JP2023147827A - Dehumidification machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: a water level detected by an electrode is easily varied due to a position of a drain tank so that full water is not detected properly; and there is a risk that water overflows from the drain tank.SOLUTION: An electrode for measurement 100 is arranged on a deep surface 52a of a tank chamber 52, and an upper portion reference electrode 101 is arranged at a deep side of a lateral face 52b of the tank chamber 52 at a height corresponding to a water level of full water of drain water lower than an upper side edge of the drain tank 15 so that existence of the drain tank 15 can be detected using the upper portion reference electrode 101. Thereby, since the invention can predict whether a position of the drain tank 15 is a desired position, there is no risk that the water level detected by the electrode is varied due to the position of the drain tank 15 so that full water is not detected properly and water overflows from the drain tank 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a dehumidifier.

The dehumidifier is equipped with a drain tank that collects generated drain water. This drain tank is provided with a full water detection mechanism for detecting full water. When full water is detected, the dehumidifier stops the operation of the compressor and notifies the user of the full water (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-296870

A dehumidifier is designed to prevent water stored in a drain tank from overflowing due to a delay in detecting full water and stopping the operation of the compressor. In other words, the full water position is designed to allow a margin for the amount of water stored in the drain tank, taking into account variations in detection by the full water detection mechanism due to tolerances of the housing and errors during assembly.

If a capacitance type sensor is used for the full water detection mechanism, a pull-out drain tank that is stored in the tank chamber is installed, and the back of the tank chamber in the direction in which the drain tank is pulled out is used. With a configuration in which a measurement electrode is provided at the bottom of the drain tank and an upper reference electrode is provided above the measurement electrode, it is difficult to judge whether the drain tank is pushed in to the desired position. Variations occurred in the water level values detected by the upper reference electrode, and there was a risk that water would overflow from the drain tank if full water could not be detected correctly. Additionally, there was a problem in that the number of parts would increase if another sensor was provided to detect the position of the drain tank.

The present invention was made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dehumidifier that suitably detects the fullness of a drain tank and the presence or absence of a drain tank.

In order to solve the above problems, in claim 1 of the present invention, there is provided a pull-out drain tank for storing generated drain water, and a drawer-type drain tank that stores the drain tank, and a rear surface on the back side in the tank insertion direction, and a tank chamber having a side surface on the side thereof; and a tank chamber provided at least in a part of the drain tank and the tank chamber, when the drain tank is pushed into the back side in the insertion direction of the drain tank. an abutment for regulating the position in the insertion direction; a capacitance-type measurement electrode for detecting the water level of drain water in the drain tank; and a capacitance-type measurement electrode for detecting whether the drain tank is full of drain water. In the dehumidifier, the measurement electrode is provided on the inner surface, and the upper reference electrode is provided on the inner side of the side surface, lower than the upper edge of the drain tank. The drain tank is provided at a height corresponding to the full water level of the drain water, and the presence or absence of the drain tank can be detected using the upper reference electrode.

Further, in claim 2, the value of the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode and the value of the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode are the values of the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode and the capacitance value detected by the upper reference electrode, respectively. The method is characterized in that the positional information of the drain tank is estimated by comparing the capacitance value between the electrode and the upper reference electrode.

According to this invention, since the upper reference electrode is used to detect whether the drain tank is full or not, it is possible to prevent the water stored in the drain tank from overflowing.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a dehumidifier in this embodiment. An exploded perspective view of a dehumidifier. A vertical cross-sectional view of a dehumidifier. The schematic functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of a dehumidifier. A view of the drain tank from above. The time chart showing the change in capacitance detected by the measurement electrode and the upper reference electrode when the drain tank is slid into the tank chamber.

An embodiment of a dehumidifier according to the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the dehumidifier of the present invention will be described as being applied to a dehumidifier that dehumidifies moisture contained in the air by condensing it using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a dehumidifier 1 in this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dehumidifier 1.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dehumidifier 1.
FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the dehumidifier 1. As shown in FIG.

The dehumidifier 1 includes a right frame 2, a left frame 3, a decorative board 4, and a base 5, which constitute the appearance of the dehumidifier 1. The upper end portion where the right frame 2 and left frame 3 fit together forms a handle 10. The right frame 2 has a suction port 11 having a plurality of slits. The suction port 11 has a filter 13 and a filter case 14 on the outer surface 12 side. The filter 13 is made of a resin net, nonwoven fabric, or the like, and removes dust, odor components, etc. mixed into the intake air. Filter case 14 attaches filter 13 to suction port 11 . Further, the right frame 2 has a tank insertion port 16 at the bottom of the suction port 11, into which a drain tank 15 is attached and detached.

The left frame 3 has an air outlet 20 having a plurality of slits in the upper part. The air outlet 20 has a wind direction plate 21 that can control the blowing direction of dry air from diagonally upward to horizontal. The wind direction plate 21 is driven by a wind direction plate motor 22.

The decorative board 4 has an operating section 25 on the upper side. As shown in FIG. 2, the operating section 25 includes an upper surface 26 of the decorative plate 4, an operating section case 27, and an operating unit 28. The operation unit 25 includes, for example, switches 29 such as an operation switch, a timer switch, and an operation mode selection switch, and lamps 30 such as an operation lamp.

The dehumidifier 1 includes a sirocco fan 31, a fan motor 32, a refrigeration device, a drain tank 15, a control unit 34, a measuring electrode 100 as a water level detection mechanism, and a full water detection mechanism as main internal components. It has an upper reference electrode 101.

The rotation center of the sirocco fan 31 is fixed coaxially with the rotation axis of the fan motor 32. The sirocco fan 31 forms an air path that sucks air through the suction port 11 and blows it out from the blowout port 20. The sirocco fan 31 and fan motor 32 are attached to a fan case 36.

The refrigeration system includes a compressor 40, a condenser 41, a pressure reducing device 42, an evaporator 43, and an accumulator 44 in the order in which the refrigerant flows. When the refrigerant flows through the evaporator 43, it absorbs heat from the air passing outside the evaporator 43 and evaporates. As a result, the surface of the evaporator 43 is cooled to below the dew point temperature, and moisture in the air passing through it condenses on the surface of the evaporator 43. Based on this principle, the dehumidifier 1 removes moisture from the air and dehumidifies it.

Compressor 40 is fixed on base 5 and connected to evaporator 43 and condenser 41 via piping 45. The evaporator 43 and the condenser 41 each include a first heat exchanger 48 and a second heat exchanger 49. The first heat exchanger 48 and the second heat exchanger 49 are each a fin tube type heat exchanger, and the first heat exchanger 48 and the second heat exchanger 49 are arranged in the same air path from the upstream side in that order. It is located. The evaporator 43 and the condenser 41 are fixed via a drain pan 50 to a surface of the fan case 36 opposite to the surface on which the sirocco fan 31 is fixed. The drain pan 50 receives the condensed water generated in the evaporator 43 and guides the condensed water from the drain port 51 to the drain tank 15.

With the above configuration, the air sucked in from the suction port 11 is filtered to remove dust and odor components by the filter 13, moisture is removed by the evaporator 43, further passed through the condenser 41, and then passed through the sirocco fan 31. The air is blown out from the air outlet 20.

The drain tank (tank) 15 stores generated drain water that is drained from the drain port 51 of the drain pan 50. The drain tank 15 is attached to and removed from the fan case 36 by horizontal sliding through the tank insertion port 16. The drain tank 15 is installed in a tank chamber 52 (FIG. 3) formed by the fan case 36.

The drain tank 15 has a tank lid 53, and condensed water from the drain port 51 falls into the drain tank 15 from the tank lid 53.

The control unit 34 (control section) shown in FIG. 4 controls the operation of the dehumidifier 1 by electrically controlling the fan motor 32, the compressor 40, etc. based on instructions from the switches 29. Further, the control unit 34 in this embodiment estimates the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 based on the detection result of the measurement electrode 100. The estimated water level is used to display the water level using lamps 30. Moreover, the control unit 34 in this embodiment is configured to notify the drain tank 15 of full water when it detects the full water of the drain tank 15 based on the detection result of the upper reference electrode 101 (details will be described later).

The control unit 34 includes a storage section 70 and a timer 71. The storage unit 70 stores operation programs for the fan motor 32, the compressor 40, the lamps 30, etc., which are executed based on instructions received from the switches 29. The timer 71 measures time for timer operation of the dehumidifier 1 and the like. The temperature sensor 75 and the humidity sensor 76 measure the ambient temperature and humidity of the dehumidifier 1, and the control unit 34 uses the obtained values for control as necessary. The temperature sensor 75 and the humidity sensor 76 are provided near the suction port 11, for example. The notifying unit 78 notifies the user of an alarm based on instructions from the control unit 34 to notify the user of the situation.

Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram of the drain tank 15 and the tank chamber 52 viewed from above.
A measurement electrode 100 is provided in the tank chamber 52 on the back surface when the drain tank 15 is mounted by sliding. Further, in the tank chamber 52, an upper reference electrode 101 is provided at the back of the side surface 52b when the drain tank 15 is mounted by sliding. The measurement electrode 100 and the upper reference electrode 101 are capable of detecting capacitance that changes depending on the position of the drain tank 15 and the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15. The measurement electrode 100 and the upper reference electrode 101 have a small distance from the drain tank 15, and the closer they are placed, the higher the sensitivity can be when detecting capacitance. There is. A first distance A is provided between the upper reference electrode 101 and the side surface of the drain tank 15. This first distance A is provided to allow the drain tank 15 to slide smoothly when it is attached by sliding, and to prevent the side surface of the drain tank 15 from coming into contact with the upper reference electrode 101 during sliding. This prevents damage caused by contact with the electrode 101. The drain tank 15 has an abutment part 103 on the back surface when the drain tank 15 is mounted by sliding, which contacts the tank chamber 52 and regulates the position of the drain tank 15. By regulating the position of the drain tank 15, this abutting portion 103 sets the distance between the inner surface of the drain tank 15 and the measurement electrode 100 to a second distance B, which is smaller than the first distance A. I can do things. At the same time, the abutting portion 103 prevents damage caused by contact between the inner surface of the drain tank 15 and the measurement electrode 100.

Furthermore, the measurement electrode 100 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the water level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 changes, and the lower end of the measurement electrode 100 is the water level when the drain tank 15 is empty and there is no drain water. It is set at a height corresponding to Moreover, the upper end of the measurement electrode 100 is provided at a height corresponding to the full water level. Further, the length of the measuring electrode 100 in the horizontal direction is set to be shorter than the length in the vertical direction so as to provide a sensitivity that allows the capacitance that varies depending on the water level to be read without error. The capacitance that changes depending on the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 has a characteristic that changes in an analog manner. Furthermore, since the measurement electrode 100 placed on the back surface 52a is placed facing the direction in which the drain tank 15 is slid, the capacitance changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the measurement electrode 100. has characteristics that change in an analog manner. The upper reference electrode 101 is provided at a height corresponding to the full water level of drain water, which is lower than the upper edge of the drain tank 15 . Furthermore, the upper reference electrode 101 has a small square shape and is shorter than the measurement electrode 100 in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 changes. As a result, the capacitance, which changes depending on the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15, hardly changes when the level of drain water is lower than the water level when the water is full. On the other hand, when the water level of the drain water reaches the water level when the water is full, it changes greatly and has characteristics that change digitally compared to the characteristics of the measurement electrode 100. Further, the upper reference electrode 101 arranged deep on the side surface 52b is shorter than the measurement electrode 100 in the lateral direction in which the drain tank 15 is slid. In addition, the capacitance that changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 is such that the capacitance changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101. When is large, there is almost no change. On the other hand, when the drain tank 15 is attached to the desired position and the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 becomes sufficiently small, a large change occurs, and the digital It has characteristics that change.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing changes in capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 and the upper reference electrode 101 when the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52.

Here, a change in capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 when the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52 will be described. T0 indicates a state in which the drain tank 15 is not installed in the tank chamber 52, and the value of the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 indicates the smallest first value when there is no tank.

In T1, the drain tank 15 is attached to the tank chamber 52 by sliding it to the front side of the desired position. At this time, the drain tank 15 approaches the measurement electrode 100, and the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 increases from the first value depending on the distance between the measurement electrode 100 and the drain tank 15. However, since the drain tank 15 is not pushed in enough and the drain tank 15 is attached to the front side of the desired position, the drain tank 15 and the measuring electrode The distance from 100 becomes large. Thereby, the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 is a second value that varies within a range of not less than the first value and less than the third value depending on the distance between the measurement electrode 100 and the drain tank 15. Show value.

At T2, the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52 at a desired position. Thereby, the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 exhibits the third value, which is larger than the second value.

At T3, after the drain tank 15 is installed at a desired position, the water level of the drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 increases. Thereby, the capacitance detected by the measuring electrode 100 exhibits a fourth value that varies within a range of the third value or more and less than the fifth value depending on the drain water level.

At T4, the water level of the drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 increases and reaches the full water level. Thereby, the capacitance detected by the measuring electrode 100 shows the fifth value as the water level when the water is full, which is larger than the fourth value.

Next, a change in capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 when the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52 will be described. T0 indicates a state in which the drain tank 15 is not installed in the tank chamber 52, and the value of the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 indicates the sixth value when there is no tank.

In T1, the drain tank 15 is attached to the tank chamber 52 by sliding it to the front side of the desired position. At this time, the drain tank 15 approaches the upper reference electrode 101. However, since the drain tank 15 is not pushed in enough and the drain tank 15 is attached to the front side of the desired position, the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 is determined by the detection of the upper reference electrode 101. The distance does not reach a point where the capacitance changes significantly. As a result, the capacitance value detected by the upper reference electrode 101 shows the sixth value as in the case without the tank.

At T2, the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52 at a desired position. As a result, the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 is reduced to a distance where the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 changes significantly, so the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 is , indicates a seventh value larger than the sixth value.

At T3, after the drain tank 15 is installed at a desired position, the water level of the drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 increases. As a result, the distance between the upper reference electrode 101 and the water level of the drain water becomes smaller, but the distance is not such that the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 changes significantly. The capacitance indicates the seventh value.

At T4, the water level of the drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 increases and reaches the full water level. As a result, the distance between the upper reference electrode 101 and the water level of the drain water becomes sufficiently small, reaching a distance at which the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 changes significantly. The capacitance shows an eighth value that is larger than the seventh value.

Next, tank position information according to changes in the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 and the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 when the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52. A method for estimating the water level information and drain water level information will be explained. T0 indicates the first value of the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100. Further, the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 indicates the sixth value. As a result, the tank position information is estimated to indicate that there is no tank, and the water level information is estimated to be that the tank is not full. At this time, since it is determined from the tank position information that the drain tank 15 is not installed at the desired position in the tank chamber 52, the operation for generating drain water is not performed.

T1 indicates the second value of the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100. Further, the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 indicates the sixth value. As a result, the tank position information is estimated to indicate that the drain tank 15 has been slid into the tank chamber 52 to a position closer to this side than the desired position, that is, the drain tank 15 has been pushed in insufficiently. It is assumed that the water level information is not full. At this time, since it is determined from the tank position information that the drain tank 15 is not installed at the desired position in the tank chamber 52, the operation for generating drain water is not performed.

T2 indicates the third value of the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100. Further, the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 indicates a seventh value. As a result, the tank position information is estimated to indicate that the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52 at a desired position, that is, the tank is present. It is assumed that the water level information is not full. At this time, it is determined from the tank position information that the drain tank 15 is installed at the desired position in the tank chamber 52, and from the water level information it is determined that the water is not full, so an operation that generates drain water cannot be performed. can.

At T3, an operation is performed to generate drain water, and the capacitance detected by the measuring electrode 100 shows the fourth value. Further, the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 indicates a seventh value. As a result, the tank position information is estimated to indicate that the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52 at a desired position, that is, the tank is present. The water level information is estimated to be the current water level according to the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100. At this time, it is determined from the tank position information that the drain tank 15 is installed at the desired position in the tank chamber 52, and from the water level information it is determined that the water is not full, so the operation to generate drain water is continued. I can do it.

At T4, an operation is performed to generate drain water, and when the water level in the drain tank 15 reaches the upper end of the measurement electrode 100, the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 shows the fifth value. Further, the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 indicates the eighth value. As a result, the tank position information is estimated to indicate that the drain tank 15 is slid into the tank chamber 52 at a desired position, that is, the tank is present. At this time, it is determined from the tank position information that the drain tank 15 is installed at the desired position in the tank chamber 52, but from the water level information it is determined that the water is full, so the operation for generating drain water is stopped. Ru. As a result of the above, operation that generates drain water is performed only when it is determined that there is no risk of drain water leaking based on the tank position information and water level information, so there is a risk of drain water leaking. There is no

Next, effects depending on the positions of the measurement electrode 100 and the upper reference electrode 101 will be explained. The measurement electrode 100 and the upper reference electrode 101 have a small distance from the drain tank 15, and the closer they are placed, the higher the sensitivity can be when detecting capacitance. There is. A first distance A is provided between the tank chamber 52 and the drain tank 15. This first distance A is provided to allow the drain tank 15 to slide smoothly when it is attached by sliding, and to prevent the side surface of the drain tank 15 from coming into contact with the upper reference electrode 101 during sliding. This prevents damage caused by contact with the electrode 101. The drain tank 15 has an abutment part 103 on the back surface when the drain tank 15 is mounted by sliding, which contacts the tank chamber 52 and regulates the position of the drain tank 15. By regulating the position of the drain tank 15, this abutting portion 103 sets the distance between the inner surface of the drain tank 15 and the measurement electrode 100 to a second distance B, which is smaller than the first distance A. I can do things. At the same time, the abutting portion 103 prevents damage caused by contact between the inner surface of the drain tank 15 and the measurement electrode 100.

Furthermore, the measurement electrode 100 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the water level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 changes, and the lower end of the measurement electrode 100 is the water level when the drain tank 15 is empty and there is no drain water. It is set at a height corresponding to Moreover, the upper end of the measurement electrode 100 is provided at a height corresponding to the full water level. Further, the length of the measuring electrode 100 in the horizontal direction is set to be shorter than the length in the vertical direction so as to provide a sensitivity that allows the capacitance that varies depending on the water level to be read without error. The capacitance that changes depending on the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 has a characteristic that changes in an analog manner. Furthermore, since the measurement electrode 100 placed on the back surface 52a is placed facing the direction in which the drain tank 15 is slid, the capacitance changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the measurement electrode 100. has characteristics that change in an analog manner. The upper reference electrode 101 is provided at a height corresponding to the full water level of drain water, which is lower than the upper edge of the drain tank 15 . Furthermore, the upper reference electrode 101 has a small square shape and is shorter than the measurement electrode 100 in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 changes. As a result, the capacitance, which changes depending on the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15, hardly changes when the level of drain water is lower than the water level when the water is full. On the other hand, when the water level of the drain water reaches the water level when the water is full, it changes greatly and has characteristics that change digitally compared to the characteristics of the measurement electrode 100. Further, the upper reference electrode 101 arranged deep on the side surface 52b is shorter than the measurement electrode 100 in the lateral direction in which the drain tank 15 is slid. In addition, the capacitance that changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 is such that the capacitance changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101. When is large, there is almost no change. On the other hand, when the drain tank 15 is attached to the desired position and the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 becomes sufficiently small, a large change occurs, and the digital It has characteristics that change.

Therefore, the measurement electrode 100 is provided on the inner surface 52a where the distance between the electrode and the drain tank 15 can be set to the second distance B, which is smaller than the first distance A. Therefore, when the capacitance changes in an analog manner depending on the level of drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15, it is possible to read the capacitance without error.

Further, the upper reference electrode 101 is short in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the water level of the drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 changes, and is short in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the water level of the drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 changes. installed at corresponding heights. As a result, the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 changes greatly when the drain water level reaches the full water level, and changes digitally compared to the characteristics of the measurement electrode 100. Therefore, even if the distance between the electrode and the drain tank 15 is the first distance A, it is possible to read the capacitance without error. Further, the upper reference electrode 101 located deep inside the side surface 52b is short in the lateral direction, which is the direction in which the drain tank 15 is slid. In addition, the capacitance that changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 is such that the capacitance changes depending on the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101. When is large, there is almost no change. On the other hand, when the drain tank 15 is attached to the desired position and the distance between the drain tank 15 and the upper reference electrode 101 becomes sufficiently small, a large change occurs, and the digital It has characteristics that change. As a result, the capacitance detected by the upper reference electrode 101 changes greatly when the drain tank 15 is attached to a desired position, and changes digitally compared to the characteristics of the measurement electrode 100. Therefore, even if the distance between the electrode and the drain tank 15 is the first distance A, it is possible to read the capacitance without error.

This embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

In this embodiment, the measuring electrode 100 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the water level of the drain water accumulated in the drain tank 15 changes, and the lower end of the measuring electrode 100 is located when there is no drain water in the drain tank 15. It is set at a height corresponding to the water level when empty. On the other hand, the lower end of the measuring electrode 100 may be provided at a higher position than in this embodiment, within a range where a desired water level can be detected. Furthermore, the upper end of the measurement electrode 100 may be provided at a higher or lower position than in this embodiment, within a range in which a desired water level can be detected. At this time, the timing and value of the capacitance detected by the measurement electrode 100 from T3 to T4, which was explained using FIG. 6, are different from the present embodiment. However, the position information of the tank and the information on whether the tank is full estimated from the water level information can be estimated in the same way as in this embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

1 Dehumidifier 15 Drain tank 52 Tank chamber 52a Back surface 52b Side surface 100 Measuring electrode 101 Upper reference electrode 103 Abutment part

Claims (2)

A pull-out drain tank that collects generated drain water,
a tank chamber that stores the drain tank and has a back surface on the back side in the tank insertion direction and a side surface on the side side in the tank insertion direction;
an abutting portion provided in at least a portion of the drain tank and the tank chamber for regulating the position of the drain tank in the insertion direction when the drain tank is pushed to the back side in the insertion direction of the drain tank;
a capacitive measurement electrode for detecting the water level of drain water in the drain tank;
a capacitance-type upper reference electrode for detecting when the drain tank is full of drain water;
In a dehumidifier equipped with
The measurement electrode is provided on the inner surface,
The upper reference electrode is provided deep in the side surface at a height corresponding to a full water level of drain water provided lower than the upper edge of the drain tank,
A dehumidifier characterized in that the presence or absence of the drain tank can be detected using the upper reference electrode. The capacitance value detected by the measurement electrode and the capacitance value detected by the upper reference electrode are set in the measurement electrode and the upper reference electrode corresponding to the position of the drain tank provided in advance. 2. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the positional information of the drain tank is estimated by comparing the value of capacitance with an electrode.

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