JP2002005492A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier formed such that a remaining water amount of water supply tank and an operable time are determined and displayed in correspondence to an operation mode. SOLUTION: The humidifier comprises a humidity setting part 7; a humidity detecting part 8 to detect indoor humidity; an operation mode switching part 9 to switch an operation mode from a difference of humidity; a first memory part 21 to store a remaining water amount of a water supply tank; a reset switch 22 to reset a remaining water amount during supply of water; a heater time 23 to count the heater ON-time of a heating tank; a first computing part 24 to rewrite the remaining water amount by computing an evaporation amount from the heater ON-time; a second memory part 25 to store an evaporation speed corresponding to an operation mode; a second computing part 26 to an operable time from the remaining water amount and the evaporation speed; a third memory part 27 to store the operable time; a display part 28 to display data stored at each memory part; and a control part 29 to control each of the parts described above. Thereby, an accurate operable time can be computed and displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a humidifier for calculating and displaying the amount of residual water in a water supply tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a humidifier 50 in which water supplied from a water supply tank 1 is heated and evaporated in a heating tank 2, and the water vapor is mixed with air to be blown out to a room through an outlet 51. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, a transparent portion 11 in which a part of the water surface of the water supply tank 1 is directly visible is provided on the front or side surface of the main body 10 of the humidifier, and a scale 12 is provided on the transparent portion 11. By displaying the remaining water amount 13 and the remaining time 14 on the scale 12, the user is informed of how many hours later the vehicle can be driven. However, when the operation mode is diversified and the number of operation modes is increased as in recent years, it is impossible to provide a scale for each operation mode in such a conventional remaining water amount display or remaining time display. There was a problem that it became difficult.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides a humidifier capable of calculating and displaying the remaining water amount and remaining time of a water supply tank in accordance with an operation mode. It is intended to be.

[0004]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, water supplied from a water supply tank is heated and evaporated in a heating tank, and the water vapor is mixed with air to be blown into a room. In a humidifier that is set to output, a humidity setting unit that sets a set humidity, a humidity detection unit that detects indoor humidity,
An operation mode switching unit that switches an operation mode such as a continuous operation mode and an intermittent operation mode based on the difference between the set humidity and the indoor humidity, a first storage unit that stores the remaining water amount of the water supply tank, and a reset signal input when water is supplied. A reset switch for resetting the residual water amount stored in the first storage unit;
A heater timer for counting the heater ON time of the heating tank, a first arithmetic unit for calculating the amount of evaporation from the heater ON time and rewriting the remaining water amount stored in the first storage unit, and an evaporation corresponding to each of the operation modes. A second storage unit for storing the speed, a second calculation unit for calculating the operable time from the remaining water amount from the first storage unit and the evaporation speed from the second storage unit, and a second storage unit for storing the operable time. A third storage unit, a display unit for displaying the remaining water amount stored in the first storage unit, the evaporation rate stored in the second storage unit, and the operable time stored in the third storage unit; A humidifier provided with a control unit for controlling.

[0005] An operation timer in the control unit, a time setting unit for setting an operation stop time of the operation timer, and a comparison between the set time of the operation timer and the operable time stored in the third storage unit. The humidifier includes a comparison unit that outputs an alarm signal when the operable time is shorter than the set time, and an alarm output unit that outputs an alarm to a user when the alarm signal is input.

The alarm output means is a humidifier which is a blinking drive section for blinking the display section.

The alarm output means is a humidifier having a buzzer drive section and a buzzer.

[0008] The humidifier is provided with a third computing section in the control section for comparing the operable time stored in the third storage section with the actual operating time to calculate a correction coefficient of the operable time.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a humidifier according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an entire configuration of an embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main part. As shown in FIG. 1, a humidifier 50 according to the present invention uses water supplied from a water supply tank 1 to a heating tank 2.
Is heated and evaporated by the heater 2a, and the water vapor 4 is mixed with the air 5 blown by the electric fan 3 and blown into the room from the outlet 51 as conditioned air whose humidity is adjusted. Reference numeral 6 denotes a control board in which a microcomputer for controlling the humidifier 50 is incorporated. The control board 6 is configured as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, and the function of each block will be described below. Reference numeral 7 denotes a humidity setting unit for setting a set humidity (ws). Reference numeral 8 denotes a humidity detecting unit that detects a room humidity (wr). Reference numeral 9 denotes an operation mode switching unit that switches an operation mode such as a continuous operation mode and an intermittent operation mode based on a difference between the set humidity (ws) and the indoor humidity (wr).
21 is a first memory for storing the remaining water amount (y) of the water supply tank 1;
It is a storage unit. Reference numeral 22 denotes a reset switch that operates to output a reset signal when water is supplied to the water supply tank 1 by, for example, opening a lid (not shown) of the water supply tank 1 and supplying water. When the reset signal is input to the control unit 27, the remaining water amount (y) stored in the first storage unit 21 is reset and rewritten to the remaining water amount (ymax) in a full state. Reference numeral 23 denotes a heater timer for counting the heater ON time (th) of the heating tank 2. Reference numeral 24 denotes a first calculation unit for calculating the amount of evaporation (−Δy) from the heater ON time (th), and the remaining water amount (y) stored in the first storage unit 21 is rewritten based on the calculation result.
That is, the remaining water amount (y) stored in the first storage unit 21
Is rewritten to a value obtained by subtracting the calculation result (evaporation amount (Δy)) of the first calculation unit 24 from the remaining water amount (y).
Reference numeral 25 denotes a second storage unit for storing the evaporation rate corresponding to the operation mode, which is stored corresponding to the continuous operation and the intermittent operation, respectively. Reference numeral 26 denotes a second calculation unit that calculates the operable time (T) from the remaining water amount (y) from the first storage unit 21 and the evaporation rate from the second storage unit 25. 27 is
It is a third storage unit that stores the operable time (T).
28 is a residual water amount (y) stored in the first storage unit 21
And the evaporation rate stored in the second storage unit 25 and the third storage unit 2
7 is a display unit for displaying the operable time (T) stored in the storage unit 7. Reference numeral 29 denotes a control unit that controls the above-described units. Further, the control unit 29 is provided with the following blocks. An operation timer 31 counts an operation time (tm). Reference numeral 32 denotes a time setting unit for setting a so-called cut-off timer for stopping the operation when the count of the operation timer 31 reaches a set time (ts). Reference numeral 33 denotes the set time (ts) set by the time setting unit 32 and the third storage unit 2
7 is a comparison unit that compares the operable time (T) stored in 7 and outputs an alarm signal if the operable time (T) is shorter than the set time (ts). Reference numeral 34 denotes a blinking drive unit that drives the display unit 28 to blink when the alarm signal is input. Reference numeral 35 denotes a buzzer driving unit that drives the buzzer 36 when the alarm signal is input. 36 is the buzzer. Reference numeral 37 denotes a third calculation unit which calculates a correction coefficient (T '/ T) from the operable time (T) and the actual operation time (T') calculated by the second calculation unit and stored in the third storage unit. Calculation is performed, and the calculation result is stored in the evaporation rate stored in the second storage unit 25.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the operation of the humidifier will be described, and the concept of the operation pattern will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation when the humidifier is automatically operated. As shown in the figure, during the automatic operation, the set humidity (ws) set in the humidity setting unit 7 is read (st1), and the indoor humidity (w) is detected by the humidity detection unit 8.
r) is detected (st2), and the operation mode switching section 9 compares the set humidity (ws) with the room humidity (wr) until the room humidity (wr) reaches the set humidity (ws) (st3).
Is a continuous operation (s) in which the heater of the heating tank 2 is continuously energized.
t4) is performed, and when the room humidity (wr) reaches the set humidity (ws) (st5), the operation is switched to the intermittent operation (st6) in which the heater is intermittently energized. % (St5), the power supply to the heater is cut off, the operation is stopped (st7), and standby (standby operation) is performed. As described above, the operation modes include the continuous operation mode, the intermittent operation mode, and the standby operation mode.

Next, the evaporation rate in the continuous operation mode will be described. Fig. 4 shows the indoor humidity (wr) at the start of operation.
It is a table | surface which shows the pattern of the evaporation rate when (vertical) is continuously operated below the set humidity (ws) (horizontal). For example,
Assuming that the indoor humidity (wr) at the start of operation is 30% or less and the set humidity (ws) is 40%, the time (t) until the indoor humidity (wr) reaches the set humidity (ws) is C time. It is. However, the value of the time (t) until reaching the set humidity (ws) in the figure has a relationship of A>B>C>D>E> F. The second storage unit 25 stores the time until the evaporation rate corresponding to the indoor humidity (wr) and the set humidity (ws) in the continuous operation mode reaches the amount of evaporation (a) per unit time and the set humidity (ws). (T) is stored in a rewritable state.

Next, the evaporation rate in the intermittent operation mode will be described. FIG. 5 shows the heating bath 2 for the set humidity (ws) when the room humidity (wr) is between the set humidity (ws) and the set humidity (ws) + 5% and the operation is intermittent.
6 is a table showing the ON time and the OFF time of the heater of FIG. For example, when the set humidity (ws) = 60%, the ON time is set to 65
%, The off time is 35%, and as the set humidity (ws) increases, the on time is made longer than the off time to increase the humidification amount. The second storage unit 25 also stores the evaporation rate for the set humidity (ws) in the intermittent operation mode as the evaporation amount per unit time.

Next, a method of calculating the operable time in the humidifier of the present invention based on the above equation 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining water amount (y) of the water supply tank and the operable time (T). In the figure, (a) shows the amount of evaporation per unit time during continuous operation, and (b) shows the amount of evaporation per unit time during intermittent operation.
5 is stored. Also, t indicates a continuous operation time,
This corresponds to the time (t) until the set humidity (ws) in FIG. 4 is reached, and is also stored in the second storage unit 25. The following equation is established from FIG. y = a × t + b × (T−t) Equation 1 T = (y−at + bt) / b Equation 2 In Equation 2, y is a calculation result of the first calculation unit 24 and is stored in the first storage unit 21. ing. In the second arithmetic unit 26,
Corresponds to the residual water amount (y), which is the calculation result of the first calculation unit 24 stored in the first storage unit 21, and the set humidity (ws) and room humidity (wr) stored in the second storage unit 25. Substituting the evaporation amount per unit time during continuous operation (a), the time until reaching the set humidity (ws) (t), and the evaporation amount per unit time during intermittent operation (b) into Equation 2 Thus, the operable time (T) is calculated. The drivable time (T) calculated as described above is stored in the third storage unit 27 and displayed on the display unit 28.

During the operation, when the water in the water supply tank runs out, the operation is stopped, and the third operation is performed from the counted actual operation time (T ') and the operable time (T) stored in the third storage unit 27. The unit 37 calculates a correction coefficient (T ′ / T), stores the calculation result in the evaporation rate stored in the second storage unit 25, and corrects the same at the time of calculating the next operable time (T). Thus, the calculation accuracy is improved.

Next, the operation for setting the cutoff timer will be described. When the user inputs the operation time (ts) to the time setting unit 32, the comparison unit 33 compares the operation time (T) with the operable time (T) stored in the third storage unit 27, and calculates the operation time (ts). If the time is longer than the possible time (T), the display unit 28 is blinked via the blinking drive unit 34 to notify that the input is wrong. At this time, the input and displayed operation time (ts) may be highlighted and the input may be instructed again. At the same time, the buzzer 36 may be sounded via the buzzer drive unit 35 to take care.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A first storage unit that stores the remaining water amount in the water supply tank, a humidity setting unit that sets a set humidity, a humidity detection unit that detects an indoor humidity, and a continuous operation mode and an intermittent operation based on a difference between the set humidity and the indoor humidity. An operation mode switching unit for switching an operation mode such as a mode, a first storage unit for storing the remaining water amount of the water supply tank, and a reset signal input at the time of water supply to reset the remaining water amount stored in the first storage unit. A reset switch, a heater timer for counting a heater on time of the heating tank, a first arithmetic unit for calculating an evaporation amount from the heater on time and rewriting a residual water amount stored in the first storage unit, and each of the operation modes A second storage unit for storing an evaporation rate corresponding to the second storage unit, and a residual water amount from the first storage unit and the second storage unit.
Second calculation of the operable time from the evaporation rate from the storage unit
A calculation unit, a third storage unit that stores the operable time,
A display unit for displaying the remaining water amount stored in the first storage unit, the evaporation rate stored in the second storage unit, and the operable time stored in the third storage unit; and a control unit for controlling each unit. Since the humidifier is provided with, the evaporation time corresponding to each operation mode can be calculated, so that an accurate operable time can be calculated and displayed. An operation timer for the control unit, a time setting unit for setting an operation stop time of the operation timer, and comparing the set time with the operable time stored in the third storage unit, and operating based on the set time. Since a comparison unit that outputs an alarm signal when the possible time is short and an alarm output unit that outputs an alarm to a user when the alarm signal is input are provided, when a set time of a so-called cut-off timer is input, If the set time is longer than the operable time, an error occurs and an alarm is output.For example, the input number display screen flashes, a buzzer sounds to inform the operator, refueling is required, and the set time is shortened. It is possible to take appropriate measures such as doing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a main part of an entire configuration of an embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a main part block diagram showing one embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the humidifier according to the present invention during automatic operation.

FIG. 4 is a table showing a pattern of an evaporation rate when the humidifier according to the present invention is continuously operated at a room humidity (wr) lower than a set humidity (ws) at the start of operation.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the set humidity (ws) and the set humidity (ws) + 5% when the room humidity (wr) of the humidifier according to the present invention is intermittently operated. 6 is a table showing the ON time and the OFF time of the heater of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining water amount (y) of the water supply tank of the humidifier and the operable time (T) according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part showing a conventional humidifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water supply tank 2 Heating tank 3 Electric fan 4 Water vapor 5 Air 6 Control board 7 Humidity setting part 8 Humidity detecting part 9 Operation mode switching part 21 First storage part 22 Reset switch 23 Heater timer 24 First calculation part 25 Second storage part 26 Second calculation unit 27 Third storage unit 28 Display unit 29 Control unit 31 Operation timer 32 Time setting unit 33 Comparison unit 34 Flashing drive unit 35 Buzzer drive unit 36 Buzzer 37 Third calculation unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A humidifier which heats and evaporates water supplied from a water supply tank in a heating tank, mixes the water vapor with air to be blown, and blows out the room into a room. Unit, a humidity detecting unit that detects indoor humidity, an operation mode switching unit that switches an operation mode such as a continuous operation mode or an intermittent operation mode based on a difference between the set humidity and the indoor humidity, and stores a remaining water amount of the water supply tank. A first storage unit, a reset switch for inputting a reset signal at the time of water supply to reset a remaining water amount stored in the first storage unit, a heater timer for counting a heater on time of the heating tank, and evaporating from the heater on time. A first calculation unit that calculates the amount and rewrites the remaining water amount stored in the first storage unit; a second storage unit that stores an evaporation rate corresponding to each of the operation modes; A second operation unit that calculates an operable time from the remaining water amount from the storage unit and the evaporation rate from the second storage unit; a third storage unit that stores the operable time; and a first storage unit that stores the operable time. A display unit for displaying the remaining water amount, the evaporation rate stored in the second storage unit, and the operable time stored in the third storage unit, and a control unit for controlling each of the units. humidifier. 2. An operation timer in the control unit, a time setting unit for setting an operation stop time of the operation timer, and comparing a set time of the operation timer with an operable time stored in the third storage unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a comparing unit that outputs an alarm signal when the operable time is shorter than a set time, and an alarm output unit that outputs an alarm to a user when the alarm signal is input. Humidifier as described. 3. A humidifier according to claim 1, wherein said alarm output means is a blinking drive section for blinking said display section. 4. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein said alarm output means comprises a buzzer drive section and a buzzer. 5. The control unit further includes a third calculation unit that compares a drivable time stored in the third storage unit with an actual drivable time and calculates a correction coefficient of the drivable time. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein