from confined spaces. Desiccants include silica gel, a porous material with excellent moisture absorption capabilities.

Refrigerated dehumidifiers control humidity by condensing water vapor in the air into water. In order to condense water vapor, the temperature of the air must be lowered below the dew point. Therefore, refrigerated dehumidifiers use refrigerant for cooling. Refrigerated dehumidifiers include a compressor through which refrigerant circulates, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.

Meanwhile, a typical refrigerating dehumidifier performs dehumidification by condensing moisture as air passes through the evaporator, and the air passing through the evaporator is reheated by passing through the condenser. The purpose of a dehumidifier is not to cool the air, and the air discharged from the dehumidifier is heated air passing through the condenser, so the evaporator only has to lower the temperature of the air to the dew point.

However, since the performance of the refrigeration cycle is designed to ensure sufficient cooling in preparation for high temperature and humidity conditions, the air passing through the evaporator may be cooled more than necessary. On the other hand, if the temperature of the air flowing into the evaporator is lowered, the temperature that must be reduced until the air in the evaporator reaches the dew point may be reduced. Accordingly, a dehumidifier using a heat exchanger equipped with a heat pipe to transfer the cold air of the air passing through the evaporator to the air flowing into the evaporator is proposed.

As described above, a dehumidifier using a heat exchanger equipped with a heat pipe can lower the evaporator load and reduce compressor power consumption by positioning the precooling section (inlet side heat pipe) of the heat pipe before the evaporator in the airflow direction and positioning the heat dissipation section (outlet side heat pipe) after the evaporator.

Meanwhile, since a dehumidifier according to the prior art has an evaporator and a horizontal heat pipe connected together to a heat dissipation fin, the overall thickness of the evaporator is thick, and when manufacturing various models considering the overall thickness and power consumption of the dehumidifier, a thick evaporator with a horizontal heat pipe and a thin evaporator without a horizontal heat pipe must be manufactured separately, so there is a problem in that the overall manufacturing cost for manufacturing the dehumidifier increases.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0008864

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a dehumidifier in which a manufacturer can manufacture a model having a thick overall thickness and a model having a thin overall thickness while sharing an evaporator, and in which the overall manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In addition, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a dehumidifier capable of increasing the heat transfer efficiency of a heat pipe by improving the positions of the heat absorption and heat dissipation portions of a heat transfer module.

Meanwhile, the purposes of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a dehumidifier includes: a condenser that condenses a refrigerant; an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant; and a heat transfer module that absorbs heat of air flowing into the evaporator and transfers the heat to air flowing out of the evaporator, wherein the heat transfer module includes a heat absorption pipe extending from a front side of the evaporator and a heat dissipation pipe extending to a rear side of the evaporator, and a plurality of heat pipes arranged in a vertical direction of the evaporator; heat absorption fins arranged between the heat absorption pipes and exchanging heat with air flowing into the evaporator; and heat dissipation fins arranged between the heat dissipation pipes and exchanging heat with air flowing out of the evaporator.

In addition, it is preferable that the heat pipe further includes a connecting pipe connecting the heat absorption pipe and the heat dissipation pipe on the side of the evaporator.

Additionally, it is preferable that the heat dissipation pipe be positioned at a higher height than the heat absorption pipe.

In addition, it is preferable that the heat pipe is formed in a flat tube shape.

In addition, it is preferable that the heat-absorbing fin is fixed between the heat-absorbing pipes of the plurality of heat pipes by bending the rapid plate material in the vertical direction.

In addition, it is preferable that the heat dissipation fin is fixed between the heat dissipation pipes of the plurality of heat pipes by bending the rapid plate material in the vertical direction.

In addition, the evaporator is equipped with a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger, and it is preferable that the heat-absorbing fins are arranged at a different height from the tubes of the evaporator.

In addition, the evaporator is equipped with a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger, and it is preferable that the heat dissipation fins are arranged at a different height from the tubes of the evaporator.

According to the dehumidifier according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the heat transfer capability of the heat pipe can be increased by the heat transfer fins, thereby increasing the power consumption reduction effect by the heat pipe.

In addition, according to the dehumidifier according to the present invention, the manufacturer has the advantage of being able to minimize the cost of the entire facility for manufacturing a dehumidifier model in which a heat pipe assembly is installed together with the evaporator and a dehumidifier model in which the heat pipe assembly is not installed while standardizing an evaporator in which an evaporation fin is combined with an evaporation tube.

In addition, the dehumidifier according to the present invention has the advantage of enabling rapid dehumidification while minimizing the resistance of air flowing before and after the evaporator.

Meanwhile, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a simplified diagram showing the internal structure of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a plan view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a front view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Here, when adding reference signs to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same signs as much as possible even if they are shown on different drawings. In addition, when describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function hinders the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

Also, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

First, a dehumidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing the internal structure of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A dehumidifier (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a case (110) forming an exterior, a compressor (140) that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser (150) that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor (140), an expander (160) that expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (150), an evaporator (170) that evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expander (160), a heat transfer module (200) that absorbs heat of air flowing into the evaporator (170) and transfers it to air flowing out of the evaporator (170), and a water collection unit (130) that collects and drains condensed water generated in the evaporator.

The case (110) has an outer cover (111) that forms the exterior of the dehumidifier (100), a passage section (120) provided on the inside of the outer cover (111) to form a passage through which air moves, and a partition (115) that divides a collection section (130) where condensate is collected.

Here, an inlet (112) through which air flows in from the outside and an outlet (113) through which dehumidified air flows out can be formed on one side of the outer case (110) of the case (110).

Meanwhile, although not shown in the inlet (112), a number of through holes forming the inlet (112) and a filter member (not shown) for filtering dust in the air may be further provided.

In addition, the outlet (113) may be further provided with a cover (114) that opens when the dehumidifier (100) is in operation so that the dehumidified air can be discharged, and the cover (114) may be provided with a separate operating body (not shown, for example, a motor) so that it can be opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of the dehumidifier (100).

Meanwhile, the partition (115) of the case (110) can divide the inner space of the outer cover (111) into a flow path (120) and a water collecting section (130), etc. Additionally, the partition (115) can further divide the space in which a compressor (140) and a control section (not shown) are installed in addition to the flow path (120) and the water collecting section (130).

A blower fan (122) for sucking in air from outside the dehumidifier may be provided adjacent to the outlet (113) in the euro section (120).

The blower fan (122) discharges air that is dehumidified in the evaporator (170) and heated in the condenser (150) to the outside of the case (110) through the outlet (113). This blower fan (122) can be rotated by a motor (121) that generates rotational force, and it is preferable that the blower fan (122) be equipped as a side flow fan.

In addition, an evaporator (170) and a condenser (150) are sequentially arranged in the flow direction of air moved by a blower fan (122) in the flow path (120) of the case (110). In addition, a compressor (140) and an expander (160) may be arranged outside the flow path (120) inside the case (110) so as not to impede the movement of air.

Meanwhile, the compressor (140) is connected to the evaporator (170) and compresses the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator (170). The compressor (140) is connected to the condenser (150) and the compressed refrigerant flows into the condenser (150).

The condenser (150) is connected to the compressor (140) and condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor (140) by heat exchange with air. The condenser (150) heats the air dehumidified in the evaporator (170). The air heated in the condenser (150) is discharged to the outlet (113) by the blower fan (122). The condenser (150) is connected to the expander (160), and the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (150) flows to the expander (160).

Such a condenser (150) may be equipped with a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger having at least one condensing tube (not shown) through which refrigerant moves, and condensing fins (not shown) that are connected to the condensing tube and come into contact with air passing through the condenser (150).

The expander (160) is connected to the condenser (150) and expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser (150). The expander (160) is connected to the evaporator (170), and the refrigerant expanded in the expander (160) flows to the evaporator (170).

The evaporator (170) is connected to the expander (160) and evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expander (160) by exchanging heat with air. The evaporator (170) cools and dehumidifies the air. The air cooled and dehumidified in the evaporator (170) flows to the condenser (150).

The evaporator (170) is connected to the compressor (140), and the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator (170) flows to the compressor (140). The evaporator (170) has a part of the heat transfer module (200) arranged at the front side where air flows in, and another part of the heat transfer module (200) arranged at the rear side where air flows out.

Such an evaporator (170) may be equipped with a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger having at least one evaporation tube (not shown) through which refrigerant moves, and evaporation fins (not shown) that are connected to the evaporation tube and come into contact with air passing through the evaporator (170).

Meanwhile, a collection unit (130) may be provided at the bottom of the case (110) euro section (120) to collect condensate condensed in the evaporator (170).

Here, the water collecting unit (130) is equipped with a body-shaped water collecting plate (131) in which condensate that is condensed and falls from the evaporator (170) is collected, a water collecting pipe (132) that is connected to and extends from the lower portion of the water collecting plate (131), and a water collecting tank (133) in which condensate that moves through the water collecting pipe (132) is collected and stored.

Meanwhile, the water collection tank (133) is formed separately from the outer cover (111) of the case (110) and may be provided in the form of a drawer so that the user can discharge the stored condensate.

Meanwhile, the heat transfer module (200) is placed on the front side (the side where air flows in) of the evaporator (170) and the rear side (the side where air flows out) of the evaporator (170). The heat transfer module (200) can cool the air flowing into the evaporator (170) and heat the air flowing out of the evaporator (170).

This heat transfer module (200) can precool the air flowing into the evaporator (170) in the direction of air flow and preheat the air passing through the evaporator (170) again, thereby reducing the load on the evaporator (170) itself and reducing the power consumption of the compressor (140).

The heat transfer module (200) will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a side view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a front view showing a heat transfer module of a dehumidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, a heat transfer module (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a heat absorbing portion (220) positioned adjacent to the front of an evaporator (170), and a heat dissipating portion (210) positioned at the rear of the evaporator (170) and connected to the heat absorbing portion (220).

This heat transfer module (200) includes a heat absorption pipe (221) extending across the front of the evaporator (170), a connecting pipe (231) extending from the heat absorption pipe (221) along the side of the evaporator (170) and toward the rear side of the evaporator (170), and a heat dissipation pipe (211) extending across the rear side of the evaporator (170) from the connecting pipe (231), and has a plurality of heat pipes (200a) arranged in the upper and lower directions of the evaporator (170).

Meanwhile, between the heat absorption pipes (221) of the heat pipe (200a), heat absorption fins (222) are provided that form a heat absorption area by coming into contact with the air flowing into the evaporator (170), and between the heat dissipation pipes (211) of the heat pipe (200a), heat dissipation fins (212) are provided that form a heat dissipation area by coming into contact with the air passing through the evaporator (170).

Here, it is preferable that the heat absorption pipe (221) and the heat dissipation pipe (211) of the heat pipe (200a) are formed at different heights. That is, the heat absorption pipe (221) forms a predetermined height with respect to the evaporator (170), and the heat dissipation pipe (211) is positioned so as to be formed at a predetermined height (D) higher than the height at which the heat absorption pipe (221) is formed.

Meanwhile, the heat absorption pipe (221) and the heat dissipation pipe (211) extend horizontally from the front and rear sides of the evaporator (170), and the connecting pipe (231) connecting the heat absorption pipe (221) and the heat dissipation pipe (211) can be formed to be inclined at a predetermined curvature so as to connect between the heat absorption pipe (221) and the heat dissipation pipe on the side of the evaporator.

Here, when the heat absorption pipe (221) and the heat dissipation pipe (211) are formed at different heights (D), the liquid fluid among the fluids filled inside the heat pipe (200a) can easily move toward the heat absorption pipe (221) which is relatively lower than the heat dissipation pipe (211) due to its own weight, thereby increasing the heat transfer of the heat pipe (200a).

Here, the heat absorbing part (220) is positioned before the evaporator (170) in the air flow direction and between the inlet (112) and the evaporator (170).

Therefore, the air flowing toward the evaporator (170) after passing through the inlet (112) can be precooled by the heat absorber (220). Meanwhile, the heat absorber (220) can be spaced apart from the front of the evaporation tube and evaporation fins constituting the evaporator (170) by a predetermined distance.

In addition, the heat dissipation unit (210) is positioned between the evaporator (170) and the condenser (150) in the air flow direction, and is positioned after the evaporator (170). Therefore, the air cooled and dehumidified while passing through the evaporator (170) can be heated by the heat dissipation unit.

Meanwhile, the heat dissipation unit (210) can be spaced apart from the rear of the evaporation tube and evaporation fin constituting the evaporator (170) by a predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, the heat pipe (200a) formed by the heat absorption pipe (221), the connecting pipe (231), and the heat absorption pipe (221) may be formed as a square pipe having a rectangular cross-section. In addition, the heat pipe may be formed as a flat tube having a horizontal width wider than a vertical width.

Here, the heat pipe (200a) is formed as a pipe made of a metal material (e.g., copper, aluminum, etc.) that forms a tube body with both ends sealed so that a vacuum is maintained inside.

Additionally, the inside of the pipe may be filled with a volatile fluid capable of changing its vapor phase (e.g., methanol, acetone, water, mercury, etc.) for heat transfer.

In addition, porous fibers or the like can be used on the inner wall surface of the pipe forming the heat pipe (200a) to allow liquid fluid to move, and gaseous fluid moves in the center of the pipe.

Meanwhile, the evaporator (170) described above may be equipped with a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger, and the heat dissipation pipe (211) and heat absorption pipe (221) of the heat pipe (200a) may be arranged at different positions from the evaporation tube of the evaporator.

That is, since the heat dissipation pipe (211) and the heat absorption pipe (221) of the heat pipe (200a) are positioned on the air flow path, the heat pipe (200a) can provide resistance in the air flow direction.

Therefore, by arranging the heat dissipation pipe (211) and heat absorption pipe (221) of the heat pipe (200a) and the evaporation tube of the evaporator (170) in different positions, the air resistance of the air sucked toward the evaporator (170) can be reduced.

As described above, multiple heat pipes (200a) can be arranged to overlap each other in the upper and lower directions of the evaporator (170) in a form that surrounds the evaporator (170) from the side, and a heat absorption fin (222) is positioned between the heat absorption pipes (221) of each heat pipe (200a), and a heat dissipation fin (212) is positioned between the heat dissipation pipes (211) of each heat pipe (200a).

Here, the heat-absorbing fin (222) can be fixed to each heat-absorbing pipe (221) by adhesive, brazing, welding, etc. between the heat-absorbing pipes (221) positioned at the upper and lower sides by bending the rapid plate material in the vertical direction, and can precool the air by exchanging heat with the air moving to the evaporator (170).

In addition, the heat dissipation fin (212) can be fixed to each heat dissipation pipe (211) between the heat dissipation pipes positioned on the upper and lower sides by means of adhesive, brazing, welding, etc., by the rapid plate material being bent in the vertical direction, and can heat the air by exchanging heat with the air passing through the evaporator.

Meanwhile, the above-described heat dissipation fins (212) and heat absorption fins (222) may be arranged at different intervals. That is, the heat absorption fins (222) and the heat dissipation fins (212) may have different numbers. In addition, the heat absorption fins (222) and the heat dissipation fins (212) may have different arrangement positions. In addition, one of the heat absorption fins (222) and the heat absorption fins (212) may be arranged close to the evaporation fins of the evaporator (170), and the other may be arranged further away from the evaporation fins.

In the above, even though all the components constituting the embodiments of the present invention have been described as being combined as one or operating in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the present invention, all of the components may be selectively combined and operated one or more times. In addition, the terms "include," "compose," or "have" described above, unless specifically stated to the contrary, mean that the corresponding component can be inherent, and therefore should be interpreted as including other components rather than excluding other components.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

100: Dehumidifier 110: Case
111: Outer cover 112: Inlet
113: Outlet 114: Cover
115: Partition 120: Euro part
122: Blower fan 130: Water collection unit
131: Collector plate 132: Collector pipe
133: sump 140: compressor
150: Condenser 160: Expander
170: Evaporator 200: Heat transfer module
200a: heat pipe 210: heat sink
211: Radiating pipe 212: Radiating fin
221: Heat absorbing pipe 222: Heat absorbing fin
231: Connecting pipe

Claims (8)

A condenser that condenses the refrigerant;
A fin-and-tube type evaporator having at least one tube through which the refrigerant moves and fins coupled to the tubes to exchange heat by contacting air; and
It includes a heat transfer module that absorbs heat from air flowing into the evaporator and transfers it to air flowing out of the evaporator.
The above heat transfer module
A plurality of heat pipes, including a heat absorption pipe extending from the front of the evaporator, a heat dissipation pipe extending to the rear of the evaporator, and a connecting pipe connecting the heat absorption pipe and the heat dissipation pipe, and arranged in the upper and lower direction of the evaporator;
A heat absorbing fin disposed between the above heat absorbing pipes and exchanging heat with air flowing into the evaporator; and
It includes a heat dissipation fin that is arranged between the above heat dissipation pipes and exchanges heat with the air flowing out from the evaporator.
The above heat dissipation pipe is positioned at a higher height than the above heat absorption pipe,
The above connecting pipe connects the heat absorption pipe and the heat dissipation pipe at an angle on the side of the above evaporator,
A dehumidifier characterized in that the above heat dissipation pipe, the heat absorption pipe, and the connection pipe are formed integrally in the form of a flat tube. delete delete delete A dehumidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat absorbing fin is fixed between the heat absorbing pipes of the plurality of heat pipes by bending the rapid plate material in the vertical direction. A dehumidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat dissipation fin is fixed between the heat dissipation pipes of the plurality of heat pipes by bending the rapid plate material in the vertical direction. A dehumidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat-absorbing pipe is arranged at a different height from the tube of the evaporator. A dehumidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat dissipation pipe is arranged at a different height from the tube of the evaporator.

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