JP2017146031A - Humidifier and air cleaner with humidification function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier which has excellent safety by allowing a user to recognize whether or not a water tank part is in a state of being completely mounted and by receiving an operation only when the mounting is completed, and to provide an air cleaner with a humidification function.SOLUTION: A humidifier includes: a water tank part 7 mounted from an insertion port 6 of a body 1; a detection element 22 for performing detection of a body 20 to be detected by a distance with the body 20 to be detected arranged in the water tank part 7; and a water tank storage part 8 for storing the water tank part 7. At a bottom surface of the water tank storage part 8, a step 23 is provided which become lower in the depth direction from the insertion port 6 side to a distance in which the detection element 22 can detect the body 20 to be detected when inserted in the water tank part 7. At the bottom surface on the tip side of the water tank part 7, a protrusion 25 fitted with the step 23 is provided, and between the bottom surface of the water tank storage part 8 and the step 23, a standing surface 24 is provided. The standing surface 24 has a gradient for separating the detection element 22 and the body 20 to be detected to a distance equal to or greater than the distance in which detection becomes impossible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies indoor air and an air cleaner with a humidifying function.

  Reed switch that uses magnetism to determine whether the water tank is attached to the main body as in Patent Document 1 in the humidifier and air cleaner with a humidifying function in which the water tank that is the liquid receiving part is detachable. A water tank part detection device consisting of float and float is installed, and after removing the water tank part from the main body for periodic cleaning of the water tank part, the water tank part is not attached or in an incompletely installed state Some devices automatically stop operation.

JP 2006-170460 A

  However, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the water tank portion is incompletely attached such that it is slightly detached from the main body, and even if the reed switch is beyond the distance that can detect the float, magnetic hysteresis Due to the influence, the magnetism remains, and it may be erroneously detected that it is normally attached. For this reason, the device may be operated without the user being aware of the incomplete mounting state of the water tank. At this time, a gap is generated between the water tank part and the water tank part insertion port of the main body, and since indoor air is sucked from the gap, it does not pass through the vaporization filter provided inside the device and directly from the gap. The air sucked into the air outlet increases, and there is a problem that the humidification performance of the device is not fully exhibited.

  In addition, when a heater for hot air is provided inside the device, the amount of air passing through the heater for hot air is reduced by the air sucked from the gap. The thermostat, which is a device, is activated and the energization of the warm air heater is interrupted. For this reason, the operation of the device may stop regardless of the user's intention. If the user repeats the operation without noticing that the water tank is not fully installed, the thermostat's operating frequency will increase and the thermostat's service life will be reached in a short period of time, reducing the safety of the equipment. There is a fear.

  In addition, in FIG. 5, the nail | claw for restricting the movement of a water tank part is provided in the bottom face inside the water tank part insertion port of a main body so that a water tank part may not accidentally remove from a main body, or it may slide down. However, since this claw is provided with play so that the water tank part can be easily inserted and removed, it does not completely lock the water tank part. For this reason, it is difficult to avoid erroneous detection that the water tank portion is incompletely mounted and the water tank portion is normally mounted due to the influence of magnetic hysteresis.

  The present invention is for solving the above-described problems, and allows the user to recognize whether or not the water tank part is completely attached, and accepts a driving operation from the user only when the water tank part is completely attached. It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifying device and an air purifier with a humidifying function that are excellent in safety.

  The present invention is detachably mounted from an insertion port provided in the main body, and stores a water tank part that stores a certain amount of water, a blower that blows air to a ventilation path that communicates the suction port and the air outlet, and the water tank part. A detection element that detects the detected object according to a distance between a vaporization filter installed in the air blowing path in a state immersed in water and a detected object disposed in the water tank unit, and the water tank from the insertion port In the humidifying device including the water tank housing portion for housing the water tank housing portion, the bottom surface of the water tank housing portion has a distance from the insertion port side to the distance at which the detection element can detect the detected object when the water tank portion is inserted. Provided with a step that becomes lower in the direction, provided on the bottom surface of the front end side of the water tank portion is a protrusion that fits into the step, and has a standing surface between the bottom surface of the water tank housing portion and the step, On the rising surface, the sensing element and the test object Those related to humidifier characterized by having a slope away than distance at which the body and undetectable.

  2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the slope of the rising surface has an angle that allows the protruding portion to slide down due to its own weight when the protruding portion rides on the rising surface. is there.

  3. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the main body is provided with a closing plate that suppresses air flowing through the air blowing path above the vaporization filter when the water tank is mounted.

  The humidifying device according to claim 3, wherein the closing plate abuts on an upper portion of the vaporizing filter when the water tank portion is mounted, and closes an air blowing path above the vaporizing filter. is there.

  5. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the step is provided with a locking portion for restricting movement of the water tank portion.

  An air cleaner with a humidifying function, comprising: an air purifying unit for purifying air taken in from the suction port; and the humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. It is related to.

  By having the above-described configuration, the user can recognize whether or not the water tank part is completely attached, and the driving operation from the user can be accepted only when the water tank part is completely attached. It becomes a humidifying device and an air cleaner with a humidifying function having excellent properties.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the humidification apparatus in this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional block diagram of the humidification apparatus in this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the mounting process of the water tank part of the humidification apparatus in this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the other Example of the humidification apparatus in this invention. It is sectional drawing of the water tank part in the conventional humidifier.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The best mode of the present invention, which is considered preferable, will be briefly described by showing the effects of the present invention.

  The humidifying device of the present invention is provided with a step which is lowered in the depth direction from the insertion port side on the bottom surface of the water tank housing portion at a distance at which the detection element can detect the detection object when the water tank portion is inserted, and is fitted to this step. A protrusion is provided at the tip of the bottom of the water tank. Furthermore, the rising surface of the step has a gradient that separates the detection element and the detection target body beyond the distance at which detection is impossible. In other words, since it is necessary to fit the protrusion to the step to completely attach the aquarium, the user is informed that the attachment of the aquarium has been completed due to the feeling that the protrusion fit into the step when the aquarium was inserted. It can be perceived sensorially.

  Furthermore, if there is a protrusion on the lower side of the step, the detection element can detect the object to be detected, and if there is a protrusion on the upper side, it cannot be detected, so it can be reliably determined that the water tank has been attached. At the same time, since the operation from the user can be accepted only when the installation of the water tank is completed, the humidifying device is excellent in safety.

  In addition, the slope of the standing surface has an angle that allows the water tank part to slide down under its own weight, and even if the mounting of the water tank part is incomplete, if the projecting part is in the middle of the standing surface, the projecting part Since it slides down the standing surface, the installation can be completed with certainty. Furthermore, there is also an effect of allowing the user to recognize that the mounting is completed by the movement of the water tank portion.

  In addition, by providing a block plate that suppresses the air that flows through the air blowing path above the vaporization filter, the amount of air that passes through the vaporization filter without passing through the vaporization filter is reduced, and the humidification is achieved by passing through the vaporization filter. The amount of air that contributes to can be increased.

  In addition, when the water tank part is installed, the closing plate abuts the upper part of the vaporization filter and closes the air blowing path above the vaporization filter, so that the flow of blown air that does not pass through the vaporization filter and escapes to the outlet is blocked. can do.

  Moreover, since the state which the protrusion part fit in the level | step difference can be hold | maintained by providing the latching | locking part which controls the movement of a water tank part in the lower step surface of a level | step difference, a normal mounting state can be maintained.

  Also, to provide an air cleaner with a humidifying function excellent in safety that allows the user to recognize that the water tank part is completely attached and can reliably determine the attached state of the water tank part. Can do.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a humidifier according to the present invention. The humidifier has a main body front frame 1 a that forms the front and side front portions of the main body 1, and a main body rear frame 1 b that forms the side rear portions and the back surface, and blows out humidified air on the top surface of the main body 1. 2. An operation display unit 3 that includes operation buttons and displays an operating state, and a tank cover 4 that opens and closes when a water supply tank (not shown) is attached to and detached from the main body 1 are provided.

  An insertion port 6 is provided in the lower portion of the front wall 5 of the main body front frame 1a, and a water tank housing portion 8 serving as a space for housing the water tank portion 7 is formed in the lower portion of the main body 1 through the insertion port 6. . The water tank unit 7 is detachably mounted from the insertion port 6 to the water tank housing unit 8. The water tank unit 7 is provided with a vaporization filter 9 that absorbs and wets water supplied from a water supply tank (not shown), and indoor air taken from a suction port 18 (described later) provided on the back of the main body 1 is supplied to the vaporization filter 9. By allowing the water to pass through, the water in the water tank 7 is vaporized and discharged from the outlet 2 as humidified air. The interior of the water tank section 7 is divided into a vaporization filter housing section 11 in which a vaporization filter 9 is installed and a water supply tank housing section 12 in which a water tank (not shown) is mounted by a partition plate 10 standing from the bottom. Yes. Further, the lower end of the front wall 5 is formed with a bending step 13 so as to slightly enter the water tank housing part 8 from the front wall 5, and when the water tank part 7 is attached to the main body 1, The upper end of the surface 14 comes into contact with the insertion port step portion 13 to close the water tank housing portion 8.

  FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional configuration diagram of the humidifier when the water tank unit 7 is attached. A blower 17 including a motor 15 and a sirocco fan 16 is provided on the upper part of the vaporization filter 9, and the blower 17 is driven to pass through the vaporization filter 9 from the suction port 18 on the back surface of the main body 1 and blow out the air outlet 2 on the top surface of the main body 1. Air is sent to the air passage leading to By this air blowing, the indoor air taken in from the suction port 18 becomes humidified air when passing through the vaporizing filter 9 that sucks up the water in the water tank section 7 and is wet, and is released into the room from the blower outlet 2. The air is humidified. In addition, a warm air heater 19 for heating the air blown to the vaporization filter 9 is disposed in the blower path facing the insertion port 6 with the vaporization filter 9 interposed therebetween.

  The water supply tank housing part 12 is provided with a float 20 serving as a detected body that rotates according to the water level of the water tank part 7. The float 20 is provided with a magnet 21 at the end, and is rotated up and down about a shaft as a fulcrum by the water level of the water tank unit 7.

  A reed switch 22 serving as a detection element is provided in the water tank housing 8 at a position facing the magnet 21 at the end of the float 20 across the wall surface of the water tank 7. The reed switch 22 is composed of a magnetic sensor, and the reed switch 22 detects the magnetism of the magnet 21 provided in the float 20 when a certain amount of water is stored in the water tank unit 7 with the water tank unit 7 mounted. Therefore, the contact of the reed switch 22 is closed and turned on.

  On the other hand, when the water in the water supply tank is exhausted, the water level of the water tank portion 7 gradually decreases, and when the water level falls below a predetermined value, the float 20 descends and the reed switch 22 cannot detect the magnet 21. The contact of the reed switch 22 is opened and turned off. When a control unit (not shown) detects that the reed switch 22 is turned off, the controller 19 stops energizing the warm air heater 19 and stops the humidification operation. Also, when the water tank unit 7 is removed from the main body 1, the reed switch 22 cannot detect the magnet 21, so that the contact of the reed switch 22 is opened and turned off.

  The distance from the reed switch 22 is the distance at which the reed switch 22 is turned on when the magnetism of the magnet 21 is detected, and the distance at which the influence of the magnetic hysteresis generated between the reed switch 22 and the magnet 21 disappears. d2 (d2> d1).

  Further, a step 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank housing portion 8 that is one step lower from the distance d1 from the reed switch 22 in the depth direction of the water tank housing portion 8, and the rising surface 24 formed by the step 23 has a gradient. have. Further, a projecting portion 25 projecting downward is provided on the bottom surface of the front end side of the water tank portion 7, and when the water tank portion 7 is mounted, the projecting portion 25 fits into a recessed portion 26 formed by the step 23. The distance d2 is located at the upper end of the standing surface 24. When the protruding portion 25 is in front of the standing surface 24, the distance between the reed switch 22 and the magnet 21 is more than d2. Further, the slope of the rising surface 24 has an angle that allows the water tank 7 to slide down due to its own weight when the insertion of the water tank 7 is stopped while the protrusion 25 is in the middle of the rising surface 24.

  Further, a clogging plate 27 extending in a flat plate shape is provided in a downward direction where the water tank unit 7 is installed from a part of the casing forming the outer shell of the blower 17 inside the water tank housing unit 8. 7 is in contact with the upper portion of the vaporizing filter 9 installed in the water tank section 7. The blocking plate 27 extends so as to overlap the vaporizing filter 9 in the vertical direction, and has a length equal to or longer than the lateral width of the vaporizing filter 9 in the horizontal direction.

  Next, a process of attaching the water tank unit 7 to the humidifying device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. When the water tank unit 7 is attached to the main body 1, the water tank unit 7 is inserted into the water tank housing unit 8 so as to slide from the insertion port 6. In the middle of inserting the water tank part 7, when the protruding part 25 at the tip of the water tank part 7 is in front of the rising surface 24 of the step 23 (FIG. 3A), the mounting of the water tank part 7 is not completed. Since the gap between the partial exterior surface 14 and the insertion port step portion 13 is open, the water tank housing portion 8 is not closed. In addition, the distance between the reed switch 22 on the main body 1 side and the magnet 21 on the water tank unit 7 side is greater than d1, and the contact of the reed switch 22 is opened and remains in an OFF state. Even if it goes, the energization to the warm air heater 19 is not performed, and the humidification operation is not performed.

  By further pushing the water tank portion 7 from the state of FIG. 3A, the projecting portion 25 is fitted into the recessed portion 26 while sliding down along the gradient formed on the standing surface 24 (FIG. 3B). Therefore, it is possible to smoothly insert the water tank portion 7 and to feel that the mounting of the water tank portion 7 is completed by the feeling that the protruding portion 25 is fitted into the recessed portion 26.

  At this time, since the pushing of the water tank portion 7 is insufficient, the protruding portion 25 is not fitted into the recessed portion 26 and can only be inserted partway up the standing surface 24 (FIG. 3B). However, when the user removes his / her hand from the water tank unit 7, the water tank unit 7 slides down the standing surface 24 by its own weight, so that the state shown in FIG. The movement of the water tank unit 7 at this time can make the user recognize that the mounting of the water tank unit 7 has been completed.

  When the projecting portion 25 is fitted into the recessed portion 26, the mounting of the water tank portion 7 is completed, and the upper end of the water tank portion exterior surface 14 comes into contact with the insertion port step portion 13 to close the water tank housing portion 8 (FIG. 3 (c). )). At this time, since the distance between the reed switch 22 and the magnet 21 is within d1, the contact of the reed switch 22 is closed and turned ON. When it is detected that the reed switch 22 is turned on, an operation ON signal is sent to the control unit, so that the humidifier can accept an operation from the user. As described above, through a series of insertion operations, the user can sensuously recognize whether or not the water tank unit 7 has been normally attached.

  Further, when the mounting of the water tank unit 7 is completed (FIG. 3C), a space is created above the vaporization filter 9 by a height equal to or higher than the height of the protruding portion 25. When the air taken in from the blower 17 flows directly from this space to the blower path without passing through the vaporization filter 9 and passes through the outlet 2, air that does not contribute to humidification is released into the room. By providing 27, it is possible to suppress the flow of air flowing from the space above the vaporization filter 9 into the ventilation path. As a result, the amount of air flowing without passing through the vaporization filter 9 can be reduced, and the amount of air that contributes to humidification by passing through the vaporization filter 9 can be increased, so that a reduction in humidification capability can be prevented. Furthermore, since the blowing path flowing above the vaporizing filter 9 can be completely blocked by bringing the closing plate 27 and the vaporizing filter 9 into contact with each other, the flow of the blowing air that does not pass through the vaporizing filter 9 is blocked, Most of them can be passed through the vaporization filter 9. In addition, if the obstruction plate 27 and the vaporization filter 9 are in contact with each other in the vertical direction, even if the vaporization filter 9 is deformed and tilted, there is a gap between the vaporization filter 9 and the obstruction plate 27. This is unlikely to occur, and thus it is possible to keep the air passage closed.

  On the other hand, when the water tank part 7 is slightly detached from the main body 1 due to a hand being caught on the water tank part exterior surface 14 after the completion of the mounting of the water tank part 7 (FIG. 3C), 25 deviates from the depression 26 and once rides on the standing surface 24 (FIG. 3B), but immediately slides down along the standing surface 24 to the lower side of the step 23. Holds the state of FIG. At this time, since the distance between the reed switch 22 and the magnet 21 does not exceed d2, the influence of the magnetic hysteresis generated between the reed switch 22 and the magnet 21 is not lost, and the contact of the reed switch 22 is closed and turned on. It remains. As a result, even if the water tank part 7 moves unintentionally, if it is slightly removed, the normal wearing state is maintained again and the humidifying operation is not stopped. It becomes a humidifying device with excellent performance and usability.

  Moreover, FIG. 4 is sectional drawing of the humidification apparatus in another Example. The step 23 is provided with a locking portion 28 for restricting the water tank portion 7 from moving after the main body 1 is mounted. In the embodiment, the locking portion 28 has a claw shape protruding upward from the step 23, and when the water tank portion 7 is mounted, the locking portion 28 is hooked on the protruding portion 25, so that the water tank portion 7 is recessed. It is possible to further maintain the state of being fitted into the. Thereby, it can control reliably that the water tank part 7 moves unintentionally, and a clearance gap generate | occur | produces between the water tank part 7 and the insertion port 6. FIG. The shape of the locking portion 28 is not limited to FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 6 Insertion port 7 Water tank part 8 Water tank accommodating part 9 Vaporization filter 17 Blower 20 To-be-detected body 22 Detection element 23 Step 24 Standing surface 25 Projection part 27 Closure board 28 Locking part

Claims (6)

  A water tank part that is removably mounted from an insertion port provided in the main body, stores a certain amount of water, a blower that blows air to a ventilation path that connects the suction port and the air outlet, and is immersed in water in the water tank part In this state, the vaporization filter installed in the ventilation path and the detection element that detects the detection object according to the distance between the detection object arranged in the water tank part and the water tank part from the insertion port are accommodated In the humidifying device including the water tank housing portion, the bottom surface of the water tank housing portion is lowered in the depth direction from the insertion port side to a distance at which the detection element can detect the detected object when the water tank portion is inserted. Provided with a step, provided on the bottom surface of the front end side of the water tank portion is a protrusion that fits into the step, and provided with an upright surface between the bottom surface of the water tank housing portion and the step, Detects the detection element and the object to be detected. Humidifier characterized by having a slope away to the distance over which becomes impossible.   2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the slope of the rising surface has an angle that allows the protruding portion to slide down by its own weight when the protruding portion rides on the rising surface. 3.   The humidifying device according to claim 2, wherein the main body is provided with a blocking plate that suppresses air flowing through an air blowing path above the vaporization filter when the water tank portion is mounted.   The humidification device according to claim 3, wherein the closing plate abuts on an upper portion of the vaporization filter when the water tank portion is mounted, and closes an air blowing path above the vaporization filter.   The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step is provided with a locking portion that restricts movement of the water tank portion.   An air cleaner with a humidifying function, comprising: an air cleaning means for cleaning air taken in from the suction port; and the humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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