JP2021156480A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a humidifier capable of suppressing occurrence of scale.SOLUTION: A humidifier 10 comprises: a storage body 13 inside which a water reservoir part 11 and a space part 12 through which air flows in and out are provided; a nozzle 14 that ejects water into the space part 12; and discharge means 32, 34 of discharging water in the water reservoir part 11. According to the humidifier 10, humidification can be performed by water ejected from the nozzle 14, so that it is possible to suppress increase in the concentration of calcium and the like in water of the water reservoir part 11 by discharging the water of the water reservoir 11, thereby suppressing the generation of scale.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a humidifying device that humidifies a space such as a room.

Humidifiers are used in various facilities such as houses, office buildings, factories, schools, and hospitals. The humidifying device includes a type that evaporates water supplied to a humidifying element (humidifying filter) to humidify it (see Patent Document 1) and a type that vibrates water by ultrasonic waves to generate water particles (see Patent Document 2). Exists. Tap water is generally used for these humidifiers.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-261585 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-047536

However, the above-mentioned type of humidifying device has a problem that when the humidifying operation is performed, calcium and the like contained in tap water are precipitated to generate scale (white powder).
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifying device capable of suppressing the generation of scale.

The humidifying device according to the present invention according to the above object has an accommodating body provided inside with a water reservoir and a space for air to flow in and out, a nozzle for ejecting water into the space, and water in the water reservoir. It is provided with a discharge means for discharging.

The humidifying device according to the present invention includes an accommodating body provided with a water reservoir and a space for air to flow in and out, a nozzle for ejecting water into the space, and a discharge means for discharging water from the water reservoir to the outside. Since it is provided with, humidification can be performed by ejecting water from the nozzle, and further, when the concentration of a component (for example, calcium) that can be a scale of water in the water reservoir increases with the passage of time or the like. , The water can be discharged from the water reservoir to suppress the generation of scale.

It is explanatory drawing of the humidifying apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of humidification by the humidifying apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the connection of the control means. It is explanatory drawing of the humidifying apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Subsequently, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, and the present invention will be understood.
As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifying device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has an accommodating body 13 in which a water reservoir 11 and a space 12 through which air flows in and out are provided inside, and water in the space 12. It is a device having a nozzle 14 for ejecting water. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given.

As shown in FIG. 1, the accommodating body 13 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is connected to a lower end portion of a cylindrical support 15 having an upper end portion fixed to a floor plate P and arranged under the floor. The housing 13 and the support 15 are arranged in the vertical direction. A plate member 16 is attached to the upper end portion of the support tool 15, and a lid member 17 is attached to the upper end portion of the housing body 13. The lid material 17 has a sealing material (for example, an O-ring) to prevent water droplets and the like in the housing body 13 from leaking from the housing body 13.

By removing the plate member 16 and the lid member 17 from the support 15 and the accommodating body 13, respectively, the inside of the accommodating body 13 can be visually recognized from the floor plate P.
Inside the accommodating body 13, a water reservoir 11 for storing tap water is provided at the bottom, and a space 12 is provided above the water reservoir 11. In the present embodiment, the accommodating body 13 is arranged under the floor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the accommodating body may be arranged in the attic. When arranging the containment body in the attic, by attaching a lid material with a sealable property that can be attached to and detached from the containment body to the bottom of the containment body, and then arranging the containment body directly above the inspection port of the ceiling plate. , The inside of the housing can be easily visually recognized by a person through the bottom of the housing in which the inspection port and the lid are removed from the living space side.

The accommodating body 13 has an air inflow portion 18 and an air outflow portion 19 at a height position of the space portion 12. The inflow portion 18 is arranged at a position lower than the outflow portion 19, a fan 21 connected to the duct 20 is attached to the inflow portion 18, and a duct 23 is connected to the outflow portion 19 via a connecting pipe 22. .. Dampers 24 and 24a are provided on the air ejection portion of the fan 21 and the connecting pipe 22, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fan 21 acquires the air (indoor or outdoor air) taken into the duct 20 via the duct 20 and blows it toward the inflow portion 18. At this time, the damper 24 keeps the air ejection portion of the fan 21 open by the wind pressure of the air ejected from the fan 21, and the air ejected from the fan 21 is sent to the accommodating body 13 via the inflow portion 18. It flows into the space portion 12.

Here, the accommodating body 13 is provided with a rectifying member 25 that guides the air that has flowed from the inflow portion 18 into the space portion 12 (inside the accommodating body 13) to the upper part of the accommodating body 13. In the present embodiment, the rectifying member 25 is an annular plate material in a plan view (looking from the top to the bottom of the housing 13), and is fixed to the side wall of the housing 13 from the outer circumference to the inner circumference. It is designed to have a downward slope and a shape in which the inner peripheral side is bent in the vertical direction. The outer circumference of the rectifying member 25 is arranged between the height position of the inflow portion 18 and the height position of the outflow portion 19. Since the rectifying member 25 is inclined downward toward the inner circumference, water does not collect on the upper side of the rectifying member 25. The rectifying member is not always necessary, and even when the rectifying member is provided, a rectifying member having a shape different from that of the rectifying member 25 can be adopted.

Therefore, the air that has flowed from the inflow portion 18 into the space portion 12 is guided by the rectifying member 25, passes through the through hole in the center of the rectifying member 25, travels upward in the accommodating body 13, and then the accommodating body. It exits from 13 and flows into the duct 23 through the outflow portion 19 and the connecting pipe 22 in order. At this time, the damper 24a brings the connecting pipe 22 into a state in which air flows due to the wind pressure of the air passing through the connecting pipe 22. Since the other end of the duct 23 whose one end is connected to the connecting pipe 22 is arranged in the living space, the air flowing into the duct 23 is sent to the living space through the duct 23.
When the fan 21 is stopped, the damper 24 rotates by its own weight to close the air ejection portion of the fan 21, and the damper 24a rotates by its own weight to close the connecting pipe 22.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a nozzle 14 for ejecting water into the space portion 12 is arranged in the space portion 12 of the housing body 13. The water sump portion 11 of the accommodating body 13 is provided with a water level sensor 26 for detecting the water level of the water stored in the water sump portion 11, and the downstream end portion is connected to the nozzle 14 on the upstream side of the circulation circuit 27. The ends are connected. The circulation circuit 27 includes a storage tank 30 with a pump 28 and a heater 29.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water in the water reservoir 11 is taken into the circulation circuit 27 by the operation of the pump 28, passes through the pump 28 and the storage tank 30 in order, and then passes through the nozzle 14 to the space portion 12 of the accommodating body 13. Is spouted out. The nozzle 14 is located directly above the inner circumference of the rectifying member 25, and is installed so that the center of the ejection direction is downward (vertical direction). The ejection direction of the nozzle 14 is not limited to downward.
Therefore, water (splash-like or mist-like water) ejected downward from the nozzle 14 by operating the pump 28 in a state where air is flowing from the inflow portion 18 to the space portion 12 by the operation of the fan 21. ) Collides with the air traveling upward through the through hole of the rectifying member 25.

Then, the air whose humidity has risen by taking in the water ejected from the nozzle 14 in the space portion 12 passes through the outflow portion 19, the connecting pipe 22 and the duct 23 in this order by the operation of the fan 21 and is sent to the living space. Be done.
On the other hand, most of the water ejected from the nozzle 14 and not absorbed by the air is collected in the water reservoir 11, sent to the nozzle 14 via the circulation circuit 27, and ejected from the nozzle 14 again.

Further, by operating the heater 29, the water in the storage tank 30 is heated, and the temperature of the water (hot water) ejected from the nozzle 14 rises. That is, the heater 29 is a heating means for heating the water sent to the nozzle 14 through the circulation circuit 27.
In the present embodiment, the temperature of the water ejected from the nozzle 14 can be adjusted by changing the heating level of the water in the storage tank 30 by the heater 29.

The higher the temperature of the water ejected from the nozzle 14, the more stably the water ejected from the nozzle 14 is taken into the air. In the present embodiment, it is possible to switch between the normal humidification operation in which the fan 21 and the pump 28 are operated and the heater 29 is stopped and the heater humidification operation in which the fan 21, the pump 28 and the heater 29 are operated. The humidification level can be adjusted by adjusting the operating level of 29. Hereinafter, when the term "humidifying operation" is simply used, it means both a normal humidifying operation and a heater humidifying operation.

Further, a water supply pipe 31 for supplying tap water from the water pipe to the circulation circuit 27 is connected to the circulation circuit 27 on the upstream side of the pump 28, and the pump 28 is a drainage pipe that sends the water circulating in the circulation circuit 27 to the outside. The pipe 32 is connected. The water supply pipe 31 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 33 that switches between an open state in which tap water from the water pipe can flow into the water supply pipe 31 and a closed state in which tap water from the water pipe cannot flow into the water supply pipe 31. The pipe 32 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 34 that can be switched between an open state in which water from the circulation circuit 27 can flow into the drain pipe 32 and a closed state in which water from the circulation circuit 27 cannot flow into the drain pipe 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid valves 33 and 34 are connected to the control means 35 to which the fan 21, the water level sensor 26, the pump 28, and the heater 29 are connected. The control means 35 can be configured by having an electronic device such as a CPU and a memory, and controls the fan 21, the pump 28, and the heater 29 by transmitting a command signal, and switches the states of the solenoid valves 33 and 34. It can be carried out.

By opening the solenoid valve 33 (the pump 28 is in the stopped state), tap water from the water pipe flows into the circulation circuit 27 through the water supply pipe 31, passes through the pump 28 and the storage tank 30 in order, and is transmitted from the nozzle 14. It is ejected into the space 12 of the accommodating body 13.
When the water level sensor 26 detects that the amount of water stored in the water reservoir 11 has decreased to a predetermined amount or less due to the continuation of the humidification operation, the control means 35 opens the solenoid valve 33 which was in the closed state. (The solenoid valve 34 continues to be closed), and the pump 28 is continued.

As a result, tap water (water from the outside) from the water pipe flows into the circulation circuit 27 from the water supply pipe 31, passes through the pump 28 and the storage tank 30, is supplied to the nozzle 14, and is ejected from the nozzle 14. , The amount of water in the water reservoir 11 increases. In the present embodiment, the water supply means for supplying water from the outside (not limited to tap water from the water pipe, for example, groundwater) to the nozzle 14 via the circulation circuit 27 is the water supply pipe 31 and The solenoid valve 33 is mainly configured.

When the water level sensor 26 detects that the amount of water in the water reservoir 11 has increased to a predetermined amount, the control means 35 closes the solenoid valve 33. In the present embodiment, when the amount of water in the water reservoir 11 is increased, the fan 21 is stopped, and the fan 21 operates at the timing when the amount of water in the water reservoir 11 increases to a predetermined amount to restart the humidification operation. ..

Further, when the input for starting the humidification operation is made to the operation unit 36 (see FIG. 3) connected to the control means 35 (wired connection or wireless connection) in the state where the humidification operation is not performed, the control means 35 uses the solenoid valve. The pump 28 is operated with the fans 21 stopped by opening and closing the 33 and 34, respectively. As a result, tap water from the water pipe is ejected from the nozzle 14, and the water is stored in the water reservoir 11. This water filling operation is continued until the amount of water in the water reservoir 11 reaches a predetermined amount.

After the water filling operation is completed, the water in the storage tank 30 is heated by the heater 29 while the pump 28 continues to operate, and the temperature of the water ejected from the nozzle 14 is high (55 in the present embodiment). The temperature is in the range of ° C or higher and 65 ° C or lower). The inside of the container 13 is sterilized (kills Legionella spp. And molds) by the high temperature water ejected from the nozzle 14.

After sterilizing the inside of the housing 13 for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds or more and 2 minutes or less), the solenoid valves 33 and 34 are opened and closed, respectively, and flow into the circulation circuit 27 from the water reservoir 11 to pump. The water sucked into the 28 is drained to the outside from the drain pipe 32. A part of the water sucked into the pump 28 is ejected from the nozzle 14 through the storage tank 30, but with the passage of time, the water reservoir 11 can be made substantially free of water. In the present embodiment, the drainage pipe 32 and the solenoid valve 34 are mainly configured as the discharge means for discharging the water of the water reservoir 11 to the outside via the circulation circuit 27.

After that, if necessary, the solenoid valves 33 and 34 are opened and closed, respectively, water from the water pipe is stored in the water reservoir 11, and the solenoid valves 33 and 34 are returned to the closed and open states, respectively. By draining the water from the water reservoir 11 again, the accommodating body 13 is rinsed. After the rinsing operation is completed, the humidification operation is performed.
Further, when the humidification operation is continued, the concentration of a component that can generate scale such as calcium in the water of the water reservoir 11 increases. Therefore, during the humidification operation, every predetermined time elapses, or when the water level sensor 26 detects that the amount of water in the water reservoir 11 has decreased to a predetermined amount, the water in the water reservoir 11 is subjected to the rinsing operation and the water filling operation. Replace. As a result, the concentration of a component that can generate scale such as calcium in the water of the water reservoir 11 can be lowered, and the generation of scale can be suppressed.

In the humidification operation in which the water ejected from the nozzle 14 is collected in the water reservoir 11 and ejected from the nozzle 14 again as in the present embodiment, the water ejected from the nozzle is not used as the water ejected from the nozzle again. The increase in the concentration of calcium and the like in the water of the water reservoir 11 is more remarkable than that of the water reservoir 11. Therefore, the adoption of the rinsing operation and the water filling operation during the humidification operation is suitable in the present embodiment.

In the humidifying device 10 described so far, the fan 21 is connected to the inflow portion 18 of the housing body 13, but the humidifying device 10 is not limited to this. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, the humidifying device 50 in which the fan 53 that sends air to the space 52 of the housing body 51 is not directly connected to the housing body 51 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the humidifying device 50 includes a humidity control unit 54 having an accommodating body 51 and a temperature control unit 55 having a fan 53 and connected to the humidity control unit 54 via a duct 56. ing.

The temperature control unit 55 sends out the housing 57, the fan 53 that sends the outside air taken into the housing 57 through the duct 58 from the housing 57 to the duct 56, and the air in the living space taken into the housing 57 via the duct 59 to the duct 60. It is provided with a fan 61 that discharges heat to the outside, and a heat exchanger 62 that is provided inside the housing 57 and exchanges heat between the outside air taken into the housing 57 and the air in the living space.

The humidity control unit 54 is provided with a space portion 52 in which a nozzle 63 is arranged and a water reservoir portion 64 for storing water in the accommodating body 51, and the nozzle 63 is provided with a nozzle for water stored in the water reservoir portion 64. A circulation circuit (not shown) to be sent to 63 is connected. A control means 65 for controlling a pump or the like provided in the circulation circuit is fixed to the housing 51. Further, the circulation circuit is connected to a discharge means (not shown) for discharging the water of the water reservoir 64 to the outside and a water supply means for supplying water from the outside to the water reservoir 64 via the nozzle 63.

The outside air taken into the housing 57 passes through the heat exchanger 62 to adjust the temperature, then exits the housing 57, enters the space 52 of the housing 51 via the duct 56, and passes through the space 52. After containing the water ejected from the nozzle 63, it is sent from the housing 51 to the living space via the duct 66. A humidity sensor 67 installed in the duct 66 is connected to the control means 65, and the control means 65 has a nozzle based on the detection value of the humidity sensor 67 (in the present embodiment, the relative humidity value). Adjust the operating level of a heating means (not shown) that heats the water sent to 63.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all changes in conditions that do not deviate from the gist are within the scope of the present invention.
For example, a person may replenish the water reservoir without providing the water supply means.
In addition, a circulation circuit is not always necessary. For example, a water supply means for directly supplying water from the outside is provided to the nozzle, and a drain pipe (drainage) that discharges water to the outside when a certain amount of water is accumulated in the water reservoir. An example of the means) may be directly connected to the housing. Even if the circulation circuit is not provided, the concentration of calcium and the like in the water in the water reservoir may increase with the passage of time (for example, evaporation of water in the water reservoir), so that the water in the water reservoir is discharged. It is effective for scale generation to provide the discharging means.
The heating means does not necessarily have to be provided, and when the heating means is provided, the heating means does not have to be a heater (for example, a heat pump can be adopted as the heating means).

10: Humidifying device, 11: Water reservoir, 12: Space part, 13: Container, 14: Nozzle, 15: Support, 16: Plate material, 17: Lid material, 18: Inflow part, 19: Outflow part, 20 : Duct, 21: Fan, 22: Connecting pipe, 23: Duct, 24, 24a: Damper, 25: rectifying member, 26: Water level sensor, 27: Circulation circuit, 28: Pump, 29: Heater, 30: Storage tank, 31: Water supply pipe, 32: Drain pipe, 33, 34: Electromagnetic valve, 35: Control means, 36: Operation unit, 50: Humidifier, 51: Container, 52: Space, 53: Fan, 54: Humidity control Unit, 55: Temperature control unit, 56: Duct, 57: Housing, 58, 59, 60: Duct, 61: Fan, 62: Heat exchanger, 63: Nozzle, 64: Water reservoir, 65: Control means, 66 : Duct, 67: Humidity sensor, P: Floor board

Claims (4)

An accommodating body provided with a water reservoir and a space for air to flow in and out,
A nozzle that ejects water into the space
A humidifying device including a discharge means for discharging water from the water reservoir. The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is provided with a water supply means for supplying water from the outside. The humidifying device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a circulation circuit that acquires water from the water reservoir and sends it to the nozzle. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a heating means for heating the water sent to the nozzle.

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