JP5392325B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies indoors.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are humidifiers that humidify indoors using water stored in a water storage container. For example, in a humidifier disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-97829), water is supplied from a water supply tank that can be attached to and detached from a water tank part (water storage container) to the water tank part, and is immersed in the water in the water tank part. Humidified air is generated by passing air through the vaporized filter, and the room is humidified by the generated humidified air.

JP 2003-97829 A

  By the way, in order to perform cleaning etc. of a water storage container, there exist some which can attach or detach a water storage container from the main body of a humidifier. In the case of such a humidifier, in order to prevent the humidifier from being operated when the water storage container is not stored in the main body, a means for determining whether or not the water storage container is stored in the main body is required. Become. Here, since a general humidifier has a detecting means for detecting whether the water surface height in the water storage container is less than a predetermined height, the water storage container is stored in the main body by this detecting means. It is conceivable to determine whether or not.

  In this case, during the humidification operation, when the water level in the water storage container is detected to be less than the predetermined height by the detection means, the water level is increased in the water storage container. It can be determined that the length is less than the predetermined height or the water storage container is not housed in the main body. Therefore, when detecting the state that the water surface height in the water storage container is less than the predetermined height, the humidification operation is stopped and the water supply lamp is turned on to inform the user that the water supply is necessary. Thereafter, it is conceivable that the humidification operation is automatically started when the water surface height in the water storage container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined height.

  However, when it is determined that the water surface height in the water storage container has decreased to less than the predetermined height and the humidification operation is stopped, the water absorbed in the vaporization filter moves to the water storage container, so that the water surface height in the water storage container is reduced. As a result, the water supply requirement may be canceled. Then, when the humidification operation is started, the water in the water storage container again moves to the vaporization filter, the water surface height in the water storage container is lowered, and water supply is required. In this way, after the water supply lamp is turned on to inform the user that the water supply is necessary, the humidification operation is automatically started when the water surface height in the water storage container exceeds a predetermined level. In this case, the notification and cancellation of the water supply necessary state are repeated due to the water covering from the vaporization filter.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to notify and cancel the water supply necessity state by covering the vaporization filter even when the humidification operation is automatically started based on the water surface height in the water storage container after notifying the water supply necessity state. It is providing the humidifier which can prevent that and are repeated.

  A humidifier according to a first aspect of the present invention is a main body, a water storage container that is detachable from the main body, stores water, a vaporizing member that vaporizes water in the water storage container during humidification operation, and the water storage Detection means for detecting the water surface height in the container and detecting the attachment / detachment state of the water storage container with respect to the main body, notification means for notifying that the water supply needs to be supplied, and control means for controlling the notification means And when the state where the water surface height in the water storage container is less than the predetermined height continues for the first determination time within a predetermined time from the start of the humidification operation, When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the humidifying operation and the state where the water surface height in the water storage container is lower than the predetermined height continues for a second determination time longer than the first determination time, a water supply necessary state is notified. To so that is characterized by controlling the notification unit.

  In this humidifier, when the humidification operation is started (until a predetermined time elapses from the start of the humidification operation), the state where the water level in the water storage container is less than the predetermined height continues for the first determination time. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the humidification operation, the state where the water surface height in the water storage container is less than the predetermined height continues for a second determination time longer than the first determination time. The water supply necessity state is notified. That is, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the humidifying operation, the state where water supply is necessary is performed when the state in which the water surface height in the water storage container is less than the predetermined height continues for a long time compared to when the humidifying operation is started. Informed.

  Here, when the water surface height in the water storage container is less than a predetermined height at the start of the humidification operation, the water surface height in the water storage container is often low since the humidification operation is started. Also, when the humidification operation is started and the humidification operation is stopped and the humidification operation is stopped, even if the water supply necessary state is canceled by water covering from the vaporizing member, and the notification and cancellation of the water supply necessary state are repeated, The repetition ends when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the humidifying operation.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the humidification operation, when the water surface height in the water storage container becomes lower than the predetermined height and the water supply state is notified and the humidification operation is stopped, the water covering from the vaporizing member is stopped. The water supply state is often canceled by And when notification and cancellation of a water supply required state are repeated, it repeats over a long time.

  Therefore, in the present invention, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the humidifying operation, when the state where the water surface height in the water storage container is less than the predetermined height continues for a long time compared to the time at the start of the humidifying operation, Necessary state is notified, but vaporization is performed until the water supply necessity state is notified after the water surface height in the water storage container becomes lower than the predetermined height (until the second judgment time elapses). Since the water absorbed by the member is vaporized, it is possible to prevent the water supply necessary state from being released due to water covering from the vaporizing member even when the humidification operation is stopped by informing the water supply necessary state.

  The humidifier according to the second invention is the humidifier according to the first invention, after the water supply necessity state is notified during the humidification operation, the humidification operation is stopped and the water supply necessity state is notified. The humidifying operation is started when the water surface height in the water storage container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined height.

This humidifier automatically starts the humidification operation when the water surface height in the water storage container exceeds a predetermined level after the humidification operation is stopped when the water supply necessary condition is notified during the humidification operation. Even when it is performed, it is possible to prevent the notification and cancellation of the water supply necessary state due to water covering from the vaporizing member.

  A humidifier according to a third aspect of the present invention is the humidifier according to the second aspect of the present invention, comprising a drive means for rotationally driving the vaporizing member during the humidifying operation, and the control means notifies the water supply necessary state during the humidifying operation. The driving means is configured to stop the rotation of the vaporizing member and to rotate the vaporizing member when the water level in the water storage container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined height after notifying the necessity of water supply. It is characterized by controlling.

  The humidifier includes a vaporizing member that is rotationally driven during the humidifying operation, and stops the rotation of the vaporizing member when the water storage container is not stored in the main body, and vaporizes when the water storage container is stored in the main body. The member can be rotated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from being injured by touching the gear portion by stopping the rotation of the gear portion that rotates the vaporizing member in a state where the water storage container is not housed in the main body.

  A humidifier according to a fourth invention is the humidifier according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the humidifying operation and the emptying operation in which no humidification is performed are detected in the water storage container. And a fan that supplies an air flow to the vaporizing member, and the control means includes a fan rotation speed during the humidification operation and a fan rotation speed during the humidification operation. It is possible to switch the fan rotation speed during smaller air cleaning operation, and when the control means notifies the water supply necessary state during the humidification operation and switches to the air cleaning operation, the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation is changed to the air cleaning operation. When the water supply state is canceled during the air cleaning operation and switching to the humidifying operation, the fan rotational speed during the air cleaning operation is changed to the fan rotational speed during the humidifying operation until the fan guard time elapses. It is characterized by not switching.

  In this humidifier, after notifying the water supply necessary state during the humidifying operation and switching to the emptying operation, when the water supply necessary state is released and switching to the humidifying operation, the fan guard time is released after the water supply necessary state is released. Do not increase the fan speed until Therefore, when switching to humidification operation and increasing the fan speed, the water level in the water storage container decreases due to an increase in negative pressure, and the fan speed increases even though the humidification operation is started. Immediately after the humidification operation can be prevented from stopping. Therefore, when the water supply necessity state is released and the air purification operation is switched to the humidification operation, the humidification operation is prevented from being stopped, and the water absorbed by the vaporizing member can be efficiently vaporized.

  The humidifier according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the humidifier according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the notification means includes a voice notification means for notifying a water supply state by voice, and the control means. However, after the water supply necessity state is notified by voice, the voice notification means is controlled so that the water supply necessity state is not notified by voice until the voice guard time elapses.

  In this humidifier, by providing the voice guard time, once the water supply necessary state is notified by voice, until the voice guard time elapses, the water supply necessary state is again notified by voice. Can be prevented. Therefore, for example, when the airflow tap is manually changed, it is possible to prevent the water level in the water storage container from rising and falling due to the increase / decrease in the fan airflow, so that the water supply necessary state is not repeatedly notified by voice.

  A humidifier according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the humidifier according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the detecting means moves with a change in the water surface height in the water storage container, And a detection element that detects the moving body based on a distance from the moving body.

  With this humidifier, it is possible to detect the water surface height in the water storage container and easily detect the attachment / detachment state of the water storage container with respect to the main body.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the first invention, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the humidifying operation, the water supply is performed when the state in which the water surface height in the water storage container is lower than the predetermined height continues for a long time compared to the time when the humidifying operation is started. Necessary state is notified, but vaporization is performed until the water supply necessity state is notified after the water surface height in the water storage container becomes lower than the predetermined height (until the second judgment time elapses). Since the water absorbed by the member is vaporized, it is possible to prevent the water supply necessary state from being released due to water covering from the vaporizing member even when the humidification operation is stopped by informing the water supply necessary state.

  In the second invention, the humidification operation is automatically performed when the water surface height in the water storage container becomes a predetermined height or higher after the humidification operation is stopped when the water supply necessary state is notified during the humidification operation. Even when it is started, it is possible to prevent the notification and cancellation of the water supply necessary state due to the water covering from the vaporizing member.

  In the third invention, a vaporizing member that is rotationally driven during the humidifying operation is provided, and the rotation of the vaporizing member is stopped when the water storage container is not stored in the main body, and the water storage container is stored in the main body. The vaporizing member can be rotated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from being injured by touching the gear portion by stopping the rotation of the gear portion that rotates the vaporizing member in a state where the water storage container is not housed in the main body.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, after the water supply necessity state is canceled and the humidification operation is switched after the water supply necessity state is canceled and the humidification operation is switched after the water supply necessity state is notified during the humidification operation and switched to the emptying operation, Do not increase fan speed until time has elapsed. Therefore, when the fan speed is increased after switching to the humidifying operation, the water level in the water storage container decreases due to the increase in negative pressure and immediately after the fan speed is increased even though the humidifying operation is started. In addition, the humidification operation can be prevented from stopping. Therefore, when the water supply necessity state is released and the air purification operation is switched to the humidification operation, the humidification operation is prevented from being stopped, and the water absorbed by the vaporizing member can be efficiently vaporized.

  In the fifth invention, by providing the voice guard time, after the water supply necessary state is once notified by voice, until the voice guard time elapses, the water supply necessary state is again notified by voice. Can be prevented. Therefore, for example, when the airflow tap is manually changed, it is possible to prevent the water level in the water storage container from rising and falling due to the increase / decrease in the fan airflow, so that the water supply necessary state is not repeatedly notified by voice.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the water surface height in the water storage container can be detected, and the attachment / detachment state of the water storage container with respect to the main body can be easily detected.

It is an appearance perspective view of an air cleaner concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is an appearance perspective view of an air cleaner concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of an air cleaner for explaining the inside of a casing. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the accommodation state to the main body of a water tray. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the accommodation state to the main body of a water tray. It is a front view of a humidification unit (a water tank and a rotor drive part are abbreviate | omitted). It is sectional drawing of the air cleaner for demonstrating the detection of the water surface height of a water tray. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the state of the detection part when the water tray is accommodated in the main body. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the state of the detection part when the water tray is not accommodated in the main body. It is a control block diagram of the control part of an air cleaner. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of a humidification driving | operation start. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the humidification operation after predetermined time passes since the humidification operation start. It is a figure which shows an example of control of an air cleaner.

  Hereinafter, an air cleaner 1 having a humidifying function will be described as an example of a humidifier to which the present invention is applied. In addition, this invention does not make an air purifying function an essential component, but can be applied also to a humidifier without an air purifying function.

(1) Whole structure of air cleaner The outline | summary of the whole structure of the air cleaner 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air purifier 1 as viewed from the upper left side toward the back surface. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the water tank 31 is removed in the air cleaner 1 of FIG. 1. The air purifier 1 has a humidifying function and an air purifying function, and functions as a humidifying device during a humidifying operation and as an air purifying device during an air purifying operation.

  An operation panel 80 is provided on the upper portion of the air cleaner 1. The operation panel 80 is provided with a switch for operating on / off of the air cleaner 1. In the present embodiment, there are prepared an operation mode in which only air cleaning is performed without humidification, and an operation mode in which humidification is performed simultaneously with air cleaning, and the user operates a switch on the operation panel 80, The operation mode of the air purifier 1 is switched. Further, the air purifier 1 has an automatic operation mode in which a humidification operation and an air purification operation in which no humidification is performed are switched based on the water surface height in the water tray 40.

  Further, the air cleaner 1 includes a main body 20, a water tank 31 and a water tray 40 that can be removed from the main body 20 as necessary, a detection unit 70, and a control unit 60. The air purifier 1 has a compact and integrated structure as shown in FIG. 1 by storing the water tank 31 and the water tray 40 at predetermined positions of the main body 20. The main body 20 mainly includes a casing 21, an air cleaning unit 25, a blower 26, and a humidification unit 30. Below, each member which comprises the air cleaner 1 is demonstrated.

(2-1) Casing The casing 21 constitutes the outline of the main body 20. The casing 21 accommodates the constituent members of the main body 20 and the control unit 60. Further, the casing 21 constitutes a tank storage portion S1 and a tray storage portion S2 together with a fan casing 29 described later. The tank storage portion S <b> 1 is a space for storing a water tank 31 that can be detached from the main body 20. The tray storage S <b> 2 is a space for storing a drawer-type water tray 40 that can be detached from the main body 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 21 has a suction port 21 a for taking in indoor air into the air purifier 1 and a blowout port 21 b for blowing out the air in the air purifier 1 to the outside (indoor). Is formed. The suction port 21a includes a front lower suction port 21aa and a side suction port 21ab.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 21 is provided with a notification unit 90 for notifying the user that water supply to the water tank 31 is necessary (water supply necessary state). The notification unit 90 includes, for example, an LED that notifies the water supply necessity state by being turned on, and a buzzer (voice notification means) that notifies the water supply necessity state by voice.

(2-2) Air Purifying Unit The air cleaning unit 25 mainly includes a prefilter, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, and a deodorizing element. These are arranged in the order of the prefilter, the HEPA filter, and the deodorizing element in the air flow direction. Thereby, in the air purifying unit 25, first, large dust is removed by the prefilter. Next, finer dust is removed by the HEPA filter. Further, the air that has passed through the HEPA filter is decomposed or adsorbed by formaldehyde, odor components, and the like by a deodorizing element including activated carbon.

(2-3) Blower FIG. 3 shows the air cleaner 1 in a state where the casing 21 (excluding the operation panel 80), the water tank 31, and the air cleaning unit 25 are removed from FIG. 4 and 5 show the air cleaner 1 in a state where the humidification rotor 50 and the operation panel 80 are further removed from FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows the positional relationship between the water tray 40 and the fan casing 29 when the water tray 40 is stored in the main body 20. FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between the water tray 40 and the fan casing 27 when the water tray 40 is not stored in the main body 20, that is, when the water tray 40 is pulled out from the main body 20.

  The blower 26 is a sirocco fan including a fan 28 driven by a blower drive motor 27 (see FIG. 10) and a fan casing 29, and generates a flow of air from the suction port 21a to the blowout port 21b (FIG. 3, see FIGS. 4 and 5). For example, when the air cleaner 1 is performing a humidifying operation, the indoor air sucked from the suction port 21a is humidified by the humidifying unit 30 after dust and odor components are removed by the air purifying unit 25, Humidified clean air is blown out from the blower 26 into the room through the blowout port 21b. The driving of the blower drive motor 27 is controlled by the control unit 60 described later.

(2-4) Humidification unit The humidification unit 30 mainly includes a water tank 31, a water tray 40, a humidification rotor 50, and a rotor drive unit 38. Further, since the humidification rotor 50 is disposed at a predetermined position of the water tray 40, when the water tray 40 is pulled out from the main body 20, the humidification rotor 50 is similarly pulled out from the main body 20.

(2-4-1) Water Tank The water tank 31 is detachable from the main body 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and when mounted on the main body 20, is stored in the tank storage portion S1 of the main body 20. The In addition, a water inlet (not shown) is provided at the lower part of the water tank 31, and the water in the water tank 31 flows into the water tray 40 through the water inlet due to a decrease in the water level in the water tray 40. To do.

(2-4-2) Water Tray FIG. 6 is a front view of the humidifying unit 30 when the air purifier 1 is viewed from the front, and is a view in which the water tank 31 and the rotor drive unit 38 are omitted from the humidifying unit 30. It is. FIG. 7A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the air cleaner 1 when the water tray 40 is housed in the main body 20, and the float 45 included in the water tray 40 is floating in water, that is, It is a figure which shows the state of the float 45 when the water in the water tray 40 is not insufficient. FIG. 7B is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the air cleaner 10 when the water tray 40 is stored in the main body 20, and the state of the float 45 when the water in the water tray 40 is insufficient. FIG.

  The water tray 40 stores water to be supplied to the air passing through the humidification rotor 50. The supply source of water stored in the water tray 40 is the water tank 31 described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, the water tray 40 includes a water receiving portion 41, a rotor immersion portion 42, a partition wall 43, a bearing portion 44, and a float 45. .

  The water receiver 41 is disposed below the water tank 31. The rotor immersion part 42 is disposed at the lower part of the humidification rotor 50, and when the water accumulated in the rotor immersion part 42 is equal to or higher than the limit water level described later, the lower part of the humidification rotor 50 is located at the rotor immersion part 42. Soaked in water. Further, the water receiving part 41 and the rotor immersion part 42 are partitioned by a partition wall 43 that partitions the water stored in the water tray 40. An opening (not shown) leading from the water receiving part 41 to the rotor immersion part 42 is provided at the lower part of the partition wall 43, and water supplied from the water tank 31 to the water receiving part 41 is passed through the opening. It is supplied to the rotor immersion unit 42. Thereby, the water level of the water receiving part 41 and the water level of the rotor immersion part 42 become substantially the same.

  The bearing portion 44 extends upward from the side wall of the rotor immersion portion 42 and is provided so as to receive the rotating shaft 50 a of the humidifying rotor 50.

  The float 45 is disposed in the water receiving portion 41 of the water tray 40 and can float on the water stored in the water receiving portion 41. Further, one end 45 a of the float 45 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 46 in the water receiving portion 41, and the support shaft 46 depends on the water level stored in the water receiving portion 41. Rotate around the center. For this reason, in the float 45, the end 45b opposite to the end 45a supported by the support shaft 46 moves in the vertical direction in accordance with the level of the water accumulated in the water receiver 41. (See FIG. 7).

(2-4-3) Humidification rotor The humidification rotor 50 has a function of supplying water supplied from the water tray 40 to air passing through the air. Thereby, the air sucked from the suction port 21a and purified by the air purification unit 25 passes through the humidification rotor 50, whereby the humidified clean air can be supplied into the room. In the present embodiment, when the air that has passed through the deodorizing element passes through the humidification rotor 50, the air is humidified by supplying moisture from the humidification rotor 50 into the air.

  Further, the humidification rotor 50 is detachably and rotatably supported by the bearing portion 44 via a rotation shaft 50a located at the center thereof. In the present embodiment, the humidification rotor 50 is rotated only when the humidifying operation is performed in the air cleaner 1. That is, when the air cleaner 10 is performing the air cleaning operation, the rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is stopped, and water is not supplied from the water tray 40 to the humidification rotor 50. For this reason, after the rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is stopped, the water adsorbed by the humidification rotor 50 is vaporized and the humidification rotor 50 is dried.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the humidification rotor 50 includes a vaporization filter 51 and a frame 52, and can pump up the water stored in the water tray 40 by rotating.

  The frame 52 includes a circular frame 53 and a plurality of water supply units 54. The frame 53 is provided with an opening (not shown) at a position that coincides with the position where the water supply unit 54 is provided. The water supply unit 54 is provided at the outer edge of the frame 53. The plurality of water supply units 54 are arranged at equal intervals on the outer edge of the frame 53. Further, the water supply portions 54 are formed in a concave shape so that water can be stored therein, and the water supply portions 54 are raised after being sequentially immersed in the water tray 40 by the rotation of the humidification rotor 50. In addition, the operation of submerging is repeated. When the water supply unit 54 is submerged, water flows into the water supply unit 54, and when the water supply unit 54 moves up, the water accumulated in the water supply unit 54 passes through the opening formed in the frame 53. Flows toward the vaporization filter 51. Thereby, water is supplied to the vaporization filter 51.

  The vaporization filter 51 is a circular honeycomb structure and adsorbs water supplied by the water supply unit 54. Further, the frame 52 is arranged outside the vaporization filter 51 so that the rotation shaft 50 a provided on the frame 52 is positioned at the center of the vaporization filter 51. Note that the lowermost portion of the vaporization filter 51 is located above the full water position in the water tray 40 in a state where the rotating shaft 50 a of the humidification rotor 50 is supported by the bearing portion 44. Thus, the vaporization filter 51 is designed so as not to be submerged in the water tray 40.

(2-4-4) Rotor Drive Unit The rotor drive unit 38 includes the rotor drive motor 32 and a drive gear (not shown), and is disposed on the main body 20 side as described above. Specifically, the rotor drive motor 32 and the drive gear are fixed to a predetermined position of the fan casing 29. The rotor drive motor 32 is driven and controlled by a control unit 60 described later. The drive gear is rotated by driving the rotor drive motor 32. The drive gear is a gear tooth 53 a provided on the outer periphery of the drive gear teeth and the frame 53 in a state where the water tray 40 is stored in the tray storage portion S <b> 2 of the casing 21 (see FIG. 3). Are arranged at positions where they engage with each other. For this reason, the humidification rotor 50 rotates around the rotating shaft 50a when the drive gear rotates by driving of the rotor drive motor 32.

(2-5) Detection Unit FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air purifier 1, and shows the positional relationship between the detection element 72 and the moving body 71 when the water tray 40 is stored in the main body 20. Yes. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air purifier 1 and shows a positional relationship between the detection element 72 and the moving body 71 when the water tray 40 is not accommodated in the main body 20. 8 and 9, two locations of the water tray 40 and the main body 20 (fan casing 29) are provided to facilitate explanation of the storage state of the water tray 40 and the positional relationship between the detection element 72 and the moving body 71. The cross section of is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the detection unit 70 includes a moving body 71 that moves as the water tray 40 moves, and a detection element 72 that is fixed at a predetermined position of the main body 20. The moving body 71 is a magnet and is fixed to the end 45 b of the float 45. Accordingly, the position of the water tray 40 with respect to the main body 20 changes, so that the position of the moving body 71 with respect to the detection element 72 changes, and the water surface height in the water tray 40 decreases, so that the end 45b of the float 45 decreases. By changing the position, the position of the moving body 71 with respect to the detection element 72 changes. The detecting element 72 is a reed switch that detects the moving body 71 depending on the distance from the moving body 71, and is a contact portion (not shown) that is turned on / off under the influence of the magnetic field from the moving body 71. including. In addition, the detection element 72 can detect the moving body 71 in the main body 20 when the water tray 40 is stored in the tray storage portion S2 of the main body 20 and the float 45 is floating in water. Yes (see FIG. 7 (a)), when the end 45b of the float 45 is in a lowered state, the movable body 71 is disposed at a position where it cannot be detected (see FIG. 7 (b)). Further, the detection element 72 is designed to be disposed at a position where the movable body 71 cannot be detected in the main body 20 when the water tray 40 is not stored in the tray storage portion S2 ( (See FIG. 9). 7, 8, and 9, a boundary portion of a region where the detection element 72 can detect the moving body 71 is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  With such a configuration, the detection element 72 transmits an ON signal to the control unit 60 when the moving body 71 is within a distance (in the region) where the moving body 71 can be detected, and the distance where the moving body 71 can be detected. When there is no moving body 71 in the area, an off signal is transmitted to the control unit 60.

(2-6) Control part The control part 60 is comprised from several electrical components, and controls operation | movement of the various apparatuses with which the air cleaner 1 is provided so that an air purifying operation and a humidification operation may be performed. Specifically, the control unit 60 controls driving of the fan 28 and the humidifying rotor 50 based on a control signal input via the operation panel 80.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 60 includes a determination unit 61 and a drive control unit 62.

  Based on the on / off signal transmitted from the detection unit 70 (detection element 72), the determination unit 61 determines whether to notify the user that the water supply is necessary.

  When the determination unit 61 determines to notify the water supply necessity state, the determination unit 61 starts the humidification operation (until a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed from the start of the humidification operation) and the humidification operation (predetermined time from the start of the humidification operation). Make a different decision. That is, at the start of the humidification operation, the determination unit 61 determines to notify the water supply necessity state when the off signal from the detection unit 70 continues for the first determination time T1 (for example, 20 seconds). Further, in the humidifying operation after the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the humidifying operation (hereinafter referred to as the humidifying operation after the predetermined time has elapsed), the determination unit 61 determines that the OFF signal from the detection unit 70 is from the first determination time T1. If it is continued for a long second determination time T2 (for example, 5 minutes), it is determined to notify the water supply necessity state. As described above, the determination unit 61 determines to notify the water supply necessity state when the off signal from the detection unit 70 continues for a longer time in the humidification operation after the elapse of the predetermined time than when the humidification operation is started. To do.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 61 determines to cancel the notification of the water supply necessary state, the determination unit 61 performs the same determination at the start of the humidification operation and at the humidification operation after a predetermined time has elapsed. That is, at the start of the humidification operation and at the time of the humidification operation after the elapse of a predetermined time, the determination unit 61 is in a water supply necessary state when the ON signal from the detection unit 70 continues for the third determination time T3 (for example, 20 seconds). It is determined to cancel the notification.

  The drive control unit 62 controls driving of the blower 26 (fan 28) and the humidification unit 30 (humidification rotor 50) so that the air purifier 1 performs an air purification operation and a humidification operation. Specifically, the drive control unit 62 controls the drive of the fan 28 and the humidification rotor 50 by transmitting a control signal to the blower drive motor 27 and the rotor drive motor 32. Moreover, the drive control part 62 controls the alerting | reporting part 90 which alert | reports a water supply required state with respect to a user.

  Here, the air purifier 1 has an automatic operation mode. In this automatic operation mode, the water level in the water tray 40 detected by the detection unit 70 includes the humidification operation and the air purification operation in which the humidification is not performed. It is switched based on. That is, when the air purifier 1 is operated in the automatic operation mode, when the water supply necessary state is notified during the humidifying operation, the air purifier 1 is switched to the air purifying operation, and after that, when the water supply state is canceled during the air purifying operation, the humidification is performed. Switch to driving. In the air cleaner 1, the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation and the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation are set. The fan rotation speed during the humidification operation is greater than the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation. It is set large. Therefore, for example, the rotation speed corresponding to the first tap to the fifth tap is set as the rotation speed of the fan 28, the rotation speed of the first tap is the largest, the second tap, the third tap, the fourth tap, the fifth tap. When the rotation speed decreases in this order, the second tap is set as the fan rotation speed during the humidifying operation, and the rotation speed of any of the third to fifth taps is set as the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation. Is set.

  Therefore, the drive control unit 62 controls the rotation speed of the fan 28 at the second tap (the rotation speed at the humidification operation) during the humidifying operation, and from the third tap to the fifth tap at the air cleaning operation. The rotational speed of the fan 28 is controlled to either (the rotational speed during the emptying operation). Here, the drive control unit 62 switches the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation to the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation when the water supply necessity state is notified during the humidification operation and the operation is switched to the air cleaning operation. In addition, when the water supply necessity state is canceled during the emptying operation and the drive control unit 62 switches to the humidification operation, the drive control unit 62 has a preset fan guard time T4 (for example, 3 minutes) after the water supply necessity state is released. When the time has elapsed, the fan rotation speed during the emptying operation is switched to the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation. That is, when the water supply state is canceled during the air cleaning operation and the operation is switched to the humidifying operation, the drive control unit 62 changes the fan rotational speed during the air cleaning operation to the fan rotational speed during the humidifying operation until the fan guard time T4 elapses. Do not switch.

  The drive control unit 62 rotates the humidification rotor 50 when receiving an ON signal from the detection unit 70 after the humidification operation is started, and the humidification rotor when receiving an OFF signal from the detection unit 70 during the humidification operation. Stop 50 rotations. In addition, the drive control unit 62 rotates the humidification rotor 50 when the water surface height in the water tray 40 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined height after the rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is stopped in response to the off signal.

  In addition, the drive control unit 62 transmits a control signal to the notification unit 90 based on the determination by the determination unit 61. That is, the notification unit 90 notifies the water supply necessity state by turning on the LED by receiving a control signal when it is determined by the determination unit 61 to notify the water supply necessity state, and also requires water supply by sound from the buzzer. Announce the condition. Here, after notifying the water supply necessary state by voice, the drive control unit 62 does not notify the water supply necessary state by voice until a preset voice guard time T5 (for example, 60 minutes) elapses. Therefore, the drive control unit 62 notifies the water supply necessary state only by turning on the LED until the above voice guard time T5 elapses.

  Below, operation | movement of the air cleaner 1 is demonstrated using FIG.11, FIG12 and FIG.13.

  The operation at the start of the humidifying operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13.

  When the humidifying operation is started at time t1 (step S101), the rotation of the fan 28 is started (step S102). And it is judged whether the OFF signal from the detection part 70 was received (step S103). Here, when the OFF signal from the detection part 70 is not received, rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is started (step S110). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the OFF signal is received from the detection unit 70, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the OFF signal is continued for the first determination time T1 (step S104).

  Then, when the OFF signal from the detection unit 70 is continuously received for the first determination time T1 at time t2, the notification unit 90 notifies the water supply necessary state (step S105), and the rotational speed of the fan 28 decreases. (Step S106). Thereafter, it is repeatedly determined whether or not an ON signal is received from the detection unit 70 (step S107). And when the ON signal from the detection part 70 is received, rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is started (step S108). Here, in FIG. 13, when water is supplied to the tank by the user at time t <b> 3, the signal from the detection unit 70 changes from the off signal to the on signal at time t <b> 4, for example, 2 seconds after time t <b> 4. At time t5, the rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is started.

  Thereafter, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the ON signal from the detection unit 70 is continuously received for the third determination time T3 (step S109). And in FIG. 13, when the ON signal from the detection part 70 is continuously received only for 3rd judgment time T3 in time t6, the alerting | reporting of a water supply required state is cancelled | released (step S110). Then, it is determined whether or not the fan guard time T4 has elapsed after the notification of the water supply necessity state has been canceled (step S111). Here, when the fan guard time T4 has elapsed at time t7, the rotation speed of the fan 28 is changed so as to increase (step S112).

  The operation during the humidifying operation after a predetermined time has elapsed will be described with reference to FIGS.

  During the humidification operation after a predetermined time has elapsed, the humidification rotor 50 rotates and the fan 28 rotates (step S201). Then, it is repeatedly determined whether or not an off signal is received from the detection unit 70 (step S202). Here, as shown in FIG. 13, when the OFF signal is received from the detection unit 70 at time t8, the rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is stopped at time t9 (step S203). Then, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the off signal is continued for the second determination time T2 (step S204).

  When the OFF signal from the detection unit 70 is continuously received for the second determination time T2 at time t10, the notification unit 90 notifies the water supply necessary state (step S205), and the rotational speed of the fan 28 decreases. (Step S206). Thereafter, it is repeatedly determined whether or not an ON signal is received from the detection unit 70 (step S207). And when the ON signal from the detection part 70 is received, rotation of the humidification rotor 50 is started (step S208). Here, in FIG. 13, the rotation speed of the fan 28 decreases at time t10, so that the signal from the detection unit 70 changes from the off signal to the on signal at time t11, and the humidification rotor 50 at time t12. The rotation has started.

  Thereafter, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the ON signal from the detection unit 70 is continuously received for the third determination time T3 (step S209). Here, in FIG. 13, when the ON signal from the detection unit 70 is continuously received for the third determination time T3 at time t13, the notification of the water supply necessary state is canceled (step S210). Then, it is determined whether or not the fan guard time T4 has elapsed after the notification of the water supply necessity state has been canceled (step S211). Here, when the fan guard time T4 has elapsed at time t14, the rotation speed of the fan 28 is changed so as to increase (step S212).

<Characteristics of the air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment>
In the air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the humidifying operation, the time when the water surface height in the water tray 40 is less than the predetermined height is longer than when the humidifying operation is started. When it continues, the water supply necessity state is notified. Therefore, since the water absorbed in the humidification rotor 50 is vaporized after the water surface height in the water tray 40 becomes less than the predetermined height and before the water supply necessary state is notified, the water supply necessary state is set. Even when the humidification operation is stopped by notification, it is possible to prevent the water supply necessity state from being released due to the water covering from the humidification rotor 50.

  Moreover, in the air cleaner 1 of this embodiment, when the water surface height in the water tray 40 becomes more than a predetermined height after the humidifying operation is stopped when the water supply necessary state is notified during the humidifying operation. Even when the humidification operation is automatically started, it is possible to prevent the notification and cancellation of the water supply necessary state due to the water covering from the humidification rotor 50 from being repeated.

  Further, the air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes the humidification rotor 50 that is rotationally driven during the humidification operation, and stops the rotation of the humidification rotor 50 in a state where the water tray 40 is not stored in the main body 20. The humidification rotor 50 can be rotated in a state where the water tray 40 is stored in the main body 20. Therefore, when the water tray 40 is not accommodated in the main body 20, the rotation of the gear unit that rotates the humidification rotor 50 can be stopped, and the user can be prevented from touching the gear unit and being injured.

  Further, in the air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment, the water supply necessity state is canceled when the water supply necessity state is canceled and the humidification operation is switched after the water supply necessity state is notified during the humidification operation and the operation is switched to the air cleaning operation. After that, the rotational speed of the fan 28 is not increased until the fan guard time T4 elapses. Therefore, when the water supply necessity state is canceled and the air purification operation is switched to the humidification operation, the humidification operation can be suppressed from being stopped, and the water absorbed by the vaporizing member can be efficiently vaporized.

  Moreover, in the air cleaner 1 of this embodiment, by providing the voice guard time T5, after the water supply necessity state is once notified by voice, until the voice guard time T5 elapses, water supply is required again. It is possible to prevent the state from being notified by voice. Therefore, for example, when the air volume tap is manually changed, it is possible to prevent the water level from rising and falling due to the increase or decrease of the fan air volume and notifying the voice of the water supply necessity state many times.

  Moreover, in the air cleaner 1 of this embodiment, the detection part 70 moves the moving body 71 based on the distance from the moving body 71 which moves with the change of the water surface height in the water tray 40, and the moving body 71. FIG. Since it is comprised with the detection element 72 to detect, while the water surface height in the water tray 40 is detected, the attachment / detachment state of the water tray 40 with respect to the main body 20 can be detected easily.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, it should be thought that a specific structure is not limited to these embodiment. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the automatic operation mode in which the humidifying operation and the emptying operation are switched based on the water surface height in the water tray 40, the water supply state is canceled during the emptying operation during the humidifying operation after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thus, when switching to the humidifying operation, the case where the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation is not switched to the fan rotation speed during the humidifying operation until the fan guard time elapses has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, when the water supply state is canceled during the air cleaning operation and the operation is switched to the humidification operation, the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation may be switched to the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation before the fan guard time elapses.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the humidification operation is started, when the water supply state is canceled during the air cleaning operation and the operation is switched to the humidification operation, the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation is humidified until the fan guard time elapses. Explains the case of not switching to the fan speed during operation, but when the water supply state is canceled during the air cleaning operation and the operation is switched to the humidification operation, the fan speed during the air cleaning operation will be before the fan guard time elapses. May be switched to the fan speed during the humidifying operation.

  Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the case where a water supply required state was not alert | reported by an audio | voice until after the voice guard time T5 passed after alert | reporting the water supply required state with the audio | voice, it is not limited to this. Therefore, after the water supply necessary state is notified by voice, the water supply necessary state may be notified by voice before the voice guard time elapses.

  Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, when the determination unit 61 determines to cancel the notification of the water supply necessity state, the case where the same determination is performed at the start of the humidification operation and at the time of the humidification operation after a predetermined time has been described. However, different judgments may be made at the start of the humidification operation and at the time of the humidification operation after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the third determination time at the start of the humidifying operation may be different from the third determination time at the time of the humidifying operation after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the detection part 70 detects the moving body 71 based on the moving body 71 which moves with the change of the water surface height in the water tray 40, and the distance from the moving body 71. However, the detection unit is not limited as long as it can detect the water surface height in the water tray 40 and can detect the attachment / detachment state of the water tray 40 with respect to the main body 20.

  Moreover, although the alerting | reporting part 90 demonstrated the case where it had LED which alert | reports a water supply required state by lighting and the buzzer which alert | reports a water supply required state by an audio | voice in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is not limited to this. Therefore, the notification unit may have only an LED that notifies the water supply necessary state by being lit, or may have only a buzzer that notifies the water supply necessary state by voice.

  If the present invention is used, even if the humidification operation is automatically started based on the water surface height in the water storage container after notifying the water supply necessary state, the water supply necessary state is notified and canceled by the water covering from the vaporization filter. Can be prevented from being repeated.

1 Air purifier (humidifier)
20 Main body 28 Fan 32 Rotor drive motor (drive means)
40 Water tray (water storage container)
50 Humidification rotor (vaporization member)
60 Control part (control means)
70 Detection part (detection means)
90 Notifying part (notifying means)

Claims (6)

The body,
A water storage container that is detachable from the main body and stores water;
A vaporizing member that vaporizes water in the water storage container during humidification operation;
Detecting means for detecting a water surface height in the water storage container and detecting an attachment / detachment state of the water storage container with respect to the main body;
An informing means for informing that the water supply is in a necessary state;
Control means for controlling the notification means,
The control means notifies the water supply necessity state when the state where the water surface height in the water storage container is less than the predetermined height continues for the first determination time within a predetermined time from the start of the humidification operation, and starts the humidification operation. So that a state where the water surface height in the water storage container is less than a predetermined height continues for a second determination time longer than the first determination time after a predetermined time has passed, so as to notify the water supply necessary state, A humidifier that controls the notification means. When the water supply necessary condition is notified during the humidifying operation, the humidifying operation is stopped,
2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying operation is started when the water surface height in the water storage container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined height after the water supply necessity state is notified. Drive means for rotating the vaporizing member during humidification operation,
The control means stops rotation of the vaporizing member when notifying the water supply necessary state during the humidifying operation, and the water surface height in the water storage container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined height after notifying the water supply necessary state. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit is controlled so as to rotationally drive the vaporizing member. The humidification operation and the emptying operation in which no humidification is performed are switched based on the water surface height in the water storage container detected by the detection means,
A fan for supplying an air flow to the vaporizing member;
The control means can switch between the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation and the fan rotation speed during the air cleaning operation which is smaller than the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation, and the control means is in a state where water supply is required during the humidification operation. When the notification is switched to the air cleaning operation, the fan speed during the humidifying operation is switched to the fan speed during the air cleaning operation, and the water guard state is canceled during the air cleaning operation to switch to the humidifying operation. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fan rotation speed during the air-cleaning operation is not switched to the fan rotation speed during the humidification operation until the time elapses. The notifying means has a voice notifying means for notifying the necessity of water supply by voice,
The said control means controls the said audio | voice alerting | reporting means not to alert | report the water supply required state by voice until after the voice guard time has passed after notifying the water supply required condition by voice. The humidifier according to any one of 4 above. The detection means is
A moving body that moves as the water level in the water storage container changes,
The humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a detection element that detects the moving body based on a distance from the moving body.

Images