| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress breeding of mold or unwanted bacteria by efficiently dehumidifying atmosphere around an evaporator. <P>SOLUTION: The dehumidifier 6 is provided with a negative electrode 4a and a positive electrode 4b on both surfaces of a proton conduction type electrolyte film 1. The dehumidifier is disposed in an attaching duct 9a communicating an evaporator case 9 and an engine compartment 11 so as to open to the engine compartment on the negative electrode side and open to the evaporator case on the positive electrode side. After the operation of the evaporator stops, a valve provided at an opening portion of the evaporator case is closed. Direct current voltage is applied to each electrode of the dehumidifier to electrolyze water in the evaporator case on the positive electrode side, and the water is discharged from the negative electrode to the engine compartment. In that case, the temperature of the negative electrode side is raised due to exhaust heat from the engine compartment, so that heat energy required for the electrolysis of the water in the dehumidifier is compensated, and activation of catalyst reaction in the electrode is promoted. Consequently, dehumidification can be efficiently carried out by little energy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT</p> |
