JP6223209B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier.

  A humidifier has been proposed that transports high-humidity air containing steam to a user's location. This type of humidifier is used in scenes such as personal use at the desk, beauty, and sleep.

JP 2012-26705 A JP 2013-123473 A

  In the humidifiers described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the blowing direction of the high-humidity air matches the blowing direction of the wind that conveys the high-humidity air. reach. For this reason, there is a problem that the wind speed at the position where the user is present becomes high, and the user feels discomfort due to the coldness and feeling of blowing.

  This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned subject, and provides the humidifier which can suppress giving discomfort to a user, conveying high humidity air to the position where a user exists. With the goal.

  The humidifier according to the present invention includes a fluid storage unit for storing a fluid, a steam generation unit that generates steam from the fluid stored in the fluid storage unit, and a jet of steam that is squeezed out of the steam. In order to designate a humidification target position, a steam discharge section provided, a blower section, a blower duct that is provided above the steam discharge section and conveys the wind flowing in from the blower section in the discharge direction of the jet steam And a wind direction guide member that is movably provided at the air outlet of the air duct and is capable of adjusting the air blowing direction so that the air blowing direction of the air flowing out from the air outlet is below the humidification target position. And comprising.

  According to the present invention, since the high humidity air is conveyed to the humidification target position and the wind is prevented from reaching the humidification target position directly, discomfort to the user can be suppressed.

It is sectional drawing of the humidifier in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the humidifier in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the humidifier in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the humidifier in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the humidifier in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the humidifier in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the humidifier in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the ventilation duct of the humidifier in Embodiment 1-3 of this invention. It is a front view which shows the other example of the ventilation duct of the humidifier in Embodiment 1-3 of this invention. It is a front view which shows the other example of the ventilation duct of the humidifier in Embodiment 1-3 of this invention.

  The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The overlapping description will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a humidifier 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the humidifier 100 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the humidifier 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Unless otherwise specified, the direction is designated with the right side of the paper in FIG. 1 as the front of the humidifier 100 and the left side of the paper in FIG. 1 as the rear of the humidifier 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 100 includes a main body case 1 that forms an outline of the main body. As shown in FIG. 2, a lid 2 is detachably attached to the rear portion of the upper surface of the main body case 1. An opening for taking in air from the outside of the main body case 1 is formed on the rear surface of the main body case 1.

  An operation unit 3 is provided at the lower part of the front surface of the main body case 1. The operation unit 3 includes a power source SW (not shown) of the humidifier 100. The operation unit 3 includes a humidity detection unit 4 that detects the humidity around the humidifier 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a water supply unit 6 is provided on the rear side inside the main body case 1. The upper part of the water supply unit 6 is recessed downward. Further, the water supply unit 6 is provided with a water level detection unit (not shown). A water level detection part detects the water level in the water supply tank 7 mentioned later.

  A water supply tank 7 is detachably attached to the rear side of the main body case 1 above the water supply unit 6. A water supply valve 7 a is provided below the water supply tank 7. The water supply valve 7 a is formed so as to fit into a recess in the upper part of the water supply unit 6 when the water supply tank 7 is attached to the main body case 1.

  In addition, a water reservoir 8 that stores fluid is provided on the lower side of the inside of the main body case 1. Further, a water supply path 9 that connects the water supply unit 6 and the water storage unit 8 is provided inside the main body case 1. One end of the water supply channel 9 is connected to the bottom surface of the water supply unit 6. The other end of the water supply channel 9 is connected to the bottom surface of the water storage unit 8. For this reason, the water supply tank 7 communicates with the water storage part 8 via the water supply valve 7 a, the water supply part 6 and the water supply path 9.

  A heater 10 is attached to the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the water storage unit 8 as a steam generation unit. The heater 10 heats the water in the water storage unit 8 and generates steam. A thermistor 11 for temperature detection is attached to the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the water storage unit 8.

  Above the water reservoir 8, a steam duct 12 that leads from the water reservoir 8 is provided. The steam duct 12 extends upward from the upper surface of the water storage unit 8, protrudes upward from the upper surface of the main body case 1, and is bent forward. A nozzle 13 is provided at the upper end of the steam duct 12. The nozzle 13 can squeeze and discharge the compressed steam. The steam sprayed from the nozzle 13 has momentum and is given directivity. Hereinafter, such steam sprayed by the nozzle 13 is also referred to as “jet steam”.

  In addition, a blower fan 15 for blowing is provided behind the water storage unit 8 on the lower side of the inside of the main body case 1. The blowing fan 15 blows in air from behind and blows out air upward.

  Above the blowout blower fan 15, a connection duct 21 into which air blown from the blowout blower fan 15 flows, a blower duct 16 that communicates with the blowout blower fan 15 through the connection duct 21, and an injection steam duct 18. Is provided.

  The jet steam duct 18 covers the outer periphery of the nozzle 13 and is provided so as to protrude from the nozzle 13 in the jet steam discharge direction. An outlet 19 that communicates with the outside is provided at the tip of the jet steam duct 18. The blower outlet 19 is open to the outside in substantially the same direction as the direction in which the jet steam is jetted from the nozzle 13. The jet steam duct 18 allows the wind that has been transported from the blowing fan 15 from behind the nozzle 13 to flow in, and transports the wind in the discharge direction of the jet steam. For this reason, the jet steam duct 18 is a path for sending air from the blowing fan 15 to the outside of the main body case 1. The air outlet 19 is covered with a mesh cover 20.

  The air duct 16 is provided above the jet steam duct 18, and an air outlet 17 communicating with the outside is formed at the tip of the air duct 16. The air conveyed from the blowing fan 15 is introduced from the rear of the blowing duct 16 and discharged from the outlet 17 to the outside. Further, an eaves-shaped air direction guide member 14 protruding forward from the blowout port 17 is provided, and is inclined downward from the direction in which the jet steam is discharged from the nozzle 13 and the blowout port 19. For this reason, the wind discharge | released outside from the blower outlet 17 is guided along the wind direction guide member 14, and it is ventilated below rather than the direction in which the blower outlet 19 injects injection steam. In FIG. 1, the direction of the wind guided by the wind direction guide member 14 is indicated by a dashed arrow D2.

  Above the wind direction guide member 14, position specifying means 25 that operates in conjunction with the wind direction guide member 14 is provided. 1, the wind direction guide member 14 and the position specifying means 25 are supported so that the angle can be manually changed with respect to the air outlet 17, and the angle changes up and down as indicated by the arrow θ shown in FIG. By doing so, the wind direction is adjusted. More specifically, the position specifying means 25 is a plate-like member similar to the wind direction guide member 14 and is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In the position designation means 25, the humidification target position exists ahead of the plane virtually extending (that is, in the direction of the broken line arrow D1 in FIG. 1). The position specifying means 25 is configured to protrude from the wind direction guide member 14 toward the sprayed steam blowing side.

  Hereinafter, the position where the jet steam from the nozzle 13 is conveyed and the humidity increases is also referred to as a “humidification target position”. FIG. 4 schematically shows the humidification target position. The humidification target position is a moisture transport destination and is usually matched with the position where the user is present. Since the wind direction guide member 14 is directed downward from the humidification target position, the wind blown from the blowout port 17 is blown downward from the humidification target position along the wind direction guide member 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the broken line arrow D2 that is the air blowing direction is lower than the broken line arrow D1 that is the direction that points to the humidification target position.

  The mesh cover 20 includes a proximity sensor 23 for detecting that a user has approached the air outlet 19. Specifically, the proximity sensor 23 may be a sensitive sensor installed on the mesh cover 20, an infrared sensor installed on the lower surface of the wind direction guide member 14, or the like. Further, a temperature detector 22 is provided inside the jet steam duct 18.

  A control unit 24 that controls the operation of the humidifier is provided inside the main body case 1. The control unit 24 has a timer function for measuring time. The control unit 24 is connected to the input end of the heater 10, the input end of the blowing fan 15, and the input end of the proximity sensor 23. The control unit 24 transmits a signal for controlling each unit from these input terminals. Furthermore, an output end of the operation unit 3, an output end of the humidity detection unit 4, an output end of the water level detection unit of the water supply unit 6, and an output end of the thermistor 11 are connected to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 receives signals from these output terminals. The control unit 24 controls the input signal of the blowing fan 15 according to the inclination angle of the wind direction guide member 14 according to the relationship between the inclination angle and the air flow rate that are preset and stored in the memory of the control unit 24. The amount of air blown from the blowout fan 15 is adjusted.

  When the humidifier 100 configured as described above is operated, the jet steam is conveyed to the outside of the main body case 1.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the humidifier 100 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the humidifier 100 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

  Before the operation of the humidifier 100 is started, water is supplied to the water supply tank 7 from the outside. The water supply tank 7 is attached to the inside of the main body case 1 so that the water supply valve 7 a fits into the recess in the upper part of the water supply unit 6. The water in the water supply tank 7 flows into the water storage part 8 through the water supply valve 7 a, the water supply part 6 and the water supply path 9. The amount of water flowing in at this time is adjusted by the water supply valve 7a.

  (Step S1) In the flowchart of FIG. 3, first, when the power SW of the operation unit 3 is pressed, the power of the humidifier 100 is turned on, and the operation of the humidifier 100 is started.

  (Step S2) Subsequent to step S1, the control unit 24 turns on the heater 10. As a result, the heater 10 generates heat and heats the water in the water reservoir 8. The water in the water reservoir 8 is heated and the water temperature rises. Thereafter, the water in the water reservoir 8 becomes steam and enters the interior of the steam duct 12. The steam that has entered the steam duct 12 gains momentum by being compressed by the nozzle 13, has directivity, becomes sprayed steam, and is sprayed into the spray steam duct 18.

  (Step S3) Subsequently, when a preset time has elapsed from Step S2 and generation of the injected steam is started, the control unit 24 turns on the blowing fan 15 for blowing. Thereby, the blowing fan 15 sucks outside air from the opening on the rear surface of the main body case 1, and sends the air to the blowing duct 16 and the jet steam duct 18 through the connection duct 21. The air that has flowed into the jet steam duct 18 is mixed with the jet steam jetted from the nozzle 13 in the jet steam duct 18 and is discharged to the outside through the outlet 19. At this time, the jet steam is conveyed forward with directivity by virtue of the jet jet from the nozzle 13 and the flow of air sent from the rear of the nozzle 13 in the jet steam duct 18. Further, the air that has flowed into the blower duct 16 is discharged downward from the blowout port 17 along the wind direction guide member 14 in the direction in which the jet steam is discharged from the blowout port 19. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the jet steam discharged from the blower outlet 19 from gradually rising while being conveyed forward by the downward wind discharged from the blower duct 16. As a result, the jet steam can be conveyed to a position where the user is present with directivity.

  (Step S4) Subsequent to step S3, the process of the control unit 24 proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the humidity detector 4 detects the humidity around the humidifier 100. Moreover, in step S5, the human body detection part 5 detects the distance from the humidifier 100 to the position where the user exists. The control unit 24 estimates the humidity at the position where the user is present based on these detection results and the relationship between the distance from the humidifier 100 stored in advance and the ambient humidity of the humidifier 100. And the control part 24 adjusts an operation state by carrying out the intermittent operation of the heater 10 according to the humidity of the position where the estimated user exists. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 24 turns on the heater 10 when the estimated humidity is equal to or lower than the appropriate humidity lower limit. Moreover, the control part 24 makes the heater 10 an OFF state, when the estimated humidity is more than an appropriate humidity upper limit.

(Step S5) Following step S4, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 24 performs the following determination processes (1) to (5). In these determination processes, if neither condition is satisfied, the process returns to step S4.
(1) Judgment process of whether or not the power switch is in an OFF state (2) Judgment process of whether a preset time has elapsed from the start of operation of the humidifier 100 (3) The detection result of the water level detection unit (4) Judgment process of whether or not the user is in contact with the air outlet 19 based on the detection result of the proximity sensor 23 (5) Temperature A process for determining whether or not the temperature in the jet steam duct 18 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature based on the detection result of the detection unit 22.

  (Step S6) If at least one condition is satisfied in the determination in step S5, the control unit 24 turns off the power to the humidifier 100. In addition, this invention is not restricted to this, You may perform only one part among the determination processes of said (1)-(5) by step S5.

  As described above, the jet steam gradually rises. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, after blowing down from the position where the user is present and suppressing the sprayed steam downward, it is directly raised to the user by using the ascending force to rise to the position of the person. The jet steam can be conveyed to a position where the user is present without blowing. Therefore, the wind speed is lowered, it is difficult to give the user an unpleasant feeling due to blowing or cold, and the comfort can be enhanced.

  Furthermore, the apparent humidification target position by the position designation means 25 and the position where the jet steam actually reaches coincide with each other, so that the user can easily and accurately adjust when the humidification target position is designated. For this reason, it is possible to reliably transport the sprayed steam to the target location and to improve the moisture transport performance.

  Further, by projecting the position specifying means 25 in the air blowing direction from the wind direction guide member 14, the wind direction guide member 14 becomes difficult to see from the user, and the user can more intuitively specify the humidification target position (in other words, wind direction adjustment). It becomes easy to perform and can improve usability.

  Further, by controlling the input of the blowing fan 15 according to the inclination angle of the wind direction guide member 14, the injected steam can be conveyed to the humidification target position more accurately.

  Here, the angle difference between the air blowing direction by the wind direction guide member 14 and the indication direction of the position specifying means 25 is 10 ° when the humidification target position is 0.5 m to 1 m away from the nozzle, assuming use during sleep. It is desirable that the angle is ˜30 °.

  Here, in order to suppress the clogging due to dew condensation at the nozzle 13 while jetting the steam by injecting and steaming, the inner diameter of the nozzle 13 is about φ5 mm, and the inner diameter of the steam duct 12 is about 10 to 20 mm. The input of the heater 10 is preferably about 200 to 300 W.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the humidifier 102 in the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the humidifier 102 in the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the position specifying unit 125 is provided.

  The position designation means 125 includes a protrusion that indicates the humidification target position, and includes a knob that can be moved manually. The wind direction guide member 14 changes its inclination angle in conjunction with the operation of the knob, and inclines so as to be directed downward from the direction indicated by the scale or protrusion of the knob. A scale portion may be provided instead of the protrusion.

  The position designation means 125 is smaller than the eaves-like position designation means 25 and has a knob shape, so that operability is improved and usability can be improved.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The humidifier according to the third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that it includes a wind direction adjustment control unit that automatically adjusts the inclination angle of the wind direction guide member 14.

  In the third embodiment, the operation unit 3 includes an input unit through which a user inputs a humidification target position, and a wind direction adjustment control unit that automatically controls the wind direction guide member 14. Based on the humidification target position input through the input unit, the wind direction adjustment control unit adjusts the inclination angle of the wind direction guide member 14.

  With this configuration, the position where the user is present can be aimed more accurately, and moisture can be transported efficiently.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the humidification which is provided with the human body detection part 5 which detects the distance from the main body case 1 to the position of the person in the surroundings, and adjusts the wind direction guide member 14 based on the output signal of the human body detection part 5 A vessel 104 may be provided. A distance from the main body case 1 to the position of a person around is detected, and a humidification target position is designated at a position separated by that distance. As shown in FIG. 4, the relationship between the angle of the wind direction guide member 14 and the humidification target position can be determined in advance, and by storing this relationship in the memory of the control unit 24 in advance, the control unit 24 can automatically adjust the angle of the wind direction guide member 14.

  With this configuration, the wind direction can be automatically adjusted without bothering the user, and usability can be improved.

  In the first to third embodiments, the wind direction guide member 14 is attached to the tip of the air duct so that the angle is variable, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, you may provide the humidifier 106 which provided the wind direction guide member 114 which curved the ventilation duct. The wind direction guide member 114 can be adjusted in position back and forth as indicated by an arrow 115 with respect to the main body case 1. If the wind direction guide member 114 is displaced forward, the blowing direction (that is, broken line arrow D2) is directed downward, and conversely, if the wind direction guide member 114 is displaced rearward, the blowing direction (that is, broken line arrow D2) is directed further upward. In this way, the wind direction may be adjusted. Similarly to the wind direction guide member 14, the wind direction guide member 114 may be interlocked with the position specifying means 25.

  Moreover, the shape of the blower outlet 17 is not limited to a rectangle. For example, you may provide the humidifier 108 provided with the blower outlet 117 of the shape where a cross section except the bottom face of the ventilation duct 16 shown in FIG. Or you may provide the humidifier 110 provided with the blower outlet 217 of the shape which attaches R to a lower surface and follows the upper surface of the injection steam duct 18, as shown in FIG. With this configuration, the wind discharged from the blowout outlet smoothly merges along the jet steam and the wind discharged from the jet steam duct 18, so that the direction of the jet steam can be controlled efficiently.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1-3, although the cross section of the injection vapor | steam duct 18 was comprised circularly, it is not this limitation. The cross section of the jet steam duct 18 may be triangular, quadrangular or other polygonal shapes.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1-3, although the mesh cover 20 was comprised as a grid | lattice-like mesh, it is good also as another structure. For example, a cover provided with a plurality of holes may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case, 2 Lids, 3 Operation part, 4 Humidity detection part, 5 Human body detection part, 6 Water supply part, 7 Water supply tank, 7a Water supply valve, 8 Water storage part, 9 Water supply path, 10 Heater, 11 Thermistor, 12 Steam duct , 13 Nozzle, 14 Air direction guide member, 15 Blower fan for blowout, 15a Blower fan for jet steam duct, 15b Blower fan for blow duct, 16 Blower duct, 17 outlet, 18 Jet steam duct, 19 outlet, 20 Mesh cover , 21 Connection duct, 22 Temperature detection unit, 23 Proximity sensor, 24 Control unit, 25 Position specifying means

Claims (10)

A fluid reservoir for storing fluid;
A steam generation unit that generates steam from the fluid stored in the fluid storage unit;
A steam discharge portion provided to squeeze the steam and discharge the jet steam;
A blowing section;
A blower duct that is provided above the steam discharge part and conveys the wind flowing in from the blower part in the discharge direction of the jet steam;
Position designation means for designating the humidification target position;
A wind direction guide member that is movably provided at the air outlet of the air duct, and that is capable of adjusting the air blowing direction so that the air blowing direction of the air flowing out from the air outlet is below the humidification target position;
A humidifier comprising. The position specifying means includes a position specifying member for the user to specify the humidification target position in conjunction with the wind direction guide member,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the wind direction guide member and the position designation member are interlocked so that the wind direction guide member is directed downward from a designated position by the position designation member. The position specifying member includes a plate-like member that covers an upper portion of the wind direction guide member and is capable of manually adjusting an inclination angle;
The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the humidification target position is designated on an extension of the plate-like member.   The humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the plate-like member protrudes in the discharge direction of the jet steam from the wind direction guide member.   The angle difference between the airflow direction guide member and the plate-like member is 10 ° to 30 ° when the distance between the tip of the vapor discharge portion and the humidification target position is 0.5 m to 1 m. The humidifier described in 1. The position specifying means includes a movable member that includes a scale portion or a protrusion and can be manually displaced,
The said movable member and the said wind direction guide member interlock | cooperate, The said wind direction guide member guides the wind which flows out out of the said blower outlet toward the downward direction rather than the indication direction of the said scale part or the said projection part. A humidifier according to claim 1.   The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising control means for controlling the position of the wind direction guide member in accordance with the humidification target position.   The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an air volume control means for controlling an air volume flowing into the air duct according to a position of the air direction guide member. The position specifying means includes
Human body detection means for detecting the position of a person;
Means for designating the humidification target position according to the detection result of the human body detection means;
The humidifier of any one of Claims 1-8 containing. An outer periphery of the steam discharge unit is provided, and the jet steam duct protrudes in a direction in which the jet steam should be discharged from the steam discharge unit, and transports the steam generated by the steam generation unit and the wind flowing in from the blower unit. ,
The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air duct and the wind direction guide member are provided above the jet steam duct.

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