JP2006125743A - Humidifier, and air cleaner using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier capable of efficiently generating steam, and capable of discharging air including steam at a safe temperature, and an air cleaner using it. <P>SOLUTION: The air cleaner 1 with a humidifying function is provided with an evaporating pan 10, a lamp heater 9, a fan 20, a first air passage A2, and a second air passage B2. The evaporating pan 10 holds water. The lamp heater 9 heats the water from a water surface. The fan 20 supplies air. The first air passage A2 leads air from the fan 20 to a water surface neighborhood of the water. The second air passage B2 combines second air with first air. The first air is air passing through the first air passage A2 and becoming humidified air. The second air is the air supplied from the fan 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier and an air cleaner using the same.

Conventionally, various water surface heating type humidifiers that generate steam by heating the water in the evaporating dish from the water surface with a heater have been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Generally, a water surface type humidifier can efficiently produce steam because the higher the air temperature around the water surface, the more the phenomenon that the generated steam is cooled and condensed is suppressed.
Registered Utility Model No. 2536469

However, if the temperature of the air around the water surface increases, the temperature of the generated steam also increases, and there is a risk that the human body will be affected by burns or the like when discharged into the humidification target space. For this reason, it is concluded that the air temperature around the water surface cannot be made too high under normal circumstances.
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and is capable of efficiently generating steam, and a humidifier capable of discharging steam-containing air at a safe temperature, and air using the same. The purpose is to provide a cleaner.

  The humidifying device of the first invention includes an evaporating dish, a lamp heater, an air supply source, a first air flow path, and a second air flow path. The evaporating dish stores water. The lamp heater heats water from the water surface. The air supply source supplies air. The first air channel introduces air from the air supply source to the vicinity of the water surface. The second air flow path joins the second air to the first air. The first air is air that has become humidified air through the first air flow path. The second air is air supplied from an air supply source.

  Here, two air flow paths for introducing air supplied from an air supply source are provided. Therefore, the supply air volume of the air introduced to the vicinity of the water surface through the first air flow path and the supply air volume of the second air to be merged with the humidified air (first air) through the second air flow path, respectively. Can be allocated appropriately. Thereby, the cooling air volume of the steam generated with the optimal steam generation temperature can be obtained by using the air supplied from one air supply source. As a result, it is possible to cool the humidified air to the optimum temperature while suppressing the influence on the humidification amount, and it is possible to easily obtain air containing safe steam having a relatively low temperature and high humidity. Moreover, since only one air supply source is required, the cost of the equipment is reduced.

The humidifying device of the second invention is the humidifying device of the first invention, and the first air flow path introduces an amount of air that can suppress the reduction of the humidification amount to the vicinity of the water surface of the water.
Here, since the first air flow path introduces an amount of air that can suppress the reduction of the humidification amount to the vicinity of the water surface of the water, the air is introduced to the vicinity of the water surface of the water while suppressing the influence on the humidification amount.

The humidifying device of the third invention is the humidifying device of the first invention or the second invention, and further includes a reflector. The reflector reflects the light emitted from the lamp heater. The first air flow path has an upper space and a lower space. The upper space is a space above the reflector. The lower space is a space below the reflector. The lower space communicates with the upper space.
Here, the 1st air flow path has the upper space and lower space which mutually connect in the up-and-down both sides of a reflecting plate. Therefore, the air passing through the upper space above the reflector is preheated by the reflector before joining the steam in the lower space, so that the influence on the humidification amount is suppressed and the air is introduced near the water surface. .

A humidifier according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the humidifier according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein the ratio of the flow rate of the first air to the flow rate of the second air is 1: 2 to 3.
Here, since the ratio of the flow rate of the first air and the flow rate of the second air is 1: 2 to 3, the humidified air can be optimally cooled while suppressing the influence on the humidification performance.

A humidifying device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the humidifying device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the second air flow path is such that the second air flows in a direction deviated from the direction of the flow of the first air. Is formed.
Here, since the second air flow path is formed so as to deviate from the direction of the first air flow, when the first air and the second air merge, interference with the first air flow is prevented. The second air can be merged while being suppressed.

An air cleaner according to a sixth aspect includes the humidifying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. The air supply source is a fan of the air cleaning unit.
Here, by introducing the air supplied from the fan of the air cleaning section through the two air flow paths, the influence on the humidification amount can be suppressed and the humidified air can be cooled to the optimum temperature, and the temperature is relatively low. In this way, it is possible to easily obtain safe steam-containing air having high humidity. In addition, the cost of the equipment is reduced because a single air purification unit fan is sufficient as the air supply source.

According to the first invention, it is possible to cool the humidified air to an optimum temperature while suppressing the influence on the humidification amount, and to easily obtain air containing safe steam having a relatively low temperature and high humidity. it can. In addition, since only one air supply source is required, the cost of the equipment can be reduced.
According to the 2nd invention, the influence on the humidification amount can be suppressed and air can be introduced to the vicinity of the water surface.

According to the third aspect of the invention, air can be introduced to the vicinity of the water surface while suppressing the influence on the humidification amount.
According to the fourth invention, the humidified air can be optimally cooled while suppressing the influence on the humidifying performance.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the second air can be merged while suppressing interference with the flow of the first air.

  According to the sixth aspect, by introducing the air supplied from the fan of the air cleaning section through the two air flow paths, the influence on the humidification amount can be suppressed and the humidified air can be cooled to the optimum temperature. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain air containing safe steam having relatively low temperature and high humidity. In addition, the cost of the equipment can be reduced because only one fan of the air cleaning unit is required as the air supply source.

Next, the humidifier of the present invention and the air cleaner using the same will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an air cleaner with a humidifying function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the steam generating unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit of FIG.
<Overall configuration>
The air purifier 1 with a humidifying function shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 performs indoor air cleaning and humidification, and includes an air cleaning unit 2, a steam generation unit 3, and first air flow paths A2 (A21 to A25). ) And a second air flow path B2 (B21 to 22). In the air cleaner 1, a fan 20 and a filter unit 40 constituting the air purifying unit 2 shown in FIG. The steam generation unit 3 is attached to the back of the case 4. The steam generating unit 3 includes an evaporating dish 10 and a lamp heater 9. The first air flow path A2 introduces air from the fan 20 to the vicinity of the water surface of the water W of the evaporating dish 10. The second air flow path B2 joins the second air supplied from the fan 20 to the first air that has become humidified air through the first air flow path A2. The first air and the second air are merged inside the duct 26 of the steam conveyance path 53.

<Configuration of the air cleaning unit 2>
The air cleaning unit 2 includes a fan 20 and a filter unit 40. The filter unit 40 includes a plurality of filters and the like.
Due to the negative pressure generated by the fan 20, an opening or slit (not shown) opened in the front cover 5 that covers the front surface of the air purifier 1, and a peripheral intake port 6 formed around the front cover 5, Indoor air is introduced into the air purifier 1. The introduced air is purified by passing through the filter unit 40.
<Configuration of fan 20>
As shown in FIG. 3, the fan 20 includes a fan rotor 21 and a motor 22. The fan 20 is disposed inside the case 4. The fan rotor 21 is a sirocco fan that blows wind in the centrifugal direction. Centrifugal wind generated by the fan 20 is guided upward using a fan casing (not shown) and discharged from the outlet 7 to the outside of the case 4.

<Configuration of filter unit 40>
As shown in FIG. 3, the filter unit 40 includes a prefilter 41, a plasma ionization unit 42, a first photocatalytic filter 48, a second photocatalytic filter 45, an inverter lamp 47, and a third photocatalytic filter 46. It is configured. Each of these components is specifically configured as follows.
First, a pre-filter 41 for removing relatively large dust and dust is disposed on the foremost side of the filter unit 40. As the prefilter 41, a dustproof net such as a synthetic resin fiber can be employed. A plasma ionization unit 42 is disposed behind the prefilter 41. The plasma ionization unit 42 charges the particles of smoke, dust, pollen, and other dirt that have passed through the prefilter 41 by applying a strong charge, and captures the particles with a first photocatalyst filter 48, which will be described later. Increase collection efficiency. A first photocatalytic filter 48 is disposed behind the plasma ionization unit 42. The first photocatalytic filter 48 is formed by laminating an electrostatic filter 43 for adsorbing particles charged by the plasma ionization unit 42 and a titanium oxide filter 44 containing titanium oxide having a photocatalytic action. The first photocatalyst filter 48 is formed in a roll shape that includes a plurality of lengths, and is configured to be pulled out and cut a dirty portion when the surface in use is dirty. Behind the first photocatalyst filter 48, a second photocatalyst filter 45 and a third photocatalyst filter 46 made of a material containing titanium oxide are disposed. An inverter lamp 47 is disposed between the second photocatalyst filter 45 and the third photocatalyst filter 46. The inverter lamp 47 irradiates the first photocatalytic filter 48, the second photocatalytic filter 45, and the third photocatalytic filter 46 with ultraviolet rays, and activates the photocatalytic action of each photocatalytic filter.
The air that has passed through the filter unit 40 configured as described above and is purified is sucked into the fan 20 and then upwards from the air outlet 7 provided in the upper part of the case 4 shown in FIGS. Are discharged into the room.

<Configuration of steam generating unit 3>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steam generating unit 3 includes a lamp heater 9, an evaporating dish 10, and a reflecting plate 11 as main parts. The steam generated in the steam generating unit 3 joins the air sent from the air cleaning unit 2, rises through the duct 26, and is discharged to the outside through the steam discharge port 30. The steam generating unit 3 is covered with a back cover 15 and a tank cover 16. The back cover 15 is removed when the evaporating dish 10 is maintained.

The lamp heater 9 is composed of a rod-shaped infrared lamp. The infrared rays emitted from the lamp heater 9 heat the water W stored in the evaporating dish 10 from the water surface to generate steam.
The evaporating dish 10 is a metal dish, for example, a dish manufactured by die casting using aluminum. The evaporating dish 10 is communicated with the water storage tank 17 through a connecting pipe 18. The bottom and sides of the evaporating dish 10 are covered with an evaporating dish cover 19. A heat shield 51 made of silicone resin or the like is interposed between the bottom of the evaporating dish 10 and the evaporating dish cover 19. A packing 32 that is in close contact with the lower part of the reflector cover 24 is provided on the upper edge of the evaporating dish 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the evaporating dish 10 is detachably mounted by inserting it into the space 23 below the reflector cover 24 from the back of the air cleaner 1 in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. be able to.
The reflection plate 11 is disposed above the lamp heater 9 and reflects infrared rays emitted from the lamp heater 9 toward the water W of the evaporating dish 10. The outside of the reflector 11 is covered with a reflector cover 24. The space closed by the reflecting plate cover 24 and the evaporating dish 10 is divided up and down by the reflecting plate 11. Therefore, a first space S1 is formed below the reflecting plate 11, and a second space S2 is formed above. The reflection plate cover 24 has a communication portion 28 that introduces the air cleaned from the case 4 into the reflection cover 24.

<Configuration of the steam conveyance path 53>
The steam conveyance path 53 includes a connection pipe 31 and a duct 26. The connection pipe 31 is connected to the upper part of the vapor discharge port 11 a formed in the reflection plate 11. The duct 26 is connected to the upper part of the connection pipe 31. Further, the duct 26 has a communication portion 29 that introduces the air purified from the case 4 into the duct 26.

The second air flow path B2 passing through the communication portion 29 is a first air in which the second air passing through the communication portion 29 (see air flow B22 in FIG. 4) rises inside the duct 26 (see air flow A25 in FIG. 4). It is formed so as to flow in a direction deviated from the flow direction D.
Further, a light shielding plate 52 is provided above the connection pipe 31 inside the duct 26 in order to prevent infrared rays emitted from the lamp heater 9 from leaking outside through the connection pipe 31 and the duct 26.

<Configuration of the first air flow path A2>
The first air flow path A2 (A21 to A25) is an air flow path for introducing air from the fan 20 to the vicinity of the water surface of the water W. 1st air flow path A2 is comprised by the airflow of A21-A25 shown by FIG.
The air flow A21 is an air flow that flows from the case 4 of the air purifier 1 through the communication portion 28 of the reflector cover 24 to the second space S2. The air flow A22 is an air flow that flows from the right to the left in the second space S2. The air flows A23 and A24 descend from the left end of the second space S2 to the lower first space S1 through the upper and lower communication portions 38, from the left in the first space S1 above the water W where the lamp heater 9 is disposed. It is an air flow that flows to the right. The air flow A25 is an air flow that flows from the right end of the first space S1 to the connection pipe 31 through the vapor discharge port 11a formed in the reflection plate 11.
The dimension of the first air flow path A2 (for example, the cross-sectional area of the flow path) is a relatively small amount of air that has a small influence on the humidification amount, specifically, the air passing through the second air flow path B2. It is set so that a small amount of air is introduced from the fan 20 to the vicinity of the water surface of the water W compared to the amount of water.

<Configuration of the second air flow path B2>
The second air flow path B2 (B21 to 22) joins the second air supplied from the fan 20 to the first air that has become the humidified air through the first air flow path A2 (A21 to A25). This is an air flow path. The 2nd air flow path B2 is comprised by the air flow of B21-B22 shown by FIG.

The air flow B <b> 21 is an air flow that flows from the case 4 of the air cleaner 1 to the communication portion 29. The air flow B <b> 22 is an air flow that flows from the communication portion 29 to the duct 26.
The dimension of the second air flow path B2 (for example, the cross-sectional area of the flow path) is set to a temperature (55 ° C.) that does not affect the human body with the first air that has become humidified air through the first air flow path A2. The amount of the second air necessary for cooling to the following temperature (preferably about 45 ° C.), specifically, the amount of the second air that is larger than at least the amount of air passing through the first air flow path A2. Is introduced into the duct 26.
The ratio between the flow rate of the first air and the flow rate of the second air is set to 1: 2 to 3. With this flow rate ratio, it is possible to optimally cool the humidified air (first air) while suppressing the influence on the humidification performance.

<Description of the operation of the air purifier 1>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the fan 20 is operated, the indoor air is sucked from the peripheral intake port 6 on the front surface of the air cleaner 1 by the action of the negative pressure generated by the fan 20. The sucked air is purified by passing through the filter unit 40 of the air cleaning unit 2 and is discharged to the outside from the air outlet 7 on the upper surface of the case 4. The air discharged from the air outlet 7 is blown out in the user's preferred direction by adjusting the wind direction adjusting mechanism 39.

Further, part of the air cleaned by the air cleaning unit 2 is introduced into the reflector cover 24 and the duct 26.
The air introduced into the reflector cover 24 flows in the following order. First, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4 to 5, the air flows from the case 4 of the air cleaner 1 through the communication portion 28 of the reflector cover 24 to the second space S <b> 2 (FIG. 5 arrow A21). This air flows from the right to the left in the second space S2 (see arrow A22 in FIG. 5). At this time, heat is removed from the reflector 11 and the air is warmed. In other words, the reflecting plate 11 is cooled. Then, the air that has reached the left end of the second space S2 passes through the upper and lower communication portions 38 and descends to the lower first space S1 (see arrows A23 and A24 in FIG. 5). The air heated by the reflecting plate 11 flows from the left to the right in the first space S1 above the water W where the lamp heater 9 is disposed, and promotes the evaporation of the water W in the evaporating dish 10. And the air containing the vapor | steam which reached the right end of 1st space S1 flows into the connection pipe 31 from the vapor | steam exhaust port 11a formed in the reflecting plate 11 (refer arrow A25 of FIG. 5). When the air containing the vapor rises in the duct 26 as shown in FIG. 5, the flow of the second air that is clean air for cooling introduced from the case 4 through the communication portion 29 to the duct 26. (Refer to the arrows B21 to B22 in FIG. 2) and cool, and the air containing the cooled steam is discharged to the outside through the steam discharge port 30 (see the arrow C in FIG. 2).

<Features of the embodiment>
(1)
The humidifier-equipped air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a first air flow path A2 and a second air flow path B2, which are two air flow paths for introducing the air supplied from the fan 20. Therefore, the supply air volume of the air introduced to the vicinity of the water surface of the water W through the first air flow path A2 and the supply air volume of the second air to be merged with the humidified air (first air) through the second air flow path B2. Can be allocated appropriately. Thereby, the air supplied from one system of fans 20 is used to obtain the cooling air flow rate of the steam generated together with the optimum steam generation temperature. As a result, the influence on the humidification amount is suppressed, the humidified air is cooled to an optimum temperature, and air containing safe steam having a relatively low temperature and high humidity is easily obtained. Moreover, since the air supply source is only one fan 20, the cost of the equipment is reduced.
(2)
In the air cleaner 1 with a humidifying function of the present embodiment, the air containing the steam generated by the steam generator 3 is different from the outlet 7 for discharging the air purified by the air cleaner 2. It is discharged from the steam outlet 30.
Here, as a comparative example, a configuration in which air containing steam is once introduced into the case 4 and then blown out from the blowout outlet 7 together with other purified air is conceivable. In this configuration, however, the wind direction adjusting mechanism 39 is passed. Since air sometimes loses pressure, condensation may occur in the wind direction adjusting mechanism 39 and the inside of the case 4. On the other hand, in the air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment, the air containing the steam blows out from the steam generating port 30 without passing through the wind direction adjusting mechanism 39, so that no condensation occurs.
(3)
In the air cleaner 1 with the humidifying function of the present embodiment, the first air flow path A2 introduces air in an amount near the water surface of the water W of the evaporating dish 10 so that the reduction of the humidification amount is suppressed. Air is introduced near the surface of the water W while suppressing the influence.
(4)
In the air cleaner 1 with a humidifying function of the present embodiment, the first air flow path A2 has a first space S1 and a second space S2 that communicate with each other on both the upper and lower sides of the reflector 11. Therefore, the air passing through the second space S2 on the upper side of the reflecting plate 11 (see the air flow A22 in FIG. 5) is preheated by the reflecting plate 11 before joining the vapor in the lower first space S1, Air is introduced near the surface of the water W while suppressing the influence on the humidification amount.
(5)
The air cleaner 1 with a humidifying function of the present embodiment has a flow rate of first air that has become humidified air through the first air flow path A2 and a second cooling air introduced through the second air flow path A2. Since the ratio to the air flow rate is 1: 2 to 3, the humidified air can be optimally cooled while suppressing the influence on the humidifying performance.
(6)
In the air cleaner 1 with a humidifying function of the present embodiment, the second air flow path B2 passing through the communication portion 29 is raised, and the second air passing through the communication portion 29 (see air flow B22 in FIG. 4) rises inside the duct 26. The first air (see air flow A25 in FIG. 4) flows in a direction deviating from the flow direction D. Therefore, when the first air and the second air merge, the first air The second air is merged while suppressing interference with the air flow.
<Modification of Embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the humidifying device of the present invention, an air cleaner with a humidifying function has been described as an example. If it is a humidifier of a type | formula, a various aspect is employable as a humidifier of this invention.

The partial exploded perspective view of the air cleaner with a humidification function concerning the embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steam generation part of FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the filter unit of FIG. The perspective view which shows the part of the evaporating dish, reflector plate cover, and duct of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the inside of the space formed with the evaporating dish and reflecting plate cover of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air cleaner with a humidification function 2 Air purification part 3 Steam generation part 9 Lamp heater 10 Evaporating dish 20 Fan A2 1st air flow path B2 2nd air flow path

Claims (6)

An evaporating dish (10) for storing water;
A lamp heater (9) for heating the water from the water surface;
An air supply source (20) for supplying air;
A first air flow path (A2) for introducing air from the air supply source (20) to the vicinity of the water surface;
A second air flow path (B2) for joining the second air supplied from the air supply source (20) to the first air that has become humidified air through the first air flow path (A2); ,
Humidifier equipped with. The first air flow path (A2) introduces an amount of air to the vicinity of the water surface so that the reduction in humidification amount is suppressed.
The humidifier according to claim 1. A reflector (11) for reflecting the light emitted from the lamp heater (9);
The first air flow path (A2)
An upper space (S2) that is a space above the reflector (11);
A lower space (S1) which is a space below the reflector (11) and communicates with the upper space (S2);
have,
The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2. The ratio of the flow rate of the first air and the flow rate of the second air is 1: 2-3.
The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The second air is formed so that the second air flow path (B2) flows in a direction deviated from the flow direction of the first air.
The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An air cleaner (1) comprising the humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The air supply source (20) is a fan of an air cleaning unit,
Air purifier (1).

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