JP2010107097A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier which dispenses with the work for replacing water. <P>SOLUTION: This humidifier 1 includes a cover section 3 and a bottom section 5, constituting a float for floating the humidifier 1 on water, a vibrator 13 for atomizing the water, and a pump 19, a tank 53 and a water supply bar 51 for supplying the water to the vibrator 13 from the external. Since the humidifier 1 is floated on water by the float composed of the cover section 3 and the bottom section 5, water is supplied to the vibrator 13 from the external, the humidifier 1 can be floated on water and driven. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier, and more particularly to a humidifier that floats on water and is driven.

  A humidifier normally disperses water stored in a tank into the air in the form of a mist with a vibrator. For this reason, water must be stored in the tank, and when the water in the tank becomes small, it is necessary to supply water to the tank.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-29574 describes an air sterilization apparatus that holds two tanks having different sizes and switches between tanks to which water is supplied. According to this air sterilization apparatus, it is possible to continuously operate without stopping operation by reducing the water supply work and water supply work.

However, even with the conventional air sterilization apparatus, there is a problem that the user has to work to supply water to the two tanks.
JP 2008-29574 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that does not require an operation of replenishing water.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the humidifier includes a float for floating the device in water, a vibrator that makes the water mist, and water is supplied to the vibrator from the outside. Supply means.

  According to this aspect, since the device floats on water by floating, it can be driven while floating on the water surface. For this reason, since external water can be supplied, it is not necessary for a user to supply water. As a result, it is possible to provide a humidifier that does not require water replenishment.

Preferably, a tank capable of storing a predetermined amount of water, water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water stored in the tank, electrolysis means for electrolyzing the water stored in the tank,
The supply means further comprises a supply means for supplying external water to the tank in response to detection of a predetermined amount of water by the water amount detection means, and water supply for guiding the water stored in the tank to the vibrator. And a stick.

  According to this aspect, the water replenished from the outside is stored in the tank, electrolyzed, and the water stored in the tank is atomized. For this reason, the water after electrolysis can be made into a mist and discharged into the air. As a result, mist-like water having a sterilizing effect can be released into the air.

  Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a tank capable of storing a predetermined amount of water, a water amount detection means for detecting the amount of water stored in the tank, and an electrolysis means for electrolyzing the water stored in the tank. The vibrator is provided in the tank, and the supply means includes supply means for supplying external water to the tank in response to detection of a predetermined amount of water by the water amount detection means.

  According to this aspect, the water replenished from the outside is stored in the tank, electrolyzed, and the water stored in the tank is atomized. For this reason, the water of the ground under electrolysis becomes mist-like and can discharge | release it in the air. As a result, mist-like water having a sterilizing effect can be released into the air.

  Preferably, the water amount detection means includes at least three water level sensors which are arranged at different positions on the horizontal plane of the tank and detect the water level of the water stored in the tank.

  According to this aspect, since the water levels at different positions are detected on the horizontal plane of the tank, the amount of water in the tank can be detected even when the apparatus is tilted.

  Preferably, the supply means includes a filter provided between the outside and the tank.

  According to this aspect, the dust contained in the water replenished from the outside can be removed, and the apparatus can be prevented from malfunctioning.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a humidifier according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the humidifier 1 has a spherical shape, and is a ring installed at the boundary between the hemispherical lid 3, the hemispherical bottom 5, the lid 3, and the bottom 5. 7. The lid portion 3 and the bottom portion 5 are waterproofed so that water does not enter the inside, and the inside is sealed. For this reason, the lid 3 and the bottom 5 constitute a float, and the humidifier 1 can float on water.

  The lid 3 includes a vibrator 13 at the top, and includes an LED 16 and a switch 18 on a lower side surface thereof. The bottom part 5 is provided with a water supply port 12 in a part immersed in water. The ring 7 is a stabilization mechanism for maintaining the posture of the humidifier 1 so that the lid 3 is on the water surface when the humidifier 1 floats on water. Further, the ring 7 may be hollow. Further, by making the link 7 hollow, the ring 7 may function as a float.

  In addition, although the humidifier 1 in this Embodiment was made into the spherical shape, a shape is not limited to this, It can be set as arbitrary shapes.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the humidifier. Referring to FIG. 2, humidifier 1 includes tank 53 for storing water, vibrator 13, water supply rod 51 for supplying water in tank 53 to vibrator 13, and water in tank 53. The first electrode 15A and the second electrode 15B for electrolyzing the water, the three drought electrodes 17A, 17B, 17C for detecting the water level in the tank 53, the filter 55, the pump 19, and the water pipe 59, Secondary battery 33.

  The secondary battery 33 is installed at the bottom inside the bottom portion 5. As a result, the center of gravity of the humidifier 1 becomes downward, so that when the humidifier 1 floats on the water, the posture can be maintained so that the vibrator 13 faces upward.

  When the humidifier 1 floats on water, the bottom 5 is located in water, and the surface of the bottom 5 is in contact with water. For this reason, the water supply port 12 becomes underwater.

  One of the pumps 19 is connected to the water supply port 12 via the filter 55, and the other is connected to the tank 53 via the water supply pipe 59. The pump 19 is controlled and driven by a control unit (see FIG. 4) described later, thereby sucking water from the water supply port 12 and supplying it to the tank 53. A filter 55 is provided between the water supply port 12 and the pump 19, and water from which dust has been removed is supplied to the tank 53.

  The first electrode 15A and the second electrode 15B are controlled and driven by a control unit 11 (see FIG. 4) described later. The first electrode 15 </ b> A and the second electrode 15 </ b> B are disposed at a position where they land on the water stored in the tank 53, and when driven, the water stored in the tank 53 is electrolyzed to produce electrolyzed water. When the water stored in the tank 53 includes chloride ions, when the water is electrolyzed, two types of “hypochlorous acid” and “OH radicals” are generated as active oxygen. The generated active oxygen is held in the water in the tank 53 at a high density. In addition, active oxygen has the effect | action which suppresses a virus.

  Each of the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C is formed of the same conductive material as the first electrode 15A and the second electrode 15B, and is used to detect whether or not a certain amount of water is accumulated in the tank 53. The lower end of the first electrode 15A and the second electrode 15B are installed so as to be higher than the lower ends by a predetermined distance.

  The water supply rod 51 includes a plurality of thin tubes, sucks up water in the tank 53 by a capillary phenomenon, and supplies the water to the vibrator 13. The vibrator 13 is controlled and driven by a control unit 11 (see FIG. 4) described later. The vibrator 13 atomizes the water supplied from the water supply rod 51. As a result, the water atomized by the vibrator 13 diffuses into the air. As described above, the water stored in the tank 53 is electrolyzed by the first electrode 15A and the second electrode 15B, and the active oxygen is held at a high density, so that they are diffused into the air. By this, viruses in the air can be suppressed (sanitized).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the installation positions of three drought electrodes. FIG. 3 is a view of the tank 53 as viewed from above. The drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C are arranged at different positions on the surface of the water stored in the tank 53. For this reason, even when the humidifier 1 floating in water is inclined with respect to the water surface, one of the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C can detect the amount of water in the tank 53. For this reason, even when the attitude of the humidifier 1 is tilted, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the absence of water in the tank 53.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the function of the humidifier. Referring to FIG. 4, the humidifier 1 includes a control unit 11 for controlling the entire humidifier 1, a vibrator 13 that vibrates water to form a mist, and the first electrode 15 </ b> A and the second electrode 15 </ b> B. An electrolysis unit 15 including: a drought electrode 17A, 17B, 17C, a switch 18, a pump 19, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21 for storing a program executed by the control unit 11, an LED 16, A RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 used as a work area of the control unit 11 and a power supply control unit 31 are included.

  The power supply control unit 31 includes an external power supply terminal 37 to which the external power supply 41 is connected, a secondary battery 33 for supplying power to each load of the humidifier 1, and between the secondary battery 33 and the external power supply terminal 37. And a charging circuit 35 provided in the. The external power source 41 is an AC adapter connected to a commercial power source, a vehicle battery, or the like. The secondary battery 33 is a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a lithium polymer battery, or the like, and has a built-in temperature sensor 34. The temperature sensor 34 detects the temperature of the secondary battery 33 and outputs the detected temperature to the control unit 11. The charging circuit 35 is controlled by the control unit 11 and switches between an on state where the power received by the external power supply terminal 37 from the external power source 41 is output to the secondary battery 33 and an off state where the power is not output to the secondary battery 33. The external power supply terminal 37 is also connected to the control unit 11.

  The switch 18 is a switch for switching ON / OFF of the power supply of the humidifier 1. The LED 16 is a color LED that emits light in either red or blue, and emits light under the control of the control unit 11 to display the operation mode of the humidifier 1.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the functions of the control unit. Referring to FIG. 5, control unit 11 includes display control unit 71 that controls LED 16, vibrator control unit 73 that controls vibrator 13, electrolysis unit 75 that controls electrolysis unit 15, and pump 19. And a pump controller 77 for controlling. The display control unit 71 causes the LED 16 to emit light in red when the operation mode is a water supply mode for supplying water into the tank 53, and causes the LED 16 to emit light in blue when the operation mode is a drive mode for driving the vibrator 13. .

  When all of the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C no longer detect water, the pump control unit 77 drives the pump 19 for a predetermined time. As a result, water is sucked from the water supply port 12, water is transferred to the tank 53, and a predetermined amount of water is stored in the tank 53.

  The vibrator control unit 73 drives the vibrator 13 while any one of the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C detects water in the tank 53. Thereby, the water supplied by the water supply rod 51 is atomized by the vibrator 13 and discharged into the air.

  The electrolysis unit 75 drives the electrolysis unit 15 while any of the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C is detecting water in the tank 53. Thereby, the water in the tank 53 is electrolyzed. As a result, two types of “hypochlorous acid” and “OH radicals” active oxygen are generated from the water in the tank 53.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of drive control processing. The drive control process is a process executed by the control unit 11 when the control unit 11 executes a drive control program. Referring to FIG. 6, control unit 11 determines whether or not switch 18 has been turned ON (step S01). The process waits until the switch 18 is turned on (NO in step S01). When the switch 18 is turned on (NO in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, it is determined whether or not any of the three drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C has detected water for a predetermined time or more. If none of the three drought electrodes 17A, 17B, 17C has detected water for a predetermined time or more, the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S07. A case where none of the three drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C detects water for a predetermined time or more is a case where water does not exceed a predetermined amount in the tank 53. If water is detected by any one of the three drought electrodes 17A, 17B, 17C, it is determined that a predetermined amount or more of water exists in the tank 53.

  In step S03, the pump 19 is driven. As a result, external water is supplied to the tank 53 via the water supply port 12. In the next step S04, the LED 16 is lit in red, and the water supply display indicating the water supply mode is displayed. Then, in the next step S05, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the pump 19 was driven. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S06; otherwise, the process returns to step S04. The predetermined time is a time until the water stored in the tank 53 reaches a predetermined amount. In the next step S06, the drive of the pump 19 is stopped. Thereby, since the pump 19 is driven for a predetermined time, a predetermined amount of water can be stored in the tank 53.

  In the next step S07, the electrolysis unit 15 is controlled to start electrolysis. As a result, the water stored in the tank 53 is electrolyzed to generate two types of “hypochlorous acid” and “OH radicals” active oxygen.

  Then, the vibrator 13 is driven (step S08). As a result, the water supplied from the tank 53 to the vibrator by the water supply rod 51 is atomized by the vibrator 13 and diffused into the air. In the next step S09, the LED 16 is lit in blue, and a driving display indicating the driving mode is displayed.

  In the next step S10, it is determined whether or not the switch 16 has been turned OFF. If the switch 16 is turned off, the process is terminated; otherwise, the process returns to step S02. When the process is terminated, all driving of the pump 19, the vibrator 13 and the electrolysis unit 15 is stopped.

  As described above, the humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment includes the lid 3 and the bottom 5 to form a float for floating the device in water, and the vibrator 13 that makes the water mist, and the vibrator 13 And a water supply mechanism for supplying water from the outside. For this reason, since the humidifier 1 floats in the water by the float comprised by the cover part 3 and the bottom part 5, it can be made to float on the water surface and drive. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to supply water.

  Further, the tank 53 capable of storing a predetermined amount of water, the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C that detect the amount of water stored in the tank, and the electrolysis unit 15 that electrolyzes the water stored in the tank 53. The supply mechanism further includes a pump 19 for supplying external water to the tank 53 in response to detection of a predetermined amount of water by the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C, and storage in the tank 53. And a water supply rod 51 for guiding the generated water to the vibrator. For this reason, the water replenished from the outside is stored in the tank 53, electrolyzed by the electrolysis unit 15, and the water stored in the tank 53 is atomized by the vibrator 13. For this reason, the water after electrolysis can be made into a mist and discharged into the air.

  Preferably, the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C are arranged at different positions on the horizontal plane of the tank, so that even when the humidifier 1 is tilted, the amount of water in the tank 53 becomes a predetermined amount. Can be detected.

  Further, since the filter 55 provided between the outside and the tank 53 is included, dust contained in the water replenished from the outside can be removed, and the apparatus can be prevented from malfunctioning.

<First Modification>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the humidifier in the first modification. Referring to FIG. 7, humidifier 1 </ b> A includes vibrator 13, water supply rod 51 </ b> A for supplying external water to vibrator 13, and secondary battery 33. The humidifier 1 </ b> A is the same as the humidifier 1 described above in that it includes a lid 3, a bottom 5, and a ring 7.

  The water supply rod 51A penetrates the bottom portion 5 and protrudes to the outside. For this reason, when the humidifier 1A floats on the water surface, the portion protruding from the bottom 5 of the water supply rod 51A is immersed in water. For this reason, the water supply rod 51 </ b> A sucks up external water using a capillary phenomenon and supplies it to the vibrator 13.

  The humidifier 1A in the first modified example has the same function as the humidifier 1 shown in FIG. 4, but does not include the tank 53, the pump 19, the electrolysis unit 15, and the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C. Different. For this reason, the control unit 11 drives the vibrator 13 when the switch 18 is switched ON. Thereby, mist-like water is diffused in the air from the vibrator 13.

  Since the humidifier 1A in the first modification is merely floated on water and water is supplied to the vibrator 13, as long as the secondary battery 33 stores sufficient power for driving, or externally As long as the power supply terminal 37 is supplied with power from the external power supply 41, the mist-like water can be diffused into the air.

  The humidifier 1 in the first modification is driven to float on the water surface, and the water supply rod 51A supplies water from the outside to the vibration unit 13, so that it is not necessary to replenish water.

<Second Modification>
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the humidifier in the second modification. Referring to FIG. 8, the humidifier 1 </ b> B is different from the humidifier 1 shown in FIG. 2 in that the vibrator 13 is disposed in the tank 53, the water supply rod 51 is deleted, and the blower pipe 63. The air outlet 65, the air blowing fan 61, and the outside air intake port 67 are added.

  The humidifier 1B in the second modified example does not require the water supply rod 51 of the humidifier 1 described above because the vibrator 13 is provided in the tank 53. When the vibrator 13 makes the water in the tank 53 mist, the mist is released onto the water surface stored in the tank 53.

  The outside air intake port 67 is a hole provided in the vicinity of the air blowing port 65 on the upper side of the lid 3. The blower pipe 63 has one end connected to the blower port 65 and the other end connected to the tank 53. The blower fan 61 is disposed between the blower port 65 and the tank 53 in the blower pipe 63. The blower pipe 63 has a hole 69 in the upper part of the tank 53 below the blower fan 61. When the blower fan 61 is driven, the air taken in from the outside air take-in port 67 is taken into the humidifier 1, enters the blower pipe 63 through the hole 69, passes through the blower pipe 63, and passes through the blower port 63. It is discharged from 65. Thereby, the mist-like water discharge | released on the water surface by the vibrator | oscillator 13 is discharge | released in the air from the ventilation port 65. FIG. Therefore, similarly to the humidifier 1 described above, mist-like water having sterilizing power is released into the air.

  The humidifier 1B in the second modification is the same as the function of the humidifier 1 shown in FIG. 4 except that the blower fan 61 is connected to the control unit 11. The blower fan 61 is controlled by the control unit 11. The control unit 11 drives the blower fan 61 while any of the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C is detecting water in the tank 53. As a result, the mist released by the vibrator 13 to the water surface of the water stored in the tank 53 is released to the outside from the blower port 65.

  The humidifier 1 </ b> B in the second modification is stored in the tank 53, a drought electrode 17 </ b> A, 17 </ b> B, 17 </ b> C that detects the amount of water stored in the tank, and the tank 53. And an electrolysis unit 15 for electrolyzing the water. The vibrator 13 is provided in the tank 53, and the tank 53 is detected in response to detection of a predetermined amount of water by the drought electrodes 17A, 17B, and 17C. A pump 19 for replenishing external water is included. For this reason, the water replenished from the outside by the pump 19 is stored in the tank 53, electrolyzed by the vibrator 13, and the water stored in the tank 53 is atomized. Further, mist-like water is discharged into the air by the blower fan 61. For this reason, the water after electrolysis can be made into a mist and discharged into the air.

  Furthermore, the humidifier 1B in the second modified example can achieve the same effect as the humidifier 1 described above, and it is possible to disperse the mist into the air simply by floating on the water, so it is necessary to supply water. There is no.

  In the above-described embodiment, the humidifier has been described as an example, but any device that discharges water into the air in the form of a mist may be used.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a perspective view which shows the general view of the humidifier in one of the embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a humidifier. It is a figure for demonstrating the installation position of three drought electrodes. It is a functional block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the function of a humidifier. It is a functional block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the function of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a drive control process. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the humidifier in a 1st modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the humidifier in a 2nd modification.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 1A, 1B Humidifier, 3 lid part, 5 bottom part, 7 ring, 11 control part, 12 water supply port, 13 vibrator, 15 electrolysis part, 15A 1st electrode, 15B 2nd electrode, 16 switch, 17A, 17B , 17C Drought electrode, 18 switch, 19 pump, 31 power supply control unit, 33 secondary battery, 34 temperature sensor, 35 charging circuit, 37 external power supply terminal, 41 external power supply, 51, 51A water supply rod, 53 tank, 55 filter, 59 water supply pipe, 61 blower fan, 63 blower pipe, 65 blower opening, 71 display control part, 73 vibrator control part, 75 electrolysis part, 77 pump control part.

Claims (5)

A float to float the device on water,
A vibrator that mists water,
A humidifier comprising: supply means for supplying water to the vibrator from outside; A tank capable of storing a predetermined amount of water;
Water amount detection means for detecting the amount of water stored in the tank;
Electrolysis means for electrolyzing water stored in the tank, and
The supply means is configured to supply external water to the tank in response to detection of a predetermined amount of water by the water quantity detection means;
The humidifier according to claim 1, comprising: a water supply rod that guides water stored in the tank to the vibrator. A tank capable of storing a predetermined amount of water;
Water amount detection means for detecting the amount of water stored in the tank;
Electrolysis means for electrolyzing water stored in the tank, and
The vibrator is provided in the tank;
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit includes a supply unit that supplies external water to the tank in response to detection of a predetermined amount of water by the water amount detection unit.   The humidifier according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the water amount detection means includes at least three water level sensors that are arranged at different positions on a horizontal plane of the tank and detect the water level of water stored in the tank.   The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit includes a filter provided between the outside and the tank.

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