JP2004138354A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the neutralization efficiency of positive ions in humidified air by improving the mixing performance of negative ions with humidified air, and to extend the duration and delivery distance of the negative ions by effectively bonding water molecules thereto. <P>SOLUTION: A humidifying passage and a negative ion passage are mutually independently formed, and combined together within a body casing to mix the negative ions with the humidified air, and the resulting air is blown from a single air outlet port on the downstream over the combined part. According to such a structure, the mixing effect of negative ions with humidified air can be significantly improved to enhance the neutralization efficiency of positive ions in the humidified air. Further, water molecules can be effectively bonded to the negative ions to effectively extend their duration and delivery distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure of a humidifier having a negative ion generating function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a humidifier is combined with a negative ion generator to provide a humidifier capable of adding negative ions simultaneously with humidification.
[0003]
In the case of a humidifier having such a negative ion generating function, a humidifying passage for blowing out humidified air, and air to which negative ions are added are generally used from the viewpoint of avoiding humidification of the negative ion generator provided in the air passage. While the negative ion passage to be blown out has two passage structures which are separated from each other and arranged side by side, the outlets from the respective main bodies to the outside are provided as close to each other as possible so that the outside of the main body is provided. The humidified air and the negative ion-added air are mixed to neutralize and eliminate the positive ions in the humidified air (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-98371 (page 3, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of such a configuration, the air is once blown out from the two outlets of the humidifier main body and then mixed in the space outside the humidifier main body. It is difficult to mix properly and uniformly Of course, it is considered that the blowing direction of the humidified air is inclined in the direction of blowing the negative ions to form a confluent state in which the humidified air covers the negative ions, thereby improving the mixing effect. There is also a speed difference, so the effect cannot be expected very much.
[0006]
In general, the negative ions generated by the negative ion generator do not exist in dry air by themselves for a long time, and tend to disappear in a short time due to neutralization with a large number of positive ions in the room. Therefore, it is difficult to spread the whole room.
[0007]
However, when the negative ions combine with water molecules in an atomized state, they become so-called cluster ions, and their lifetime is prolonged. In addition, the mass increases and the inertial energy at the time of blowing also increases, so that it reaches far into the indoor space. Therefore, it is important that the mixing effect of the humidified air and the negative ions is high. However, as described above, when the mixing effect of the humidified air and the negative ions is low, such an effective operation cannot be expected.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and while forming a humidifying passage and a negative ion passage independently of each other, by providing a junction thereof inside the humidifier body, An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier having a function of generating a negative ion, which solves the above-mentioned conventional problems.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following problem solving means in order to achieve the above object.
[0010]
(1) First problem solving means (the invention of claim 1)
Means for solving the first problem of the present invention include a humidifying means for humidifying air, a humidifying passage for blowing out the air humidified by the humidifying means, a negative ion generating means for generating negative ions, and a negative ion generating means. In a humidifier provided with a negative ion passage for blowing out the generated negative ions, the humidifier passage and the negative ion passage are formed independently of each other, and they are formed inside the main casing of the humidifier. After being merged and mixed in the merging passage, the air is blown out from the merging air outlet downstream of the merging passage.
[0011]
According to such a configuration, the mixing effect of the negative ions and the humidified air is greatly improved, the neutralization efficiency of the positive ions in the humidified air is increased, and the negative ions are effectively combined with the water molecules to maintain their lifetime. In addition, the range at the time of blowing can be greatly extended.
[0012]
(2) Second Problem Solving Means (Invention of Claim 2)
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the humidifying passage and the negative ion passage are arranged in parallel with each other, and each of them has a centrifugal fan for blowing air. It is characterized by being provided.
[0013]
As described above, when the humidifying passage and the negative ion passage are arranged in parallel with each other and each of them is provided with a centrifugal fan for blowing air, the negative ion generating device such as the negative ion There is no danger of humidification by the air, and the humidified air and the negative ions are blown out with high air blowing efficiency at an appropriate blowing air amount individually corresponding to the required blowing amount.
[0014]
(3) Third Problem Solving Means (Invention of Claim 3)
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, each of the centrifugal fans is supported and fixed on a rotation drive shaft of the same fan motor.
[0015]
As described above, when each of the centrifugal fans in the humidification passage and the negative ion passage is supported and fixed on the rotation drive shaft of the same fan motor, the two fans are commonly rotated by one fan motor. Therefore, the humidifier itself can be formed as compact as possible, and the power consumption can be reduced.
[0016]
(4) Fourth Problem Solving Means (Invention of Claim 4)
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the humidifying passage and the negative ion passage are arranged in parallel with each other via a partition plate, and are formed on the partition plate. One centrifugal fan common to both passages is provided via the fan through hole.
[0017]
As described above, the two passages of the humidifying passage and the negative ion passage are arranged in parallel with each other via the partition plate, and are common to both passages through the fan through holes formed in the partition plate. In the case where one centrifugal fan is provided, only one fan itself is required, and molding and assembly are easy and the cost is reduced.
[0018]
(5) Fifth problem solving means (invention of claim 5)
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect, one centrifugal fan common to both passages has a hub corresponding to the partition plate on the same plane as the partition plate. And it is characterized by being supported and fixed on the rotary drive shaft of the fan motor via the hub.
[0019]
Thus, one fan common to each of the two passages, the humidification passage and the negative ion passage, has a hub on the same plane as the partition plate corresponding to the partition plate in the middle of each of the above-described passages. When the fan is supported and fixed on the rotation drive shaft of the fan motor via the hub, in addition to the above operation, one fan can be easily fixed to the rotation drive shaft of the fan motor by using the hub. can do.
[0020]
(6) Sixth Problem Solving Means (Invention of Claim 6)
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect, the outer diameter of the hub is larger than the diameter of the fan through hole, and the outer peripheral edge of the hub has a step of a predetermined width. And is installed so as to overlap with the edge of the fan through hole in a non-contact state capable of air sealing.
[0021]
As described above, the outer diameter of the hub is larger than the diameter of the fan through hole, and the outer peripheral edge of the hub is deformed into a step with a predetermined width, so that the air seal can be performed on the hole edge of the fan through hole. When installed so as to overlap in a non-contact state, the hub portion substantially seals the fan through-hole portion, and the partition plate as a whole is similar to the case where it is continuous in the same plane, The humidifying passage and the negative ion passage can be formed substantially independently of each other.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As a result, according to the present invention, the above-described conventional problem can be effectively and appropriately solved, and a humidifier having a high negative ion adding effect can be provided at low cost.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
First, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0024]
This humidifier has, as its basic components, for example, a water tank 1 storing water for humidification, and a water supply mechanism (water supply valve 2a, water supply valve opening member 2b, water receiving groove 2c) for supplying water from the water tank 1. 2 and a heating pipe 3 for heating the heater to a predetermined temperature (for example, a temperature having a high vaporization efficiency of about 70 ° C.), and a predetermined amount of hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating pipe 3. A hot water storage tank 4 to be stored, a vaporizing filter 5 for efficiently vaporizing hot water in the hot water storage tank 4, for example, a fiber structure having high water absorption and air permeability, and humidification humidified by vaporized water from the vaporization filter 5. A humidifying passage 6 that introduces air and blows out the room upwards, a first fan 7 that is provided in the humidifying passage 6 for blowing out humidified air, and is provided in parallel with the humidifying passage 6 to supply anion-added air to the room. Ma blowing upward An eggplant ion passage 8, a second fan 9 for blowing out negative ion-added air provided upstream of the negative ion passage 8, and a mica type (creeping discharge type) provided downstream of the negative ion passage 8. ), The humidifying passage 6 and the negative ion passage 8 are merged and integrated with each other, and the humidified air and the negative ion added air are mixed and blown upward in the room; The combined air outlet 12 formed on the downstream side of the passage 11 and the first and second fans 7 and 9 are commonly (coaxially) supported on the rotary drive shaft 13a and rotated in the same direction. And a single fan motor 13 for driving, and as shown in the drawing, the fan motor 13 is mounted in a body casing 14 made of, for example, a synthetic resin which is flat in the front-rear direction and has a substantially semicircular shape as a whole. It is configured by incorporating the door.
[0025]
The main body casing 14 is, for example, fitted to and fixed to a bottom member 14A in the shape of a pan that is long on the left and right with an open upper surface, and an upper opening surface portion of the bottom member 14A to appropriately support and fix the various structures as described above. A base plate 14B, and a cover member 14C which is above the base plate 14B, covers the above-mentioned various structures, and appropriately reinforces and supports them. The cover member 14C and the bottom member 14A are continuous with each other on the same round surface, and are combined so as to exhibit a sense of unity as the entire main body casing 14.
[0026]
The water tank 1 is set so as to be detachable with respect to the water tank installation portion on the base plate 14B, and the outer periphery thereof is formed of a translucent synthetic resin material if necessary. I have. The water tank 1 also corresponds to the cover member 14C and the bottom member 14A, and is combined so as to form the same round surface as a whole.
[0027]
In the center of the front side of the main casing 14 (not shown), a switch for turning on / off the power and a switch for turning on / off the generation of negative ions, a switch for changing the humidification amount (strong / weak), and a water supply indicator lamp are provided. Etc. are provided.
[0028]
On the other hand, the humidification passage 6 provided with the first fan 7 and the negative ion passage 8 provided with the second fan 9 specifically suck air from the air suction ports 6a, 8a on the outside in the axial direction, respectively. And two sets of sirocco fans (multi-blade centrifugal blowers) each having a scroll casing that blows in the centrifugal direction. The first and second fans 7 and 9 are configured to have multiple blades of the respective sirocco fans. The impeller portion, the humidifying passage 6 and the negative ion passage 8 correspond to the scroll passage portion in each scroll casing of each sirocco fan.
[0029]
The humidifying passage 6 is connected to a blast passage having a passage diameter large enough to blow a sufficient amount of humidified air from the vaporization filter 5 side sucked in through the air suction port 6a upward in the room. The negative ion passage 8 is formed as a blowing passage large enough to supply negative ions to be added having a smaller diameter, and the first and second blades have a blade width corresponding to the passage diameter and the blowing amount, respectively. Two fans 7, 9 are provided.
[0030]
By the way, the humidification passage 6 and the negative ion passage 8 are formed by the left side plate 15, the common inner side plate (central side partition plate) 17, and the right side plate 16 of each scroll casing of the two sets of sirocco fans. However, each of these outlet ends has its downstream side merged into one large-diameter merging passage 11 before (inside) the upper side cover member 14C of the main body casing 14, and In the merging area of the merging passage 11 inside the cover member 14C of the main casing 14, the humidified air from the humidifying passage 6 is effectively mixed with the negative ion-added air from the negative ion passage 8 side. This effectively neutralizes and eliminates the positive ions in the humidified air and efficiently binds water molecules to the supplied negative ions, Together prolong the life of the lifetime longer blows as negative ions reach sufficiently far in the indoor space increases the inertia effect by the air supply.
[0031]
In this case, a merging air outlet 12 is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 14C of the main body casing 14 so as to correspond to the merging passage 11. A relatively small amount of anion-added air from the side of the negative ion passage 8 is supplied to the portion of the combined air outlet 12 on the side of the negative ion passage 8 in a relatively small amount from the side of the humidification passage 6. A guide edge 12a for controlling the direction of air flow is provided, the surface of which is inclined obliquely in the direction of the humidifying passage 6 so as to be effectively mixed into a large amount of humidified air. The effect of mixing negative ions with the humidified air is improved as much as possible by the blowing direction control action 12a.
[0032]
In these cases, the mica-type (creeping discharge type) negative ion generator 10 provided on the downstream side of the negative ion passage 8 is, for example, to start merging with the merging passage 11 in order to dislike moisture. It is located on the upstream side of the end a by a predetermined dimension b, and is attached in a flat state to the wall surface of the inner plate 17 partitioning from the humidification passage 6 side. The dimension b is set to a sufficient distance in consideration of, for example, the influence of the intrusion of the humidified air from the downstream end side of the humidifying passage 6 and the merging passage 11 due to entrainment or the like. Further, by being attached to the inner plate 17 side, the influence of the Karman vortex of the humidified air caused by the flow rate difference from the humidification passage 6 side is further reduced.
[0033]
On the other hand, the above-mentioned various structures in the above-described configuration are, for example, as shown in the drawing, with reference to the base plate 14B, a water tank 1 on the upper right side of the front, a water supply mechanism 2 therebelow, and a water supply mechanism 2 Heating pipe 3 in the lower left and right direction, hot water storage tank 4 and vaporizing filter 5 from the lower center of the front to the upper part, and humidifying passage 6, negative ion passage 8 in the left outer direction from the center of the upper left in the front, fan motor 13 are laid out.
[0034]
An air inlet 18 of a grill structure is provided on the right side wall of the bottom member 14A having a predetermined depth, which is flat in the front-back direction and long in the left-right direction, corresponding to the axial direction of the heating pipe 3. When the first and second fans 7 and 9 rotate, indoor air is taken in from the air intake 18 by the suction force. Then, the air introduced into the bottom member 14A flows first around the heating pipe 3 arranged along the longitudinal direction in a bottom space portion extending in the left-right direction of the bottom member 14A. This effectively absorbs the radiant heat from the heating pipe 3 to increase its own temperature, thereby improving the humidification efficiency when passing through the vaporization filter 5 and cooling the surrounding components, Ensure stable stability and reliability.
[0035]
Thereafter, the main amount of the air having the same temperature rises in the direction of the vaporizing filter 5 and is sucked into the vaporizing filter 5 from the air suction surface 5A side of the vaporizing filter 5 to be efficiently humidified. Then, the humidified air is blown out from the air blowing surface 5B side of the vaporizing filter 5, and the large-diameter air provided corresponding to the first fan 7 on the right side of the humidifying passage 6 opposed thereto. It is sucked into the humidification passage 6 from the suction port 6a. On the other hand, the other amount of air is sucked into the negative ion passage 8 from the small-diameter air suction port 8a provided corresponding to the second fan 9 of the negative ion passage 8 through the surrounding space. Go. At this time, the fan motor 13 itself is cooled by the airflow flowing around the fan motor 13.
[0036]
At least before, after and on the right side of the vaporization filter 5, an air supply passage 19 for supplying air as efficiently as possible to the air suction surface 5A of the vaporization filter 5 is provided on the left side wall 1a of the water tank 1. It is formed using the vaporization filter mounting wall 20 on the opposite surface side.
[0037]
Reference numeral 21 denotes a tubular holding member having a lattice structure which is attached to the vaporizing filter mounting wall 20 on the humidifying passage 6 side and holds the vaporizing filter 5 in an upright state as shown in the figure.
[0038]
The tubular holding member 21 is provided with, for example, a removable lid member 21a having a knob portion on an upper portion, and by detaching the lid member 21a, the vaporization filter 5 can be arbitrarily exchanged and stored.
[0039]
As described above, the air inlet 18 provided on one end side wall portion of the bottom member 14A having a flat plate structure which is flat in the front-rear direction and long in the left-right direction is provided corresponding to the axial direction of the heating pipe 3 and coaxial. If air is flowed along the direction and the temperature of the humidified air or the anion-added air is slightly increased by the radiant heat from the heating pipe 3, not only the improvement of the humidification efficiency as described above, but also the indoor Since the temperature of the air itself blown out rises, a humidifier often used in winter when the air dries is also advantageous in that a slight heating function can be added.
[0040]
(Embodiment 2)
Next, FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0041]
In this embodiment, the second fan 9 on the side of the negative ion passage 8 in the configuration of the first embodiment is connected to and supported by the rotation drive shaft 13a of the fan motor 13 via, for example, a centrifugal clutch 25 as shown in the figure. Thus, for example, only when the rotation speed of the first fan 7 on the humidification passage 6 side is a predetermined rotation speed or more, the second fan 9 rotates to add negative ions, and the air suction is performed. The feature is that the fan motor 13 whose temperature tends to rise due to the strong operation is effectively cooled during the operation by sucking air from the port 8a. All other configurations and operations are the same as those of the configuration of the first embodiment.
[0042]
With such a configuration, it is possible to select between the negative ion addition humidification mode and the normal humidification mode using the strong / weak operation changeover switch of the humidifier.
[0043]
In this case, the negative ion generator 10 provided on the downstream side of the negative ion passage 8 is located, in particular, on the upstream side by a predetermined dimension b from the merging start end a into the merging passage 11, and furthermore, is humidified. It is attached in a flat state to the wall surface of an inner plate 17 that partitions off the passage 6 side. The same dimension b is not affected by the intrusion of the humidified air from the downstream end of the humidifying passage 6 and the merging passage 11 even in the normal humidifying mode in which the second fan 9 is stopped. In consideration of the above, the distance is more sufficient. Further, by being attached to the inner plate 17, the influence of the Karman vortex of the humidified air from the humidification passage 6 is further reduced.
[0044]
(Embodiment 3)
Next, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[0045]
In this embodiment, the first fan 7 on the side of the humidifying passage 6 in the configuration of the first embodiment is rotated by a fan motor 13 via a centrifugal clutch 25 similar to that of the second embodiment, for example, as shown in the figure. By connecting and supporting the drive shaft 13a, the fan motor 13 can be used as a negative ion generator at the time of a weak operation in which the rotation speed of the fan motor 13 is lower than a predetermined rotation speed, while the rotation speed becomes higher than the predetermined rotation speed. Only during strong operation, the first and second fans 7, 9 rotate to add negative ions to the humidified air. All other configurations and operations are the same as those of the configuration of the first embodiment.
[0046]
With such a configuration, for example, by using the above-mentioned strong / weak operation changeover switch, when the humidifier is in a weak operation, the mode is a dedicated mode for adding negative ions in a non-humidifying state, while in a strong operation, a negative ion in a humidifying mode is used. Additional dual-purpose operation becomes possible.
[0047]
In this case, of course, the rotation speed is formed in, for example, three stages of strong, medium, and weak, and only when the speed is low, the negative ion only mode is used, and in both the strong and medium, the humidifying and negative ion combined mode is used. Is also good.
[0048]
(Embodiment 4)
Next, FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0049]
In this embodiment, the configuration of the heating pipe 3, the hot water storage tank 4, and the vaporizing filter 5 in the configuration of the first embodiment is changed to a heater heating tank 26 having a heater 26a as shown, a boiling steam supply casing. The structure of the present invention is characterized in that the structure is changed to a kettle structure consisting of 27, and the evaporated steam at the time of the kettle heating is used as humidified air similar to the above.
[0050]
All other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0051]
According to such a configuration, the vaporizing filter 5 and the like are not required and the replacement thereof is not required as compared with the first embodiment, so that the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced.
[0052]
(Embodiment 5)
Next, FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the first and second fans 7, 9 in the configuration of the first to third or fourth embodiments are formed into an integral centrifugal fan 79 by, for example, providing a hub 28 in the middle as shown. The fan motor 13 is attached to the rotary drive shaft 13a of the fan motor 13 via the intermediate hub 28 and is driven to rotate. On the other hand, the humidification passage 6 and the negative ion passage 8 are juxtaposed with each other via an inner plate 17 serving as a partition plate. The inner plate 17 is provided with a fan through hole 17a. One centrifugal fan 79 common to the two passages is provided through the fan through hole 17a.
[0054]
On the other hand, the outer diameter of the hub 28 is made larger by a predetermined dimension than the diameter of the fan through hole 17a, and the outer periphery thereof is deformed into a stepped surface as shown in FIG. In the air-sealed state in which the plate (partition plate) 17 is superposed in a non-contact state with the hole edge portion 17b of the fan through hole 17a, the plate (partition plate) 17 is rotatably driven in the same manner as in the above embodiments. Things. All other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described first to third or fourth embodiments.
[0055]
With such a configuration, the production of the fan itself is easier and the assembling operation is easier than in the case where the first and second two sets of independent fans 7, 9 are formed and individually incorporated. Lower cost.
[0056]
(Other embodiments)
The centrifugal clutch 25 in the second and third embodiments may be any type that can switch the transmission state of the driving force according to the rotational speed or the necessity. In addition, various types of fluid clutches, electromagnetic clutches, etc. The following means can be adopted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a humidifier including a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a humidifier provided with a negative ion generator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 is a water tank, 3 is a heating pipe, 4 is a hot water storage tank, 5 is a vaporization filter, 6 is a humidifying passage, 7 is a first fan, 8 is a negative ion passage, 9 is a second fan, and 10 is a negative ion. Generator, 11 is a merging passage, 12 is a merging air outlet, 13 is a fan motor, 13a is a rotary drive shaft, 14 is a main body casing, 14A is a bottom member, 14B is a base plate, 14C is a cover member, 25 is a centrifugal clutch, 26 is a heater heating tank, and 27 is a steam supply casing.

Claims (6)

Humidifying means for humidifying air, a humidifying passage for blowing out the air humidified by the humidifying means, a negative ion generating means for generating negative ions, and a negative ion passage for blowing out negative ions generated by the negative ion generating means. In the humidifier provided, the humidifying passage and the negative ion passage are formed independently of each other, while they are joined and mixed in a joining passage formed inside the main casing of the humidifier, and then mixed. A humidifier characterized by being blown out from a merged air outlet downstream of a merged passage. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying passage and the negative ion passage are arranged in parallel with each other, and each of them is provided with a centrifugal fan for blowing air. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein each of the centrifugal fans is supported and fixed on a rotation drive shaft of the same fan motor. The humidifying passage and the negative ion passage are arranged side by side via a partition plate, and one centrifugal fan common to both passages is provided through a fan through hole formed in the partition plate. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein: One centrifugal fan common to both passages has a hub on the same surface as the partition plate corresponding to the partition plate, and is supported and fixed on the rotation drive shaft of the fan motor via the hub. The humidifier according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the hub is larger than the diameter of the fan through hole, and the outer peripheral edge of the hub is deformed into a step with a predetermined width step, so that the outer edge of the hub can be air-sealed to the hole edge of the fan through hole. The humidifier according to claim 4, wherein the humidifier is installed so as to overlap in a state.

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