JP2024013246A - Water storage device and humidifying device equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a water storage device that can clearly determine the state and change of water level in a water storage tank, and a humidifier equipped with the same. [Solution] In a water storage device, the uppermost illumination means and the lowest illumination means have the same hue A, the intermediate illumination means have a hue B different from hue A, and the uppermost illumination means has a hue of B, which is different from hue A. Since the lowest lighting means was located above the lowest water level of the water storage tank, two-color lighting means with the minimum number of colors was used to monitor the water level from the lowest water level to the highest water level. Conditions and changes can be clearly distinguished. [Selection diagram] Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to a water storage device capable of storing water, and a humidification device that supplies humidified air generated using the water in the water storage device indoors.

Conventionally, in this type of water bottle, in order to check the remaining amount of water stored in the water bottle, there has been a type that uses a light emitting diode as an illumination means to illuminate the water bottle to check the water level. In addition, there have been systems that use a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit light of different colors as illumination means to distinguish changes in water level by color. (For example, Patent Document 1)

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-110020

However, with this conventional method, when multiple light emitting diodes with different emission colors are arranged, all the light appears as a mixed color, so depending on the individual hue and arrangement, the appearance may vary even if the water level changes. There was a risk that it would be difficult to differentiate between the two. Furthermore, in order to emit light of a plurality of colors, the number of types of light emitting diodes increases, resulting in an increase in cost.

In order to solve the above problem, in the water storage device according to claim 1 of the present invention, a water storage tank for storing water is arranged vertically on the back side of the water storage tank, and the water storage tank is arranged vertically from the back side to the front side. comprising three or more plurality of illumination means for emitting light,
The water storage tank is transparent or translucent, and the uppermost illumination means and the lowest illumination means have the same hue A, and the intermediate color between the uppermost and lowest illumination means has the same hue A. The illumination means has a hue B different from the hue A, the uppermost illumination means is located above the full water level of the water storage tank, and the lowest illumination means has a hue B different from the hue A. It is characterized by being located above the lowest water level of the water storage tank.

In the water storage device according to claim 2, the sum of the luminances of the uppermost and lowest lighting means is greater than the sum of the luminances of the middle lighting means, and the sum of the luminances of the middle lighting means. is characterized in that the luminance is greater than the luminance of the lowest lighting means.

Further, in the water storage device according to claim 3, the hue A and the hue B are characterized in that one of them is a color on the opposite side of the other in the hue wheel.

A humidifier according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes the water storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a water storage chamber for storing water supplied from the water storage tank, and a mist generated from the water in the water storage chamber. a mist generating means; a blower fan that blows humidified air containing the mist generated by the mist generating means from the air outlet; and a mist that blows humidified air containing the mist generated in the water storage chamber from the air outlet by the blower fan. a control unit that controls the operation, and the mist generating means includes a rotating body that rotates to pump up water in the water storage chamber and scatters it toward the outer circumference, and a drive that pivotally supports the rotating body so that the rotating body can rotate. It is characterized by comprising a mist motor connected to a shaft, and a collision body with which water splashed by the rotating body collides.

According to this invention, the uppermost illumination means and the lowest illumination means have the same hue A, the intermediate illumination means have a hue B different from hue A, and the uppermost illumination means has a hue that is different from hue A, and the uppermost illumination means has the same hue A. Since the lowest lighting means located higher than the lowest water level was located above the lowest water level of the water storage tank, the minimum multi-color two-color lighting means was used to indicate the water level from full to mid-water level and from mid-water level to mid-water level. Changes up to and below the minimum water level can be clearly distinguished.

Further, the sum of the luminances of the highest and lowest lighting means is greater than the sum of the luminances of the intermediate lighting means, and the sum of the luminances of the intermediate lighting means is greater than the luminance of the lowest lighting means. By increasing the size, changes in water level can be more clearly distinguished by varying the intensity of light.

In addition, since hue A and hue B are colors on the opposite side of the hue wheel, changes in water level can be more clearly distinguished by highlighting the difference in color.

In addition, the mist generating means includes a rotating body that rotates to pump up water in the water storage chamber and scatters it toward the outer circumference, a mist motor that is connected to a drive shaft that supports the rotating body so that it can rotate, and a mist motor that is connected to a drive shaft that rotatably supports the rotating body. By using a collision body with which the water collides, humidified air containing mist can be generated with a simple structure.

A perspective view illustrating the appearance of an embodiment of this invention Schematic configuration diagram of the embodiment Control block diagram of the embodiment Diagram explaining the operation unit of the same embodiment Flowchart explaining the operation from start to end of the same embodiment Diagram explaining the structure of the water tank and door panel of the same embodiment A diagram explaining the arrangement of the water supply tank, water supply hose, and overflow pipe in the same embodiment. A diagram explaining the water storage device of the same embodiment A diagram explaining the water storage device of the same embodiment A diagram explaining the water storage device of the same embodiment A diagram explaining the display of the water level window in the same embodiment.

Next, a humidifying device including a water storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In the following description, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "right", and "left" follow the definitions in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 10. Further, the vertical direction corresponds to the vertical direction when the instrument main body 1 is installed. The front-rear direction and the left-right direction correspond to the horizontal direction when the instrument main body 1 is installed. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the instrument main body 1, and the arrangement of each component in FIG. 2 in the front, rear, left, and right directions is different from the actual arrangement.

1 is an approximately box-shaped appliance body covered on all sides by various panels; 2 is an air outlet formed at the top of the appliance body 1 and has a louver 3 installed; 4 is an operation unit equipped with a plurality of switches for issuing various operation commands. 5, a plurality of suction holes are formed approximately at the center of the front surface of the instrument body 1 and have a shutter structure for taking in air into the instrument body 1; 6 is installed at the bottom of the instrument body 1, and can be drawn inside by pulling the handle. A drainage tank storage door 8 that allows the installed drainage tank 7 to be taken out is a water supply port 43 of a water supply tank 9 (corresponding to a water storage tank in the present invention) located next to the drainage tank storage door 6 and installed inside. 10 is a water level window formed at the bottom of the water supply door 8 and allows the amount of water remaining in the water tank 9 to be visually checked; 11 is a water level window installed at the bottom of the appliance body 1; It is a tire part that allows movement.

Here, by vertically arranging the water supply tank 9 and a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes) 73 as lighting means on the back side of the water supply tank 9, the water storage device 72 in one embodiment of the present invention is configured. The light emitted from the LED 73 passes through the water tank 9 and is visible through the water level window 10 located in front of the water tank 9. Further, although three or more LEDs 73 are arranged, four LEDs are arranged in this embodiment. Details of the water storage device 72 will be described later.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a water storage chamber that is installed in the instrument body 1 and stores a predetermined amount of water, and the water storage chamber 12 includes a cylindrical rotating body 13 whose lower end is submerged in water and is pivotally supported by a drive shaft 15. It is being

The rotary body 13 has a hollow inverted conical shape with a diameter gradually increasing upward, and drives a mist motor 14 connected to a drive shaft 15 that rotates the rotary body 13, so that the rotary body 13 rotates. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation draws up the water in the water storage chamber 12, pushes the water up through the outer and inner walls of the rotating body 13, and scatters the water pushed up through the outer wall of the rotating body 13 into the surrounding area. At the same time, the water pushed up through the inner wall of the rotating body 13 is scattered around from a plurality of not-shown splash ports formed at the upper end of the rotating body 13.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a cylindrical porous body that is positioned at a predetermined distance on the upper outer periphery of the rotating body 13 and rotates together with the rotating body 13. The porous body 16 has many slits, wire mesh, or punched metal on its entire circumferential wall. A porous portion 17 is installed as an impacting body made of a material such as a material. Furthermore, the rotating body 13, the mist motor 14, and the porous portion 17 constitute a mist generating device, and a large amount of humidified air containing mist can be generated with a simple configuration. Since it only needs to be assembled, it is easy to assemble and is low cost.

The mist motor 14 constituting the mist generating section is driven and the rotating body 13 is rotated, which generates a centrifugal force that pumps up water in the water storage chamber 12 and scatters air, causing water droplets that have passed through the porous section 17 to By being crushed, water is made fine and a large amount of mist with nanometer (nm) particle size (hereinafter referred to as fine mist) is generated, as well as water droplets with relatively large particle size (hereinafter referred to as large diameter mist). is generated, and the fine mist is charged with negative ions due to the Lennard effect due to the fineness of water, and the large-diameter mist is charged with positive ions.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a blower fan that sucks indoor dry air and blows it upwards into the appliance main body 1 by driving at a predetermined rotational speed. Dry air that has flowed into the ventilation box 80 through the airflow outlet 81 is discharged from the ventilation outlet 81, flows through the ventilation passage 79, flows into the water storage chamber 12 through the air inlet 83 of the wind tunnel 82, and is connected to the water storage chamber 12 and air. By passing through the water separation case 19 and blowing air from the air outlet 2, humidified air containing the fine mist and negative ions generated in the water storage chamber 12 is supplied indoors.

The air/water separation case 19 is connected to the other end (left side) above the water storage chamber 12 so that the flow path faces vertically upward, and the humidified air containing the fine mist and large-diameter mist generated in the water storage chamber 12 is connected to the inside. This is an airway for separating air and water.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a heater installed in the water storage chamber 12 to heat the stored water, and turned ON/OFF so that the temperature detected by the water storage temperature sensor 21 installed on the outer wall of the water storage chamber 12 and detecting the temperature of the stored water reaches a predetermined temperature. Switch the OFF state as appropriate.

A water level sensor 22 is installed in the water storage chamber 12 and detects the water level by moving the float up and down, and when the water level in the water storage chamber 12 decreases to below a predetermined water level, it outputs an OFF signal, and when the water level rises to a predetermined level. When the water level reaches or exceeds the water level, an ON signal is output, and when the water level rises further and the water storage chamber 12 becomes full of water, a full water signal is output.

A water supply hose 23 has one end connected to the water storage chamber 12 and the other end removably connected to the upper surface of the water supply tank 9. In the middle of the piping of the water supply hose 23, a self-priming water supply pump 24 that flows the water in the water supply tank 9 to the water storage chamber 12, and a flow rate sensor 25 that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply hose 23 are installed. , and an ion elution unit 70 as an ion elution means are installed. That is, the water stored in the water storage chamber 12 is supplied from the water supply tank 9 by the water supply pump 24 installed in the middle of the water supply hose 23 .

The ion elution unit 70 applies a predetermined constant current to the electrode 71 in the ion elution unit 70 when the water supply pump 24 is driven, thereby removing silver ions, which are metal ions, from the electrode 71 into the water in the water supply hose 23. It elutes into Then, the water in which silver ions are eluted is supplied into the water storage chamber 12, thereby suppressing sliminess around the water storage chamber.

The water supply hose connection part 26, which is the connection part between the water supply hose 23 and the water supply tank 9, is composed of a joint such as a coupler, and can be easily attached and detached with one touch.

23a is a suction hose installed from the water supply hose connection part 26 to the bottom of the water supply tank 9 with a predetermined clearance. The suction hose 23a extends to near the bottom of the water tank 9 in order to suck up the water in the water tank 9 with the water pump 24 and supply the water to the water storage chamber 12 via the water hose 23.

28 is a drain pipe whose one end is connected to the bottom of the water storage chamber 12 and the other end is installed above the drain inlet 27 of the drain tank 7. In the middle of the drain pipe 28, a solenoid valve is opened and closed to store water. A drain valve 29 is provided to control the draining of water within the chamber 12.

A temperature sensor 30 is installed on the wall of the air outlet 2 to detect the temperature of the humidified air blown into the room, and a sensor 31 is installed near the fan 18 to detect the temperature of the indoor air sucked in from the suction hole 5. The intake air temperature sensor 32 is a humidity sensor installed near the intake air temperature sensor 31 and detects the humidity in the room where the appliance body 1 is installed, and the mist motor is controlled based on the temperature and humidity detected by each sensor. 14 and the rotation speed of the blower fan 18 to switch the ON/OFF state of the heater 20.

Reference numeral 33 designates a plurality of baffle plates as a steam/water separation means, which are installed in the middle of the steam/water separation case 19 and each have an inclined surface that slopes vertically upward.
When humidified air flows into the air/water separation case 19, the humidified air flows in a meandering manner through the baffle plate 33, and the large-diameter mist in the humidified air is separated by the inclined surface, and the separated large-diameter mist collects. Under the influence of gravity, the mist flows along the slope to the lower end of the baffle plate 33 and falls into the water storage chamber 12, which reduces the amount of large-diameter mist guided to the air outlet 2 and also reduces the amount of large-diameter mist that contains a large amount of fine mist. Humidified air is guided to the air outlet 2.

An overflow pipe 34 has one end connected to the wall of the water storage chamber 12 and the other end installed above the drain port 44 of the water supply tank 9. In the event that the water level sensor 22 fails to detect full water, the water pump 24 continues to operate and returns water to the water tank 9 through the overflow pipe 34 even if the water supply to the water storage chamber 12 does not stop. Therefore, water can be prevented from overflowing from the water storage chamber 12.

35 is a drainage float that is installed in the drainage tank 7 and rises as the water level in the drainage tank 7 rises, 36 is a magnet installed at the upper end of the drainage float 35, and 37 is installed at a position facing the magnet 36. This is a proximity sensor that determines the ON/OFF state based on the presence or absence of magnetic force. As the water in the drainage tank 7 increases and the drainage float 35 rises, the installation location of the magnet 36 gradually lowers and gradually moves away from the proximity sensor 37, weakening the magnetic force that can be detected by the proximity sensor 37. When the drain tank 7 is nearly full, the proximity sensor 37 can no longer detect magnetic force and outputs an OFF signal, thereby closing the drain valve 29 to prevent water from leaking from the drain tank 7.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a louver motor that is connected to a spindle (not shown) of the louver 3 and rotates the louver 3 to a predetermined angle, and rotates the louver 3 to a predetermined angle when starting or stopping humidification operation.

Reference numeral 39 denotes a front panel installed to cover the upper front surface of the instrument main body 1, and can be removed when maintenance of the operating section 4 becomes necessary.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an outer panel that is installed to cover the front middle part of the instrument main body 1 and has a suction hole 5 formed therein. Although not shown, inside the outer panel 40 is installed a priming port that supplies priming water to the water pump 24 and an air purifying filter that collects and cleans dust in the air flowing into the device main body 1. be done.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a door panel provided on the front side of the drain tank 7 and water supply tank 9 of the appliance body 1. One right end of the door panel 41 is fixed with a hinge 41a, and can be opened and closed using a door panel handle 41b provided at one left end, and the water tank 9 can be pulled out forward with the door panel 41 open. You can take it out.

42 is a door panel detection sensor as an opening/closing detection means composed of a microswitch, which outputs an OFF signal when the door panel 41 is open, and detects the presence of the door panel 41 when the door panel 41 is closed. Detects and outputs an ON signal.

The operation unit 4 includes an operation switch 45 that instructs to start and stop operation, a modest switch 46 that executes silent operation that reduces the rotation speed of the mist motor 14 by a predetermined value to reduce operation noise, and a humidified air a timer on/off switch 47 for setting whether or not to start or stop a timer operation for supplying humidified air indoors; a clock setting switch 48 for setting the current time; A timer combination switch 49 for setting the start time and stop time, a humidification switch 50 for selecting the amount of humidified air supplied indoors from three levels of humidification, and a humidification switch 50 for selecting the amount of humidified air supplied indoors from three levels of air volume. The air volume switch 51 to be selected, the level display section 52 that displays the humidification level and air volume level set by the humidification switch 50 and the air volume switch 51, and the display items on the level display section 52 such as humidification, air volume level, humidity, and current level. A display changeover switch 53 that changes the display to the time, etc., a drain switch 54 that opens the drain valve 29 and forcibly drains the water in the water storage chamber 12 when the switch is pressed for 3 seconds, and a child switch that prohibits operations other than stopping the operation. A lock switch 55 is provided.

In addition, the operation unit 4 is equipped with lamps corresponding to each switch, such as an operation lamp 56 that lights up when the operation switch 45 is operated, and a timer on/off switch 47 that is operated to select between timer on control and timer off control. a timer lamp 57 that lights up a lamp in a mode set in one of the above, and a display item lamp that lights up a corresponding predetermined lamp depending on the detected humidity displayed on the level display section 52 and the morning or afternoon of the current time. 58, a drain lamp 59 that lights up when a drain switch 54 is operated and a drain valve 29 is opened, and a child lock lamp 60 that lights up when a child lock switch 55 is operated and a child lock is set.

Reference numeral 61 denotes a control unit composed of a microcomputer that controls operation details and opening/closing of valves based on the detection values detected by each sensor and the settings of each switch provided on the operation unit 4. The control unit 61 includes a mist motor control means 62 for driving the mist motor 14 at a predetermined rotation speed, a blower fan control means 63 for driving the blower fan 18 at a predetermined rotation speed, and an ON/OFF control for the heater 20. A heater control means 64 that controls the water temperature in the water storage chamber 12 by changing the state, a timer control means 65 that counts the time elapsed from the start of a specific operation, and an ion elution control means that elutes silver ions from the electrode 71. 69 is provided.

79 is a ventilation passage formed in the device main body 1 through which the air blown by the ventilation fan 18 flows; 80 is installed to cover the ventilation fan 18 and guides the air sucked from the suction port 68 to the ventilation outlet 81. The ventilation box 82 is a wind tunnel that is installed above the water storage chamber 12 and causes the air flowing through the ventilation passage 79 to flow into the water storage chamber 12 through the air inlet 83. The ventilation passage 79 is constituted by a partition wall forming the inside of the appliance main body 1 such as the inner panel 66 from the air outlet 81 to the air inlet 83, and when the ventilation fan 18 is driven, the area near the partition wall such as the inner panel 66 etc. Air passes through and flows into the air inlet 83 of the wind tunnel 82.

Next, the operation from the start to the end of operation in one embodiment will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 5.

First, when the operation switch 45 of the operation section 4 is operated or when the operation start time set by the timer on/off switch 47 comes, the control section 61 opens the drain valve 29 to drain the water in the water storage chamber 12. water is drained, and when it is determined that an OFF signal is output from the water level sensor 22, the water supply pump 24 is started to be driven, the water in the water supply hose 23 is drained, and after a predetermined period of time, the drain valve 29 is closed. (Step S101).

When the water exchange mode in step S101 is completed, the control unit 61 supplies the water in the water tank 9 to the water storage chamber 12 via the water supply hose 23, and when it is determined that the water level sensor 22 has output an ON signal, After a predetermined amount of water has been supplied into the water storage chamber 12 and the water supply pump 24 is stopped, a start-up mode is performed in which the blower fan 18 is driven for a predetermined period of time to remove large water droplets attached to the rotating body 13 ( Step S102).

When the start-up mode in step S102 is completed, the control unit 61 drives the louver motor 38 to stop the louver 3 at a position perpendicular to the top surface of the appliance main body 1, and operates the humidification switch 50 and the air volume switch 51. Based on the set humidification level and air volume level, the mist motor control means 62 and the blower fan control means 63 control the respective rotation speeds so that the mist motor 14 and the blower fan 18 are driven at predetermined rotation speeds, By switching and controlling the ON/OFF state of the heater 20 by the heater control means 64 based on the detected value of the water storage temperature sensor 21, the water storage temperature in the water storage chamber 12 can be adjusted to a predetermined value according to the humidification level and the air volume level. A normal operation mode is performed in which a humidification operation is performed to keep the temperature within the temperature range (step S103).

To explain the normal operation mode in detail here, the mist motor control means 62 changes the rotation speed of the mist motor 14 within the range of 800 to 1400 rpm, and the ventilation fan control means 63 changes the rotation speed of the ventilation fan 18 within the range of 400 to 800 rpm. By changing the rotation speed within the water storage chamber 12, humidification operation is performed at a rotation speed that matches the air volume level. The ON/OFF state of the heater 20 is switched and controlled by the heater control means 64 so that the temperature detected by the water storage temperature sensor 21 changes within the range of about 30 to 40°C.

During this normal operation mode, when the water level in the water storage chamber 12 decreases and an OFF signal is detected by the water level sensor 22, the control unit 61 starts driving the water supply pump 24, and at the same time, the control unit 61 starts driving the water supply pump 24 and sends the water to the electrode 71 in the ion elution unit 70. A predetermined constant current value is applied to supply water containing silver ions at a predetermined concentration into the water storage chamber 12. Thereby, an antibacterial effect is exerted on the water in the water storage chamber 12, and slime generation around the water storage chamber 12 can be suppressed.

If the operation switch 45 is turned off during the normal operation mode after starting the normal operation mode in step S103, or if the humidification operation stop time set by the timer on/off switch 47 comes, the control unit 61 , the louver motor 38 is driven to keep the louver 3 stationary with an opening of about 20 degrees relative to the top surface of the appliance main body 1, and the heater 20 is turned on to heat the water, which is detected by the water storage temperature sensor 21. A sterilization operation is performed for 10 minutes to sterilize the water in the water storage chamber 12 by switching the ON/OFF state of the heater 20 so that the value changes between 63°C and 65°C, and after 10 minutes, the water is stored. After performing a cooling operation to cool the inside of the chamber 12, the drain valve 29 is opened to perform a cleaning mode in which water in the water storage chamber 12 is drained (step S104).

When the cleaning mode in step S104 is completed, the control unit 61 causes the mist motor control means 62 and the blower fan control means 63 to drive the mist motor 14 and the blower fan 18 at a predetermined rotation speed for a predetermined time, so that the water storage chamber 12 A drying mode is carried out to dry the inside (step S105), and after a predetermined period of time has passed, the mist motor 14 and the blower fan 18 are stopped to end the drying mode, and the louver motor 38 is driven to close the louver 3. Operation ends.

Next, the configuration of the water storage device 72 in one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, four LEDs (light emitting diodes) 73 serving as lighting means, such as a red LED 73a, a blue LED 73b, a green LED 73c, and a red LED 73d, are arranged vertically on the back side of the water supply tank 9 as a water storage tank. . Note that these LEDs are arranged vertically between the upper end and the lower end of the water tank 9.

The red LED 73a is the highest LED placed at the top and is located above the full water level 74 of the water tank 9.

The red LED 73d is the lowest LED placed at the bottom, is located above the lowest water level 75 of the water tank 9, and is located near the lower end of the water level window 10. Furthermore, the red LED 73a at the highest level and the red LED 73d at the lowest level are both red and have the same hue.

The blue LED 73b and the green LED 73c are intermediate LEDs arranged between the red LED 73a and the red LED 73d, and have different hues from the red LED 73a and the red LED 73d.

The LEDs 73a to 73d are mounted on an LED mounting board 76, and by supplying power to the LEDs 73a to 73d via lead wires (not shown) connected to the LED mounting board 76, the LEDs 73a to 73d are displayed in a predetermined hue. Turn it on. Further, lighting and extinguishing of the LEDs 73a to 73d are controlled by an LED lighting control means 77 provided in the control section 61.

The water tank 9 is made of a transparent or translucent material such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). As a result, the light lit by the LEDs 73a to 73d passes through the water tank 9 and is visible in front of the water tank 9, and is also visible in the water level window 10 on the door panel 41. .

Next, details for clearly distinguishing changes in water level using the configuration of the water storage device 72 in an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 8 to 11.

First, in the water storage device 72 shown in FIG. 8, the water level of the water supply tank 9 is in a state where it is located above the intermediate water level from full (approximately above half), and the red LED 73a is located above the water surface. The blue LED 73b, green LED 73c, and red LED 73d are located below the water surface.

Here, the light from the red LED 73a that passes above the water surface, that is, through the air, travels forward of the water tank 9, but also diffuses upwards of the water tank 9 or enters the water, so the water tank 9 The intensity of light reaching the front of the water level window 10 and the water level window 10 is relatively small. On the other hand, the light from the blue LED 73b, green LED 73c, and red LED 73d that passes below the water surface, that is, through the water, is reflected by the water surface, so the intensity of the light that reaches the front of the water tank 9 and the water level window 10 is comparatively target becomes larger.

In other words, the intensity of the light that reaches the front of the water tank 9 and the water level window 10 is greater for the light from the blue LED 73b, green LED 73c, and red LED 73d that passes through the water than the light from the red LED 73a that passes through the air. . In other words, as shown in Fig. 11(a), the actual color of the area a1 below the water surface appears strong and clear, and the red color of the area a2 above the water surface appears lighter, so the state of the water level and changes can be clearly distinguished. Note that the color below the water surface is a color (in this case, blue) that is a mixture of the blue LED 73b, the green LED 73c, and the red LED 73d.

Furthermore, since the red LED 73a is located above the full water level 74 of the water tank 9, the color in the water is stronger and clearer than when the red LED 73a is not provided or is located below the full water level 74. By increasing the contrast between the light red color and the light red color in the air, it is possible to more clearly distinguish the state and changes in water level.

Next, in the water storage device 72 shown in FIG. 9, the water level of the water supply tank 9 is in a state from below the intermediate water level to above the lowest water level (approximately below half), and the red LED 73a, blue LED 73b, and green LED The LED 73c is located above the water surface, and the red LED 73d is located below the water surface.

Here, the light from the red LED 73a, blue LED 73b, and green LED 73c that passes above the water surface, that is, through the air, becomes relatively small in intensity due to light diffusion as explained in FIG. The passing light from the red LED 73d is reflected on the water surface, so that the intensity of the light becomes relatively large.

In other words, in reality, as shown in Figure 11(b), the red color in the area b1 below the water surface appears strong and clear, and the color in the area b2 above the water surface appears pale, so the state of the lowered water level. and changes can be clearly identified. The color above the water surface is a mixture of the red LED 73a, the blue LED 73b, and the green LED 73c (light blue in this case).

Next, in the water storage device 72 shown in FIG. 10, the water level of the water supply tank 9 is at the lowest water level, and the lights of the LEDs 73a to 73d are all located above the water surface. At this time, as shown in Fig. 11(c), the color c1 (reddish-purple here) that is a mixture of the LEDs 73a to 73d appears lighter, so you can visually see that the water level is almost zero. can be determined visually.

In addition, by making the highest red LED 73a and the lowest red LED 73d, and the intermediate LEDs, blue LED 73b and green LED 73c, different hues, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), Since the color of the area below the water surface and the color of the area above the water surface can be distinguished at any water level, the state or change of the water level can be clearly identified by the difference in color.

Furthermore, by making the sum of the brightness of the blue LED 73b and the green LED 73c, which are the LEDs in the middle position, larger than the brightness of the lowest red LED 73d, the water surface can be adjusted from the full water level to the water level located above the middle water level as shown in FIG. The color (a1 in FIG. 11A) obtained by mixing the blue LED 73b, the green LED 73c, and the red LED 73d, which are the lower colors, can be a blue-based hue. In other words, by increasing the intensity of light below the water surface and increasing the contrast between the water and the air, it is possible to more clearly distinguish the state and changes in the water level.

In addition, by making the sum of the brightness of the highest red LED 73a and the lowest red LED 73d larger than the sum of the brightness of the intermediate LEDs, blue LED 73b and green LED 73c, the lowest water level state shown in FIG. 10 is achieved. Therefore, the color obtained by mixing the LEDs 73a to 73d can be displayed on the water level window 10 as a pale red hue. In other words, c1 in FIG. 11(c) is displayed in a pale red hue.

On the other hand, when the water level is full, the light a1 that is a mixture of the blue LED 73b, green LED 73c, and red LED 73d passing through the water can be seen in the water level window 10 as a whole, resulting in a display as shown in FIG. 11(d). . Here, at the lowest water level and at the full water level, the hue visible in the water level window 10 is almost one color, but in FIG. 11(c) it is a pale red hue, and in FIG. 11(d) it is a blue hue. Since there is a difference between the two, it is possible to easily determine whether the water level is the lowest level or the full water level based on the difference in color and light intensity.

Furthermore, red, which is the hue of the highest LED 73a and the lowest LED 73d, and blue and green, which are the hues of the intermediate LED 73b and LED 73c, are selected so that they are on opposite sides (opposite colors) on the color wheel. , it is possible to highlight the difference in color and strengthen the contrast between the water and the air, which has been explained so far, so it is possible to more clearly distinguish the state and change of water level.

In this embodiment, two types of LEDs, the blue LED 73b and the green LED 73c, are used as intermediate LEDs, but one type of LED may be used as only one of them. For example, the LED 73a at the top and the LED 73d at the bottom may be red, and the middle LED 73b may be blue, so that a total of three LEDs may be used as two-color lighting means.

In addition, the hue of the highest LED 73a and the lowest LED 73d is red in this embodiment, but this is to notify the user of the danger of running out of water when the water level drops as shown in FIG. 11(b). This is because the hue is highly eye-catching, and other highly eye-catching hues such as yellow or orange may also be used.

Further, the lighting and extinguishing of the LEDs 73a to 73d are controlled by the LED lighting control means 77 provided in the control section 61, but this method may be such that they are turned on all the time, or the LED lighting switch provided in the operation section 4 ( It may be turned on/off by pressing the button (not shown), it may be turned on/off automatically by a detector such as a human sensor, or it may be turned on/off at a predetermined timing. It's okay.

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

9 Water supply tank (water storage tank)
73 LED (lighting means)
12 Water storage chamber 13 Rotating body 14 Mist motor 15 Drive shaft 17 Porous part (collision body)
18 Blower fan 72 Water storage device

Claims (4)

A water storage tank that stores water,
comprising three or more lighting means arranged vertically on the back side of the water storage tank and irradiating light from the back side to the front side of the water storage tank;
The water storage tank is transparent or semi-transparent,
The illumination means at the top and the illumination means at the bottom have the same hue A,
The intermediate illumination means between the uppermost and lowest illumination means has a hue B different from the hue A,
The uppermost lighting means is located above the full water level of the water storage tank,
A water storage device, wherein the lowest lighting means is located above the lowest water level of the water storage tank. The sum of the luminances of the illumination means at the highest and lowest positions is greater than the sum of the luminances of the illumination means at the middle position,
2. The water storage device according to claim 1, wherein the sum of the luminances of the intermediate lighting means is greater than the luminance of the lowest lighting means. 3. The water storage device according to claim 2, wherein one of the hue A and the hue B is a color on the opposite side of the other on a hue wheel. A water storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
a water storage chamber that stores water supplied from the water storage tank;
a mist generating means for generating mist from water in the water storage chamber; a blower fan for blowing humidified air containing the mist generated by the mist generating means from an air outlet;
a control unit that controls a mist operation in which humidified air containing mist generated in the water storage chamber is blown from the air outlet by the blower fan;
The mist generating means includes a rotating body that rotates to pump up water in the water storage chamber and scatters it toward the outer circumference, a mist motor connected to a drive shaft that rotatably supports the rotating body, and the rotating body. 1. A humidifier comprising: a collision body with which water splashed by the collision body collides;

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