DEHUMIDIFIER

Abstract

 Disclosed herein is a dehumidifier which has an improved usability of a user. The dehumidifier includes a main body provided with a water container mounting portion on an upper portion of which a water container is mounted, a water container detachably mounted on the water container mounting portion, a water collection tray provided inside the main body to collect water, a heat exchanger provided between the water container mounting portion and the water collection tray and a drain hole provided at the water container mounting portion to discharge water in the water container mounting portion downward.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dehumidifier which is used to decrease indoor humidity.

[0002] Generally, a dehumidifier is a device which removes moisture in the air. The dehumidifier may be largely divided into a dry type and a cooling type. The dry type performs dehumidification by absorbing or adsorbing moisture in the air using a moisture absorbent material which is a chemical, while the cooling type condenses vapor in the air by cooling the air to the dew point or below using a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

[0003] In the cooling type dehumidifier, a temperature of air near a cooling apparatus is decreased to the dew point or below, accordingly, a condensation water is generated in the cooling apparatus, and a water container which stores the condensation water which falls from the cooling apparatus is provided under the cooling apparatus.

[0004] When the water container is full with water or during a removal of the water container, when the water container of the dehumidifier is shaken, water may flow at a water collecting structure, specifically, at a portion where the water container is mounted.

[0005] Conventionally, a water container and a water collecting structure which store condensation water of a dehumidifier are positioned at a lower portion of the dehumidifier a concave bucket is formed to collect water at a position where water drops when the water container is removed.

[0006] Accordingly, when water is collected in the bucket, a user needs to wait until the water is evaporated or wipe the bucket. In addition, when the dehumidifier is carried without removing water, the water may be leak out of the product.

[0007] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a dehumidifier with improved usability of a user.

[0008] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a dehumidifier may include a main body provided with a water container mounting portion on an upper portion of which a water container is mounted, a water container detachably mounted on the water container mounting portion, a water collection tray provided inside the main body to collect water, a heat exchanger provided between the water container mounting portion and the water collection tray and a drain hole provided at the water container mounting portion to discharge water in the water container mounting portion downward.

[0010] The heat exchanger may include at least one of an evaporator which cools air by evaporating a refrigerant and a condenser which radiates heat to the outside by condensing a refrigerant.

[0011] The drain hole may include a path which extends from the water container mounting portion toward the heat exchanger.

[0012] The drain hole may be formed at an upper side of the heat exchanger such that water flows to the heat exchanger.

[0013] The dehumidifier may further include a drain duct which is provided under the heat exchanger and guides water to the water collection tray and a drain guide pipe which guides water to at least one of the water collection tray and the drain duct from the drain hole.

[0014] The water container mounting portion may include a protrusion which protrudes downward, the drain hole is formed at the protrusion, and the drain guide pipe is connected to the protrusion.

[0015] The dehumidifier may further include a sealing member which seals between the drain hole and the drain guide pipe

[0016] The drain guide pipe may be formed of at least one of a rubber material, a transparent material, and a plastic material.

[0017] The drain hole may be provided in plurality.

[0018] The water container mounting portion may be obliquely provided toward the drain hole such that water is guided to the drain hole.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a dehumidifier may include a main body provided with a water container mounting portion on an upper portion of which a water container is mounted, a water container detachably mounted on the water container mounting portion, a heat exchanger provided under the water container mounting portion and a drain hole provided at the water container mounting portion to discharge water in the water container mounting portion downward toward the heat exchanger.

[0020] The heat exchanger may include at least one of an evaporator which cools air by evaporating a refrigerant and a condenser which radiates heat to the outside by condensing a refrigerant.

[0021] The drain hole may be formed at an upper side of the heat exchanger such that water flows to the heat exchanger.

[0022] The dehumidifier may further include a drain guide pipe which guides water from the drain hole to the heat exchanger

[0023] The water container mounting portion may include a protrusion which protrudes downward, the drain hole is formed in the protrusion, and the drain guide pipe is connected to the protrusion.

[0024] The water container mounting portion may be obliquely provided toward the drain hole such that water is guided to the drain hole.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a dehumidifier may include a main body provided with a water container mounting portion on which a water container is mounted, a water container detachably mounted on the water container mounting portion, a heat exchanger which condenses vapor to generate a condensation water, a water collection tray which collects the condensation water generated by the heat exchanger and a drain hole provided at the water container mounting portion such that water in the water container mounting portion is collected in the water collection tray.

[0026] The heat exchanger may include at least one of an evaporator which cools air by evaporating a refrigerant and a condenser which radiates heat to the outside by condensing a refrigerant.

[0027] The heat exchanger may be provided under the water container mounting portion, and the drain hole is provided at an upper side of the heat exchanger.

[0028] The dehumidifier may further include a drain guide pipe which guides water from the drain hole to the heat exchanger or the water collection tray.

[0029] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an exterior of a dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the dehumidifier having a water container separated therefrom shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the dehumidifier having main structures diassembled shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the dehumidifier shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a protrusion, a drain guide pipe and a sealing member of the dehumidifier shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a disassembled structure of a protrusion, a drain guide pipe and a sealing member of the dehumidifier shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a dehumidifier according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of an dehumidifier according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the dehumidifier of FIG. 9, which is viewed from a different angle.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a water container separated from the dehumidifier of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the dehumidifier having main structures diassembled shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the dehumidifier of FIG. 9

FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional illustrating the dehumidifier of FIG. 9

[0030] Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Meanwhile, the terms used in the specification, such as "front end," "back end," "upper portion," "lower portion," "upper end" and "lower end" are defined based on the drawings, and shapes and positions of components are not limited to the terms.

[0031] A dehumidifier according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a dehumidifier 100 includes a main body 110 having an inlet port 115 and an outlet port 116, a refrigeration cycle apparatus having a compressor 120 which compresses a refrigerant, a condenser 121 which condenses the refrigerant and radiates latent heat, an expansion valve (not shown) which expands the refrigerant, and an evaporator (cooler) 122 which evaporates the refrigerant to absorb external latent heat and condenses vapor in the surrounding air, a blower fan 125 which suctions air passing through the inlet port 115 and in which the suctioned air is dehumidified through the evaporator 122, is heated through the condenser 121, and is discharged through the outlet port 116, a water container mounting portion 140 provided at an upper portion of the main body for mounting a water container, a water container 150 detachably mountable on the water container mounting portion 140, a drain hole 170 provided at the water container mounting portion 140 to discharge water in the water container mounting portion 140 downward, a drain duct 130 which guides water generated in the evaporator 122 or discharged through the drain hole 170, a water collection tray 131 which collects water guided by the drain duct 130, a pump 132 which pumps the water collected in the water collection tray 131 to the water container 150, and a drain pipe 133 which guides the water pumped by the pump 132 to the water container 150 positioned at an upper portion of the main body 110.

[0033] The main body 110 of the dehumidifier 100 may include a main case 111 having an accommodation space accommodating various components and a bottom case 113 coupled to a lower portion of the main case 111. The inlet port 115 of the dehumidifier 100 may be formed at the front of the main body 110, and the outlet port 116 may be formed at an upper portion of the main body 110.

[0034] The outlet port 116 may be provided with a grille 116a for preventing external foreign materials from penetrating into the dehumidifier 100. In addition, the outlet port 116 may be provided with a blade 117 which adjusts a direction of discharged air or opens and closes the outlet port 116. The blade 117 may be provided rotatable about a rotation shaft 117a.

[0035] The refrigeration cycle apparatus including the compressor 120, the condenser 121, the expansion valve, and the evaporator 122 is provided inside the main body 110. The compressor 120 may be disposed at a lower portion of the main body 110, the evaporator 122 may be disposed adjacent to the inlet port 115, and the condenser 121 may be disposed behind the evaporator 122.

[0036] The blower fan 125 may be rotated by receiving rotary power from a driving motor 125a.

[0037] In addition, the blower fan 125 may move air by suctioning the air from the front of the main body 110 to sequentially flow the air through the evaporator 122 and the condenser 121 and discharging the air to an upper front side of the main body 110.

[0038] An air flow guide 126 for guiding an air flow direction may be provided inside the main body 110.

[0039] The blower fan 125 may include a centrifugal fan which suctions air in an axis direction and discharges the air in a radial direction.

[0040] The water container mounting portion 140 on which the water container 150 is mounted may be provided in the upper portion of the main body 110. The water container 150 mounted on the water container mounting portion 140 is positioned at a level higher than or at least the same as that of the evaporator 122 or the condenser 121.

[0041] The water container mounting portion 140 may include a mounting space 141 in which the water container 150 is mounted, a bottom support portion 142 which supports the lower end of the water container 150, and an outer wall support portion 143 which supports an outer wall 153 of the water container 150.

[0042] Water may be collected in the water container mounting portion 140 when a user shakes the water container, when a water level sensor (not shown) which measures a water level in the water container 150 malfunctions, when the water container 150 is separated or mounted, etc. In the above cases, the water may stay in the water container mounting portion 140 or overflow to the outside of the dehumidifier 100.

[0043] The water container mounting portion 140 may be provided with the drain hole 170 capable of discharging water to a lower portion thereof toward heat exchangers 121 and 122 when there is the water as described above.

[0044] The drain hole 170 may be formed at the bottom support portion 142 of the water container mounting portion 140. In addition, the drain hole 170 may be formed at a position corresponding to upper portions of the heat exchangers 121 and 122 so that water flows to the heat exchangers 121 and 122.

[0045] The drain hole 170 may be a path extending from the water container mounting portion 140 toward the heat exchangers 121 and 122. The path may have a shape similar to a protrusion 172 which will be described below according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Since water which falls from the drain hole 170 may be evaporated by heat of the condenser 121, the heat exchanger may be the condenser 121.

[0047] In addition, since the drain duct 130 which guides water to the water collection tray 131 is provided under the evaporator 122, the heat exchanger may also be the evaporator 122.

[0048] Water condensed at the evaporator 122 may flow along the evaporator 122 and fall under the evaporator 122, and water collected in the water container mounting portion 140 may fall onto an upper side of the evaporator 122 or the condenser 121 through the drain hole 170. Here, the drain duct 130 may be provided under the evaporator 122 and the condenser 121 to guide the falling water.

[0049] The drain duct 130 may guide water to the water collection tray 131, and to this end, the drain duct 130 may be obliquely provided toward the water collection tray 131. The drain duct 130 may be provided to have a sufficient size to cover overall areas of the evaporator 122 and condenser 121.

[0050] The water collection tray 131 may store water. The water collection tray 131 may be provided with a water level sensor (not shown). When water level in the water collection tray 131 reaches the full water level or a predetermined water level, the pump 132 may be driven to pump water stored in the water collection tray 131.

[0051] The drain duct 130 and the water collection tray 131 may be separately or integrally formed.

[0052] Water pumped by the pump 132 may be guided by the drain pipe 133 to the water container 150 mounted in the upper portion of the main body 110. As described above, since the water container 150 and the water container mounting portion 140 are provided at an upper portion of the dehumidifier 100 and the drain hole 170 is provided at the water container mounting portion 140 to discharge water to the lower portion thereof, a user may easily separate the water container 150 and empty water, and even when water is spilled in the water container mounting portion 140 during a process of separating or remounting the water container 150, a trouble of the user wiping the spilled water may be saved, and thus convenience may be improved.

[0053] In addition, the main body 110 may include a guide 180 protruding upward to guide installation and separation of the water container 150. The guide 180 may protrude upward from the center of the main body 110.

[0054] The guide 180 may be inserted into a hollow 157 of the water container 150. The guide 180 may be inserted into the hollow 157 of the water container 150 and support an inner wall 155 of the water container 150.

[0055] When mounting the water container 150 on the main body 110, the guide 180 of the main body 110 is inserted into the hollow 157 of the water container 150 as the water container 150 is moved downward from an upper side.

[0056] On the contrary, when separating the water container 150 from the main body 110, the guide 180 of the main body 110 is separated from the hollow 157 of the water container 150 as the water container 150 is moved upward from a lower side.

[0057] As described above, since the guide 180 is provided to be vertically inserted into the hollow 157 of the water container 150, the water container 150 may be easily mounted and separated. In addition, the water container 150 may be prevented from being unintentionally separated during a process of moving the main body 110 with the water container 150 mounted on the main body 110.

[0058] A dehumidifier according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Components which are the same as those of the previously described embodiment may be given by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0059] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, a dehumidifier 100 includes a main body 110 having an inlet port 115 and an outlet port 116, a refrigeration cycle apparatus having a compressor 120 which compresses a refrigerant, a condenser 121 which condenses the refrigerant and radiates latent heat, an expansion valve (not shown) which expands the refrigerant, and an evaporator (cooler) 122 which evaporates the refrigerant, absorbs external latent heat, and condenses vapor in the surrounding air, a blower fan 125 which suctions in air passing through the inlet port 115 and in which the suctioned air is dehumidified through the evaporator 122, is heated through the condenser 121, and is discharged through the outlet port 116, a water container mounting portion 140 provided at an upper portion of the main body for mounting a water container, a water container detachably mountable on the water container mounting portion 140, a drain hole 170 provided in the water container mounting portion 140 to discharge water in the water container mounting portion 140 downward, a drain duct 130 which guides water generated at the evaporator 122 or discharged through the drain hole 170, a water collection tray 131 which collects water guided by the drain duct 130, a pump 132 which pumps the water collected in the water collection tray 131 to the water container 150, and a drain pipe 133 which guides the water pumped by the pump 132 to the water container 150 positioned at an upper portion of the main body 110.

[0060] The water container mounting portion 140 of the dehumidifier 100 may be provided with the drain hole 170 capable of discharging water, which is collected in the water container mounting portion 140, to a lower portion thereof toward heat exchangers 121 and 122.

[0061] The dehumidifier 100 may further include a drain guide pipe 171a which guides water from the drain hole 170 to the water collection tray 131.

[0062] The drain guide pipe 171a serves to provide a flow path when water collected in the water container mounting portion 140 is discharged through the drain hole 170. Such a flow path may be vertically or obliquely provided so that water may flow downward from an upper portion thereof.

[0063] A bottom support portion 142 of the water container mounting portion 140 may further include a protrusion 172 protruding downward, and the drain hole 170 may be formed at an end of the protrusion 172. Here, the drain guide pipe 171a may be connected to the protrusion. Thus, the drain guide pipe 171a may be prevented from protruding higher than the drain hole 170 from the bottom support portion 142 of the water container mounting portion 140.

[0064] In addition, the dehumidifier may further include a sealing member 173 which seals between the drain hole 170 and the drain guide pipe 171a, and when water is discharged through the drain guide pipe 171a, the sealing member 173 may prevent the water from leaking between the drain hole 170 and the drain guide pipe 171a.

[0065] A dehumidifier according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Components which are similar to those of the previously described embodiments may be given by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a dehumidifier 100 may further include a drain guide pipe 171b which guides water from a drain hole 170 to a drain duct 130.

[0067] The drain guide pipe 171b serves to provide a flow path when water collected in a water container mounting portion 140 is discharged through the drain hole 170. Such a flow path may be vertically or obliquely provided so that water may flow downward from an upper portion thereof.

[0068] A bottom support portion 142 of the water container mounting portion 140 may include a protrusion 172 protruding downward, and the drain hole 170 may be formed at an end of the protrusion 172. Here, the drain guide pipe 171b may be connected to the protrusion 172. Thus, the drain guide pipe 171b may be prevented from protruding higher than the drain hole 170 from the bottom support portion 142 of the water container mounting portion 140.

[0069] In addition, the dehumidifier may further include a sealing member 173 which seals between the drain hole 170 and the drain guide pipe 171b, and when water is discharged through the drain guide pipe 171b, the sealing member 173 may prevent the water from leaking between the drain hole 170 and the drain guide pipe 171b.

[0070] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14.

[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 14, a dehumidifier 200 includes a main body 210 having an inlet port 215 and an outlet port 216, a blower fan 225 which forcibly moves air, a refrigeration cycle apparatus having a compressor 220 which compresses a refrigerant, a condenser (heat exchanger) 221 which condenses the refrigerant and radiates heat to the outside, an expansion valve (not shown) which expands the refrigerant, and an evaporator (cooler and heat exchanger) 222 which evaporates the refrigerant, absorbs heat of the outside, and condenses vapor in the surrounding air, a water container mounting portion 240 provided on the main body to mount a water container thereon, a water container 250 detachably mountable on the water container mounting portion 240, a drain hole 270 provided at the water container mounting portion 240 to discharge water stored in the water container mounting portion 240 to a lower portion thereof, a drain duct 230 which guides water generated at the evaporator 222 or discharged from the drain hole 270, a water collection tray 231 which collects the water guided by the drain duct 230, a pump 232 which pumps water collected in the water collection tray 231 to the water container 250, and a drain pipe 233 which guides the water pumped by the pump 232 to the water container 250 positioned above the main body 210.

[0072] Air suctioned through the inlet port 215 may be cooled and dehumidified by passing through the evaporator 222, heated by passing through the condenser 221, and then the dried air may be discharged through the outlet port 216.

[0073] However, the dehumidifier may also dehumidify using an adsorbent in addition to using a refrigeration cycle apparatus. When vapor is adsorbed to the adsorbent, the adsorbed water may be evaporated by a heater, and the evaporated vapor may be condensed through a heat exchanger.

[0074] The main body 210 may include a front case 211, a rear case 212, a bottom case 213, and a support frame 214 provided between the front case 211 and the rear case 212 to support various components. The inlet port 215 may be provided at the rear of the main body 210, and the outlet port 216 may be provided at an upper front side of the main body 210. The inlet port 215 may be provided with a grille 215a which filters external foreign materials, and a louver 217 may be provided in the outlet port 216 to adjust a direction of discharged air or to open and close the outlet port 216.

[0075] The refrigeration cycle apparatus including the compressor 220, the condenser 221, the expansion valve, and the evaporator 222 is provided inside the main body 210. The compressor 220 may be disposed at a lower portion of the main body 210, the evaporator 222 may be disposed adjacent to the inlet port 215, and the condenser 221 may be disposed in front of the evaporator 222.

[0076] The blower fan 225 may be rotated by receiving rotary power from driving motor 225a. The blower fan 225 may forcibly move air by suctioning the air from the rear of the main body 210 to sequentially pass the air through the evaporator 222 and the condenser 221, and discharging the air to an upper front side of the main body 210. An air flow guide 226 for guiding air flow direction may be provided inside the main body 210. The blower fan 225 may include a centrifugal fan which suctions air in an axis direction and discharges the air in a radial direction, and the air flow guide 226 may be provided with an air flow outlet 227 at a position corresponding to the outlet port 216 of the main body 210. Various electrical component boxes 218 may be provided in a lower portion of the main body 210.

[0077] In such a structure, air suctioned into the main body 210 may be cooled to the dew point or below at the evaporator 222, vapor in the air may be condensed, and the dried air may be heated by flowing through the condenser 221 and discharged to the outside of the main body 210 with a much lowered relative humidity.

[0078] A water container mounting portion 240 on which a water container 250 is mounted may be provided at an upper portion of the main body 210. The water container mounting portion 240 may include a mounting space 241 in which the water container 250 is mounted, a bottom support portion 242 which supports a bottom 251 of the water container 250, and a sidewall support portion 243 which supports a sidewall 253 of the water container 250.

[0079] The water container mounting portion 240 may be provided with a guide (not shown) which guides a movement of the water container 250 when the water container 250 is mounted. The water container mounting portion 240 may be provided with a fixing portion (not shown) which fixes the mounted water container 250. The water container 250 mounted on the water container mounting portion 240 may be positioned at a level higher than or at least the same as that of the evaporator 122.

[0080] Water may be collected in the water container mounting portion 240 when a user shakes the water container, when a water level sensor (not shown) which measures a water level of the water container 250 malfunctions, when the water container 250 is separated or mounted, etc. In the above cases, the water may stay in the water container mounting portion 240 or overflow to the outside of the dehumidifier 200.

[0081] The water container mounting portion 240 may be provided with the drain hole 270 capable of discharging water to a lower portion thereof toward heat exchangers 221 and 222 when the water is collected as described above.

[0082] The drain hole 270 may be formed above the heat exchangers 221 and 222 so that water flows to the heat exchangers 221 and 222.

[0083] In addition, the drain hole 270 may include a path extending from the water container mounting portion 240 toward the heat exchangers 221 and 222.

[0084] Since water which falls from the drain hole 270 may be evaporated by heat of the condenser 221, the heat exchanger may be the condenser 221.

[0085] In addition, since the drain duct 230 which guides water to the water collection tray 231 may be provided under the evaporator 222, the heat exchanger may also be the evaporator 222.

[0086] The water container mounting portion 240 may be provided with a guide which guides a movement of the water container 250 when the water container 250 is mounted. The water container mounting portion 240 may be provided with a fixing portion which fixes the mounted water container 250. The water container 250 mounted on the water container mounting portion 240 may be positioned at a level higher than or at least the same as that of the evaporator 122.

[0087] Water condensed at the evaporator 222 may flow along the evaporator 222 and fall under the evaporator 222, and water collected in the water container mounting portion 240 may fall onto an upper side the evaporator 222 or the condenser 221 through the drain hole 270. Here, the drain duct 230 may be provided under the evaporator 222 and the condenser 221 to guide the falling water.

[0088] In the present disclosure, although the drain duct 230 and the water collection tray 231 are separately formed, the drain duct 230 and the water collection tray 231 may be integrally formed.

[0089] The drain duct 230 may guide water to the water collection tray 231, and to this end, the drain duct 230 may be obliquely provided toward the water collection tray 231. The drain duct 230 may be provided to have a sufficient size to cover overall areas of the evaporator 222 and the condenser 221.

[0090] The water collection tray 231 may store water. The water collection tray 231 may be provided with a water level sensor (not shown). When water level in the water collection tray 231 reaches the full water level, the pump 232 may be driven to pump water stored in the water collection tray 231.

[0091] The pump 232 may include a centrifugal pump having a motor (not shown) which generates rotary power and a rotation blade which rotates by receiving the rotary power from the motor. Water pumped by the pump 232 may be guided by the drain pipe 233 to the water container 250 provided at the upper portion of the main body 210.

[0092] As described above, since the water container 250 and the water container mounting portion 240 are provided at an upper portion of the dehumidifier 100 and the drain hole 270 is provided at the water container mounting portion 240 to discharge water to the lower portion thereof, a user may easily separate the water container 250 and empty water, and even when water is spilled in the water container mounting portion 240 during a process of separating or remounting the water container 250, a trouble of the user wiping the spilled water therefrom may be saved, and thus, convenience may be improved.

[0093] In the embodiment, although the water container 250 has an approximately box shape, it is not limited thereto, and the shape of the water container 250 has no limit.

[0094] The water container 250 may be provided with a water level sensor (not shown) which measures a level of water stored in an inner space 254. When water in the inner space 254 of the water container 250 reaches the full water level, an alarm may be set off for an indication to the outside and the operation of the pump 232 may stop.

[0095] As is apparent from the above description, when water is collected in a water collecting structure of the dehumidifier, the water is collected in an exterior of a product or is not leaked out of the product according to an aspect of the disclosure. In addition, user inconvenience for handling water collected in a water container mounting portion of the dehumidifier can be reduced.

[0096] While the present invention has been described above with reference to the specific embodiments, it is not limited thereto and it will be understood that various embodiments may be variously modified or changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A dehumidifier comprising:

a main body provided with a water container mounting portion on an upper portion of which a water container is mounted;

a water container detachably mounted on the water container mounting portion;

a water collection tray provided inside the main body to collect water;

a heat exchanger provided between the water container mounting portion and the water collection tray; and

a drain hole provided at the water container mounting portion to discharge water in the water container mounting portion downward.

2. The dehumidifier of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes at least one of an evaporator which cools air by evaporating a refrigerant and a condenser which radiates heat to the outside by condensing a refrigerant.

3. The dehumidifier of claim 1 or 2, wherein the drain hole is formed at an upper side of the heat exchanger such that water flows to the heat exchanger.

4. The dehumidifier of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the drain hole includes a path which extends from the water container mounting portion toward the heat exchanger.

5. The dehumidifier of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a drain duct which is provided under the heat exchanger and guides water to the water collection tray; and

a drain guide pipe which guides water to at least one of the water collection tray and the drain duct from the drain hole.

6. The dehumidifier of claim 5, wherein the water container mounting portion includes a protrusion which protrudes downward, the drain hole is formed at the protrusion, and the drain guide pipe is connected to the protrusion.

7. The dehumidifier of claim 5 or 6, further comprising a sealing member which seals between the drain hole and the drain guide pipe.

8. The dehumidifier of claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the drain guide pipe is formed of at least one of a rubber material, a transparent material, and a plastic material.

9. The dehumidifier of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drain hole is provided in plurality.

10. The dehumidifier of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water container mounting portion is obliquely provided toward the drain hole such that water is guided to the drain hole.

Drawing