JP2005274097A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier having a humidifying filter collecting and inactivating bacteria adhered to the rotating humidifying filter, having a humidifying capacity, and easily dried. <P>SOLUTION: This humidifier comprises a water tank 6 installed in the air flow passage 3 of a body 5 having a blower 4 in an air flow passage 3 formed by communicating an inlet 1 with an outlet 2, the hollow cylindrical humidifying filter 8 with large porosity rotated in the dipped state, at its lower part, always in a reserved water in the water tank 6, and a sterilization device 10 installed in the water tank 6. Bacteria in the water tank 6 is collected and inactivated in the sterilization device so that the bacteria are not propagated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifying device in which a cylindrical humidifying filter and a sterilizing device that are rotated in a state where the lower portion is always immersed in warm water of a water tank are provided in the water tank.

  Conventionally, as an example of this type of humidifier, a humidifier that dries a vaporization filter after completion of humidification is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Hereinafter, the humidifier will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

As shown in the figure, after the indoor dry air sucked from the suction port (not shown) by the blower 101 is passed through the heater 102 provided in the air passage and heated, the water in the water tank 103 is moistened with water. It passes through a trapped horizontal rectangular vaporization filter 104 and is blown out from the blowout port 105. The vaporization filter 104 is rotatable, a state where one lower end portion is submerged in the water of the water tank portion 103 (a), a state where the lower end portion is held substantially horizontal with the water surface (b), and the other lower end portion is submerged in water. Each stops in the state (c). When the operation is stopped, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), hot air is blown to the vaporization filter 104 which is separated from the water tank 103 and is in a substantially horizontal position to dry the vaporization filter 104. This position makes it difficult to get wet, thereby preventing the vaporization filter 104 from getting wet due to shaking of the water surface during transportation, and re-wetting of the vaporization filter 104 when being detached from the water tank unit 103, and drying to the vaporization filter 104. It prevents the propagation of various germs and the attachment of odors.
JP 2003-302077 A ([0041] to [0048] FIGS. 1 and 5)

  In such a conventional humidifier, there is a problem that the dust adhering to the surface is dissolved in the water of the water tank unit 103 by the rotation of the vaporization filter 104, and bacteria contained in the dust are easily propagated. It is required to remove miscellaneous fungi that dissolve from the filter 104.

  In addition, since the material of the vaporization filter 104 has water absorption, there are problems that it takes time to blow and dry, and the dry state tends to be insufficient, and humidification that is easy to dry without impairing the humidification ability A filter is requested.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and provides a humidifying device that inactivates bacteria that dissolve from a rotating vaporizing filter and has a vaporizing filter that has a humidifying ability and is easy to dry. It is aimed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the humidifying device of the present invention is provided with a hollow cylindrical humidifying filter that rotates in a state where the lower part is immersed in water stored in a water tank provided in an air flow path in the main body, and the water tank. The sterilization apparatus is provided, and the bacteria in the water tank are inactivated by the sterilization apparatus.

  By this means, a humidifier can be obtained that can inactivate bacteria that adhere to the rotating humidifying filter and then elute into the water in the water tank.

  Further, the other means is configured to feed the water stored in the water tank into the sterilizer by the rotation of the humidifying filter.

  By this means, bacteria in water can be introduced into the sterilization apparatus to enhance the sterilization effect.

  Another means is that the humidifying filter is formed of a filter medium having a large porosity, and after the humidifying operation is finished, the rotation of the humidifying filter is stopped, and the fan is operated for a certain period of time to dry the humidifying filter. It is composed.

  By this means, bacteria are inactivated by the sterilization device in the submerged part of the filter medium, and the part exposed from the water is easily dried and can prevent the growth of bacteria.

  Further, the other means is provided with a heating means in the air flow channel upstream of the humidifying filter, and after the humidifying operation is finished, the fan is operated and the heating means is energized for a certain period of time to dry the humidifying filter. It is configured.

  By this means, it is possible to shorten the drying time of the filter medium and enhance the sterilizing effect.

  Another means is that the humidifying filter is formed of a filter medium having a large porosity, the rotation of the humidifying filter is stopped before the timer operation ends, and the humidifier filter is dried by operating the blower for a certain period of time. It is a thing.

  By this means, drying can be completed at the end of the timer operation.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the humidification apparatus with the effect that the bacteria in the water of a water tank can be collected and inactivated can be provided.

  Moreover, bacteria can be introduced into the sterilization apparatus to enhance the sterilization effect.

  In addition, inactivation of bacteria and propagation of bacteria can be prevented.

  Moreover, shortening of the drying time of a humidification filter and the bactericidal effect can be improved.

  In addition, it is possible to efficiently prevent the growth of bacteria.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body provided with a blower in an air passage formed by communicating an inlet and an outlet, a water tank provided in the air passage of the main body, and a reservoir of the water tank. A hollow cylindrical humidifying filter that is rotated with the bottom always immersed in water and a sterilization device provided in the water tank, and configured to inactivate bacteria in the water tank with the sterilization device. When the rotating humidifying filter is immersed in the aquarium, the dust adhering to the humidifying filter is washed, and the bacteria in the dust are eluted in the water stored in the aquarium. This has the effect of collecting and inactivating bacteria in the water.

  The invention described in claim 2 is configured such that the water stored in the water tank is fed into the sterilization apparatus by rotation of the humidification filter, and a water flow is generated in the direction in which the humidification filter rotates, and the sterilization apparatus is generated by this water flow By feeding the water stored in the water tank into the inside, it has the effect that the bacteria in the water can be introduced into the sterilization apparatus to enhance the sterilization effect.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the humidifying filter is formed of a filter medium having a large porosity, the rotation of the humidifying filter is stopped after completion of the humidifying operation, the blower is operated for a certain period of time, and the humidifying filter is dried. Since the porosity is large, there is little moisture movement from the part of the humidified filter immersed in the water to the humidified filter exposed to the air by capillary action. When the humidified filter part in the air is dried by the air blowing operation, the part of the humidified filter immersed in the water is inactivated by the sterilizer and the part exposed to the air is Has the effect of preventing breeding.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, heating means is provided in the air flow path upstream of the humidifying filter, and after the humidifying operation is completed, the fan is operated and the heating means is energized for a certain period of time to dry the humidifying filter. By drying the humidified filter with a large porosity exposed in the air with warm air, the warm air can reach the inside of the humidified filter and shorten the drying time. , It has the effect that the bactericidal effect can be enhanced by exposure to warm air of 50 ° C. or higher.

  In the invention of claim 5, the humidifying filter is formed of a filter medium having a large porosity, the rotation of the humidifying filter is stopped before the timer operation ends, and the fan is operated for a certain period of time to dry the humidifying filter. By stopping the rotation of the humidifying filter and blowing it a certain time before the timer operation ends, the moisture remaining in the humidifying filter is released and the humidification is continued. Since there is no supply, the humidifying filter is gradually dried and has an effect that the drying can be completed at the end of the timer operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the main body 5 which provided the air blower 4 in the air flow path 3 which connected the suction inlet 1 and the blower outlet 2, the water tank 6 provided in this main body 5 so that attachment or detachment, A hollow cylindrical humidification filter 8 formed by a filter medium 7 having a large porosity that is rotated while the lower part is always immersed in the stored water, and a heater provided in the air flow path 3 on the upstream side of the humidification filter 8 The heating means 9 and the sterilization apparatus 10 provided to inactivate the bacteria in the water tank 6 are provided.

  The sterilization apparatus 10 includes a first metal body 11 made of a copper wire mesh and a second metal body 12 made of a zinc plate arranged horizontally at a predetermined interval, and two types having different oxidation-reduction potentials. A short-circuit portion 15 is provided and connected to the end portions of the two types of metal bodies 13 so that the metal bodies 13 face each other with a spacer 14 interposed therebetween. The storage container 16 for storing the sterilization apparatus 10 has an opening 17 on the front side surface, a horizontal portion 18 that is stored so that two kinds of metal bodies 13 are immersed in water, and a short-circuit portion 15 in the air. The upper part 21 is formed in a substantially L shape with the vertical part 19 accommodated so as to be disposed, and the horizontal part 18 is provided with a plurality of holes 20 on the upper surface, and the lower case 22 engaged with the upper case 21. The lower case 22 is provided with a plurality of machines 23 and a spacer 14 is formed.

  Further, the hollow cylindrical humidifying filter 8 is provided with a driven gear 24 so as to be rotatable in the water tank 6, and a driving gear 25 that engages with the driven gear 24 provided in the humidifying filter 8 is driven inside the main body 5. A drive motor 26 is provided and configured.

  In the above configuration, the sterilization action of the sterilization apparatus 10 will be described. For example, microorganisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus have electrification on their surfaces and move according to the electric field. If two types of electrodes are used, a voltage can be simply applied without applying a voltage between the electrodes. Microorganisms can be moved simply by short-circuiting both electrodes. That is, two different types of metal bodies have different oxidation-reduction potentials (ionization tendency), and therefore, due to the difference in oxidation-reduction potentials, a metal body having a higher oxidation-reduction potential (small ionization tendency) has a redox potential. Microorganisms move toward a metal body with a low (high ionization tendency) metal body.

  And when the water supplied into the water tank 6 from the water supply tank 27 is fed into the sterilization apparatus 10 through the opening 17 of the storage container 16, and passes between the two types of metal bodies 13 provided in the sterilization apparatus 10, The negatively charged bacteria in the water are collected from the negative first metal body 11 formed of a copper wire mesh into the positive second metal body 12 formed of a zinc plate, and the sterilized water is humidified. Included in the filter 8.

  When the humidifier is operated in this state, the indoor air sucked into the suction port 1 by the blower 4 is heated by the heating means 9 to become warm air, and the warm air comes into contact with the humidifying filter 8 containing moisture to remove moisture. Vaporized and moisture-containing air is blown out into the room through the outlet 2 and is humidified with the sterilized moisture.

  Further, the humidifying filter 8 is provided in a direction in which the humidifying filter 8 enters the water in the water tank 6 from the upstream side of the air flow path 3 and moves to the downstream side of the air flow path 3. The adhering dust is washed when passing through the water, and the bacteria in the water can be collected and inactivated by the sterilization apparatus 10 provided in the water tank 6.

  Further, a water flow is generated in the direction in which the humidification filter 8 rotates, and the water in the water tank 6 is fed into the sterilization apparatus 10 by this water flow, thereby introducing bacteria in the water into the sterilization apparatus 10 and having a sterilization effect. Will be enhanced.

(Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a control unit 29 having a timer 28 is provided so as to control the operation of the drive motor 26A that drives the blower 4A and the humidification filter 8A. The operation of the drive motor 26A is stopped to stop the rotation of the humidifying filter 8A having a large porosity, and the control unit 29 controls the air blower 4A only to operate for a predetermined time by the timer 28.

  In the above configuration, after the humidification operation is completed, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 8, the operation of the drive motor 26A is turned from ON to OFF, the rotation of the humidification filter 8A is stopped, and the operation is continued while the blower 4A side is in the ON state. Then, after the drive motor 26A is turned off and the rotation of the humidifying filter 8A is stopped, the blower 4A is controlled by the control unit 29 so that the humidifying filter 8A is dried by performing a drying operation for a predetermined time.

  Further, the humidifying filter 8A has a large porosity, and there is little moisture movement from the portion immersed in water to the humidifying filter 8A in the air due to capillary action, so that the humidifying filter 8A portion existing in the air by air blowing operation is reduced. Drying is performed, so that the growth of bacteria can be prevented, and the portion immersed in water can be inactivated by the sterilization apparatus 10A.

(Embodiment 3)
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a driving motor 26B for driving the blower 4B and the humidifying filter 8B and a heating means 9A provided in the air flow path on the upstream side of the humidifying filter 8B are provided. Then, the heating means 9A is energized for a certain time to dry the humidifying filter 8B.

  In the above configuration, after the humidifying operation is finished, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 10, at the end of the humidifying operation, the operation of the drive motor 26B is switched from ON to OFF by the control unit 29A, and the rotation of the humidifying filter 8B is stopped. On the 4B side, the operation is continued in the ON state, the heating means 9A is also continued in the ON state, and after the drive motor 26B is turned OFF and the rotation of the humidifying filter 8B is stopped, the blower 4B and the heating means 9A are operated for a certain time. Perform drying operation. In this way, the humidification filter 8B in the air is dried with warm air, so that the warm air reaches the inside of the filter medium with a high porosity, shortens the drying time, and is exposed to warm air of 50 ° C. or higher. Thus, the sterilizing effect can be enhanced.

(Embodiment 4)
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a control unit 29B provided with a drive motor 26C for driving the blower 4C and a humidifying filter 8C having a large porosity and a timer 28A is provided, and before the operation by the timer 28A is completed, the humidifying filter 8C is provided. And the fan 4C is operated for a predetermined time to dry the humidifying filter 8C.

  In the above configuration, during the timer operation, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 12, the operation of the drive motor 26C is switched from ON to OFF by the control unit 29B before the operation by the timer 28A ends, and the operation of the humidifying filter 8C is performed. The fan 4C continues to operate in the ON state, and after stopping the rotation of the humidifying filter 8C, the fan 4C is operated until the timer operation ends and the drying operation is performed. At this time, since no moisture is supplied to the humidifying filter 8C, the humidifying filter 8C is gradually dried, and the drying can be completed at the end of the timer operation.

  The present invention can also be applied to the sterilization of a water tank of a cold air fan that uses a sterilization apparatus to draw water in the water tank and sprinkle the heat exchange part to obtain cold air.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a humidifier according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Vertical section of the humidifier Perspective view of humidification filter of the humidifier Partial sectional view showing the air flow of the humidifier Perspective view of sterilization device provided in the humidification device Exploded perspective view of the sterilization device provided in the humidifier The block diagram which shows the structure of the humidification apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention. Time chart showing the operating status of the humidifier The block diagram which shows the structure of the humidification apparatus of Embodiment 3 of this invention. Time chart showing the operating status of the humidifier The block diagram which shows the structure of the humidification apparatus of Embodiment 4 of this invention. Time chart showing the operating state of the humidifier Cross section of conventional humidifier Operation explanatory diagram of the humidifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Intake port 2 Outlet 3 Air flow path 4 Blower 4A Blower 4B Blower 4C Blower 5 Main body 6 Water tank 7 Filter medium 8 Humidification filter 8A Humidification filter 8B Humidification filter 8C Humidification filter 9 Heating means 9A Heating means 10 Motor removal device 26 26A drive motor 26B drive motor 26C drive motor 28 timer 28A timer

Claims (5)

The main body provided with a blower in the air flow path formed by communicating the suction port and the air outlet, the water tank provided in the air flow path of the main body, and the lower part always immersed in the water stored in the water tank. A humidifying device comprising a hollow cylindrical humidifying filter and a sterilizing device provided in the water tank, wherein the bacteria in the water tank are inactivated by the sterilizing device. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the humidified filter is configured to feed water stored in the water tank into the sterilizer by rotation of the humidifier filter. The humidification filter is formed of a filter medium having a high porosity, and after the humidification operation is finished, the rotation of the humidification filter is stopped, and the blower is operated for a predetermined time to dry the humidification filter. Humidifier. The heating means is provided in the air flow path on the upstream side of the humidifying filter, and the humidifier filter is dried by performing the operation of the blower and energizing the heating means for a predetermined time after the humidifying operation is finished. Humidifier. The humidification filter according to claim 1, wherein the humidification filter is formed of a filter medium having a high porosity, the rotation of the humidification filter is stopped before the timer operation ends, and the humidification filter is dried by operating the blower for a predetermined time. apparatus.

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