JP2019143858A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a humidifier capable of executing the water replacement at a suitable timing.SOLUTION: The execution of the water replacement is determined by comparison between a present concentration of calcium carbonate in a water storage tank 8 and a predetermined limit solubility, so that the scale where the amount of precipitation increases in proportion to the amount of water flowed into the water storage tank 8 can be discharged by executing the water replacement at an appropriate timing. Since a predetermined duration time of the mist operation can be set to a time that matches the actual amount of scale deposition in the water storage tank 8, the scale accumulation in the water storage tank 8 is prevented. When the amount of scale deposition is low, the mist operation can be carried out for a longer time so that the room can be humidified and cleaned, and the humidity in the room can be maintained at a humidity level corresponding to the set humidification level. Since the excessive water replacement is not executed, the amount of water supply and discharge to the water storage tank 8 by the execution of the water replacement can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier capable of performing a mist operation for supplying humidified air containing mist to a room.

  Conventionally, in this type, humidified air containing mist is generated from the water in the storage tank by mist generating means, and the air taken into the instrument body by the blower fan passes through the storage tank, and the humidified air containing mist is removed. Predetermined continuation of mist operation until water replacement operation performed in the middle of mist operation according to the hardness of water input in advance in a humidifier that performs indoor air purification by blowing air into the room and performing mist operation By setting the time, the scale generated in the water storage tank can be changed more frequently when the humidifier is operated especially in areas where the hardness of tap water is high compared to areas where the hardness is low. Some of them were efficiently removed. (For example, Patent Document 1)

JP2018-4122

  However, in this conventional system, since the predetermined duration of the mist operation until the water replacement operation is set uniformly according to only the hardness of the water inputted in advance, it flows into the water storage tank during the mist operation. No consideration is given to the amount of water used. In other words, even if a humidifier is used in an area where hard water flows into the water tank, if the humidity requirement during mist operation is small and the amount of water flowing into the water tank is small, The amount of scale that accumulates in the water tank is small compared to when the amount of humidification is large and the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank is large.Therefore, there is a possibility that the water replacement operation is excessively performed. Even if a humidifier is used in an area where low water flows in, if the amount of water flowing into the storage tank is large due to a large amount of humidification demand in mist operation, the amount of scale that accumulates in the storage tank is humidified. Since the demand is small and the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank is large compared to when it is small, there is a possibility that the water replacement operation is insufficient, so there is room for improvement.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to claim 1 of the present invention, a device main body, a water storage tank in the device main body for storing water, one end connected to the water storage tank, and water supply to the water storage tank in the middle of the piping A water supply pipe having a water supply valve capable of switching presence or absence, a drain pipe having a drain valve having one end connected to the water storage tank and capable of switching presence or absence of water in the water storage tank in the middle of the pipe, and the water storage tank A water level sensor for detecting the water level in the interior,
Mist generating means for generating mist from water in the water storage tank;
A blower fan that blows humidified air containing mist generated by the mist generating means from the blower opening;
A hardness input unit for inputting the hardness of water flowing into the water storage tank;
An inflow water amount calculating means for calculating an integrated value of the amount of water that has flowed into the water storage tank during the mist operation in which humid air is blown into the room by the mist generating means and the blower fan;
When the mist operation is performed, the water supply valve is opened when the lower limit water level is detected by the water level sensor, the water supply valve is closed when the upper limit water level is detected, and the mist operation is performed for a predetermined duration. A controller for performing a water exchange operation for exchanging the water in the water storage tank when judged,
The controller is characterized in that the water replacement operation is determined based on the hardness input by the hardness input unit and the integrated value of the inflow water amount calculated by the inflow water amount calculation means.

  Further, according to claim 2, the inflow water amount calculating means is configured to add the humidification amount, which is the amount of water flowing out of the storage tank per predetermined time during the mist operation, and the duration of the humidification amount into the storage tank. It is characterized by calculating the integrated value of the inflow water amount.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the inflow water amount calculating means is configured to store the water storage from the number of times the water supply valve is opened during the mist operation and the amount of water that has flowed into the water storage tank before the water supply valve is opened and closed. An integrated value of the amount of inflow water into the tank is calculated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the inflowing water amount calculating means is configured to inflow into the water storage tank from a flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe and an opening time of the water supply valve when the water supply valve is opened during the mist operation. It is characterized by calculating the integrated amount of water.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the mist generating means includes a cylindrical rotating body that submerses a lower end in the water storage tank and pumps up and disperses water by rotation, a mist motor that rotationally drives the rotating body, and the rotation It is characterized by comprising a colliding body with which water scattered by the rotation of the body collides.

  According to the present invention, since the water replacement operation is determined based on the hardness input by the hardness input unit and the integrated value of the inflow water amount calculated by the inflow water amount calculation means, the water flowed into the water storage tank during the mist operation. Since the presence or absence of the water replacement operation is determined in consideration of the scale amount accumulated in the water storage tank that changes according to the integrated value of the water amount, scale accumulation in the water storage tank may occur due to insufficient execution of the water replacement operation In addition, the implementation time of the excessive water exchange operation shortens the implementation time of the mist operation and prevents the indoor air cleansing from being insufficient, and the water exchange operation is performed by preventing the implementation of the excessive water exchange operation. The amount of water can be reduced.

  Further, the inflow water amount calculation means calculates the integrated value of the inflow water amount into the storage tank from the humidification amount that is the amount of water flowing out of the storage tank per predetermined time during the mist operation and the duration of the humidification amount. Since the amount of water that flows out of the water storage tank flows into the water storage tank, the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank can be accurately calculated, and the water replacement operation is performed at an appropriate timing in the water storage tank. In addition to preventing scale accumulation in the water, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of water used by performing an excessive water replacement operation.

  The inflow water amount calculation means calculates the integrated value of the inflow water amount into the storage tank from the number of times the water supply valve is opened during mist operation and the amount of water that has flowed into the storage tank until the water supply valve is opened and closed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately calculate the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank using a simple method, preventing the accumulation of scale in the water storage tank by making the timing of water replacement operation appropriate, and excessive water replacement operation. By implementing the above, it is possible to prevent an increase in water usage.

  The inflow water amount calculation means calculates the integrated value of the inflow water amount into the water storage tank from the flow rate of the water flowing through the water supply pipe during the mist operation and the open time of the water supply valve. The amount of water flowing into the tank can be accurately calculated by a simple method, and the water replacement operation is performed at an appropriate timing to prevent scale accumulation in the water storage tank. An increase in the amount can be prevented.

  The mist generating means includes a cylindrical rotating body that submerses the lower end of the water storage tank and pumps up and disperses water by rotation, a mist motor that rotationally drives the rotating body, and water scattered by the rotation of the rotating body. Since it is composed of a collision body that collides, a large amount of humidified air can be generated with a simple configuration that pumps the water in the water storage tank with a rotating body and collides with the collision body, so that assembly is easy A mist generating means can be configured at low cost.

The perspective view explaining the external appearance of one Embodiment of this invention Schematic configuration diagram of the embodiment Control block diagram of the embodiment The figure explaining the operation part of the embodiment The flowchart explaining the operation from the start to the end of the operation of the same embodiment The flowchart explaining the implementation judgment of the water replacement operation | movement of the embodiment

Next, a mist generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 is an instrument main body, 2 is the ventilation opening formed in the upper part of the instrument main body 1, and the some louver 3 was installed, 4 is an upper surface panel which comprises the front upper part of the instrument main body 1, and 5 comprises the lower front part of the instrument main body 1 A bottom panel 6 is provided with a plurality of switches and an operation unit for giving various operation commands, and 7 is a breaker cover for hiding a breaker (not shown).

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a water storage tank which is at a substantially middle height position in the instrument body 1 and stores a predetermined amount of water. In this water storage tank 8, a cylinder supported by the drive shaft 9 with its lower end submerged in water. A rotating body 10 is provided.

  The rotating body 10 has a hollow inverted conical shape and its circumference gradually expands upward. The rotating body 10 is connected to a drive shaft 9 to drive a mist motor 11 that rotates the rotating body 10. The water in the water storage tank 8 is pumped up by the centrifugal force of rotation caused by the rotation, the water is pushed up along the outer wall and the inner wall of the rotating body 10, and the pushed up water is scattered around the outer wall of the rotating body 10. At the same time, the water pushed up along the inner wall of the rotator 10 is scattered in the outer peripheral direction from a plurality of scattering ports (not shown) formed at the upper end of the rotator 10.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a cylindrical porous body that is located on the outer periphery of the rotating body 10 at a predetermined interval and rotates together with the rotating body 10. The porous body 12 includes a plurality of slits, a metal mesh, and punching metal on the entire peripheral wall. A porous portion 13 as an impact body made of, for example, is installed, and the rotator 10, the mist motor 11 and the porous portion 13 constitute a mist generating means.

  The mist motor 11 that constitutes the mist generating means is driven, and the water in the water storage tank 8 is pumped up by the centrifugal force generated by rotating the rotating body 10 and air is scattered, so that water droplets that have passed through the porous portion 13 are generated. By being crushed, water is refined and a large amount of mist having a particle size of nanometer (nm) is generated.

  14 is a blower fan that is installed in the lower panel 5 and is driven at a predetermined rotational speed to suck indoor air and blow it upward in the instrument body 1. 15 is a water storage tank that connects the water storage tank 8 and the air outlet 2. A ventilation path for sending humidified air containing mist generated in the tank 8 to the blower opening 2, 16 is installed in the middle of the ventilation path 15 to separate large-diameter water droplets contained in the humidified air, and humidified air containing mist is blown It is a plate-like filter that allows a large amount of air to be blown into the room from the mouth 2, and when the blower fan 14 is driven at a predetermined number of revolutions, the room air sucked from the air inlet 17 formed on the bottom surface of the instrument body 1 The room air blown by the blower fan 14 flows from the suction path 18 formed on the upstream side of the water storage tank 8 and the room air flowing into the water storage tank 8 mists. The humidified air rises in the air flow path 15 and is blown into the room from the air blowing port 2 connected to the air flow path 15 so that the humid air containing mist is supplied to the room. be able to.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a heater installed in the water storage tank 8 for heating the water storage. The heater 19 is installed on the outer wall of the water storage tank 8 and is turned on / off so that the temperature detected by the water storage temperature sensor 20 for detecting the water storage temperature becomes a predetermined temperature. The state is switched as appropriate.

  21 is a water level sensor that is installed in the water storage tank 8 and detects the water level when the float moves up and down. When the water level in the water storage tank 8 decreases and falls below the lower limit water level, an OFF signal is output and the water level increases. When the water level exceeds the upper limit level, an ON signal is output. When the water level further rises and the water storage tank 8 is full, a full signal is output.

When the water level in the water storage tank 8 falls below the lower limit water level, it becomes difficult to suck up the water with the rotating body 10, and the amount of humidified air released into the room is reduced by reducing the amount of nanomist and negative ions generated. It will decrease.
Further, when the water level in the water storage tank 8 exceeds the upper limit water level, the load on the rotation of the rotating body 10 increases due to the viscous resistance of water, so that the mist motor 11 is loaded and the product life is shortened.
From the above, by keeping the water level in the water storage tank 8 within the range from the lower limit water level to the upper limit water level, it is possible to secure the amount of water sucked by the rotating body 10 and to prevent an increase in the load on the mist motor 11.

  A water supply pipe 22 is connected at one end to the side surface of the water storage tank 8 and supplies city water into the water storage tank 8. In the middle of the water supply pipe 22, water is supplied to the water storage tank 8 by opening and closing an electromagnetic valve. And a pressure reducing valve 24 for reducing the water pressure to a predetermined value.

  25 is a drain pipe composed of a hard polyvinyl chloride pipe having one end connected to the bottom of the water storage tank 8 and draining the water in the water storage tank 8 to the outside of the main body 1. A drain valve 26 for controlling the drainage of the water in the water storage tank 8 by opening and closing is provided.

  27 is installed on the wall surface of the air blowing port 2 and detects the temperature of the humidified air blown from the air blowing port 2 into the room. 28 is installed in the vicinity of the air blowing fan 14, An intake air temperature sensor 29 for detecting the atmospheric temperature of the indoor air sucked into the air inlet 17 provided with a certain copper net is installed in the vicinity of the intake air temperature sensor 28, and the relative humidity in the room in which the appliance body 1 is installed. Is a humidity sensor that changes the rotational speed of the mist motor 11 and the blower fan 14 based on the temperature and relative humidity detected by each sensor, and switches the heater 19 between the ON and OFF states.

  The operation unit 6 has an operation switch 30 for instructing the start and stop of the mist operation and an ON / OFF state of the heater 19 to change the water storage temperature in the water storage tank 8 and from the water storage tank 8 per predetermined time. A humidifying switch 31 that can be selected from a three-stage humidifying level that changes the amount of humidification that is the amount of water flowing out, and an auto mode that changes the humidifying level so that the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 29 becomes a preset humidity. And three levels of airflow levels at which the rotational speeds of the mist motor 11 and the blower fan 14 can be set, and an ode for changing the airflow level so that the humidity set by the humidity sensor 29 becomes a preset humidity. An air volume switch 32 that can be selected from a mode, and a timer that sets a start time and a stop time of mist operation for supplying humidified air into the room Regardless of the setting of the changeover switch 33, the humidification switch 31 and the air volume switch 32, an eco mode switch 34 for setting an eco mode which is a mist operation with low power consumption, and a time setting switch 35 for setting the current time And a child lock switch 36 that prohibits operations other than operation stop by operating the switch.

  Further, lamps corresponding to the respective switches are provided above the respective switches of the operation unit 6, and an operation lamp 37 that is turned on when the operation switch 30 is operated, and a sterilization operation that starts when the mist operation continues for a predetermined time or more. A sterilization lamp 38 that is sometimes turned on, a humidification level lamp 39 that displays the humidification level set by the humidification switch 31 with a numerical value of 1 to 3 and A indicating the auto mode, and the airflow level set by the airflow switch 32 is 1 When the start / stop of the mist operation is set by the timer changeover switch 33, the timer lamp 41 that lights up the respective lamps, and the eco mode switch 34. Is set by the eco mode lamp 42 that lights up when the eco mode is set and the time setting switch 35 is turned on. A time display panel 43 that displays the current time, and a child lock lamp 44 that lights When the child lock switch 36 is operated is provided.

  Reference numeral 45 denotes a control unit composed of a microcomputer for controlling the operation content and the opening / closing of the valve based on the detection value detected by each sensor and the setting content of each switch provided on the operation unit 6. The mist motor control means 46 for driving the fan at a predetermined rotational speed, the blower fan control means 47 for driving the blower fan 14 at the predetermined rotational speed, and the water temperature in the water storage tank 8 by switching the ON / OFF state of the heater 19. And a heater control means 48 for controlling the amount of water and an inflow water amount calculation means 49 for calculating the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a hardness input unit for inputting the hardness of tap water flowing into the water storage tank 8 through the water supply pipe 22. When the appliance main body 1 is installed, the hardness of the tap water in an area where the operator installs the appliance main body 1. By checking the value and inputting it in advance, information on the hardness value input in the control unit 45 is stored.

  51 is a limit solubility setting unit for setting the limit solubility of calcium carbonate, and the limit amount (limit solubility) of calcium carbonate dissolved in water is determined by the solubility curve depending on the pH concentration and temperature of tap water, and exceeds this limit solubility. Therefore, before the limit solubility is exceeded, it is necessary to interrupt the mist operation and perform a water replacement operation. Therefore, the limit solubility value set in the control unit 45 is stored by setting in advance the limit solubility value having a predetermined margin value in the limit solubility setting unit 51.

Next, the operation from the start to the end of operation in this embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the operation switch 30 of the operation unit 6 is operated or the operation start time set by the timer changeover switch 33 is reached, the control unit 45 opens the drain valve 26 to drain the water in the water storage tank 8. When the water level sensor 21 detects an OFF signal, the water supply valve 23 is opened to perform a cleaning operation for washing the water in the storage tank 8 with water, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the water supply valve 23 is closed. When the water level sensor 21 detects an ON signal, the water level sensor 21 detects that an amount of water has been supplied into the water storage tank 8 and performs a cleaning mode in which the water supply valve 23 is closed (see FIG. Step S101).

  When the cleaning mode of step S101 is completed, the control unit 45 turns on the heater 19 with the heater control means 48 until the water storage temperature detected by the water storage temperature sensor 20 is equal to the room temperature, and the mist motor 11 and A start-up mode for executing a start-up operation controlled by the mist motor control means 46 and the blower fan control means 47 is performed so that the blower fan 14 has a predetermined rotational speed (step S102).

  When the start-up mode in step S102 ends, the control unit 45 causes the mist motor 11 and the blower fan 14 to rotate at a predetermined number of rotations based on the humidification level and the airflow level set by the humidification switch 31 and the airflow switch 32. The rotational speed is controlled by the mist motor control means 46 and the blower fan control means 47 to drive, and the ON / OFF state of the heater 19 is switched by the heater control means 48 to control the humidification level and the air flow level. The normal operation mode for executing the mist operation within the combined predetermined temperature range is performed (step S103).

  When the controller 45 determines that the water level of the water storage tank 8 is lower than the lower limit water level and the water level sensor 21 outputs an OFF signal during the mist operation, the water supply valve 23 is opened to enter the water storage tank 8. When the water level of the water storage tank 8 has reached the upper limit water level and the water level sensor 21 has output an ON signal, the water supply valve 23 is closed to stop water supply into the water storage tank 8. It is possible to maintain a water level at which mist operation can always be performed.

  Moreover, if the control part 45 judges that the implementation timing of the water replacement operation | movement mentioned later was reached, it will stop the mist motor 11 and the ventilation fan 14, open | release the drain valve 26, and will drain the water in the water storage tank 8, When the predetermined drainage time has elapsed, the drain valve 26 is closed and the water supply valve 23 is opened to start water supply into the water storage tank 8, and the upper limit water level is detected by the water level sensor 21 or the predetermined water supply time has elapsed. If it judges, the operation | movement which closes the water supply valve 23 will be repeated predetermined times, and the inside of the water storage tank 8 will be clean | cleaned by carrying out the water replacement | exchange operation | movement which drives the mist motor 11 and the ventilation fan 14 at predetermined timing, and precipitation of a scale. Is prevented from occurring.

  The time elapsed since the start of the normal operation mode in step S103 has become 16 hours, or the operation switch 30 has been operated during the normal operation mode, or the stop time set by the timer changeover switch 33 becomes the mist. If it is determined that the operation end instruction has been received, the control unit 45 stops the mist motor 11 and then opens the drain valve 26 to drain the water in the water storage tank 8, and opens the water supply valve 23 when a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, the water storage tank 8 is cleaned and the drain valve 26 is closed to perform a cleaning operation for storing a predetermined amount of water in the water storage tank 8, and then the heater 19 is turned on to bring the water to around 65 ° C. The sterilization operation for heating and sterilizing is performed for 10 minutes, the cooling operation for cooling the inside of the water storage tank 8 is executed after 10 minutes, and the drain valve 26 is opened when the water storage temperature becomes less than 60 ° C. Performing cleaning mode for draining by (step S104).

  When the cleaning mode in step S104 is completed, the control unit 45 shifts to the drying mode (step S105) and controls the blower fan control means 47 to drive the blower fan 14 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 800 rpm). When the drying operation is continued to drive the blower fan 14 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 hours) and it is determined that three hours have elapsed, the blower fan 14 is stopped and the operation is terminated.

Next, a method for determining whether or not to perform the water replacement operation performed in the normal operation mode in the present embodiment will be described.
First, the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8 by the mist operation can be calculated from the humidification level set by the humidification switch 31 of the operation unit 6. That is, the control unit 45 stores the humidification amount at the humidification level 1 as 1 L / h, the humidification amount at the humidification level 2 as 2 L / h, and the humidification amount at the humidification level 3 as 3 L / h, which is set during the mist operation. Since the integrated value of the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8 can be calculated from the humidified level and the duration of the humidified level, the inflowing water amount calculation means 49 can store the water based on the set humidification level and duration. The integrated value of the amount of water flowing into the tank 8 is calculated by the following (Equation 1).
For example, when the humidification level at the start of the mist operation is 3, and the operation in which the humidification level is switched to 2 after 30 minutes has elapsed continues for one hour, the inflow water amount calculation means 49 calculates the inflow water amount from (Equation 1). Can be calculated as 3.5 L. When the mist operation is started, the inflow water amount calculation means 49 always calculates (Equation 1) and calculates the integrated value of the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8. Then, the integrated value of the inflow water amount calculated by the control unit 45 is stored.
(Formula 1) Humidification level x duration

The amount of calcium carbonate contained in the water storage tank 8 at the start of the mist operation is expressed by the following (formula 2) according to the hardness of tap water previously input by the operator with the hardness input unit 50 and the water amount of the water storage tank 8. Can be calculated.
For example, in the region where the hardness of tap water is 150 mg / L, the control unit 45 stores the amount of water in the water storage tank 8 at 4.5 L when the water level sensor 21 outputs an ON signal. Therefore, the amount of calcium carbonate contained in the water storage tank 8 can be calculated as 675 mg from (Equation 2), and when the hardness value is input by the hardness input unit 50, the control unit 45 does not start before the mist operation starts. (Equation 2) is calculated and the result is stored.
(Formula 2) Hardness of tap water x amount of water in storage tank

Therefore, the control unit 45 calculates the current concentration of calcium carbonate in the water storage tank 8 by performing the following (Equation 3), and the calculated concentration value and the carbonate set by the limit solubility setting unit 51. By comparing with the limit solubility of calcium, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the mist operation can be performed without depositing the scale in the water storage tank 8 at the present time.
For example, when the hardness of water flowing into the water storage tank 8 is 150 mg / L and the humidification level continues for 3 without changing from the start of the mist operation for 1 hour, the control unit 45 is expressed by (formula 3) Calculate 250 mg / L according to 3), and compare the numerical value with the limit solubility set by the limit solubility setting unit 51, and the value calculated in (Expression 3) and the limit solubility are the same or (Expression 3 If the numerical value calculated in (1) exceeds the limit solubility, it can be determined that the scale is deposited if the mist operation is continued, so the mist operation is interrupted and the water replacement operation is started.
(Formula 3) {Amount of calcium carbonate contained in the water storage tank + (hardness of tap water x integrated value of the amount of inflow water)} / Water amount in the water storage tank

Next, the control for determining the execution of the water replacement operation in the normal operation mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the normal operation mode is started, the control unit 45 calculates an integrated value of the amount of water that has flowed into the water storage tank 8 at the present time in (Formula 1) by the inflow water amount calculation means 49 (step S201). When the integrated value of the amount of water is calculated, the current concentration of calcium carbonate in the water storage tank 8 at the current time is calculated by the above-described (Equation 3) (step S202).

  When the integrated value of the amount of water that has flowed into the water storage tank 8 and the current concentration of calcium carbonate are calculated in step S201 and step S202, the control unit 45 preliminarily calculates the calculated current concentration and the limit solubility setting unit 51 in advance. Is compared with the limit solubility input in step S204 to determine whether the current concentration is equal to or higher than the limit solubility (step S204). And if the control part 45 judges that the present density | concentration is more than a limit solubility, since it can judge that a scale deposits by mist operation at this time, it will stop mist operation and start the above-mentioned water exchange operation (step S204), If it is determined that the current concentration is less than the limit solubility, it can be determined that no scale is deposited by the mist operation at the present time, so the process returns to step S201 to calculate the integrated value of the inflow water amount.

  When the water replacement operation in step S204 is completed, the control unit 45 resets the integrated value of the inflow water amount calculated in step S201 (step S205). When the resetting of the integrated value is completed, an instruction to end the mist operation is performed. (Step S206), if it is determined that there has been an instruction to end the mist operation, the mist operation is ended and the operation proceeds to the next operation. If there is no instruction to end the mist operation, the process returns to Step S201 again and the integrated value of the inflow water amount The calculation of is performed.

  As described above, since the water replacement operation is determined by comparing the current concentration of calcium carbonate in the water storage tank 8 with a preset limit solubility, the water is precipitated in proportion to the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8. The scale in which the amount increases can be discharged by performing a water replacement operation at an appropriate timing, and the predetermined duration of the mist operation can be set to a time that matches the actual amount of scale deposition in the water storage tank 8. For this reason, scale accumulation in the water storage tank 8 is prevented, and when the amount of scale deposition is low, the mist operation is carried out for a longer time so that the room is humidified and cleaned, and the room humidity is set to a longer humidification level. The water storage tank can be kept at a suitable humidity and the water is not excessively replaced. It is possible to reduce the water supply and drainage amount to.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in (Equation 1) described above, the integrated value of the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8 is calculated based on the humidification level and the duration time. Thus, the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8 can be calculated from the number of times the water supply valve 23 is opened and closed. That is, when the lower limit water level is detected by the water level sensor 21 during the mist operation, the water supply valve 23 is opened, and when the upper limit water level is detected, the water supply valve 23 is closed, so that the water supply valve 23 is opened. The amount of water supplied into the water storage tank 8 is constant. Therefore, the control unit 45 stores in advance the amount of water that flows into the water storage tank 8 while the water supply valve 23 is open.
From the following (Equation 4), the amount of water flowing into the water storage tank 8 during the mist operation can be calculated.
For example, if the controller 45 stores the amount of water supply until the water supply valve 23 is opened and closed at the time of mist operation as 0.6 L, and the mist operation is performed for one hour and the number of water supply is five, Using equation 4), the inflowing water amount calculating means 49 calculates the integrated value of the inflowing water amount to the water storage tank 8 as 3L, and the control unit 45 stores it.
(Formula 4) Number of times of water supply × amount of water supply

Another method for calculating the integrated value of the inflow water amount is based on the feed water flow rate. That is, the control unit 45 stores water between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level of the water storage sensor 21 calculated from the vertical sectional area of the water storage tank 8 and the distance between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level detected by the water level sensor 21. Based on the amount of water stored in the tank 8 and the count value of the water supply time until the lower limit water level is detected by the water level sensor 21 during mist operation, the water supply valve 23 is opened, the upper limit water level is detected, and the water supply valve 23 is closed. The amount of water flowing into the tank 8 can be calculated by the following (Equation 5),
For example, assuming that the vertical sectional area of the water storage tank 8 is 1000 cm ² and the distance between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level detected by the water level sensor 21 is 1 cm, the control unit 45 sets the upper limit water level to the lower limit water level of the water storage sensor 21. When the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 8 is calculated as 1 L and the integrated value of the counted water supply time is 20 seconds, the water supply flow rate is calculated as 3 L / min according to (Equation 5) and stored.
Further, a flow rate sensor capable of detecting the flow rate may be installed in the middle of the water supply pipe 22 and the control unit 45 may store the flow rate value detected during the water supply.
(Formula 5) Water volume / water supply time from the lower limit water level to the upper limit water level

Then, based on the water supply flow rate calculated by the above (Equation 5) or detected by the flow sensor and the total time when the water supply valve 23 is opened by the mist operation, the inflow water amount calculation means 49 stores the water storage by (Equation 6). An integrated value of the amount of water flowing into the tank 8 is calculated.
For example, if the total flow time when the water supply flow rate is 3 L / min and the water supply valve 23 is opened is 1 minute, the inflow water amount calculation means 49 calculates the integrated value of the inflow water amount to the water storage tank 8 as 3 L, and the control unit 45. Remember.
(Formula 6) Feed water flow rate x Total time when the feed valve is opened

  And the integrated value of the inflow water amount calculated by the said (Formula 4) and (Formula 6) is applied by the said step S201, and water control operation | movement can be implemented at an optimal timing by advancing the subsequent control flow. In addition to preventing the accumulation of scale in the water storage tank 8 and when the amount of scale deposition is low, the mist operation is carried out for a longer time so that the room is humidified and cleaned, and the room humidity is set to a longer humidity level. In addition to being able to maintain a high humidity, an excessive water exchanging operation is not performed, so that the amount of water supply and drainage to the water storage tank 8 can be reduced by performing the water exchanging operation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the description has been made on the content that the mist operation is interrupted and the water replacement operation is performed when the current concentration of the water storage tank 8 becomes the limit solubility or more during the mist operation. If the controller 45 determines that the current concentration of the water storage tank 8 exceeds the limit solubility during the mist operation, the controller 45 continues to drive the mist motor 11 and the blower fan 14. Meanwhile, the water supply valve 23 and the drain valve 26 are opened or closed so that the water level detected by the water level sensor 21 is maintained between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level, and the water level in the water storage tank 8 is maintained for a predetermined time. By carrying out the water supply / drainage of the water storage tank 8 until the time elapses, precipitation of scale in the water storage tank 8 can be prevented without lowering indoor humidity and air cleaning power.

  Further, other configurations used in the present embodiment are presented as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and can be implemented in various other forms. Various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrument main body 2 Air outlet 8 Water storage tank 10 Rotating body 11 Mist motor 13 Porous part (impact body)
14 Blower Fan 21 Water Level Sensor 22 Water Supply Pipe 23 Water Supply Valve 25 Drainage Pipe 26 Drainage Valve 45 Control Unit 49 Inflowing Water Amount Calculation Means 50 Hardness Input Unit

Claims (5)

An instrument main body, a water storage tank for storing water in the instrument main body, a water supply pipe provided with a water supply valve having one end connected to the water storage tank and capable of switching presence or absence of water supply to the water storage tank in the middle of the piping, A drain pipe provided with a drain valve connected to one end of the water storage tank and capable of switching the presence or absence of water in the water storage tank in the middle of the piping, a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water storage tank,
Mist generating means for generating mist from water in the water storage tank;
A blower fan that blows humidified air containing mist generated by the mist generating means from the blower opening;
A hardness input unit for inputting the hardness of water flowing into the water storage tank;
An inflow water amount calculating means for calculating an integrated value of the amount of water that has flowed into the water storage tank during the mist operation in which humid air is blown into the room by the mist generating means and the blower fan;
When the mist operation is performed, the water supply valve is opened when the lower limit water level is detected by the water level sensor, the water supply valve is closed when the upper limit water level is detected, and the mist operation is performed for a predetermined duration. A controller for performing a water exchange operation for exchanging the water in the water storage tank when judged,
The said control part judges the implementation of the said water replacement | exchange operation | movement based on the hardness input by the said hardness input part, and the integrated value of the inflow water amount calculated by the said inflow water amount calculation means.   The inflowing water amount calculating means calculates an integrated value of the inflowing water amount into the water storage tank from the humidification amount that is the amount of water flowing out of the water storage tank per predetermined time during the mist operation and the duration of the humidification amount. The humidifying device according to claim 1.   The inflow water amount calculation means calculates the amount of inflow water into the water storage tank from the number of times the water supply valve is opened during the mist operation and the amount of water that has flowed into the water storage tank before the water supply valve is opened and closed. The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the integrated value is calculated.   The inflow water amount calculating means calculates an integrated value of the inflow water amount into the water storage tank from the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe and the opening time of the water supply valve when the water supply valve is opened during the mist operation. The humidifying device according to claim 1.   The mist generating means is scattered by the rotation of the cylindrical rotating body that submerses the lower end in the water storage tank and pumps up the water by rotation and scatters, the mist motor that rotationally drives the rotating body, and the rotating body. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the humidifying device comprises a colliding body with which water collides.

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