JP2007078222A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier capable of efficiently sterilizing microorganisms included in the water and air, quickly starting humidification, and exercising its humidifying performance while saving energy, with respect to the humidifier for humidifying air by atomizing the water. <P>SOLUTION: In this humidifier comprising a main body having a ventilation flue 11, a fan 12 for allowing the air to flow in the ventilation flue 11, an ultrasonic vibrator 14 for atomizing the water, and an infrared ray heat source 15 for preparing high temperature sufficient to sterilize the microorganisms, the infrared ray generated from the infrared ray heat source 15 is applied to the water just before being atomized, thereby the microorganisms included in the water and air can be efficiently sterilized from an initial period of the operation, and the humidification can be quickly started, thus the humidifier capable of exercising its humidifying performance while saving energy can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifying apparatus that atomizes water and humidifies air, and that can efficiently sterilize microorganisms contained in water and air and can exhibit humidification performance with more energy saving.

  Conventionally, in a humidifier using ultrasonic waves, in order to solve the problem that microorganisms propagated in the water tank are ejected together with the humidified air, a heater is attached to the water tank, the water is heated, and the microorganisms in the water tank are Methods such as suppressing breeding have been taken. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a method is known in which a heater 102 is provided inside the water tank of the ultrasonic humidifier 101 and the temperature sensor 103 maintains a temperature at which microorganisms do not grow (see 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, as shown in FIG. 7, 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 is known (patent). Reference 2).

Moreover, in order to evaporate and humidify the water stored in the water tank, there has been a method of irradiating the stored water with infrared rays. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a method is known in which an infrared lamp 302 provided above a water tank 301 irradiates water stored in the water tank with infrared rays (see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-306338 JP-A-56-82330 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-107636

  However, in the method of heating the water in the water tank in order to suppress the growth of microorganisms, all the water stored in the water tank must be heated, and in order to maintain a temperature at which the microorganisms do not propagate, There was a problem that the energy needed. In addition, when the operation of the humidifier starts, it takes time until all the water in the water tank is warmed, and there is a problem that microorganisms that are not destroyed are ejected together with the humidified air at the initial stage of humidification.

  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. The effect of large heating efficiency is obtained. However, since it is heated by infrared rays after it has become a water film, infrared rays are not absorbed enough by the water and transmitted, or the air present in the vicinity is deprived of heat and heats the water film. There is a problem that a large amount of energy is required to evaporate, 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 infrared radiation efficiency is lowered. 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 apparatus 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.

  In addition, in order to evaporate and humidify the water stored in the water tank, in the method of irradiating the stored water with infrared rays, most of the infrared rays are absorbed in a very shallow part of the stored water, and although the efficiency is good, until the water evaporates It takes time to increase the temperature, and it takes time from the start of operation until humidification is performed. In addition, when operating for a long time, infrared rays that have not been absorbed in the shallow part of the stored water are transmitted to the inside of the aquarium, and the water in the aquarium becomes hot. There was a problem that water flowed out.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problems, it is possible to obtain a humidifier capable of efficiently sterilizing microorganisms contained in water and air from the beginning of operation and having a quick start of humidification, and exhibiting humidification performance with more energy saving. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the humidifier of the present invention is a humidifier comprising a main body having a ventilation path, a blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path, a water tank, a means for atomizing water, and an infrared heat source. In the apparatus, the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source are irradiated to water immediately before atomization.

  In addition, the humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the infrared heat source gives water sufficient thermal energy to destroy microorganisms.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is characterized in that the amount of water vaporization is increased by irradiating the water just before being atomized with infrared rays generated from an infrared heat source.

  Further, the water is heated by concentrating infrared rays generated from an infrared heat source on water just before atomization.

  Further, the means for atomizing water is an ultrasonic vibrator.

  In addition, the ultrasonic vibrator is covered with a substance that transmits vibration.

  Moreover, it is characterized by irradiating infrared rays with respect to a water column made by ultrasonic vibration.

  Further, the means for atomizing water is a nozzle.

  The infrared heat source is a halogen heater or a carbon heater.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source are irradiated to the water through the infrared transmitting substance.

  In addition, the infrared transmitting material is made of glass.

  Further, the infrared transmitting material is a lens.

  In addition, a mirror surface that reflects infrared rays is provided around the infrared heat source.

  In addition, a mirror surface that reflects infrared rays is provided on the ventilation path.

  Further, the ventilation path is made of a heat resistant material.

  In addition, a temperature sensor is provided in the water tank.

  Further, the blower is stopped after stopping the infrared heat source.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the humidification apparatus which can sterilize the microorganisms contained in water and air efficiently from the beginning of driving | operation, can start humidification quickly, can exhibit humidification performance more energy-saving can be provided.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a humidifier comprising a main body having a ventilation path, a blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path, a water tank, a means for atomizing water, and an infrared heat source. It is characterized by irradiating the water just before being atomized with the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source, and the temperature of the water quickly by heating the water just before atomization instead of the water in the aquarium Therefore, microorganisms contained in water and air can be sterilized efficiently from the initial stage of operation, and the start of humidification is quickened, so that the humidification performance can be exhibited with more energy saving.

  In addition, the infrared heat source is characterized in that it provides water with sufficient heat energy to destroy microorganisms, and has a bactericidal effect on microorganisms contained in water and 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. In general, a water film having a thickness of 1 mm or more absorbs almost 100% of the wavelength in the infrared region. Since water spreads in the atmosphere when atomized, it is desirable that the water has a thickness of 1 mm or more in order to irradiate more infrared rays intensively. For this purpose, the water film is thicker and more efficient when irradiated just before atomization than when the infrared rays are irradiated after the water is atomized.

  Moreover, the amount of water vaporization is increased by irradiating the water just before atomization with the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source. In general, a water film having a thickness of 1 mm or more absorbs almost 100% of the wavelength in the infrared region. Since water spreads in the atmosphere when atomized, it is desirable that the water has a thickness of 1 mm or more in order to irradiate more infrared rays intensively. For this purpose, the water film is thicker and more efficient when irradiated just before atomization than when the infrared rays are irradiated after the water is atomized. As the temperature of the water rises, it becomes easy to vaporize, so that the effect of increasing the amount of humidification per unit time can be obtained.

  In addition, it is characterized by heating the water by concentrating the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source on the water just before atomization. By collecting infrared thermal energy in a narrow area, the water temperature can be reduced for a short time. It has the effect that it can be raised and the rise of humidification can be improved. As a method of concentrating infrared rays, there are a method of changing the direction of infrared rays using a lens or a reflector, a method of installing a plurality of infrared heat sources around just before atomization, and the like. Since infrared light is light, it can be concentrated by a mirror surface or a lens to efficiently heat water. However, it is difficult for an air heater such as a sheathed heater to intensively heat toward an object. .

  Further, the means for atomizing water is an ultrasonic vibrator. The energy is concentrated on the water surface by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator, and a water column with a raised water surface is formed. At the tip of the water column, water particles atomized to a thickness of 1 mm or less are generated. By irradiating the water just before the atomization with infrared rays, an effect that the water can be efficiently heated can be obtained. In addition, compared to irradiating the entire water in the aquarium with infrared rays, the heating energy of infrared rays can be concentrated in a small amount of water, so the time until the heat energy sufficient to destroy microorganisms is given to the water is short. In addition, it is possible to obtain an effect that a higher sterilizing effect is exhibited in a short time against microorganisms contained in water or air. In addition, not only the humidification effect by water atomization using ultrasonic vibration, but also the humidification effect by evaporation accompanying the temperature rise of water can be obtained at the same time, so the amount of humidification per unit time is improved. Play. When the entire water in the aquarium is irradiated with infrared rays, heat convection occurs, the temperature of the entire water gradually rises, and a rapid temperature rise is unlikely to occur, so that it is difficult to obtain the action of the present invention.

  In addition, the ultrasonic vibrator is covered with a substance that transmits vibration, and the ultrasonic vibrator has an effect of atomizing water through the substance that transmits vibration. Since the water just before atomization exists near the surface of the water in the aquarium, part of the infrared rays is absorbed by the water stored in the aquarium, and the water that has absorbed infrared rays is not atomized. Returning to the aquarium, the water temperature in the aquarium gradually increases. In the case of a general ultrasonic vibrator, due to its structure, the heat resistant temperature is about 50 ° C. when used in water. If the ultrasonic vibrator is covered with a substance that transmits vibration, even if the water temperature in the water tank exceeds 50 ° C, the ultrasonic vibrator is not directly heated to 50 ° C. Child damage can be prevented. Furthermore, when water is atomized by ultrasonic vibration, a certain depth or more is required. If the substance that transmits vibration is arranged around the ultrasonic vibrator only at the necessary water depth, and the water for humidification is retained on it, the amount of water that should be retained for atomization of the water is Decrease. Thereby, at the time of the operation stop where the microorganisms are most likely to propagate, it is possible to make the retention of water for humidification almost zero. Even when there is no water for humidification, if the ultrasonic transducer is covered with a substance that transmits vibration, there is no risk of damage to the ultrasonic transducer due to idling. The substance that transmits vibration may be water, but if you consider using it in an environment where the room temperature is below zero, if you seal the propylene glycol aqueous solution with an ultrasonic vibrator with resin, it will be non-freezing. Therefore, the performance can be maintained over a long period of time, and a highly reliable humidifier can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that infrared rays are applied to a water column made by ultrasonic vibration. When there is a temperature difference, water causes convection and tries to reach a uniform temperature. When infrared rays are irradiated to the water in the water tank, heat convection of the water occurs, and the temperature of the entire water in the water tank gradually rises, and it takes time until the water easily evaporates. On the other hand, when the water column is irradiated with infrared rays, a small amount of water is heated as compared with the whole water tank, and thus the water column can be efficiently heated. Further, since the infrared intensity has a property of being attenuated in proportion to the square of the distance, it is preferable to irradiate water with infrared rays generated from an infrared heat source at as short a distance as possible. The water column just before atomization generated from the ultrasonic vibrator rises in a direction substantially perpendicular to the water surface, so if the infrared ray is irradiated from the lateral direction to the direction in which the water column rises, the water column and the infrared heat source are brought into contact with each other. Irradiation can be performed without a short distance, and a highly reliable humidifier can be obtained without wetting the infrared heat source with water.

  Further, the means for atomizing water is a nozzle. The water just before atomization is droplets at the moment when it is ejected from the nozzle. By irradiating the tip of the nozzle where the droplet is generated with infrared rays, the water having a large diameter is formed as a droplet. It has the effect that it can be heated efficiently by irradiating infrared rays intensively. Further, the water just before atomization may be water just before being ejected from the nozzle, that is, water existing inside the nozzle. In that case, if the nozzle is made of an infrared transmitting material such as quartz glass, for example, the water immediately before being ejected from the nozzle can be irradiated with infrared rays from the outside. Thereby, there exists a higher disinfection effect with respect to the microorganisms contained in water and air. Moreover, since not only the humidification by the ejection from the nozzle but also the humidification effect by the evaporation accompanying the temperature rise of the water can be obtained at the same time, there is an effect that the humidification amount per unit time is improved.

  In addition, the infrared heat source is a halogen heater or a carbon heater, and the temperature rises better than a ceramic heater using a far infrared ray emitting material, and a high temperature can be obtained in a shorter time. It has the action. 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.

  In addition, at least a part of the ventilation path is made of an infrared transmitting material, and the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source are irradiated to the water through the infrared transmitting material, and the water directly touches the infrared heat source. It has the effect that there is no. As a result, there is no need to take measures against waterproofing to the infrared heat source, and there is an effect that a low-cost structure can be achieved. In addition, when water is vaporized, evaporation residues such as calcium and magnesium are deposited in the ventilation path of the humidifier, but heating is performed by infrared rays, and since infrared rays are transmitted, an infrared heat source There is no fear that the evaporation residue directly adheres to the surface, and a humidifying device excellent in reliability can be obtained. Infrared heat source is connected and integrated with the main body with lead wire to energize, but infrared transmitting material does not need to be integrated with main body, so when evaporation residue adheres, remove it and wash it Is also possible. 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.

  In addition, the infrared transmitting material is made of glass. Glass has a high infrared transmittance. For example, quartz glass has a function of transmitting 95% of radiated light emitted from an infrared heat source and heating water 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. 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.

  In addition, the infrared transmitting material is a lens, and has an effect of collecting infrared rays. For example, in the case of a heater, the infrared heat source is generally rod-shaped, and does not necessarily match the size and shape of the ventilation path of the humidifier. By using an infrared transmitting substance as a lens, it is possible to focus more efficiently on the portion of water just before being atomized and to heat it more efficiently.

  In addition, a mirror surface that reflects infrared rays is provided around the infrared heat source, and has an action of reflecting and concentrating infrared rays by the mirror surface. Thereby, it can irradiate to water, without leaking even the infrared rays which spread toward directions other than object. If the mirror surface has a parabolic shape, the concentration of infrared rays, that is, the focal length can be changed by changing the inclination. Mirror surfaces include glass mirror surfaces, aluminum, iron, stainless steel and their alloys, titanium, copper, nickel, etc. When glass is used, the effect of being hard and scratch-resistant, such as acid and alkali, etc. There is an effect that the strength against corrosion is strong. In the case of using a metal, since the heat conductivity is good and the heat capacity is small, the temperature is likely to rise. Further, in the case of metal, there is an effect that the degree of freedom of processing is good because of ductility and malleability.

  In addition, a mirror surface that reflects infrared rays is provided on the ventilation path, and the infrared rays that have passed through the water and the infrared rays that have not been absorbed due to deviation from the water can be reflected. Have. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate the water just before atomization once again, and there is an effect that the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source can be given to the target water without waste.

  Further, the ventilation path is made of a heat resistant material. In many cases, the main body and the ventilation path of the humidifier are made of resin or metal. However, it is considered that the temperature becomes very high in the vicinity of the infrared heat source or in the area where the infrared ray hits, and its constituent materials are deteriorated. If the ventilation path is made of a heat-resistant material, the ventilation path is heated by infrared rays to prevent the members constituting the main body from being deteriorated.

  It is also characterized by the provision of a temperature sensor in the aquarium. When the temperature in the aquarium exceeds the set temperature, control is performed such as stopping the operation of the infrared heat source and the ultrasonic transducer. Thus, the water temperature can be prevented from rising excessively. Since the water just before atomization exists near the water surface in the aquarium, a part of infrared rays is absorbed by the water stored in the aquarium, and even water that has absorbed infrared rays is not atomized. Returning to the aquarium, the water temperature in the aquarium gradually increases. For example, when an ultrasonic vibrator is used as means for atomizing water, a general ultrasonic vibrator has a heat resistant temperature of about 50 ° C. when used in water because of its structure. If the temperature of the water tank is detected by the temperature sensor and the infrared heat source is turned off before reaching 50 ° C., there is no fear of damaging the ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, if the temperature of the water tank is detected and the infrared heat source is turned off, even if the humidifier falls over, hot water does not stay in the water tank, so there is no risk of hot water flowing out, and reliability Can be obtained.

  Further, the blower means is stopped after the infrared heat source is stopped, and has the effect of preventing the surroundings of the infrared means from being overheated. Thereby, there exists an effect that an infrared heat source and the surrounding constituent material can prevent deterioration, and a more reliable humidifier can be provided.

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

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier of the present invention includes a main body having a ventilation path 11, a fan 12 as a blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path 11, a water tank 13, and an ultra-fine as a means for atomizing water. In the humidifying device including the sonic transducer 14 and the infrared heat source 15, the infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source 15 are irradiated to the water column 17 which is the water 21 just before being atomized. The water in the water tank 13 is atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator 14 which is means for atomizing water. The ultrasonic vibrator 14 is covered with a 40 w% propylene glycol aqueous solution as a substance 16 that transmits vibration, and its periphery is sealed with a resin. The water 21 just before atomization rises like a water column 17 and has a thickness when the means for atomizing water is the ultrasonic vibrator 14. Infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source 15 are intensively applied to the water column 17 which is the water 21 just before atomization. After being irradiated with infrared rays, the particles become water particles 18 and are discharged out of the main body through the ventilation path 11 together with the air flowing by the fan 12 as a blowing means. In addition, the ventilation path 11 is comprised with the stainless steel which is a heat resistant material.

  According to the said structure, infrared rays are absorbed into water more efficiently, water can be heated more energy-saving compared with air heaters, such as a sheathed heater, and the microorganisms contained can be destroyed. Furthermore, since infrared rays are light, water can be heated by concentrating with a mirror surface or a lens. However, since air heaters such as sheathed heaters emit little light, they irradiate a single point toward the target. It is difficult to heat. In addition, if infrared light is efficiently absorbed in water, not only humidification by ultrasonic vibration but also humidification effect by evaporation accompanying water temperature rise can be obtained at the same time, so the amount of humidification per unit time is improved To do. Generally, it is known that the light absorption wavelength of water is about 1 to 10 μm. As the infrared heat source 15, a halogen heater and a carbon heater having a peak wavelength of 1 to 2 μm, or a ceramic heater using a far infrared ray emitting material having a peak wavelength of 5 to 7 μm can be used. If a halogen heater or a carbon heater is used, a higher temperature can be obtained in a shorter time than the ceramic heater. For example, in the former, a stable temperature range is reached within 10 seconds, but in the latter case, the temperature continues to rise even after 60 seconds or more, so that the time until the humidifier can start humidification can be shortened. In addition, the carbon heater has a feature that the output is high but expensive compared to the halogen heater, and any carbon heater may be selected in accordance with the usage characteristics of the humidifier.

  In addition, when the usage environment of the humidifier becomes below zero, it is preferable to select an antifreeze liquid as a substance that transmits ultrasonic vibrations. In order to maintain the performance over a long period of time, it is desirable to suppress the volatilization or modification of the substance that transmits ultrasonic vibrations. Therefore, it is preferable to use a PPS resin having a low gas permeability as the resin for sealing. Furthermore, in order to transmit to the water in the aquarium without reducing the efficiency of ultrasonic vibration, it is necessary to suppress reflection of vibration on the resin vibration surface. The reflection depends on the substance that transmits ultrasonic vibration and the density and sound velocity of the resin vibration surface. For example, when a 40 w% propylene glycol aqueous solution is sealed in PPS resin, the vibration surface of PPS resin is 0.5 mm in thickness. Reflection is suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
In FIG. 2, an example of another form in the humidification apparatus of this invention is shown. The water in the water tank 13 is atomized by a nozzle 19 which is a means for atomizing water. Water is supplied to the nozzle 19 by a pump 20. The infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source 15 are intensively applied to the water 21 immediately before being atomized at the moment when it is ejected from the nozzle 19. Infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source 15 are intensively applied to the water 21 immediately before being atomized by a mirror surface 22 that reflects infrared rays provided around the infrared heat source 15 and a lens 23 that is an infrared transmitting material. Is done. After being irradiated with infrared rays, the particles become water particles 18 and are discharged out of the main body through the ventilation path 11 together with the air flowing by the fan 12 as a blowing means. A temperature sensor 24 is provided in the water tank 13.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize efficient infrared irradiation according to the shape of the water 21 just before atomization by the mirror surface 22 and the lens 23. When the mirror surface 22 and the lens 23 are used, the object can be irradiated linearly toward the target, or can be irradiated in the form of dots. For example, when the water 21 just before atomization stands like a water column, it is efficient to concentrate in a vertical line along the shape of the water column that has risen. Further, when the water 21 just before atomization is round like a droplet, it is effective to concentrate in a dot shape according to the size of the droplet.

Example 1
The humidifying device whose schematic perspective view is shown in FIG. 3 includes an ultrasonic vibrator 14 as a means for refining water, a halogen heater as an infrared heat source 15, and a fan 12 as a blower means. 11 is constituted by an aluminum plate having an infrared reflecting action. A halogen heater was arranged at a position for irradiating the water column immediately before the water was atomized and a position for irradiating the mist after the water was atomized through the quartz glass 25 as an infrared transmitting material. FIG. 4 shows the humidification amount per unit time when the heater input and the wind speed are changed. Irrespective of the heater input and wind speed, the amount of humidification can be improved by irradiating the water column immediately before the water is atomized rather than irradiating the mist after the water is atomized. When mist is irradiated, atomized water is dispersed in the air and infrared rays are taken away by the air, so the air temperature rises, but the infrared absorption efficiency of the water itself is worse than irradiating the water column. This is probably because evaporation is not promoted.

(Example 2)
In the water tank 13 of the humidifier shown in FIG. 3, a bacterial solution obtained by diluting the test bacteria (S. aureus NBRC.12732) with physiological saline to 500,000 CFU / ml was operated, and the humidifier was operated. The humidified air during operation was sampled with an RCS sampler (manufactured by GSI Creos) for 20 seconds, and the number of bacteria contained in the humidified air was counted. FIG. 5 shows the survival rate of the bacteria when the heater input and the wind speed are changed. If the wind speed is decreased, the residence time of the heated part of the bacteria becomes longer, so that the sterilizing effect is enhanced. Moreover, about the irradiation position of infrared rays, the water column just before water is atomized has a higher bactericidal effect than the mist after water is atomized. This is because, when irradiated with fog, the atomized water is dispersed in the air and the infrared rays are taken away by the air, so the air temperature rises, but the water itself absorbs infrared rays rather than irradiating the water column. This is probably because the efficiency is poor and the bacteria are not sufficiently heated.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is a humidifying device that atomizes water and humidifies the air, can provide clean humid air without blowing out microorganisms contained in the water and air, the start of humidification is quick, more energy-saving and humidifying 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 cross-sectional view of a humidifying device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Schematic sectional view of a humidifying device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Schematic perspective view of a humidifying device in Examples 1 and 2 of the present invention The graph which showed the relationship between the infrared irradiation position and humidification amount in Example 1 The graph which showed the relationship between the irradiation position of the infrared rays in the same Example 2, and the bactericidal effect Schematic cross-sectional view of conventional humidifier Schematic sectional view of the humidifier Schematic sectional view of the humidifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ventilation path 12 Fan 13 Water tank 14 Ultrasonic vibrator 15 Infrared heat source 16 Material which transmits vibration 17 Water column 18 Water fine particles 19 Nozzle 20 Pump 21 Water just before atomization 22 Mirror surface 23 Lens 24 Temperature sensor 25 Quartz glass

Claims (17)

In a humidifier comprising a main body having a ventilation path, air blowing means for flowing air through the ventilation path, a water tank, means for atomizing water, and an infrared heat source, infrared rays generated from the infrared heat source are atomized. A humidifier characterized by irradiating the water immediately before the start. 2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the infrared heat source provides water with sufficient heat energy to destroy microorganisms. The humidifying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of water vaporization is increased by irradiating the water just before being atomized with infrared rays generated from an infrared heat source. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water is heated by concentrating infrared rays generated from an infrared heat source on water immediately before atomization. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for atomizing water is an ultrasonic vibrator. 6. The humidifying device according to claim 5, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is covered with a substance that transmits vibration. The humidifying device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein infrared rays are irradiated to a water column made by ultrasonic vibration. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for atomizing water is a nozzle. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the infrared heat source is a halogen heater or a carbon heater. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the infrared ray generated from the infrared heat source is irradiated to water through an infrared transmitting substance. The humidifying device according to claim 10, wherein the infrared transmitting material is made of glass.   The humidifying device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the infrared transmitting material is a lens. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a mirror surface that reflects infrared rays is provided around the infrared heat source. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a mirror surface that reflects infrared rays is provided in the ventilation path. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the ventilation path is made of a heat-resistant material. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor is provided in the water tank. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the air blowing means is stopped after the infrared heat source is stopped.

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