JP2004132632A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier conformable to a design for aged person by reducing the number of operation switches and to reduce the cost. <P>SOLUTION: This humidifier has a humidifying means 5 for humidifying a room, a humidity setting function 2a for setting an intended humidity, a mode switching function 2b for switching a plurality of operation modes, and an arithmetic means 7 for controlling all operations. One operation means 2 is provided with both the humidity setting function 2a and the mode switching function 2b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a humidifier operating unit that performs humidification control according to indoor humidity.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional humidifier will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of a conventional humidifier.
[0003]
In the figure, an operation on / off means 1 for turning on and off the operation of a humidifier, a humidity setting means 10 for setting a target humidity, a mode switching means 11 for switching a plurality of operation modes, and a cutoff for setting an operation stop time. An operation unit includes the timer unit 3. These four means are each formed by one switch.
[0004]
The humidity setting means 10 can set three levels of humidity of 40%, 50% and 60%, and the mode switching means 11 can switch between three operation modes of automatic, strong and weak.
[0005]
The humidity detecting means 4 detects the current humidity in the room, the display means 6 displays the current humidity detected by the humidity detecting means 4 and the set humidity set by the humidity setting means 10, and the humidifying means 5 humidifies the room. The calculation means 7 is formed by a microcomputer or the like, and controls the operation of all the means. The calculating means 7 stores therein an automatic mode as an initial value of the operation mode, and stores 50% as an initial value of the set humidity.
[0006]
The overall operation of the above configuration will be described.
When a power supply (not shown) is supplied to the humidifier and the operation on / off means 1 is pressed, an operation signal is input from the operation on / off means 1 to the arithmetic means 7. When an operation signal is input, the operation means 7 sets the operation mode to automatic, which is stored as an initial value, sets the set humidity to 50%, which is stored as an initial value, and displays the current humidity detected by the humidity detection means 4. The humidifying unit 5 is illuminated and displayed, the difference between the current humidity and the set humidity is calculated, and whether or not the humidifying unit 5 is operated is determined based on the difference.
[0007]
Thereafter, the arithmetic means 7 sequentially detects the current humidity by the humidity detecting means 4 and controls the humidifying means 5 so that the current humidity and the set humidity become the same. That is, the arithmetic means 7 operates the humidifying means 5 to humidify the room when the current humidity is lower than the set humidity, and stops the operation of the humidifying means 5 when the current humidity becomes higher than the set humidity.
[0008]
To change the set humidity during the above operation, an operation of pressing the humidity setting means 10 is performed. Each time the humidity setting means 10 is pressed once, the display of the set humidity displayed on the display means 6 changes in the order of 50% → 60% → 40% → 50%... Stop operation when
[0009]
When the operation mode is switched during operation, an operation of pressing the mode switching means 11 is performed. Every time the mode switching means 11 is pressed once, the operation mode changes from automatic to strong to weak to automatic... This change is repeated, so that the operation is stopped when the desired operation mode is reached.
[0010]
Examples similar to such conventional examples include the examples shown in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2.
[0011]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2002-81717 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2000-356390.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional humidifier requires four operation switches of the humidity setting unit 10, the mode switching unit 11, the operation on / off unit 1, and the off timer unit 3 in the operation unit.
[0013]
In recent years, in the age of the elderly, designs for the elderly have been desired. For this purpose, it is necessary to make each switch of the operation unit large. However, since the product needs to be downsized, the area of the operation unit where each switch is arranged may be small, but it will not be large, so it is necessary to make each switch large for elderly people. Will be contradictory. In addition, there is a problem that it is necessary to reduce costs.
[0014]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to reduce the number of operation means, that is, the number of operation switches, to enable a design suitable for elderly people, and to reduce costs.
[0015]
It is another object of the present invention to be able to easily operate even when the number of operation switches is reduced.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention controls humidifying means for humidifying a room, a humidity setting function for setting a target humidity, a mode switching function for switching a plurality of operation modes, and all operations. In a humidifier provided with arithmetic means, the humidity setting function and the mode switching function are combined into one operating means.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As described above, the present invention includes a humidifying unit for humidifying a room, a humidity setting function for setting a target humidity, a mode switching function for switching a plurality of operation modes, and a computing unit for controlling all operations. In the humidifier provided, the humidity setting function and the mode switching function are combined into one operating means.
[0018]
As a result, the number of operation switches can be reduced, the design for elderly people can be supported, and the cost can be reduced.
[0019]
Further, the arithmetic means shifts to a state in which the set humidity is changed when the continuous pressing of the operating means is longer than a predetermined time, and shifts to a state in which the operation mode is switched when the continuous pressing is shorter than the predetermined time.
[0020]
This allows easy operation even when the number of operation switches is reduced.
[0021]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an operation on / off means, which is formed by one switch and turns on and off the operation of the humidifier.
[0023]
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation means, which is formed by a single switch and has both a humidity setting function 2a for setting a target humidity and a mode switching function 2b for switching a plurality of operation modes. The humidity setting function 2a can set three levels of humidity of 40%, 50%, and 60%, and the mode switching function 2b can switch between three operation modes: automatic, strong, and weak.
[0024]
Reference numeral 3 denotes an off timer means, which is formed by a single switch, and sets the arbitrary time, that is, the operation stop time, in a function of stopping operation after operating for an arbitrary time, for example, 2 hours or 4 hours. Reference numeral 4 denotes humidity detecting means for detecting the current humidity in the room.
[0025]
Numeral 5 is humidifying means for humidifying the room. Reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit which displays the current humidity detected by the humidity detection unit 4 and the set humidity set by the operation unit 2. As for the display of the current humidity, any one of 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% is displayed.
[0026]
Numeral 7 is an arithmetic means formed by a microcomputer or the like and controls all operations. The arithmetic unit 7 shifts to a state in which the set humidity is changed when the continuous pressing of the operation unit 2 is longer than a predetermined time, and shifts to a state in which the operation mode is switched when the continuous pressing is shorter than the predetermined time. Further, the arithmetic means 7 stores therein an automatic mode as an initial value of the operation mode and 50% as an initial value of the set humidity.
[0027]
8 is a main body of the humidifier. Reference numeral 9 denotes an outlet, from which humidified air is blown out.
[0028]
The overall operation of the above configuration will be described.
When a power supply (not shown) is supplied to the humidifier and the operation on / off means 1 is pressed, an operation signal is input from the operation on / off means 1 to the arithmetic means 7. When an operation signal is input, the operation means 7 sets the operation mode to automatic, which is stored as an initial value, sets the set humidity to 50%, which is stored as an initial value, and displays the current humidity detected by the humidity detection means 4. The humidifying unit 5 is illuminated and displayed, the difference between the current humidity and the set humidity is calculated, and whether or not the humidifying unit 5 is operated is determined based on the difference.
[0029]
Thereafter, the arithmetic means 7 sequentially detects the current humidity by the humidity detecting means 4 and controls the humidifying means 5 so that the current humidity and the set humidity become the same. That is, when the current humidity is lower than the set humidity, the arithmetic unit 7 operates the humidifying unit 5 to humidify the room, and stops the operation of the humidifying unit 5 when the current humidity becomes higher than the set humidity. However, when the operation mode is strong or weak, the calculating means 7 operates the humidifying means 5 irrespective of the current humidity or the set humidity detected by the humidity detecting means.
[0030]
An operation method for changing the set humidity and switching the operation mode during the above operation will be described. The predetermined time is 3 seconds.
[0031]
First, an operation method for changing the set humidity will be described.
{1} Press the operation means 2 continuously for 3 seconds or more. However, when the continuous pressing is stopped within 3 seconds, the state shifts to the operation mode switching state described later.
{2} The set humidity is displayed on the display means 6 in a blinking manner. The current humidity display is turned off.
{3} Press the operating means 2 to change the set humidity. Each time the operating means 2 is pressed once, the display of the set humidity displayed on the display means 6 changes from 50% → 60% → 40% → 50%..., And this change is repeated. At this time, the set humidity blinks.
In the section {4} before {3}, when the operating means 2 is not pressed continuously for 3 seconds, the set humidity is determined and the set humidity is changed.
{5} The set humidity displayed on the display means 6 returns to the current humidity and is lit.
[0032]
Thereafter, the arithmetic means 7 sequentially detects the current humidity by the humidity detecting means 4 and controls the humidifying means 5 so that the current humidity and the set humidity become the same. Note that the set humidity can be changed only when the operation mode is the automatic mode.
[0033]
Next, an operation method for switching the operation mode will be described.
{6} Press the operation means 2 and stop in less than 3 seconds. Then, the operation mode becomes strong. As described above, when the button is continuously pressed for 3 seconds or longer, the set humidity is changed.
{7} When the operation means 2 is pressed, the operation mode becomes weak, and when the operation means 2 is released, the operation mode is operated in the weak operation mode.
{8} When the operation means 2 is pressed, the operation mode becomes automatic. When the operation means 2 is released, the operation mode is automatically operated, and the operation mode returns to the state before the switching of the operation mode.
[0034]
As described above, it is possible to combine the humidity setting function 2a and the mode switching function 2b with one operating means 2, thereby reducing the number of operating switches by one.
[0035]
In the above description, the continuous pressing time of the operating means 2 for determining whether the set humidity is changed or the operation mode is switched during the operation, that is, the predetermined time is set to 3 seconds. However, the other time, for example, 1 second To about 10 seconds.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the humidifier of the present invention, humidifying means for humidifying the room, a humidity setting function for setting a target humidity, a mode switching function for switching a plurality of operation modes, and all operations. In a humidifier provided with control means for controlling, the humidity setting function and the mode switching function are combined into one operating means.
[0037]
As a result, the number of operation switches can be reduced, so that it is possible to cope with a design for elderly people, and it is possible to reduce costs.
[0038]
Further, the arithmetic means shifts to a state in which the set humidity is changed when the continuous pressing of the operating means is longer than a predetermined time, and shifts to a state in which the operation mode is switched when the continuous pressing is shorter than the predetermined time.
[0039]
Thus, there is an effect that the operation can be easily performed even when the number of operation switches is reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of a conventional humidifier.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Operating means 2a Humidity setting function 2b Mode switching function 5 Humidifying means 7 Calculation means

Claims (2)

Humidifying means (5) for humidifying the room, a humidity setting function (2a) for setting a target humidity, a mode switching function (2b) for switching a plurality of operation modes, and an arithmetic means (7) for controlling all operations. ) With a humidifier,
A humidifier having the humidity setting function (2a) and the mode switching function (2b) in one operating means (2). The arithmetic means (7) shifts to a state in which the set humidity is changed when the continuous pressing of the operating means (2) is longer than a predetermined time, and shifts to a state in which the operation mode is switched when the continuous pressing is shorter than the predetermined time. The humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that:

Images