JP2003161473A - Humidifier and seal member for humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier which easily and surely provides an ultraviolet ray generator in a water storage tank with waterproofing property. <P>SOLUTION: A seal member 21 composed of a rubber elastic body is mounted between a vessel mounting hole 19 formed on the water storage tank 1 of the humidifier and a long vessel 15 including the ultraviolet ray generator 12 to support the vessel 15 horizontally and liquid-tightly to the water storage tank 1. The seal member 25 comprises an inner flange part 26, an outer flange part 25 and an annular groove part 27 formed therebetween. An inner peripheral face of the seal member 21 is provided with an annular projecting part 24 on a piston corresponding to the annular groove part 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a humidifier and a humidifier seal member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, ultrasonic type humidifiers have been used.
The use as a means to maintain the quality of food is increasing. For example, in a salad bar such as a restaurant, spray mist of a humidifier on raw vegetables, sushi case, raw meat showcase, raw confectionery showcase, etc.
The freshness of foods is maintained by supplying the mist of a humidifier and protecting foods from drying.

When the humidifier is used for such an application, the water in the water tank of the humidifier is always kept clean, as compared with the normal use method for preventing the air in the room from being dried. It is important to pay attention to the following.

Therefore, a waterproof ultraviolet ray generator is arranged in the water tank, and the water in the water tank can be kept clean by the sterilizing action of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet ray generator. Conceivable.

[0005]

In this case, it is necessary to easily and surely impart waterproofness to the ultraviolet ray generator.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifier in which the ultraviolet ray generator in the water tank is easily and surely waterproofed.

The present invention also seeks to provide a sole member for the humidifier.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a humidifier according to the present invention has a mouth for accommodating an ultraviolet ray generator and having transparency to ultraviolet rays, and for inserting the ultraviolet ray generator. An elongated container having a closed portion other than the above, and a water tank having a container receiving portion that receives the container liquid-tightly under the water surface, wherein the ultraviolet ray generator is located inside the water tank and the ultraviolet ray is generated. A humidifier that horizontally supports the container in the water storage tank so that a body insertion port is located outside the water storage tank, and the container receiving portion has a container mounting hole formed in the water storage tank. And is placed between the container mounting hole and the container so that the container is horizontal with respect to the water tank so that a portion inside the water tank is longer than a portion outside the water tank. Rubber for liquid-tight support A seal member made of an elastic body is provided, and the seal member is formed between the inner flange portion that closely adheres to the inner surface of the water tank, the outer flange portion that closely adheres to the outer surface of the water tank, and between these flange portions. An annular groove portion and an annular convex portion formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the seal member, the annular convex portion being formed at a position facing the annular groove portion. 1).

According to the humidifier of the present invention, it is possible to easily and reliably impart waterproofness to the ultraviolet ray generator.

In the humidifier, the cylindrical container holding portion of the seal member may extend from the outer flange portion to the outside of the water storage tank (claim 2).

The humidifier seal member according to the present invention comprises a container mounting hole formed in a water tank of the humidifier, an elongated container,
A rubber-like member that is interposed between the water tank and the container so that the container is horizontally and liquid-tightly supported so that the inside portion of the container is longer than the outside portion of the water tank. A humidifier seal member made of an elastic body, wherein an inner flange portion that closely adheres to the inner surface of the water tank, an outer flange portion that closely adheres to the outer surface of the water tank, and an annular groove portion formed between these flange portions. An annular convex portion formed on a part of an inner peripheral surface of the seal member, the annular convex portion being formed at a position facing the annular groove portion (claim 3).

[0012] The seal member may be formed such that a portion outside thereof is longer than a portion inside thereof when it is attached to the water tank (claim 4).

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the internal structure of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the humidifier shown in FIG.

The humidifier shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an ultrasonic humidifier and is provided with a water tank 1 for storing water 1a for atomization. The water storage tank 1 is made of, for example, a stainless plate, and is formed in a horizontally long box shape as shown in FIG.

The water storage tank 1 is provided with a drainage device for periodically discharging the water 1a therein. In the illustrated example, a drainage channel 2 is connected to the bottom of the water storage tank, and the drainage channel 2 is provided with a drainage valve 3 that automatically opens and closes the drainage channel 2. As the drain valve 3, it is desirable to use, for example, an electromagnetic valve or an electric valve that is closed when energized.
The operation of the drain valve 3 is automatically controlled by the control means 4 such as a microcomputer.

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, near the connection portion of the drain pipe 2 in the water storage tank 1, that is,
The vicinity of the drainage port 5 is formed to be one step lower than the other portions. This is for precipitating the impurities in the water 1a in the lower portion so that the impurities can be efficiently discharged during drainage. In addition, in order to obtain the same effect, the bottom surface in the water storage tank 1 may be inclined toward the drainage port 5.

As another example of the drainage device, as shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2, a water absorption pipe 2a is introduced into the water storage tank 1, and a water absorption device 3a such as a pump is attached to the water absorption pipe 2a. Alternatively, the water absorption device 3a may be automatically operated by the control means 4 so that the water 1a in the water tank 1 is forcibly sucked and discharged. If you do this,
Even if the installation position of the water tank 1 is low, the water tank 1
It is preferable because the water 1a therein can be discharged.

A plurality of ultrasonic transducers 6 for atomizing the water 1a are arranged at the bottom of the water storage tank 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducers 6 are arranged side by side in the lengthwise direction of the water storage tank 1 at appropriate equal intervals.

A blower 7 and a blow-out tube 8 are connected to the water storage tank 1, and the wind supplied from the blower 7 into the water storage tank 1 is atomized by the ultrasonic transducer 6. The sprayed water is conveyed to the outside from the outlet 8a of the outlet tube 8.

Further, a water supply passage 9 for supplying the water 1a into the water storage tank 1 is connected to the water storage tank 1, and the water supply passage 9 is provided with water supply for automatically opening and closing the water supply passage 9. Valve 1
0 is provided. As the water supply valve 10, for example,
Use solenoid valve or motorized valve.

The water supply valve 10 receives a signal from a float switch 11 (see FIG. 2) as a water level detecting means provided in the water tank 1, and automatically controls the water supply passage 10 to open and close. The float switch 11 generates the signal when the water 1a in the water tank 1 reaches a predetermined upper limit level L1 and when a predetermined lower limit level L2 is reached. When the water 1a in the water tank 1 reaches the upper limit level L1, the water supply valve 10 is closed to stop water supply, and when the water 1a in the water tank 1 reaches the lower limit level L2, The water supply valve 10 is opened and water supply is started again. The water supply valve 10 and the float switch 11 are controlled by the control means 4, for example.

The average water level in the water storage tank 1 is related to the optimum atomization efficiency of water by the ultrasonic vibrator 6,
It is desirable to set the height to about 40 mm from the ultrasonic transducer.

On the surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the water storage tank 1,
A group of ultraviolet generators 12 and 12 are supported in a waterproofed state. Here, as shown in FIG.
As each ultraviolet ray generator, an ultraviolet ray lamp 12 having a length corresponding to the depth of the water storage tank 1 is adopted, and the same two ultraviolet ray lamps 12 and 12 form a group of ultraviolet ray lamps. As shown in FIG. 1, the elongated ultraviolet lamps 12 are horizontally arranged so as to be orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the water tank 1 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1), and
As shown in FIG. 2, the two ultraviolet lamps 12 and 12 are mounted on a front wall 13 extending in the lengthwise direction of the water storage tank 1 at the same height side by side in the lengthwise direction.

The distance between the adjacent ultraviolet lamps 12 and 12 is appropriately determined in consideration of the effective sterilization distance of each ultraviolet lamp 12 so that the ultraviolet rays can be spread over the entire water 1a in the water tank 1. decide. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, assuming that the effective sterilization distance of each of the ultraviolet lamps 12 is D, between the two ultraviolet lamps 12 and 12,
The maximum distance is 2D. The distance between each of the ultraviolet lamps 12 and the end surface 14 of the water storage tank 1 is D at the maximum. As the water tank 1 becomes longer, the number of the ultraviolet lamps 12 is increased accordingly, so that the ultraviolet light can be spread all over the water in the water tank 1 at all times.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the ultraviolet lamps 1 is
2 is preferably arranged between the adjacent ultrasonic transducers 6 and 6. By doing so, the ultrasonic transducer 6
This is because the atomizing action of water produced by the above is not hindered by the presence of the ultraviolet lamps 12.

The respective ultraviolet lamps 12, which are not waterproof themselves, are waterproofed by the same method and are attached to the water tank 1 by the same method. That is, as shown in FIG.
It is housed in a test tubular elongated container 15 conforming to its shape. Each of the containers 15 corresponds to each of the ultraviolet lamps 1
An ultraviolet lamp insertion port 16 for inserting 2 is provided, and parts other than the ultraviolet lamp insertion port 16 are completely closed. Each of the ultraviolet lamps 12 is inserted into each of the containers 15 through the ultraviolet lamp insertion port 16, and the wiring cords 12a and 12b thereof extend to the outside from the ultraviolet lamp insertion port 16 of each of the containers 15. If necessary, the ultraviolet lamp insertion port 16 of each container 15
In addition, an appropriate plug member 17 may be attached, or the plug member 17 may be provided with a function of holding the posture of each ultraviolet lamp 12 in each container 15.

Each of the containers 15 is made of a material having a good transparency to ultraviolet rays. Here, pure quartz is used as the material. Ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamps 12 pass through the containers 15 and are supplied into the water 1a in the water tank 1. Then, due to the sterilizing action of ultraviolet rays, various bacteria are prevented from propagating in the water 1a of the water storage tank 1.

Each container 15 is supported by a container receiving portion 18 provided in the water tank 1. As shown in FIG. 1, each container receiving portion 18 has a circular container mounting hole 19 penetratingly formed in the front wall 13 of the water storage tank 1 and a container mounting hole defining the container mounting hole 19. A sealing member 21 interposed between the growing section 20 and the container 15 is provided so that each container 15 is always submerged in the water 1a in the water tank 1. Each container 15 is supported horizontally. Each of the containers 15 is always the water tank 1
Since it is below the surface of water, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamps 12 do not adversely affect the surroundings.

As shown in FIG. 3, which is an enlarged cross-sectional view, each of the sealing members 21 is formed of a rubber-like elastic body as a whole, and has a cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the containers 15. The container holding part 22 and the attaching part 23 to the water storage tank 1 which is integrally formed with the container holding part 22. As a material for each of the seal members 21, it is desirable to use a rubber such as a silicone-based rubber that does not change in material even when it receives ultraviolet rays.

The inner diameter of each container holding portion 22 is large enough to receive each container 15 in a liquid-tight manner when the container 15 is pushed in. Part of the inner peripheral surface of each container holding portion 22 is elastic, and each container 1
An annular convex portion 24 that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of 5 is integrally formed. The annular convex portion 24 further improves the liquid tightness between each of the containers 15 and each of the sealing members 21, and reliably prevents water leakage from occurring between them. Therefore, the number of the annular convex portions 24 may be one, but preferably two as shown in the illustrated example, or three or more.

Each of the mounting portions 23 corresponds to each of the container holding portions 2
Two flange portions 2 formed at positions closer to the inner end portion of 2
5, 26, and the two flange portions 25, 26
An annular groove 27 is formed between them. Of the two flange portions 25 and 26, the outer flange portion 25 located outside the water tank 1 is attached to the inner flange so as to adhere to the outer surface of the front wall 13 of the water tank 1 in a wide area. It is formed to be larger than the portion 26.

As clearly shown in FIG. 3, in the seal member 21, the annular groove portion 2 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
7, and the annular convex portion 24 formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof,
It is formed at a position facing each other. Further, as is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylindrical container holding portion 22 of the seal member 21 extends from the outer flange portion 25 to the outside of the water tank 1. As a result, the container holding portion 22 of the seal member 21 is formed such that a portion outside the water tank 1 is longer than a portion inside the water tank 1 when the container holding portion 22 is attached to the water tank 1.

In mounting the respective containers 15 accommodating the respective ultraviolet lamps 12 on the water tank 1, first, a force is applied to the respective sealing members 21 inward in the radial direction thereof to deform the sealing members 21, The outer flange portion 25 is inserted into each of the container mounting holes 19 of the water storage tank 1 until it comes into contact with the outer surface of the front wall 13 of the water storage tank 1.
In the mounted state, the respective container mounting hole defining portions 20 are fitted exactly into the annular groove portions 27 of the respective sealing members 21, and the two flange portions 25 and 26 are the same as those of the water tank 1. It is in close contact with the front wall 13 from inside and outside.
Therefore, the water 1 a in the water tank 1 is inserted between the container mounting hole defining portions 20 and the seal members 21.
Never leaks.

Then, the containers 15 are pushed from the outside into the container holding portions 22 of the sealing members 21.
As shown in FIG. 1, each container 15 is inserted into each sealing member 21 until the ultraviolet lamp 12 housed therein is substantially contained in the water tank 1, and the ultraviolet lamp is inserted. The mouth 16 is located outside the water tank 1. Since the annular convex portion 24 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each container holding portion 22, each container holding portion 2
Water leakage does not occur between 2 and each of the containers 15. Since each of the containers 15 has a longer inner portion than an outer portion of the water tank 1, the weight of the container 15 is biased toward the inner end side thereof, but the container holding of the seal members 21 is not performed. The portion 22 extends in the lengthwise direction of each of the containers 15 to firmly hold each of the containers 15, and the mounting portion 23 defines the container mounting hole defining portion 20 by the two inner and outer flange portions 25 and 26. Since it is firmly held, the container 15 is stably held in the horizontal state.

Also, for example, when the humidifier is transported,
Even if some great impact is applied to each container 15 or each container 15 is subjected to vibration for a long time, each sealing member 21 formed of a rubber-like elastic body acts as a cushioning material, There is no problem such as damage or displacement of the container 15 or the ultraviolet lamps 12 inside the container 15.

Since each container 15 is attachable to and detachable from each seal member 21, it is possible to remove each container 15 from the water tank 1 as needed, for example, during maintenance. it can. Therefore, maintenance and inspection of the ultraviolet lamps 12 and the inside of the water storage tank 1 can be performed easily and quickly, which is preferable.

Next, the operation of the humidifier will be described.

When the user turns on the power supply (not shown) of the humidifier in the stopped state, the drain valve 3 which has been open until then is closed, and the water supply valve 10 which has been closed until then is opened, The water 1a starts to accumulate in the water storage tank 1, and at the same time, the ultraviolet lamps 12 are turned on. When each of the ultraviolet lamps 12 is submerged together with each of the containers 15 and the water level in the water tank 1 reaches the upper limit level L1, a signal from the float switch 11 causes
The water supply valve 10 is closed. After that, when a humidification signal is input, the ultrasonic vibrator 6 and the blower 7 start operating, and the humidifier is in a humidification operation state.

When the water level in the water storage tank 1 is lowered to the lower limit level L2 by the humidifying operation, a signal from the float switch 11 opens the water supply valve 10 to start water supply. When the water level in the water storage tank 1 returns to the upper limit level L1, the signal from the float switch 11 closes the water supply valve 10 to stop the water supply.

For example, due to the humidification operation, the external humidity is
When a predetermined value set in advance is reached, a sensor (not shown) senses this and the humidification signal is cut off, the ultrasonic vibrator 6 and the blower 7 stop operating, and the humidifier stops humidification. Becomes When the external humidity decreases, the humidification signal is input again and the humidification operation is started. Even in the humidification stopped state, the group of ultraviolet lamps 12, 12 continues to be turned on, and the sterilizing action is continued.

When the user turns off the power to the humidifier, the ultraviolet lamps 12 are turned off, the ultrasonic vibrator 6 and the blower 7 stop operating, and at the same time, the drain valve 3 is turned off. Will open automatically and draining will start.

As described above, the water 1 is stored in the water tank 1.
While a is accumulated, the group of ultraviolet lamps 12,
Since 12 is constantly lit, the germicidal action prevents miscellaneous bacteria from propagating in the water storage tank 1. The group of ultraviolet lamps 12 and 12 is always under the water surface in the water tank 1 together with the respective containers 15, and
The group of ultraviolet lamps 12, 12 so that the sterilizing effect of ultraviolet rays is spread over the entire water 1a in the water storage tank 1.
Since the number and the installation position of the water are set, the sterilizing effect by ultraviolet rays sufficiently acts on the water 1a in the water storage tank 1.

Further, since the drain valve 3 that is closed when energized is adopted, the humidifier is energized by, for example, 2 or 3 by timer control or the like.
If it is set so as to be automatically stopped for a predetermined time every time, the drain valve 3 is opened periodically and the water 1a in the water storage tank 1 is completely replaced. Therefore, the inside of the water storage tank 1 is more clean, which is preferable.

The operation of the humidifier is automatically controlled by the control means 4 except for the turning on / off operation of the power source by the user.

Generally, water tanks of different sizes having different capacities are required depending on the purpose of use and scale of use by users. Therefore, we prepared a water tank with a constant depth and height and only different lengths, and according to the length of the water tank,
Determine the number of UV lamps installed. If you do this,
A standard UV lamp can be used for humidifiers of any capacity, contributing to cost reduction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a front view of the humidifier of FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the seal member in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 water tank 12 UV lamp (UV generator) 15 containers 16 Ultraviolet lamp insertion slot 18 Container receiving section 19 Container mounting hole 21 Seal member 24 annular protrusion 25 Outer flange 26 Inner flange

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ultraviolet ray generator (12) is housed and is transparent to ultraviolet rays, and the ultraviolet ray generator (1) is
Water reservoir (1) having an elongated container (15) with a closed part other than the mouth (16) for inserting 2) and a container receiving part (18) for receiving the container (15) in a liquid-tight manner under the water surface.
And so that the ultraviolet ray generator (12) is located inside the water storage tank (1) and the ultraviolet ray generator insertion port (16) is located outside the water storage tank (1), A humidifier in which the container (15) is horizontally supported by the water storage tank (1), the container receiving section (18)
Is a container mounting hole (19) formed in the water tank (1)
And a portion of the container (15) which is interposed between the container mounting hole (19) and the container (15) and which is located outside the water tank (1) with respect to the water tank (1). A sealing member (2) made of a rubber-like elastic body for supporting liquid-tightly by horizontally arranging the inner part to be longer
1), and the sealing member (21) includes an inner flange portion (26) that is in close contact with the inner surface of the water tank (1) and an outer flange portion (2) that is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the water tank (1).
5), an annular groove portion (27) formed between these flange portions (25, 26), an annular convex portion (24) formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the seal member (21), Equipped with
A humidifier, wherein the annular convex portion (24) is formed at a position facing the annular groove portion (27). 2. The cylindrical container holding portion (22) of the sealing member (21) extends from the outer flange portion (25) to the outside of the water tank (1). Humidifier described in. 3. A container mounting hole (19) formed in a water reservoir (1) of a humidifier and an elongated container (15) are interposed between the water reservoir (1) and the water reservoir (1). Container (1
A humidifier seal member (21) composed of a rubber-like elastic body for horizontally and liquid-tightly supporting 5) so that the inner portion of the water tank (1) is longer than the outer portion thereof. In addition, an inner flange portion (26) that closely adheres to the inner surface of the water storage tank (1), an outer flange portion (25) that closely adheres to the outer surface of the water storage tank (1), and these flange portions (25, 26). And an annular groove (27) formed between
An annular convex portion (24) formed on a part of an inner peripheral surface of the seal member (21), the annular convex portion (24) being formed at a position facing the annular groove portion (27). ing,
Humidifier seal member. 4. The humidifying method according to claim 3, wherein, in a state of being attached to the water storage tank (1), a portion outside the water storage tank (1) is formed longer than a portion inside the water storage tank (1). Sealing material for vessels.