JP2005049046A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier capable of exerting an excellent function in terms of humidification capability and hygiene. <P>SOLUTION: A water spray chamber 2, a humidification member 3, and a blast means 4 are housed in a humidifier body 1. The humidifier body 1 is provided with an air passage 13 communicating with a suction opening 11 and an outlet 12. The spray chamber 2 is disposed in the humidifier body 1, and structured so as to supply water downward. The humidification member 3 is disposed in the air passage 13 below the spray chamber 2 and is so structured as to absorb water supplied from the spray chamber 2 and to pass air flowing through the air passage 13. The blast means 4 is so structured as to introduce the air into the air passage 13 from the suction opening 11 to humidify it by passing it through the humidification member 3 and thereafter exhaust it from the outlet 12. The humidification member 3 is disposed by tilting it so as to gradually separate its upper side from a vertical surface. Thereby, water dropped from the spray chamber 2 can be supplied to the tilting surface of the humidification member 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier.

  Conventionally, as a humidifier, a water tank that always contains a certain amount of water, a vaporization element that is disposed in a non-contact state on the water surface in the water tank, and water in the water tank is pumped up and supplied to the vaporization element from above. And a blower fan that blows air through the vaporizing element and discharges it to the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-48365 A

  However, in the humidifier having the above-described configuration, the vaporizing element is disposed along the vertical plane. For this reason, water is supplied only to the upper end surface of the vaporizing element and is difficult to spread throughout. Therefore, it is difficult to sufficiently increase the humidifying ability.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the humidifier which exhibits the function outstanding in the humidification capability and hygiene.

The present invention provides a humidifier as a means for solving the above problems.
A humidifier body provided with an air flow path communicating with the inlet and the outlet;
A watering chamber disposed in the humidifier body and supplying water downward;
A humidifying member that is disposed in an air flow path below the watering chamber, absorbs water supplied from the watering chamber, and passes air flowing through the air flow path;
After taking air into the air flow path from the suction port, passing the humidification member and humidifying, and having a configuration including a blowing means for discharging from the blowout port,
The humidifying member is arranged so as to be inclined so that the upper side is gradually separated from the vertical surface, so that water dropped from the watering chamber can be supplied to the inclined surface of the humidifying member.

  With this configuration, it becomes easy to supply the water dropped from the watering chamber over the entire humidifying member, and the passing air can be uniformly humidified.

  The watering chamber is preferable in that water can be supplied also to the upper surface of the humidifying member disposed in the air flow path, so that water can be more easily supplied over the entire humidifying member.

  If the humidifying member is detachably provided in the humidifier body, it is preferable in that the humidifying member can be easily replaced and maintained.

  It is preferable that at least one of the humidifying member and the humidifier main body be provided with a guide portion for preventing air leakage from the air flow path, so that efficient humidification without waste is possible.

  According to the present invention, since the humidifying member is provided to be inclined and water can be supplied to the inclined surface, water can be supplied over the entire humidifying member, and the passing air can be effectively humidified. Become.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 and 2 show a humidifier according to this embodiment. This humidifier generally has a configuration in which a watering chamber 2, a filter member 3 that is a humidifying member, and a fan 4 that is a blowing means are disposed in a humidifier body 1.

  The humidifier body 1 includes a water supply tank 5 that is detachable from the upper surface on the inner side. In addition, a water storage tank 6 in which water supplied from the water supply tank 5 is stored is provided below the inside of the humidifier body 1. Although not shown, a display unit such as various switches and liquid crystal is provided on the upper surface of the humidifier body 1. The humidifier body 1 is a combination of two front and rear casings, and a handle 42 is attached to these upper surface boundary portions as shown in FIG. The handle 42 is in the shape of a rectangular frame having an opening 42a, and is externally mounted on a rectangular cylinder 40 protruding from one casing, and a protrusion 41 protruding from the other casing is formed in a rectangular recess 40a of the rectangular cylinder 40. By engaging, it becomes possible to appear on the upper surface of the humidifier body 1. Thereby, when the handle 42 is not used, it can be immersed in the humidifier main body 1, and a configuration having an excellent appearance can be obtained. In addition, it is preferable to form a relief recess (not shown) in any one of the casings so that the handle 42 can be easily grasped.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower end opening of the water supply tank 5 is closed by a cap 7. The cap 7 is formed with a water supply port 9 that is closed by a closing portion 8 that can be pushed. A protrusion 10 is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the water storage tank 6. Thereby, when the water supply tank 5 is attached to the humidifier body 1, the closing part 8 of the cap 7 is pushed into the protrusion 10, the water supply port 9 is opened, and water supply to the water storage tank 6 is performed. However, if the water level in the water storage tank 6 rises and the water supply port 9 becomes below the surface of the water, the inflow of air into the water supply tank 5 is prevented, so the air pressure in the water supply tank 5 becomes negative pressure and water is supplied. Is stopped. In other words, the water level is supplied by dropping below the water supply port 9, and the water supply is stopped by rising. Therefore, a substantially constant amount of water is stored in the water storage tank 6.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier body 1 is formed with an air flow path 13 that communicates the suction port 11 on the front surface and the air outlet 12 on the upper surface. The suction port 11 includes a plurality of slits formed in a cover 14 that can be attached to and detached from the front surface of the humidifier body 1. Inside the cover 14 is a filter mounting chamber 15 in which a filter member 3 described later can be mounted. The bottom surface of the filter mounting chamber 15 is formed to be inclined toward one collection hole 16 so that the dropped water droplets can be collected. A recovery pipe 17 is connected to the recovery hole 16. The recovery pipe 17 is connected to a water supply pipe 20 to be described later, and can recover the recovered water to the water supply pipe 20. On the upper surface of the filter mounting chamber 15, a locking receiving portion 18 reinforced by a reinforcing rib 18 a is provided. The locking receiving portion 18 is formed with a locking recess 18b in which a locking projection 30 formed on a locking portion 29 of the filter member 3 described later is engaged and disengaged. The vertical surface of the filter mounting chamber 15 is formed in a lattice shape so that air can easily pass through, and the outer edge of the filter mounting chamber 15 is prevented from leaking air from the air flow path 13 with an outer edge 31 of the filter member 3 described later. A substantially triangular guide portion 19 is projected.

  The water sprinkling chamber 2 has a box shape with an upper surface open, and is disposed above the inside of the humidifier body 1. A water supply pipe 20 extending from the water storage tank 6 is connected to the side surface of the water sprinkling chamber 2. The water supply pipe 20 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the water storage tank 6, bends in the horizontal direction, and extends to the lower side of the air flow path 13. The water supply pipe 20 is bent so as to be substantially U-shaped on the lower side of the air flow path 13 to constitute a U-shaped portion 21. A heater 22 is in contact with the U-shaped portion 21 so that the water inside can be heated. The U-shaped portion 21 is provided with a temperature detection sensor 33 such as a thermistor so that the internal water temperature can be detected. Further, the water supply pipe 20 is directed upward along the water supply tank 5 from the U-shaped portion 21, bent in the horizontal direction, penetrates the side surface of the sprinkling chamber 2, and protrudes into the inside thereof. When the heater 22 is energized and the water in the U-shaped portion 21 is heated, the heated water boils and rises in the water supply pipe 20, so that water can be supplied into the watering chamber 2. In this case, water supply to the watering chamber 2 is performed intermittently.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of through holes 24 are formed in a plurality of rows in the longitudinal direction on the bottom surface of the water sprinkling chamber 2. A row (upper surface water supply unit 25) of the through holes 24 formed on the front surface side of the humidifier body 1 is for supplying water to the upper surface of the filter member 3 described later, and is a through hole formed on the rear surface side. The 24 rows (inclined surface water supply unit 26) are for supplying water to the inclined surface. What is necessary is just to determine the number and the internal diameter dimension of the through-hole 24 by how to set the amount of water per unit time to drop.

  The filter member 3 has a filter 28 housed in a filter body 27.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the filter main body 27 is formed by forming a synthetic resin material into a box shape. The lower surface edge of the filter body 27 is formed along the lower surface of the filter mounting chamber 15. Further, locking portions 29 having a substantially L-shaped cross section are provided on both sides of the upper surface of the filter main body 27. The locking portion 29 can be elastically deformed, and a locking projection 30 is formed on the upper surface to engage and disengage with the locking recess 18 formed on the upper surface of the filter mounting chamber 15. In the vicinity of the outer edge portion 31 located on both side surfaces of the filter main body 27, the guide portion 19 of the filter mounting chamber 15 is close, and air leakage from the air flow path 13 is prevented. However, the guide portion 19 can be formed in the filter main body 27 or in both the filter main body 27 and the filter mounting chamber 15. In addition, if a cushion material or the like is interposed so that they are in contact with each other, the inclined mounting state of the filter member 3 can be stabilized, and air leakage can be reliably prevented.

  The filter 28 is formed by alternately folding materials having excellent water absorption and air permeability such as rayon and polyester into a bellows shape. The filter 28 is accommodated in the filter member 3 such that the fold line is along the vertical direction. Thereby, the water dropped from the water sprinkling chamber 2 smoothly permeates from above to below.

  The filter member 3 having the above-described configuration is mounted in the exposed filter mounting chamber 15 with the cover 14 removed from the humidifier body 1. In this case, the lower surface edge 27a of the filter main body 27 can be brought into contact with the lower surface of the filter mounting chamber 15, and can be accommodated in the filter mounting chamber 15 by rotating the contact portion as a fulcrum. The mounting is completed when the locking protrusion 30 of the filter body 27 is locked to the locking recess 18 of the filter mounting chamber 15. In this state, the abutting portion 31 of the filter main body 27 abuts on the abutting receiving portion 19 formed in the filter mounting chamber 15, whereby the filter member 3 is maintained in an inclined state. And the water which falls from the upper surface water supply part 25 of the water sprinkling chamber 2 is supplied to the front side upper surface of the filter 28. Moreover, the water falling from the inclined surface water supply part 26 of the water sprinkling chamber 2 is supplied to a 2/3 region on the lower side of the inclined surface of the filter 28. As a result, the water supplied to the filter 28 can easily permeate throughout the filter 28.

  The fan 4 is cylindrical, and a sirocco fan having a plurality of fins arranged in parallel on the outer peripheral portion is used. The fan 4 rotates to suck air into the central portion and generate an air flow at the outer peripheral portion. The fan 4 is disposed in a cylindrical blower chamber 32 formed in the middle of the air flow path 13 and rotates by driving a motor (not shown). The blower chamber 32 is formed such that its inner peripheral surface gradually expands in the circumferential direction with respect to the outer peripheral shape of the fan 4. Thereby, ambient air is sucked into the air flow path 13 from the suction port 11, passes through the filter member 3, and then blows out from the blower chamber 32 toward the blower outlet 12.

  Next, the operation of the humidifier configured as described above will be described.

  (Humidification mode) First, the water supply tank 5 is taken out from the humidifier body 1, the cap 7 is removed upside down, and water is supplied into the water supply tank 5. When the cap 7 is attached to the water supply tank 5 and mounted in the humidifier body 1, the closing portion 8 of the cap 7 is pushed in by the protrusion, and the water supply port 9 is opened. Thereby, water is supplied from the water supply tank 5 to the water storage tank 6. When the water level in the water storage tank 6 rises and exceeds the water supply port 9, the water supply from the water supply tank 5 to the water storage tank 6 stops.

  Subsequently, the power is turned on and the humidification mode is selected. As a result, the motor is driven to rotate the fan 4 and energization of the heater 22 is started. The number of rotations per unit time of the fan 4 and the voltage applied to the heater 22 are determined by the selected humidification mode.

  When the heater 22 is energized, the water in the U-shaped portion 21 of the water supply pipe 20 is heated and boiled and supplied to the sprinkling chamber 2. The water supplied to the water sprinkling chamber 2 falls toward the filter member 3 through the through-hole 24 and is supplied to the upper surface on the front surface side of the filter 28 and the area on the lower side 2/3 of the inclined surface as described above. Is done. For this reason, the supplied water penetrates smoothly throughout the entire filter 28. As a result, when the air sucked from the suction port 11 passes through the filter 28 by driving the fan 4, the air is sufficiently humidified regardless of which region is passed. Moreover, since the supplied water is sterilized by boiling, the filter member 3 is always kept clean.

  The water dropped from the filter member 3 is recovered from the recovery hole 16 formed in the bottom surface of the filter mounting chamber 15 to the water supply pipe 20 through the recovery pipe 17 and boiled again by heating. Supplied.

  (Bacteria-removing mode) Although the water after boiling is supplied to the filter member 3, if the filter 28 is left in a state of containing water for a long time, there is a possibility that bacteria and fungi may be generated. For this reason, the filter 28 is periodically sterilized. That is, the sterilization switch (not shown) is operated to start the sterilization mode according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the sterilization mode, a predetermined display (sterilization mode display) indicating the sterilization mode is performed on the display unit, and the heater 22 is energized to boil water in the U-shaped unit 21 (steps S1 and S2). ). As a display method on the display unit, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the segment display may be sequentially switched from (a) to (d) at regular time intervals.

  Subsequently, the count ta is started (step S3), and it is determined whether or not the first set time t1 (90 minutes here) has elapsed (step S4). Until the first set time elapses, heating by the heater 22 is continued, and boiling water is supplied to the filter member 3. Thereby, the filter 28 is sterilized. If not empty, when the first set time t1 has elapsed, energization of the heater 22 is stopped (step S5), and the rotation of the fan 4 is started (step S6). In this case, the fan 4 is operated weakly. Further, a flag is set (F = 1) and the count tb is started (steps S7 and S8).

  During this time, it is determined whether or not the water supply tank 5 is empty (step S9). If it is determined to be empty, the mode is shifted to the water supply mode. If it is not empty, it is determined whether or not a flag is set (step S10). If the flag is set (F = 1), that is, if the first set time has elapsed and the energization of the heater 22 is stopped. Then, it is determined whether or not the count tb has passed the second set time t2 (here, 5 minutes) (step S11). When the second set time t2 has elapsed, the energization of the heater 22, the rotation of the fan 4, and the sterilization mode display are stopped (step S12), and the fact that the sterilization mode has ended is notified (step S13). Then, the process proceeds to the standby mode (step S14).

  In this way, by executing the sterilization mode, the filter 28 of the filter member 3 is sterilized by boiling water and can always be used in a clean state. The sterilization mode may be automatically performed at the next use due to the non-use of the humidifier for a certain time. This makes it possible to prevent forgetting to disinfect.

  In the sterilization mode, it is preferable to drive only the fan for a certain period of time after the boiling water is supplied to the filter 28 to dry the filter 28.

  (Evaporation mode) Even if the residual water in the water supply tank 5 is discarded and the filter 28 is dried, moisture may remain in the water supply pipe or the like. Therefore, by driving in the evaporation mode according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, moisture remaining inside is completely removed and generation of germs is completely prevented.

  In the evaporation mode, a predetermined display (evaporation mode display) indicating the evaporation mode is performed on the display unit, the heater 22 is energized, and the fan 4 is rotationally driven in the low wind mode (steps S21, S22, S23). . For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the display method on the display unit may be configured to sequentially switch the segment display from (a) to (d) at regular intervals in a pattern different from the above-described sterilization mode. .

  Subsequently, the count ta is started (step S24), and it is determined whether or not a first set time (here, 95 minutes) has elapsed (step S25). If not, it is determined whether or not the water temperature T at the U-shaped portion 21 of the water supply pipe 20 detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 has exceeded the set temperature T1 (here, 80 ° C.) (step S26). If not, heating by the heater 22 is continued.

  If the first set time t1 elapses or the temperature T detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 exceeds the set temperature T1, it is determined that the residual water in the water supply pipe 20 has completely evaporated, The energization is stopped (step S27). The fan 4 is rotated in a weak operation (step S28), a flag is set (F = 1), and the count tb of the second set time t2 (here, 5 minutes) is started (steps S29 and S30).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a flag is set (step S31). If not, the process returns to step S25 and the above process is repeated. If the flag is set, it is determined whether or not the second set time t2 has elapsed (step S32), and blowing by the fan 4 is continued until the second set time t2 has elapsed, thereby drying the inside of the air flow path 13. . If the second set time has elapsed, it is determined that the drying in the air flow path 13 has been sufficiently completed, the rotation of the fan 4 and the evaporation mode display on the display unit are stopped (step S33), and the evaporation mode ends. Is notified (step S34), and then a transition is made to the standby mode (step S35).

  Thus, by performing the evaporation mode, when not using for a long time, such as when the humidifier is put away, residual water can be completely removed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is possible to surely prevent problems such as propagation of various bacteria by the time of use.

  (Filter presence / absence and fan failure determination) For example, since the humidification mode and the sterilization mode cannot be performed in a state where the filter member 3 is not mounted, the presence / absence of the filter 28 is determined at the start of operation of the humidifier. Further, if the fan 4 fails and does not rotate, humidification itself cannot be performed, so that the failure of the fan 4 is also determined.

  First, the temperature T detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 provided in the U-shaped portion 21 of the water supply pipe 20 is read (step S41), and the count ta is started (step S42). It is determined whether or not the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than a preset first set temperature T1 (here, 60 ° C.) (step S43). If the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the first set temperature T1, it is determined that the filter member 3 is not attached (step S53). That is, when the filter member 3 is mounted, the water supplied from the sprinkling chamber 2 is absorbed by the filter 28 and is deprived of heat by being vaporized when the air passes through. Excess water that is supplied to the filter member 3 and not absorbed by the filter 28 falls below the filter mounting chamber 15. Since the temperature of the water is lowered due to the influence of vaporization in the filter 28, the water is returned to the water supply pipe 20 through the recovery pipe 17, thereby suppressing an increase in the water temperature in the water supply pipe 20. Accordingly, the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 does not exceed the first set temperature. On the other hand, when the filter member 3 is not attached, the water supplied from the water sprinkling chamber 2 is returned to the water supply pipe 20 through the recovery pipe 17 as it is with almost no temperature drop. For this reason, the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 rises above the first set temperature.

  It is determined whether or not a first set time t1 (here, 5 minutes) has elapsed since any one of the operation modes is selected and the humidifier starts to be driven (step S44). If it is not determined that the filter member 3 is not present before the first set time t1 elapses, the count tb is further started (step S45), and the temperature detection by the temperature detection sensor 33 is continued until the second set time t2 elapses. (Step S46), a temperature change degree r in the meantime is calculated (Step S47). Then, the detected temperature change degree r is compared with the first reference value α1 and the second reference value α2 set in advance (steps S48 and S49).

  When there is no filter member 3, the water dropped from the water sprinkling chamber 2 is returned to the water supply pipe 20 through the recovery pipe 17 without being cooled, so the degree of increase in temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 is Compared with the case where the filter member 3 is present, the filter member 3 changes greatly. Even when the filter member 3 is present, if the fan fails and air does not pass through the filter 28, the degree of increase in the detected temperature varies greatly compared to the case where the filter member 3 is present. Since the absorbed water is vaporized to some extent, the change is not as great as when the filter member 3 is not provided.

  Therefore, the first reference value is set to a value larger than the degree of increase in the detected temperature when there is no filter member 3. The second reference value is smaller than the degree of increase in the detected temperature when the filter member 3 is not present, and compared with the degree of increase in the detected temperature when the fan 4 fails and air does not pass through the filter 28. Use a large value.

  If the degree of change in the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the first reference value, it is determined that there is no filter member 3 (step S53), and if it is less than the first reference value, it is determined that there is a filter member 3 (step S51). On the other hand, if the degree of change in the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the second reference value, it is determined that the fan 4 has failed (step S52).

  In this way, since the presence or absence of the filter 28 is determined in consideration of not only the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 but also the degree of change, erroneous detection can be reliably prevented. In addition, it is possible to detect whether or not the fan 4 has failed based on the degree of change in the detected temperature, and it is possible to respond at low cost without adding a sensor.

  However, the filter presence / absence determination may be performed only by comparing the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 33 with a reference value, or may be performed only by comparing the degree of change in the detected temperature with the reference value. Is possible.

It is a front fragmentary sectional view of the humidifier which concerns on this embodiment. It is side surface sectional drawing of the humidifier which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front fragmentary sectional view in the other location different from FIG. 1 of the humidifier which concerns on this embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the watering chamber and filter member of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows disinfection mode. It is a flowchart which shows evaporation mode. It is a flowchart which shows the filter presence / absence and fan failure determination mode. It is a schematic exploded perspective view which shows the attachment structure of the handle | steering-wheel provided in the humidifier main body upper surface of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of a display state in the case of displaying disinfection mode on a display part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of a display state in the case of displaying evaporation mode on a display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Humidifier main body 2 ... Sprinkling chamber 3 ... Filter member (humidification member)
4 ... Fan (air blowing means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Water supply tank 6 ... Water storage tank 7 ... Cap 8 ... Closure part 9 ... Water supply port 10 ... Projection part 11 ... Suction port 12 ... Air outlet 13 ... Air flow path 14 ... Cover 15 ... Filter mounting chamber 16 ... Collection | recovery hole 17 ... Recovery pipe 18 ... Locking recess 18a ... Reinforcing rib 18b ... Locking recess 19 ... Guide part 20 ... Water supply pipe 21 ... U-shaped part 22 ... Heater 23 ... Heat insulating material 24 ... Through hole 25 ... Top surface water supply part 26 ... Inclined surface water supply 27: Filter body 27a: Lower edge 28: Filter 29 ... Locking part 30 ... Locking protrusion 31 ... Abutting part 32 ... Air blower chamber 33 ... Temperature detection sensor 40 ... Rectangular cylinder part 40a ... Rectangular recess 41 ... Projection Strip 42 ... handle

Claims (4)

A humidifier body provided with an air flow path communicating with the inlet and the outlet;
A watering chamber disposed in the humidifier body and supplying water downward;
A humidifying member that is disposed in an air flow path below the watering chamber, absorbs water supplied from the watering chamber, and passes air flowing through the air flow path;
Air is introduced into the air flow path from the suction port, and after passing through the humidifying member and humidifying, the air blowing means for discharging from the blowout port,
The humidifying member is arranged so as to be inclined so that the upper side is gradually separated from the vertical surface, so that water dropped from the watering chamber can be supplied to the inclined surface of the humidifying member. humidifier.   The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the watering chamber can supply water also to an upper surface of a humidifying member disposed in the air flow path.   The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the humidifying member is detachably provided on the humidifier body. The guide part which prevents the leakage of the air from the said air flow path was formed in at least any one of the said humidification member or the said humidifier main body, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. humidifier.

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