DEHUMIDIFIER

Abstract

A dehumidifier includes a body having an inlet and an outlet; an evaporator, disposed at the body, for exchanging heat with air suctioned through the inlet; a condenser spaced from the evaporator; a first airflow path for flowing air suctioned through the inlet into the evaporator; and a second airflow path for flowing air suctioned through the inlet into a gap between the condenser and the evaporator without passing through the evaporator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0153420, filed on Dec. 10, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiment relates to a dehumidifier.

In general, the dehumidifier lowers indoor humidity by suctioning wet air at an indoor space into the interior of a case, lowering humidity after passing through a heat exchanger configured with a condenser and evaporator allowing a refrigerant to flow, and again discharging the dehumidified air into the indoor space.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a dehumidifier capable of enhancing comfort by lowering a discharging temperature of dehumidified air.

In one embodiment, a dehumidifier includes: a body having an inlet and an outlet; an evaporator, disposed at the body, for exchanging heat with air suctioned through the inlet; a condenser spaced apart from the evaporator; a first airflow path for flowing air suctioned through the inlet into the evaporator; and a second airflow path for flowing air suctioned through the inlet into a gap between the condenser and the evaporator without passing through the evaporator.

In another embodiment, a dehumidifier includes: a body having an inlet and an outlet; an evaporator, disposed at the body, for exchanging heat with air suctioned through the inlet; and a condenser spaced apart from the evaporator, wherein one portion of the air suctioned through the inlet flows through the evaporator and then flows through the condenser, and another portion of the air suctioned through the inlet flows through the condenser after bypassing the evaporator.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchange unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptional view schematically showing air flow through the dehumidifier according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present invention. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” to the latter or “connected”, “coupled”, and “joined” to the latter via another component.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dehumidifier according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dehumidifier according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the heat exchange unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a conceptional view schematically showing air flow through the dehumidifier according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the dehumidifier 1 in the present embodiment includes a body 10 for forming an outer shape. The body 10 may include an inlet 102 for suctioning air, and an outlet 104 for discharging dehumidified air.

As an example, the inlet 102 may be disposed at a side of the body 10, and the outlet 104 may be disposed at an upper side of the body 10, but locations of the inlet 102 and the outlet 104 are not limited thereto in the present embodiment.

The body 10 may further include a louver 110 for controlling a discharge direction of dehumidified air to be discharged from the outlet 104 and opening and closing the outlet 104.

The body 10 may include a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator 14, to dehumidify wet air. A heat exchange unit includes the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14.

The body 10 is provided with an accommodating portion 22 to accommodate the heat exchange unit. The evaporator 14 and the condenser 12 may be arranged in parallel with the flow direction of air at the accommodating portion 22. Further, air passing through the inlet 102 is dehumidified on passing through the evaporator 14, and is dried on passing through the condenser 12. That is, the condenser 12 is disposed downstream of the evaporator 14.

The evaporator 14 and the condenser 12 may be supported by a supporting bracket. The condenser 12 is supported by a first supporting bracket 41, and the evaporator 14 is supported by a second supporting bracket 42.

In addition, the first supporting bracket 41 and second supporting bracket 42 may be fastened by a fastening member, and the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14 may be spaced by a constant gap in parallel with the flow direction of air in the state that each of the supporting brackets 41, 42 are fastened to each other. That is, a gap (G) is formed between the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14.

At least one of the first supporting bracket 41 or second supporting bracket 42 may be provided with at least one hole 43 to flow air suctioned through the inlet 102 into the gap (G) between the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14 without passing air suctioned through the inlet 102 through the evaporator 14. At this time, the at least one hole 43 may be formed longer in the direction crossing with the flow direction of air so that a flow rate passing through the hole 43 is increased. As an example, the at least one hole 43 may be formed longer vertically in FIG. 3.

A plurality of holes 43 may be arranged in the direction crossing with the flow direction of air in the case that at least one of the first supporting bracket 41 and the second supporting bracket 42 may be provided with the plurality of holes 43. As an example, the plurality of holes 43 may be arranged vertically in FIG. 3.

A top end of the evaporator 14 may be disposed at a location lower than the top end of the condenser 12. Therefore, a space (S) is formed between a top wall of the accommodating portion 22 and the top end of the evaporator 14. In addition, air suctioned through the inlet 102 may flow into the space (S).

As another example, each of the supporting brackets 41, 42 may be coupled with the accommodating portion 22 in a spaced state without connecting to each other. In this case, air may flow into the gap (G) between the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14 through the gap between the supporting brackets 41, 42. That is, the gap between the supporting brackets 41, 42 may form a second airflow path.

A top of the heat exchanger is disposed with a control box 23, and a bottom of the evaporator 14 is disposed with a drain pan 25 for collecting condensate water.

Further, the body 10 may further include a fan 15 for flowing air, a discharging guide 21 for discharging dehumidified air, and a water tank 30 for storing condensate water generated during a dehumidification process.

The body 10 may further include an operating portion 40 for inputting commands for operation of the dehumidifier. The operating portion 40 may include a selecting portion for selecting a dehumidification mode.

In addition, the user may set a target temperature or a target humidity by using the operating portion 40. The compressor 11 and fan 15 are controlled according to the result of comparing the target temperature with a current temperature or of comparing the target humidity with a current humidity. As an example, when the current temperature reaches the target temperature, the compressor 11 is stopped and the fan 15 is stopped or maintains a rotation state.

The present embodiment will be described about the airflow path.

Some air suctioned through the inlet 102 flows along a first airflow path (P1). The first airflow path (P1) is a path through which air passes through the evaporator 14.

Some other air suctioned through the inlet 102 flows along a second airflow path (P2). The second airflow path (P2) is a path through which air flows into the gap (G) between the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14 through the at least one hole 43 without passing through the evaporator 14. Therefore, the at least one hole 43 defines the second airflow path (P2). As an example, the second airflow path (P2) may be disposed at the side of the evaporator. A left and right width of the accommodating portion 22 may be larger than those of the evaporator 14 to form the second airflow path (P2).

Some other air suctioned through the inlet 102 flows along a third airflow path. The third airflow path (P3) is a path through which air flows into the space (S) between the top wall of the accommodating portion 22 and the top end of the evaporator 14 without passing through the evaporator 14.

In the present embodiment, a cross section of the airflow path for the first airflow path (P1) is larger than a sum of the cross sections of the airflow paths for the second airflow path (P2) and third airflow path (P3).

Dehumidified air passing through the first airflow path (P1) and non-dehumidified air passing through the second airflow path (P2) and the third airflow path (P3) are combined at the gap (G) between the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14, and then the combined air passes through the condenser 12.

Therefore, an air flow rate passing through the evaporator 14 is not nearly decreased, the flow rate passing through the condenser 12 is substantially increased, and therefore the condensing temperature at the condenser 12 may be lowered.

When the condensing temperature is lowered, evaporating efficiency for the evaporator is enhanced, the temperature of air discharged through the outlet 104 is lowered, and therefore comfort is enhanced, thereby to minimize sensitivity dissatisfaction of a user.

Further, since the temperature of air discharged indoors is lowered, energy necessary for cooling the interior according to temperature raising at the interior space may be reduced.

It is described that two supporting brackets are connected to each other in the above embodiment, but, on the other hand, one supporting bracket is supported so that the condenser is spaced apart from the evaporator and may have the hole simultaneously.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A dehumidifier, comprising:

a body having an inlet and an outlet;

an evaporator disposed at the body, the evaporator being configured to exchange heat with air passing through the inlet;

a condenser spaced apart from the evaporator by a gap, the condenser being configured to exchange heat with the air passing through the inlet;

a first airflow path configured to permit a flow of air from the inlet and into the evaporator; and

a second airflow path configured to permit a flow of air from the inlet and into the gap between the condenser and the evaporator without passing through the evaporator.

2. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the condenser is disposed downstream of the evaporator according to the flow of air.

3. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the second airflow path is provided at a lateral side of the evaporator.

4. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first supporting bracket to support the condenser; and

a second supporting bracket connected to the first supporting bracket to support the evaporator,

wherein at least one of the first supporting bracket and the second supporting bracket is provided with at least one hole for forming a portion of the second airflow path.

5. The dehumidifier according to claim 4, wherein a flow of air through the at least one hole is in a direction crossing the direction of air flowing along the first airflow path.

6. The dehumidifier according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of holes are formed in at least one of the first supporting bracket or the second supporting bracket, and wherein a flow of air through the plurality of holes is in a direction crossing the flow direction of air flowing along the first airflow path.

7. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising:

a supporting bracket to support the condenser and the evaporator so that the condenser and the evaporator are spaced from each other,

wherein the supporting bracket is provided with at least one hole for forming a portion of the second airflow path.

8. The dehumidifier according to claim 7, wherein a flow of air through the at least one hole is in a direction crossing the flow direction of air flowing along the first airflow path.

9. The dehumidifier according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of holes are formed in the supporting bracket, and wherein a flow of air through the plurality of holes is in a direction crossing the flow direction of air flowing along the first airflow path.

10. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first supporting bracket to support the condenser; and

a second supporting bracket to support the evaporator,

wherein a gap between the first supporting bracket and the second supporting bracket forms a portion of the second airflow path.

11. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, further comprising:

an accommodating portion in which the condenser and the evaporator are accommodated; and

a third airflow path, formed between the accommodating portion and the evaporator, and configured to permit a flow of air from the inlet and into the condenser without passing through the evaporator.

12. The dehumidifier according to claim 11, wherein a top end of the evaporator is disposed at a location lower than a top end of the condenser such that a portion of the third airflow path is formed between the top end of the evaporator and the accommodating portion.

13. The dehumidifier according to claim 12, wherein a cross-sectional area of the first airflow path is larger than a sum of cross-sectional areas of the second airflow path and the third airflow path.

14. A dehumidifier, comprising:

a body having an inlet and an outlet;

an evaporator disposed at the body, the evaporator being configured to exchange heat with air passing through the inlet; and

a condenser spaced apart from the evaporator, the condenser being configured to exchange heat with the air passing through the inlet,

wherein a first portion of the air passing through the inlet flows through the evaporator and then flows through the condenser, and

wherein a second portion of the air passing through the inlet bypasses the evaporator and then flows through the condenser.

15. The dehumidifier according to claim 14, wherein the second portion of the air passing through the inlet flows through the condenser after flowing past a lateral side or a top end of the evaporator.

16. The dehumidifier according to claim 14, wherein the second portion of the air passing through the inlet flows through the condenser after combining with air passing through the evaporator.

17. The dehumidifier according to claim 14, wherein a top end of the evaporator is disposed at a location lower than a top end of the condenser.

18. The dehumidifier according to claim 14, further comprising:

an accommodating portion in which the evaporator and the condenser are accommodated,

wherein the second portion of the air passing through the inlet flows between the evaporator and a wall of the accommodating portion.

19. The dehumidifier according to claim 14, wherein an air flow amount passing through the evaporator is larger than an air flow amount that bypasses the evaporator.

20. The dehumidifier according to claim 14, further comprising:

a supporting bracket to support at least one of the condenser and the evaporator,

wherein the supporting bracket is provided with at least one hole, and

wherein the second portion of the air passing through the inlet flows through the hole.