JP5200573B2 - Humidifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies dry indoor air.

  Conventionally, as this type of humidifying device, a rotatable cylindrical vaporization filter is provided, and air blown from a fan is passed through the vaporization filter side surface, the inside of the cylinder, and the opposite side surface of the vaporization filter in this order. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Hereinafter, the humidifier will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the cylindrical vaporization filter 101 rotates so that a part thereof is immersed in the water stored in the water tank 102 and supplies water to the vaporization filter. The fan 103 provided upstream of the vaporization filter 101 allows air to pass through the vaporization filter 101, moisture is given to the air, and then is sent out from the humidifier to the room. At this time, in order to smoothly rotate the vaporization filter 101, a space 104 between the wall surface of the main body and the vaporization filter is provided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-274096

  In such a conventional humidifier, since the vaporization filter is immersed in the water tank, water is forcibly provided to the vaporization filter, so that a high humidification capability can be maintained over a long period of time. However, on the other hand, in order for the vaporization filter to rotate without rubbing against the main body, a space with a certain interval is required between the wall surface of the main body and the vaporization filter, and the air that has passed through the space is not humidified, There existed a subject that humidification efficiency will fall.

  This invention solves such a subject, and even if a vaporization filter rotates, air does not pass through the space between the wall surface of a main body and a vaporization filter, and the humidification apparatus which can exhibit high humidification capability is provided. It is intended to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the humidifier of the present invention is a vaporization filter, a blower means for sending air to the vaporization filter, a water supply means for supplying water to the vaporization filter, and a container for storing these. In a humidifying device comprising a main body, supplying water to the vaporization filter by the water supply means, sending air to the vaporization filter wetted by the blowing means, and obtaining humidified air, the vaporization filter has at least a part of an outer peripheral surface. It is rotated while maintaining a constant distance from a part of the main body, and a gap sealing member is provided that is movable in a space between the vaporization filter and the main body, and the gap sealing member is laminated with the vaporization filter. This is a humidifying device.

  According to the present invention, even in a mechanism in which the vaporization filter rotates, a humidifier capable of exhibiting high humidification capability is provided in order that air does not pass through the space between the main body and the vaporization filter but passes through the vaporization filter. It is.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a vaporization filter, a blowing means for sending air to the vaporization filter, a water supply means for supplying water to the vaporization filter, and a main body for housing these. The vaporization filter is rotated while maintaining a constant distance between at least a part of the outer peripheral surface and a part of the main body, water is supplied to the vaporization filter by the water supply means, and is wetted by the blower means In a humidifying device that sends humidified air to obtain humidified air, a gap sealing member is provided in a space through which untreated air passes between the vaporization filter and the main body, and the gap sealing member is laminated with the vaporization filter. Is a humidifying device characterized by By constantly sealing the space between the vaporization filter and the main body wall surface with a movable gap sealing member, the amount of air passing through the space between the vaporization filter and the main body wall surface can be reduced, and the vaporization filter in which the air is moistened Therefore, the humidification efficiency can be improved. In addition, since the vaporization filter in which the gap sealing member rotates is always rubbed, the surface of the vaporization filter can be cleaned. Further, the gap sealing member can always efficiently block the space between the vaporization filter and the wall surface of the main body in accordance with the movement of the vaporization filter. Further, if the gap sealing member is laminated and integrated with the vaporization filter, the vaporization filter can be washed together when it is washed, and can be kept clean.

  Further, the gap sealing member is driven by a vaporization filter, and energy is saved because no independent driving means is used.

  Further, the gap sealing member is composed of a plurality of flexible fibers, and the fibers are flexible and can be bent in accordance with the movement of the vaporization filter, so that the rotation of the vaporization filter is not hindered. Moreover, since the contact area with a vaporization filter is small if it is a fiber, since the load given to a vaporization filter may be small, a vaporization filter is not deteriorated. Moreover, if it is a several fiber, even when the surface of a vaporization filter has an unevenness | corrugation, the space between a vaporization filter and the wall surface of a main body can be always efficiently closed according to surface shape, and humidification efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, the gap sealing member is composed of a knitted fabric. If the fabric is a knitted fabric, the fibers are knitted, so that the fibers do not fall off, and the characteristics of the gap sealing member are exhibited for a long time. can do.

  Further, the gap sealing member is a planar shape having an opening, and the fibers are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the surface, and is capable of ventilating in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Even when a gap sealing member is wound around the vaporization filter, air can be passed in a direction perpendicular to the surface having the opening, so that humidification of the vaporization filter is not hindered. Moreover, since the gap sealing member itself can retain water in the fiber and humidify it, the humidification efficiency can be improved. Further, since it is difficult for air to pass in a direction different from the direction perpendicular to the surface having the opening of the gap sealing member, the amount of air passing through the space between the vaporization filter and the wall surface of the main body can be reduced, and the air Passes through the moistened vaporization filter, so that the humidification efficiency can be improved. At this time, the structure may be any structure that allows the wind to most easily pass in the direction perpendicular to the surface having the opening. It may not be completely blocked.

  Further, the longest diagonal line of the opening of the gap sealing member is 2 mm or more, and if it is 2 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the water film from being stretched on the surface and blocking the opening, thereby increasing the pressure loss. Can be suppressed, and the operation can be performed silently, and the input of the blowing means can be reduced to save energy.

  Further, the shape of the opening of the gap sealing member is a substantially circular or a substantially regular polygon, and if it is a substantially circular or a substantially regular polygon, water can be used even if the hole diameter is smaller than other shapes. Since it is possible to prevent the membrane from being stretched on the surface, it is possible to suppress an increase in pressure loss and to operate silently. Further, the input of the air blowing means can be reduced to save energy. Moreover, since the quantity of a fiber can be increased by making a hole diameter small, humidification efficiency can be improved.

  Further, the gap sealing member is characterized in that hydrophilic processing is performed. By performing the hydrophilic processing, a large amount of water can be retained on the surface, so that the humidification efficiency can be improved. Further, if hydrophilic, the interfacial tension between the water and the gap sealing member is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the formation of a water film at the opening of the gap sealing member and / or the vaporization filter. And can be driven silently. Further, the input of the air blowing means can be reduced to save energy.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a belt-shaped vaporization filter 11, a gap sealing member 12 laminated on the vaporization filter 11 and subjected to hydrophilic processing, a water tank 13 as water supply means, and air blowing means The humidifier provided with the fan 14 rotates while the vaporizing filter 11 is immersed in a part of the water tank 13 while holding the water pumped up on the vaporizing filter 11. Moreover, the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the vaporization filter 11 is rotated while maintaining a certain distance from the wall surface 15 of the main body. At this time, the gap sealing member 12 laminated on the outer peripheral surface of the vaporization filter 11 and subjected to hydrophilic processing also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the vaporization filter. Thus, the air is passed through the vaporization filter 11 holding water by the fan 14 and the humidified air is sent into the room. At this time, the gap sealing member 12 that has been subjected to hydrophilic processing is a knitted fabric having an opening 17 knitted with flexible fibers 16, and therefore can be ventilated in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the gap sealing member 12. It is difficult to ventilate in the direction parallel to the surface. As a result, ventilation is easy in the thickness direction of the vaporization filter 11, but air does not pass through the space between the wall surface 15 of the main body and the vaporization filter 11, and the air is efficiently supplied to the wet vaporization filter 11. Therefore, it is possible to provide a humidifier that improves the humidification efficiency. Moreover, since the gap sealing member 12 itself also holds water, the humidification efficiency can be further improved.

  In the above configuration, the material of the flexible fiber is not particularly defined, but if natural fiber such as cotton or linen with good water absorption or regenerated fiber such as rayon is used, a large amount of water can be retained, and the humidification efficiency is improved. Can be improved. In addition, synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester can be used for a long time because of excellent durability. Here, the term “flexible” means that the shape returns to the original shape even if it is bent at 90 degrees.

  Further, if the gap sealing member is a knitted fabric, the fibers are knitted, so that the fibers do not fall off and the characteristics of the member can be exhibited for a long period of time. Further, by adjusting the amount and shape of the fibers when weaving, the pressure loss required for the gap sealing member and the amount of water to be given to the gap sealing member can be controlled. Moreover, even if it is the use environment where a vaporization filter deform | transforms by knitting with a flexible fiber, it can deform | transform according to the motion of a vaporization filter.

  Further, since the gap sealing member is laminated and integrated on the outer peripheral portion of the vaporization filter, it can be washed together when washing the vaporization filter and can be kept clean. At this time, the vaporization filter and the gap sealing member may be bonded or simply laminated.

  In addition, since the gap sealing member has an opening, even when the gap sealing member is wound around the vaporization filter, the gap sealing member can pass air, so that humidification of the vaporization filter is not hindered. Moreover, since the gap sealing member itself can retain water in the fiber and humidify it, the humidification efficiency can be improved. Further, since the gap sealing member is formed by arranging the fibers in a direction perpendicular to the surface, it is difficult to pass air in a direction different from the vertical direction with respect to the surface having the opening of the gap sealing member. Therefore, the amount of air passing through the space between the vaporization filter and the wall surface of the main body can be reduced, and the humidification efficiency can be improved because the air passes preferentially through the vaporization filter wetted. At this time, the structure may be any structure that allows the wind to most easily pass in the direction perpendicular to the surface having the opening. It may not be completely blocked. At this time, as the size of the opening, it is desirable that the longest diagonal of the opening is 2 mm or more. If the size of the opening is 2 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the water film from being stretched on the opening, so that an increase in pressure loss can be suppressed, and operation can be performed silently. Moreover, as a shape of opening, a substantially circular shape or a substantially regular polygon is desirable. If it is a substantially circular shape or a substantially regular polygonal shape, the water film can be prevented from stretching on the surface even if the hole diameter is small compared to other shapes, so that an increase in pressure loss can be suppressed, and operation can be performed silently.

  Moreover, since a lot of water can be retained on the surface by applying a hydrophilic treatment to the gap sealing member, the humidification efficiency can be improved. Further, if hydrophilic, the interfacial tension between the water and the gap sealing member is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the formation of a water film at the opening of the gap sealing member, so that an increase in pressure loss can be suppressed. Can drive silently. As a method for the hydrophilization treatment, a known method such as application of a hydrophilic material such as silica or a phosphoric titania compound can be used. Here, the hydrophilization treatment refers to a treatment such that the contact angle with water is 40 degrees or less.

  The shape of the vaporization filter is not particularly specified, but if the vaporization filter is belt-shaped or cylindrical, it can be stably supplied for a long time because water can be uniformly supplied to the entire vaporization filter by rotating it. And can be humidified. In addition, if a part of the lower part of the vaporization filter is rotated while immersed in the water tank, there is no need to provide a nozzle or pump as water supply means, water can be supplied with the water tank, and the humidifier is made compact. be able to. Moreover, when rotating a cylindrical vaporization filter, the quantity of the water hold | maintained on a vaporization filter can also be controlled by changing a rotational speed.

  Examples of the structure of the vaporization filter include a honeycomb structure such as nonwoven fabric and paper, a three-dimensional structure such as urethane foam, and a three-dimensional three-dimensional knitted fabric in which the front and back surfaces are connected by connecting fibers. If it is a honeycomb structure such as non-woven fabric or paper, it is excellent in water absorption, and if it is a three-dimensional structure such as urethane foam, or a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric where the front and back surfaces are connected by connecting fibers, the surface area is large. The contact area with air can be increased, and the humidification efficiency can be increased.

( Reference form 1 )
As shown in FIG. 3, the humidification apparatus provided with the cylindrical vaporization filter 21, the sheet-like gap sealing member 22 provided in the main body, the water tank 23 as the water supply means, and the fan 24 as the blower means is the vaporization filter. 21 rotates while immersing a part of the lower part in the water tank 23 to hold the water pumped up on the vaporization filter 21. Moreover, the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the vaporization filter 21 is rotated while maintaining a certain distance from the wall surface 25 of the main body. Thus, the air is passed through the vaporizing filter 21 holding water by the fan 24 and the humidified air is sent indoors. At this time, the sheet-like gap sealing member 22 is driven with respect to the movement of the vaporization filter 21 and has a configuration that does not hinder the rotation of the vaporization filter 21.

  In the above configuration, since the sheet-like gap sealing member is attached to the main body, the gap sealing member is not soaked in the water tank, and there is little adhesion of water stains such as chalk, and the gap is not maintained for a long time. The performance of the sealing member can be exhibited.

  In addition, if the sheet-like gap sealing member has a sheet shape without holes, the amount of air passing through the space between the vaporization filter and the wall surface of the main body can be reduced, and the air passes through the vaporization filter preferentially wetted. Therefore, the humidification efficiency can be improved. Further, if the sheet is flexible, the sheet is bent in accordance with the movement of the vaporizing filter, and thus does not hinder the rotation of the vaporizing filter. Examples of the flexible sheet include a resin sheet and a woven or knitted fabric made of flexible fibers. If the rigidity is strong, the space between the vaporization filter and the wall surface of the main body can be efficiently closed according to the movement of the vaporization filter by adopting a mechanism that moves up and down in accordance with the movement of the vaporization filter. As a material having high rigidity, a material composed of an inorganic substance such as a metal can be cited, and an inorganic substance can be used for a long period of time because of its excellent durability.

( Reference form 2 )
As shown in FIG. 4, the humidification device provided with the cylindrical vaporization filter 31, the roller-shaped gap sealing member 32 provided in the main body, the water tank 33 as the water supply means, and the fan 34 as the blower means is the vaporization filter. 31 rotates while immersing a part of the lower part in the water tank 33 to hold the water pumped up on the vaporization filter 31. Further, the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the vaporization filter 31 is rotated while maintaining a certain distance from the wall surface 35 of the main body. Thus, the air is passed through the vaporization filter 31 holding water by the fan 34 and the humidified air is sent into the room. At this time, the roller-shaped gap sealing member 32 is driven with respect to the movement of the vaporization filter 31 and is configured not to obstruct the rotation of the vaporization filter 31.

  In the above configuration, since the roller-shaped gap sealing member is attached to the main body, the gap sealing member is not soaked in the water tank, and there is little adhesion of water such as calcite. The performance of the sealing member can be exhibited.

  Moreover, if it is a roller shape, since a roller rotates according to the motion of a vaporization filter, rotation of a vaporization filter is not inhibited. Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which rotates a vaporization filter by providing a drive means in a roller. In addition, by using a mechanism that moves up and down, the space between the vaporization filter and the wall surface of the main body can be efficiently blocked according to the movement of the vaporization filter. As the material of the roller, if it is a sponge-like soft material, since it is in close contact with the vaporization filter, the space between the main body and the vaporization filter can be efficiently closed, and the humidification efficiency can be increased. Further, if the surface is smooth, the friction with the vaporization filter can be reduced, so that the rotation of the vaporization filter is not hindered. Moreover, if it is an inorganic substance, such as a metal, since it is excellent in durability, it can be used for a long time.

( Reference form 3 )
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic cross section of the humidifying device in which only the vaporization filter is shown in perspective.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a disk-shaped vaporization filter 41, a gap sealing member 42 made of a fiber having irregularities and subjected to antibacterial / antifungal processing attached to the vaporization filter 41, and a water tank as water supply means The humidifying apparatus provided with the fan 43 as a blowing means 43 rotates while the vaporizing filter 41 immerses a part of the lower part in the water tank 43, and holds the water pumped up on the vaporizing filter 41. Further, the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the vaporization filter 41 is rotated while maintaining a certain distance from the wall surface 45 of the main body. Thus, the air is passed through the vaporization filter 41 holding water by the fan 44 and the humidified air is sent into the room. Note that the gap sealing member 42 is shown only on the end face of the vaporization filter 41 in FIG. 5, but is not particularly limited to this, and may be partly or entirely on the side face of the vaporization filter 41.

  In the above configuration, as a method of making the gap sealing member uneven, there are a method of supporting particles, a method of making the fiber itself uneven, and the like. At this time, if a binder is used to carry the particles, particles can be prevented from falling off. If unevenness is provided on the surface of the gap sealing member, water droplets can be held on the unevenness of the fiber surface, and more water can be held, so the contact efficiency between the passing air and water can be increased. it can. The unevenness is not limited as long as the contact area between water and air is increased, and refers to an unevenness of about 0.1 μm to 100 μm, for example.

  Further, by applying antibacterial and / or antifungal treatment to the gap sealing member, it is possible to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi and to keep it clean. Although it does not specifically limit as an antibacterial material, For example, as an antibacterial agent, the inorganic compound which elutes metal ions, such as silver, copper, and zinc, the metal fine particle of silver, copper, and zinc, silver zeolite, silver containing zirconium phosphate, iodine compounds , Phenols, quaternary ammonium salts, imidazole compounds, benzoic acids, hydrogen peroxide, cresol, chlorhexidine, irgasan, aldehydes, sorbic acid and other drugs, lysozyme, cellulase, protease and other enzyme preparations, catechins, bamboo Examples include natural component extracts such as extracts, Japanese cypress extracts, wasabi extracts and mustard extracts. Examples of the fungicide include organic nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, organic acid esters, organic iodine imidazole compounds, and benzazole compounds.

Example 1
By using a wire having a diameter of 0.69 mm, a square having an arbitrarily selected side length was created and used as an index of the opening size of the gap sealing member. At the same time, a similar square was made with a wire of the same diameter that was made hydrophilic by applying hydrophilic silicon. Whether or not a water film was formed when these squares were immersed in water, and if a water film was formed, the fragility of the water film was evaluated as the water film strength.

  An example of the result is shown in FIG. In the graph shown in FIG. 6, the vertical axis represents the water film strength. At this time, the water film strength indicates 0: water film cannot be formed, 1: disappears immediately, 2: disappears if wind is applied, 3: water film does not disappear unless strong wind is applied. In the untreated wire, when the side length was 11 mm or less, a water film that did not disappear unless a strong wind with a water film strength of 3 was given. On the other hand, in the wire with hydrophilicity, a water film is less likely to be formed than in the case of no treatment, and in both cases, when the side length is 2 mm or more, the water film strength is 2 or less. Similarly, even when a wire having a diameter of 0.49 mm was used, the water film strength was 2 or less when the side length was 2 mm or more if hydrophilic treatment was performed. From this, the opening that constitutes the gap sealing member has a diameter of 2 mm or more so that a circle with a diameter of 2 mm or more can enter. It can be said that the rise can be suppressed.

(Example 2)
A gap sealing member made of a knitted fabric having a diameter of 5 mm and a flexible fiber knitted in a direction perpendicular to the surface having the opening was wound around a vaporization filter as shown in FIG. The vaporization filter used was a 8 mm thick 270 mm × 200 mm flat plate formed into a cylindrical shape. The length of the fiber in the direction perpendicular to the surface having the opening of the gap sealing member was 4 mm. At this time, the space between the wall surface of the main body and the vaporization filter was 3 mm. Further, on the surfaces of the cylindrical vaporization filter and the gap sealing member, 5 μm talc particles were adhered with a colloidal silica polymerized acrylic emulsion to form irregularities. The humidification amount for each air volume was measured with and without the gap sealing member. The measurement is performed in an atmosphere of 20 ° C. and 40%, and the unit of humidification is mL / h. The measurement results are shown in Table 1 below. As can be seen from the table below, an increase in the amount of humidification was confirmed at any airflow with the gap sealing member attached. The average rate of increase in the amount of humidification is 25%, and this result was obtained by closing the gap between the vaporization filter and the main body with the gap sealing member and the synergistic effect that the gap sealing member itself contributed to humidification. It is thought that.

  Even if the vaporization filter rotates, it is possible to provide a humidifier capable of exhibiting high humidification capacity without air passing through the space between the main body and the vaporization filter. It can also be applied to other uses.

The block diagram which shows the cross section of the humidification apparatus of Embodiment 1. The enlarged view of the gap sealing member of Embodiment 1 The block diagram which shows the cross section of the humidification apparatus of the reference form 1 The block diagram which shows the cross section of the humidification apparatus of the reference form 2 The block diagram which shows the schematic cross section of the humidification apparatus of the reference form 3 The graph which shows the formation state of the water film of the gap sealing member of Example 1 of this invention Sectional view of conventional humidifier Sectional view of conventional humidifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Evaporation filter 12 Gap sealing member 13 Water tank 14 Fan 15 Main body wall surface 16 Fiber 17 Opening 21 Evaporation filter 22 Gap sealing member 23 Water tank 24 Fan 25 Main body wall 31 Evaporation filter 32 Gap sealing member 33 Water tank 34 Fan 35 Main body wall surface 41 Vaporization filter 42 Gap sealing member 43 Water tank 44 Fan 45 Wall surface of main body 101 Vaporization filter 102 Water tank 103 Fan 104 Space 201 Vaporization filter 202 Seal sheet

Claims (8)

A vaporization filter, a blower means for sending air to the vaporization filter, a water supply means for supplying water to the vaporization filter, and a main body for housing them, the vaporization filter covering at least a part of the outer peripheral surface A humidifier that rotates while maintaining a constant distance from a part of the main body, supplies water to the vaporization filter by the water supply means, sends air to the vaporization filter wetted by the blower means, and obtains humidified air In the space through which the untreated air passes between the vaporization filter and the main body, a gap sealing member is provided ,
The humidifying device, wherein the gap sealing member is laminated with a vaporization filter . The humidifying device according to claim 1, wherein the gap sealing member is driven by a vaporization filter. The humidifying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gap sealing member is composed of a plurality of flexible fibers. The humidifying device according to claim 3, wherein the gap sealing member is made of a knitted fabric. Gap sealing member includes a surface having an opening, which consist of fibers arranged in a direction perpendicular to this plane, according to claim 1, wherein it is possible ventilation in a direction perpendicular to the plane The humidification apparatus in any one . The humidifying device according to claim 5 , wherein the longest diagonal line of the opening of the gap sealing member is 2 mm or more. The humidifying device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the opening shape of the gap sealing member is substantially circular and / or substantially regular polygonal. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gap sealing member is subjected to hydrophilic processing.

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