JP6859020B2 - Dehumidifying equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dehumidifying device and a device.

Conventionally, in optical devices such as in-vehicle cameras and lamps such as vehicle lamps, dew condensation of water in a housing accommodating parts such as an image sensor and consequent fogging of a lens have become problems.
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of attaching a dehumidifying device provided with a dehumidifying element that decomposes water vapor to a headlamp housing in order to prevent dew condensation inside the headlamp housing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-175538

In a dehumidifying device equipped with a dehumidifying element, if a means for ventilating the inside of the housing and the outside of the housing is not provided, stress is generated due to a pressure change inside the housing due to a temperature change in the surrounding environment, and the housing is deformed. In addition to damage and damage, gas may stay on the surface of the dehumidifying element, and the dehumidifying efficiency of the dehumidifying element may decrease.
In the present invention, as compared with the case where the dehumidifying device provided with the dehumidifying element is not provided with the means for ventilating the inside of the housing and the outside of the housing, it is possible to avoid a problem due to a change in the pressure inside the housing and to use the dehumidifying element. The purpose is to improve the dehumidification efficiency.

For this purpose, the present invention is a dehumidifying device (10, 12) attached to the housing (2), and is a dehumidifying element (30) that decomposes moisture inside (S1) of the housing (2). A ventilation membrane that ventilates the inside (S1) of the housing (2) and the outside (S2) of the housing (2) and prevents liquid water from entering the inside of the housing (2). (40) and have a said a the dehumidifying element (30) gas permeable membrane (40), such that each separating the outer internal and the casing of the housing (2) (2), parallel It is a dehumidifying device (10, 12) characterized by being arranged in.
Here, the ventilation film (40) is provided in a ventilation hole (30a) penetrating the inside of the housing and the outside of the housing, and the cross-sectional area of the ventilation hole (30a) is the dehumidifying element. It can be characterized by being small compared to the area of (30).
Further, it may be characterized by further including an engaging portion (122) that engages with the housing.
Further, it may be further provided with a protective member (11) that protects the dehumidifying element (30) and the ventilation film (40).
Furthermore, it can be characterized by having a tubular shape in which a space is formed as a whole.
Further, the dehumidifying element (30) and the ventilation film (40) can be characterized in that they are arranged at the bottom in the tubular shape.

From another point of view, the present invention includes an engaging portion (122) whose inside (S1) is subject to dehumidification or which engages with a housing (2) having a dehumidification target inside. a housing dehumidifier (30) degrades moisture internal (S1) of (2), the pressure adjusting unit for adjusting a pressure inside (S1) of the housing (2) (30a, 40) and have a The dehumidifying element (30) and the pressure adjusting units (30a, 40) are arranged in parallel so as to separate the inside of the housing (2) and the outside of the housing (2), respectively. It is a dehumidifying device (10, 12) characterized by being present.

According to the present invention, in a dehumidifying device provided with a dehumidifying element, as compared with the case where a means for ventilating the inside of the housing and the outside of the housing is not provided, a problem due to a change in the pressure inside the housing is avoided and dehumidification is performed. The dehumidification efficiency of the element can be improved.

It is a figure which showed the whole structure of the vehicle-mounted camera to which this embodiment is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the dehumidifying ventilation unit of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the dehumidifying ventilation unit of this embodiment. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member. (A)-(b) is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 2. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 2. (A)-(b) is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 3. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 3. (A)-(b) is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 4. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 4. It is a figure explaining the structure of the dehumidifying ventilation member to which Embodiment 5 is applied. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 5. (A)-(b) is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the dehumidifying ventilation member to which Embodiment 6 is applied. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 6. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 6. It is a figure which showed the state which performed the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation in the dehumidifying ventilation member of Embodiment 6.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Overall configuration of in-vehicle camera]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an in-vehicle camera 1 to which the present embodiment is applied.
The vehicle-mounted camera 1 to which the present embodiment is applied is attached to a vehicle such as an automobile, and is used, for example, to image the rear of the vehicle. Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an in-vehicle camera 1 that images the rear of the vehicle cut along the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the left side in FIG. 1 corresponds to the rear of the vehicle that is the imaging direction by the in-vehicle camera 1. And the right side corresponds to the front of the vehicle.

The in-vehicle camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 2 for accommodating and protecting parts such as an image sensor 4 described later, a lens 3 attached to the housing 2 and condensing light on the image sensor 4 from the outside of the in-vehicle camera 1. It has. In the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment, the housing 2 and the lens 3 constitute an internal space S1 closed from the external space S2 of the vehicle-mounted camera 1, and waterproofing is provided for each component housed in the housing 2. It has improved properties and dust resistance.
The housing 2 is formed with an opening 2a that opens from the internal space S1 of the vehicle-mounted camera 1 toward the external space S2. In the present embodiment, the opening 2a is composed of a cylindrical convex portion 2b protruding from the housing 2 toward the external space S2 side.

Further, the in-vehicle camera 1 is a circuit in which an image sensor 4, which is an example of a dehumidifying target portion that images the rear of the vehicle via a lens 3, and a circuit on which the image sensor 4 is mounted and for controlling the image sensor 4 are formed. It includes a substrate 5. The image sensor 4 and the circuit board 5 are housed in the internal space S1 surrounded by the housing 2 and the lens 3.

Further, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment, the water vapor or the like in the internal space S1 of the vehicle-mounted camera 1 is discharged to the external space S2 to dehumidify the internal space S1, and the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is increased. It is provided with a dehumidifying / ventilation unit 10 that eliminates the pressure difference by ventilation when it occurs.
The dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 of the present embodiment is attached to an opening 2a (convex portion 2b) formed in the housing 2.

[Structure of dehumidifying and ventilation unit]
Subsequently, the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 of the present embodiment, in which the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 is cut along the thickness direction of the housing 2 and the electric component releasing / humidifying element 30 described later. It is a cross-sectional view.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 of the present embodiment is an example of a dehumidifying device attached to the housing 2 to dehumidify the internal space S1 and ventilate between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. The dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 is provided. Further, the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 includes a covering member 11 as an example of a protective member that covers the outer periphery of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 and protects the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12. In the present invention, the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 in which the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 and the covering member 11 are combined may be regarded as a dehumidifying device.

The covering member 11 has a disc-shaped bottom surface 11a and a cylindrical side surface 11b, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole. Then, the covering member 11 has a protrusion 111 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 11b attached to the attachment portion 121 described later of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, so that a predetermined gap is formed between the covering member 11 and the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12. It is attached so that it is formed. That is, the covering member 11 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 111 projecting from the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 11b via a gap in the circumferential direction of the side surface 11b. As a result, in the portion where the protrusion 111 is not provided, a path for gas or water vapor to pass is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the side surface 11b and the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 (mounting portion 121).

[About the configuration of dehumidifying and ventilating members]
Subsequently, the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment will be described. 3A and 3B are views for explaining the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 of the present embodiment, FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, and FIG. 3B is a dehumidifying / ventilating member. It is sectional drawing which cut the ventilation member 12 in the thickness direction of the housing 2 and the electric component release moisture element 30 which will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3B, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment is electrolyzed as an example of a dehumidifying element that dehumidifies the internal space S1 by electrolyzing the water vapor in the internal space S1. The dehumidifying element 30 is provided. Further, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 includes a venting film 40 as an example of a suppressing member or a pressure adjusting unit that ventilates between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. Furthermore, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 supports the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and the venting film 40, and includes a mounting portion 121 attached to the convex portion 2b (see FIG. 2) of the housing 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (a) to 3 (b), in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the mounting portion 121 has a cylindrical shape in which a cylindrical space is formed inside. ing.
The mounting portion 121 of the present embodiment is made of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic resin, or the like.

The method of mounting the mounting portion 121 to the convex portion 2b of the housing 2 is not particularly limited, but for example, the convex portion 2b and the mounting portion 121 are threaded, and the mounting portion 121 is screwed into the convex portion 2b. A method of mounting, a method of press-fitting the convex portion 2b into the mounting portion 121, and the like can be appropriately adopted.
Further, an electric component release wet element 30 is attached to the attachment portion 121 so as to close the opening formed at one end portion.

[About the configuration of the electric component release dehumidifying element]
The electric component releasing wet element 30 of the present embodiment has a vent hole 30a for ventilating the internal space S1 and the external space S2 in the central portion, and has an annular shape as a whole. Further, as will be described in detail later, a ventilation film 40 is attached to the electric component release moisture element 30 so as to close the ventilation holes 30a. As a result, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment, the internal space S1 and the external space S2 are separated by the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and the ventilation film 40.

Further, in the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 (dehumidifying / ventilating member 12) of the present embodiment, the moving direction of the gas (ventilation direction) in the ventilation hole 30a and the moving direction of the water vapor (dehumidifying direction) by the electrolysis releasing moisture element 30 are parallel. It has become. In other words, in the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 (dehumidifying / ventilating member 12) of the present embodiment, the electric component releasing moisture element 30 is provided perpendicular to the ventilation direction in the ventilation hole 30a.

Here, in the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 (dehumidifying / ventilating member 12) of the present embodiment, the area of the ventilation hole 30a is the area of the electric component releasing moisture element 30 (the portion of the electric component releasing moisture element 30 excluding the ventilation hole 30a). Area) is smaller than. By adopting such a configuration, for example, as compared with the case where the area of the ventilation hole 30a is larger than the area of the electrolysis release wet element 30, the water vapor to the internal space S1 via the ventilation hole 30a and the ventilation film 40 It is possible to suppress the inflow and effectively discharge water vapor from the internal space S1 to the external space S2.

The electric component release moisture element 30 of the present embodiment is formed on one surface of the electrolyte layer 31 made of an electrolyte and the electrolyte layer 31 (the surface facing the internal space S1 side when the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 is attached to the housing 2). The first electrode layer 32 to be laminated and the second electrode layer 33 to be laminated on the other surface (the surface opposite to one surface) of the electrolyte layer 31 are provided. As a result, the electrolyte layer 31 is sandwiched between the first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33. In other words, the electric component releasing wet element 30 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the first electrode layer 32, the electrolyte layer 31 and the second electrode layer 33 are laminated in this order from the internal space S1 side to the external space S2 side. doing.

The electrolyte layer 31 of the present embodiment has a film-like or plate-like shape.
Further, the electrolyte layer 31 is composed of, for example, an electrolyte having proton conductivity or an electrolyte having anion conductivity. Here, a case where an electrolyte having proton conductivity is used as the electrolyte layer 31 will be described. The electrolyte having anionic conductivity is not particularly limited, and for example, a material described in JP-A-2014-143197 can be used.
Examples of the electrolyte having proton conductivity constituting the electrolyte layer 31 include a fluorine-based proton conductive electrolyte such as a perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid resin, a polyether ketone, a polyether ether ketone, a polyether sulfone, and the like, and a sulfonic acid group. A polymer electrolyte material or the like into which a proton conductive group such as a phosphoric acid group has been introduced can be used.
The electrolyte layer 31 has a property of adsorbing water (water vapor) contained in the air. Further, the electrolyte layer 31 has a property of not allowing gas to permeate.

Further, a catalyst layer (not shown) for promoting the electrolysis reaction in the electrolyte layer 31 is formed on the surface of the electrolyte layer 31 (the surface facing the first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33). There is. Examples of the catalyst layer include elemental metals of platinum group elements such as Pt, Ru, Rh, Ir, Os, and Pd, and alloys containing these platinum group elements. Above all, it is preferable to use Pt having high catalytic activity.
In the electric component releasing wet element 30 of the present embodiment, by forming the catalyst layer on the surface of the electrolyte layer 31, the electrolysis of water in the electrolyte layer 31 is more likely to proceed, and the dehumidification of the internal space S1 is more rapid. Will be done.

The first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33 are used to apply a predetermined voltage to the electrolyte layer 31. In the electric component releasing wet element 30 of the present embodiment, the first electrode layer 32 is electrically connected to one surface of the electrolyte layer 31 facing the internal space S1 side and acts as an anode. Further, the second electrode layer 33 is electrically connected to the other surface of the electrolyte layer 31 facing the external space S2 side (the surface opposite to the one surface to which the first electrode layer 32 is connected) as a cathode. It works.

The first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33 are made of a conductive material. As the first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33, for example, a mesh-like or fibrous metal material can be used. By using the mesh-like or fibrous metal material for the first electrode layer 32, the water vapor (water vapor) in the internal space S1 passes through the first electrode layer 32 and is easily adsorbed on the electrolyte layer 31. Further, by making the second electrode layer 33 a mesh-like or fibrous metal material, hydrogen, water vapor, etc. generated by the reduction reaction in the second electrode layer 33, which will be described later, pass through the second electrode layer 33. , It becomes easy to be discharged to the external space S2 side.

Further, the first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33 may be formed of a metal plate having a plurality of small holes formed therein. In this case, the small holes formed in the metal plate ensure the air permeability of the first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33.
Further, the first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33 may be made of a porous material having conductivity and air permeability. Examples of such a porous material include a porous carbon sheet supporting metal particles and the like.

Further, in order to improve the decomposition efficiency of water vapor by the electric dehumidifying element 30, it is preferable that the water vapor in the internal space S1 is effectively brought into contact with the surface of the electric dehumidifying element 30.
As a method for effectively contacting the surface of the electrolysis dehumidifying element 30 with water vapor, for example, minute protrusions or irregularities are formed on the surface of the first electrode layer 32 of the electrolysis dehumidifying element 30 to form the electrolysis dehumidifying element 30. A method of causing turbulence on the surface of 30 can be mentioned.

[About the operation of the electric component release dehumidifying element]
Subsequently, the dehumidifying operation by the electric component releasing moisture element 30 will be described. In the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment, a DC voltage is applied to the electric component release wet element 30 by the power supply 50 at a predetermined timing. Specifically, the power source 50 continuously or intermittently between the first electrode layer 32 and the second electrode layer 33 of the electric component release wet element 30 via the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26. A DC voltage is applied.

As a result, in the first electrode layer 32 that acts as an anode, the water supplied from the internal space S1 is electrolyzed as shown by the following reaction formula (1). That is, in the first electrode layer 32, water (H ₂ O) is electrolyzed to ^{generate protons (hydrogen ion H +} ) and oxygen (O ₂ ).
_{H 2 O → 1 / 2O 2} + 2H + + 2e - ... (1)
The oxygen generated in the first electrode layer 32 is released from the surface of the first electrode layer 32 into the internal space S1.
Further, the protons (hydrogen ions) generated in the first electrode layer 32 are diffused in the electrolyte layer 31 and move to the second electrode layer 33 side.

In the second electrode layer 33 that acts as a cathode, the protons (hydrogen ions) supplied from the first electrode layer 32 via the electrolyte layer 31 are oxygen contained in the air as shown in the following reaction formula (2). And a reduction reaction to generate water vapor.
^{_{1 / 2O 2 + 2H + +}} 2e - → H 2 O ... (2)
Further, in the second electrode layer 33, protons (hydrogen ions) supplied from the first electrode layer 32 via the electrolyte layer 31 are directly reduced as shown in the following reaction formula (3) to generate hydrogen. It may be done.
_{^{2H + + 2e - → H 2}} ... (3)
Then, the water vapor or hydrogen generated in the second electrode layer 33 moves in the second electrode layer 33 by diffusion and is released from the surface of the second electrode layer 33 to the external space S2.

[About the composition of the ventilation membrane]
As described above, the ventilation film 40 of the present embodiment is attached on the second electrode layer 33 of the electricity release moisture element 30 so as to close the ventilation holes 30a formed in the electricity release moisture element 30.

The ventilation membrane 40 of the present embodiment is a membrane that prevents liquids such as liquid water and solids such as dust from entering the internal space S1 and allows gas such as air and water vapor to flow. The breathable membrane 40 can be made of a porous membrane having a plurality of pores produced by a stretching method, an extraction method, or the like. Examples of the porous membrane used for the ventilation membrane 40 include a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous membrane. The PTFE porous membrane is preferable because it can maintain air permeability even in a small area and has a high ability to block the passage of water, dust, and the like.

When a porous membrane is used as the ventilation membrane 40 of the present embodiment, the average pore diameter of the pores formed in the porous membrane is usually in the range of 0.01 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and 0.1 μm or more and 50 μm or less. The range is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 10 μm or less.
When the average pore size of the porous membrane used as the ventilation membrane 40 is less than 0.01 μm, it becomes difficult for air to pass through the ventilation membrane 40. In this case, when the air in the internal space S1 expands due to the temperature rise of the vehicle-mounted camera 1, the housing 2, the lens 3, and the like are easily damaged. On the other hand, when the average pore size of the porous membrane used as the ventilation membrane 40 exceeds 100 μm, dust and the like easily enter the internal space S1 through the ventilation membrane 40.

The thickness of the ventilation membrane 40 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, in the range of 10 μm or more and 1000 μm or less.
If the thickness of the ventilation film 40 is excessively thin, the strength of the ventilation film 40 tends to decrease. Further, when the thickness of the ventilation film 40 is excessively thick, the dehumidification ventilation unit 10 (dehumidification ventilation member 12) tends to be large.

Further, it is preferable that the surface of the ventilation film 40 is subjected to a liquid repellent treatment such as a water repellent treatment or an oil repellent treatment. By applying the liquid repellent treatment to the ventilation film 40, adhesion of dirt and the like to the ventilation film 40 is suppressed. As a result, clogging of the ventilation film 40 is suppressed, and a decrease in air permeability is suppressed.
The liquid repellent treatment of the breathable film 40 includes, for example, a fluorine-saturated hydrocarbon group (perfluoroalkyl group) in the side chain and a compound whose main chain is acrylic, methacrylic, silicone or the like. This can be done by applying a liquid repellent to the surface of the air-permeable film 40. The method of applying the liquid repellent to the surface of the ventilation film 40 is not particularly limited, and for example, gravure coating, spray coating, kiss coating, dipping and the like can be adopted.

[About dehumidifying operation and ventilation operation]
By the way, conventionally, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1, dew condensation or cloudiness (a phenomenon in which the lens 3 becomes cloudy due to the adhesion of fine water droplets) may occur due to the humidity of the internal space S1. As a method of suppressing moisture in the internal space S1 of the vehicle-mounted camera 1, it is effective to seal the internal space S1, but since the material such as plastic constituting the housing 2 has hygroscopicity, the internal space S1 is used. It is difficult to completely prevent the invasion of moisture. In such an in-vehicle camera 1, for example, when the outside air temperature is low or the humidity of the internal space S1 is high, dew condensation or fogging of the lens 3 is likely to occur.

Further, when the internal space S1 is sealed by the housing 2 and the lens 3 in the vehicle-mounted camera 1, the air in the internal space S1 expands and the pressure in the internal space S1 rises sharply, or the air in the internal space S1 contracts. If the pressure in the internal space S1 drops sharply, the housing 2 and the lens 3 may be damaged.

Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment, the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 (dehumidifying / ventilating member 12) discharges the water vapor that has entered the internal space S1 to the external space S2, and the pressure between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. Eliminate the difference.
Subsequently, the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation performed by the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 is performing the dehumidifying operation and the ventilating operation. In FIG. 4, the solid line arrow indicates the movement of gas, and the broken line arrow indicates the movement of water vapor. Further, in FIG. 4, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.

In the vehicle-mounted camera 1 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment, for example, the pressure in the internal space S1 may become lower than the pressure in the external space S2 as the temperature of the internal space S1 decreases. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, the external space S2 to the internal space S1 are passed through the ventilation holes 30a formed in the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and the ventilation film 40 attached to the ventilation holes 30a. Gas flows into. As a result, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 is eliminated.

Here, when the humidity of the external space S2 is higher than that of the internal space S1, as shown in FIG. 4, the humidity is high from the external space S2 to the internal space S1 via the ventilation hole 30a and the ventilation film 40. Air (water vapor) flows in.

As described above, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, the electric component releasing moisture element 30 decomposes the water vapor in the internal space S1 and discharges it to the external space S2.
Further, as described above, in the dehumidifying / ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the ventilation holes 30a and the ventilation film 40 are provided in the electric component release moisture element 30. In other words, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the electric component releasing moisture element 30 is provided adjacent to the moving path of the water vapor when the water vapor flows from the external space S2 to the internal space S1.

As a result, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, even when water vapor flows into the internal space S1 due to the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the water vapor is quickly released by the electric component releasing moisture element 30. Is decomposed into and discharged to the external space S2. More specifically, even when water vapor flows into the internal space S1, for example, before the water vapor reaches the lens 3 (see FIG. 1), it is discharged to the external space S2 by the electrolysis release wet element 30. ..
Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment, it is suppressed that the water vapor flowing into the internal space S1 adheres to the lens 3 and becomes water droplets, and the occurrence of dew condensation and fogging of the lens 3 is suppressed.

On the other hand, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, as shown in FIG. 4, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, the vent holes 30a and the vents formed in the electric component releasing wet element 30 are formed. Gas flows out from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 via the ventilation film 40 attached to the 30a. As a result, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 is eliminated.

Here, when gas flows out from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 through the ventilation hole 30a and the ventilation film 40, an air flow from the internal space S1 to the ventilation film 40 is generated in the internal space S1 as the gas flows out. .. Further, as described above, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the ventilation film 40 is attached to the surface of the electric component releasing / humidifying element 30.
With such a configuration, when the gas flows out from the internal space S1 to the external space S2, the water vapor existing in the internal space S1 is easily adsorbed by the electrolysis release wet element 30 due to the airflow generated in the internal space S1. As a result, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment, water vapor is effectively discharged from the internal space S1 to the external space S2.

<Embodiment 2>
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. Further, in the following description, the description of the covering member 11 that covers the outside of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 is omitted, but the covering member 11 may be further provided on the outside of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 in the following embodiments.
5 (a) to 5 (b) are views for explaining the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the second embodiment. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 as viewed from the external space S2 side, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 as viewed from the internal space S1 side. In FIGS. 5A to 5B, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5B, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment ventilates between the electric component releasing moisture element 30 that dehumidifies the internal space S1 and the internal space S1 and the external space S2. It is provided with a ventilation film 40 for performing the above, and a mounting portion 121 that supports the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and the ventilation film 40 and is attached to the convex portion 2b (see FIG. 2) of the housing 2.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5B, the mounting portion 121 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape and has an engaging portion 122 that engages with the convex portion 2b of the housing 2, and the engaging portion 122. It has an electric component release wet element 30 and a support portion 123 that supports the ventilation film 40, which is provided at one end.

The support portion 123 has a disk-like shape, and the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 is attached to the housing 2 (see FIG. 1), and the dehumidifying / ventilating element 30 is on one surface facing the external space S2 side. Support.
Further, the support portion 123 is formed with a through hole 123a for an element for moving water vapor toward the electric component release wet element 30. In other words, the support portion 123 is formed with an element through hole 123a for exposing the first electrode layer 32 of the electric component releasing wet element 30 to the internal space S1 side. The support portion 123 shown in FIG. 5B is formed with four element through holes 123a arranged in the circumferential direction of the support portion 123.

Further, the support portion 123 is formed with a ventilation path 123b for passing the gas flowing between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. The ventilation path 123b has a cylindrical shape that protrudes toward the side (internal space S1 side) of the support portion 123 that is opposite to the surface on which the electric component release wet element 30 is supported. Then, in the ventilation path 123b, a columnar through hole 123c for a ventilation membrane through which gas passes is formed.
Here, in the support portion 123 of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the through hole 123c for the ventilation film in the ventilation path 123b is configured to be smaller than that of the through hole 123a for the element.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the electric component releasing wet element 30 of the present embodiment has a vent hole 30a for ventilating in the central portion, and has an annular shape as a whole.
Then, in the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the ventilation membrane 40 is attached to the surface of the support portion 123 facing the external space S2 side so as to close the through hole 123c for the ventilation membrane, and is communicated with the ventilation membrane 40. The electric component release wet element 30 is attached so that the pores 30a overlap.

Subsequently, the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation performed by the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 of the second embodiment is performing the dehumidifying operation and the ventilating operation, and the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 is placed in the thickness direction of the housing 2 and the electric component releasing moisture element 30. It is a cross-sectional view cut into. In FIG. 6, the solid line arrow indicates the movement of gas, and the broken line arrow indicates the movement of water vapor. Further, in FIG. 6, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.
Similar to the first embodiment, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, the water vapor in the internal space S1 is decomposed by the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and discharged to the external space S2. As a result, the humidity of the internal space S1 is lowered, and the occurrence of dew condensation and fogging of the lens 3 (see FIG. 1) is suppressed.

Further, when a pressure difference occurs between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 of the vehicle-mounted camera 1 (see FIG. 1), the ventilation film through hole 123c formed in the ventilation film 40 and the support portion 123 is used. Then, the gas moves between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. As a result, even in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 to which the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment is applied, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is eliminated as in the first embodiment.

Here, in the dehumidifying / ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the support portion 123 has the ventilation path 123b, so that, for example, when the pressure in the internal space S1 becomes lower than the pressure in the external space S2, the external space The gas from S2 flows into the internal space S1 through the ventilation path 123b. Therefore, in the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the gas flowing in from the external space S2 is less likely to diffuse in the internal space S1 as compared with the case where the ventilation path 123b is not provided.

By adopting such a configuration, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment does not have the ventilation path 123b when, for example, the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2. Compared with the case, the water vapor is less likely to flow into the internal space S1.
As a result, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 to which the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment is applied, the humidity rise in the internal space S1 is suppressed and the dew condensation and fogging of the lens 3 are suppressed as compared with the case where this configuration is not adopted. Will be done.

<Embodiment 3>
Subsequently, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
7 (a) to 7 (b) and 8 are views showing the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the third embodiment. Here, FIGS. 7A to 7B are views for explaining the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the third embodiment, and FIG. 7A shows the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 on the external space S2 side. 7 (b) is a perspective view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 as viewed from the internal space S1 side. Further, FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 of the third embodiment is performing the dehumidifying operation and the ventilating operation. It is sectional drawing cut in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 8, the solid line arrow indicates the movement of gas, and the broken line arrow indicates the movement of water vapor. Further, in FIGS. 7A to 7B and FIG. 8, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, one electric component releasing wet element 30 is provided, but a plurality of electric component releasing wet elements 30 may be provided. As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7B, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the third embodiment includes four electrolyzing and dehumidifying elements 30. The dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the second embodiment except for the shape of the support portion 123 and the number of the electric component releasing moisture elements 30.
As shown in FIG. 8, the water vapor is decomposed by each of the electric component releasing wet elements 30, and the water vapor is discharged from the internal space S1 to the external space S2.

When a plurality of electric component release moisture elements 30 are provided as in the dehumidification / ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the timing of switching the energization on / off may be different for each electric component release moisture element 30. For example, when the humidity of the internal space S1 is high, all the electric dehumidifying elements 30 are energized, and when the humidity of the internal space S1 is low, any of the electric dehumidifying elements 30 is turned off. May be good.

<Embodiment 4>
Subsequently, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
9 (a) to 9 (b) are views for explaining the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 as viewed from the external space S2 side, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 as viewed from the internal space S1 side. In FIGS. 9A to 9B, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.

The dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 of the fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in the ventilation holes (vent holes 125b described later) through which the gas flowing between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 passes, and ventilation. The positional relationship between the film 40 and the electric component release wet element 30 is different.
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9B, the mounting portion 121 of the fourth embodiment has a cylindrical shape and is engaged with the convex portion 2b of the housing 2. And a disk-shaped support portion 125 that is provided so as to block the cylindrical space formed inside the engaging portion 122 and supports the electric component release wet element 30.

The support portion 125 includes a through hole 125a for the element for moving water vapor toward the electric dehumidifying element 30 and a ventilation hole 125b for passing a gas flowing between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. have.
Here, the element through hole 125a is provided in the central portion of the support portion 125, and the ventilation hole 125b is provided on the peripheral edge portion side of the support portion 125 as compared with the element through hole 125a. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the ventilation hole 125b is smaller than that of the element through hole 125a.

Further, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the electric component releasing moisture element 30 is attached to the surface of the supporting portion 125 of the mounting portion 121 facing the external space S2 side so as to close the element through hole 125a. There is. As a result, when the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 is attached to the housing 2, the first electrode layer 32 of the electric component releasing moisture element 30 faces the internal space S1 via the element through hole 125a. ..

Further, in the dehumidifying / ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the ventilation film 40 is attached to the end portion of the engaging portion 122 of the attachment portion 121 on the outer space S2 side. Specifically, the ventilation film 40 is attached so as to close the opening formed at the end of the engaging portion 122 on the outer space S2 side and to face the second electrode layer 33 of the electric component releasing moisture element 30. ing.

The dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and is different from the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the first to third embodiments, and has the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and the ventilation film 40. Is provided at a position deviated from the moving direction (ventilation direction) of the gas flowing between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. Further, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and thus has a structure between the support portion 125 to which the electric component releasing moisture element 30 is attached and the ventilation hole 125b is provided, and the ventilation membrane 40. , A space 125S (see FIG. 10 described later) for the gas to stay is formed.

Subsequently, the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation performed by the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 of the fourth embodiment is performing the dehumidifying operation and the ventilating operation, and the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 is placed in the thickness direction of the housing 2 and the electric component releasing moisture element 30. It is a cross-sectional view cut into. In FIG. 10, the solid line arrow indicates the movement of gas, and the broken line arrow indicates the movement of water vapor. Further, in FIG. 10, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.
Similar to the first embodiment, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, the water vapor in the internal space S1 is decomposed by the electric component releasing moisture element 30. Then, the water vapor decomposed by the electric dehumidifying element 30 and discharged from the second electrode layer 33 of the electric dehumidifying element 30 passes through the ventilation film 40 and is discharged to the external space S2. As a result, the humidity of the internal space S1 is lowered, and the occurrence of dew condensation and fogging of the lens 3 (see FIG. 1) is suppressed.

Further, when a pressure difference occurs between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the space between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is provided via the ventilation holes 125b formed in the ventilation film 40 and the support portion 125. Gas circulates in.
Specifically, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, as shown in FIG. 10, the ventilation holes 125b and the ventilation film formed in the support portion 125 of the mounting portion 121 are formed. Gas is discharged from the internal space S1 to the external space S2 via the 40. As a result, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 (see FIG. 1) is eliminated.

On the other hand, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2, as shown in FIG. 10, gas flows from the external space S2 to the internal space S1 via the ventilation film 40 and the ventilation hole 125b. Inflow. Here, as described above, in the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, a space 125S is formed between the ventilation membrane 40 and the support portion 125. Further, the cross-sectional area of the ventilation hole 125b is formed to be smaller than the area of the electric component releasing wet element 30.

By adopting such a configuration, in the dehumidifying / ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, for example, when the humidity of the external space S2 is higher than the humidity of the internal space S1, the humidity flowing in through the ventilation film 40 is high. Air (water vapor) tends to stay in the space 125S. As a result, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, as compared with the case where this configuration is not adopted, the humidity of the internal space S1 is less likely to rise sharply, and water vapor can flow into the internal space S1. It is suppressed. As a result, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 of the present embodiment, an increase in humidity in the internal space S1 is suppressed.

In addition, although the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 is provided with a ventilation membrane 40 made of a PTFE porous membrane or the like, for example, instead of the ventilation membrane 40, a porous body having a continuous foam structure in which a plurality of holes are communicated with each other may be used. Good. In this case, for example, even if the covering member 11 (see FIG. 2) is not provided on the outside of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12, the electric component releasing / humidifying element 30 can be protected by the porous body.

<Embodiment 5>
Subsequently, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 to which the fifth embodiment is applied, and is a cross-sectional view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 cut in the thickness direction of the housing 2 and the electric component releasing moisture element 30. .. In FIG. 11, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.

The dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment is different from the first to fourth embodiments in the moving direction (ventilation direction) of the gas flowing between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, and the electric component releasing moisture element. The relationship with the moving direction (dehumidifying direction) of the water vapor decomposed by 30 is different.
That is, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the first to fourth embodiments, the ventilation direction between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is parallel to the dehumidifying direction by the electric component release moisture element 30. In the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment, the dehumidifying direction by the electric component releasing moisture element 30 is perpendicular to the ventilation direction between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. In other words, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment, the electric component releasing / humidifying element 30 is provided in parallel with the ventilating direction between the internal space S1 and the external space S2.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment has a support 130 that supports the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and the ventilating membrane 40. The support 130 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and is attached so as to penetrate the rectangular opening 2a formed in the housing 2.

Further, the support 130 has a ventilation path 131 penetrating from the internal space S1 side to the external space S2 side. The ventilation passage 131 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped space, and has an internal opening 131a that opens toward the internal space S1 side and an external opening 131b that opens toward the external space S2 side. As a result, the ventilation passage 131 is connected to both the internal space S1 and the external space S2.

Further, the support 130 has a water vapor discharge path 132 for discharging the water vapor released from the electric component release wet element 30 to the external space S2. The water vapor discharge path 132 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped space, and has a discharge opening 132b that opens toward the external space S2 side. As a result, the steam discharge path 132 is connected to the external space S2. The steam discharge path 132 is not open on the internal space S1 side, and the end portion of the steam discharge path 132 on the internal space S1 side is closed by the support 130.

Further, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, an electric component releasing / humidifying element 30 is attached to the boundary between the venting passage 131 and the steam discharge passage 132 in the support 130. In other words, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the ventilation passage 131 and the steam discharge passage 132 of the support 130 are separated by the electric component releasing moisture element 30.
More specifically, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the first electrode layer 32 of the electric component releasing moisture element 30 faces the ventilation passage 131, and the second electrode layer 33 faces the steam discharge passage 132. As described above, the electric component releasing wet element 30 is attached to the support 130.

Further, in the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the ventilation membrane 40 is attached to the support 130 so as to close the outer opening 131b of the ventilation passage 131 and the discharge opening 132b of the steam discharge passage 132.

Subsequently, the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation performed by the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment is performing the dehumidifying operation and the ventilating operation. It is a cross-sectional view cut into. In FIG. 12, the solid line arrow indicates the movement of gas, and the broken line arrow indicates the movement of water vapor. Further, in FIG. 12, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.

In the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the water vapor contained in the gas flowing into the ventilation passage 131 from the internal space S1 or the external space S2 is decomposed by the electric component releasing wet element 30. Then, the water vapor decomposed by the electric dehumidifying element 30 and released from the second electrode layer 33 of the electric dehumidifying element 30 moves through the water vapor discharge path 132 and passes through the discharge opening 132b and the ventilation film 40 to the external space. It is discharged to S2.
When a pressure difference occurs between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, gas flows between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 via the ventilation passage 131 and the ventilation film 40. As a result, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is eliminated.

For example, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, as shown in FIG. 12, the gas flows into the ventilation passage 131 from the internal space S1 and from the internal space S1 side to the external space. The ventilation path 131 is moved toward the S2 side (from left to right in the figure). Then, the gas that has moved through the ventilation passage 131 is discharged to the external space S2 through the external opening 131b and the ventilation membrane 40, and the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is eliminated.
Further, the gas that has flowed into the ventilation passage 131 from the internal space S1 moves along the first electrode layer 32 of the electric component release wet element 30 provided so as to face the ventilation passage 131. Therefore, the water vapor contained in the gas is adsorbed on the first electrode layer 32, decomposed by the electric component releasing wet element 30, and discharged to the external space S2 through the water vapor discharge path 132 and the ventilation membrane 40.

By adopting such a configuration, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment becomes the internal space S1 and the external space S2 when the pressure in the internal space S1 becomes higher than the pressure in the external space S2. The pressure difference between the two can be eliminated, and the water vapor in the internal space S1 can be effectively discharged to the external space S2.

On the other hand, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2, as shown in FIG. 12, the gas flows into the ventilation passage 131 from the external space S2 via the ventilation film 40 and is outside. The ventilation path is moved from the space S2 side to the internal space S1 side (from right to left in the figure). Then, the gas that has moved through the ventilation passage 131 flows into the internal space S1, and the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is eliminated.
Further, the gas that has flowed into the ventilation passage 131 from the external space S2 moves along the first electrode layer 32 of the electric component release wet element 30 provided so as to face the ventilation passage 131. As a result, the water vapor contained in the gas is adsorbed on the first electrode layer 32, decomposed by the electric component releasing wet element 30, and discharged to the external space S2 via the water vapor discharge path 132 and the ventilation film 40.

In the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment, by adopting such a configuration, when the pressure in the internal space S1 becomes lower than the pressure in the external space S2, the gas from the external space S2 is released. It can be dehumidified before flowing into the internal space S1. In other words, the dried gas after being dehumidified by the electric component releasing moisture element 30 flows into the internal space S1.
As a result, for example, even when the humidity of the external space S2 is high, the inflow of a gas (water vapor) having a high humidity into the internal space S1 is suppressed, and the humidity increase of the internal space S1 is suppressed.

<Embodiment 6>
Subsequently, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 13 (a) to 13 (b) are views for explaining the configuration of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 to which the sixth embodiment is applied. 13 (a) is a perspective view of the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the sixth embodiment as viewed from the internal space S1 side, and FIG. 13 (b) is a cross-sectional view of XIIIB-XIIIB in FIG. 13 (a). In FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (b), the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.
The dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the sixth embodiment is different from the first to fifth embodiments, and is a check valve whose opening / closing is switched according to the pressure relationship between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 (the first check valve described later). It is provided with a check valve 161 and a second check valve 162). Further, unlike the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the first to fifth embodiments, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the sixth embodiment is attached to the housing 2 from the external space S2 side, and the in-vehicle camera 1 (FIG. 1). It is attached to the internal space S1 side with respect to the convex portion 2b protruding from the housing 2 to the internal space S1 side.
Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

The dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the fifth embodiment supports the electric component releasing moisture element 30 and the ventilating membrane 40, and has a mounting portion 150 attached to the convex portion 2b of the housing 2.
As shown in FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (b), the mounting portion 150 of the sixth embodiment includes an engaging portion 151 having a cylindrical shape and engaging with the convex portion 2b of the housing 2. Further, the mounting portion 150 includes a disc-shaped first ventilation portion 152 connected to the end portion of the engagement portion 151 on the internal space S1 side, and an electric component release wet element protruding from the first ventilation portion 152 toward the internal space S1 side. It includes a cylindrical dehumidifying portion 153 on which dehumidification is performed by the dehumidifying portion 153, and a disk-shaped second ventilation portion 154 connected to an end portion of the dehumidifying portion 153 on the internal space S1 side.

In the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, a cylindrical electric component releasing / humidifying element 30 is provided between the first venting portion 152 and the second venting portion 154 and on the inner circumference of the dehumidifying portion 153. Specifically, an electric component releasing moisture element 30 is provided on the inner circumference of the dehumidifying portion 153 so that the first electrode layer 32 is on the outer peripheral side and the second electrode layer 33 is on the inner peripheral side.
Further, in the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the ventilation film 40 is provided on the surface of the attachment portion 150 on the outer space S2 side of the first ventilation portion 152.

The dehumidifying portion 153 of the mounting portion 150 of the present embodiment is formed with a through hole 153a for the element for moving water vapor toward the electric component releasing wet element 30. In this example, two through holes 153a for the element are provided at positions facing each other with the electric component release wet element 30 interposed therebetween.

The first ventilation portion 152 in the mounting portion 150 of the present embodiment has a first ventilation hole 152a for passing a gas moving between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, and an electric component release moisture element 30. A water vapor discharge hole 152b from which the decomposed and released water vapor is discharged is formed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13B, a steam discharge hole 152b is formed in the central portion of the disk-shaped first ventilation portion 152, and the first ventilation portion 152 with respect to the steam discharge hole 152b. The first vent hole 152a is formed at a position shifted to the outer peripheral side of the above. In this example, the first ventilation hole 152a is provided so as to be located vertically below the steam discharge hole 152b when the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 is attached to the housing 2.

The second ventilation portion 154 in the mounting portion 150 of the present embodiment is formed with a second ventilation hole 154a for passing a gas moving between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. In this example, as shown in FIG. 13B, a second ventilation hole 154a is formed in the central portion of the disk-shaped second ventilation portion 154.

Further, the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment is attached to the first ventilation hole 152a in the first ventilation portion 152, and the opening and closing is switched according to the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. It is equipped with 161. Furthermore, the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 is provided with a second check valve 162 which is attached to the second ventilation hole 154a in the second ventilation portion 154 and is switched between opening and closing according to the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. There is.

Subsequently, the dehumidifying operation and the ventilation operation performed by the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment will be described. 14 to 16 are views showing a state in which the dehumidifying and ventilating operation is performed in the dehumidifying and ventilating member 12 of the sixth embodiment. Here, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which a pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 does not occur, and FIG. 15 is a diagram in which the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2. In FIGS. 14 to 16, the solid line arrow indicates the movement of gas, and the broken line arrow indicates the movement of water vapor. Further, in FIGS. 14 to 16, the description of the first lead wire 25 and the second lead wire 26 is omitted.

First, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1 (see FIG. 1), a case where a pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 does not occur will be described.

In the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, when there is no pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the first check valve 161 is external from the internal space S1 side due to the urging force of the spring member 161a. It is urged to the space S2 side (from the left side to the right side in the figure). As a result, when there is no pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the first ventilation hole 152a is in a state of being closed by the first check valve 161.
Similarly, when there is no pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the second check valve 162 is moved from the external space S2 side to the internal space S1 side (from the right side in the drawing) due to the urging force of the spring member 162a. It is urged to the left side). As a result, when there is no pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the second ventilation hole 154a is in a state of being closed by the second check valve 162.

Therefore, when there is no pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, only the dehumidifying operation by the electric component releasing moisture element 30 is performed.
Specifically, the water vapor in the internal space S1 is adsorbed on the first electrode layer 32 provided on the outer peripheral side of the electric component release wet element 30 through the element through hole 153a of the dehumidifying unit 153 and is electrolyzed. Then, water vapor is released from the second electrode layer 33 provided on the inner peripheral side of the electric component release wet element 30.
The water vapor released from the second electrode layer 33 of the electric component release wet element 30 is discharged to the external space S2 through the water vapor discharge hole 152b of the first ventilation portion 152 and the ventilation membrane 40.

Here, when the water vapor is decomposed by the electric dehumidifying element 30, the first conducting wire 25 connected to the electric dehumidifying element 30 and the electric dehumidifying element 30 by energizing the electric dehumidifying element 30. , The second lead wire 26 (both see FIG. 3) generates heat. As a result, in the dehumidifying unit 153, the warmed gas creates an updraft from below to above the electric component releasing moisture element 30.
In the dehumidifying ventilation member 12 of the present embodiment, the updraft makes it easier for the water vapor contained in the internal space S1 to enter the dehumidifying section 153 through the through hole 153a for the element, and the water vapor that has penetrated into the dehumidifying section 153. However, it becomes easy to pass in the vicinity of the electric component release wet element 30.

As a result, even if there is no pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 and ventilation is not performed between the internal space S1 and the external space S2, the water vapor in the internal space S1 can be removed. It is possible to effectively discharge to the external space S2.

Subsequently, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1, a case where the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2 will be described.

When the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2, the first check valve 161 is pushed against the urging force by the spring member 161a due to the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. .. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the first check valve 161 moves to the internal space S1 side (left side in the drawing), and the first ventilation hole 152a is opened.
When the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2, the second check valve 162 is maintained in a state of being urged by the spring member 162a, and the second vent hole 154a remains in a closed state. Be maintained.

As a result, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2, the gas in the external space S2 invades the dehumidifying portion 153 through the first ventilation hole 152a. As described above, when the electric component releasing moisture element 30 is energized, an updraft from the lower side to the upper side is generated in the dehumidifying unit 153. Due to this updraft, the gas that has entered the dehumidifying section 153 from the first ventilation hole 152a passes near the electrolyzing dehumidifying element 30 and enters the internal space from the element through hole 153a provided vertically above the dehumidifying section 153. It flows into S1.
As a result, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is eliminated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the gas that has entered from the external space S2 due to the updraft generated in the dehumidifying unit 153 passes near the electric dehumidifying element 30, so that the water vapor contained in the gas is transferred to the electric dehumidifying element 30. It is adsorbed on the first electrode layer 32. Then, the water vapor adsorbed on the first electrode layer 32 is decomposed by the electric component releasing wet element 30 and discharged to the external space S2 through the water vapor discharge hole 152b and the ventilation membrane 40.

In the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, by adopting such a configuration, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is lower than the pressure in the external space S2, the gas from the external space S2 is transferred to the internal space. It can be dehumidified before flowing into S1. In other words, in the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment, the gas after being dehumidified by the electric component releasing moisture element 30 flows into the internal space S1.
As a result, for example, even when the humidity of the external space S2 is high, the inflow of a gas (water vapor) having a high humidity into the internal space S1 is suppressed, and the humidity increase of the internal space S1 is suppressed.

In addition, the second check valve 162 is maintained in a state of being urged by the spring member 162a, and the second ventilation hole 154a is maintained in a closed state. The released water vapor is discharged to the external space S2 through the water vapor discharge hole 152b without entering the internal space S1 through the second ventilation hole 154a. As a result, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment can efficiently dehumidify the internal space S1.

Subsequently, in the vehicle-mounted camera 1, the case where the pressure in the internal space S1 becomes higher than the pressure in the external space S2 will be described.

When the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, the second check valve 162 is pushed against the urging force by the spring member 162a due to the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. .. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the second check valve 162 moves to the external space S2 side (right side in the drawing), and the second ventilation hole 154a is opened.
When the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, the first check valve 161 is maintained in a state of being urged by the spring member 161a, and the first vent hole 152a remains in a closed state. Be maintained.

As a result, when the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, the gas in the internal space S1 is supplied to the dehumidifying unit 153 via the second ventilation hole 154a. It is discharged to the inner circumference. Then, the gas discharged to the inner circumference of the electric component release wet element 30 passes through the water vapor discharge hole 152b and the ventilation membrane 40 and is discharged to the external space S2. As a result, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is eliminated.

Further, even when the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, the electric component releasing wet element 30 is energized, and as described above, the dehumidifying unit 153 is provided with the electric component releasing wet element 30. There is an updraft from below to above.
As a result, even when the pressure in the internal space S1 is higher than the pressure in the external space S2, the water vapor contained in the internal space S1 easily passes in the vicinity of the electric component release wet element 30, and the internal space S1 It is possible to effectively discharge water vapor to the external space S2.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the passage path of the gas flowing between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 is switched according to the relationship between the pressure of the internal space S1 and the pressure of the external space S2.
By adopting such a configuration, the dehumidifying / ventilating member 12 of the present embodiment suppresses an increase in the humidity of the internal space S1 when a pressure difference occurs between the internal space S1 and the external space S2. However, the pressure difference between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 can be eliminated.

In this example, the first check valve 161 and the second check valve 162 are configured to switch the gas passage path according to the relationship between the pressure in the internal space S1 and the pressure in the external space S2. The means for switching is not limited to the check valve.

As described above, according to the first to sixth embodiments, the function of dehumidifying the internal space S1 of the housing 2 and the function of adjusting the pressure in the internal space S1 (the internal space S1 and the external space S2). It is possible to realize a dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 (dehumidifying / ventilating member 12) that can realize both a function of performing ventilation).
In other words, by attaching the dehumidifying / ventilation unit 10 of the present embodiment to a device such as the vehicle-mounted camera 1, it is possible to suppress fogging and dew condensation of the lens 3 in the vehicle-mounted camera 1, and the internal space S1 and the external space S2 Damage to the housing 2 and the lens 3 due to the pressure difference between the two and the lens 3 can be suppressed.

The function of ventilating the internal space S1 and the external space S2 of the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10 (dehumidifying / ventilating member 12) is not limited to the embodiment described in the present embodiment. For example, the support member itself that supports the electric component release wet element 30 and engages with the housing 2 may be realized by forming a porous body having a continuous foam structure in which a plurality of holes are communicated with each other. In this case, it is possible to ventilate between the internal space S1 and the external space S2 through the inside of the support member made of the porous body.

Further, in the first to sixth embodiments, as an example of the device to be dehumidified and ventilated by the dehumidifying / ventilating unit 10, an in-vehicle camera 1 having an image sensor 4 in the housing 2 is mentioned as an example. The applicable device is not limited to the in-vehicle camera 1. That is, the present invention is applied to devices such as surveillance cameras, digital cameras, vehicle lamps, etc., in which electronic components and the like are inside the housing 2 and dew condensation and fogging of the lens 3 are likely to occur, in addition to the in-vehicle camera 1. can do.

1 ... In-vehicle camera, 2 ... Housing, 2a ... Aperture, 2b ... Convex part, 3 ... Lens, 4 ... Image sensor, 5, 6 ... Circuit board, 10 ... Dehumidifying and ventilating unit, 11 ... Case, 12 ... Dehumidifying and ventilating member , 25 ... 1st lead wire, 26 ... 2nd lead wire, 30 ... Electric component release wet element, 40 ... Ventilation film, S1 ... Internal space, S2 ... External space

Claims (4)

It is attached to the housing so that the inside and the outside of the housing are communicated with each other, and the edge projects from the surface of the housing toward the outside in a tubular shape or covers one opening having a planar shape from the outside. Dehumidifying equipment that can be used
An engaging portion that engages with the housing and enables the dehumidifying device to be attached to the housing.
When the dehumidifying device is attached to the housing, a dehumidifying element that decomposes the moisture inside the housing and
When the dehumidifying device attached to the housing, and a gas permeable membrane prevents the liquid water into the interior of the housing from entering as well as ventilation and external of the internal and the casing of the housing Have and
Wherein the dehumidifying element and the gas permeable membrane, when the dehumidifying device attached to the housing, so that each separating the outer internal and the housing of the casing, in parallel within the dehumidifying apparatus Placed ,
The ventilation film is provided in a ventilation hole in the dehumidifying device that communicates the inside of the housing with the outside of the housing, and the cross-sectional area of the ventilation hole is compared with the area of the dehumidifying element. A dehumidifying device characterized in that it is small and smaller than the area of the path through which water vapor passes in the dehumidifying element. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective member that protects the dehumidifying element and the ventilation film. The dehumidifying device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the dehumidifying device has a tubular shape in which a space is formed as a whole. The dehumidifying device according to claim 3 , wherein the dehumidifying element and the ventilation film are arranged at the bottom in the tubular shape.

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