JP3741114B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a humidifier used for humidifying indoor air.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the degree of sealing of living spaces tends to increase. For example, when a heater is used in winter, a humidifier is often used for the purpose of preventing drying of indoor air.
[0003]
Examples of the humidifier include an ultrasonic type, a boiler type, and an evaporation type. In any case, a water tank is required.
[0004]
By the way, the humidifier has electric elements such as a fan, a heater, an ultrasonic oscillator, etc., and when the water runs out (for example, when the water tank is not attached or the water tank is empty). In some cases, a safety device for protecting the electrical element and ensuring safety is necessary.
[0005]
As a conventional safety device, it is a boiler type humidifier, which is turned ON / OFF according to the water level in a water supply means (for example, a water tank) provided to supply water to the humidification means on the humidifier body side. Some have a float switch that is turned off (see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-42944 (paragraph number “0002”, FIG. 3).
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a water supply means (for example, a water tank) provided for supplying water to the humidifying means is provided with a float switch that is turned ON / OFF according to the water level. Even if a water tank is not installed, if a predetermined amount of water is contained in the water supply means, the float switch is closed, and the humidifier may be operated.
[0008]
As described above, if the operation is performed in a state not intended by the user, the electrical elements may not be sufficiently protected, and the safety of the user may be insufficient.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the humidifier from operating when the water tank is not attached.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, as a first means for solving the above-mentioned problem, a humidifier comprising a fan for circulating room air, a humidifying means for humidifying the room air, and a water supply means for supplying water to the humidifying means. A humidifier comprising: a humidifier body; and a water tank configured to be detachable from the humidifier body and configured to replenish water to the water supply means in a mounted state, the humidifier body side The water supply means, and a float that is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank and that closes the switch part according to the water level in the water supply means. A switch mechanism is provided to enable energization of the electric circuit including the fan only occasionally.
[0011]
By configuring as described above, when the water tank is mounted and water is supplied from the water tank to the water supply means, the float constituting the switch mechanism moves according to the water level of the water supply means, and the switch unit Will be closed. That is, it is possible to energize the electric circuit including the fan only when the water tank is mounted and water is supplied from the water tank to the water supply means. Therefore, when the water tank is not attached, the electric circuit is not energized, the electrical elements can be protected, and the safety of the user can be ensured.
[0012]
In the present invention, as a second means for solving the above-mentioned problem, in the humidifier provided with the first means, a float holding portion for holding the float movably up and down on the bottom surface of the water tank. And an annular protective wall can be formed around the float holding portion. In such a case, the float holding portion holding the float is covered by the annular protective wall. Thus, the action of external force on the float holding part can be prevented.
[0013]
In the present invention, as a third means for solving the above-described problem, in the humidifier provided with the second means, a water supply port for supplying water to the water tank on the bottom surface of the water tank A water supply cap having a valve mechanism that opens when the water tank is mounted is detachably attached to the water supply port, and the height from the bottom surface of the water tank to the lower end of the protective wall and the lower end of the water supply cap is increased. It is possible to make them different from each other, and in such a case, the water tank cannot be placed with the bottom side down, so it is necessary to take a placement posture with the water supply cap and the float holding part facing upward Therefore, the water supply cap and the float holding part can be well protected.
[0014]
In the invention of the present application, as a fourth means for solving the above-mentioned problem, in the humidifier provided with the first, second or third means, when the float is lowered to the lower limit water level, the switch section In such a case, the switch mechanism can detect whether the water tank is attached or detached and detect the water level.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the humidifier includes a fan 3 that circulates room air A, a humidifying means 4 that humidifies the room air A, and a water supply means 5 that supplies water W to the humidifying means 4. And a water tank 2 that is detachably attached to the humidifier body 1 and configured to replenish water W to the water supply means 5 in a mounted state. The humidifier body 1 has a substantially L-shape having a standing portion 1a in which a fan motor 6 that is a driving source of the fan 3 is incorporated on one side.
[0017]
The fan 3 is provided adjacent to the standing portion 1 a in the humidifier body 1, and a fan rotor 7 that is rotationally driven by the fan motor 6 and a scroll-type fan casing that surrounds the fan rotor 7. It consists of eight. The fan casing 8 is disposed with its suction port 8a opened to the opposite side of the standing portion 1a, while its discharge port 8b is opened upward. It faces a discharge port 9 formed from the upper surface of the cover portion 1c extending laterally from the upper surface of 1a to the oblique front surface.
[0018]
The humidifying means 4 includes a water tank 10 formed adjacent to the fan casing 8 in the flat portion 1b of the humidifier body 1, a lower end immersed in the water tank 10, and opposed to the suction port 8a of the fan casing 8. It consists of the water absorption filter 11 standing | installed so that attachment or detachment was possible. In addition, it is desirable that a predetermined gap S is interposed between the water absorption filter 11 and the fan casing suction port 8a because the entire surface of the water absorption filter 11 can be used for humidification.
[0019]
A switch operation unit 12 is provided above the water absorption filter 11. The switch operation unit 12 is provided with a main switch 13 and an air volume changeover switch 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes a control board.
[0020]
A heater unit 16 for preheating indoor air A sucked by the fan 3 is disposed on the back side of the water absorption filter 11. An air suction port (not shown) is formed on the back side of the heater unit 16.
[0021]
Further, the water supply means 5 includes a water passage 17 formed adjacent to the water tank 10 in the plane portion 1b of the humidifier body 1, and a water supply port 21 of the water tank 2 (to be described in detail later). The first water storage section 18 to which the water tank 2 is mounted and the second water storage section 19 to which the float 26 (to be described in detail later) of the water tank 2 is mounted.
[0022]
When the water tank 2 is attached, the front and rear of the water absorption filter 11 are closed by the front plate 1d and the back plate 1e, and are sucked from an air suction port (not shown) and preheated by the heater unit 16. The room air A passes through the water absorption filter 11 through the space between the water absorption filter 11 and the water tank 2, and is humidified by water vapor evaporated from the water absorption filter 11 during the passage, and is sucked into the fan casing suction port 8a. An air passage 20 is to be formed.
[0023]
A water supply port 21 is formed at the center of the bottom surface 2a of the water tank 2, and a water supply cap 22 is attached to the water supply port 21 in a detachable manner. The water supply cap 22 is provided with a valve mechanism 24 that is operated to be opened by a valve opening operation member 23 that is erected at the center of the first water storage unit 18 when the water tank 2 is mounted. Reference numeral 25 denotes a spring that biases the valve mechanism 24 in the valve closing direction.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a float holding portion 27 that holds the float 26 in a vertically movable manner is provided at a position adjacent to the water supply port 21 on the bottom surface 2 a of the water tank 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the float holding portion 27 has a cylindrical shape, and an inward flange portion 28 for preventing the float 26 from falling is integrally formed at the lower end, and is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end portion. The pair of mounting ribs 29, 29 are attached to the bottom surface 2 a of the water tank 2 by using screws 30, 30. The float holding unit 27 is immersed in the second water storage unit 19 when the water tank 2 is mounted. At this time, the air vent slit 31 is provided so that the water W can easily enter the float holding unit 27. Is provided.
[0025]
The float 26 includes a donut-shaped float main body 32 floating in the water W and a magnet 33 embedded in the float main body 32. When the water tank 2 is attached, the float 26 is centered. When the water W is fully filled in the second water storage part 19, the switch cylinder 34 is installed in the switch cylinder 34 and acts as a switch part. The reed switch 35 is closed (that is, turned ON). That is, the float 26 and the reed switch 35 constitute a switch mechanism that enables energization of the electric circuit including the fan 3 only when the water tank 2 is mounted. When the water level of the second water storage unit 19 decreases, the magnetic force of the magnet 33 does not act on the reed switch 35, and the reed switch 35 is opened (that is, turned off).
[0026]
An annular protective wall 36 is integrally formed at a position surrounding the float holding portion 27 on the bottom surface 2 a of the water tank 2. The height H ₁ of the protective wall 36 is higher than the height H ₂ of the float holding part 27. In this way, the float holding part 27 holding the float 26 is covered by the annular protective wall 36, and the action of external force on the float holding part 27 can be prevented. Reference numeral 37 is an air vent opening formed so that the water W can easily enter the protective wall 36, and 38 is formed at the lower end of the protective wall 36 to serve as an inlet for the water W into the protective wall 36. A notch 39 is a handle of the water tank 2.
[0027]
The height H ₁ from the bottom surface 2 a of the water tank 2 to the lower end of the protective wall 36 is higher than the height H ₃ to the lower end of the water supply cap 22. In this case, the water tank 2 cannot be placed with the bottom surface 2a side down, and thus the placement posture with the water supply cap 22 and the float holding portion 27 facing upward has to be taken. The water supply cap 22 and the float holding part 27 can be well protected. Note that the relationship between the height H ₁ of the protective wall 36 and the height H ₃ of the water supply cap 22 may be reversed (ie, H ₁ <H ₂ ).
[0028]
The electrical elements in the humidifier having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 40 is a commercial AC power supply, 41 is an air volume switching switch, and 42 is a triac.
[0030]
With the above-described configuration, when the water tank 2 is mounted and water is supplied from the water tank 2 to the water supply means 5 (that is, the water passage 17, the first and second water storage units 18, 19). Then, the float 26 constituting the switch mechanism moves according to the water level of the water supply means 5, and the reed switch 35 as the switch portion is closed. That is, the electric circuit including the fan 3 can be energized only when the water tank 2 is mounted and water is supplied from the water tank 2 to the water supply means 5. Therefore, when the water tank 2 is not mounted, the electric circuit is not energized, the electrical elements can be protected, and the safety of the user can be ensured.
[0031]
When the float 26 is lowered to the lower limit water level, the reed switch 35 is opened, and the switch mechanism can detect the attachment / detachment of the water tank 2 and the water level.
[0032]
In the above description, a hybrid humidifier that humidifies using water vapor evaporated from the water absorption filter is used as an embodiment, but the present invention is an ultrasonic oscillation type as long as it is a humidifier equipped with a detachable water tank. It can also be applied to boiler-type ones.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first means of the present invention, a humidifier body comprising a fan for circulating indoor air, a humidifying means for humidifying indoor air, and a water supply means for supplying water to the humidifying means, and the humidification A humidifier comprising a water tank that is detachable from the main body and configured to replenish water to the water supply means in a mounted state, wherein the water supply is on the humidifier main body side. And a float that is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank and that closes the switch according to the water level in the water supply means, and includes the fan only when the water tank is mounted. When a switch mechanism is installed to enable energization of the electric circuit, and the water tank is mounted and water is supplied from the water tank to the water supply means, the float constituting the switch mechanism is The switch moves according to the water level of the supply means, and the switch unit is closed. Therefore, the water circuit is attached to the electric circuit including the fan only when the water tank is installed and water is supplied from the water tank to the water supply means. When energization is possible and the water tank is not mounted, the electric circuit is not energized, and the electrical elements can be protected and the user's safety can be ensured.
[0034]
As in the second means of the present invention, in the humidifier equipped with the first means, a float holding part for holding the float in a vertically movable manner is formed on the bottom surface of the water tank, and the float holding An annular protective wall can be formed around the part, and in such a case, the float holding part holding the float is covered by the annular protective wall, and the float holding part is connected to the float holding part. The action of external force can be prevented.
[0035]
As in the third means of the present invention, in the humidifier provided with the second means, a water supply port for supplying water to the water tank is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank, and the water supply port is provided with: A water supply cap having a valve mechanism that opens when the water tank is mounted is detachably attached, and the height from the bottom surface of the water tank to the lower end of the protective wall and the lower end of the water supply cap can be made different from each other, In this case, the water tank cannot be placed with the bottom side down, so the water supply cap and the float holding part must be placed in an upward position. And the float holding part can be well protected.
[0036]
As in the fourth means of the present invention, in the humidifier having the first, second or third means, the switch unit is configured to be opened when the float is lowered to the lower limit water level. In such a case, it is possible to detect the attachment / detachment of the water tank and the water level by the switch mechanism.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view with a section of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a state in which the water tank of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention is removed.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing a main part of a water tank in the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view of a water tank in the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a connection diagram of electrical elements in the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 is a humidifier body, 2 is a water tank, 2a is a bottom surface, 3 is a fan, 4 is humidification means, 5 is water supply means, 21 is a water supply port, 22 is a water supply cap, 24 is a valve mechanism, 26 is a float, 27 Is a float holding part, 35 is a switch part (reed switch), 36 is a protective wall, A is room air, and W is water.

Claims (4)

A humidifier body comprising a fan for circulating room air, a humidifying means for humidifying the room air, and a water supply means for supplying water to the humidifying means, and a removable and attached to the humidifier body A humidifier comprising a water tank configured to be able to replenish water to the water supply means in a state, the switch portion provided on the humidifier body side and provided in the water supply means; The float is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank and closes the switch unit according to the water level in the water supply means, and enables energization of the electric circuit including the fan only when the water tank is mounted. A humidifier characterized by a switch mechanism. 2. The float holding portion for holding the float so as to be movable up and down is formed on the bottom surface of the water tank, and an annular protective wall is formed around the float holding portion. The humidifier described. A water supply port for replenishing water to the water tank is provided on the bottom surface of the water tank, and a water supply cap having a valve mechanism that opens when the water tank is mounted is detachably attached to the water supply port. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein heights from the bottom surface of the water tank to the lower end of the protective wall and the lower end of the water supply cap are made different from each other. 4. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the switch unit is opened when the float is lowered to a lower limit water level. 5.

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