JP2016044909A - humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier which can reduce or eliminate the work to make up consumed water and the cleaning work in a system.SOLUTION: There is provided a humidifier 10 comprising a reception part 110 that receives inflow water, a discharge part 150 that discharges inflow water to outside, and a vaporization part 140 that vaporizes inflow water in a flowing water route from the reception part 110 to the discharge part 150.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier.

  Conventionally, various humidifiers exist as devices for humidifying air in a living space inside a house or a building in order to maintain throat health during the air drying period in winter. Recently, humidifiers are attracting attention as a countermeasure against infectious diseases such as norovirus. There are various types of humidifiers, and humidifiers equipped with an advanced automatic humidity control function that includes a hygrometer and stops / restarts the humidification operation so that the ambient humidity becomes the set humidity are also commercially available. .

  Humidification is performed by vaporization of water, and a vaporization method such as an ultrasonic vaporization method, a heat vaporization method, a filter vaporization method, or a hybrid method combining them is known. Direct humidification using high-pressure water nozzles is mainly used for humidification for agricultural industries such as greenhouses, but the humidifier and water tank can be attached and detached for humidification in homes and relatively small spaces. The humidifier integrated in (1) is mainly used (for example, see Patent Document 1). The humidifier with the humidifier and water tank integrated is set so that the lid of the water tank is at the bottom, and if the water level in the humidifier drops as a result of water consumption, a gap is created at the bottom of the tank, causing bubbles. Most of the structures also have a function of automatic water level control that keeps the water level in the humidifying part constant to some extent by allowing the water corresponding to the volume of the bubbles to come out from the hole at the bottom of the tank instead. It is. If water remains in the tank, water is automatically supplied to the vaporizing unit in accordance with the humidifying operation, so that the humidifier can continue the humidifying operation.

JP 2000-274756 A

  However, in the humidifier integrated with the tank, when the water in the tank is exhausted, the water supply cannot be continued even if the water level in the humidifying unit is lowered, and the humidification operation cannot be continued. At this time, an operation of supplying water to the tank occurs. In other words, work to remove the empty tank from the humidifier body and move it to the water supply station, to inject water into the tank at the water supply station, and to move the full tank to the location of the humidifier body And the operation of changing the tank upside down and attaching it to a predetermined position of the humidifier body. If the tank is small, it will be light even if it is full, but the frequency of water supply will be high. On the other hand, although the frequency of replenishment decreases with a large tank capacity, a full tank is heavy and the work load of replenishing water is large. In other words, regardless of the size of the tank, it is common for users to spend a lot of time.

  A humidifier whose humidification operation is automatically controlled by a hygrometer attached to the main body stops the humidification operation when the humidity is high, such as on a rainy day, and starts the operation when the humidity decreases. In a humidifier that does not have an automatic control function, humans manually turn on and off the humidification operation. However, while the humidifying operation is stopped, the water in the entire system is stagnant, and if left for a long time, chlorine is released, bacteria are generated and propagate, and each part gradually shifts to a slime or muddy state. If the humidification operation starts automatically or manually in this state, dirty bacteria will be scattered in the atmosphere. After the humidification operation has stopped for a long time, the old water in the water tank is replaced. In the system, cleaning work is required.

  Cleaning the slime inside the system is often a brushing operation in which the humidifier body is carried to the sink, tilted on the sink, and fresh water is flowing, and the work load is particularly large. In the filter vaporization method, slime enters the filter element, and if left for a long time, mold will form on the entire element. Since the mold produced in the filter fibers cannot be removed, the filter element itself must be replaced in this case, which is expensive.

  Therefore, it is desirable to provide a humidifier that can reduce or eliminate the work of replenishing consumed water and the cleaning work in the system.

  In order to solve the above problems, a receiving unit that receives inflow water, a discharge unit that discharges the inflow water to the outside, and a vaporization unit that vaporizes the inflow water in a flowing water path from the receiving unit to the discharge unit. A humidifier is provided.

  The said discharge part may be provided downstream from the said vaporization part in the flow path of the said inflowing water.

  The humidifier may include a heating unit that heats the inflow water in a flowing water path to the vaporization unit.

  The discharge part may be provided above the vaporization part.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the work of replenishing consumed water and the cleaning work in the system.

It is a perspective view of the humidifier which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the humidifier in the AA cross section shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the control system of the humidifier which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the power supply ON of the humidifier which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the power supply OFF of the humidifier which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the humidifier which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the humidifier in the BB cross section shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of automatic humidity control. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of automatic water level control. It is a figure which shows the mode of automatic water level control.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In the present specification and drawings, a plurality of constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by attaching different alphabets or numbers after the same reference numeral. However, when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish each of a plurality of constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numerals are given.

<1. Background>
Various humidifiers are commercially available as devices for maintaining health in order to humidify living spaces in a relatively small area of a house or a building. For example, in order to reduce the infectivity of infectious diseases such as norovirus, it is important to maintain indoor humidity within a predetermined range. It is more important to maintain the indoor humidity within a predetermined range in a place where many people with low resistance to infection (for example, elderly people and children) gather.

  There are various types of humidifiers, and humidifiers equipped with a hygrometer and equipped with an automatic humidity control function for stopping / resuming the humidification operation so that the ambient humidity becomes the set humidity are commercially available. In addition, a humidifier integrated with a humidifying unit and a water tank being detachable is also known, and a humidifier integrated with the humidifying unit and the water tank usually keeps the water level of the humidifying unit constant to some extent. Has the function of automatic water level control to keep. Hereinafter, the automatic humidity control and the automatic water level control will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of automatic humidity control. As shown in FIG. 8, after the power is turned on, the humidifier compares the actual humidity with the set humidity (S404). When the actual humidity is equal to or higher than the set humidity (S404 / no), the humidifier stops humidification (S408). For example, the humidifier stops the operation accompanying the humidification operation and the humidification operation, such as ultrasonic vibration, heating, and blowing.

  On the other hand, when the actual humidity is less than the set humidity (S404 / yes), the humidifier confirms the detection data output by the water level sensor (S412). The water level sensor is a sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the water level. In many cases, a float type that rises and falls according to the water level is used. In this example, the detection data “ON” is output when the water level falls below the lower limit value, and the detection data “OFF” is output when the water level is equal to or higher than the lower limit value.

  Here, when it is confirmed that the float sensor outputs the detection data “ON” (S412 / ON), the humidifier stops the humidification and displays an alarm (S416). For example, a humidifier stops the operation | movement accompanying the humidification operation | movement and humidification operation | movement mentioned above, and performs the alarm display which induces water supply.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the float sensor outputs the detection data “OFF” (S412 / OFF), the humidifier starts the humidifying operation and the operation associated with the humidifying operation if not humidifying (S420). / No, S424), the process from S404 is repeated during humidification (S420 / yes).

  Next, automatic water level control will be described. If there is an air gap on the lower surface of the tank with water in the tank, bubbles will enter the tank and water of the same volume as the bubbles will exit the tank. And if water is supplied into the humidification system after the tank outlet and the water level in the system rises and there is no air gap on the bottom of the tank, the intrusion of bubbles into the tank stops and the water discharge stops, so that The water level will no longer rise. That is, if there is water in the tank, the water level in the system including the humidifying unit is automatically controlled to a predetermined level. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of this automatic water level control.

  As shown in FIG. 9, if the water level in the vaporization section is lowered and an air gap is formed under the tank (S440 / yes), if there is water in the tank (S448 / yes), the tank discharges water (S452). . And if the water level of a vaporization part rises and there is no air gap under a tank, discharge of the water from a tank will stop automatically (S444).

  On the other hand, even if the water level in the vaporization section is lowered and an air gap is formed under the tank (S440 / yes), if there is no water in the tank (S448 / no), the tank cannot discharge water, so the water level in the vaporization section is As soon as it starts to drop, and it becomes below the lower limit detected by the water level gauge, the humidification is stopped and an alarm is displayed (S456, S460).

  According to the automatic water level control described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the water level of the vaporizing unit decreases and an air gap is formed under the tank, the tank water starts to be discharged at t1, and the water level of the vaporizing unit is reduced. When the upper limit is reached at t2, the discharge of the tank water is stopped. Here, when the water in the tank is exhausted, the tank water cannot be discharged even if the water level in the vaporizing unit falls below the upper limit, and the water level in the vaporizing unit decreases. And when the water level of a vaporization part reaches a minimum in t3, an alarm display will be performed. At the same time, it is common for the humidifier to automatically stop the humidifying operation to prevent damage to the equipment. In particular, in the ultrasonic type, if the ultrasonic vibrator becomes unloaded, the vibrator is damaged, and in the heating type, there is a high possibility of causing damage to the heater due to emptying.

  However, the conventional humidifier has a problem that the work load on the user is large.

  For example, in a conventional humidifier having a function of automatic water level control, when the water in the tank is exhausted, the water supply cannot be continued even if the water level in the humidifying unit drops, and the humidification operation cannot be continued. At this time, an operation of supplying water to the tank occurs. In other words, work to remove the empty tank from the humidifier body and move it to the water supply station, to inject water into the tank at the water supply station, and to move the full tank to the location of the humidifier body And the operation of changing the tank upside down and attaching it to a predetermined position of the humidifier body. If the tank is small, it will be light even if it is full, but the frequency of water supply will be high. On the other hand, although the frequency of replenishment decreases with a large tank capacity, a full tank is heavy and the work load of replenishing water is large. In other words, regardless of the size of the tank, it is common for users to spend a lot of time. Moreover, since the amount of water consumption increases during the time when the air is easily dried, the frequency of the work of replenishing the consumed water increases.

  In addition, with a conventional humidifier with automatic humidity control, the humidifier does not operate on a rainy day and the stagnation of water occurs throughout the system. , Bacteria develop and propagate, and each part gradually shifts to a slimy or muddy state. In that state, if the weather improves and the humidity decreases and humidification starts automatically, the filthous bacteria will be scattered in the atmosphere, so the humidity is high and there is no need for humidification to some extent. When it lasts for a long time, it is essential to replace the water in the water tank and clean the system. Cleaning the slime inside the system is often a brushing operation with the humidifier body carried to the sink and tilted and flowing fresh water, and the workload is particularly large. In the filter vaporization method, slime enters the filter element, and if left untreated, mold will form on the entire element. Since the mold cannot be removed, the filter element must be replaced in this case, which is costly.

  As described above, in the conventional humidifier, the result is that the work is replenished with water or the cleaning work, and the load of the work becomes an obstacle to using the humidifier.

<2. Overview>
The humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can reduce the load of water supply work and cleaning work. Hereinafter, an outline of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a water pipe within the jurisdiction of the Waterworks Bureau, or a water pipe for pressurizing and distributing water once received in a water receiving tank with another pump (hereinafter collectively referred to as a water pipe). A receiving part that directly connects to the tap water of the water pipe as inflow water, a passage for moving the inflow water received by the receiving part to the vaporization part, and the inflow that has passed through the passage A vaporization unit for vaporizing part or all of the water and a discharge unit for discharging the surplus of the inflow water to the outside are provided.

  Water is always supplied to the receiving part, reaches the vaporizing part through the passage, where a part of the water is vaporized by the humidifying operation and is released into the atmosphere. The remaining water that has not been vaporized reaches the discharge section and is discharged out of the system.

  When the water surface of the vaporization unit exceeds a predetermined height, the discharge unit discharges an amount corresponding to the excess amount as an overflow to the outside of the system. A structure that allows water beyond this to flow out of the system automatically. The shape of the weir is not limited as long as water above a certain water level naturally flows beyond the system. It may be a circular hole or a shape such as a rectangle.

  The water supplied in the receiving part is used for vaporization in the humidifying part, but if the humidifying operation is stopped, it passes there and goes to the discharging part. Since the hole in the discharge part is after (downstream) after passing through the vaporization part, fresh water always passes through the vaporization part even when the humidification operation is stopped, so the stagnation of water in the system is almost completely prevented. The system can always be kept clean even when humidification is stopped for a long time. In this state, fresh water is used for humidification whenever the humidification operation is started, and there is no possibility of polluting the air.

  The weir of the discharge part is provided in the vicinity of the vaporization part, but if it is arranged at a position where water reaches after passing through the vaporization part, that is, downstream of the vaporization part, it is sent from the receiving part even while the humidification operation is stopped. Fresh water is discharged without stagnation. Conversely, when the drainage weir is placed upstream of the vaporization section, some of the fresh water is discharged without going to the vaporization section, and the water in the vaporization section is left behind in the bag path, Stagnation of water. If the humidification operation is not stopped for a long time, even if it temporarily stops, it will be used for vaporization sooner or later, but if it stops for a long time, it will become itch and cause bacteria. Therefore, in order to maintain the freshness of the water in the system regardless of the length of the stop period, it is ideal to provide the discharge part at least downstream of the vaporization part.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply the structure which supplies water directly to a vaporization part to a humidifier, and a humidifier does not need to be provided with a channel | path part in this case. In the case of the tank type, since the size of the tank is large, it is difficult to arrange the humidifying part immediately below the water tank because of the structural design, so there will necessarily be some passage that leads the water to the humidifying part. If there is no tank as in the present invention, the passage can be omitted, and the apparatus can be made compact by supplying water directly to the vaporizing section.

  Moreover, a humidifier may be equipped with the heating apparatus for improving the whole humidification capability by preheating the water before humidification. The said heating apparatus can be mounted in the side wall or bottom face of a vaporization part.

<3. Configuration example>
The outline of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Then, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the specific structural example of the humidifier which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a humidifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is sectional drawing of the humidifier 10 in the AA cross section shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving unit 110 connected to the water pipe 21. The receiving unit 110 receives tap water passing through the inside of the water pipe 21 as inflow water.

  Here, the water pipe 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is a pipe from which sterilized tap water can be obtained. The water pipe 21 branches from a water distribution pipe (pipe for sending water from a water distribution station to a water supply area) and supplies tap water to consumers. A water supply pipe may be included. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the water pipe 21 and the receiving part 110 are connected via the hollow pipe 30 and the charging pipe 40, but the members that connect the water pipe 21 and the receiving part 110 are It is not limited. For example, the input tube 40 may not be used. Further, as will be described in a later modification, other members may be used instead of the hollow tube 30 and the input tube 40.

  The amount of inflow water received by the receiving unit 110 is set to be slightly larger than the continuous vaporization amount of the vaporizing unit 140. A fixed throttle may be provided, but it may be adjustable by a flow rate adjusting valve or the like. Since the inflow amount = the vaporization amount of the vaporization portion + the overflow (discharge amount), if the inflow amount is matched with the vaporization amount, the inflowing water is used for 100% vaporization during the humidifying operation, and there is no overflow. If the humidity reaches the set value and the humidification operation is stopped, 100% of the inflowing water overflows. The amount of humidification may vary depending on the model.

  The inflow amount can be set to be smaller than the humidification amount by adjusting the inflow valve. If the humidification is continued in that state, water will naturally be insufficient, and the water level in the humidifying part will decrease. The water level gauge detects that the water level has fallen below the predetermined lower limit water level, and many stop the humidification automatically, but the water still flows after the stop. When the lower limit water level is exceeded, the humidification operation is started again. This repetition may not be sufficient to control the humidity of the surrounding air, but it can save water by minimizing the stagnation and making the overflow zero.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which the shape of the receiving portion 110 is circular, but the shape of the receiving portion 110 is not particularly limited, and may be rectangular or other shapes. Good. Moreover, although the example in which the receiving part 110 is provided in the upper surface of the humidifier housing | casing is shown by FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the position in which the receiving part 110 is provided is not specifically limited, The receiving part 110 is Further, it may be provided at other than the upper surface (for example, a side surface) of the humidifier housing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 10 includes a water passage 130 through which the inflow water received by the receiving unit 110 passes. Here, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the shape of the water channel 130 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the water channel 130 is not particularly limited, and may be a cylindrical shape or a conical shape. It may be spherical or other shapes.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 10 includes a vaporization unit 140 that vaporizes a part or all of the inflow water received by the reception unit 110. Here, the vaporization method by the vaporization unit 140 is not particularly limited. For example, the vaporization method by the vaporization unit 140 includes an ultrasonic vaporization method in which vaporization is performed by ultrasonic vibration, a heating vaporization method in which vaporization is performed by heating, and a filter is partially immersed in water to suck up water and vaporize by blowing air. You may include at least any one of the filter vaporization types to perform. That is, these vaporization methods may be used alone, or any combination of these vaporization methods may be used.

  Here, the vaporization unit 140 vaporizes part or all of the inflow water received by the reception unit 110. More specifically, the vaporizing unit 140 may generate water vapor from a part or all of the inflow water received by the receiving unit 110, or may be referred to as fine mist water (hereinafter also referred to as “mist”). .) May be generated. For example, when the vaporization method of the vaporization unit 140 is an ultrasonic method, water received by the reception unit 110 is vibrated by ultrasonic waves emitted from the vaporization unit 140 to generate mist. In such a case, the mist generated by the vaporization unit 140 can change into water vapor in the air.

  On the other hand, when the vaporization method of the vaporization part 140 is a steam type, the water received by the reception part 110 is heated by the vaporization part 140, and water vapor | steam is produced | generated. In addition, even when the vaporization method of the vaporization unit 140 is a filter vaporization method, water sucked up by a filter partially immersed in the vaporization unit 140 is vaporized by blowing air to generate water vapor.

  FIG. 2 shows an example in which the vaporization unit 140 is provided at the bottom bottom of the water channel 130 assuming that the vaporization method of the vaporization unit 140 is an ultrasonic method, but the vaporization unit 140 is provided. The position where it is provided is not particularly limited. For example, when the vaporization method of the vaporization unit 140 is a steam method, the electric heating device may be provided on a portion other than the bottom bottom of the water channel 130 (for example, a side surface). For example, when the vaporization method of the vaporization part 140 is a ventilation type, the fan which ventilates should just be provided in the inside of the water channel 130. FIG.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 10 may include a heating unit 181 that heats the inflowing water in the flowing water path to the vaporizing unit 140. As described above, the inflowing water is vaporized by the vaporization unit 140, but if the heating unit 181 is provided in the humidifier 10, vaporization of the inflowing water is promoted by the heating of the inflowing water by the heating unit 181. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 181 is provided inside the water channel 130, but the position where the heating unit 181 is provided is not particularly limited. For example, the heating unit 181 may be provided outside the water channel 130 so as to cover the water channel 130.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 10 may include a discharge unit 120 that discharges water vapor generated by vaporization by the vaporization unit 140. The water vapor discharged from the discharge unit 120 can be discharged into the air via the discharge pipe 50. Here, the discharge unit 120 may discharge mist instead of water vapor. Also in such a case, the mist discharged from the discharge unit 120 can be discharged into the air via the discharge pipe 50.

  In addition, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the shape of the discharge unit 120 is circular, but the shape of the discharge unit 120 is not particularly limited, and may be rectangular or other shapes. Good. Moreover, although the example in which the discharge part 120 is provided in the upper surface of the water channel 130 is shown by FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the position in which the discharge part 120 is provided is not specifically limited, The discharge part 120 is a water channel. It may be provided other than the upper surface of 130 (for example, a side surface).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 10 includes a water level sensor 170. The position of the water level sensor 170 is not particularly limited.

  In many cases, the water level sensor is often a float type that detects the position of a float that moves up and down with the water level. For example, when the height of the float 172 is below a predetermined height, vaporization by the vaporization unit 140 may occur. If it continues, the capability of a humidification part may fall or a vaporization part may be damaged. Therefore, in order to reduce such a possibility, when the height of the float 172 is lower than a predetermined height, the vaporization by the vaporization unit 140 may be controlled to be stopped.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 10 may include a fan 180. Here, the fan 180 blows air in such a direction that the water vapor or mist generated by the vaporization unit 140 is moved to the discharge unit 120. The position where the fan 180 is provided is not particularly limited. When the humidifier 10 includes the fan 180, the water vapor or mist generated by the vaporization unit 140 can be efficiently discharged into the air.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the humidifier 10 includes the receiving unit 110 connected to the water pipe 21. The receiving unit 110 receives sterilized water inside the water pipe 21 as inflow water. With this configuration, it is possible to perform humidification by vaporizing the inflow water continuously supplied from the water pipe 21, so that water consumed by the humidification is automatically replenished, and the consumed water is replenished. It becomes possible to reduce the work to do.

  In general, when the humidity detected by the hygrometer reaches a predetermined humidity, the supply of water is automatically stopped to prevent the humidity from further increasing. As a result, when water in the system stays, chlorine is easily released and bacteria are easily generated. If the stagnation lasts for a long time, the water will spill out and further develop in a muddy shape. In that case, it is necessary to clean the inside. However, this work is time-consuming for the user. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 10 includes a discharge unit 150 that discharges part or all of the inflow water as outflow water.

  According to such a configuration, part or all of the inflow water is continuously discharged from the discharge unit 150 as outflow water. For example, at the time of humidification, when the inflow amount is larger than the vaporization amount, the inflow water is discharged with the discharge amount expressed by the inflow amount−the vaporization amount. In addition, when the humidification is stopped, the effluent is discharged with a discharge amount equal to the inflow amount. In such a configuration, all of the water is discharged without being vaporized and the use efficiency of the water decreases, but it is always possible to maintain the freshness of the water in the humidifier. The outflow water discharged from the discharge unit 150 may be moved to a predetermined drainage place (for example, a drain outlet in the sink) by the discharge pipe 60. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, if the discharge pipe 60 is disposed obliquely downward or downward with respect to the horizontal, the outflow water can be easily moved according to gravity.

  In addition, when the cross-sectional area of the water outlet of the discharge part 150 is too small, natural discharge of water becomes difficult by the influence of the surface tension of water. It is desirable that the surface tension of ordinary tap water be at least 50 square millimeters.

  Further, the position in the vertical direction where the discharge unit 150 is provided is preferably determined in consideration of the depth from the water surface at which the vaporization unit 140 can obtain sufficient vaporization capability to the vaporization unit 140. Normally, the water pressure at the inflow portion is not constant, so the inflow speed varies. In particular, when the vaporization rate is higher than the inflow rate, water is lost and the vaporization unit 140 is easily damaged. Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the discharge unit 150 may be provided above the vaporization unit 140. According to this configuration, it is possible to absorb the variation.

  Then, the function structural example of the control system of the humidifier 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the control system of the humidifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the humidifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 190 configured by a microcomputer or the like. A vaporization unit 140, a water level sensor 170, a fan 180, an input unit 191 and an output unit 192 are connected to the control unit 190 via an input / output interface.

  For example, if the water level sensor is a float type, the control unit 190 acquires detection data indicating whether or not the height of the float 172 is below a predetermined height from the float sensor 170. If the control unit 190 determines that the height of the float 172 is lower than the predetermined height based on the acquired detection data, the control unit 190 stops the vaporization by the vaporization unit 140 and blows air by the fan 180. You may make it stop and make the output part 192 output that it encourages water supply. The output unit 192 may be a display device, an audio output device, or a combination thereof.

  In addition, the control unit 190 acquires an operation input to the input unit 191 by the user. And the control part 190 may control the vaporization part 140 and the fan 180 based on the acquired operation. For example, when acquiring the humidification start operation, the control unit 190 may start the operations of the vaporization unit 140 and the fan 180 based on the operation. Moreover, the control part 190 should just complete | finish operation | movement of the vaporization part 140 and the fan 180, when humidification completion | finish operation is acquired. Moreover, the control part 190 should just operate the vaporization part 140 and the fan 180 with the intensity | strength according to the acquired humidification intensity | strength, when the humidification intensity | strength is acquired.

<4. Operation>
The configuration of the humidifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of the humidifier 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is organized.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation when the humidifier 10 is powered on. As shown in FIG. 4, in a state where tap water continues to flow from the receiving unit 110 (S504), the vaporization rate exceeds the inflow rate (S508 / yes), and the float sensor outputs detection data “OFF”. In the case (S512 / OFF), the vaporizing unit 140 vaporizes the incoming water (S516). On the other hand, when the float sensor outputs the detection data “ON” (S512 / ON), the vaporization unit 140 stops vaporization of the inflowing water (S520).

  Further, when the vaporization speed is equal to or lower than the inflow speed (S508 / no) and the water level sensor outputs the detection data “ON” (S524 / ON), the vaporization unit 140 stops the vaporization of the inflow water (S528). . On the other hand, when the float sensor outputs the detection data “OFF” (S524 / OFF), the vaporization unit 140 vaporizes the incoming water (S532). Then, when the water level of the water channel 130 reaches the height of the opening of the discharge unit 150 (S536 / yes), the inflow water is discharged from the discharge unit 150 (S540).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the humidifier 10 when the power is turned off. As shown in FIG. 5, in a state where tap water continues to flow from the receiving unit 110 (S504), when the water level of the water channel 130 reaches the height of the discharge unit 150 (S548 / yes), the discharge unit 150 enters the inflow water. Is discharged (S552).

<3. Summary>
As described above, the humidifier 10 according to this embodiment includes the receiving unit 110 connected to the water pipe 21. The receiving unit 110 receives tap water passing through the inside of the water pipe 21 as inflow water. In addition, the humidifier 10 includes a vaporization unit 140 that vaporizes part or all of the inflow water received by the reception unit 110.

  With this configuration, it is possible to perform humidification by vaporizing the inflow water continuously supplied from the water pipe 21, so that water consumed by the humidification is automatically replenished, and the consumed water is replenished. It becomes possible to reduce the work to do.

  In addition, the humidifier 10 may include a discharge unit 150 that discharges part or all of the inflow water received by the reception unit 110 as outflow water. According to such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the water received by the receiving unit 110 will stay. Therefore, water from which chlorine is easily released and bacteria are likely to be generated is less likely to remain in the water channel 130, and the possibility that water that is harmful to health is vaporized can be reduced.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the water pipe 21 and the receiving unit 110 are connected via the hollow tube 30 and the charging pipe 40 has been described. However, the member that connects the water pipe 21 and the receiving unit 110 is It is not limited. Below, the example which changed the member which connects the water pipe 21 and the receiving part 110 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a humidifier 10 # according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifier 10 # in the BB cross section shown in FIG. Here, among the configurations of the humidifier 10 # according to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention, a configuration different from the configuration of the humidifier 10 according to the above embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the receiving unit 110 may be connected to the water pipe via the faucet 22. If it does so, since the inflow speed of the inflow water received by the reception part 110 can be adjusted with the faucet 22, it is not necessary to add the structure for adjustment of an inflow speed newly. In addition, if the float 172 rises and the needle 173 can block the inflow water from the faucet 22 to the water channel 130, the water surface is prevented from further rising. May not be provided.

  Further, the effects described in the present specification are merely illustrative or exemplary and are not limited. That is, the technology according to the present invention can exhibit other effects that are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the present specification in addition to or instead of the above effects.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Humidifier 21 Water pipe 22 Water faucet 30 Hollow pipe 40 Input pipe 50 Discharge pipe 60 Discharge pipe 110 Receiving part 120 Discharge part 130 Water channel 140 Vaporization part 150 Discharge part 170 Float sensor 171 Guide member 172 Float 173 Needle 180 Fan 190 Control Section 191 Input section 192 Output section

Claims (4)

A receiving section for receiving influent water,
A discharge part for discharging the inflow water to the outside;
A vaporizing unit that vaporizes inflow water in a flowing water path from the receiving unit to the discharge unit;
Humidifier with The discharge unit is provided downstream of the vaporization unit in the flowing water path.
The humidifier according to claim 1. The humidifier includes a heating unit that heats the inflow water in a flowing water path to the vaporization unit.
The humidifier according to claim 1. The discharge part is provided above the vaporization part,
The humidifier according to claim 1.

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