JP4715811B2 - Mist generator with heating device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mist generating device with a heating device, and more particularly to a mist generating device with a heating device that has a heat sterilization function for water for mist and can generate mist continuously.

As a conventional mist generator with a heating device, for example, there is an “ultrasonic humidifier” disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-147469. This ultrasonic humidifier heats and sterilizes the humidified water in the atomized water tank adjusted and supplied from the water tank (water tank) with a heater, vibrates the ultrasonic vibrator at a predetermined frequency, and mists of water in the atomizing chamber. A structure has been proposed in which the mist is blown out into the room by a fan and efficient heat sterilization and the heat of the heater is prevented from being transmitted to the water storage tank.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-147469

  As described above, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a device that includes a heating device (heater) and sterilizes by heating and generates mist using an ultrasonic vibrator. There is no problem of discontinuity.

  By the way, as another structure of the mist generating device, a structure using a venturi effect is widely used, and in this structure, a thin tube is used for the mist generating path. In other words, it is a structure that uses a thin tube for a supply rod that supplies water to a mist generating unit that mixes water and air to generate mist. In this case, if the water to be mist is heated and sterilized in advance, the supply rod is a thin tube. For this reason, water vapor or air generated by heating water may exist in the supply path. As described above, the gas convected in the water supply path is separated into a liquid phase and a gas phase in a part of the inside of the supply pipe, and as a result, the generation of mist may be discontinuous.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and has an object to provide a mist generator with a heating device that has a heat sterilization function of water for mist and can continuously generate mist. It is said.

  In order to achieve the above object, a mist generating apparatus with a heating device according to the present invention comprises a mist generating means for mixing water and air into mist by driving a pump, a heating means for heating the water, A water supply pipe for connecting the mist generating means and the heating means to supply heated water to the mist generating means, and a control means for driving and controlling the pump so that the output is lower than that at the time of mist generation before the mist is generated. The first feature is to include

  Further, the mist generator with a heating device according to the present invention has a second feature that the control means controls the drive of the pump so that any of a plurality of outputs lower than that at the time of mist is generated before the mist is generated. To do.

  Furthermore, the mist generator with a heating device according to the present invention has a third feature that the water supply tub is provided with an air chamber in which water vapor or air is retained.

  In the mist generator with a heating device according to the first feature of the present invention, water to be mist can be sterilized by heating in advance. For this reason, water vapor or air generated by heating water may be present in the supply tank, and if the gas stays in the path, it is separated into a liquid phase and a gas phase in a part of the supply pipe, resulting in mist. However, in the mist generator with a heating device of the present invention, since the pump is driven and controlled by the control means so that the output becomes lower than that at the time of the mist before the mist is generated, the mist is generated. Before, the inside of the supply pipe can be filled with water, and the gas can be discharged from the mist generating means to the outside. When mist is generated, mist can be generated continuously.

  In the mist generator with a heating device according to the second feature of the present invention, the control means selectively drives and controls the pump before the mist is generated so as to have any of a plurality of outputs lower than those at the time of mist generation. In a place where gas tends to stay in the path, the pump is driven and controlled so that the output is relatively low, and the water supply pipe is filled with water relatively slowly. The pump is driven and controlled to achieve a relatively high output, so that the inside of the water supply pipe can be filled with water relatively quickly and gas can be efficiently discharged from the mist generating section. Mist can be generated.

  Furthermore, in the mist generator with a heating device of the second feature according to the present invention, the water vapor generated by heating by the heating means has moved to the water supply pipe by providing the water supply pipe with an air chamber for retaining water vapor or air. Sometimes, it can always stay in the air chamber, and it can be prevented from going to the mist generating means when mist is generated, so that mist can be generated continuously.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a mist generator with a heating device of the present invention will be described in detail in the order of [Embodiment 1] and [Embodiment 2] with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a mist generator with a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment heats water 15 by mixing the water and air with the device main body 1 to generate mist 17 by driving a pump 9. A water supply for supplying heated water to the mist generating unit 7 by connecting the heating unit 4 provided with the heater 3, a tank 8 for supplying water 15 to the heating unit 4, a mist generating unit 7 and the heating unit 4. The pipe 6 is configured to include a control unit 10 that drives and controls the pump 9 so that the output is lower than that at the time of mist generation before the mist is generated. The water supply basin 6 includes an air chamber 5 in which water vapor or air is retained.

  In the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment, the water 15 injected from the tank 8 into the heating unit 4 is heated by the heater 3 until it reaches a temperature sufficient for sterilization, although it does not boil. At this time, when the control unit 10 controls the air pressure generated by the pump 9 of the mist generation unit 7 to be a mist generation level, a negative pressure is generated in the water supply pipe 6 and the heated water 15 of the heating unit 4 is heated. Reaches the mist generating section 7 through the water supply pipe 6, and mist 17 is generated by the venturi effect. In addition, the drive of the pump 9 by the control part 10 can also be set as the structure controlled to become a positive pressure, and can be comprised similarly to a negative pressure.

  Thus, in the mist generating apparatus with a heating device of the present embodiment, the structure using the venturi effect is configured to preliminarily heat sterilize the water 15 to be mist, so that water vapor generated by heating the water 15 or In some cases, air may exist in the supply tank 6, the air chamber 5, or the heating unit 4, and when the gas stays in the path, it is separated into a liquid phase and a gas phase in a part of the inside of the supply pipe 6, resulting in a mist 17 There is a risk of the occurrence of discontinuity. As a countermeasure, in the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment, the control unit 10 drives and controls the pump 9 so that the output becomes lower than that at the time of mist generation before the mist generation, and before the mist generation, the supply pipe 6 The inside is filled with water, and the gas is discharged from the mist generating unit 7 to the outside. Accordingly, the inside of the water supply pipe 6 can be filled with the water 15 and water vapor or air can be discharged without inadvertently generating the mist 17, and when the mist is generated, the generation of the mist 17 is not discontinuous and is continuous. Thus, the mist 17 can be generated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the drive control of the pump 9 by the control part 10 (10a) of the mist generator with a heating apparatus of a present Example is demonstrated. Here, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a portion related to drive control of the pump 9 of the control unit 10a.

  In the same figure, the control part 10a is the structure provided with the power supply 11, the microcomputer (microcomputer) 12a, the pump drive transistor Tr1, the voltage control transistor Tr2, the diode D1, and resistance R1-R5. Here, the pump drive transistor Tr1 is ON / OFF controlled by a pump drive signal from the microcomputer 12a, and the pump 9 is driven by ON control and the drive 9 is stopped by OFF control. The voltage control transistor Tr2 is ON / OFF controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 12a, and the voltage dividing resistor R5 is invalidated by ON control and the voltage dividing resistor R5 is validated by OFF control.

  That is, the microcomputer 12a is activated by the power source 11, and the pump drive transistor Tr1 is turned on by the pump drive signal from the microcomputer 12a to drive the pump 9, but the voltage control transistor Tr2 is turned off by the control signal from the microcomputer 12a. In this case, the pump drive current flows through the voltage dividing resistor R5, and the drive voltage of the pump 9 is reduced and supplied by the voltage across the voltage dividing resistor R5. On the other hand, when the voltage control transistor Tr2 is turned on by the control signal from the microcomputer 12a, the voltage dividing resistor R5 is short-cut, and the drive voltage of the pump 9 is not reduced, and the voltage from the power supply 11 is supplied as it is. .

  That is, if the voltage control transistor Tr2 is turned off before the mist is generated, and the voltage control transistor Tr2 is turned on when the mist is generated, the pump 9 is driven and controlled before the mist is generated so that the output is lower than that at the time of the mist. Can do.

  The voltage dividing resistor R5 is a variable resistor that can be set by a control signal from the microcomputer 12a, or a circuit composed of a set of a voltage control transistor Tr2 and resistors R3 to R5 is connected in series or in parallel to each set. If the circuit configuration is such that the voltage control transistor Tr2 can be controlled independently, the pump 9 can be driven and controlled to have one of a plurality of outputs lower than that at the time of occurrence of mist before the occurrence of mist.

  Next, the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment includes an air chamber 5 that retains water vapor or air in the water supply trough 6, but regarding the situation during operation of the mist generator of the air chamber 5, This will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, immediately after the mist is generated, the pump 9 is driven and controlled so that the output is lower than that at the time of the mist before the mist is generated, so that the gas in the air chamber 5 is generated as shown in FIG. The air chamber 5 and the supply pipe 6 are filled with water.

  Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the occurrence of mist, even if water vapor or air 18 is generated in the supply tank 6 due to heating of the water 15 by the heating unit 4, the water vapor or air remains in the air chamber 5. become. Note that the air chamber 5 has a structure having a large volume in a protruding shape with respect to the water supply pipe 6 having a small diameter. For this reason, the liquid phase and the gas phase can be separated in the air chamber 5 during the drive control (when mist is generated), and water vapor or air can be prevented from passing through the mist generating unit 7. Mist can be generated continuously.

  As described above, in the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment, the mist generating unit 7 that mixes water 15 and air to form mist by driving the pump 9, and the heating unit 4 that heats the water 15, The mist generating unit 7 and the heating unit 4 are connected, and the water supply pipe 6 that supplies the heated water to the mist generating unit 7 and the pump 9 is driven so that the output is lower than that at the time of mist generation before the mist is generated. Since the control unit 10 (10a) to be controlled is provided, the water 15 to be mist can be sterilized by heating in advance. For this reason, water vapor or air generated by heating the water 15 may be present in the supply tank 6, and when the gas stays in the path, it is separated into a liquid phase and a gas phase in a part of the supply pipe 6, As a result, the generation of mist may be discontinuous. However, in the mist generator with a heating device of this embodiment, the control unit 10 (10a) causes the pump to have a lower output before the mist is generated before the mist is generated. 9 is driven and controlled, so that the inside of the supply pipe 6 can be filled with water before the mist is generated, and the gas can be discharged from the mist generating unit 7 to the outside. When the mist is generated, the mist can be continuously generated. .

  Further, in the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment, the controller 10 (10a) selectively drives and controls the pump so that any of a plurality of outputs lower than that at the time of the mist is generated before the mist is generated. In this case, in a place where gas tends to stay in the path, the pump 9 is driven and controlled so that the output is relatively low, and the water supply pipe 6 is filled with water relatively slowly. In a place where gas does not easily stay in the path, the pump 9 is driven and controlled so that the output is relatively high, and the water supply pipe 6 is filled with water relatively quickly, and the gas is efficiently discharged from the mist generating part to the outside. When mist is generated, mist can be generated continuously.

  Furthermore, in the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment, when the water supply pipe 6 is provided with the air chamber 5 for retaining water vapor or air, the water vapor generated by heating by the heating unit 4 moves to the water supply pipe 6. In addition, since the mist can always be retained in the air chamber 5 and can be prevented from going to the mist generating means when the mist is generated, mist can be generated continuously.

[Example 2]
Next, FIG. 4 is a partial configuration diagram of the control unit 10 (10b) of the mist generator with a heating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and a part related to the drive control of the pump 9 of the control unit 10 (10b). It is a block diagram. In addition, the whole structure of the mist generator with a heating apparatus of a present Example is equivalent to Example 1 (FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 4, the control unit 10b includes a power source 11, a microcomputer 12b, a pump drive transistor Tr1, a diode D1, and resistors R1 and R2. Here, the pump drive transistor Tr1 is ON / OFF controlled by a pump drive signal from the microcomputer 12b, and the pump 9 is driven by ON control and the drive 9 is stopped by OFF control. That is, the control unit 10a according to the first embodiment is configured to change the voltage level itself supplied to the pump 9 according to the validity / invalidity of the voltage dividing resistor R5. In this configuration, the effective value of the voltage supplied to the pump 9 is changed by changing the time ratio (duty ratio) of the on / off control of the drive transistor Tr1.

  That is, the microcomputer 12b is activated by the power source 11, and when mist is generated, the pump drive transistor Tr1 is controlled to be turned on / off by the pump drive signal from the microcomputer 12b as shown in FIG. Is done. On the other hand, when non-mist occurs before the occurrence of mist, the pump drive transistor Tr1 is controlled to be turned on / off by a pump drive signal having a smaller duty ratio than when mist is generated as shown in FIG. Driven.

  That is, before the mist is generated, the pump drive signal output from the microcomputer 12b is a signal having a duty ratio smaller than the duty ratio at the time of the mist generation, so that the time for driving the pump 9 is shortened. The drive of the pump 9 can be controlled so that the output is lower than when mist is generated.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the signal pattern of the pump drive signal at the time of non-mist generation before the occurrence of mist is a signal having a duty ratio which is smaller than the duty ratio at the time of mist generation and different from each other. If a plurality of are prepared and can be selected in accordance with the use situation, the pump 9 can be driven and controlled before the occurrence of mist so as to have any of a plurality of outputs lower than that at the time of occurrence of mist.

  As described above, in the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment, the water 15 to be mist can be preliminarily heated and sterilized in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and before the mist is generated by the control unit 10b. In addition, since the pump 9 is driven and controlled so that the output is lower than when mist is generated, the supply pipe 6 can be filled with water before the mist is generated, and the gas can be discharged from the mist generator 7 to the outside. Sometimes mist can be generated continuously.

  Moreover, in the mist generator with a heating device of the present embodiment, the control unit 10b may be configured to selectively drive and control the pump before the mist is generated so as to have any one of a plurality of outputs lower than when the mist is generated. In this case, in a place where gas is likely to stay in the path, the pump 9 is driven and controlled so that the output is relatively low, and the water supply pipe 6 is filled with water relatively slowly. In a place where it is difficult to stay, the pump 9 is driven and controlled so as to obtain a relatively high output, so that the inside of the water supply pipe 6 can be filled with water relatively quickly and the gas can be efficiently discharged from the mist generating part to the outside. When mist is generated, mist can be generated continuously.

It is a block diagram of the mist generator with a heating apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the part in connection with the drive control of the pump 9 of the control part 10a in Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the condition at the time of mist generator operation | movement of the air chamber 5. FIG. It is a block diagram of the part in connection with the drive control of the pump 9 of the control part 10b in Example 2. FIG. It is a time chart (the 1) which illustrates the pump drive signal from microcomputer 12b. It is a time chart (the 2) which illustrates the pump drive signal from the microcomputer 12b.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 3 Heater 4 Heating part 5 Air chamber 6 Water supply pipe 7 Mist generating part 8 Tank 9 Pump 10 Control part 11 Power supply 12a, 12b Microcomputer 15 Water 17 Mist 18 Water vapor | steam or air Tr1 Pump drive transistor Tr2 Voltage control transistor D1 Diode R1 ~ R5 resistance

Claims (3)

Mist generating means for mixing water and air into mist by driving the pump;
Heating means for heating the water;
A water supply pipe for connecting the mist generating means and the heating means to supply heated water to the mist generating means;
Control means for driving and controlling the pump so that the output is lower than that at the time of mist generation before the mist generation;
The mist generator with a heating device characterized by having.   2. The mist generating apparatus with a heating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives and controls the pump so that any of a plurality of outputs lower than that at the time of mist generation is generated before the mist is generated. The supply water pipe, the heating unit with a mist generator device according to any one of claims 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises an air chamber which retained water vapor or air.

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