JP5633253B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier.

  There are various types of humidification mechanisms in humidifiers. In the humidifier described in Patent Document 1, humidified air or cold air is obtained by rotating a belt-like filter in which the lower part is immersed in water in a water tank, and allowing air to pass through the absorbed belt-like filter.

  Some humidifiers can disinfect water for humidification. The humidifier described in Patent Document 2 is an example thereof, in which a pair of electrodes is immersed in water in a water tank, and one is a positive electrode and the other is a negative electrode. Hypochlorous acid is produced from ions to sterilize water.

JP-A-2-217726 (International Patent Classification: F24F1 / 00, F24F6 / 06) JP 2006-57995 A (International Patent Classification: F24F6 / 00)

  Humidifiers are usually used in dry seasons such as winter, but if humidification is performed with electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid and air is sterilized and deodorized at the same time, It can be used to improve the living environment at any time. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily control the concentration of electrolyzed water in a humidifier capable of humidifying with electrolyzed water.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the humidifier passes through the humidification filter, the electrolytic water generation unit, the humidification filter made wet with the electrolytic water generated by the electrolytic water generation unit, and the humidification filter. An air blower that generates an air flow is disposed, and air humidified with electrolyzed water is blown out of the housing, and the current flowing between the electrodes of the electrolyzed water generating unit is controlled by an electrode drive circuit. The electrode drive circuit is controlled by a PWM output from a control unit, and the control unit performs a control to repeatedly flow a large current and a small current between the electrodes with a current stop period between the electrodes for a certain period of time. The unit performs control to reverse the current direction between the electrodes at each current stop period after the small current is passed.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the humidifier configured as described above, the control unit performs PWM output to the polarity switching circuit, and the polarity switching circuit controls the electrode drive circuit.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the humidifier configured as described above includes an average current monitoring circuit that monitors an average current flowing between the electrodes, and the control unit receives a signal input from the average current monitoring circuit. Thus, the PWM output is changed so that the current flowing between the electrodes becomes a set value.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the humidifier configured as described above includes a peak current monitoring circuit that monitors a peak current flowing between the electrodes, and the control unit is configured to set a signal input from the peak current monitoring circuit. When the value exceeds the value, the PWM output is stopped.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the humidifier configured as described above, the control unit has a humidification priority mode as a control mode of the humidifier. It is equipped with a purification priority mode that mainly purifies air.

In the generation of electrolyzed water, in the conventional circuit configuration, only a constant current determined by circuit constants could flow between the electrodes, so only ON / OFF control was possible. However, in the present invention, the PWM output is changed. Since the current flowing between the electrodes can be changed, an appropriate current value can be obtained according to the situation. As a result, the number of electrode polarity switchings can be reduced, the life of the electrodes can be improved, and the control unit can repeatedly control the flow of a large current and a small current between the electrodes, with a current stoppage period between the electrodes. The concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolyzed water can be prevented from dropping below a certain level, and the control unit performs control to reverse the current direction between the electrodes for each current stop period after passing a small current, Can be prevented.

It is a perspective view of the humidifier which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view of the humidifier of FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the humidifier of FIG. 1, showing a state different from FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the humidifier in FIG. 1, showing a state different from those in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is a perspective view of an electrode unit. It is a block block diagram of a humidifier. It is the block block diagram limited to the surroundings of an electrode unit. It is a graph which shows the example of electric current control. It is a flowchart of control mode selection. It is a flowchart of electrode exchange.

  Hereinafter, the structure and operation of the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The humidifier 1 includes a housing 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 10 has an air inlet 11 on the back surface and an air outlet 12 on the top surface. The intake port 11 is composed of a set of horizontally long small holes. The blower outlet 12 is provided with a lid 13 that opens and closes with the rear edge as a fulcrum, and a louver 14 that changes the direction of the blown airflow.

  An air passage 15 extending from the air inlet 11 to the air outlet 12 is formed inside the housing 10, and a blower 16 is disposed therein. The blower 16 is a combination of a cross flow fan and a motor, and generates an airflow that is sucked from the air inlet 11 and blown out from the air outlet 12.

  A humidification filter 17 is disposed in the ventilation path 15 at a position between the air inlet 11 and the blower 16. The humidifying filter 17 has an endless belt shape and is vertically supported inside a filter support H that is disposed in the housing 10 so as to be vertically movable. In the present embodiment, the filter support H is constituted by a filter unit case 18 and a filter unit 47 held therein. The structure of the filter unit case 18 and the filter unit 47, the driving mechanism of the humidifying filter 17, the upper and lower mechanisms of the filter unit case 18 will be described later.

  The filter unit case 18 holds the electrode unit 19. The electrode unit 19 has a pair of electrodes 20. The electrode 20 protrudes downward, and its lower end is immersed in the water in the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 whose upper surface is an opening. The electrode 20 and the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 constitute an electrolyzed water generation unit 22.

  The lower end of the humidification filter 17 is also immersed in the water in the electrolyzed water generation tank 21. If the water in the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 is electrolyzed water, the humidifying filter 17 is wetted with electrolyzed water. Here, when the blower 16 is operated, the air flow passing through the humidifying filter 17 is humidified with the electrolyzed water, and air is sterilized and deodorized with the electrolyzed water. The air is blown out of the housing 10 from the blower outlet 12. The above is the basic configuration of the humidifier 1.

  On the left and right side surfaces of the housing 10, a carrying handle 23 is formed. On the top surface of the housing 10, an operation / display unit 24 is disposed in a space between the front edge and the air outlet 12. A plurality of operation keys 25 of various switches are arranged in a row in the operation / display unit 24, and the user inputs a command by pressing the necessary operation keys 25.

  A water tank storage space 26 is formed in the lower portion of the housing 10. The front surface of the water tank storage space 26 is an entrance 27. The entrance 27 is closed by a vertically movable gate 28. At the center lower part of the gate 28, a handle portion 29 for vertical operation is formed.

  A water supply tank 31 held on a tray 30 is placed in the water supply tank storage space 26. As for the tray 30, the water supply tank holding | maintenance part 32 is used for the near side, and the part overhanging back becomes the above-mentioned electrolyzed water production tank 21. By the way, if the lower end of the humidification filter 17 and the lower end of the electrode 20 are immersed in the water in the electrolyzed water generation tank 21, the tray 30 cannot be pulled out from the water supply tank storage space. This problem is solved as follows.

  The gate 28 and the filter unit case 18 are coupled by a coupling mechanism including a lever and a connecting rod (not shown). The gate 28 moves up and down between a closed position (see FIG. 2) for closing the inlet / outlet 27 of the water tank storage space 26 and an open position (see FIG. 3) for opening the inlet / outlet 27. When the gate 28 is pulled down to the closed position, the filter unit case 18 is also lowered by the linkage mechanism, and the lower end of the humidifying filter 17 and the lower end of the electrode 20 enter the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 as shown in FIG. . In this state, the tray 30 cannot be pulled out from the water supply tank storage space 26. When the gate 28 is pulled up to the open position, the filter unit case 18 is also raised by the linkage mechanism, and the lower end of the humidifying filter 17 and the lower end of the electrode 20 go out of the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 as shown in FIG. As a result, the lower end of the humidifying filter 17 and the lower end of the electrode 20 are not caught on the edge of the electrolyzed water generation tank 21, and the tray 30 can be pulled out from the water supply tank storage space 26 as shown in FIG.

  The tray 30 has a front width that fits in the water supply tank storage space 26, and the water supply tank 31 has a front width comparable to that of the tray 30. The water supply tank 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is inserted into the water supply tank holding part 32 of the tray 30 from above.

  The water supply tank 31 has a handle 33 on the upper surface and a water supply port 34 on the lower surface. The water supply port 34 is sealed with a screw cap 35. The screw cap 35 is provided with a leak valve 36 for leaking water inside the water supply tank 31 to the outside. The leak valve 36 is always urged in the closing direction by a spring (not shown).

  In the tray 30, a water supply path 37 through which water in the water supply tank 31 flows out to the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 is formed. When the water supply tank 31 is inserted into the water supply tank holding part 32, the leakage valve 36 faces the water supply path 37.

  The leak valve 36 is opened by pushing a shaft 38 protruding outward from the inside of the water supply tank 31, and a valve release lever 39 for pushing the shaft 38 is provided in the water supply passage 37. The valve opening lever 39 is a seesaw type, one end is an action point 40 facing the leakage valve 36, and the other end is a force point that enters under the filter unit case 18 when the tray 30 is pushed into the water tank storage space 26. Part 41. There is a fulcrum part 42 between the action point part 40 and the force point part 41. The valve opening lever 39 can swing around the fulcrum part 42 by engaging a fulcrum shaft (not shown) protruding from the outer surface of the fulcrum part 42 with a bearing hole (not shown) formed in the inner surface of the water supply channel 37. It is attached.

  The valve opening lever 39 has a center of gravity between the fulcrum part 42 and the action point part 40, and if left untreated, the action point part 40 is lowered and the force point part 41 is raised, resulting in the state shown in FIGS. Even if the water supply tank 31 is held in the tray 30 in this state, the valve opening lever 39 does not push the leakage valve 36 and water does not leak. When the tray 30 in this state is pushed into the water supply tank storage space 26 where the gate 28 is pulled up and the gate 28 is pulled down, the lowered filter unit case 18 pushes the force application portion 41 of the valve opening lever 39. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the action point portion 40 is lifted, and the shaft 38 is pushed up to open the leakage valve 36. As a result, water flows out from the inside of the water supply tank 31, and the water flows into the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 through the water supply path 37.

  The water in the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 becomes dirty over time. It is necessary to discard the dirty water and keep the inside of the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 clean. Therefore, a tray carrying handle 43 is provided on the tray 30. The tray carrying handle 43 is a U-shaped synthetic resin molded product, and the root portion is connected to the left side surface and the right side surface of the tray 30. The tray carrying handle 43 can change the angle with respect to the tray 30 within a certain angle range.

  When the tray carrying handle 43 is grasped and pulled up, if the water supply tank 31 is not held in the water supply tank holding part 32 at that time, the tray 30 can be lifted in a substantially horizontal state. Thus, the tray 30 can be transported to the water disposal site without spilling the water therein.

  When the tray carrying handle 43 is not held by a human hand, it takes the posture shown in FIG. 4, that is, the posture that retracts from above the water supply tank holding portion 32 and interferes with the electrolyzed water generation tank 21. Thereby, the water supply tank 31 can be inserted into and removed from the water supply tank holding part 32 without being obstructed by the tray carrying handle 43.

  On the other hand, if the tray transport handle 43 is in a position where it interferes above the electrolyzed water generation tank 21, the tray transport handle 43 interferes with the fan case in the housing 10 when the tray 30 is pushed into the water supply tank storage space 26. Resulting in. Therefore, a guide portion 44 is formed inside the water supply tank storage space 26 so that the root portion of the tray transport handle 43 hits. When the tray 30 is pushed into the water supply tank storage space 26, the tray transport handle 43 hits the guide portion 44 and is lifted, and the tray transport handle 43 is retracted from above the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 as shown in FIG. As a result, the tray carrying handle 43 can be accommodated in a dead space in the housing 10, and the housing 10 can be downsized.

  The water supply tank 31 that is full of water has a considerable weight, and pushing the tray 30 on which the water supply tank 31 is placed into the water supply tank storage space 26 is a labor-intensive operation. In order to reduce the labor, the tray 30 is devised as follows.

  The tray 30 is molded from a slippery synthetic resin. On the lower surface of the tray 30, wheels 45 are arranged on the front side, and grounding legs (not shown) are arranged on the back side. The wheels 45 are fixed wheels whose directions do not change, and one is provided on each side. The grounding legs are also provided to make a pair on the left and right. The wheels 30 and the grounding legs support the tray 30 at four points both in the water tank storage space 26 and on the surface that supports the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the floor surface of the water supply tank storage space 26 is a slope where a portion close to the entrance 27 is lowered to the near side. For this reason, the grounding leg of the tray 30 placed in front of the water supply tank storage space 26 can be easily ridden on the floor surface of the water supply tank storage space 26. Thereafter, the tray 30 is pushed to the back side, and the grounding leg is slid on the floor surface of the water supply tank storage space 26, and the wheels 45 are also ridden on the floor surface of the water supply tank storage space 26. Accordingly, the tray 30 and the water supply tank 31 are stored in the water supply tank storage space 26.

  A shallow depression 46 is formed on the floor surface of the water supply tank storage space 26 at a position where the wheel 45 should be positioned (see FIG. 4), and when the tray 30 is pushed into the water supply tank storage space 26 to the end, the wheel 45 Fits into the recess 46. This prevents the tray 30 from moving around in the water supply tank storage space 26.

  Next, the structure around the filter unit case 18 will be described. The filter unit case 18 is flat in the front-rear direction and holds the filter unit 47 inside. In the filter unit 47, a horizontal driving shaft 48 and a driven shaft 49 extending in the left-right direction are arranged with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. The endless belt-shaped humidifying filter 17 is wound around and held by a driving shaft 48 and a driven shaft 49 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The humidifying filter 17 needs to have both water absorption and ventilation, and a yarn made of synthetic fibers knitted in a net shape or the like is used. In order to move the humidification filter 17 without causing a slip, a shaft of a synthetic resin molded article having an axial concavo-convex shape on the outer surface is used for the driving shaft 48 and the driven shaft 49.

  Ventilation openings 50 and 51 for allowing air to pass through the humidifying filter 17 are formed on the back side and the front side of the filter unit case 18. The ventilation port 50 is made up of a group of small holes whose upper part is horizontally long. The ventilation opening 51 consists of a set of horizontally long small holes as a whole.

  The humidification filter 17 needs to be replaced when it becomes old. Therefore, the filter unit 47 can be attached to and detached from the filter unit case 18. A lid 52 covering the top surface of the filter unit case 18 hides the filter unit 47. The lid 52 opens and closes with the front side as a fulcrum, and constitutes a part of the outer shape of the housing 10.

  The intake port 11 on the back surface of the housing 10 is covered with an intake filter 53. The intake filter 53 has a rectangular lattice frame and a polypropylene net, and collects dust such as fibers from the air sucked into the intake port 11.

  After the intake port 11 is covered with the intake filter, the outside is further covered with a rectangular guard grille 54. The guard grille 54 has a vent formed by a set of horizontally long small holes, and constitutes a part of the outer shape of the housing 10.

  The electrode unit 19 has the structure shown in FIG. Reference numeral 19a denotes a base made of a synthetic resin molded product, and two plate-like electrodes 20 are attached to the lower end thereof at intervals. A knob portion 19b is formed on the upper portion of the base 19a. Since the electrode 20 is a consumable item, the electrode unit 19 must be periodically replaced. In order to allow the user himself to easily replace the electrode unit 19, the humidifier 1 is configured as follows.

  A rectangular recess 55 is formed in the air inlet 11. The concave portion 55 viewed from the back side has an area enough to receive the electrode unit 19 with a certain degree of clearance. The bottom of the recess 55 is an opening 56, and the filter unit case 18 is formed with an electrode unit mounting portion 57 that projects below the opening 56. The electrode unit mounting portion 57 holds the electrode unit 19 inserted from above by appropriate elastic engagement means. Although not shown, a power supply means such as a plug and a socket is provided between the electrode unit mounting portion 57 and the electrode unit 19.

  When the filter unit case 18 is lowered as shown in FIG. 2, the electrode unit 19 attached to the electrode unit attachment portion 57 cannot reach it. As shown in FIG. 3, when the filter unit case 18 rises, the knob portion 19 b of the electrode unit 19 protrudes from the opening 56. That is, the knob portion 19 b of the electrode unit 19 appears at an accessible position in the air inlet 11. If the guard grill 54 and the intake filter 53 are removed, the electrode unit 19 can be pulled out by placing a finger on the knob portion 19 b and replaced with a new electrode unit 19.

  The control system of the humidifier 1 has a configuration shown in FIG. The control unit 60 that controls the humidifier 1 is configured with a microcomputer as a core, and includes a CPU (central processing unit) 61, a memory 62, a nonvolatile memory 63, and an electrode replacement time of the microcomputer. A count unit 64 is included.

  The controller 60 receives output signals from various components and outputs control signals to the various components.

  The components that output signals to the control unit 60 include the following. That is, the operation on / off switch 65, the mode changeover switch 66, the operation changeover switch 67, the ability changeover switch 68, the reset switch 69 and the humidity sensor 70 for detecting external humidity in the operation / display unit 24. The humidity sensor 70 is provided at one corner of the ventilation path 15.

  The components that operate in response to a control signal from the control unit 110 include the following. That is, the humidifying filter drive motor 71 that drives the drive shaft 48 of the electrode unit 19, the blower 16, and the filter unit 47, the louver drive motor 72 that swings the louver 14, and the display unit 73 provided in the operation / display unit 24. . The display unit 73 includes a 7 segment display.

  FIG. 7 shows a mechanism for energization control of the electrode unit 19. It is the electrode drive circuit 74 that allows current to flow between the pair of electrodes 20 of the electrode unit 19. Outputs (IN1 and IN2) are output from the polarity switching circuit 75 to the electrode drive circuit 74, and output from the CPU 61 of the control unit 60 is output to the polarity switching circuit 75. The output from the CPU 61 is a PWM (pulse-width modulation) output and a polarity switching output.

  A resistor 76 is connected between the electrode drive circuit 74 and the ground. The average current monitoring circuit 77 amplifies the voltage (pulse) due to the current flowing through the resistor 76 (= current between the electrodes 20), and inputs the averaged voltage to the CPU 61. Further, the voltage (pulse) due to the current flowing through the resistor 76 (= current between the electrodes 20) is amplified by the peak current monitoring circuit 78, and the peak voltage of the pulse is held and input to the CPU 61.

  Next, the operation of the humidifier 1 will be described. As long as there is water in the water supply tank 31, the water level inside the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 is kept constant. However, when the water supply tank 31 becomes empty, the water level inside the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 decreases. . When the water level drops, a sensor (not shown) outputs a signal to the control unit 60, and the control unit 60 displays on the display unit 73 that water supply to the water supply tank 31 is necessary. If the blower 16, the electrode unit 19, the humidification filter drive motor 71, the louver drive motor 72, and the like are in operation, the control unit 60 stops their movement.

  The user who sees the display requesting water supply raises the gate 28 and pulls out the tray 30. Then, the water supply tank 31 is pulled out from the tray 30, water is replenished thereto, and the tray 30 is reset.

When the tray 30 is placed in the water supply tank storage space 26 and the gate 28 is lowered, the filter unit case 18 is lowered and water supply from the water supply tank 31 to the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 is started. This water immerses the lower end of the humidifying filter 17 and the lower end of the electrode 20. When the predetermined operation key 25 in the operation / display unit 24 is pressed and the operation on / off switch 65 is turned on, the operation of the humidifier 1 is started. That is, the blower 16 is driven to generate an airflow that is sucked in from the air inlet 11 and blown out from the air outlet 12. The louver drive motor 72 is also driven to swing the louver 14. The humidifying filter drive motor 71 is also driven to move the humidifying filter 17. Further, electrolysis of water is performed in the electrolyzed water generating unit 22 by energizing the electrode unit 19. If the water in the electrolyzed water generation tank 21 contains chlorine, the following electrochemical reaction occurs.
<Anode side>
4H ₂ O-4e ⁻ → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ ↑ + 2H ₂ O
2Cl ⁻ → Cl ₂ + 2e ⁻
H ₂ O + Cl ₂ ← → HClO + H ⁺ + Cl ⁻
<Cathode side>
4H ₂ O + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ ↑ + 4OH ⁻
<Between electrodes>
H ⁺ + OH ⁻ → H ₂ O
By the above reaction, electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid (HClO) and active oxygen having sterilizing action and deodorizing action is born. The electrolyzed water wets the humidifying filter 17, and the air passing through the humidifying filter 17 is humidified and, at the same time, sterilization and deodorization are performed.

  If the concentration of the electrolyzed water is too low, it does not cause sterilization or deodorization. Even if the concentration of the electrolyzed water is too high, the efficiency is not good simply by exhausting hypochlorous acid. The concentration of the electrolyzed water must always be maintained at an appropriate value, and the circuit configuration of FIG. 7 is effective for this purpose.

  When the polarity switching output from the CPU 61 is H (High), the polarity switching circuit 75 outputs PWM to IN1 and sets IN2 to L (Low). Conversely, if the polarity switching output is L, IN1 is set to L and PWM output is performed to IN2.

  The electrode drive circuit 74 flows current from the electrode output 1 line toward the electrode output 2 line when IN1 is H and IN2 is L. On the contrary, when IN1 is L and IN2 is H, a current flows from the electrode output 2 line toward the electrode output 1 line. When IN1 and IN2 are both H or L, the electrode drive circuit 74 stops the electrode output and stops the current.

  The average current monitoring circuit 77 monitors the current (average current) flowing between the electrodes 20 and inputs the current value to the CPU 61. The CPU 61 changes the PWM output so that the current becomes a set value.

  When the electrical conductivity of the water between the electrodes 20 is high, or when the electrodes 20 are short-circuited, the current flowing through the electrode drive circuit 74 is increased, leading to the destruction of the electrode drive circuit 74. In order to prevent this, the current flowing between the electrodes 20 is monitored by the peak current monitoring circuit 78, and the current value is input to the CPU. If the current value exceeds the set value, the CPU 61 stops PWM output as an error.

  The controller 60 repeatedly controls the flow of a large current and a small current between the electrodes 20 for a certain period of time so as not to lower the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic water below a certain level. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a current of 300 mA is supplied for 10 minutes, then a current of 150 mA is supplied for 10 minutes with a current stop period of 10 minutes, and a current of 300 mA is supplied again with a current stop period of 10 minutes. Repeat the cycle for 10 minutes. The current stop period is obtained by switching the polarity switching output to set both IN1 and IN2 to H or L.

  In addition, the control unit 60 performs control to switch the polarity switching output between H and L at regular intervals and to reverse the current direction between the electrodes 20 at regular intervals in order to prevent the electrode 20 from deteriorating.

  As a control mode of the humidifier 1, the control unit 60 includes a humidification priority mode whose main purpose is to set indoor humidity to a predetermined value and a purification priority mode whose main purpose is purification of room air. The humidification priority mode and the purification priority mode can be switched by the mode switch 66.

  The humidifier 1 can be operated automatically (operation that automatically controls humidity) or can be operated continuously. The operation changeover switch 67 is used for the selection.

  The humidifier 1 can select the intensity of operation. For example, “strong”, “medium”, “weak”, and the like. A capability changeover switch 68 is used for the selection.

  When the electrode unit 19 is replaced, the humidifier 1 needs to be reset. At that time, the reset switch 69 is used.

  The operation of the humidifier 1 related to the selection of the control mode will be described based on FIG. In the humidifier 1, the purification priority mode is the standard mode. The humidification priority mode is described as “humidification mode” in FIG.

  In step # 101, it is checked whether or not the mode switch 66 is ON. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 102, and if NO, the process proceeds to step # 105.

  In step # 102, it is checked whether or not the current mode is the standard mode. If it is YES, it will progress to step # 103 and the humidifier 1 will be changed to humidification mode. If NO, the process proceeds to step # 104, and the humidifier 1 is changed to the standard mode.

  The process proceeds from step # 103 or step # 104 to step # 105. In step # 105, it is checked whether or not the humidifier 1 is operated in the standard mode. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 106, and if NO, the process proceeds to step # 107.

  In step # 106, it is checked whether or not the purification of room air has been completed. Whether or not the purification of the indoor air has been completed can be determined by the cumulative operation time of the humidifier 1 from the most recent operation start time to that point. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 108, and if NO, the process proceeds to step # 110.

  In step # 108, it is checked whether the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 70 exceeds the upper limit humidity. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 109, and if NO, the process proceeds to step # 110.

  In step # 109, the blower 16 is turned off so that the humidity does not increase any further.

  In step # 110, the blower 16 is kept ON.

  If it is determined in step # 105 that the humidifier 1 is not operated in the standard mode, or if it is turned back, the process proceeds to step # 107. In step # 107, it is checked whether or not the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 70 exceeds the target humidity. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 111, and if NO, the process proceeds to step # 110.

  In step # 111, the blower 16 is turned off so that the humidity does not increase any further.

  From step # 109, # 110, or # 111, the process proceeds to the next process.

  The operation of the humidifier 1 related to electrode replacement will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step # 121, it is checked whether energization of the electrode 20 is prohibited. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 122, and if NO, the process proceeds to step # 123.

  In step # 122, the electrode replacement lamp provided in the operation / display unit 24 is turned on. The electrode 20 is not energized. Since the sterilization cannot be performed when the electrode 20 is not energized, the operation of the humidifier 1 is also prohibited. The process proceeds from step # 122 to step # 131.

  In step # 123, it is checked whether the electrode 20 can be energized. If NO, the process proceeds to step # 124. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 125.

  In step # 124, the electrode 20 is not energized. The process proceeds from step # 124 to step # 126.

  In step # 125, the electrode 20 is energized. Further, an electrode replacement time counting unit 64 attached to the CPU 61 counts the electrode energization time. The count value is stored in the nonvolatile memory 63 at regular intervals. By saving the data in the nonvolatile memory in this way, the electrode energization time is continuously counted even when the plug of the power cord of the humidifier 1 is unplugged from the outlet and then plugged into the outlet again. be able to. The process proceeds from step # 125 to step # 126.

  In step # 126, it is checked whether the electrode energization time has passed the notice time. For example, if the electrode unit 19 is to be replaced by energization equivalent to 2 years, the energization time equivalent to 1 year and 11 months can be set as the advance notice time. If the checked result is YES, the process proceeds to step # 127, and if NO, the process proceeds to step # 128.

  In step # 127, it is checked whether or not the electrode energization time has passed a fixed time (energization time equivalent to 2 years). If NO, the process proceeds to step # 129, and if YES, the process proceeds to step # 130.

  When the process proceeds to step # 128, the electrode replacement lamp is turned off. The process proceeds from step # 128 to the next process.

  When the process proceeds to step # 129, the electrode replacement lamp blinks to notify that the advance notice time has passed, that is, the time for replacing the electrode unit 19 is approaching. The process proceeds from step # 129 to step # 131.

  When the process proceeds to step # 130, the electrode replacement lamp is turned on to notify that the replacement of the electrode unit 19 is confirmed. Further, the electrode 20 is not energized. Since the sterilization cannot be performed when the electrode 20 is not energized, the operation of the humidifier 1 is also prohibited. The process proceeds from step # 130 to step # 131.

  In step # 131, it is checked whether or not the electrode unit 19 has been replaced and then the reset switch 69 has been turned ON. If YES, the process proceeds to step # 132. If NO, the process proceeds to the next process. The reset switch 69 is turned on by, for example, long pressing for 3 seconds.

  In step # 132, the electrode replacement lamp is turned off. In addition, the electrode energization time is reset, and thereby the operation of the humidifier 1 can be resumed. The fact that the electrode energization time has been reset is stored in the nonvolatile memory 63. The process proceeds from step # 132 to the next process.

  Although the humidifier 1 that is not designed as an air purifier has been presented as an embodiment of the present invention, there is no inconvenience in carrying out the present invention with an air purifier that is intended to purify air.

  In the above embodiment, the filter support H is configured by the filter unit 47 and the filter unit case 18 that holds the filter unit 47. However, the filter support is formed by a single frame having the functions of the filter unit 47 and the filter unit case 18. It is also possible to configure H.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention is widely applicable to humidifiers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Humidifier 10 Case 11 Intake port 12 Outlet 16 Blower 17 Humidification filter 19 Electrode unit 20 Electrode 21 Electrolyzed water generation tank 22 Electrolyzed water generation part 60 Control part 74 Electrode drive circuit 75 Polarity switching circuit 77 Average current monitoring circuit 78 Peak Current monitoring circuit

Claims (5)

In the housing, an electrolyzed water generating unit, a humidifying filter that is wetted by the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generating unit, and a blower that generates an air flow passing through the humidifying filter are disposed, and the electrolyzed water is used. In the humidifier that blows humidified air out of the housing, the current flowing between the electrodes of the electrolyzed water generation unit is controlled by an electrode drive circuit, and the electrode drive circuit is controlled by PWM output from the control unit The control unit performs control to repeatedly flow a large current and a small current between the electrodes with a current stop period between the electrodes, and the control unit changes the current direction between the electrodes to the small current. The humidifier characterized by performing control to reverse every current stop period after flowing . The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs PWM output to the polarity switching circuit, and the polarity switching circuit controls the electrode drive circuit. An average current monitoring circuit for monitoring an average current flowing between the electrodes is provided, and the control unit receives a signal input from the average current monitoring circuit, and outputs a PWM so that the current flowing between the electrodes becomes a set value. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier is changed. A peak current monitoring circuit for monitoring a peak current flowing between the electrodes is provided, and the control unit stops PWM output when a signal input from the peak current monitoring circuit exceeds a set value. The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit includes a humidifying priority mode mainly for setting indoor humidity to a predetermined value and a purification priority mode mainly for purifying indoor air as control modes of the humidifier. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .