JP2007278641A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier for stably humidifying, capable of judging a replacement timing of a reverse osmosis membrane. <P>SOLUTION: A water supply tank 12 for storing water, a humidifying part 23 for vaporizing the supplied water and supplying it with air into a room, a water supply pump 28 for discharging the water of the water supply tank 12, the reverse osmosis membrane 30 for separating the water from the water supply pump 28 as pure water to be supplied to a water supply passage (a third connection pipe 32) which communicates with the humidifying part 23 by its water supply pressure and concentrated water to be supplied to a branch passage (a fourth connection pipe 33) which does not communicate with the humidifying part 23, a flow rate detection means (a flow rate sensor 34) for detecting a flow rate of the pure water to be supplied to the humidifying part 23, a judging means (a micro computer 51) for judging the replacement timing of the reverse osmosis membrane 30 based on a detected value by the flow rate detection means and a pre-set comparison value and a notification means (a porous membrane replacement display part 49) which is activated when the judging means judges that the replacement timing has come. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier, and more particularly to an ultrasonic humidifier to which a reverse osmosis membrane is applied.

  A humidifier, which is one of household electrical appliances, includes a detachable water supply tank that stores water, and a humidifying unit that vaporizes water supplied from the water supply tank and supplies the water together with air. Yes. The humidifying unit is provided with vaporizing means including an ultrasonic vibrator, a water absorbing member, a heater, and the like, and is configured to supply vaporized mist and heated steam together with air into the room.

  Prior art document information related to the humidifier of the present invention includes the following.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-293953

  This Patent Document 1 describes a humidifier equipped with an ultrasonic vibrator as a vaporizing means, in which a reverse osmosis membrane is disposed in a water supply path from a water supply tank to a humidification unit. This reverse osmosis membrane can pass only pure water without allowing impurities such as chlorine and bacteria contained in tap water to pass (permeate). For this reason, tap water containing impurities such as bacteria is vaporized to prevent the bacteria from floating in the room.

  However, reverse osmosis membranes become clogged as they are used. And when this reverse osmosis membrane clogging progresses, there exists a problem that time required to supply a predetermined amount of water to a humidification part becomes long. Therefore, the reverse osmosis membrane needs to be replaced when clogged to some extent, but its life is not uniquely determined because it is affected by the use frequency and water quality. Of course, it cannot be confirmed by appearance.

  The present invention has been made in view of conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that can determine the replacement time of a reverse osmosis membrane and can realize a stable humidification operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a humidifier according to the present invention discharges water from a water supply tank that stores water, a humidification unit that vaporizes the supplied water and supplies the water together with air, and the water in the water supply tank. A water supply pump, and water from the water supply pump is separated into pure water that is supplied to the water supply channel that is in communication with the humidification unit by the water supply pressure, and concentrated water that is supplied to a branch channel that is not in communication with the humidification unit. A reverse osmosis membrane, a flow rate detection means for detecting a flow rate of pure water supplied to the humidifying unit, and a replacement time of the reverse osmosis membrane based on a detection value by the flow rate detection means and a preset comparison value. It is configured to include a judging means for judging, and a notifying means that is operated when it is judged that the judging means has reached the replacement time.

  According to this humidifier, the replacement time of the reverse osmosis membrane is determined based on the flow rate supplied to the humidification unit by the determination unit and is notified by the notification unit, so that the water supply time to the humidification unit due to clogging is It can prevent becoming long. In addition, since the judging means is based on the detected flow rate and a preset comparison value, not on the usage time, the clogging of the reverse osmosis membrane is reliably judged without being affected by the water quality that varies depending on the destination. And stable humidification operation can be realized.

  In this humidifier, it is preferable to connect the branch path to the upstream side of the water supply pump.

  Moreover, it is preferable to further comprise a reflux means for refluxing the pure water supplied to the humidifying unit to the upstream side of the water supply pump. Here, pure water from which impurities such as chlorine and bacteria contained in tap water are separated is in a state in which bacteria are likely to propagate over time. However, since the propagated bacteria can be separated again by the reverse osmosis membrane by returning the water in the humidifying section to the upstream side of the pump by the reflux means, it is possible to prevent moisture containing the bacteria from being supplied into the room.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a pressure adjusting means for adjusting the feed water pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane, and to increase the supply water pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane by the pressure adjusting means at the start of humidification. If it does in this way, the amount of water required for humidification operation can be rapidly supplied to a humidification part.

  In addition, when the detection value by the flow rate detecting means decreases, it is preferable to increase the water supply pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane by the pressure adjusting means. In this way, a stable water supply amount can be secured for the humidifying unit.

  In this case, the determination means corrects the comparison value based on the feed water pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane adjusted by the pressure adjustment means, and based on the corrected comparison value and the detection value by the flow rate detection means. It is preferable to determine the replacement time of the reverse osmosis membrane. In this way, it is possible to reliably determine the replacement time even if the detection values by the flow rate detection means are the same.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that a reservation timer function for starting humidification after a predetermined time set by the user or at a predetermined time is provided, and the water supply pump is operated in advance before the humidification start time or before the humidification start time. In this way, the humidification operation can be surely started at the humidification start time or time.

  In the humidifier of the present invention, since the replacement time of the reverse osmosis membrane is determined based on the detection value by the flow rate detection means and the preset comparison value, the replacement time can be notified to the user at an appropriate time. As a result, a stable humidification operation can be realized.

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

  1A, 1B and 2 show a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. This humidifier includes a tank disposing unit 15 for disposing a separate water supply tank 12 and a humidifying unit 23 for supplying vaporized water into the room together with air inside the casing 10. Further, a water supply pipe connecting them includes a water supply pump 28, a reverse osmosis membrane 30, a flow rate sensor 34 constituting a flow rate detection means, an adjustment valve 35 constituting a pressure adjustment means, and a safety valve constituting a safety means. 36 and an electromagnetic valve 37 constituting a reflux means.

  The casing 10 is configured to detachably close the opened upper end with a lid 11. The lid 11 is provided with an air supply port (not shown) for supplying air containing water into the room.

  The water supply tank 12 provided in the tank arrangement part 15 has an opening at a predetermined position on the lower end surface, and a cap 13 provided with a first water stop valve 14 is detachably attached to the opening. . The cap 13 includes a plurality of protrusions protruding at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction from a threaded portion to the water supply tank 12 or an annular protrusion provided with a plurality of slits. Thereby, when the 1st water stop valve 14 is pressed and opened, it has the structure which can flow out the water stored inside from the clearance gap between slits or a slit.

  The tank disposing portion 15 has a saucer-like shape with an open top, and a connection port 16 having a circular shape in plan view is provided at a position corresponding to the cap 13. The tank disposing unit 15 is provided with a remaining water amount detecting means for detecting the remaining water amount in the water supply tank 12. As this remaining water amount detection means, a water level sensor 17 (see FIG. 4) by arranging a pair of electrodes in a first connection pipe 29 to be described later connected to the connection port 16 can be applied, but is not limited thereto. Is not to be done. And in this embodiment, it is set as the structure which arrange | positions the separate saucer member 18 in this tank arrangement | positioning part 15, and arrange | positions the said water supply tank 12 through this saucer member 18 so that attachment or detachment is possible.

  The tray member 18 stores a predetermined amount of water in the water supply tank 12, and a cylindrical water supply portion 19 inserted into the connection port 16 is provided at a position corresponding to the connection port 16. Yes. A water supply port is provided at the center of the closed surface of the water supply unit 19, and the water supply port is sealed by a second water stop valve 20 so as to be opened and closed. The second water stop valve 20 is provided with a receiving portion 21 for receiving the lower end of the cap 13, and is opened by attaching the water supply tank 12 to the tank disposition portion 15, while closing when the water supply tank 12 is removed. It is configured to do. The receiving portion 21 is provided with a protrusion 21 a for opening the first water stop valve 14. The tray member 18 is provided with a plurality of support portions 22 that support the lower end surface of the water supply tank 12.

  The humidifying part 23 is a rectangular container in plan view with the lower end closed and the upper end opened, and is provided in the casing 10 so that the bottom thereof is located above the upper end edge of the tray member 18. An ultrasonic oscillator 24 constituting vaporizing means is disposed outside the bottom of the humidifying unit 23. In addition, a float switch 25 is disposed inside the humidifying unit 23 as water level detecting means for detecting that water has been supplied to a predetermined water level. The float switch 25 can detect a preset water level when the float rising according to the water level comes into contact with the upper electrode.

  Further, the humidifying portion 23 is provided with an end portion of a duct 27 having one end provided on a fan 26 serving as a blowing means on the side thereof. Thus, the water vaporized in a mist form by the ultrasonic oscillator 24 is supplied into the room together with the air.

  The water supply pump 28 has a water absorption part connected to a first connection pipe 29 having one end connected to the connection port 16 of the tank arrangement part 15, and discharges water stored in the water supply tank 12 to a reverse osmosis membrane 30 described later. Is.

  The reverse osmosis membrane 30 is housed in a cylindrical container with both ends closed, and is connected to the water supply pump 28 by a second connection pipe 31. The reverse osmosis membrane 30 is separated into pure water that is allowed to pass by the feed water pressure and concentrated water that is not allowed to pass. The pure water is supplied to the humidifying unit 23 via the third connection pipe 32 that is a water supply channel, while the concentrated water is a saucer member that is upstream of the water supply pump 28 via the fourth connection pipe 33 that is a branch channel. By returning to 18, impurities are prevented from being supplied to the humidifying unit 23.

  The flow rate sensor 34 detects the flow rate of pure water supplied to the humidifying unit 23, and is interposed in the third connection pipe 32. As the flow sensor 34, any configuration that can detect the amount of water passing per unit time (minute), such as an electromagnetic type or an impeller type, can be used.

  The adjustment valve 35 is capable of adjusting the amount of water supplied to the humidifying unit 23 by adjusting the water supply pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane 30, and includes a pair of parallel pipe portions 33 a and 33 b in the fourth connection pipe 33. , One pipe portion 33a is interposed. As the regulating valve 35, any configuration can be used as long as the amount of water passing per unit time can be adjusted, such as a mechanical type having a plurality of through holes having different opening areas and an electric type by adjusting the opening / closing time. It is.

  The safety valve 36 is interposed in the pipe portion 33b of the fourth connection pipe 33, and only when the pressure on the upstream side where the reverse osmosis membrane 30 is connected is abnormally increased in the fourth connection pipe 33, While allowing passage to the side, passage to the reverse osmosis membrane 30 side is always impossible.

  One end of the electromagnetic valve 37 is connected to the bottom of the humidifying unit 23, and the other end is interposed in a fifth connection pipe 38 connected to the tray member 18 on the upstream side of the water supply pump 28, and water is supplied to the humidifying unit 23. The purified water is returned to the tray member 18.

  In the humidifier of the present embodiment, the humidifier 23 has one end connected to the upper side of the detection position of the float switch 25 and the other end piped to the tray member 18 upstream of the water supply pump 28. A connection pipe 39 is provided. Thus, when water is abnormally supplied to the humidifying unit 23 due to problems such as the water supply pump 28, the reverse osmosis membrane 30, and the float switch 25, the water is returned to the tray member 18 by overflow. In the connection pipes 33, 38, and 39, it is preferable that a soft pipe (not shown) is disposed at an end disposed on the tray member 18 so that the connection pipe 33, 38, and 39 can be reliably returned to the tray member 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel 40 is disposed on the outer peripheral wall of the casing 10. The operation panel 40 is provided with an operation on / off switch 41, an air volume selection switch 42, a good night switch 43 and a good morning switch 44 as input means. The sleep switch 43 is for selecting the time of the reservation timer function for stop that stops the humidifying operation after a predetermined time. The good morning switch 44 is for selecting the time of the start reservation timer function for starting the humidifying operation after a predetermined time.

  Further, the operation panel 40 is provided with a humidity display unit 45, an air volume display unit 46, a timer display unit 47, a water supply display unit 48, and a osmosis membrane exchange display unit 49 as display means for displaying the setting state and operation state of the device. It has been. The humidity display unit 45 displays three levels of high humidity 45a, appropriate humidity 45b, and drying 45c based on the detection value of the humidity sensor 50, which is a humidity detection means disposed in the casing 10, and includes these 45a to 45c. An LED is disposed on the back. The air volume display unit 46 is positioned above the selection switch 42 so that it can be selected from four types of automatic 46a, standard 46b, strong 46c, and weak 46d, and a selection state is displayed on the back of these 46a to 46d. LED to display is arrange | positioned. The timer display unit 47 includes a 1 display 47a and a 2 display 47b positioned above the sleep switch 43, and a 4 display 47c and a 5 display 47d positioned above the good morning switch 44, and the back portions of these 47a to 47d Are provided with LEDs for displaying the selected state. When the sleep switch 43 is operated, the selection state can be changed in the order of 1 display 47a (1 hour), 2 display 47b (2 hours), and selection cancellation each time. Further, when the good morning switch 44 is operated, the selection state can be changed in the order of 4 display 47c (4 hours), 5 display 47d (5 hours) and deselection each time. The water supply display unit 48 is for displaying that the water in the water supply tank 12 has run out based on the detection of the water level sensor 17, and is arranged so that the LEDs are exposed. The osmotic membrane replacement display unit 49 is for displaying that the reverse osmosis membrane 30 has been clogged according to the determination result of the determination means described later, and has reached the replacement time, and is arranged so that the LED is exposed. Yes.

  The humidifier configured as described above is controlled according to a preset program by a microcomputer 51 mounted on a control board (not shown). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the power cord is connected to a commercial power source and dehumidification control is started by the on / off switch 41, the water level sensor 17 determines that there is residual water in the water supply tank 12. In such a case, the humidification process is executed through the initial operation process.

  The initial operation process and the humidification process serve as a determination unit that determines the replacement time of the reverse osmosis membrane 30. Specifically, the clogged state of the reverse osmosis membrane 30 is determined based on the detection value of the flow rate sensor 34 and the comparison value stored in advance, and correction processing by the adjustment valve 35 is performed if it is within a preset allowable range. On the other hand, while the process is continued, if it is out of the allowable range, it is determined that the replacement time has come, and the permeation membrane replacement display unit 49 as the notification means is turned on.

  Furthermore, in the initial operation process, when the operation is not performed by the reservation timer function for start, the supply pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane 30 is increased by the adjustment valve 35, thereby increasing the amount of water supplied to the humidifying unit 23 and keeping the constant amount of water in a short time. Secure.

  Further, in the case of the operation by the start reservation timer function, the water supply pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane 30 by the adjustment valve 35 is set to a normal low pressure setting. In addition, in consideration of the time required for the initial operation process, the control is started by increasing the humidification start time by that amount. For example, when the discharge amount by the water supply pump 28 is 13 cc / min and the regulating valve 35 is set to a low pressure, the amount of pure water that passes through the reverse osmosis membrane 30 is 8 cc / min, and the amount of concentrated water that does not pass is 5 cc / min. When the constant water amount in the humidifying unit 23 is 240 cc, it takes 30 minutes to supply a certain amount of pure water to the humidifying unit 23. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, if the humidification start time is set after 4 hours (240 minutes) by setting the reservation timer function, the operation starts after 210 minutes and is set after 5 hours (300 minutes). If it is, the operation is started after 270 minutes.

  Next, the control by the microcomputer 51 will be specifically described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the power is turned on, the microcomputer 51 first waits until an operation start operation is performed by the on / off switch 41 in step S1, and proceeds to step S2 when the start operation is detected. In step S2, the water level sensor 17 detects whether or not there is a remaining water amount in the water supply tank 12. If there is no remaining water amount, the process proceeds to step S3. If there is a remaining water amount, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S3, it is detected whether or not 1 is input to the flag f indicating whether or not the initial operation process has been executed. If f is 1 (initial operation processing has been performed), the process proceeds to step S4, and the operations of the water supply pump 28, the ultrasonic oscillator 24, the fan 26, and the like that are operating are stopped, and the process proceeds to step S5. If f is 0 (the initial operation process has not been executed yet), the process proceeds to step S5. And in step S5, the water supply display part 48 is turned on and it progresses to step S2. The steps S2 to S5 are continued until the user removes the water supply tank 12 from the tank disposition unit 15, replenishes water, and reattaches it.

  On the other hand, if there is residual water in the water supply tank 12, after turning off the water supply display section 48 in step S6, it is detected in step S7 whether or not a good morning (reservation for start) timer is set. If it is a good morning timer setting, the process proceeds to step S8, and after stopping the parts except for the operation panel 40, 0 is input to f in step S9. Thereafter, in step S10, the process waits until the operation start time is reached (counts up). When the operation start time is reached, the process proceeds to step S11 shown in FIG. If the timer is not set, the process proceeds to step S11.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S <b> 11, whether or not the initial operation process has been executed is detected based on whether or not 0 is input to f. And when f is 0, it progresses to step S12, and after performing the initial driving | running process mentioned later, in step S13. Enter 1 in f and go to step S14. If f is 1, the process directly proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, after performing a humidification process to be described later, it is detected in step S15 whether or not an operation stop operation has been performed by the on / off switch 41. If a stop operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S16. If a stop operation is not detected, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S16, after stopping the parts other than the operation panel 40, 0 is input to f in step S17, and the process proceeds to step S1 shown in FIG.

  In step S17, it is detected whether it is a good night (reservation for stoppage) timer setting. If the sleep timer is set, the process proceeds to step S19. If the sleep timer is not set, the process proceeds to step S2 shown in FIG. In step S19, it is detected whether or not the operation stop time has come (counted up). When the operation stop time is reached, the process proceeds to step S16. When the operation stop time is not reached, the process proceeds to step S2 shown in FIG.

  Next, the initial operation process in step S12 will be specifically described. When the good morning timer function is set (step S7) during the execution of the initial operation, it is preferable to execute an interrupt stop process for stopping all components in operation.

  In this initial operation process, as shown in FIG. 8, the microcomputer 51 first opens the electromagnetic valve 37 in step S <b> 12-1 to start the circulation of water remaining in the humidifying unit 23. Then, in step S12-2, the process waits until the preset reflux timer counts up. When the count-up is performed, the process proceeds to step S12-3, and the solenoid valve 37 is closed to stop the reflux.

  Next, in step S12-4, the water supply pump 28 is turned on to start the discharge operation, and then in step S12-5, it is detected whether or not a good morning timer is set. If it is a good morning timer setting, the process proceeds to step S12-6, the control valve 35 is set to a low pressure, and the process proceeds to step S12-8. If it is not a good morning timer setting, the process proceeds to step S12-7. The control valve 35 is set to a high pressure and the process proceeds to step S12-8.

  In step S12-8, it is detected whether or not a predetermined amount of pure water has been supplied to the humidifying unit 23 by the float switch 25. And when the water supply to a constant water level is detected, it progresses to step S12-9, and when the water supply to a constant water level is not detected, it progresses to step S12-11.

  In step S12-9, after the adjustment valve 35 is set to a low pressure, in step S12-10, the ultrasonic oscillator 24 and the fan 26 are operated to start humidification, and the process returns.

  In step S12-11, the flow rate of the pure water that has passed through the reverse osmosis membrane 30 is detected by the flow sensor 34, and the reverse osmosis membrane 30 has reached the replacement time by comparing the detected value with a preset comparison value ( A flow rate abnormality determination process for determining whether or not the flow rate is abnormal) is executed.

  Thereafter, in step S12-12, if there is an abnormality in the flow rate, the process proceeds to step S12-13, the osmosis membrane exchange display unit 49 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S12-15. If there is no abnormality in the flow rate (within an allowable range), the process proceeds to step S12-14, the osmotic membrane replacement display unit 49 is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S12-15.

  In step S12-15, it is detected whether or not the abnormality detection timer operated at the start of operation of the water supply pump 28 has been counted up. If the abnormality detection timer has not been counted up, the process proceeds to step S12-8. If the abnormality detection timer has been counted up, the process proceeds to step S12-16.

  In step S12-16, it is determined that parts such as the water supply pump 28 and the float switch 25 are out of order, and after stopping all parts except the operation panel 40, in step S12-17, the osmotic membrane replacement is performed. Both the display unit 49 and the water supply display unit 48 are blinked, and the initial operation process including the humidification process described later is completed (proceeds to step S1).

  Next, the humidification process of step S14 will be specifically described.

  In this humidification process, as shown in FIG. 9, the microcomputer 51 first executes a flow rate abnormality determination process similar to step S12-11 in step S14-1.

  Next, in step S14-2, it is determined whether or not there is a flow rate abnormality. If there is a flow rate abnormality, the process proceeds to step S14-3, the osmotic membrane exchange display unit 49 is lit, and the process proceeds to step S14-5. If there is no abnormality in the flow rate, the process proceeds to step S14-4, the osmotic membrane exchange display unit 49 is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S14-5.

  In step S14-5, the correction process of the regulating valve 35 is executed based on the detection value of the flow sensor 34. For example, when the flow rate is outside the allowable range, the adjustment valve 35 is set to a high pressure, and the amount of water supplied to the humidifying unit 23 is increased. Even if the flow rate is within the allowable range, if the normal flow rate is not set in advance (8 cc / min), the adjustment valve 35 is corrected so as to be the flow rate, and the water supply pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane 30 Increase in multiple stages. Thereby, it has comprised so that the stable water supply amount can always be ensured with respect to the humidification part 23. FIG.

  Next, after the humidity in the room is detected by the humidity sensor 50 in step S14-6, the display of the humidity display unit 45 is changed in step S14-7. Next, in step S14-8, the operation setting is read. In step S14-9, the humidifying operation correction process is executed based on the humidity, and the process returns. The humidifying operation correction process is based on the operation mode set by the user by operating the selection switch 42, and this configuration is the same as the conventional one.

  Next, the flow rate abnormality determination processing in steps S12-11 and 14-1 will be specifically described. In the flow rate abnormality determination process, as described above, the detection value detected by the flow rate sensor 34 is compared with a preset comparison value. However, even if the detected value of the flow rate is the same, the actual degree of clogging varies depending on the pressure setting by the adjustment valve 35 (steps S12-6, S12-7, S14-5). Therefore, in this embodiment, the comparison value at the low pressure setting by the adjustment valve 35 is set in advance. In addition, a coefficient for correcting the comparison value is set for each stage in which the supply water pressure is adjusted by the adjustment valve 35. The microcomputer 51 also corrects the comparison value based on the feed water pressure adjusted by the adjustment valve 35 and also replaces the reverse osmosis membrane 30 based on the corrected comparison value and the detection value by the flow sensor 34. Determine when. Thereby, it is comprised so that the replacement | exchange time of the reverse osmosis membrane 30 can be judged reliably.

  Thus, since the humidifier of this invention applies reverse osmosis membrane 30, it can prevent supplying indoors with mist and impurities containing impurities, such as bacteria. In the reverse osmosis membrane 30, as in the conventional case, the water quality of the destination is not uniquely determined by the frequency of use, but in this embodiment, the reverse osmosis membrane 30 is supplied to the humidifier 23 by the flow sensor 34. The flow rate is detected, the replacement time is determined based on the detected value and the comparison value, and is notified by the notifying means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water supply time to the humidifying unit 23 from becoming long due to clogging, and a stable humidification operation can be realized.

  Further, since pure water supplied to the humidifying unit 23 is free from chlorine contained in tap water, if left untreated, bacteria are likely to propagate over time. However, in this embodiment, in the initial operation process, since the water of the left humidifying unit 23 is returned to the upstream side of the water supply pump 28, even if bacteria are propagated, they are separated again by the reverse osmosis membrane 30. It is possible to reliably prevent moisture containing bacteria from being supplied into the room.

  In addition, since the supply water pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane 30 is increased by the adjustment valve 35 at the start of humidification, the amount of water necessary for the humidification operation can be quickly supplied to the humidification unit 23. Moreover, when the reservation timer function for starting humidification after a predetermined time is set, the initial operation process is started before that time, so that the humidification operation can be surely started at the set time.

  In addition, the humidifier of this invention is not limited to the structure of the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  For example, although the 4th connection pipe 33 which is a branch path was made to recirculate | reflux to the saucer member 18, it is good also as a structure which provides the drainage tank different from the water supply tank 12, and drains to this drainage tank. Further, without providing a drainage tank, reflux water may be stored in the tray member 18 and a partition for partitioning with water from the water supply tank 12 may be provided. Thus, if it is set as the structure which drains the isolate | separated concentrated water, the lifetime which can use the reverse osmosis membrane 30 can be prolonged.

  In the embodiment, the reservation timer function for starting the humidification operation after a predetermined time is used. However, the reservation timer function for enabling the input and display of the current time and starting the humidification at the predetermined time is also a predetermined time of the start time. Similar actions and effects can be obtained by starting the initial operation process before.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the pressure adjustment means was comprised by the valve 35 arrange | positioned in the pipe part 33a of the 4th connection pipe 33 which is a branch path, even if it applies the feed water pump 28 which can change discharge pressure. Good.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, in order to stabilize the amount of water supply to the water supply part 23 by a humidification process, it was set as the structure which correct | amends the adjustment valve 35 in multiple steps, However, As a structure which always supplies water with a constant pressure setting, without correcting. Also good. This eliminates the need for a coefficient for correcting the comparison value and simplifies the replacement time determination by the microcomputer 51, thereby reducing the cost.

The humidifier of embodiment which concerns on this invention is shown, (A) is a top view of the state which removed the cover body, (B) is principal part sectional drawing. It is an exploded sectional view of a humidifier. It is a front view of an operation panel. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a humidifier. It is a graph which shows an example of the setting time and operation start time of a reservation timer function. It is a flowchart which shows the control by a microcomputer. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the initial stage operation process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the humidification process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

12 ... Water tank 23 ... Humidification part 24 ... Ultrasonic oscillator (vaporization means)
26 ... Fan (air blowing means)
28 ... Water supply pump 30 ... Reverse osmosis membrane 34 ... Flow rate sensor (flow rate detection means)
35 ... Adjusting valve (pressure adjusting means)
37 ... Solenoid valve (refluxing means)
49 .. Osmosis membrane exchange display section (notification means)
51. Microcomputer (determination means)

Claims (7)

A water supply tank for storing water;
A humidifying unit that vaporizes the supplied water and supplies it to the room together with the air;
A water supply pump for discharging water from the water supply tank;
A reverse osmosis membrane that separates water from the water supply pump into pure water that is supplied to a water supply channel that is in communication with the humidification unit and concentrated water that is supplied to a branch channel that is not in communication with the humidification unit. When,
A flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of pure water supplied to the humidifying unit;
Determination means for determining the replacement timing of the reverse osmosis membrane based on a detection value by the flow rate detection means and a preset comparison value;
A humidifier comprising: notifying means that is operated when the determining means determines that the replacement time has been reached.   The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the branch path is communicated with an upstream side of the water supply pump.   The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a recirculation unit that recirculates the pure water supplied to the humidification unit to the upstream side of the water supply pump.   The pressure adjusting means for adjusting the feed water pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane is provided, and the supply water pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane is increased by the pressure adjusting means at the start of humidification. The humidifier according to any one of the above.   5. The humidifier according to claim 4, wherein when the detection value by the flow rate detection unit decreases, the pressure adjustment unit increases the water supply pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane.   The determination means corrects the comparison value based on the feed water pressure to the reverse osmosis membrane adjusted by the pressure adjustment means, and the reverse osmosis membrane based on the corrected comparison value and the detection value by the flow rate detection means The humidifier according to claim 5, wherein the replacement time is determined.   A reservation timer function for starting humidification after a predetermined time set by a user or at a predetermined time is provided, and the water supply pump is operated in advance before the humidification start time or before the humidification start time. The humidifier according to any one of the above.

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