CN112513536B

CN112513536B - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN112513536B
Application number: CN201980048863.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山下光义; 石川朋弘
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2018-08-10
Filing date: 2019-08-07
Publication date: 2022-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-07
Also published as: JPWO2020032112A1; WO2020032112A1; JP7271553B2; CN112513536A

Abstract

The air conditioner (humidifier 10) is provided with a water storage container (water storage tray 130) and a ToF type distance sensor (150) for detecting the distance of the water surface, wherein a cover body (151) arranged on the ToF type distance sensor is inclined at a predetermined angle from a surface perpendicular to the optical axis of light emitted from a light emitting part (158).

Description

Air conditioner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a water storage tank.

Background

In an air conditioner capable of adjusting humidity such as humidification or dehumidification, a method of providing a float is known in order to detect a water level in a water storage tank. As a means for detecting the water level, there is a method of turning on/off a switch by moving a float up and down, or a method of arranging a magnet on the float and detecting the water level by a magnetic sensor on a side wall of a water storage tank. Patent document 1 discloses a water level detection device that detects a water level by detecting light emitted from a light projector and reflected by a float floating on a water surface or a water surface using a light receiver.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese Kokai Utility model gazette "Shikai Hei 4-57131 gazette"

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the case of a structure in which a float is provided in the water storage tank, there are problems such as an increase in the trouble of a user at the time of cleaning and maintenance, and an increase in restrictions on the structural design of the water storage tank. In addition, in the structure for detecting the reflected light on the water surface, it is necessary to dispose the light projector and the light receiver around the water storage tank, and the structure becomes huge, and the reflection direction is constantly changed by the sloshing of the water surface, the wave, and the like, and it is difficult to appropriately detect the water level.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to realize an air conditioner that can detect the water level in a water storage container with sufficient accuracy with good stability.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present invention includes a water reservoir; a ToF type distance sensor which is arranged in a manner of being opposite to the water surface in the water storage container and detects the distance of the water surface; and a flat plate-shaped cover body provided to the ToF type distance sensor, the ToF type distance sensor including a light emitting portion that emits light toward a measurement surface; a measurement light receiving section that receives the light reflected by the measurement surface; and a reference light receiving section that receives light from the light emitting section inside the ToF type distance sensor, wherein the cover covers the light emitting section and the measurement light receiving section, and is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle from a surface perpendicular to an optical axis of light emitted from the light emitting section.

Advantageous effects

According to one aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner capable of detecting the water level in a water storage container with high accuracy and good stability can be realized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention; (a) the state of operation is shown, and (b) the state of water supply is shown.

Fig. 2 is an external view of a ToF type distance sensor of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the structures of a ToF type distance sensor and a cover of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention; (a) is a sectional view viewed from a direction parallel to the short side of the ToF type distance sensor, and (b) is a view viewed from a direction parallel to the long side.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of detecting the water level in the water storage tank of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a result of detecting a water level in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the time course of the detection result of the water level in the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the air conditioner of the comparative example.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the stability of sensor output with respect to the tilt angle of various covers; (a) (b), (c) and (d) are the results at 0, 1, 5 and 10 degrees of tilt, respectively.

Detailed Description

[ first embodiment ]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

(constitution of humidifier)

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a humidifier 10 as an air conditioner according to a first embodiment, where (a) shows a state during operation and (b) shows a state during water supply.

The humidifier 10 is generally configured to include a water storage tray 130 (water storage container), a fan 141, and a ToF (Time-of-Flight) type distance sensor 150 inside the casing 110. The housing 110 is provided with a water supply port 121, a water supply passage 122, and a discharge port 142. Further, an evaporation filter 132 is disposed inside the water storage tray 130.

The humidifier 10 shown in fig. 1 is an example of a vaporization type humidifier in which water supplied to the water storage tray 130 is contained in the evaporation filter 132, and the water is vaporized by blowing air from the fan 141 to the evaporation filter 132. That is, when the fan 141 is operated, wind along the air passage indicated by arrow a is generated in fig. 1(a), and the vaporized steam is discharged from the outlet 142 at the upper portion of the casing 110. However, the humidifier of the present invention is not limited to the vaporizing type, and the present invention can be applied to a steam type humidifier that generates steam by heat, or an ultrasonic type humidifier that generates water by atomizing it into fine particles by ultrasonic vibration and emits it.

When supplying water to the humidifier 10, as shown in fig. 1(b), a user fills water from a water supply port 121 at the upper portion of the housing 110 using a container such as a water tank or a water bottle. The injected water is supplied to the water storage tray 130 at the bottom of the basket 110 through the water supply path 122.

Further, the water storage tray 130 can be pulled out and removed from the housing 110 for cleaning of the water storage tray 130 and the evaporation filter 132.

In such a direct water supply type air conditioner, when the air conditioner is turned over, the electronic components may be wetted by the water in the water storage tray 130, which may cause a failure. Therefore, the partition plate 112 is provided in the housing 110 to prevent water from contacting the electronic components.

The housing 110, the partition 112, and the water storage tray 130 may be made of resin.

In the hole provided in the partition 112, a ToF type distance sensor 150 is provided so as to face the water surface F of the water stored in the water storage tray 130. The ToF type distance sensor 150 may have a fault when wetted with water, and a transparent cover 151 is provided to protect it.

When water is stored in the water storage tray 130, the ToF type distance sensor 150 faces the water surface F. However, when the water is empty, the ToF type distance sensor 150 faces the water storage tray bottom surface 131. When the water tray 130 is removed from the housing 110, the ToF type distance sensor 150 faces the housing bottom surface 111.

Although not shown, the humidifier 10 includes a display unit for notifying the user of the water level of the water storage tray 130.

(construction of ToF type distance sensor 150 and cover 151)

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an external shape of the ToF type distance sensor 150 according to the first embodiment. The ToF type distance sensor 150 has a substantially flat profile. The size of the appearance is about 0.3-3 mm in thickness, about 2-10 mm in long side and about 1-5 mm in short side. In addition, fig. 3 also shows the internal structure of the ToF type distance sensor 150, and shows the optical arrangement relationship with the cover 151. Fig. 3(a) is a sectional view viewed from a direction parallel to the short side of the ToF type distance sensor 150. Fig. 3(b) is a view shown as X in (a) as viewed from a direction parallel to the long side. The D-D line of FIG. 3(b) represents the cross-sectional position shown in (a). As shown in fig. 3, the xyz coordinate system is set such that the direction parallel to the long side of the ToF-type distance sensor 150 is the x-axis, the direction parallel to the short side is the y-axis, and the height direction is the z-axis. Therefore, the upper and lower main surfaces of the ToF type distance sensor 150 having a substantially flat on-plate shape are parallel to the xy plane, respectively.

The ToF type distance sensor 150 has a chip 152 within a cavity therein. The chip 152 has a reference light receiving section 153 and a measurement light receiving section 154. In addition, in the emission opening 155 of the ToF type distance sensor 150, a light emitting portion 158 is provided at the opening bottom. The light emitted from the light emitting portion 158, which is emitted toward the outside through the emission opening 155, is reflected at the measurement surface and returns to the ToF type distance sensor 150. The measurement light receiving section 154 detects reflected light as measurement light through a light receiving opening 157 provided at a position of the measurement light receiving section 154. The reference light receiving section 153 is disposed in the vicinity of the light emitting section 158, and detects light emitted from the light emitting section 158 as reference light through the reference light path 156 inside the ToF type distance sensor 150. In the first embodiment, light Emitting unit 158 is a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL). The vertical resonator surface emitting laser emits laser light from an emission surface which is an upper surface of a laser element. Here, the upper surface is a surface opposite to a surface on which the laser element is mounted in the housing of the ToF type distance sensor 150. The light emitted from the light emitting section 158, which is a vertical resonator surface emitting laser, is a radiation pattern with a reduced radiation angle, with an axis perpendicular to the emission surface as a major axis (optical axis). The upper surface (emission surface) and the lower surface (mounting surface) of the laser element mounted on the surface inside the ToF type distance sensor 150 are parallel to the principal surface of the ToF type distance sensor 150 and parallel to the xy plane. Therefore, the optical axis (the direction of the major axis of the radiation pattern) of the emission of light from the light emitting section 158 is the z direction. As for the chip 152, its upper and lower surfaces (mounting surfaces) are also parallel to the xy plane. On a line parallel to the x-axis direction, a reference light receiving section 153 and a measurement light receiving section 154 are arranged.

In order to protect the ToF type distance sensor 150, a flat plate-shaped cover 151 is provided on one side of the emission opening 155 and the light receiving opening 157. Although not shown in fig. 4, the ToF type distance sensor 150 is prevented from being wetted with water, and the cover 151 of the ToF type distance sensor 150 is fixed by a suitable coupling member. The distance between the cover 151 and the ToF type distance sensor 150 may be about 0 to 5 mm. In addition, the thickness of the cover body can be about 0.5-3 mm. Typically, the distance is 0.7mm and the thickness is 1 mm. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 158 is irradiated to the measurement surface (e.g., the water surface F) by the cover 151, and the reflected light on the measurement surface is incident on and received by the measurement light receiving unit 154 as measurement light by the cover 151. The cover 151 is transparent to light emission, and glass or a translucent resin can be used as a material thereof. Both surfaces of the lid 151 are flat surfaces. However, the light receiving opening 157 may be covered with a region having irregularities to scatter part of the transmitted light.

The cover 151 is not arranged parallel to the main surface of the ToF type distance sensor 150. That is, the cover 151 is not provided perpendicular to the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting section 158 (not directly facing the emitted light), but is disposed slightly inclined from the perpendicular plane. In the first embodiment, the angle α is inclined only about the x-axis from a plane parallel to the xy-plane parallel to the main surface. The angle α is set to 10 degrees in the first embodiment.

In the humidifier 10, the Light Emitting unit 158 is formed of a vertical resonator surface Emitting laser, but may be another Light source such as an end surface Emitting laser, a super radiation Light Emitting Diode, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The emission wavelength may be, for example, infrared light in a wavelength band of 940nm, but is not limited to infrared light in other wavelength bands, and visible light may be used. The reference light receiving section 153 and the measurement light receiving section 154 are preferably an array of Single Photon Avalanche photodiodes (SPAD) capable of detecting weak light at ultra high speed. However, the light receiving element may be a single element other than an array, or may be another kind of light receiving element such as another photodiode or an array of another photodiodes. In addition, a band-pass filter that selectively transmits the emission wavelength of the light-emitting section 158 is preferably provided on the surface of the measurement light-receiving section 154.

(Water level detection action)

The ToF type distance sensor 150 in the first embodiment is a sensor that detects a distance using a Time-of-flight (Time-of-flight) method. The principle of ranging is briefly explained below.

The light emitting section 158 emits short pulse light (pulsed light) to the outside. Preferably, the vertical resonator surface emitting laser used as the light emitting unit 158 can be modulated at an ultra high speed, and can generate ultra-short pulse light corresponding to a distance measurement of at most about 10cm such as water level detection of an air conditioner. Part of the light emitted from the light emitting section 158 is received as reference light by the reference light receiving section 153 through the reference light path 156 in the ToF type distance sensor 150. The light emitted to the outside through the exit opening 155 is reflected by the measurement surface and detected by the measurement light receiving unit 154. When the measurement surface is distant from the sensor, the time (flight time) required for the light to reciprocate increases, and the time from the detection of the reference light to the detection of the reflected light increases. The influence of stray light is suppressed by measuring the flight time for a plurality of short pulse lights and performing statistical processing. Further, by referencing the timing of detecting the reference light as a reference, the time of flight can be relatively measured, and highly accurate distance measurement can be performed.

The humidifier 10 is a device that measures the distance to the water surface F in the water storage tray 130 by the ToF type distance sensor 150 based on the distance measurement principle described above, and thereby attempts to detect the water level.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of detecting the water level of the water storage tray 130. In the figure, light emitted from the light emitting section 158 of the ToF type distance sensor 150 is reflected on the water surface F, and the optical path received by the measurement light receiving section 154 is shown as S. Further, an optical path of light emitted from the light emitting section 158 and detected by the reference light receiving section 153 through the reference optical path 156 in the ToF type distance sensor 150 is denoted by R. In this way, in the humidifier 10, the distance between the ToF type distance sensor 150 and the water surface F is measured through the optical path S, and the water level is detected.

Fig. 5 is a graph showing the sensor output of the ToF type distance sensor 150 when the water level of the water storage tray 130 is changed a plurality of times in the humidifier 10. In the figure, the sensor output is a numerical value in an arbitrary unit that increases as the distance increases. In this test, when the water level is 100% as defined, the distance to the measurement surface (water surface) is small (about 7cm as measured), and when the water level is 0% (when no water is present), the distance to the measurement surface is maximum (about 18cm as measured). When the water level is 0%, the measurement surface is the bottom surface 131 of the water storage tray. In the test, the measurement was performed until the water level exceeded the predetermined 120% water level. As shown in fig. 5, it was actually confirmed that the sensor output varies depending on the water level, and the water level can be discriminated from the 0% water level to the 120% water level. In addition, the resolution of detection (difference in water level where the difference can be distinguished) is not more than at least 5% over the entire area, and is sufficient for the purpose of being used for a humidifier. It was also found that the water level was not 0% and the water level was 0%, but the measurement surface was detected by using a material completely different from the water surface or the resin surface. Fig. 5 shows the passage of time of the sensor output under each condition, and in any case, it is understood that the sensor output shows a substantially constant value and can be stably detected.

Further, when the water storage tray 130 is pulled out and removed from the housing 110, a sensor output (detected as a distance apart) greater than the case of the water level of 0% is obtained. It is apparent that the ToF type distance sensor 150 can detect whether the water storage tray 130 is detached or attached, that is, in a detached state.

(comparison with comparative example)

As described above, the cover 151 of the ToF type distance sensor 150 according to the first embodiment is not provided perpendicular to the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting section 158, but is disposed slightly inclined from a vertical plane. Hereinafter, the technical significance of the present feature will be described in comparison with the humidifier of the comparative example. The humidifier of the comparative example is the same as the humidifier 10 except that the lid of the ToF type distance sensor is provided in parallel with the main surface of the ToF type distance sensor 150.

Fig. 6 is a graph showing a comparison between the time elapsed between the sensor output when a constant water level (water surface F) is detected in the humidifier 10 and the humidifier of the comparative example. As shown in the figure, the sensor output is substantially constant and does not vary in the humidifier 10, whereas the sensor output is unstable and significantly varies with time in the humidifier of the comparative example. The inventors have estimated that any one of the following influences or a compound influence influences significantly the reason why the temporal variation of the sensor output is significantly suppressed by tilting the lid 151 in this manner.

In fig. 4, the humidifier 10 shows not only the optical path S to and from the ToF type distance sensor 150 for detecting the water surface F to the reflection surface (water surface F), but also other optical paths that may cause erroneous detection. The optical path C is a path in which light emitted from the light emitting section 158 is reflected by the lid 151 and enters the inside of the ToF type distance sensor 150 through the emission opening 155.

As one of the possibilities, it is considered that the reason why the light of the optical path C is received by the reference light receiving section 153 is. The light from the light emitting section 158 is a radiation pattern with a reduced radiation angle, and is emitted in a concentrated manner to the front (Z direction). Therefore, even if the reflection on the cover 151 is slight, a light amount equivalent to the original reference light (path R) may enter the ToF type distance sensor 150 from the emission opening 155. Then, as a result of complicated reflection inside the exit opening 155 and inside the reference light path 156, there is a possibility that the light reaches the reference light receiving section 153 to be received. Such stray light is received at a timing different from the original reference light, which is complicated. Since the optical path of path C is significantly longer than the optical path of path R, it can be said that the light of path C can be received later, but is not simple. The original reference light of the path R is light emitted from the light emitting section 158 at a wide angle, and the timing of emitting such light from the light emitting section 158 as a vertical resonator surface emitting laser is delayed from that of light emitted in the optical axis direction (z direction). However, in any case, if light of a path different from the original reference light (path R) is received by the reference light receiving unit 153, the elapsed flight time is evaluated, and the distance cannot be accurately detected, which is considered to be a cause of the fluctuation.

As another possibility, it is also conceivable that light in the optical path C enters the resonator that emits laser light on the vertical resonator plane as the light emitting unit 158, and the operation of the laser light becomes unstable. In this case, there is a possibility that a desired ultrashort pulse cannot be discharged. This is also considered to be a cause of the variation.

The reason for this is that the reason for the fluctuation of the sensor output is not clear, but the cover 151 is disposed obliquely, thereby showing the effect of suppressing the fluctuation of the sensor output with reproducibility.

(study of Angle of inclination)

In the first embodiment, examples of specific directions and angles have been described with respect to the inclination of the main surface of the cover 151 from a plane (parallel to the xy plane) perpendicular to the optical axis (z-axis direction) of the light emitted from the light emitting section 158. The results of this study will be described below.

The inclination direction of the main surface of the cover 151 is not limited to the direction of rotation about the x axis (the normal line of the main surface is inclined in the y axis direction), but a direction of rotation about the y axis (the normal line of the main surface is inclined in the x axis direction) and a direction of inclination between the x axis and the y axis (a combination of the rotation about the x axis and the rotation about the y axis) have been studied. As a result, there is no particular difference in effect with respect to the direction of the inclination. However, if the cover 151 fixed to the ToF type distance sensor 150 protrudes toward the side opposite to the water surface, it becomes difficult to arrange the ToF type distance sensor 150 and the cover 151 in the housing. In order to suppress the protrusion, it is preferable that the normal line of the main surface is not inclined in the direction (x-axis direction) parallel to the long side of the ToF type distance sensor 150. Therefore, it is preferable that the normal line of the main surface is inclined (rotated around the X axis) in a direction (y axis direction) parallel to the short side of the ToF type distance sensor 150.

Next, a series of tests were performed on the stability of the sensor output in order to investigate the angle of inclination α. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a part of the results. (a) (b), (c) and (d) are the results of 0 degree (no tilt), 1 degree, 5 degrees and 10 degrees of tilt, respectively. The results are also described with reference to fig. 8. If the inclination angle α is set to 5 degrees, suppression of fluctuation is confirmed as compared with the case where no inclination is provided. Further, if the inclination angle α is 1 degree, the effect of suppressing the fluctuation is small, but the fluctuation is suppressed as compared with the case of no inclination. When the inclination angle α is 10 degrees in the first embodiment, the effect of suppressing the fluctuation is clearly seen. However, although not shown in the drawings, when the inclination angle is set to 12 degrees or 15 degrees or more, the effect of suppressing the fluctuation is the same as that in the case of the first embodiment of 10 degrees.

However, as described above, if the protrusion of the ToF type distance sensor 150 from the water surface side of the cover 151 is not suppressed, the arrangement in the housing becomes difficult, and it is not desirable to increase the angle α more than necessary. Therefore, the angle α is preferably in the range of 1 to 20 degrees, more preferably 10 to 15 degrees.

(Effect of the first embodiment)

With the above configuration, the following is achieved in the humidifier 10 (air conditioner) according to the first embodiment.

In recent years, ToF type distance sensors have been increasingly used as sensors for auto-focusing of portable information terminals, digital cameras, and the like, or as sensors for motion of portable information terminals, game machines, and the like, and have been mass-produced. Therefore, by using the ToF type distance sensor, the humidifier having the water level detection function can be realized at low cost.

Such a ToF type distance sensor is used to detect a distance from a device to a person or the like or a distance from a device to a hand. However, in order to be applied to the water level detection of the air conditioner, the distance must be detected based on the following characteristic items in the water storage tank of the air conditioner. First, it is possible to cite that the object of measurement is the water surface, causing specular reflection. In addition, since the fan (motor) operates during the operation of the air conditioner, the water surface in the water storage tray (water storage container) shakes or fluctuates. Therefore, the reflected light condensed in a dot shape is strongly flickered and returned to the ToF type distance sensor.

In addition, since the water has high transmittance of the measurement light, the water has a feature that the light easily reaches the bottom surface of the water storage tray and the reflected light having different distances is overlapped.

Furthermore, in order to treat water, a cover for protecting the ToF type distance sensor is required.

According to the humidifier 10 of the first embodiment, the cover 151 for protection has a characteristic structure that is inclined from the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 158 with respect to such a characteristic detection target. Thus, as has been confirmed above, the ToF type distance sensor can be applied to stable water level detection without temporal fluctuation with sufficient resolution and accuracy.

In the humidifier 10, the ToF type distance sensor 150 in which the light emitting unit and the receiving unit are integrated is disposed on and used with respect to the water surface F, thereby eliminating the complexity of assembly when the light emitting unit and the receiving unit are disposed around the water storage tank, respectively. By realizing the detection of the water level with such a simple configuration, the problems of the prior art, such as increase in the user's procedure during cleaning and maintenance when a float or other structure is installed in the water storage tank, and increase in the structural design restrictions of the water storage tank, are eliminated.

In addition, as a distance measuring method using reflection of light, a method of attempting to detect a water level based on an angle of reflected light, such as a conventional method of measuring reflection at a specific angle, a triangulation method, or the like, cannot stably detect a distance to a surface of a wave. However, in the humidifier 10, since the flight time of light between the sensor and the water surface is measured to detect the water level, such a problem is eliminated.

As described above, the attachment/detachment state of the water storage tray 130 can be detected by the ToF type distance sensor 150. Therefore, it is possible to realize an interlock mechanism that does not operate when, for example, the water storage tray is not mounted, without newly providing another sensor.

As described above, since a stable water level without temporal fluctuation can be detected with sufficient resolution and accuracy, the user can be more facilitated by notifying the user of the water level detected by the humidifier 10 in the humidifier 10 as described below.

When the user supplies water, the water level can be accurately grasped, and the water can be prevented from overflowing from the water storage tray 130.

During operation, the lowering state of the water level can be accurately grasped, and the time when the user needs to supply water can be easily predicted.

[ second embodiment ]

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will not be repeated.

(constitution of humidifier)

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a humidifier 20 as an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. The humidifier 20 is generally configured to include a water storage tank 220 (water storage container), a water receiving tray 230, a fan 241, and a ToF type distance sensor 150 inside the casing 210. Unlike the humidifier 10 of the first embodiment, the humidifier 20 is configured to store water in the water storage tank 220. The user injects water into the detached water storage tank 220 and attaches the water storage tank to the housing 210, thereby supplying water to the humidifier 20. Because of the manner in which water is stored in the water storage tank 220, the possibility of flooding of internal electronic components due to falling of the humidifier 20 or the like becomes low.

The housing 210 is provided with a connection part 221 for connecting the drain port 142 and the water tank 220. The connection part 221 includes a mechanism for supplying water to the water receiving tray 230 at a constant water level when the water tank 220 is mounted to the housing 210. Further, an evaporation filter 232 is disposed inside the water receiving tray 230.

As shown in fig. 7, the humidifier 20 is exemplified by a vaporization type humidifier in which water supplied from the water storage tank 220 to the water receiving tray 230 is contained in the evaporation filter 232, and the air from the fan 241 is blown to the evaporation filter 232 to vaporize the water. That is, when the fan 241 is operated, wind is generated along the wind path indicated by arrow a in fig. 7, and the vaporized steam is discharged through the outlet 242 at the upper portion of the housing 210. However, the humidifier of the present invention is not limited to the vaporizing type, and the present invention can be applied to a steam type humidifier that generates steam by heat, or an ultrasonic type humidifier that generates water by atomizing it into fine particles by ultrasonic vibration and emits it.

In addition, the water receiving tray 230 can be pulled out and detached from the housing 210 in order to clean the water receiving tray 230, the evaporation filter 232, and the like. The housing 210, the water tank 220, and the water receiving tray 230 may be made of resin.

The water tank 220 includes an opening/closing mechanism 222 at an upper portion thereof in a state of being mounted to the housing. The opening/closing mechanism 222 is closed when the water storage tank 220 is detached from the housing 210, and stores water in the water storage tank 220. The ToF type distance sensor 150 provided in the housing is opened when attached to the housing 210, and can face the water surface F inside the water tank 220. The ToF type distance sensor 150 may be broken down when it is wetted with water, and a transparent cover 151 is provided to protect it.

The structures of the ToF type distance sensor 150 and the cover 151 and the relative arrangement relationship therebetween are completely the same as those in the first embodiment. Alternatively, instead of the opening/closing mechanism 222, a light-transmitting window such as the cover 151 may be provided in the water tank 220 to detect the water surface F.

(Water level detection action)

The humidifier 20 is a water storage tank type humidifier, and the ToF type distance sensor 150 and the lid 151 are arranged in the above configuration in order to detect a change in the water level of the water storage tank 220. However, the principle and operation of detecting the water level are not changed from those of the humidifier 10 according to the first embodiment except for detecting the water level on the water surface F in the water tank 220.

Therefore, the humidifier 20 according to the second embodiment can also obtain the same effects as those of the humidifier 10 according to the first embodiment with respect to the detection of the water level.

The specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the humidifier 10 and the humidifier 20 as examples. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to the humidifier, and the present invention can be similarly applied to other air conditioners having a water storage tank. For example, the present invention can be applied to an air conditioner including a water storage container, such as a dehumidifier, an air cleaner having a function as a humidifier, and a fan cooler.

In addition, the combination of the ToF type distance sensor 150 and the cover 151 illustrated in the embodiment may also be used as a water level sensor applied to applications other than the air conditioner.

[ conclusion ]

An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a water storage tank; a ToF type distance sensor which is arranged in a manner of being opposite to the water surface in the water storage container and detects the distance of the water surface; and a flat plate-shaped cover body provided to the ToF type distance sensor, the ToF type distance sensor including a light emitting portion that emits light toward a measurement surface; a measurement light receiving section that receives the light reflected by the measurement surface; and a reference light receiving section that receives light from the light emitting section in the ToF type distance sensor, wherein the cover body covers the light emitting section and the measurement light receiving section and is provided so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle from a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of light emitted from the light emitting section.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize an air conditioner capable of detecting the water level in the water storage container with sufficient accuracy and good stability.

In the air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the light emitting unit may be configured as a vertical resonator surface emitting laser.

According to the above configuration, highly accurate detection can be performed.

In the air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the water storage tank may be a water storage tray.

According to the above configuration, the user can supply water without detaching the member.

In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the air conditioner may further include a water supply port that supplies water to the water storage tray.

According to the above configuration, the user can supply water more easily.

In the air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the ToF type distance sensor may detect attachment/detachment of the water storage tray.

According to the above configuration, the attachment/detachment of the water storage tray can be detected without providing any other sensor.

In the air conditioner according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the water storage tank may be a water storage tank.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress a failure due to water immersion of the electronic component when the electronic component falls over or the like.

An air conditioner according to a seventh aspect of the present invention may be configured such that the predetermined angle is 1 degree or more and 20 degrees or less in the first to sixth aspects.

[ Note attached ]

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention, which can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments with various modifications within the scope shown in the claims. Further, new technical features can be formed by combining technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 20 humidifier

110. 210 basket body

111 bottom of basket

121 water supply mouth

122 water supply path

130 water storage tray

131 water storage tray bottom

132. 232 evaporation filter

141. 241 fan

142. 242 discharge port

150 ToF type distance sensor

151 cover body

152 chip

153 reference light receiving section

154 measuring light receiving part

155 exit opening

156 reference light path

157 light receiving opening

158 light emitting part

220 water storage tank

221 connecting part

222 switching mechanism

230 water receiving tray

Claims

1. An air conditioner is characterized by comprising:

a water storage container;

a ToF type distance sensor which is arranged in a manner of being opposite to the water surface in the water storage container and detects the distance of the water surface; and

a plate-shaped cover provided to the ToF type distance sensor,

the ToF type distance sensor has:

a light emitting unit that emits light toward the measurement surface;

a measurement light receiving section that receives the light reflected by the measurement surface; and

a reference light receiving section that receives light from the light emitting section inside the ToF type distance sensor,

the cover covers the light emitting section and the measurement light receiving section, and is provided to be inclined at a predetermined angle from a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of light emitted from the light emitting section.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1,

the ToF type distance sensor has a flat plate-like shape having long sides and short sides,

the normal line of the main surface of the lid body is inclined in a direction parallel to the short side.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting section is a vertical resonator surface emitting laser.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the water storage container is a water storage tray.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, further comprising a water supply port for supplying water to the water storage tray.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the attachment/detachment of the water storage tray is detected by the ToF type distance sensor.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the water storage container is a water storage tank.

8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the predetermined angle is 1 degree or more and 20 degrees or less.