U.S. patent application number 10/914106 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for humidity adjusting apparatus using desiccant.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Bae, Seong Won, Chin, Sim Won, Huh, Deok, Jung, In Hwa.
Application Number | 20050268634 10/914106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34939306 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268634 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung, In Hwa ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
Humidity adjusting apparatus using desiccant
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
Jung, In Hwa; (Seoul,
KR) ; Huh, Deok; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; Bae,
Seong Won; (Seoul, KR) ; Chin, Sim Won;
(Gwangmyeong-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
34939306 |
Appl. No.: |
10/914106 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2203/1068 20130101;
F24F 2203/1052 20130101; F24F 3/1423 20130101; F24F 2203/1084
20130101; F24F 2203/1056 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/271 |
International
Class: |
F25D 023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 21, 2004 |
KR |
36422/2004 |
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. 5,148,374 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.
* * * * *