JP2008051372A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier capable of easily preventing malfunction occurring when the water in an auxiliary tray reaches a water level of water shortage. <P>SOLUTION: The rotation of a blower 8 is continued until a prescribed time passes when the detection output from a tray water level detection switch 45 is received during a humidifying operation with rotation of the blower 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies indoor air, and more particularly, to a humidifier that humidifies air through a humidifying filter containing moisture.

  This type of humidifier has an air passage in which a humidifying filter and a blower are arranged in order from the upstream in the path, and the indoor air that is external air is sucked into the air passage as the blower rotates, and the sucked air Is humidified through a humidifying filter and blown out from the blowout port to the outside room. The air at that time takes in moisture in the process of passing through the humidifying filter and is humidified thereby.

  The humidifying filter here is arranged so as to block almost the entire cross-sectional area of the air passage, or is arranged so as to block a part of it, and the lower part is immersed in the water stored in the tray, and the water is Suck up and get wet. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an auxiliary tray 18 is arranged on the tray 15 in parallel with the tray 15 outside the air passage. A water supply tank that stores water is connected to the auxiliary tray 18, and water is supplied from the water supply tank in a timely manner, and water is stored in the auxiliary tray 18 at a constant water level. The tray 15 and the auxiliary tray 18 are connected to each other through a communication hole 19, and the water stored in each of them can go back and forth through the communication hole 19. During the humidification operation, moisture is deprived from the humidification filter as the air flows. The humidification filter sucks up the deprived water from the tray 15, and the sucked-up water is drawn from the water supply tank to the auxiliary tray. 18 and the communication holes 19 are sequentially supplied to the tray 15.

  The auxiliary tray 18 is provided with a tray water level detection switch 45. The tray water level detection switch 45 detects that the water stored in the auxiliary tray 18 has fallen below the normal water level and has reached a water shortage level. In a conventional humidifier, if there is a detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 during the humidifying operation, the blower is stopped, and then when the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 disappears, the blower is automatically rotated. Humidification operation was resumed. If water is supplied to the water supply tank, the water level in the auxiliary tray 18 rises and recovers, and the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 disappears accordingly. This is convenient from the viewpoint of automation of restoration. That's why.

  However, in such a humidifier, in fact, when there is a detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 during the humidification operation, if the water supply to the water supply tank is not replenished, the blower is stopped and rotated repeatedly. There was a case that malfunction occurred. The occurrence state of the malfunction will be described below with reference to FIG.

  During the humidification operation, the air present in the upstream air passage is sucked into the air blower according to the rotation of the air blower. Therefore, the pressure in the air passage on the upstream side of the air blower is lower than the atmospheric pressure and becomes negative pressure. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, atmospheric pressure acts on the water surface in the auxiliary tray 18, while negative pressure acts on the water surface in the tray 15. Is placed higher than the water level in the auxiliary tray 18.

  In this state, the humidification proceeds, the water in the tray 15 and the auxiliary tray 18 decreases, and as shown in FIG. 9B, when there is a detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45, the blower stops. Inhalation of air by the blower stops. Then, since the same atmospheric pressure as in the auxiliary tray 18 acts on the water surface in the tray 15, the water level in the tray 15 and the water level in the auxiliary tray 18, as shown in FIG. Similarly, a part of the water in the tray 15 moves into the auxiliary tray 18 through the communication hole 19, and as a result, the water level in the tray 15 falls while the water in the auxiliary tray 18 falls. The water level rises. As a result, the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 disappears even though the water supply tank is not replenished, and the rotation of the blower is resumed.

  When the rotation of the blower resumes, the suction of air by the blower again causes a difference in the pressure acting on the water surface in the auxiliary tray 18 and the water surface in the tray 15, and the water in the auxiliary tray 18 is kept so as to maintain equilibrium. The part moves into the tray 15 through the communication hole 19. As a result, the water level in the tray 15 rises, while the water level in the auxiliary tray 18 falls (see FIG. 9B). Thereby, there is again a detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45, and the blower stops again. In this way, until the water supply tank is replenished, the blower is stopped and rotated repeatedly.

Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such malfunction, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a humidifier in which two tray water level detection switches 45 are installed in the auxiliary tray 18. The first tray water level detection switch 45 detects that the water stored in the auxiliary tray 18 has reached a water shortage level, and the second tray water level detection switch 45 detects the first tray water level. The detection output disappears at a water level higher than that of the switch 45, and unless the detection output from the second tray water level detection switch 45 disappears, the rotation of the blower, that is, the humidification operation is not resumed.
JP 2006-711145 A

  However, in the conventional humidifier described above, two tray water level detection switches 45 need to be provided in order to prevent a malfunction that occurs when the water in the auxiliary tray 18 reaches the water shortage level. As a result, the number of parts increases, resulting in an increase in cost.

  Then, this invention is made | formed in view of said problem, It aims at providing the humidifier which can prevent easily generation | occurrence | production of the malfunction which occurs when the water in an auxiliary tray reaches the water shortage water level. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a humidifier according to the present invention is a humidifier that sucks and humidifies external air according to the rotation of a blower in the air passage, and blows out the humidified air to the outside. In the upstream area of the blower, there are disposed a tray for storing water, and a humidifying filter containing moisture by being immersed in the water stored in the tray, and the tray receives water from a water supply tank. A tray water level detection unit that detects that the auxiliary tray that is stored and communicated with each other is connected, the water stored in the auxiliary tray is reduced, and has reached the water shortage level, and the control unit that controls the rotation operation of the blower And. When the control unit receives a detection output from the tray water level detection unit during the humidification operation of rotating the blower, the control unit continues the rotation of the blower until a predetermined time elapses.

  With such a configuration, when a detection output is received from the tray water level detection unit during the humidifying operation in a state where the water level in the tray is higher than the water level in the auxiliary tray, only a predetermined amount of time is received. As the humidification proceeds, the water level in the auxiliary tray reaches a position that is far below the tray water level detector. Therefore, without water being supplied to the water supply tank, the water level in the tray is lowered so that the water level in the tray and the water level in the auxiliary tray are the same thereafter. Even if the water level in the auxiliary tray rises, the water level does not reach the tray water level detection unit, and the detection output from the tray water level detection unit does not disappear. Therefore, in this case, it can be recognized that water is not supplied to the water supply tank, and the humidification operation is not resumed until the supply is completed.

  According to the humidifier of the present invention, when the water in the auxiliary tray reaches the water shortage level, the humidifying operation is not resumed until the water supply tank is replenished, and as a result, malfunction can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the humidifier will be described as an example of a humidifier that can also be used as an air purifier depending on selection and that also has an ion release function. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing the internal structure of the humidifier in a side view. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the movable plate closes the second air passage, and FIG. The state where the air passage is opened is shown.

  The humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment is placed on a floor or hung on a wall at a suitable place in the room during operation, and the outer shell is mainly composed of the main body 2 and the front panel 3. The main body 2 has an outer shape as a generally flat box standing vertically as a whole, and an air filter housing portion that is greatly recessed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape is formed on the front surface thereof. In this air filter housing portion, the deodorizing filter 4 and the dust collecting filter 5 are housed in an overlapped manner as an air filter in order from the opening on the front side.

  The deodorizing filter 4 has a non-woven fabric made of polyester attached to a rectangular frame, activated carbon is uniformly distributed on the non-woven fabric, and a non-woven fabric made of polyester is further covered thereon. The deodorizing filter 4 serves to adsorb acetaldehyde, ammonia, acetic acid and the like which are odor components in the air. On the other hand, the dust collection filter 5 is a so-called HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is made of a polyester / vinylon non-woven fabric aggregate and a melt blown non-woven fabric that has been processed by electrolithography. An antibacterial sheet made of a non-woven fabric processed with hydroxyapatite is stacked on the lower surface and thermocompression bonded, and a frame made of a non-woven fabric with hot melt is welded. The dust collection filter 5 plays a role of collecting fine dust.

  The deodorizing filter 4 and the dust collection filter 5 housed in the air filter housing part are prevented from falling out of the air filter housing part by the filter pressing frame 6 attached to the opening of the air filter housing part. The filter holding frame 6 has a substantially rectangular shape, and a large number of ventilation holes are formed in a matrix.

  The front panel 3 is attached with a predetermined gap to the front of the main body 2 in which the deodorizing filter 4 and the dust collecting filter 5 are housed and the filter holding frame 6 is mounted, and the deodorizing filter 4 and the dust collecting filter 5 are attached to each other. Including the filter presser frame 6 completely. Here, the front panel 3 is supported by hooking a hook (not shown) bent toward the main body 2 from the upper portion of the main body 2, and the lower portions on both the left and right sides are fixed by the locking portions 7. The The gap between the back surface of the front panel 3 and the front surface of the main body 2 is open to the outside on the left and right sides, and external air is introduced from here.

  In the main body 2, the blower 8 is disposed behind the air filter housing portion with the partition wall 21 interposed therebetween. The blower 8 here includes a fan motor 9 and a fan 10, the front side thereof is isolated by the partition wall 21, the lower side thereof is isolated by the partition wall 22, and the back side thereof is isolated by the partition wall 23. Among these, the fan motor 9 is fixed to the partition 21 on the front side, and a large number of ventilation holes communicating with the blower 8 are formed in the partition 23 on the back side. Although the turbo fan is employ | adopted as the fan 10, the kind of fan is not limited to this. A propeller fan or a cross flow fan can be used. In the case of a turbo fan, a device is devised to increase the thickness compared to the fan diameter and reduce the noise level. As the fan motor 9, it is preferable to employ a direct current motor in consideration of ease of control.

  Further, the main body 2 is formed with a first air outlet 11 that opens upward and a second air outlet 12 that opens upward in the upper portion corresponding to the upper side of the blower 8, and the power on / off An operation / display unit 13 is provided that includes operation buttons for turning off and setting operation and a display lamp for displaying the operation state.

  In accordance with the driving of the blower 8, that is, the rotation of the fan 10 by the fan motor 9, indoor air that is external air is introduced from the gap between the front panel 3 and the main body 2. The introduced air reaches the air filter through the vent of the filter holding frame 6 and is purified by the deodorizing filter 4 and the dust collecting filter 5 into air having no odor or dust. The purified air reaches the back wall 25 of the main body 2 through the opening 24 formed in the lower part of the partition wall 21 at the back of the air filter housing portion, and rises between the partition wall 23 and the back wall 25, and then the partition wall 23. The air is sucked into the center of the fan 10 from the air vent. The air sucked into the center of the fan 10 passes between the fan blades, is discharged from the outer periphery of the fan 10, is guided upward, and enters the outside room from the first air outlet 11 and the second air outlet 12. Blown out. Such an air flow corresponds to the air passage.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the air passage extending from the opening 24 formed in the partition wall 21 at the back of the air filter housing portion to the back along the partition wall 22 is partitioned vertically by the partition wall 27, and the first is sequentially from the bottom. The air passage 31 and the second air passage 32 are provided. That is, the air passage from the air filter to the blower 8 once branches into the first air passage 31 and the second air passage 32 and then merges with each other.

  The humidification filter 14 is arranged in the first ventilation path 31 so as to block almost the entire cross-sectional area. Specifically, a tray 15 detachable from one side is stored in the lower part of the main body 2, and water is stored at a certain water level in the tray 15. The humidifying filter 14 is made of a water-absorbing material folded in a zigzag, and is inserted into the tray 15 so that the lower part is immersed in water, and the water is sucked into a state containing moisture.

  Here, in particular, the auxiliary tray 18 is integrally arranged on the tray 15 in parallel with the tray 15 outside the first and second air passages 31 and 32 (see FIG. 8). A water supply tank 16 that stores water is connected to the auxiliary tray 18, and water is supplied from the water supply tank 16 in a timely manner, and water is stored in the auxiliary tray 18 at a constant water level. The tray 15 and the auxiliary tray 18 are connected to each other through a communication hole 19, and the water stored in each of them can go back and forth through the communication hole 19. During the humidifying operation, moisture is taken away from the humidifying filter 14 as the air flows. The humidifying filter 14 sucks up the removed water from the tray 15, and the sucked up water is supplied to the water supply tank 16. To the tray 15 sequentially through the auxiliary tray 18 and the communication hole 19. The water supply tank 16 is detachably accommodated in the side portion of the main body 2 on the side where the tray 15 is attached and detached.

  On the other hand, the second ventilation path 32 is provided with a movable plate 35 that opens and closes the second ventilation path 32. In the present embodiment, the movable plate 35 is a curved plate that is supported by a support shaft 36 that is disposed slightly above the second ventilation path 32 along the left-right direction and that is curved in an arc shape around the support shaft 36. Therefore, the support shaft 36 is rotated about the fulcrum. The rotation of the movable plate 35 is driven by a digital control motor such as a stepping motor. Accordingly, the rotational position of the movable plate 35 is always recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the movable plate 35 has a limit position of rotation, and a projection 37 protruding outward from the inner edge of the movable plate 35 abuts the end surface of the inner wall of the partition wall 27. As a result, the posture rotated most forward of the movable plate 35 is defined. In this posture, the movable plate 35 closes the second air passage 32. When the blower 8 is driven in this state, the air purified through the air filter flows into the first air passage 31 because the second air passage 32 is closed by the movable plate 35, and the humidifying filter 14 is reached. When the air passes through the humidifying filter 14, the air takes in moisture from the humidifying filter 14 and is then humidified. Thereafter, the air rises between the partition wall 23 and the back wall 25, and finally the first outlet 11 and the second outlet The air is blown out from the air outlet 12. Then, at this time, not only air purification but also humidification is performed efficiently.

  On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 37 of the movable plate 35 abuts against the protruding piece 26 protruding from the back wall 25, thereby defining the posture of the movable plate 35 that is rotated to the innermost side. In this posture, the movable plate 35 opens the second air passage 32 and closes the junction from the first air passage 31. When the air blower 8 is driven in this state, the air purified through the air filter is eventually passed through the first air passage 31 because the junction of the first air passage 31 is closed by the movable plate 35. Does not flow in, and the second air passage 32 is open, and therefore flows into the second air passage 32. The air is guided along the movable plate 35, then rises between the partition wall 23 and the back wall 25, and finally blown out from the first blowout port 11 and the second blowout port 12. . Then, at this time, humidification is hardly performed and air purification is mainly performed.

  Therefore, in the humidifier 1 of the present embodiment, the efficiency of humidification can be adjusted by opening and closing the movable plate 35 as necessary with respect to the second air passage 32. As a result, the purification of the air is performed. And humidification can be done efficiently and effectively.

  In the present embodiment, an ion generator 17 that generates positive and negative ions simultaneously or individually is disposed between the second outlet 12 and the blower 8. When the ion generator 17 is driven, ions are released from the ion generator 17 into the air mainly directed from the fan 10 to the second outlet 12, and purified air and further humidified air absorb ions. Including, it is mainly blown out into the room from the second outlet 12.

  Subsequently, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration related to the operation of the humidifier 1. The overall operation of the humidifier 1 is controlled by the control unit 40. Sensors such as a temperature sensor 41, a humidity sensor 42, a dust sensor 43, and an odor sensor 44 are connected to the control unit 40. The temperature sensor 41 detects the temperature of indoor air, and the humidity sensor 42 detects the humidity of indoor air. In general, the temperature sensor 41 and the humidity sensor 42 are integrated sensors. The dust sensor 43 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects particles such as dust floating in the indoor air. The odor sensor 44 is a semiconductor gas sensor that utilizes a change in resistance value when gas is adsorbed on the surface of a sensor made of a metal oxide semiconductor, and detects an odor component in indoor air. That is, the dust sensor 43 and the odor sensor 44 function as a dirt detector that detects the degree of air dirt. Detection values obtained by the temperature sensor 41, the humidity sensor 42, the dust sensor 43, and the odor sensor 44 are output to the control unit 40.

  The control unit 40 is connected to detection switches such as a tray water level detection switch 45, an air filter removal detection switch 46, and a tray / water tank removal detection switch 47. The tray water level detection switch 45 is installed on the side wall of the auxiliary tray 18 and detects that the water stored in the auxiliary tray 18 has fallen below the normal water level and has reached a water shortage level. The fact that the water in the auxiliary tray 18 has reached a water shortage level is a situation where it is assumed that the water supply tank 16 has become empty and it is necessary to supply water. The air filter removal detection switch 46 detects that the front panel 3 has been removed and that the filter holding frame 6, the deodorizing filter 4, and the dust collection filter 5 have been removed. The tray / water tank removal detection switch 47 further detects that the tray 15 and the water tank 16 have been removed.

  Further, various operation buttons 48 and various display lamps 49 constituting the operation / display unit 13 are connected to the control unit 40. The operation buttons 48 include a power button for turning on / off the power, an air purification setting button for setting the operation of the air purification function, a humidification setting button for setting the operation of the humidification function, An ion release button or the like for turning on / off the emission is included. Each time the air purification setting button is pressed, the air purification operation mode is switched such as automatic air volume, low air volume, and high air volume. Each time the humidification setting button is pressed, the humidification operation mode is switched, such as humidification automatic, humidification weak, humidification strong, or humidification off. Input from the operation button 48 according to the user's operation is output to the control unit 40.

  As the indicator lamp 49, a power indicator lamp that indicates ON / OFF of the power source according to the operation of the power button is turned on / off, or an air purification operation that indicates the air purification operation mode according to the operation of the air purification setting button. Ion emission that indicates ON / OFF of ion emission according to the operation of the mode display lamp and humidification setting button according to the operation of the humidification setting button. Examples include a display lamp, a humidity display lamp that displays the current humidity as a level, and a water supply display lamp that urges the water supply tank 16 to be replenished with light. The display lamp 49 is turned on / off according to a command from the control unit 40. Among them, the display of the humidity display lamp is based on the detection value from the humidity sensor 42. The water supply display lamp is displayed according to the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45.

  Further, the control unit 40 includes a movable plate motor drive circuit 50 that controls the rotation drive of the digital control motor that rotates the movable plate 35 (opening / closing operation of the movable plate 35), and the rotation drive of the fan motor 9 of the blower 8 (blower). Are connected to a fan motor drive circuit 51 that controls the rotation of the ion generator 17 and an ion generator drive circuit 52 that controls the drive of the ion generator 17. The movable plate motor drive circuit 50, fan motor drive circuit 51, and ion generator drive circuit 52 are used for input operations from the operation buttons 48, detection values from various sensors, and detection outputs from various detection switches. Based on this, a command is sent from the control unit 40, and the movable plate 35, the blower 8, and the ion generator 17 are driven.

  An example regarding the driving modes of the movable plate 35, the blower 8, and the ion generator 17 by the control unit 40 is listed below.

  The control unit 40 adjusts the rotational speed of the blower 8, that is, the fan motor 9, based on a detection value from at least one of the dust sensor 43 and the odor sensor 44. More specifically, when the air purification operation is performed in the humidification cut-off mode and the air volume automatic mode, the rotational speed of the fan motor 9 is stepped according to the detection values from the dust sensor 43 and the odor sensor 44. Switch to. For example, if it is determined from the detected value that the air is dirty, the fan motor 9 is rotated at a high rotational speed to cause the air to flow with a large air volume, and the air purifying function is positively exhibited. If it is determined from the detected value that the air has become clean, from the viewpoint of suppressing noise and power consumption, the fan motor 9 is switched to a rotation at a low rotation speed to cause the air to flow with a small amount of air, and the air purification function can be performed at a low level. maintain. If it is determined that the air is again contaminated, the fan motor 9 is switched to rotation at a high rotation speed. This is repeated. Thereby, indoor air can be purified. At that time, the movable plate 35 is in a posture to open the second air passage 32.

  The control unit 40 opens and closes the movable plate 35 with respect to the second ventilation path 32 based on the detection value from the humidity sensor 42. Specifically, when the humidification operation is performed in the humidification automatic mode, for example, when the target humidity is set to 60%, if the detection value from the humidity sensor 42 is 60% or more, the second When the humidity is less than 60%, the movable plate 35 is rotated so that the second ventilation path 32 is closed and humidified. Increase efficiency. As a result, the indoor air can be adjusted to the set target humidity.

  Furthermore, you may make it also adjust the rotation speed of the air blower 8, ie, the fan motor 9, collectively. That is, if the detected value from the humidity sensor 42 is equal to or higher than the set target humidity, the movable plate 35 is rotated so that the second air passage 32 is opened, and the rotational speed of the fan motor 9 is decreased. If the humidification efficiency is lowered and the humidity is lower than the target humidity, the movable plate 35 is rotated so that the second ventilation path 32 is closed, and the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 is increased to increase the humidification efficiency. This makes it possible to further adjust the indoor air according to the set target humidity.

  In such a case, in a situation where the detected value from the humidity sensor 42 has shifted from less than the set target humidity to above, the movable plate 35 is changed from the closed state to the opened state. , And the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 is switched from a high state to a low state. The switching order is such that the movable plate 35 is switched after the fan motor 9 is switched. You should do it. This is because, when the movable plate 35 is switched first, a large amount of air flows into the second ventilation path 32 that has started to open, and an unpleasant whistling sound is generated.

  In the humidification automatic mode, in addition to the above-described operation method, air is always allowed to flow into the first air passage 31 while the movable plate 35 closes the second air passage 32, and detection from the humidity sensor 42 is performed. There is also a method of adjusting the humidification efficiency by adjusting the rotation speed of the fan motor 9, that is, the air volume based on the value.

  Note that during operation in the humidified automatic mode, if the set target humidity is not reached even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the rotational speed of the fan motor 9 may be corrected to be increased by one step. In such a situation, it is highly likely that the humidifier 1 is used in a room that exceeds the specified number of tatami mats, and it is considered that the humidifying capacity is insufficient at the rotation speed set to the specified tatami number. It is.

  When the control unit 40 receives an input operation for switching the opening and closing of the movable plate 35 with respect to the second air passage 32 from the operation button 48, the control unit 40 switches the opening and closing of the movable plate 35 and moves the rotational speed of the blower 8, that is, the fan motor 9. The air flow before and after the opening / closing switching of the plate 35 is switched so as to be substantially equal. Specifically, for example, when the air purification operation is switched from the humidification cut-off mode state to the humidification operation, the movable plate 35 rotates to open the second air passage 32. Accordingly, the inflow of air is switched from the second ventilation path 32 to the first ventilation path 31, but the second ventilation path 32 before switching is changed to the closed state. While there is no air flow resistance, there is a humidifying filter 14 in the first air passage 31 after switching, which also serves as a flow resistance. Therefore, if the number of rotations of the fan motor 9 before and after switching is the same, the air volume is substantially different before and after switching. Therefore, at the time of switching, the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 is higher in the humidifying operation in which the second ventilation path 32 is closed than in the air purification operation in which the second ventilation path 32 is opened. Like that. In this way, the air volume is almost equal before and after the switching, and as a result, the air purification capability does not change. The correlation between the rotational speed of the fan motor 9 and the air volume is obtained in a preliminary test for each of the air purification operation with the second air passage 32 opened and the humidification operation with the second air passage 32 closed. From among them, the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 to be set is selected. An example is shown in FIG.

  However, when the operation is switched from the air purification operation to the humidification / strong mode humidification operation, the user intends to perform strong humidification, so the fan motor 9 can be operated without being aware of the air volume before and after the switching. Use a high speed that produces a large air volume.

  When the control unit 40 receives an input operation for switching the opening and closing of the movable plate 35 with respect to the second air passage 32 from the operation button 48, the control unit 40 switches the opening and closing of the movable plate 35 and moves the rotational speed of the blower 8, that is, the fan motor 9. Switching is performed so that the noise values before and after the opening / closing switching of the plate 35 are substantially equal. Specifically, for example, when the air purification operation is switched from the humidification cut-off mode state to the humidification operation, the movable plate 35 rotates to open the second air passage 32. Accordingly, the inflow of air is switched from the second ventilation path 32 to the first ventilation path 31, but the second ventilation path 32 before switching is changed to the closed state. While there is no air flow resistance, there is a humidifying filter 14 in the first air passage 31 after switching, which also serves as a flow resistance. Accordingly, if the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 before and after switching is the same, the noise value will be substantially different before and after switching. Therefore, at the time of switching, the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 is slightly smaller in the humidification operation in which the second ventilation path 32 is closed than in the air purification operation in which the second ventilation path 32 is opened. Do the same to get higher. In this way, the noise values are almost equal before and after switching, and as a result, the user does not feel uncomfortable. It should be noted that the correlation between the rotational speed of the fan motor 9 and the noise value is obtained in a preliminary test for each of the air purification operation with the second air passage 32 opened and the humidification operation with the second air passage 32 closed. From this, the number of rotations of the fan motor 9 to be set is selected.

  However, when switching from the air purification operation to the humidification / humidification operation, the user intends to perform strong humidification. Therefore, the fan motor 9 is large without being aware of noise before and after the switching. Use a high rotational speed that produces air flow.

  The control unit 40 detects the output from the tray water level detection switch 45 during execution of an operation mode (for example, an operation mode for driving the ion generator 17) that stops operation or automatically shifts to another operation mode after execution for a predetermined time. Is not displayed until the predetermined time has elapsed, and then the water supply display lamp of the display lamps 49 is turned on to prompt the water supply tank 16 to supply water. Specifically, when the ion release button of the operation buttons 48 is turned on, the ion generator 17 is driven for a predetermined time of, for example, about 15 minutes, and ions are released. In the middle of this, when there is a detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45, the water supply display lamp is not immediately turned on, but the water supply display lamp is turned on after driving the ion generator 17 for a predetermined time. Even if there is a detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45, the water supply tank 16 including the tray 15 generally has a small amount of water. This is because there is no problem in driving the ion generator 17 within a limited time.

  When receiving an operation stop input operation from the operation button 48, the control unit 40 rotates and holds the movable plate 35 to the closest position. Specifically, when the power button of the operation buttons 48 is turned off, the movable plate 35 is turned to a posture in which the second air passage 32 is completely closed regardless of the air purification operation or the humidification operation. Move and hold. As a result, even if the front panel 3 is removed and the air filter is removed, the second air passage 32 connected to the inside is closed by the movable plate 35, thereby preventing inadvertent insertion of fingers and the like. Can be safe.

  From the same safety point of view, when receiving the detection output from the air filter removal detection switch 46, the control unit 40 may rotate and hold the movable plate 35 to the closest position. Even if the front panel 3 is removed and the air filter is removed during operation, the second ventilation path 32 connected to the inside is closed by the movable plate 35. When receiving the detection output from the tray / water tank removal detection switch 47, the control unit 40 may rotate and hold the movable plate 35 in the most forward position.

  When receiving the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 during the humidifying operation, the control unit 40 urges the water supply tank 16 to be replenished by turning on the water supply display lamp of the display lamp 49 and also humidifies the water as it is. Continue driving. That is, the humidification operation is not immediately stopped. Thereby, since inflow of the air to the 1st ventilation path 31 continues, when water is not replenished to the water supply tank 16, since the humidification filter 14 is gradually deprived of moisture and dries, It can prevent the adhesion of scale and is hygienic.

  The control unit 40 adjusts the rotational speed of the blower 8, that is, the fan motor 9, based on the detection value from the temperature sensor 41. Specifically, if the detected value from the temperature sensor 41 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the rotation speed of the fan motor 9 set in the humidification automatic mode, the humidification weak mode, and the humidification strong mode is increased step by step. To correct. This is because when the temperature of the air is low, the humidification performance itself deteriorates, and thus correction is necessary.

  By the way, in this embodiment, when the detection output is received from the tray water level detection switch 45 during the humidification operation, the control unit 40 controls the humidifier 1 according to the flow shown in FIG.

  First, in step S5, a humidifying operation is performed. During the humidifying operation, the movable plate 35 is in the most forward position and the second air passage 32 is closed, and the blower 8, that is, the fan motor 9, is rotating at an appropriate rotational speed. At that time, since the air present in the first air passage 31 on the upstream side is sucked into the air blower 8 according to the rotation of the air blower 8, the pressure in the first air passage 31 on the upstream side of the air blower 8 is atmospheric pressure. It is lower than the negative pressure. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, atmospheric pressure acts on the water surface in the auxiliary tray 18, while negative pressure acts on the water surface in the tray 15. Is placed higher than the water level in the auxiliary tray 18.

  Next, in step S10, it is determined whether or not there is a detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 during the humidifying operation. If there is a detection output, the process proceeds to step S15. If there is no detection output, the process returns to step S5 to continue the humidification operation. When the humidification proceeds and the water in the tray 15 and the auxiliary tray 18 decreases and the water level in the auxiliary tray 18 reaches the tray water level detection switch 45 as shown in FIG. Detection output is made from the detection switch 45.

  In step S15, the water supply display lamp of the display lamps 49 is turned on, and the supply of water to the water supply tank 16 is urged by notification by this lighting. Here, in particular, the rotation of the blower 8 is continued, and the movable plate 35 is also held in a posture in which the second air passage 32 is closed together with this rotation. That is, the humidification operation is substantially continued. Thereby, humidification continues and water in the tray 15 and the auxiliary tray 18 further decreases.

  In the subsequent step S20, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes has elapsed since the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 was received. The measurement of the predetermined time is performed by a timer in the control unit 40. Here, until the predetermined time elapses, it is determined in step S25 whether or not the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 has disappeared. When the water supply tank 16 is replenished with water, the water level in the auxiliary tray 18 rises and recovers, and the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 disappears accordingly. When the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 disappears, the water supply display lamp is turned off in step S30, and then the process returns to step S5 to continue the humidification operation.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined time has passed without supplying water to the water supply tank 16 in step S20, the process proceeds to step S40, and a command to switch the attitude of the movable plate 35 is sent to the movable plate motor drive circuit 50. The movable plate 35 is rotated to the innermost position. As a result, the second air passage 32 is opened, and the junction from the first air passage 31 is closed, and the operation proceeds to the air purification operation. At this time, humidification proceeds for a predetermined time, and the water level in the auxiliary tray 18 reaches a position far below the tray water level detection switch 45 as shown in FIG. When the movable plate 35 is switched to the innermost position, air does not flow through the first air passage 31 where the humidifying filter 14 is present, so that the same atmospheric pressure as in the auxiliary tray 18 is applied to the water surface in the tray 15. Comes to work. Then, a part of the water in the tray 15 moves into the auxiliary tray 18 through the communication hole 19 so that the water level in the tray 15 and the water level in the auxiliary tray 18 become the same. As a result, While the water level in the tray 15 falls, the water level in the auxiliary tray 18 rises, but in the previous stage, the water in the auxiliary tray 18 is far more than the tray water level detection switch 45. Since it has decreased to the lower side, as shown in FIG. 7D, the water level does not reach the tray water level detection switch 45, and the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 does not disappear. . Therefore, in this case, it can be recognized that water has not been supplied to the water supply tank 16, and the humidification operation is not resumed until the supply is completed. As a result, malfunction can be prevented. This is advantageous in terms of cost because it does not increase the tray water level detection switch 45 as in the prior art.

  Note that, for a predetermined time after the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 is received, the air pressure acting on the water surface in the tray 15 and the water surface in the auxiliary tray 18 is the same, and the water level of both is the same. However, it is sufficient time to reduce the water in the auxiliary tray 18 until the detection output from the tray water level detection switch 45 does not disappear, and about 2 to 10 minutes is appropriate. However, since the degree of water reduction in the auxiliary tray 18 depends on the air volume of the blower 8, that is, the rotation speed, the predetermined time can be appropriately changed according to the rotation speed of the blower 8 that continuously rotates. preferable. That is, the higher the rotational speed of the blower 8, the shorter is set.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be applied to a general humidifier that does not have the partition plate 27 and the movable plate 35 and has one air passage from the air filter to the blower 8 without branching. In this case, in step S40 described above, the rotation of the blower 8 is stopped.

  The present invention is useful for a humidifier.

It is a perspective view in the front view which shows the external appearance of the humidifier which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the side view which shows the state which the movable plate closed the 2nd ventilation path about the internal structure of the humidifier of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the side view which shows the state which the movable plate opened the 2nd ventilation path about the internal structure of the humidifier of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures concerning operation | movement of the humidifier of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting regarding the air blower in the humidifier of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement during the humidification driving | operation in the humidifier of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the change of the water level in the tray in the operation | movement in FIG. 6, and an auxiliary tray. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the tray and auxiliary tray which are common also to this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the change of the water level in the tray and auxiliary tray in the conventional humidifier.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Humidifier 2 Main body 3 Front panel 4 Deodorizing filter 5 Dust collection filter 8 Blower 9 Fan motor 10 Fan 11 1st outlet 12 2nd outlet 13 Operation / display part 14 Humidification filter 15 Tray 16 Water supply tank 17 Ion generation Unit 18 Auxiliary tray 19 Communication hole 21 Bulkhead 22 Bulkhead 23 Bulkhead 24 Opening 25 Back wall 26 Projection piece 27 Partition wall 31 First air passage 32 Second air passage 35 Movable plate 36 Support shaft 37 Protrusion 45 Tray water level detection switch

Claims (5)

In accordance with the rotation of the blower in the air passage, the humidifier sucks and humidifies the outside air and blows out the humidified air to the outside.
In the upstream area of the blower, the air passage is provided with a tray for storing water, and a humidifying filter containing moisture by immersing the lower part in the water stored in the tray,
An auxiliary tray that stores water from the water supply tank and communicates with each other is connected to the tray,
A tray water level detection unit that detects that the amount of water stored in the auxiliary tray has decreased and has reached a water shortage level, and a control unit that controls the rotational operation of the blower.
The said control part continues rotation of the said air blower until predetermined time passes, when the detection output is received from the said tray water level detection part during the humidification operation which is rotating the said air blower, The humidifier characterized by the above-mentioned.   The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is set shorter as the rotational speed of the blower continuously rotating is higher.   The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air passage is provided with an air filter upstream of the humidifying filter. An air passage from the air filter to the blower branches to the first and second air passages and then merges. The first air passage is provided with the tray and the humidifying filter, The second air passage is provided with a movable plate that opens and closes the second air passage,
The controller places the movable plate in a posture in which the second air passage is closed during the humidifying operation, and maintains the posture of the movable plate until the predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the detection output. The humidifier according to claim 3. There is a recess for housing the air filter in the front of the main body, and there is a vent passage extending from the lower portion of the recess to the back and bent upward to reach the blower. 1 air passage, the second air passage is formed,
The movable plate is a curved plate that is curved in an arc shape around a support shaft along the left-right direction from above, and rotates about the support shaft as a fulcrum. The second air passage is closed and the second air passage is opened and the merging port from the first air passage is closed when the second air passage is closed and turned to the innermost position. Humidifier.

Images