JP2024039689A - humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a humidifier capable of accurately detecting an indoor humidity with a humidity sensor.SOLUTION: A humidifier is configured such that since part of dry air blown by a blower fan 6 passes through an opening 17 provided in a first wall surface 16, flows into a space A, and then circulates through a humidity sensor 14, an area near the humidity sensor 14, which is immediately downstream of the blower fan 6, has a more positive pressure than that downstream of an evaporative filter 9, thereby making it possible to prevent humidified air from flowing into the humidity sensor 14 and improve the detection accuracy of outside air humidity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an evaporative humidifier.

Conventionally, in this type of device, the opening of the sensor case housing the humidity sensor was attached to the main body case via a sealing member, and a vent hole was provided on the inner wall facing the opening to introduce indoor air. There was a humidifier that could accurately detect indoor humidity without being affected by the humidified air inside the humidifier. (For example, Patent Document 1)

In addition to the normal suction port, the air to be distributed to the humidity sensor is taken in from the bypass suction port, and after the air flowing in from the suction port joins the ventilation path through the bypass ventilation path, the air is passed through the vaporization filter. There is a humidifier that generates humidified air by passing through it. (For example, Patent Document 2)

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-057171 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-267759

However, in the humidifier of Patent Document 1, the ventilation path of humidified air has a positive pressure compared to the inside of the sensor case, so if a slight gap occurs due to aging of the sealing member, the humidified air will flow into the sensor case. There is a risk that humidity detection accuracy may deteriorate.

In addition, in the humidifying device of Patent Document 2, the air that has passed through the humidity sensor is configured to pass through the evaporative filter after merging with the ventilation path that has flowed in from the suction port via the bypass ventilation path, so that the air flows upstream of the evaporative filter. There is a risk that the size of the humidifier will increase as a result of the need for space to

In order to solve the above problems, the humidifier according to claim 1 of the present invention includes: an appliance body; a blower fan installed in the appliance body to blow air; and an inlet for taking in air from outside the appliance body. A ventilation path through which the air passing through the suction port flows; a humidity sensor provided outside the ventilation path to detect the humidity of the air taken in from the suction port; and a humidity sensor provided in the ventilation path and downstream of the ventilation fan. A vaporizing filter that humidifies the air, an air outlet that blows humidified air generated by the vaporizing filter to the outside of the device body, a fan casing that surrounds the outer periphery of the blower fan, and the fan casing or the humidity sensor are installed. an opening provided in a first wall surface separating a space in which the ventilation is carried out and the ventilation path upstream of the vaporization filter, and a part of the air blown by the ventilation fan passes through the opening to reduce the humidity. It is characterized by the distribution of sensors.

Further, in the humidifier of claim 2, a ventilation hole through which air that has passed through the humidity sensor passes is provided in a second wall surface that separates the space in which the humidity sensor is installed and the ventilation path downstream of the vaporization filter. It is characterized by the fact that it has been established.

Further, the humidifier according to the third aspect is characterized in that an air filter that can be attached to the suction port and that collects dust in the air is provided.

According to this invention, a part of the dry air blown by the blower fan passes through the opening and flows through the humidity sensor, so that the vicinity of the humidity sensor, which is immediately downstream of the blower fan, is lower than the downstream of the evaporative filter. Since the pressure is also positive, it is possible to prevent humidified air from flowing into the humidity sensor and improve the accuracy of detecting outside air humidity.

In addition, since the humidity sensor section is installed downstream of the blower fan and in a separate air path from the air path that passes through the humidifying filter, there is no need to provide a confluence space between the suction port and the blower fan. Since the humidifiers can be placed close to each other, the size of the entire humidifier can be reduced.

In addition, a ventilation hole through which the air that has passed through the humidity sensor passes is provided on the second wall that separates the space in which the humidity sensor is installed from the air blowing path downstream of the evaporative filter, so that the air that has passed through the humidity sensor By joining the air flow path downstream from the evaporative filter and sending it out from the air outlet, air does not flow out from gaps in the humidifier's casing, preventing whistling wind noise from occurring. can.

Schematic front view of one embodiment of this invention Right side sectional view of the same embodiment Enlarged view of the vicinity of the opening of the same embodiment Right side sectional view of a conventional humidifier

Next, a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a humidifier main body, and 2 a water tank provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body 1, which is supplied with water by a cartridge-type water supply tank 3. The water supply tank 3 is inserted into the device main body 1 from the upper surface of the device main body 1, placed on the water tank 2, and supplies a certain amount of water into the water tank 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a suction port that takes in indoor dry air (dry air) into the device main body 1, and is opened on the side surface of the device main body 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes an air outlet for sending moist air (humidified air) into the room, and is open on the top surface of the device main body 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes a blower fan such as a sirocco fan installed in the blower path 12 extending from the suction port 4 to the blower outlet 5, and 7 is a motor that drives the blower fan 6. On the downstream side of the blower fan 6, a heater 8 that heats the air and a horizontally rectangular vaporization filter 9 made of pleated sheet material with good water absorption are installed. The lower end of the vaporizing filter 9 is immersed in water in the water tank 2, and sucks up water by capillary action so that it is distributed over the entire surface.

In the water tank 2, a water supply section 10 that is supplied with water by the water supply tank 3 and a vaporization filter installation section 11 where the vaporization filter 9 is installed are arranged side by side, and both are integrally molded from resin and are connected at the bottom. Store water at the same level. This water tank 2 can be taken out from the back side of the instrument main body 1.

Indoor dry air taken in from the suction port 4 by the ventilation fan 6 passes through the heater 8 and then through the vaporization filter 9 moistened with water from the water tank 2, becoming humidified air, which is then sent into the room from the blowout port 5. do.

13 is a fan casing installed so as to surround the outer periphery of the blower fan 6. The air sucked into the center of the blower fan 6 from the suction port 4 is centrifugally blown from the outer periphery of the blower fan 6, and flows through a spiral air path (not shown) in the fan casing 13 through the rotation of the blower fan 6. The air flows along the direction and is sent out to the downstream side of the air blowing path 12.

A humidity sensor 14 is provided outside the ventilation path 12 and detects the humidity in the air. The humidity sensor 14 is mounted on a substrate 15, and the position of the humidity sensor 14 is fixed by fixing the substrate 15 to the upper part of the instrument main body 1. Here, in FIG. 2, the space where the humidity sensor 14 and the board 15 are installed is indicated by A.

A structure that separates the space A from the ventilation path 12 upstream of the vaporization filter 9 is referred to as a first wall surface 16. The first wall surface 16 is a portion through which the dry air taken in from the suction port 4 in the ventilation path 12 passes, and also includes the fan casing 13.

Here, by providing the opening 17 in the first wall surface 16, a part of the dry air sent out by the ventilation fan 6 passes through the opening 17 and flows into the space A. Note that details of the opening 17 will be described later.

A structure that separates the air passage 12 downstream from the vaporization filter 9 and the space A is defined as a second wall surface 18. The second wall surface 18 is a portion through which the humidified air that has passed through the vaporization filter 9 in the ventilation path 12 passes.

Here, by providing the ventilation hole 19 in the second wall surface 18, the dry air that has passed through the opening 17 and circulated in the space A passes through the ventilation hole 19 and merges with the humidified air. Note that details of the ventilation hole 19 will be described later.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an air filter such as a HEPA filter made of a sheet-like filter material such as non-woven fabric, which cleans the air by collecting fine dust and fine particles such as PM2.5 in the air. It can be freely attached to and detached from a mounting portion (not shown) formed in the.

Next, the detailed structure of the opening 17 and the ventilation hole 19 in one embodiment of the present invention and the effects produced thereby will be explained based on FIGS. 2 and 3.

See FIG. 2. A portion of the dry air sent out by the blower fan 6 passes through an opening 17 provided in the first wall surface 16, flows into the space A, and flows through the humidity sensor 14. At this time, the area around the humidity sensor 14 is under positive pressure immediately after the air is blown by the air blower fan 6, and even if there is a path where the air passage 12 downstream of the evaporative filter 9 and the area around the humidity sensor 14 communicate with each other, the humidity sensor Since the pressure near 14 is more positive than that downstream of the vaporization filter 9, humidified air is prevented from flowing into the humidity sensor 14, and the humidity sensor 14 can accurately detect the humidity of indoor dry air.

Here, the opening area of the opening 17 is set so that the amount of air passing through the opening 17 is sufficiently smaller than the amount of air passing through the ventilation path 12. This is because the amount of air in the air passage 12, which is blown as humidified air from the air outlet 5, is not reduced as much as possible. The opening 17 is preferably installed on the side surface of the fan casing 13 facing the blower fan 6, as shown in FIG. In other words, since the fan casing 13 immediately after the air is blown by the blower fan 6 has a larger positive pressure, the opening area of the opening 17 is made as small as possible while ensuring the amount of air necessary for the humidity sensor 14 to detect humidity. be able to.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the humidity sensor 14 be located closer to the opening 17 within the space A. In other words, by allowing the dry air that has passed through the opening 17 to pass through the humidity sensor 14 without decreasing its volume, the opening area of the opening 17 can be minimized.

Further, when the operation of the appliance main body 1 is stopped, the blower fan 6 is stopped, but at this time, the moisture near the vaporization filter 9 rises to the vicinity of the blower fan 6. Here, as described above, by making the opening area of the opening 17 as small as possible and arranging the humidity sensor 14 near the opening 17, the amount of moisture flowing into the space A can be made as small as possible. When the operation is started and dry air is introduced into the space A, moisture can be quickly removed.

On the other hand, the dry air that passes through the opening 17, flows into the space A, and flows through the humidity sensor 14 passes through the ventilation hole 19 provided in the second wall surface 18, flows into the ventilation path 12, and becomes humidified air. join together.

Here, if there is no ventilation hole 19, the dry air that has flowed into the space A through the opening 17 will flow out through gaps in the device body 1, etc., and the whistling wind noise that leaks out at this time becomes unintended noise. There is a possibility.

However, by providing ventilation holes 19 to ensure ventilation, air can be prevented from leaking from the gap as much as possible, and air can flow from the space A, which has a positive pressure, to the ventilation path 12 downstream from the vaporization filter 9, which has a negative pressure. can do. At this time, the opening area of the ventilation hole 19 is such that the flow rate of the air passing through the ventilation hole 19 is sufficiently larger than the flow rate of the air leaking from the gap, and the necessary minimum area is such that the air flowing in through the opening 17 can flow out. Set the area so that the area is within the limit.

Next, the effects of providing the humidity sensor 14 downstream of the blower fan 6 will be described based on FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a conventional humidifier in which a humidity sensor 14 is installed upstream of a blower fan 6. Dry air taken in from the humidity sensor suction port 4a, which is a suction port different from the suction port 4, flows through the humidity sensor 14, passes through the opening 17, and merges with the dry air flowing in from the suction port 4 in space B. do. The combined dry air is sent to the ventilation path 12 by the ventilation fan 6.

Here, when the humidity sensor 14 is installed upstream of the ventilation fan 6 as shown in FIG. 4, compared to the case where the humidity sensor 14 is installed downstream of the ventilation fan 6 as shown in FIG. Since a space B is required for the humidifier, the size of the humidifier body becomes large.

On the other hand, in the configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to arrange the suction port 4 and the blower fan 6 close to each other, so that the size of the humidifier main body can be made compact and downsized.

Furthermore, the air filter 20 collects dust and the like in the indoor air, allowing clean, dry air to be taken into the humidifier body through the suction port 4. However, in the conventional humidifier configuration shown in FIG. Since the air filter 20 is not installed in the humidity sensor suction port 4a, air containing dust flows through the humidity sensor 14, and there is a possibility that the humidity detection accuracy may be reduced due to dust and the like adhering to the humidity sensor 14. Further, when the air filter 20 is also installed at the humidity sensor suction port 4a, the air filter 20 becomes larger or requires separate parts, which increases cost.

On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the indoor dry air sucked through the air filter 20 can be circulated to the humidity sensor 14, so that clean dry air free of dust etc. is sent to the humidity sensor. 14, thereby preventing a decrease in humidity detection accuracy.

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.

1 Apparatus main body 4 Suction port 5 Air outlet 6 Ventilation fan 9 Evaporation filter 12 Ventilation path 13 Fan casing 14 Humidity sensor 16 First wall surface 17 Opening

Claims (3)

The instrument body,
A blower fan installed in the device body and blowing air;
a suction port that takes in air from outside the device body;
a ventilation path through which the air that has passed through the suction port circulates;
a humidity sensor that is provided outside the ventilation path and detects the humidity of the air taken in from the suction port;
an evaporative filter that is provided in the ventilation path and downstream of the ventilation fan and humidifies the air;
an outlet for blowing humidified air generated by the vaporization filter to the outside of the device body;
a fan casing surrounding the outer periphery of the blower fan;
an opening provided in the fan casing or a first wall surface separating the space in which the humidity sensor is installed and the air blowing path upstream from the evaporative filter;
A humidifier characterized in that a part of the air blown by the blower fan passes through the opening and flows through the humidity sensor. Claim 1, wherein a ventilation hole through which air that has passed through the humidity sensor passes is provided in a second wall that separates the space in which the humidity sensor is installed from the ventilation path downstream of the vaporization filter. Humidifier described in. The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an air filter that can be attached to the suction port and that collects dust in the air.

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