U.S. patent application number 16/480990 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-02 for dehumidifier.
The applicant listed for this patent is WINIX INC.. Invention is credited to Chul Min Yoon.
Application Number | 20200003451 16/480990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63370811 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200003451 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoon; Chul Min |
January 2, 2020 |
DEHUMIDIFIER
Abstract
A dehumidifier according to an embodiment comprises: a
dehumidifier main body provided with a suction port for suctioning
air and a discharge port for discharging dehumidified air to the
outside; an evaporator disposed in the dehumidifier main body and
removing moisture in the air suctioned through the suction port;
and a compressor connected to the evaporator inside the
dehumidifier main body and compressing a refrigerant for exchanging
heat with the air inside the evaporator, wherein dehumidified water
can be generated on the surface of the evaporator, and removed
therefrom by means of the vibration of the compressor.
Inventors: |
Yoon; Chul Min; (Siheung,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WINIX INC. |
Siheung |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
63370811 |
Appl. No.: |
16/480990 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
March 2, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2017/002265 |
371 Date: |
July 25, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 3/1405 20130101;
F24F 3/14 20130101; F24F 13/10 20130101; F24F 2013/202 20130101;
F24F 13/22 20130101; F24F 2013/205 20130101; F24F 13/20 20130101;
F24F 13/222 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/10 20060101
F24F013/10; F24F 13/20 20060101 F24F013/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0026500 |
Claims
1. A dehumidifier comprising: a dehumidifier body having an inlet
through which air is suctioned and an outlet through which
dehumidified air is discharged to an outside; an evaporator
disposed in the dehumidifier body to remove moisture in the air
suctioned through the inlet; and a compressor connected to the
evaporator in the dehumidifier body to compress a refrigerant for
exchanging heat with the air in the evaporator, wherein
dehumidification water is generated on a surface of the evaporator
and the dehumidification water is removed from the surface of the
evaporator due to a vibration of the compressor.
2. The dehumidifier of claim 1, further comprising: a housing
configured to accommodate the evaporator and the compressor
therein, wherein the housing is attached to a bottom surface of the
dehumidifier body.
3. The dehumidifier of claim 2, further comprising: a vibration
absorbing member disposed in the dehumidifier body to absorb the
vibration generated in the compressor, wherein the vibration
absorbing member comprises: a damper configured to connect a lower
surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the dehumidifier
body; a grommet spaced apart from the damper, the lower surface of
the housing being located therebetween; and a fixing element
configured to fix the compressor in the housing, and the vibration
is absorbed by the damper or the grommet.
4. The dehumidifier of claim 2, further comprising: a vibration
transfer member configured to transfer the vibration generated in
the compressor to the evaporator, wherein the vibration transfer
member comprises the housing or a refrigerant line configured to
connect the compressor and the evaporator.
5. The dehumidifier of claim 2, wherein a dehumidification water
tray is disposed below the evaporator in the housing and the
dehumidification water moves from a surface of the evaporator
toward the dehumidification water tray.
6. The dehumidifier of claim 2, further comprising: a condenser
disposed in the housing to be spaced apart from the evaporator in
parallel to an exhaust direction.
7. A dehumidifier comprising: a dehumidifier body having an inlet
through which air is suctioned and an outlet through which
dehumidified air is discharged to an outside; a housing mounted in
the dehumidifier body; an evaporator disposed in an upper part of
the housing to remove moisture in air suctioned from the outside;
and a compressor disposed in a lower part of the housing to
compress a refrigerant for exchanging heat with the air in the
evaporator, wherein the evaporator and the compressor are connected
to each other such that a vibration generated in the compressor is
transferred to the evaporator.
8. The dehumidifier of claim 7, wherein the dehumidifier body
comprises: a damper configured to connect a lower surface of the
housing and a bottom surface of the dehumidifier body; a grommet
spaced apart from the damper, the lower surface of the housing
being located therebetween; and a fixing element configured to
extend from an inner surface of the housing toward a side surface
of the compressor through the grommet, wherein the damper or the
grommet is configured to absorb the vibration generated in the
compressor.
9. The dehumidifier of claim 7, wherein dehumidification water is
generated on a surface of the evaporator and the vibration of the
compressor is transferred to the evaporator such that the
dehumidification water is removed from the surface of the
evaporator.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] One or more example embodiments relate to a dehumidifier
and, more particularly, to a dehumidifier that transfers a
vibration of a compressor to effectively remove dehumidification
water generated on a surface of an evaporator therefrom.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In most cases, a dehumidifier may employ a cooling-type
dehumidification that removes humidity by condensing moisture
contained in air while the air passing through an evaporator based
on a refrigeration cycle.
[0003] Such dehumidifier may include a case that forms an
appearance, a fan installed in the case to suction external air, a
dehumidifying mean that removes moisture by condensing humidity
contained in the suctioned air, and a water tank in which water
generated in the dehumidifying mean is stored.
[0004] The dehumidifying mean may include a compressor that
compresses a gaseous refrigerant at a high temperature and a high
pressure, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant gas discharged
from the compressor with the high temperature and the high
pressure, and an evaporator that evaporates a low-pressure
refrigerant having passed through the evaporator and a capillary
(inflation tube).
[0005] In such dehumidifier, a refrigerant is circulated by the
compressor from the evaporator, through the condenser and the
capillary, to the evaporator again. When air is suctioned into a
case due to rotation of the fan, the suctioned air may be cooled by
the refrigerant to be below the dew point while passing the
evaporator and condensed such that moisture contained in the air is
formed to be waterdrop, and then removed.
[0006] In this instance, to prevent degradation in heat exchange
efficiency due to the humidity generated on the heat exchanger, the
humidity needs to be quickly removed.
[0007] For example, Korea Patent Application No. 10-2014-0133285
filed on Oct. 2, 2014 discloses a dehumidifier.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Goals
[0008] An aspect provides a dehumidifier that effectively removes
moisture (or dehumidification water) generated on a surface of a
heat exchanger (particularly, the dehumidifier) therefrom using a
vibration of a compressor.
[0009] Another aspect provides a dehumidifier that quickly removes
moisture (or dehumidification water) generated on a surface of a
heat exchanger (particularly, the dehumidifier), thereby improving
a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger and improving a
dehumidifying performance or dehumidifying efficiency of the
dehumidifier.
[0010] Still another aspect provides a dehumidifier that prevents a
vibration generated in a compressor from being transferred to a
dehumidifier body and allows the vibration to be effectively
transferred to the dehumidifier.
Technical Solutions
[0011] According to an aspect, there is provided a dehumidifier
including a dehumidifier body having an inlet through which air is
suctioned and an outlet through which dehumidified air is
discharged to an outside, an evaporator disposed in the
dehumidifier body to remove moisture in the air suctioned through
the inlet, and a compressor connected to the evaporator in the
dehumidifier body to compress a refrigerant for exchanging heat
with the air in the evaporator, wherein dehumidification water is
generated on a surface of the evaporator and the dehumidification
water is removed from the surface of the evaporator due to a
vibration of the compressor.
[0012] The dehumidifier may further include a housing configured to
accommodate the evaporator and the compressor therein. The housing
may be attached to a bottom surface of the dehumidifier body.
[0013] The dehumidifier may further include a vibration absorbing
member disposed in the dehumidifier body to absorb the vibration
generated in the compressor. The vibration absorbing member may
include a damper configured to connect a lower surface of the
housing and the bottom surface of the dehumidifier body, a grommet
spaced apart from the damper, the lower surface of the housing
being located therebetween, and a fixing element configured to fix
the compressor in the housing. The vibration may be absorbed by the
damper or the grommet.
[0014] The dehumidifier may further include a vibration transfer
member configured to transfer the vibration generated in the
compressor to the evaporator. The vibration transfer member may
include the housing or a refrigerant line configured to connect the
compressor and the evaporator.
[0015] A dehumidification water tray may be disposed below the
evaporator in the housing. The dehumidification water may move from
a surface of the evaporator toward the dehumidification water
tray.
[0016] The dehumidifier may further include a condenser disposed in
the housing to be spaced apart from the evaporator in parallel to
an exhaust direction.
[0017] According to another aspect, there is also provided a
dehumidifier including a dehumidifier body having an inlet through
which air is suctioned and an outlet through which dehumidified air
is discharged to an outside, a housing mounted in the dehumidifier
body, an evaporator disposed in an upper part of the housing to
remove moisture in air suctioned from the outside, and a compressor
disposed in a lower part of the housing to compress a refrigerant
for exchanging heat with the air in the evaporator, wherein the
evaporator and the compressor are connected to each other such that
a vibration generated in the compressor is transferred to the
evaporator.
[0018] The dehumidifier body may include a damper configured to
connect a lower surface of the housing and a bottom surface of the
dehumidifier body, a grommet spaced apart from the damper, the
lower surface of the housing being located therebetween, and a
fixing element configured to extend from an inner surface of the
housing toward a side surface of the compressor through the
grommet. The damper or the grommet may be configured to absorb the
vibration generated in the compressor.
[0019] Dehumidification water may be generated on a surface of the
evaporator. The vibration of the compressor may be transferred to
the evaporator such that the dehumidification water is removed from
the surface of the evaporator.
Effects
[0020] According to example embodiments, it is possible to
effectively remove moisture (or dehumidification water) generated
on a surface of a heat exchanger (particularly, a dehumidifier)
therefrom using a vibration of a compressor.
[0021] According to example embodiments, it is possible to quickly
remove moisture (or dehumidification water) generated on a surface
of a heat exchanger (particularly, a dehumidifier), thereby
improving a heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger and
improving a dehumidifying performance or dehumidifying efficiency
of the dehumidifier.
[0022] According to example embodiments, it is possible to prevent
a vibration generated in a compressor from being transferred to a
dehumidifier body and allow the vibration to be effectively
transferred to a dehumidifier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a dehumidifier
according to an example embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an internal structure of a dehumidifier
according to an example embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of removing dehumidification
water from a surface of an evaporator.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that there is no intent to limit this
disclosure to the particular example embodiments disclosed. On the
contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the
example embodiments.
[0027] Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be
used herein to describe various members, components, regions,
layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or
sections are not to be limited by these terms. Throughout the
specification, when an element, such as a layer, region, or
substrate, is described as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled
to" another element, it may be directly "on," "connected to," or
"coupled to" the other element, or there may be one or more other
elements intervening therebetween.
[0028] Regarding the reference numerals assigned to the elements in
the drawings, it should be noted that the same elements will be
designated by the same reference numerals, wherever possible, even
though they are shown in different drawings. Also, in the
description of embodiments, detailed description of well-known
related structures or functions will be omitted when it is deemed
that such description will cause ambiguous interpretation of the
present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a dehumidifier
according to an example embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates an internal
structure of a dehumidifier according to an example embodiment, and
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of removing dehumidification water
from a surface of an evaporator.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dehumidifier 10 may include a
dehumidifier body 100 and a heat exchanger 200.
[0031] The dehumidifier body 100 may be a device for dehumidifying
external humid air to be dry air. The dehumidifier body 100 may
have an inlet 102 on one side to suction the external humid air and
an outlet 104 on the other side to discharge the dry air. Grills
may be disposed at the inlet 102 and the outlet 104.
[0032] Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the inlet 102 is formed in
an upper portion of a front surface of the dehumidifier body 100
and the outlet 104 is formed in an upper surface of the
dehumidifier body 100, arrangements of the inlet 102 and the outlet
104 are not limited thereto and may be variously changed depending
on a design and a condition of the dehumidifier 100.
[0033] A wheel 1110 may be attached to the dehumidifier body 100.
The wheel 110 is disposed below the dehumidifier body 100 such that
the dehumidifier body 100 is moved with increased convenience. For
example, the dehumidifier body 100 may be conveniently moved on a
floor. As such, the dehumidifier body 100 may be moved easily with
less effort when compared to a case in which the dehumidifier 100
is lifted and moved directly.
[0034] Also, the dehumidifier body 100 may include a display 120
that externally displays an operation state of the dehumidifier
body 100 or controls an operation of the dehumidifier body 100.
[0035] The display 120 may be disposed in front of the outlet 104
on the upper surface of the dehumidifier body 100.
[0036] For example, the display 120 may include a display member
and a control member. The display member may display the operation
state of the dehumidifier body 100. The control member may control
the operation of the dehumidifier body 100 or the display 120.
[0037] A heat exchanger 200 may be disposed in the dehumidifier
body 100.
[0038] The heat exchanger 200 may include an evaporator 210, a
condenser 220, a blower 230, and a compressor 240.
[0039] The evaporator 210 may be a heat exchanger that removes
moisture from humid air A suctioned through the inlet 102 and
disposed adjacent to the inlet 102 in the dehumidifier body 100.
The evaporator 210 may include a low-temperature refrigerant that
is heat-exchanged with air passing through the evaporator 210.
[0040] Thus, the humid air A may be cooled to a temperature below
the dew point while passing through the evaporator 210. Also, the
moisture contained in the humid air A may form a droplet on a
surface of the evaporator 210 and fall along the surface of the
evaporator 210.
[0041] In this example, a dehumidification water tray 212 may be
disposed below the evaporator 210 to collect dehumidification
water. As shown in FIG. 3, the dehumidification water generated on
the surface of the evaporator 210 may move from the surface of the
evaporator 210 toward the dehumidification water tray 212.
[0042] The condenser 220 may be disposed at one side from the
evaporator 210 such that the air dehumidified in the evaporator 210
is transferred to the condenser 220.
[0043] The condenser 220 may be disposed between the evaporator 210
and the outlet 104 to be spaced apart from the evaporator 210 in
parallel to an exhaust direction.
[0044] The blower 230 may be a device for forcibly blowing air, and
may be disposed on an air passage formed between the inlet 102 and
the outlet 104. For example, the blower 230 may be disposed between
the condenser 220 and a rear surface of the dehumidifier body 100,
so that the air passing through the condenser 220s is guided by the
blower 230 toward the outlet 104. It is obvious that various kinds
of blowing fans may be used as the blower 230 depending on a design
and a condition of the dehumidifier 10.
[0045] The compressor 240 may be a device for compressing a
refrigerant, and may be disposed on a refrigerant flow path through
which the refrigerant flows from the evaporator 210 to the
condenser 220. For example, the compressor 240 may receive the
refrigerant from the evaporator 210, compress the refrigerant at a
high temperature and a high pressure, and transfer the compressed
refrigerant to the condenser 220.
[0046] In the dehumidifier 10, the dehumidification water generated
on the surface of the evaporator 210 may be removed from the
surface of the evaporator 210 due to a vibration of the compressor
240.
[0047] Specifically, the dehumidifier 10 may further include a
vibration transfer member 300 that transfers the vibration
generated in the compressor 240 to the evaporator 210.
[0048] The vibration transfer member 300 may include a refrigerant
line 310 connecting, for example, the evaporator 210 and the
compressor 220.
[0049] One end of the refrigerant line 310 may be connected to the
compressor 220 and the other end of the refrigerant line 310 may be
connected to the evaporator 210, so that the vibration generated in
the compressor 220 is transferred to the evaporator 210.
[0050] Through this, the vibration generated in the compressor 240
may be transferred to the evaporator 210 through the refrigerant
line 310, so that the dehumidification water generated on the
surface of the evaporator 210 moves from the surface of the
evaporator 210 toward the dehumidification water tray 212 as
illustrated in FIG. 3. As such, while the dehumidifier 10 is in
operation, the dehumidification water generated on the surface of
the evaporator 210 is naturally removed from the evaporator
210.
[0051] Also, the vibration transfer member 300 may include a
housing 320.
[0052] The housing 320 may be disposed in the dehumidifier body 100
to accept the evaporator 210 and the compressor 240 therein.
[0053] Additionally, the housing 320 may further include the
condenser 220 at one side from the evaporator 210. Depending on an
example, the condenser 220 may be disposed inside the housing 320
or outside the housing 320.
[0054] Specifically, the evaporator 210 and the condenser 220 may
be disposed in an upper part of the housing 320, and the compressor
240 may be disposed in a lower part of the housing 320.
[0055] The housing 320 and the compressor 240 may be connected to
each other.
[0056] Through this, the vibration generated in the compressor 240
may be transferred to the housing 320 and transferred to the
evaporator 210 included in the housing 320, so that the
dehumidification water generated on the surface of the evaporator
210 moves from the surface of the evaporator 210 toward the
dehumidification water tray 212 as illustrated in FIG. 3. As such,
while the dehumidifier 10 is in operation, the dehumidification
water generated on the surface of the evaporator 210 is naturally
removed from the evaporator 210.
[0057] The aforementioned configuration of the vibration transfer
member 300 is not to be taken as being limited thereto, and any
configuration capable of effectively transferring the vibration
generated in the compressor 220 to the evaporator 210 may be
applicable here.
[0058] The dehumidifier 10 may further include a vibration
absorbing member 400 that absorbs the vibration generated in the
compressor 240.
[0059] The vibration absorbing member 400 may be disposed on a
bottom surface in the dehumidifier body 100.
[0060] Specifically, the vibration absorbing member 400 may include
a damper 410, a grommet 420, and a fixing element 430.
[0061] The damper 410 may connect a lower surface of the housing
320 and the bottom surface of the dehumidifier body 100. The damper
410 may vertically extend from the bottom surface of the
dehumidifier body 100 toward the lower surface of the housing 320,
so that the housing 320 and the bottom surface of the dehumidifier
body 100 are fixed to be space apart from each other.
[0062] The grommet 420 may be spaced apart from the damper 410 such
that the lower surface of the housing 320 is located therebetween.
Through this, the grommet 420 may be disposed inside the housing
320 and the damper 410 may be disposed outside the housing 320.
Also, the grommet 420 may extend in a longitudinal direction of the
damper 410 and disposed on the same axis as the damper 410.
[0063] The grommet 420 may allow the compressor 240 to be spaced
apart from the lower surface of the housing 320 and prevent the
compressor 240 being directly fixed to the housing 320.
[0064] The fixing element 420 may fix the compressor 240 in the
housing 320 and extend from an inner surface of the housing 320
toward a side surface of the compressor 240 through the grommet
420. Any number and arrangement of fixing elements 420 that allow
the compressor 240 to be stably fixed in the housing 320 may be
applicable here.
[0065] The vibration generated in the compressor 240 may be
effectively absorbed by the vibration absorbing member 400, for
example, the damper 410 or the grommet 420. Accordingly, the
vibration generated in the compressor 240 may be prevented from
being transferred to the dehumidifier body 100, and may be
transferred to only the evaporator 240.
[0066] The aforementioned configuration of the vibration absorbing
member 400 is not to be taken as being limited thereto, and any
configuration capable of preventing the vibration generated in the
housing 320, specifically, generated in the compressor 240 from
being transferred to the dehumidifier body 100 may be applicable
here.
[0067] As such, a dehumidifier may effectively remove moisture (or
dehumidification water) generated on a surface of a heat exchanger
(for example, the dehumidifier) therefrom using a vibration of a
compressor and quickly remove the moisture (or dehumidification
water) generated on the surface of the heat exchanger (for example,
the dehumidifier), thereby improving a heat exchange efficiency and
improving a dehumidification performance or dehumidification
efficiency of the dehumidifier.
[0068] A number of example embodiments have been described above.
Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications
may be made to these example embodiments. For example, suitable
results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed
in a different order and/or if components in a described system,
architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner
and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their
equivalents. Accordingly, other implementations are within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *