JP2007051826A - Humidification apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidification apparatus for atomizing water to humidify air, having the effect of killing microbes contained in water or air, quick to start for humidification, and capable of showing humidification performance with more energy saving. <P>SOLUTION: In the humidification apparatus having a body with an air passage, a fan 17 for causing air to flow through the air passage, a water storage tank 11, an ultrasonic vibrator 12, and a halogen lamp 14, at least a portion of the air passage is made from quartz glass 15 so that the halogen lamp 14 heats water particles 13 via the quartz glass 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a humidifying apparatus that humidifies air by atomizing water and has a bactericidal effect on microorganisms contained in water and air, and can exhibit humidifying performance with more energy saving. The present invention also relates to a humidifier that can be easily cleaned.

  Conventionally, in a humidifier using ultrasonic waves, in order to solve the problem that microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi propagated in a water tank are ejected together with humidified air, a germicidal lamp is incorporated in the main body and water particles are incorporated. Methods such as irradiating germicidal lamps have been taken. For example, in a conventional humidifier, as shown in FIG. 3, there is known a method of irradiating light 102 of a germicidal lamp 103 onto water 102 that has been atomized by an ultrasonic vibrator 101 to kill bacteria and fungi in the water particles 102. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In order to efficiently heat the water generated from the nozzles, methods such as irradiating water with infrared rays and heating and evaporating the water have been taken. For example, in a conventional humidifier, as shown in FIG. 4, a method of heating water by irradiating infrared rays from an infrared lamp 206 onto a water film 207 generated from a water ejection nozzle 201 by the action of a water pipe 202 and a circulation pump 203. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

As another method, a method of heating a heating medium installed in water with a halogen lamp to evaporate water has been used. For example, in a conventional humidifier, as shown in FIG. 5, a light absorber 303 is installed inside a water vapor generating water storage tank 302 formed by an evaporation dish 301 made of quartz glass, and the light absorber 303 is attached by a halogen lamp 304. There is a known method in which the light absorber 303 installed below the water level 305 is heated and the surrounding water is evaporated by being heated and discharged from the steam hood 306 (for example, a patent). Reference 3).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-76230 JP-A-56-82330 JP-A-10-281505

  However, in the method of incorporating a germicidal lamp that has been taken as a solution to the microbial ejection, safety measures are taken to prevent the plastic material constituting the humidifier from deteriorating due to ultraviolet rays and to prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking outside the humidifier. There is a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated.

  In addition, in order to efficiently heat the water film generated from the nozzle, in the method of irradiating water with infrared rays and heating and evaporating, water is a water film, so the contact area of air and water is large. Although the effect of large heating efficiency is obtained, a large amount of energy is required to heat and evaporate the water film, and a method of humidifying with more energy saving has been demanded. Moreover, there is no description about the installation position of the infrared heater, and when the infrared heater is brought close to the nozzle, there is a problem that the scale of water directly adheres to the heater and the radiation efficiency of infrared rays decreases. At this time, cleaning for removing the scale is not always easy. Further, in this case, since water may be directly applied to the heater, it is necessary to take a waterproof measure for the energized portion, the device becomes complicated, and it is difficult to ensure reliability. Conversely, when the infrared heater is moved away from the nozzle, there is a problem that the heating efficiency is remarkably lowered due to the property that the infrared intensity is attenuated in proportion to the square of the distance.

  Also, in the method of evaporating water by heating a heating medium installed in water with a halogen lamp, it is necessary to always ensure a certain amount of water in the evaporating dish in order to keep the heating medium in water, especially in the initial stage of heating. If the water in the evaporating dish is not sufficiently warmed, evaporation does not occur and humidification cannot be performed, so that there is a problem that the start of humidification is slow.

  The present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, to obtain a humidifying device that has a sterilizing effect on microorganisms contained in water and air, has a quick start of humidification, and can exhibit humidification performance with more energy saving. Objective. It is another object of the present invention to provide a humidifier that can be easily cleaned.

  In order to achieve the above object, the humidifier according to the present invention has a main body having a ventilation path, a blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path, a water supply means, and a means for atomizing water. And at least a part of the ventilation path is made of an infrared transmitting material, and the infrared generating device heats water particles through the infrared transmitting material. .

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the diameter of water particles generated by the means for atomizing water is 1 μm to 60 μm.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the water particles generated by the means for atomizing water are given a sufficient amount of heat to destroy microorganisms.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the infrared ray generating means is a halogen heater or a carbon heater.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the infrared transmitting substance is glass.

  In addition, the humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the infrared transmitting substance is a lens having a curved surface.

  In addition, the humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that a reflecting plate that reflects infrared rays is provided around the infrared ray generating means.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the reflecting plate that reflects infrared rays is a metal.

  In addition, the humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that an infrared reflecting action is provided on a portion of the ventilation path irradiated with infrared rays.

  Moreover, the humidifier of the present invention is characterized in that the ventilation path is made of a heat resistant material.

  Further, the humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the air blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path is disposed in front of the infrared ray generating means, and the air is heated by the infrared ray generating means.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the infrared ray generating means is arranged in front of the means for atomizing water, and the air heated by the infrared ray generating means is supplied to the means for atomizing water. To do.

  In addition, the humidifier of the present invention is characterized in that a filter is provided after the means for atomizing water.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the infrared ray generating means is operated intermittently.

  In addition, the humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the air blowing means is stopped after the infrared ray generating means is stopped.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can provide the humidification apparatus which has the bactericidal effect with respect to the microorganisms contained in water or air, the start of humidification is quick, and can exhibit humidification performance with more energy saving. Further, it is possible to provide a humidifier that can easily clean the heater.

  The humidifying device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a humidifying device having a main body having a ventilation path, a blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path, a water supply means, a means for atomizing water, and an infrared generation means. In the above, at least a part of the ventilation path is made of an infrared transmitting material, and the infrared generation means heats water particles through the infrared transmitting material. The water atomized by the water supply means and the means for atomizing water is generated and discharged from the humidifier by the blower means to humidify the room air. At this time, the infrared ray generating means heats the water particles, so that the temperature of the water and the surrounding air rises, vaporization is promoted, and the moisture can be efficiently humidified. It is known that the light absorption wavelength of water is about 1 to 10 μm. This is an infrared region, and heating is performed more efficiently than an air heater such as a sheathed heater by directly heating water using infrared rays. Moreover, since evaporation of water particles can be promoted by heating and large water particles can be converted into smaller water particles, the room can be humidified without causing water wetting around the humidifier due to the fall of the large particles. It has the action. Moreover, since the whole water of an evaporating dish is not heated and evaporated like the conventional humidifier described in Patent Document 3, a small amount of water is heated, so that the energy required for heating is small, and The effect that the temperature can be raised quickly can be obtained, and a humidifier with a quick initial humidification can be obtained.

  Since these heating operations are performed via an infrared transmitting material, water does not directly contact the infrared generating means, and it is not necessary to take measures against waterproofing to the infrared generating means, so that a low-cost structure can be achieved. Have. In addition, when water vaporizes, evaporation residues such as calcium and magnesium accumulate in the ventilation path of the humidifier, but heating is performed by infrared rays, and infrared rays are generated through the infrared transmitting material. There is no fear that the evaporation residue directly adheres to the means, and it is possible to obtain a highly reliable humidifier. Infrared generator means is connected and integrated with the main body with a lead wire to energize, but since the infrared transmitting material does not need to be integrated with the main body, it is detached and washed when evaporation residue adheres It is also possible to do. Further, when the contamination is severe, it is possible to easily restore the clean state without repairing the main body by simply replacing the infrared transmitting material.

  The blowing means is not particularly limited as long as air can be sucked into and discharged from the ventilation path, and blower fans such as sirocco, turbo, and crossflow, decompression pumps, ion winds by discharge, and the like can be used.

  Further, the diameter of water particles generated by the means for atomizing water is 1 μm to 60 μm, and since the contact area between air and water particles is large and the heating efficiency is good, the temperature of water particles increases. Has the effect of fast. Examples of means for atomizing water include a method of ejecting water from an ultrasonic vibrator or a fine nozzle, a method of crushing by hitting water droplets against a rotating fan, and a method of electrostatic atomization. Is not particularly limited as long as it can be made into fine particles of about 1 to 60 μm. Infrared rays are considered to be absorbed from the surface layer of water to a region of several tens of μm and converted into heat. Therefore, water particles of 60 μm or more are not preferable because it takes time to increase the temperature. Note that there is no problem even if a small amount of fine particles of 1 μm or less are mixed in addition to the main component.

  In addition, the water particles generated by the means for atomizing water are given a sufficient amount of heat to destroy microorganisms, and bacteria and fungi contained in air and water particles are sterilized to clean them. It has the effect that it can provide the humidified air. The temperature sufficient to destroy the microorganisms is 50 ° C. or higher, and if it is 75 ° C. or higher, sterilization can be performed in a shorter time. The higher the temperature of the water particles, the higher the sterilizing effect. However, if the temperature is too high, the resin constituting the passage of the humidifying device may be softened and deformed, and therefore it is preferable to set the temperature below the softening temperature of the resin. When the passage is made of a heat-resistant material such as metal, the temperature can be raised within a range that takes into account the safety of the apparatus.

  Further, the infrared ray generating means is a halogen heater or a carbon heater. Compared to a ceramic heater using a far-infrared emitting material, the temperature rises better, and it has an effect that a high temperature can be obtained in a shorter time. In addition, since the temperature drops quickly when turned off, delicate temperature control by ON / OFF can be performed, that is, the response is fast.

  Further, the infrared transmitting substance is glass. Glass has a high infrared transmittance. For example, quartz glass can transmit 95% of the radiated light emitted from the infrared generation means and heat the water fine particles. At this time, since the temperature of the glass itself rises due to the influence of radiant heat or the like, it is desirable that the glass has sufficient heat resistance. The glass whose temperature has increased has the effect that heating of water particles can be promoted by the effect of increasing the air temperature by heat exchange between the glass and air, in addition to the effect of heating water particles by the infrared heat source. Further, since glass has a high hardness and a smooth surface, it is possible to obtain an effect that the attached evaporation residue can be easily cleaned. The thinner the glass, the better, but it can be freely selected within a range that matches the operating conditions of the humidifier, such as strength and ease of manufacture.

  Further, the infrared transmitting material is a lens having a curved surface. For example, in the case of a heater, the infrared ray generating means is generally rod-shaped and does not necessarily match the size of the ventilation path of the humidifier. By using the infrared transmitting material as a lens, the emitted light can be collected even when a heater larger than the ventilation path is used, and the water particles in the ventilation path can be focused and heated. Moreover, when the distribution of the water particles in the ventilation path is not constant, the infrared light is focused on a place where the density of the water particles is high, and the heat can be efficiently heated.

  In addition, a reflecting plate that reflects infrared rays is provided around the infrared ray generating means, and the infrared rays are reflected by the reflecting plate so that the infrared rays can be intensively applied to water particles. Have. Moreover, since the infrared rays are reflected by the reflecting plate, portions other than the water particles are not unnecessarily heated, so that a humidifying device with higher reliability can be obtained. Further, the reflector itself is heated, and has an effect that the temperature of the air can be raised by exchanging heat with the surrounding air.

  Examples of the material of the reflector include a mirror surface made of glass, aluminum, iron, stainless steel and alloys thereof, titanium, copper, nickel, and the like. It is possible to obtain an effect of high strength against corrosion such as alkali. In the case of using a metal, it is possible to obtain an effect that the temperature is likely to rise because the thermal conductivity is good and the heat capacity is small. In the case of metal, since it has ductility and malleability, it is possible to obtain an effect that the degree of freedom of processing is good.

  Moreover, it is characterized by having an infrared ray reflecting action on the portion of the ventilation path irradiated with infrared rays, and can heat the water particles by irregularly reflecting the infrared rays. Examples of the infrared reflecting means include glass mirror surfaces, aluminum, iron, stainless steel and alloys thereof, titanium, copper, and nickel.

  Further, the ventilation path is made of a heat-resistant material, and the ventilation path is heated by infrared rays, and has an effect that the temperature of the air can be increased by exchanging heat with the surrounding air. Examples of the heat resistant material include aluminum, iron, stainless steel and alloys thereof, metals such as titanium, copper and nickel, and heat resistant resins. A resin whose surface is coated with a heat resistant resin such as silicone or fluorine may be used. In the case of using a metal material, it is possible to obtain an effect that the temperature easily rises because the heat conductivity is good and the heat capacity is small. In the case of metal, since it has ductility and malleability, it is possible to obtain an effect that the degree of freedom of processing is good.

  The heat resistance is the range that is at least higher than the air temperature in the ventilation path and can exchange heat with the surrounding air to raise the temperature of the air. Can be set.

  Further, the air blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path is disposed in front of the infrared ray generating means, and the air is heated by the infrared ray generating means. It is not necessary to have a heat resistant structure, and it is only necessary to have a heat resistant structure only after the infrared ray generating means. Therefore, a cheaper and more reliable humidifier can be obtained.

  Further, the infrared ray generating means is arranged in front of the means for atomizing water, and the air heated by the infrared ray generating means is supplied to the means for atomizing water. The higher the temperature, the greater the amount of water in the air. By supplying warm air to the means for atomizing water, more water can be vaporized than when air at room temperature is supplied. In addition, when hot air of 70 ° C or higher is applied, in addition to the effect of promoting the vaporization of water particles, the activity of bacteria and fungi contained in the air and water is suppressed, and the antibacterial / sterilizing action Can be obtained.

  Further, it is characterized in that a filter is provided in the subsequent stage of the means for atomizing water, and the water particles generated from the means for atomizing water are heated and evaporated to be separated from the water particles. It has an effect that bacteria and inorganic ions can be collected by filtration and clean humid air can be supplied downstream.

  In addition, the infrared ray generating means is intermittently heated, and when the room is dry, the air is continuously heated to promote vaporization from the means for atomizing the water and quickly. After humidification is performed and the humidity reaches a steady state, the humidifier can be economically operated by performing intermittent operation. When water or air is expected to contain bacteria or fungi, warm air of 70 ° C or higher is temporarily generated to suppress the activities of bacteria and fungi contained in the air and water. , Antibacterial and bactericidal action can be obtained.

  In addition, it is characterized by stopping the blowing means after stopping the infrared generating means, since the infrared generating means does not rise in temperature more than necessary, can prevent damage to the infrared generating means and surrounding equipment, A more reliable humidifier can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not construed as being limited to the following description.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, water supplied from a water storage tank 11 serving as water supply means is microparticulated by an ultrasonic vibrator 12 that oscillates at a frequency of 1.6 MHz. At this time, the average particle diameter of the generated water particles 13 is about 4 μm. Infrared rays radiated from a halogen lamp 14 serving as an infrared ray generating means form a high temperature region 16 through quartz glass 15 which is an infrared ray transmitting material. A fan 17 provided as a blowing means provided in the main body sends air into the main body, passes through the periphery of the halogen lamp 14 and is warmed, then passes through the high temperature region 16 together with the water particles 13, and further heated by the action of infrared rays. Is done. The halogen lamp 14 can easily produce a high temperature range of up to about 2000 ° C. if it is condensed, but in the present invention, a sufficient effect can be obtained at a temperature of about 50 ° C. to 200 ° C. The high temperature region 16 gives the water particles 13 a temperature of 50 ° C. or higher sufficient to destroy microorganisms. The water particles 13 are sterilized by heating in the high-temperature region 16, vaporization is promoted, and fine humidified air is released outside the humidifier.

(Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIG. 2, the water supplied from the water storage tank 11 as a water supply means is atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator 12 that oscillates at a frequency of 1.6 MHz. At this time, the average particle diameter of the generated water particles 13 is about 4 μm. The infrared rays radiated from the halogen lamp 14 as the infrared ray generating means pass through a convex lens 18 made of quartz glass that concentrates the infrared rays to form a high temperature region 16. An aluminum reflector 19 having a parabolic shape and reflecting infrared rays is provided around the halogen lamp 14, and the infrared rays irradiated on the side opposite to the lens 18 are reflected and condensed on the lens 18. ing. The infrared rays that have passed through the lens 18 are condensed and heated to heat the air and the water particles 13 so as to be reflected by the heat-resistant and air-reflecting aluminum ventilation passage 20 and diffusely reflected throughout the ventilation passage. A fan 17 provided as a blower provided in the main body sends air into the main body, passes through the periphery of the halogen lamp 14 and the reflector 19, and then passes through the high temperature region 16 together with the water particles 13. It is further heated by the action. The halogen lamp 14 can easily produce a high temperature range of up to about 2000 ° C. if it is condensed, but in the present invention, a sufficient effect can be obtained at a temperature of about 50 ° C. to 200 ° C. The high temperature region 16 gives the water particles 13 a temperature of 50 ° C. or higher sufficient to destroy microorganisms. The water particles 13 are sterilized by heating in the high-temperature region 16, vaporization is promoted, and fine humidified air is released outside the humidifier. At this time, since the water particles 13 and the air pass through the wire mesh filter 21, the bacteria and inorganic ions separated from the water particles 13 are collected by filtration, and clean humid air can be supplied downstream. Since the surface of the filter 21 is coated with a heat-resistant paint containing silver having an antibacterial action, germs in the water particles 13 that have collided with the filter 21 are surely sterilized, and even when the humidifier is stopped. No germs grow on the surface of the filter 21.

  When the room is dry, the halogen lamp 14 is continuously heated to promote vaporization from the ultrasonic vibrator 12 to quickly humidify, and intermittent operation is performed after the humidity reaches a steady state. Thus, the humidifier can be operated economically. When the humidification amount is small, the humidification device can be economically operated by reducing the air volume of the fan 17, the input of the ultrasonic vibrator 12, and the input of the halogen lamp 14, respectively.

  When stopping the humidifier, the halogen lamp 14 is stopped first, the ultrasonic vibrator 12 is stopped, and the blower fan 17 is stopped after the inside of the main body is sufficiently cooled. As a result, thermal deformation of the main body resin due to local temperature rise can be prevented, and water droplets condensed on the ventilation path can be vaporized to suppress the growth of mold and the like, thereby maintaining a clean state.

  The humidifying device of the present invention can provide clean humidified air without spraying microorganisms contained in water or air in the humidifying device that humidifies air by atomizing water, so that the start of humidification is faster, and energy saving and humidification performance Therefore, it can be expected to be used as a beauty device such as a sauna and a health device such as a nebulizer.

Schematic sectional view of a humidifier according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Schematic cross-sectional view of the humidifier in the second embodiment Schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional humidifier Schematic sectional view of the humidifier Schematic sectional view of the humidifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Water storage tank 12 Ultrasonic vibrator 13 Water particle 14 Halogen lamp 15 Quartz glass 16 High temperature area 17 Fan 18 Lens 19 Reflector 20 Ventilation path 21 Filter

Claims (15)

In a humidifier having a main body having a ventilation path, a blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path, a water supply means, a means for atomizing water, and an infrared generation means, at least a part of the ventilation path is infrared transmissive. A humidifying device comprising a substance, wherein the infrared ray generating means heats water particles via an infrared ray transmitting substance. The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of water particles generated by the means for atomizing water is 1 µm to 60 µm. The humidifying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a sufficient amount of heat is given to water particles generated by the means for atomizing water to destroy microorganisms. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the infrared ray generating means is a halogen heater or a carbon heater. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the infrared transmitting substance is glass. 6. The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the infrared transmitting material is a lens having a curved surface. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a reflecting plate for reflecting infrared rays is provided around the infrared ray generating means. 8. A humidifier according to claim 7, wherein the reflecting plate that reflects infrared rays is a metal. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a portion of the ventilation path irradiated with infrared rays has an infrared reflection effect. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ventilation path is made of a heat resistant material. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the air blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path is disposed upstream of the infrared ray generating means and heats the air with the infrared ray generating means. The infrared ray generation means is disposed in a stage prior to the means for atomizing water, and the air heated by the infrared ray generation means is supplied to the means for atomizing water. The humidifier described. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a filter at a subsequent stage of the means for atomizing water. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the infrared ray generating means is operated intermittently. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the air blowing means is stopped after the infrared ray generating means is stopped.

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