JP5263232B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier in which the entry of air from a tank side is prevented and the deterioration of humidifying capability is suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: In the humidifier 1, the side plate 15 is interposed between the lateral side of the outer periphery of the humidifying element 12 and the tank 16 and thus the ventilation resistance is made and bypath air (air coming in the lateral side of the outer periphery of the humidifying element 12 and sucked by a blower 18) is suppressed from passing through. The side plate hardly warps compared to a conventional one in which the side plate 15 is a flat plate, the gap between the body 10 and the side plate 15 is stabilized, and the bypath air is stably suppressed because there are the upper side curved part 151 and the lower side curved part 152 curving along the circumferential face of the humidifying element 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier, and more particularly to a humidifier that vaporizes water supplied from a tank to a tray with a humidifying element.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a humidifier is widely used in which water in a tank is once stored in a tray and then supplied to a humidifying element. For example, in a humidifier disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-39326), a user inserts a tray on which a humidifying element is mounted from the side of the main body, and the bottom surface of the tank is placed in the opening of the tray. Mount the tank on the tray from the side of the body so that it can be placed.

  However, in a humidifier as disclosed in Patent Document 1, since there is a tank and a door that covers the tank on the side of the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element, air enters the inside of the main body from the gap between the main body and the door. In some cases, the humidification element is bypassed and flows to the fan, and the required humidification performance may not be obtained.

  The subject of this invention is providing the humidifier by which the approach of the air from the tank side was suppressed and the fall of humidification performance was suppressed.

A humidifier according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a main body, a humidifying element, a tray, a tank, and a fan. The humidifying element is housed in the main body. Further, the humidifying element is disk-shaped and rotates. The tray covers the humidifying element together with the main body. A tank is arrange | positioned on the side facing the outer peripheral surface of a humidification element, and supplies water to a tray. The fan generates an air flow that passes from the front surface to the back surface of the humidifying element. Moreover, the tray has a side plate located between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element and the tank. The side plate has a curved portion that is curved along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element at least at a position higher than the rotation center of the humidifying element. The fan includes a fan rotor and a casing. The fan rotor is located downstream of the humidifying element. The casing surrounds the fan rotor and guides the air blown from the fan rotor in the centrifugal direction to the air outlet above the fan rotor. Further, the casing has a casing bending portion that bends in the same manner as the bending portion at least in a portion corresponding to the height position of the bending portion of the side plate. The surface of the tank facing the casing curved portion is curved along the casing curved portion.

When the fan rotates, the bypass air that enters the side of the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element from the tank side and is sucked into the fan does not pass through the humidifying element. Therefore, as the bypass air increases, the performance of the humidifier decreases. However, in this humidifier, since the side plate is interposed between the side of the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element and the tank, the side plate becomes a ventilation resistance and suppresses the passage of bypass air. In particular, since there is a curved portion that curves along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element at a position higher than the rotation center of the humidifying element, the side plate is less likely to warp compared to conventional products in which the side plate is a flat plate, and the gap between the main body and the side plate is small. Stable and bypass air is stably suppressed. Further, in this humidifier, since the surface of the tank facing the casing curved portion is curved along the casing curved portion, the operation of pushing the side plate when the tank covers the curved portion of the side plate is caused by the casing curved portion. Things that are inhibited are avoided.

  The humidifier which concerns on the 2nd viewpoint of this invention is a humidifier which concerns on a 1st viewpoint, Comprising: The surface of the tank facing a side plate curves along the curved part of a side plate. In this humidifier, it is possible to dispose the tank so that the curved surface of the side plate covers the surface of the tank. In this case, the gap between the main body and the side plate is further narrowed, so that the entry of bypass air is further suppressed.

  The humidifier which concerns on the 3rd viewpoint of this invention is a humidifier which concerns on a 1st viewpoint, Comprising: A side plate has a 2nd curved part. The second bending portion is bent along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element at a position lower than the rotation center of the humidifying element.

  In this humidifier, the side plate becomes a curved plate that is curved substantially parallel to the circumferential surface of the humidifying element by the curved portion and the second curved portion, so that it is further difficult to warp, and the gap between the main body and the side plate is stabilized accordingly. In addition, the bypass air is stably suppressed.

The humidifier which concerns on the 4th viewpoint of this invention is a humidifier which concerns on a 1st viewpoint, Comprising: A humidification element has a rotating shaft. The tray has a bearing into which the rotating shaft of the humidifying element is inserted. The bearing is a U-shaped depression recessed vertically downward, and a C-plane is formed at the entrance of the depression.

  In this humidifier, when the humidifying element is removed from the tray, the upper portion of the side plate is located above the humidifying element, so that the upper portion of the humidifying element and the upper portion of the side plate easily interfere with each other, but the C surface is formed on the bearing. Therefore, it can be pulled out obliquely along the C surface, and interference between the upper portion of the humidifying element and the upper portion of the side plate is prevented. Further, when the humidifying element is mounted on the tray, it can be inserted obliquely along the C surface, so that interference between the humidifying element upper portion and the side plate upper portion is prevented.

The humidifier which concerns on the 5th viewpoint of this invention is a humidifier which concerns on a 1st viewpoint, Comprising: The gravity center of a tank exists in the center vicinity of a main body. In this humidifier, since the tank tends to fall toward the center of the main body, a part of the tank weight acts on the side plate of the tray and the side plate is pressed. As a result, the floating of the side plate is prevented, the gap between the main body and the side plate is further narrowed, and the entry of bypass air is further suppressed.

In the humidifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the side plate is interposed between the side of the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element and the tank, the side plate becomes a ventilation resistance and suppresses the passage of bypass air. In particular, since there is a curved portion that curves along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element at a position higher than the rotation center of the humidifying element, the side plate is less likely to warp compared to conventional products in which the side plate is a flat plate, and the gap between the main body and the side plate is small. Stable and bypass air is stably suppressed. In addition, since the surface of the tank facing the casing curved portion is curved along the casing curved portion, the operation of pushing the side plate is hindered by the casing curved portion when the tank covers the curved portion of the side plate. There is nothing.

  In the humidifier according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to dispose the tank so that the curved surface of the side plate covers the surface of the tank. Then, the gap between the main body and the side plate is further narrowed, and the bypass air enters. It is further suppressed.

  In the humidifier according to the third aspect of the present invention, the side plate becomes a curved plate that is curved substantially in parallel with the circumferential surface of the humidifying element by the curved portion and the second curved portion, so that it is further difficult to warp, and accordingly, the main body. And the side plate are stabilized, and bypass air is stably suppressed.

In the humidifier according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the humidifying element is attached to and detached from the tray, the humidifier is attached and detached along the C surface, so that interference between the upper part of the humidifying element and the upper part of the side plate is prevented.

In the humidifier according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since a part of the tank weight acts on the side plate of the tray and the side plate is pressed, the gap between the main body and the side plate is further narrowed, and the ingress of bypass air is further suppressed. .

The perspective view of this humidifier when the humidifier which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is seen from diagonally forward. The perspective view of this humidifier when the humidifier which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is seen from diagonally back. The perspective view of this humidifier when a front panel is removed from the humidifier of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of a filter unit. The perspective view of this humidifier when a side door is opened from the humidifier of FIG. The perspective view of the humidifier in the state where the front panel, casing, filter unit, and tank were removed from the main body. The front view of the assembly of a humidification element and a tray. The perspective view of the tray seen from the opening side. The perspective view of the tray seen from the bottom side. The perspective view of this humidifier when a humidification element and a tray are removed from the humidifier of FIG. A side view of the tank. The front view of the assembly of a humidification element, a tray, and a tank. Sectional drawing of the tray periphery in the humidifier cut | disconnected by the plane perpendicular | vertical to the insertion direction of a tray. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the humidifier shown in FIG. 5. The rear view of the assembly of the side door and tank in the humidifier of FIG. The perspective view of this bearing when a bearing is seen from diagonally upward. Sectional drawing of the side plate and tank of a humidifier which concern on a 1st modification. Sectional drawing of the side plate and tank of a humidifier which concern on a 2nd modification.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Overall Configuration of Humidifier 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the humidifier when the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention is viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the humidifier when the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed obliquely from behind. 1 and 2, the humidifier 1 includes a main body 10 that is rounded as a whole. The humidifier 1 has a humidifying function and an air purifying function, and the user can select only the air purifying function, but the air purifying function is always accompanied when the humidifying function is selected.

(2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Main body 10
The main body 10 includes a front panel 110, a casing 120, a bottom plate 130, and a control panel 140. The front panel 110 is held in front of the casing 120 so that it can be attached and detached without using a tool. The bottom plate 130 is screwed to the bottom of the casing 120. The control panel 140 is fixed to the top surface of the casing 120. The control panel 140 is equipped with a power switch 140a for selecting operation and stop of the humidifier 1 and a humidification switch 140b for selecting execution and stop of the humidification function. Is transmitted to a control unit (not shown) incorporated in the computer.

  The main body 10 has a suction port 10 a on the side, and the suction port 10 a is surrounded by the side of the front panel 110 and the side of the casing 120. Further, the main body 10 has an air outlet 10 b at the upper part, and the air outlet 10 b is located at the upper part of the casing 120 and behind the control panel 140.

(2-2) Filter unit 11
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the humidifier when the front panel is removed from the humidifier shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the air sucked from the suction port 10 a passes through the filter unit 11 mounted on the front surface of the casing 120.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the filter unit. In FIG. 4, in the filter unit 11, the pre-filter 114, the HEPA filter 116, and the deodorizing element 118 are held in the filter casing 112 in this order from the upstream side.

  The prefilter 114 is a thin and soft resin net, and removes large dust particles contained in the air. The HEPA filter 116 removes fine dust that cannot be removed by the pre-filter 114. The deodorizing element 118 absorbs unpleasant odor components contained in the air.

(2-3) Side door 13
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the humidifier when the side door of the humidifier in FIG. 2 is opened. In FIG. 5, the casing 120 is formed with an opening 120 a that extends over part of the side surface of the casing 120 and part of the back surface. A space is formed from the opening 120a toward the back side of the casing 120, and the tank 16 is accommodated in the space. Since the tank 16 is screwed to the inner surface side of the side door 13, the side door 13 and the tank 16 move together.

  Further, the opening 120a is normally closed by the side door 13 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The side door 13 can rotate in a direction in which the upper end is separated from the casing 120 with the lower end as a fulcrum, and by pulling the handle 13a toward the front, the upper end of the side door 13 is separated from the casing 120 and the tank 16 is exposed.

(2-4) Humidification element 12
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the humidifier with the front panel, casing, filter unit, and tank removed from the main body. FIG. 7 is a front view of the humidifying element and tray assembly. 6 and 7, the disc-shaped humidifying element 12 is disposed above the tray 14.

  The humidifying element 12 includes a vaporizing material 125 formed in a disk shape from a non-woven fabric, and a frame 127 that surrounds and holds the outer circumference of the vaporizing material 125. The frame 127 has a gear 128 on its outermost periphery. A rotational force from a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the gear 128, and the humidifying element 12 rotates.

  Further, the frame 127 is disposed so that the tooth tip of the gear 128 is close to the bottom surface of the tray 14 at the lowest point. As long as water is supplied from the tank 16 to the tray 14 and there is water in the tank 16, the water level is automatically adjusted to be a predetermined height position from the bottom surface.

  Therefore, the frame 127 is immersed in water in a certain range from the lowest point upward in the vertical direction, and the non-immersed portion is also immersed sequentially as the humidifying element 12 rotates. Further, a plurality of cup-shaped water pumps 129 are provided on the side surface of the gear 128, and the water in the tray 14 is pumped up by rotating, and the water in the water pump 129 flows out near the uppermost point. To bathe.

(2-5) Tray 14
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tray as viewed from the opening side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tray viewed from the bottom side. In FIG. 8, the tray 14 has a tank receiver 14a, a water receiver 14b, and a bearing 14c.

(2-5-1) Tank receiver 14a
The tank receiver 14a is provided with a support portion 143 and a push-in pin 144. The support part 143 supports the predetermined | prescribed corner of the tank 16 with the water supply valve (refer FIG. 11) mounted downward. The push-in pin 144 pushes and opens the water supply valve when the tank 16 is lowered by its own weight.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a handle 145 is provided on the outer wall of the tank receiver 14 a, and the user pulls the tray 14 out of the main body 10 by placing a finger on the handle 145 and pulling it forward.

(2-5-2) Water receiver 14b
The water receiver 14b stores water for immersing the humidifying element 12. The water receiver 14b and the tank receiver 14a are partitioned by a partition wall 150. The partition wall 150 is provided with a hole, and water flowing from the tank 16 to the tank receiver 14a passes through the hole to the water receiver 14b. The water fills up to a predetermined water level in the water receiver 14b.

  The water receiver 14b has an elongated shape along the insertion direction of the tray 14, and an elongated plate-like protrusion 141 along the insertion direction is provided on the side surface. The protrusion 141 serves as a guide for guiding the tray 14 to the back side of the main body 10 when the tray 14 is inserted into the main body 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a rib 149 stands on the outer bottom surface of the water receiver 14b along its contour. Moreover, the recessed part 146 is provided in the part adjacent to the tank receiver 14a among the outer bottom surfaces of the water receiver 14b.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the humidifier when the humidifying element and the tray are removed from the humidifier illustrated in FIG. 6. In FIG. 10, the support table 132 of the bottom plate 130 is a surface that supports the outer bottom surface side of the tray 14, and the end surface of the rib 149 slides on the surface of the support table 132 when the tray 14 is inserted into the main body 10. Since it moves, the surface surrounded by the rib 149 does not rub against the main body 10, and the insertion operation of the tray 14 is smooth.

  Further, the support base 132 has a convex portion 106 at a position facing the concave portion 146, and when the tray 14 is completely inserted into the main body 10, the concave portion 146 and the convex portion 106 are fitted in the vertical direction. .

(2-5-3) Bearing 14c
As shown in FIG. 8, a pair of pillars 147 extending vertically upward are fixed to two side walls of the water receiver 14 b that face each other, and a bearing 14 c is provided at the tip of the pillar 147. The bearing 14c is recessed vertically downward from the upper end surface of the column 147, and a C surface 148 is formed at the entrance thereof.

(2-6) Side plate 15
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the side plate 15 is fixed to the tray 14. The side plate 15 extends while curving upward from a partition wall 150 that separates the tank receiver 14a and the water receiver 14b of the tray 14.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the side plate 15 is close to the outermost periphery of the humidifying element 12 mounted on the tray 14 and is curved along the outermost periphery. In FIG. 7, among the curved portions of the side plate 15, a portion above the horizontal line H passing through the rotation center of the humidifying element 12 is an upper curved portion 151, and a portion below the horizontal line H is a lower curved portion 152. . The distal end portion 151 a of the upper curved portion 151 is warped away from the outermost periphery of the humidifying element 12.

  When the tray 14 supporting the humidifying element 12 is inserted into the main body 10, the humidifying element 12 is sandwiched between the filter unit 11 and the blower 18. At this time, the side of the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element 12 is closed by the side plate 15. That is, the side plate 15 closes the side of the space where the humidifying element 12 is disposed. Therefore, even if the side door 13 and the tank 16 are removed, the humidifying element 12 is not exposed due to the side plate 15.

  Further, the filter casing 112 of the filter unit 11 and the scroll 22 of the blower 18 are provided with an overlap margin (for example, 22b in FIG. 10) for partially overlapping the side plate 15, Since a soft seal member (not shown) is attached, it is not easy for air to enter the interior through the overlap.

(2-7) Tank 16
FIG. 11 is a side view of the tank. In FIG. 11, a water supply valve 167 is attached to the water inlet 164 of the tank 16. The structure of the water supply valve 167 is a general structure in which the valve body is pressed against the valve port by a spring, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In a normal use state, the tank 16 is placed on the tank receiver 14a of the tray 14, and the tank 16 is pressed against the push pin 144 of the tray 14 with the water supply valve 167 being directed vertically downward. The pushing pin 144 opens the water supply valve 167 by its own weight.

  The tank 16 is located in a space sandwiched between the side door 13 and the side plate 15, the surface facing the side door 13 is formed in a shape along the inner surface of the side door 13, and the surface facing the side plate 15 is on the side plate 15. It is formed in a shape along. In particular, since the tank 16 is screwed to the side door 13, a recess 165 corresponding to the handle 13a of the side door 13 is formed on the surface facing the side door 13, so that the tank 16 is easily integrated.

  FIG. 12 is a front view of the humidifying element, tray and tank assembly. 11 and 12, in the tank 16, a first protrusion 161, a second protrusion 162, and a recess 163 are formed on a surface facing the side plate 15. The first protruding portion 161 protrudes so as to be close to the upper portion of the upper curved portion 151 of the side plate 15, and the maximum protruding portion is close to the distal end portion 151 a of the side plate 15. The second protruding portion 162 protrudes so as to be close to the lower portion of the lower curved portion 152 of the side plate 15. The concave portion 163 is recessed along the upper curved portion 151 and the lower curved portion 152 of the side plate 15.

  Since the first protrusion 161 protrudes toward the side plate 15 with respect to the second protrusion 162, the center of gravity of the tank 16 is closer to the side plate 15 when the tank 16 stands upright with the water injection port 164 facing downward. Therefore, a force tilted toward the side plate 15 is acting on the tank 16.

(2-8) Blower 18
As shown in FIG. 10, not only the tray 14 is disposed on the support stand 132, but also the lower portion of the blower 18 is fixed at a position downstream of the tray 14. The blower 18 is a sirocco fan and includes a fan rotor 20 and a scroll 22.

  The fan rotor 20 includes a hub part 201 and a plurality of blades 202 arranged in a cylindrical shape on the periphery of the hub part 201. As the hub portion 201 and the blade 202 rotate, air is sucked in along the rotation axis direction and blown out from the blade 202 in the centrifugal direction.

  The scroll 22 has an air passage for guiding the air blown from the blades 202 to the blower outlet 10b located above the fan rotor 20. In order to efficiently guide the air to the air outlet 10b, the scroll 22 extends upward while the wall in front of the air outlet 10b curves inward and then further upwards while curving outward. 22a is formed.

  The scroll 22 has a scroll bending portion 221 that bends in the same manner as the upper bending portion 151 at a portion corresponding to the height position of the upper bending portion 151 of the side plate 15. Of the side surfaces of the tank 16, the surface facing the scroll bending portion 221 is curved along the scroll bending portion 221.

(3) Operation of humidifier 1 (3-1) Air cleaning operation The operation of the humidifier configured as described above will be described below. The humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment has an air cleaning function and a humidifying function. When the power switch 140a of the control panel 140 is turned on, the humidifier 1 operates the blower 18 and sucks air from the suction port 10a. The sucked air passes through the filter unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the filter unit 11, dust having relatively large particles contained in the air is first removed by the upstream pre-filter 114, and then dust having small particles is removed by the downstream HEPA filter 116. Is removed. When the air that has passed through the HEPA filter 116 further passes through the deodorizing element 118 on the downstream side, unpleasant odor components contained in the air are adsorbed by the deodorizing element 118.

  The air that has passed through the filter unit 11 reaches the humidifying element 12 on the downstream side, but the humidifier 1 does not perform the humidifying function only by turning on the power switch 140a, and the humidifying element 12 is stopped. The air passes through the humidifying element 12 without being humidified, is sucked into the blower 18, and then blown out from the air outlet 10 b.

(3-2) Humidification Operation When the humidification switch 140b is turned on while the power switch 140a of the humidifier 1 is turned on, the humidification element 12 rotates. As the humidifying element 12 rotates, the water pump 129 draws water from the tray 14 and sprinkles the vaporizing material 125 in the vicinity of the uppermost point of the humidifying element 12, so that the water spreads over the entire vaporizing material 125.

  The air that has passed through the filter unit 11 evaporates the water that has soaked into the vaporizer 125 when passing through the vaporizer 125, and becomes humidified air. This humidified air is sucked into the blower 18 and blown out from the outlet 10b.

(4) Removable operation of tray 14 The tank 16 is mounted on the tank receiver 14a of the tray 14, and when the tray 14 is removed from the main body 10, it is assumed that the tank 16 has been removed from the main body 10 first. It becomes. The following content is described under the condition that the tank 16 has already been removed from the main body 10.

(4-1) Removing the tray 14 from the main body 10 The user can maintain the humidifying element 12 and the tray 14 by pulling out the tray 14 from the main body 10. However, other than maintenance, for example, the locking mechanism is operated so that an infant or the like does not easily pull out the tray 14.

  This locking mechanism is a state in which the concave portion 146 of the tray 14 and the convex portion 106 of the support base 132 are fitted in the vertical direction when the tray 14 is attached to the main body 10. Then, the user cannot pull out the tray 14 horizontally.

  This locking mechanism is released by slightly lifting the handle 145 of the tray 14. That is, by slightly lifting the handle 145, the concave portion 146 moves vertically upward with the back end of the rib 149 of the water receiver 14b as a fulcrum, so that the fitting between the concave portion 146 and the convex portion 106 is easily released, The tray 14 can be moved in the horizontal direction.

(4-2) Inserting the tray 14 into the main body 10 As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the protruding portion 141 has an intermediate portion 141 a extending along the longitudinal direction of the water receiver 14 b, and a back side from the intermediate portion 141 a. It has two parts of the front-end | tip part 141b located in. A notch 142 is formed behind the intermediate portion 141a.

  When the tray 14 is placed horizontally, the intermediate portion 141a is substantially horizontal, but the tip portion 141b is inclined slightly downward with respect to the intermediate portion 141a. For example, when the tray 14 is inserted into the main body 10, there is a concern that the end portion of the regulating portion 101 and the tip portion 141 b collide and it becomes difficult to insert the tray 14, but the tip portion 141 b is inclined. Thus, even if the end portion of the restricting portion 101 and the tip portion 141b collide, the end portion of the restricting portion 101 rides on the inclined surface of the tip portion 141b, so that the insertion of the tray 14 is not hindered. Once the tray 14 is inserted even a little, the projecting portion 141 proceeds along the lower surface of the restricting portion 101, so that the insertion operation proceeds smoothly.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view around the tray of the humidifier cut along a plane perpendicular to the tray insertion direction. In FIG. 13, a vertical gap is provided between the restricting portion 101 and the protruding portion 141. This gap differs depending on the position of the intermediate portion 141a of the protruding portion 141, and the gap becomes narrower as it goes farther.

  In FIG. 12, the restricting portion 101 is originally invisible, but the restricting portion 101 is drawn with a two-dot chain line for convenience of explaining the positional relationship with the protruding portion 141. As shown in FIG. 12, the gap between the restricting portion 101 and the protruding portion 141 is the largest on the near side (the side with the notch 142) of the intermediate portion 141a, and the back side (the intermediate portion 141a and the tip portion) of the intermediate portion 141a. 141b) is the smallest.

  This is because when the tray 14 is inserted into the main body 10, the tray 14 is likely to swing up and down on the near side in the insertion direction, and therefore insertion is easier when the gap between the restricting portion 101 and the protruding portion 141 is set larger. It is. Further, if the tip of the tray 14 is inserted into the main body 10 even a little, the protruding portion 141 advances while guiding itself along the lower surface of the restricting portion 101, so that insertion is hindered even if the gap on the back side is small. There is nothing.

  In the position where the tray 14 is completely inserted, the corner 132a (see FIG. 10) of the support base 132 is close to the corner 150a (see FIG. 12) on the near side of the rib 149, and the concave portion 146, the convex portion 106, Mesh again. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, when the tank 16 is placed on the tank receiver 14a, the tank receiver 14a side is overwhelmingly heavier than the water receiver 14b side. It rotates as a fulcrum, and the inner side of the water receiver 14b tries to float up.

  However, since the gap between the restricting portion 101 and the protruding portion 141 is the smallest on the back side of the intermediate portion 141a (the boundary portion between the intermediate portion 141a and the tip portion 141b), the tank 16 is placed on the tray 14 correspondingly. The lift on the back side of is kept small.

  Further, at the rear side position in the insertion direction of the tray 14, the end of the protruding portion 141 in the protruding direction is close to the wall surface 10 z that supports the root of the restricting portion 101. Similarly, at the rear side position in the insertion direction of the tray 14, the end in the protruding direction of the restricting portion 101 is close to the wall surface 14 z of the tray 14 that supports the root of the protruding portion 141. For this reason, the positional deviation in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the tray 14 is suppressed, and the posture of the tray 14 is prevented from becoming unstable due to impact or vibration when the full water tank 16 is mounted.

(5) Attaching / detaching operation of the tank 16 Since the tank 16 is a member that functions on the tank receiver 14a of the tray 14, the attaching / detaching operation of the tank 16 is based on the premise that the tray 14 is inserted into the main body 10. Will be described.

(5-1) Removal of Tank 16 FIG. 14 is a rear view of the humidifier shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, when the user takes out the tank 16 from the main body 10, it is only necessary to open the side door 13 so as to incline outward and pull the side door 13 obliquely upward. Since the tank 16 and the side door 13 are screwed and move like an integrated product, the side door 13 and the tank 16 are separated from the main body 10 at the same time.

  15 is a rear view of the assembly of the side door and the tank in the humidifier of FIG. In FIG. 15, when adding water to the tank 16 removed from the main body 10, the user turns the water supply valve 167 upward, removes the water supply valve 167, and opens the water inlet 164 (see FIG. 11). The water supply valve 167 and the water injection port 164 are screwed to be engaged with each other, and the water supply valve 167 is twisted with respect to the water injection port 164 to be attached and detached.

(5-2) Attaching the Tank 16 When the user attaches the tank 16 to the main body 10, as shown in FIG. 14, the tip of the first projecting portion 161 is directed obliquely upward, and the water supply valve 167 is The tank 16 is placed on the support portion 143 of the lowermost corner of the tank 16 (hereinafter referred to as a support corner 16 a) in a posture directed obliquely downward.

  When the user pushes the tank 16 lightly toward the main body 10, the tank 16 rotates toward the main body 10 while slidingly rotating the support corner 16 a on the surface of the support portion 143. Because, in the tank 16, the center of gravity G exists closer to the main body 10 due to the weight of the first projecting portion 161 (see FIG. 15), and once it starts to move toward the main body 10, it rotates with its own weight. be able to. This rotation of the tank 16 stops when the side door 13 closes the opening 120a.

(6) Attachment / detachment of the humidifying element 12 Since the humidifying element 12 moves together with the tray 14, the attachment / detachment of the humidifying element 12 from the tray 14 is based on the assumption that the tray 14 is removed from the main body 10. The following content is described on the assumption that the tray 14 has already been removed from the main body 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the humidifying element 12 is rotatably supported on the upper end portion of a column 147 fixed to the tray 14. Specifically, a rotating shaft 12 a provided at the rotation center of the humidifying element 12 is fitted into a bearing 14 c (see FIG. 8) provided at the upper end portion of the column 147.

  Since the upper curved portion 151 of the side plate 15 is located above the humidifying element 12 so as to cover almost ¼ of the outer periphery of the humidifying element 12, the user tries to remove the humidifying element 12 upward Then, it interferes with the upper curved portion 151 of the side plate 15. At this time, the user can remove the humidifying element 12 while bending the side plate 15, but it is not preferable because the side plate 15 may be damaged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the C surface 148 is provided at the entrance of the bearing 14c so that the user can attach and detach the humidifying element 12 obliquely while avoiding the side plate 15.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bearing when the bearing is viewed obliquely from above. In FIG. 16, the entrance of the bearing 14c is an elongated rectangle, and a C surface 148 is provided on the short side. Here, for convenience of explanation, the side of the C surface 148 far from the side plate 15 is defined as a first C surface 148a, and the side close to the side plate 15 is defined as a second C surface 148b.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the first C surface 148 a is formed larger than the second C surface 148 b, and consideration is given to facilitating extraction in a direction away from the side plate 15. The user can attach and detach the humidifying element 12 to and from the tray 14 without causing the humidifying element 12 to interfere with the upper curved portion 151 of the side plate 15 by sliding the rotating shaft 12a on the first C surface 148a.

  In addition, this embodiment does not deny that the first C surface 148a and the second C surface 148b have the same dimensions, and the second C surface unless there is any problem in supporting the rotating shaft 12a of the humidifying element 12. 148b may have the same dimensions as the first C surface 148a.

(7) Features (7-1)
In the humidifier 1, a side plate 15 is interposed between the side of the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element 12 and the tank 16, which acts as ventilation resistance and enters the side of the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element 12. The passage of air sucked into the blower 18 is suppressed. In particular, since there are an upper curved portion 151 and a lower curved portion 152 that are curved along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element 12, the side plate 15 is less likely to warp than a conventional product in which the side plate 15 is a flat plate. 15 is stabilized, and bypass air is stably suppressed.

(7-2)
In the humidifier 1, the scroll 22 of the blower 18 surrounds the fan rotor 20, and guides the air blown from the fan rotor 20 in the centrifugal direction to the air outlet 10 b above the fan rotor 20. The scroll 22 has a scroll bending portion 221 that bends in the same manner as the upper bending portion 151 at a portion corresponding to the height position of the upper bending portion 151 of the side plate 15. Of the side surfaces of the tank 16, the surface facing the scroll curved portion 221 is curved along the scroll curved portion 221, and therefore the operation of pushing the side plate 15 when the tank 16 covers the upper curved portion of the side plate 15. Is not disturbed by the scroll bending portion 221.

(7-3)
In the humidifier 1, since the C surface 148 is formed at the inlet of the bearing 14 c, the humidifying element 12 can be pulled out obliquely along the C surface 148, and interference between the upper portion of the humidifying element 12 and the upper portion of the side plate 15 is prevented. Is done. Further, when the humidifying element 12 is mounted on the tray 14, it can be inserted obliquely along the C surface 148, so that interference between the upper portion of the humidifying element 12 and the upper portion of the side plate 15 is prevented.

(7-4)
In the humidifier 1, the center of gravity of the tank 16 is closer to the main body 10, and the tank 16 leans against the side plate 15 and pushes the side plate 15. As a result, the floating of the side plate 15 is prevented and the gap between the main body 10 and the side plate 15 is further narrowed, so that the entry of bypass air is further suppressed.

(8) Modification In the above embodiment, the filter casing 112 of the filter unit 11 and the scroll 22 of the air blower 18 are provided with an overlap margin for partially overlapping the side plate 15, thereby allowing air to enter. Has the effect of making it difficult. Here, a modified example in which the effect is further enhanced will be described.

(8-1) First Modification FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a side plate and a tank of a humidifier according to a first modification. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 16, the side plate 15 has an upper curved portion 151 and a lower curved portion 152 that are located between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element 12 and the tank 16 and are curved along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element 12. Yes. The surface of the first protrusion 161 of the tank 16 that faces the side plate 15 is curved along the upper curved portion 151 of the side plate 15 and rests on the upper portion of the upper curved portion 151, and the side plate 15 has the first protruding portion 161. Has been pressed. As a result, the gap in the overlap margin between the side plate 15 and the filter casing 112 and the scroll 22 (for example, 22b in FIG. 10) becomes narrow, and bypass air (air sucked into the blower 18 without passing through the humidifying element 12). Decrease.

(8-2) Second Modification FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a side plate and a tank of a humidifier according to a second modification. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 17, an elastic member 24 is provided between the upper curved portion 151 and the first projecting portion 161. For this reason, even if there is a gap between the upper curved portion 151 and the first protruding portion 161, the elastic member 24 fills the gap, so that the pressing force of the first protruding portion 161 is reliably transmitted to the upper curved portion 151. .

  Further, even when the gap between the upper curved portion 151 and the first protrusion 161 varies due to dimensional variation during manufacturing, the elastic member 24 absorbs the dimensional variation, and the first protrusion 161 is independent of the gap size. Can be transmitted to the upper curved portion 151.

  As a result, the side plate 15 is reliably pushed by the first projecting portion 161, and the gap in the overlap margin (for example, 22 b in FIG. 10) between the side plate 15, the filter casing 112, and the scroll 22 becomes narrow, and bypass air (humidification element) Air that is sucked into the blower 18 without passing through 12) is reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the bypass air sucked into the blower device without passing through the regular air passage is reduced, so that it is useful not only for the humidifier but also for the dehumidifier.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Humidifier 10 Main body 12 Humidification element 12a Rotating shaft 14 Tray 14a Bearing 15 Side plate 16 Tank 18 Blower (fan)
20 Fan rotor 22 Scroll (casing)
151 Upper bending portion 152 Lower bending portion (second bending portion)
221 Scroll curved part (casing curved part)

JP 2008-39326 A

Claims (5)

A body (10);
A disc-shaped humidifying element (12) that is housed in the main body (10) and rotates;
A tray (14) covering the humidifying element (12) together with the body (10);
A tank (16) disposed on the side facing the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element (12) and supplying water to the tray (14);
A fan (18) for generating an air flow passing from the front surface to the back surface of the humidifying element (12);
With
The tray (14) has a side plate (15) located between the outer peripheral surface of the humidifying element (12) and the tank (16),
It said side plates (15) possess at least the position higher than the center of rotation of the humidifying element (12), a curved portion which is curved along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element (12) to (151),
The fan (18)
A fan rotor (20) located downstream of the humidifying element (12);
A casing (22) that surrounds the fan rotor (20) and guides the air blown from the fan rotor (20) in a centrifugal direction to a blower outlet above the fan rotor (20);
Including
The casing (22) has a casing bending portion (221) that bends in the same manner as the bending portion (151) at least in a portion corresponding to the height position of the bending portion (151) of the side plate (15). ,
The surface of the tank (16) facing the casing bending portion (221) is curved along the casing bending portion (221).
humidifier. The surface of the tank (16) facing the side plate (15) is curved along the curved portion (151) of the side plate (15).
The humidifier according to claim 1. The side plate (15) further includes a second bending portion (152) that is curved along the circumferential surface of the humidifying element (12) at a position lower than the rotational center of the humidifying element (12).
The humidifier according to claim 1. The humidifying element (12) has a rotating shaft (12a),
The tray (14) has a bearing (14a) into which the rotating shaft (12a) of the humidifying element (12) is inserted,
The bearing (14a) is a U-shaped depression recessed vertically downward, and a C surface is formed at the entrance of the depression.
The humidifier according to claim 1. The center of gravity of the tank (16) is closer to the center of the body (10),
The humidifier according to claim 1.

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