JP2010164265A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a movable humidifier capable of selecting various water supply methods according to places where a water supply port is disposed, and performing efficient water supply work. <P>SOLUTION: This humidifier 10 includes a housing 11, a water supply tank 12, a water supply hose receiving part 25, a water supply pipe 36, a ball tap mechanism 22 and caster wheels 17. The water supply tank 12 is disposed in the housing 11. The water supply hose receiving part 25 is configured to receive a water supply hose 56 connected to the water supply tank 12 at its one side. The water supply hose 56 is connected to the water supply pipe 36. The ball tap mechanism 22 mechanically stops the flow of water from the water supply pipe 36 toward the water supply tank 12 when the water in the water supply tank 12 has a prescribed water level or more. The caster wheels 17 support the housing 11. The water supply work to the water supply tank 12 is performed by taking out the water supply hose 56 received in the water supply hose receiving part 25, and connecting it to a faucet 20 side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure for supplying water to a humidifier.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a humidifier including a water supply tank configured to be able to store a certain amount of water in order to supply water to humidifying means for performing humidification is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 disclose this type of humidifier. In the humidifier configured as shown in Patent Document 1, water is stored in a portable container prepared separately from the humidifier, and the water is transferred to the water supply tank, or the water supply tank and the water tap are directly connected. Water supply to a water supply tank is performed by constructing piping to connect. Patent Document 2 discloses a method of removing a cartridge type tank (water supply tank) from a housing and supplying water to the removed cartridge type tank.

JP 2001-33070 A JP-A-9-89316

  A method using a portable container or a method of supplying water to a detachable water supply tank is effective when the humidifier cannot be placed near a faucet of a water supply. However, when the humidifier can be disposed near the faucet of the water supply, the water supply work may be performed more efficiently by directly connecting the faucet and the water supply tank. However, when piping that directly connects the water faucet and the water supply tank as described above is used, in order to move the humidifier from the installation location, remove the piping once and then reconnect the piping to the new installation location. Must be built. In the case of a movable humidifier, the movement of the humidifier is limited by connecting the pipe.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above situation, The objective is to be able to select various water supply methods according to the arrangement | positioning location of the supply port of water supply, and to perform an efficient water supply operation | work. It is to provide a movable humidifier that can.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems and the effects thereof will be described.

  According to the viewpoint of this invention, the humidifier comprised as follows is provided. That is, a humidifier is provided with a housing, a water supply tank, a storage part, a water supply hose connection part, a water supply stop mechanism, and a wheel. The water supply tank is disposed in the housing. The said accommodating part is comprised so that accommodation of the water supply hose by which one side was connected to the said water supply tank is possible. The water supply hose is connected to the water supply hose connection part. The water supply stop mechanism mechanically stops the flow of water from the water supply hose connection to the water supply tank when the water in the water supply tank reaches a predetermined water level or higher. The wheel supports the casing. And the water supply operation | work to the said water supply tank is performed by taking out the said water supply hose accommodated in the said accommodating part, and connecting to the water supply port side.

  As a result, when there is no water in the water supply tank, the humidifier itself is moved to a place close to the faucet of the water supply, and then the water supply hose is taken out of the housing part and connected to the faucet to facilitate water supply work. Can do. Moreover, when the water in a water supply tank falls below a predetermined water level, the water supply hose and the water supply path of a water supply tank are connected, and water supply is performed automatically. Thus, a configuration in which the humidifier is placed in a stationary state within a range where the water supply hose can be connected and water supply is automatically performed can be easily realized without constructing special piping or the like.

  In the said humidifier, it is preferable to provide the water supply part for supplying the water stored by the supply container to a water supply tank.

  Thereby, even when it installs in the place which cannot move a humidifier, water supply can be performed using a supply container. Thus, a humidifier capable of supplying water in various situations can be provided.

  In the humidifier, it is preferable that the water supply tank is disposed in an upper portion of the housing, and the housing portion is disposed in the vicinity of the water supply tank.

  Thereby, while being able to make the distance from a water supply tank to an accommodating part compact, taking in and out of a water supply hose can be made efficient.

  The humidifier is preferably configured as follows. In other words, an engageable coupling device is connected to the end of the water supply hose opposite to the side connected to the water supply hose connection. The water supply operation is performed by connecting the connecting device to a faucet side connecting portion that is connected to the faucet side of the water supply and can be engaged with the connecting device.

  Thereby, the water supply path from a water supply to a water supply tank can be formed by simple work which only engages a connection device with a faucet side connection part, and water supply work can be made efficient.

The front sectional view showing the schematic structure of the humidifier concerning one embodiment of the present invention. Front sectional drawing which showed a mode that water supply was performed with the water supply hose with which a humidifier is equipped. Front sectional drawing which showed a mode that water supply was stopped by the ball tap mechanism with which a humidifier is equipped. Front sectional drawing which showed a mode that water supply was performed with a supply container.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a humidifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing a state where water is supplied by the water supply hose 56 provided in the humidifier 10. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a state in which water supply is stopped by the ball tap mechanism 22 provided in the humidifier 10. FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing how water is supplied by the supply container 90.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a humidifier 10 according to the present embodiment performs humidification using a moisture permeable membrane, and includes a casing 11, a water supply tank 12, a moisture permeable membrane module 13, a sirocco fan (blower). ) 14 as a main component. In addition, the humidifier 10 includes four caster wheels (wheels, moving means) 17 and is configured to be movable by these caster wheels 17. The configuration of each part will be described below.

  The housing 11 is for supporting various devices and components provided in the humidifier 10, and is formed in a vertically elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casing 11 of the present embodiment is configured such that the front width is larger than the side width. A delivery port (not shown in the figure) for sending out the humidified air is formed on the front side at the center in the vertical direction of the housing 11. An intake port 40 for taking air into the housing 11 is formed at a lower portion of the side surface on one side (right side in the drawing) of the housing 11. The air is taken in from the intake port 40 and is humidified in the housing 11, and then sent out of the housing 11 from the delivery port. In addition, an unillustrated operation panel having a display unit or the like is disposed on the front surface of the housing 11, and handles 18 used when moving the humidifier 10 are disposed on both sides of the housing 11. Has been.

  A first opening / closing cover (first opening / closing mechanism) 30 and a second opening / closing cover (second opening / closing mechanism) 31 for opening the inside of the housing 11 for water supply work are provided on the upper surface of the housing 11. Has been placed. Both the first opening / closing cover 30 and the second opening / closing cover 31 are pivotally attached to the upper surface of the housing 11, and function as a lid that covers the upper side of the housing 11 in normal times.

  Next, the water supply tank 12 will be described. The water supply tank (reservoir) 12 is for supplying water to the moisture permeable membrane module 13, and is disposed in the upper part of the housing 11. The water supply tank 12 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape, and is configured to store an appropriate amount of water therein. And the supply pipe 80 for sending water to the moisture-permeable membrane module 13 mentioned later is connected to the bottom face of the water supply tank 12.

  In the present embodiment, a water supply portion 45 for enabling water supply is formed on a part of the upper surface of the water supply tank 12. The water supply unit 45 is configured in a hole shape so that a part of the upper surface of the water supply tank 12 is opened, and is located below the second opening / closing cover 31. With this configuration, the user can open the second opening / closing cover 31 and supply water directly from the exposed water supply portion 45 into the water supply tank 12 using a hose or an appropriate container.

  A water supply hose 56 is connected to a side surface upper portion of one side (right side in the drawing) of the water supply tank 12 of the present embodiment via a water supply pipe (water supply hose connection portion) 36 that connects the inside and outside of the water supply tank 12. The water supply pipe 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is connected to a water supply hose 56 on the outside of the water supply tank 12 and is connected to a ball tap mechanism 22 described later on the inside of the water supply tank 12.

  A female coupling device (coupling device) 55 in which a female engagement portion (not shown) is formed is integrally connected to the upstream end portion of the water supply hose 56. Inside the female coupling device 55, there is a check valve device that allows a flow from the end of the water supply hose 56 in which the female coupling device 55 is arranged to the water supply tank 12, and prevents a flow opposite to the flow. Is arranged.

  Further, a water supply hose accommodating portion 25 for accommodating the water supply hose 56 is formed in the vicinity of the water supply tank 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply hose accommodating portion 25 is disposed adjacent to the water supply tank 12. The water supply hose accommodating portion 25 is located below the first opening / closing cover 30, and the water supply hose accommodating portion 25 is exposed to the outside by opening the first opening / closing cover 30.

  In addition, the water supply tank 12 of the present embodiment includes a ball tap mechanism (water supply stop mechanism) 22. The ball tap mechanism 22 is disposed in the water supply tank 12 and is connected to the end of the water supply pipe 36 opposite to the side to which the water supply hose 56 is connected. The ball tap mechanism 22 of the present embodiment has a ball portion and an on-off valve as main components. The ball portion is configured to float on the water surface, and is connected to the on-off valve by a rod-shaped member. The on-off valve is configured to interlock with the vertical displacement of the ball portion, and closes the passage of the water supply pipe 36 when the ball portion is displaced by a predetermined amount or more. With this configuration, a water supply stop mechanism that automatically and mechanically stops water supply when a predetermined amount or more of water is stored in the water supply tank 12 is realized.

  In this embodiment, the water supply hose 56 and the ball tap mechanism 22 are connected via the water supply pipe 36, and the structure for supplying water and the water supply stop mechanism are configured to form one structure. Thus, the space in the housing | casing 11 can be utilized effectively by arrange | positioning the structure for performing water supply, and the water supply stop mechanism in a collective form.

  Next, the moisture permeable membrane module 13 will be described. The moisture permeable membrane module 13 is for humidifying air and is supported by a bracket (not shown) below the water supply tank 12. The moisture permeable membrane module 13 of the present embodiment has a plurality of moisture permeable elements 85 arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval.

  The moisture permeable element 85 has a base material and a moisture permeable film (super water-repellent porous film) as main components. The base material is formed as a rectangular plate-like member, and is arranged in an upright posture. The moisture permeable membrane is disposed so as to cover the surfaces on both sides in the thickness direction of the substrate. Further, a feed passage for feeding water to the moisture permeable membrane is formed inside the base material. One end of the feed passage is connected to an element supply port formed at the lower end of the moisture permeable element 85.

  Next, a supply path for supplying water from the water supply tank 12 to the moisture permeable element 85 of the moisture permeable membrane module 13 will be described. The supply path has, as main components, a supply pipe 80 and an in-module passage disposed in the moisture permeable membrane module 13. The supply pipe 80 connects the lower part of the water supply tank 12 and the moisture permeable membrane module 13. The in-module passages connect the supply pipe 80 connected to the moisture permeable membrane module 13 and the element supply ports of the plurality of moisture permeable elements 85, respectively.

  Further, an electromagnetic valve 81 is disposed in the middle of the path of the supply pipe 80, and the electromagnetic valve 81 is configured to stop the supply of water from the water supply tank 12 to the moisture permeable membrane module 13. The electromagnetic valve 81 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown), and opens and closes the supply pipe 80 based on a signal from the control unit.

  A branch portion 83 is formed in the middle of the path of the supply pipe 80 and downstream of the electromagnetic valve 81. At the branch portion 83, the drain path toward the drain cock 82 is branched from the supply path toward the moisture permeable membrane module 13. A path of the supply pipe 80 toward the moisture permeable membrane module 13 is connected to a lower portion of the moisture permeable membrane module 13 so as to bend in the horizontal direction from the branch portion 83. On the other hand, the path toward the drain cock 82 extends downward from the branch portion 83 and is connected to the drain cock 82.

  With this configuration, when water is supplied from the water supply tank 12 to the moisture permeable membrane module 13, as shown in FIG. 1, water is filled in the feed passage of the moisture permeable element 85 by the siphon effect. That is, the water supplied from the element supply port to the inside of the base material flows from the lower side to the upper side through the feed passage and is supplied to the surface of the base material. Thereafter, the water permeates the moisture permeable membrane, becomes water vapor, and mixes with the air, whereby the air in the vicinity of the moisture permeable membrane module 13 is humidified.

  Next, the sirocco fan 14 will be described. The sirocco fan 14 is for taking air into the housing 11 and sending it to the moisture permeable membrane module 13, and is disposed in the vicinity of the moisture permeable membrane module 13 and at the bottom of the housing 11. The sirocco fan 14 has a rotating body having a plurality of blade-like members, an exterior cover having a function as a cover while sending out wind generated by the rotating body in a certain direction, and a drive for rotationally driving the rotating body. Source as a main component. The sirocco fan 14 is arranged so that the axial direction of the rotating body is oriented in the horizontal direction, and the rotating body is rotated by the driving source to suck in air in the horizontal direction. The moisture permeable membrane module 13 is configured to be sent out.

  A dustproof pre-filter 42 is attached to a portion of the intake port 40 formed in the housing 11. Further, a sterilizing enzyme filter (sterilizing enzyme high performance filter) 43 is disposed between the pre-filter 42 and the sirocco fan 14. The sterilizing enzyme filter 43 can sterilize the air taken into the housing 11.

  By the way, the humidifier 10 of this embodiment is provided with a caster wheel 17 (moving means) that enables the humidifier 10 to move, and a sirocco fan 14 is disposed at the bottom of the housing 11. As described above, since the sirocco fan 14 which is a heavy object is arranged at the bottom, the center of gravity of the humidifier 10 can be positioned on the lower side, so that the humidifier 10 can be moved stably and the like. .

  Next, with reference to FIG.2 and FIG.3, the water supply operation | work of the humidifier 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a faucet side connecting portion 70 is attached to an end of a faucet (supply port) 20 for water supply. The faucet side connection part 70 has the attachment auxiliary tool 50 and the attachment 60 as main structures. The attachment assisting tool 50 is a member for connecting the attachment 60 to the faucet side, and in the present embodiment, is configured as a member formed in a cylindrical shape by an elastic material or the like. The attachment 60 is configured such that one side can connect the attachment assisting tool 50 and the other side can be engaged with the female coupling device 55 as a male coupling device.

  The user first opens the first opening / closing cover 30, takes out the water supply hose 56, and engages the female coupling device 55 with the attachment 60. In this embodiment, since the water supply tank 12 and the water supply hose accommodating part 25 are arrange | positioned at the upper part of the housing | casing 11, the water supply hose 56 can be taken out easily. By connecting the water supply hose 56 and the attachment 60, a water supply path from the tap 20 to the water supply tank 12 is formed. Water flowing out from the water tap 20 is stored in the water supply tank 12 through the attachment auxiliary tool 50, the attachment 60, the female coupling device 55, and the water supply hose 56.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the water level in the water supply tank 12 rises due to water supply, the ball portion of the ball tap mechanism 22 is displaced upward as the water level rises, and eventually the on-off valve interlocked with the ball portion It operates to close the passage of the water supply pipe 36. As a result, the supply of water from the water supply pipe 36 is automatically stopped.

  In the present embodiment, the attachment 60 and the attachment auxiliary tool 50 are attached to the tap faucet 20 in advance, and the water supply operation can be started simply by connecting the female coupling device 55 of the water supply hose 56. Yes. Thus, the water supply path for replenishing water to the water supply tank 12 can be constructed simply and quickly by attaching the faucet side connecting part 70 to the faucet 20 side of the water supply in advance.

  When the user finishes the water supply operation, the user removes the female coupling device 55 from the attachment 60 and accommodates the water supply hose 56 and the female coupling device 55 in the water supply hose accommodating portion 25. In the present embodiment, since the female coupling device 55 has a check valve device, even when the female coupling device 55 is removed from the attachment 60, the water in the water supply hose 56 flows backward and leaks to the outside. There is nothing.

  When the installation location of the humidifier 10 of the present embodiment is away from the tap 20, the humidifier 10 is moved to a range where the water supply hose 56 provided in the humidifier 10 can be connected, as described above. Water supply work. Moreover, when the installation place of the humidifier 10 is close to the faucet of the water supply, the humidifier 10 can be used with the water supply hose 56 connected. In this case, when the humidifier 10 is operated, the water in the water supply tank 12 is consumed, and when the water level falls below a predetermined water level, the open / close valve is opened by the ball tap mechanism 22 to automatically supply water. As described above, the humidifier 10 of the present embodiment can be operated in the form of an installation type humidifier in which automatic water supply is appropriately performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the structure which supplies water using the supply container 90 is demonstrated. The supply container 90 is configured as a separate body from the humidifier 10, and an appropriate one can be adopted as long as water can be stored. The supply container 90 of the present embodiment has a tapered water supply port, and water can be replenished while the water supply port is inserted into the water supply tank 12 from the water supply unit 45. Thus, the water supply operation can be smoothly performed without spilling water outside the water supply tank 12.

  As described above, the water supply portion 45 is formed on the upper surface of the water supply tank 12 of the present embodiment, and the inside of the water supply tank 12 is exposed through the water supply portion 45 by opening the second opening / closing cover 31. It is configured. As shown in FIG. 4, the user can supply water in the supply container 90 from the water supply unit 45 into the water supply tank 12 with the second opening / closing cover 31 rotated upward. This method is effective when the humidifier 10 cannot be moved for some reason or when it is desired to quickly and quickly supply water to the water supply tank 12.

  As described above, the humidifier 10 of the present embodiment is configured as follows. That is, the humidifier 10 includes a housing 11, a water supply tank 12, a water supply hose accommodating portion 25, a water supply pipe 36, a ball tap mechanism 22, and caster wheels 17. The water supply tank 12 is disposed in the housing 11. The water supply hose accommodating portion 25 is configured to be capable of accommodating a water supply hose 56 having one side connected to the water supply tank 12. A water supply hose 56 is connected to the water supply pipe 36. The ball tap mechanism 22 mechanically stops the flow of water from the water supply pipe 36 toward the water supply tank 12 when the water in the water supply tank 12 reaches a predetermined water level or higher. The caster wheel 17 supports the housing 11. And the water supply operation | work to the water supply tank 12 is performed by taking out the water supply hose 56 accommodated in the water supply hose accommodating part 25, and connecting to the faucet 20 side of the water supply.

  As a result, when the water supply tank 12 runs out of water, the humidifier 10 itself is moved to a location close to the water tap 20, and then the water supply hose 56 is taken out of the water supply hose housing 25 and connected to the tap 20. The water supply work can be done easily. Further, when the water in the water supply tank 12 falls below a predetermined water level, the water supply hose 56 and the water supply path of the water supply tank 12 are connected to automatically supply water. As a result, the humidifier 10 is placed in a stationary state within a range where the water supply hose 56 can be connected, and a configuration in which water supply is automatically performed can be easily realized without constructing special piping or the like.

  In addition, the humidifier 10 of the present embodiment includes a water supply unit 45 for supplying water stored in the supply container 90 to the water supply tank 12.

  Thereby, even when it installs in the place where the humidifier 10 cannot move, water supply can be performed using the supply container 90. FIG. Thus, the humidifier 10 capable of supplying water in various situations can be provided.

  Moreover, in the humidifier 10 of this embodiment, the water supply tank 12 is arrange | positioned at the upper part of the housing | casing 11, and the water supply hose accommodating part 25 is arrange | positioned adjacent to the vicinity of the water supply tank 12. FIG.

  Thereby, while being able to make the distance from the water supply tank 12 to the water supply hose accommodating part 25 compact, the taking in / out of the water supply hose 56 can be made efficient.

  Further, the humidifier 10 of the present embodiment is configured as follows. In other words, an engageable female coupling device 55 is connected to the end of the water supply hose 56 opposite to the side connected to the water supply pipe 36. The water supply operation is performed by connecting the female coupling device 55 to the faucet side coupling portion 70 configured to be engageable with the female coupling device 55 while being connected to the water tap 20 side.

  Thereby, the water supply path from the tap 20 of the water supply to the water supply tank 12 can be formed by a simple operation of simply engaging the female coupling device 55 with the faucet side connecting portion 70, and the water supply operation can be made more efficient.

  Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be further modified as follows.

  In the said embodiment, although the water supply tank 12 is a structure arrange | positioned at the upper part of the housing | casing 11, this structure can be changed suitably. For example, the water supply tank 12 can be arranged at the center in the vertical direction of the housing 11. Moreover, in addition to the structure of the said embodiment, it can also be changed into the structure provided with drive devices, such as a pump, as a means to convey water from the water supply tank 12 to the moisture permeable membrane module 13. FIG. Furthermore, it is sufficient that the water supply tank 12 supplies water, and the humidifying means is not limited to the moisture permeable membrane module 13. Thus, the configuration of the humidifier 10 can be changed as appropriate.

  Moreover, the water supply hose 56 of the said embodiment can be changed suitably. For example, it can also be set as the structure directly connected to the faucet 20 of a water supply not via the attachment 60. FIG.

  In addition to the above embodiment, the water supply hose accommodating portion 25 can be configured to accommodate the supply container 90.

  Moreover, the structure of the moisture permeable membrane module 13 can be changed suitably. For example, the moisture permeable membrane module can be changed to a configuration including a plurality of tubes formed of moisture permeable membranes as moisture permeable elements.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Humidifier 11 Case 12 Water supply tank 13 Moisture permeable membrane module 14 Sirocco fan (blower)
20 Faucet (supply port)
22 Ball tap mechanism (water supply stop mechanism)
25 Water supply hose housing part 36 Water supply pipe (Water supply hose connection part)
45 Water supply part 56 Water supply hose 90 Supply container

Claims (4)

A housing,
A water supply tank disposed in the housing;
An accommodating portion capable of accommodating a water supply hose connected to the water supply tank on one side;
A water supply hose connection to which the water supply hose is connected;
A water supply stop mechanism that mechanically stops the flow of water from the water supply hose connection to the water supply tank when the water in the water supply tank reaches a predetermined water level or higher;
Wheels for supporting the housing;
With
The humidifier characterized by performing the water supply operation | work to the said water supply tank by taking out the said water supply hose accommodated in the said accommodating part, and connecting to the supply port side of a water supply. The humidifier according to claim 1,
A humidifier comprising a water supply unit for supplying water stored in a supply container to a water supply tank. The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the water supply tank is disposed in an upper portion of the casing, and the storage portion is disposed in the vicinity of the water supply tank. A humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An engaging device is connected to the end of the water supply hose opposite to the side connected to the water supply hose connection,
The humidifier characterized in that the water supply operation is performed by connecting the connecting device to a faucet side connecting portion that is connected to the faucet side of the water supply and can be engaged with the connecting device.

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