Humidity control device

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) which includes a first heat exchanger ( 3 ) and a second heat exchanger ( 5 ). The refrigerant circuit ( 1 ), through which a refrigerant circulates, performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. An adsorbent material is supported on a surface of the first heat exchanger ( 3 ) as well as on a surface of the second heat exchanger ( 5 ). The circulation of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and the distribution of air are switched so that moisture present in a stream of air flowing through the refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3, 5 ) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of the heat exchanger ( 3, 5 ) and the stream of air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is supplied indoors while, on the other hand, moisture desorbed from the adsorbent material of the refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5, 3 ) is released to a stream of air flowing through the heat exchanger ( 5, 3 ) whereby the adsorbent material of the heat exchanger ( 5, 3 ) is regenerated. In addition, the circulation of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and the distribution of air are switched so that moisture present in a stream of air flowing through the refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3, 5 ) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of the heat exchanger ( 3, 5 ) while, on the other hand, moisture desorbed from the adsorbent material of the refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5, 3 ) is released to a stream of air flowing through the heat exchanger ( 5, 3 ) whereby the adsorbent material of the heat exchanger ( 5, 3 ) is regenerated, and the stream of air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is supplied indoors.

1 . A humidity controller apparatus, provided with an adsorbent material, for regulating the humidity of air by effecting moisture adsorption onto the adsorbent material and moisture desorption from the adsorbent material, wherein: 
 a refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) is provided which comprises a first heat exchanger ( 3 ) and a second heat exchanger ( 5 ), which performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle by the circulation of a refrigerant therethrough, and which alternately effects refrigerant condensation and evaporation in said first and second heat exchangers ( 3 ,  5 ); and    the adsorbent material is supported on at least a surface of said first heat exchanger ( 3 ).    
   
   
       2 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 1  comprising: 
 moisture absorbing means for switching refrigerant circulation in said refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and air distribution so that refrigerant condensation takes place in said second heat exchanger ( 5 ) while, simultaneously, refrigerant evaporation takes place in said first heat exchanger ( 3 ), whereby moisture present in a stream of air flowing through said first heat exchanger ( 3 ) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material, and    moisture releasing means for switching refrigerant circulation in said refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and air distribution so that refrigerant condensation takes place in said first heat exchanger ( 3 ) while, simultaneously, refrigerant evaporation takes place in said second heat exchanger ( 5 ), whereby the adsorbent material is regenerated by the release of moisture therefrom to a stream of air flowing through said first heat exchanger ( 3 ).    
   
   
       3 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the adsorbent material is supported on a surface of said first heat exchanger ( 3 ) and a surface of said second heat exchanger ( 5 ); and    dehumidifier means ( 80 ) for switching refrigerant circulation in said refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and air distribution is provided so that moisture in a stream of air flowing through a refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) while, simultaneously, the adsorbent material of a refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated by the release of moisture therefrom to a stream of air flowing through said refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ), whereby the stream of air dehumidified by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) is supplied to an indoor space.    
   
   
       4 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the adsorbent material is supported on a surface of said first heat exchanger ( 3 ) and a surface of said second heat exchanger ( 5 ); and    humidifier means ( 81 ) for switching refrigerant circulation in said refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and air distribution is provided so that moisture in a stream of air flowing through a refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) while, simultaneously, the adsorbent material of a refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated by the release of moisture therefrom to a stream of air flowing through said refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ), whereby the stream of air humidified by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is supplied to an indoor space.    
   
   
       5 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the adsorbent material is supported on a surface of said first heat exchanger ( 3 ) as well as on a surface of said second heat exchanger ( 5 );    dehumidifier means ( 80 ) for switching refrigerant circulation in said refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and air distribution is provided so that moisture in a stream of air flowing through a refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) while the adsorbent material of a refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated by the release of moisture therefrom to a stream of air flowing through said refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ), whereby the stream of air dehumidified by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) is supplied to an indoor space;    humidifier means ( 81 ) for switching refrigerant circulation in said refrigerant circuit ( 1 ) and air distribution is provided so that moisture in a stream of air flowing through a refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) while the adsorbent material of a refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated by the release of moisture therefrom to a stream of air flowing through said refrigerant condensing heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ), whereby the stream of air humidified by the adsorbent material of said refrigerant evaporating heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is supplied to an indoor space; and    said dehumidifier means ( 80 ) and said humidifier means ( 81 ) are configured to operate switchably between a dehumidification mode of operation and a humidification mode of operation.    
   
   
       6 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a first heat exchange chamber ( 69 ) for accommodating said first heat exchanger ( 3 );    a second heat exchange chamber ( 73 ), formed adjacently to said first heat exchange chamber ( 69 ), for accommodating said second heat exchanger ( 5 );    a first air inflow passage ( 63 ) and a first air outflow passage ( 65 ) which are formed along one end surface in a thickness direction in which respective one surfaces of said two heat exchange chambers ( 69 ,  73 ) continue and which are arranged in a superimposed manner in the thickness direction of both said heat exchange chambers ( 69 ,  73 );    a second air inflow passage ( 57 ) and a second air outflow passage ( 59 ) which are formed along another end surface which is an end surface where respective one surfaces of said two heat exchange chambers ( 69 ,  73 ) continue and which is situated face to face with said one end surface, and which are arranged in a superimposed manner in the thickness direction of both said heat exchange chambers ( 69 ,  73 ); and    opening/closing means ( 35 , . . . ,  47 , . . . ) for opening and closing openings ( 31   a ,  33   a , . . . ) for communication between said first heat exchange chamber ( 69 ) and said second heat exchange chamber ( 73 ), and each said inflow passage ( 57 ,  63 ) and each said outflow passage ( 59 ,  65 ).    
   
   
       7 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said dehumidifier means ( 80 ) is configured so as to perform a dehumidification operation in full ventilation mode in which: outdoor air is brought in, moisture in the outdoor air is adsorbed by the adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is supplied indoors while, on the other hand, room air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) which becomes a condenser is released to the room air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the room air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is discharged outdoors; and    said humidifier means ( 81 ) is configured so as to perform a humidification operation in full ventilation mode in which: room air is brought in, moisture in the room air is adsorbed by said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the room air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is discharged outdoors while, on the other hand, outdoor air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) as a condenser is released to the outdoor air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is supplied indoors.    
   
   
       8 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said dehumidifier means ( 80 ) is configured so as to perform a dehumidification operation in circulation mode in which: room air is brought in, moisture in the room air is adsorbed by said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the room air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is supplied indoors while, on the other hand, outdoor air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) which becomes a condenser is released to the outdoor air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is discharged outdoors; and    said humidifier means ( 81 ) is configured so as to perform a humidification operation in circulation mode in which: outdoor air is brought in, moisture in the outdoor air is adsorbed by said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is discharged outdoors while, on the other hand, room air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) which becomes a condenser is released to the room air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the room air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is supplied indoors.    
   
   
       9 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said dehumidifier means ( 80 ) is configured so as to perform a dehumidification operation in air supply mode in which: outdoor air is brought in, moisture in the outdoor air is adsorbed by said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is supplied indoors while, on the other hand, outdoor air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) which becomes a condenser is released to the outdoor air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is discharged outdoors; and    said humidifier means ( 81 ) is configured so as to perform a humidification operation in air supply mode in which: outdoor air is brought in, moisture in the outdoor air is adsorbed by said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is discharged outdoors while, on the other hand, outdoor air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) which becomes a condenser is released to the outdoor air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the outdoor air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is supplied indoors.    
   
   
       10 . The humidity controller apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said dehumidifier means ( 80 ) is configured so as to perform a dehumidification operation in air discharge mode in which: room air is brought in, moisture in the room air is adsorbed by said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the room air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is supplied indoors while, on the other hand, room air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) which becomes a condenser is released to the room air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the room air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is discharged outdoors; and    said humidifier means ( 81 ) is configured so as to perform a humidification operation in air discharge mode in which: room air is brought in, moisture in the room air is adsorbed by said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 3 ,  5 ) which becomes an evaporator, and the room air thus converted into a stream of dehumidified air is discharged outdoors while, on the other hand, room air is brought in, moisture desorbed from said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) which becomes a condenser is released to the room air whereby said adsorbent material of said heat exchanger ( 5 ,  3 ) is regenerated, and the room air thus converted into a stream of humidified air is supplied indoors.