JP7270120B2 - Liquid atomization device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a liquid atomizing apparatus that atomizes water and blows out the sucked air containing the atomized water.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a liquid atomization apparatus that atomizes water and blows out air containing the atomized water in sucked air (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a conventional liquid atomization apparatus, a liquid atomization chamber for atomizing water is provided in an air passage between an air inlet for sucking air and an air outlet for blowing out the sucked air. The liquid atomization chamber has a pumping tube fixed to the rotating shaft of the rotary motor. As the pumping pipe is rotated by the rotary motor, the water stored in the water reservoir is pumped up by the pumping pipe, and the pumped water is radiated in the centrifugal direction. As the emitted water passes through the porous portion, the water is made finer. Further, the conventional liquid atomization apparatus is configured to detect the water level in the water reservoir and control the automatic water supply valve to keep the water level in the water reservoir at a predetermined level during operation.

JP 2009-279514 A

However, in the conventional liquid atomization device, if the humidification operation is continuously performed while automatically supplying water, only the water in the water reservoir is vaporized, and the water is supplied in proportion to the usage time and the amount of water used. Scale components such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water are concentrated. As a result, there is concern that the scale components contained in the pumped water will precipitate in the porous portions and cause clogging of the porous portions. Such clogging may also occur in a liquid atomization device equipped with an eliminator for collecting water droplets contained in the air passing through the liquid atomization chamber.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a liquid atomization device capable of suppressing clogging in the device when the device is used continuously for a long period of time. It is something to do.

In order to achieve this object, the liquid atomization apparatus of the present invention is a liquid atomization apparatus that blows air sucked from a suction port containing finely divided water from a blowout port. The liquid atomization device has a pumping port vertically downward, a cylindrical pumping pipe that discharges the water pumped from the pumping port along with the rotation of the rotating shaft in the centrifugal direction, and the water discharged from the pumping pipe. A collision wall that makes the water finer by collision, a water storage section that is provided vertically below the pumping pipe and stores water pumped from the pumping port, and a water storage section that is provided between the collision wall and the water storage section. , an eliminator that collects a part of the water droplets that have been made finer, and a control unit that controls the water atomization operation in the liquid atomization device. The controller is characterized in that, when the number of times water is supplied to the water reservoir during the miniaturization operation reaches a predetermined number of times, the first process of draining the water from the water reservoir is executed. .

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when using an apparatus continuously for a long period of time, the liquid atomization apparatus which can suppress generation|occurrence|production of clogging in an apparatus can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a water stopping mechanism of the water storage section by the drain pipe and the pumping pipe in the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchange gas apparatus equipped with a liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a humidification control section in the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a humidification process procedure by the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a humidification process procedure by the liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a water supply processing procedure by the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a waste water treatment procedure by the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The liquid atomization device of the present invention is a liquid atomization device that blows air sucked from a suction port containing finely divided water from a blower port. The liquid atomization device has a pumping port vertically downward, a cylindrical pumping pipe that discharges the water pumped from the pumping port along with the rotation of the rotating shaft in the centrifugal direction, and the water discharged from the pumping pipe. A collision wall that makes the water finer by collision, a water storage section that is provided vertically below the pumping pipe and stores water pumped from the pumping port, and a water storage section that is provided between the collision wall and the water storage section. , an eliminator that collects a part of the water droplets that have been made finer, and a control unit that controls the water atomization operation in the liquid atomization device. The suction port communicates with a blower having a humidity recovery section. The controller is characterized in that, when the number of times water is supplied to the water reservoir during the miniaturization operation reaches a predetermined number of times, the first process of draining the water from the water reservoir is executed.

According to this configuration, when the number of times water is supplied to the water reservoir during the miniaturization operation reaches the predetermined number of times, the water in the water reservoir (the water in which the scale component is concentrated) is reduced by executing the first process. ) is drained and removed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the concentration of scale components in the water in the water reservoir. As a result, it is possible to reduce the scale components contained in the water in the water reservoir from entering the eliminator during the subsequent micronization operation. In other words, when the device is used continuously for a long period of time, it is possible to provide a liquid atomization device capable of suppressing the occurrence of clogging within the device.

Further, in the liquid atomization device of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit causes the second process of draining the water from the water storage unit to be executed when the atomization operation is continued for the first period. By doing so, even when the miniaturization operation is continued for the first period, the water in the reservoir (the water in which the scale component is concentrated) is drained and removed by the execution of the second process. That is, the first treatment or the second treatment can reliably suppress an increase in the concentration of scale components in the water in the reservoir.

In addition, in the liquid atomization apparatus of the present invention, after the second process is completed, the control unit performs the atomization operation with no water in the water reservoir and causes the air blower to blow air to execute the third process. is preferred. By doing so, the inside of the apparatus can be dried after the third treatment is finished, so that when the liquid atomization apparatus is kept in a stopped state for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent the growth of fungi or germs in the apparatus. can be suppressed.

In addition, the liquid atomization apparatus of the present invention further comprises a drain port for draining water at the bottom surface of the water reservoir, and the pumping pipe rotates inside the pumping pipe during the atomization operation to generate a vortex in the water in the reservoir. At the center of the vortex, a gap communicating between the pumping port and the drain port is formed to stop the water in the reservoir. Drainage of water in the process is implemented. By doing so, it is possible to stop water and drain water in the liquid atomization device without using a drain valve. Therefore, the opening area of the drain port can be increased and the inner diameter of the drain pipe can be increased, so that the liquid atomization device can be made less prone to clogging caused by the drain mechanism.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below is a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of the constituent elements, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in independent claims representing the highest level concept of the present invention will be described as optional constituent elements. Moreover, in each figure, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the substantially same structure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate|omitted or simplified.
(Embodiment 1)
First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a schematic configuration of a liquid atomization device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid atomization device 1 includes an air inlet 2 for sucking air and an outlet 3 for blowing out the air sucked from the inlet 2 . The suction port 2 is provided on the side surface of the liquid atomization device 1 . The blowout port 3 is provided above the liquid atomization device 1 .

As shown in FIG. 2, air passages 4 to 6 extending from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 are formed in the liquid atomization device 1 . Further, the liquid atomization device 1 is provided with a liquid atomization chamber 7 provided in the air paths 4 to 6, and the suction port 2, the liquid atomization chamber 7, and the outlet port 3 are communicated with each other. there is

The liquid atomization chamber 7 is a main part of the liquid atomization device 1 and is where water is atomized. In the liquid atomization device 1 , the air taken in from the suction port 2 is sent to the liquid atomization chamber 7 via the air passage 4 . The liquid atomization apparatus 1 causes the air passing through the air passage 4 to contain the water atomized in the liquid atomization chamber 7, and the water-containing air is passed through the air passages 5 and 6. It is configured to blow out from the blower outlet 3 through in order. Here, the air passage 5 is configured so that the direction of the water-laden air flowing downward in the vertical direction of the liquid atomization chamber 7 is changed to the direction of flowing upward in the vertical direction at the periphery thereof. The air passage 6 is configured so that the air that has passed through the air passage 5 flows upward in the vertical direction as it is and is blown out from the outlet 3. - 特許庁

The liquid atomization chamber 7 is provided with a cylindrical collision wall 8 which is open at the top and bottom. The impingement wall 8 is fixed within the liquid atomization chamber 7 . Further, the liquid atomization chamber 7 is provided with a cylindrical pumping pipe 9 that draws up (pumps) water while rotating inside the chamber surrounded by the collision wall 8 . The pumping pipe 9 has an inverted conical hollow structure, and is equipped with a circular pumping port 9a at the bottom. The arranged rotary shaft 10 is fixed. By connecting the rotating shaft 10 to a rotating motor 11 provided on the outer surface of the liquid atomization chamber 7, the rotating motion of the rotating motor 11 is transmitted to the pumping pipe 9 through the rotating shaft 10, and the pumping pipe 9 rotates. . The rotary motor 11 is configured to perform rotary motion based on a control signal from a humidification control section 30, which will be described later.

The pumping pipe 9 is provided with a plurality of rotating plates 12 formed so as to protrude outward from the outer surface of the pumping pipe 9 on the top surface side of the inverted conical shape. The plurality of rotating plates 12 are formed to protrude outward from the outer surface of the pumping pipe 9 with a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 10 between the vertically adjacent rotating plates 12 . Since the rotating plate 12 rotates together with the pumping pipe 9 , it is preferable that the rotating plate 12 has a horizontal disc shape coaxial with the rotating shaft 10 . The number of rotating plates 12 is appropriately set according to the target performance or the dimensions of the pumping pipe 9 .

Further, the wall surface of the pumping pipe 9 is provided with a plurality of openings 13 passing through the wall surface of the pumping pipe 9 . Each of the plurality of openings 13 is provided at a position where the inside of the pumping pipe 9 communicates with the upper surface of the rotating plate 12 formed to protrude outward from the outer surface of the pumping pipe 9 .

In the lower part of the liquid atomization chamber 7, vertically below the pumping pipe 9, a water storage part 14 for storing water pumped by the pumping pipe 9 from the pumping port 9a is provided. The depth of the reservoir 14 is designed such that a portion of the lower portion of the pumping pipe 9, for example, about one-third to one-hundredth of the height of the cone of the pumping pipe 9, is submerged. . This depth can be designed according to the required pumping capacity. Moreover, the bottom surface of the water storage part 14 is formed in a mortar shape toward the pumping port 9a (see FIG. 3).

Water is supplied to the water storage unit 14 by the water supply unit 15 . A water supply pipe 15a is connected to the water supply unit 15, and water is supplied directly from the water supply pipe 15a through a water pressure control valve (water supply valve 15b: not shown), for example. The water supply portion 15 is provided vertically above the bottom surface of the water storage portion 14 . Moreover, it is preferable that the water supply portion 15 is provided vertically above not only the bottom surface of the water storage portion 14 but also the top surface of the water storage portion 14 (the maximum water level that can be stored in the water storage portion 14). The water supply unit 15 may be configured to draw up only the necessary amount of water from a water tank provided outside the liquid atomization chamber 7 in advance by the siphon principle and supply water to the water storage unit 14 .

Further, the liquid atomization device 1 is provided with a water level detection unit 18 for detecting the water level of the water storage unit 14 . The water level detector 18 has a float switch 18a. The float switch 18a is turned off when the water in the water storage section 14 has not reached a certain water level (full water state), and turned on when the water in the water storage section 14 has reached a certain water level (full water state). . In other words, the water level detector 18 detects whether or not the water in the water reservoir 14 is at a constant water level (full water level) by means of the float switch 18a. The water level detection unit 18 then outputs information regarding ON or OFF of the float switch 18 a to the humidification control unit 30 . Although details will be described later, when the float switch 18a is turned off and the off state continues for a predetermined time (first time T1), the humidification control unit 30 supplies water from the water supply unit 15 to the water storage unit 14. When the float switch 18a is turned on, the water supply from the water supply unit 15 to the water storage unit 14 is stopped. Here, the first time T1 is set to a time during which the amount of water in the water storage unit 14 does not decrease to the extent that it cannot be pumped due to the humidification process, and is set to a fixed time (for example, 30 minutes) in the present embodiment.

A drain pipe 16 is connected to the bottom surface of the water reservoir 14 . A circular drainage port 16a provided at a position to which the drainage pipe 16 is connected is provided at the lowest position of the bottom surface of the water reservoir 14 formed in the shape of a mortar. Stopping and draining water by the drain pipe 16 is achieved by rotating the water pump 9 . That is, the drain pipe 16 and the water pumping pipe 9 constitute a water stopping mechanism and a water pumping mechanism for the water reservoir 14 . The details of the water stopping mechanism and the drainage mechanism of the water reservoir 14 by the drain pipe 16 and the pumping pipe 9 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 .

Further, below the collision wall 8 (the space between the collision wall 8 and the water reservoir 14), a liquid atomization chamber 7 is arranged to separate the inside and outside of the liquid atomization chamber 7, and part of the atomized water droplets is collected. A cylindrical eliminator 17 is provided. Also, the eliminator 17 is composed of a porous body through which air can flow. The eliminator 17 is fixed so as to be included in an eliminator holder 19 connected to the lower portion of the collision wall 8 . Specifically, the eliminator holder 19 includes a top plate 19c, a first holding portion 19a extending vertically downward from the top plate 19c, and a top plate 19c inside the first holding portion 19a (on the side of the water pump 9). and a second holding portion 19b extending downward in the vertical direction. The eliminator 17 is clamped and fixed between the first holding portion 19 a and the second holding portion 19 b of the eliminator holder 19 . A supporting portion 22 of the water flow control plate 20 is connected to the second holding portion 19b of the eliminator holder 19. As shown in FIG.

The eliminator 17 is arranged in the air passage 5 and collects droplets of the water contained in the air passing through the liquid atomization chamber 7 by circulating in the eliminator 17 . As a result, the air flowing through the air passage 5 contains only vaporized water.

The water flow control plate 20 is provided above the water reservoir 14 so as to cover the water reservoir 14 . Specifically, the water flow control plate 20 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner wall diameter of the water reservoir 14, and is provided below the space surrounded by the eliminator 17 so as to cover the upper part of the water reservoir 14. there is The water flow control plate 20 has a substantially disk-like shape, and an opening (not shown) having a diameter that allows the pumping pipe 9 to pass through the water flow control plate 20 is formed in the center. Further, the water flow control plate 20 has a plurality of support portions 22 on the upper surface side of the outer peripheral portion (outer edge), and is fixed to the second holding portion 19b of the eliminator holder 19 via the support portions 22 . In addition, the water flow control plate 20 prevents an increase in noise caused by the generation of air bubbles in the water flow accompanying the rotation of the pumping pipe 9 .

Furthermore, the liquid atomization device 1 is provided with a humidification control section 30 . The humidification control unit 30 controls the operation of the liquid atomization device 1 to control the humidification operation (miniaturization operation) in the humidification process. In addition, the humidification control unit 30 performs a water discharge operation (first process) for draining water from the water storage unit when the number of times water is supplied to the water storage unit 14 during the humidification operation reaches a predetermined number of times, and the humidification operation is performed for a predetermined time. (Second time T2) Controls the draining operation (second process) for draining the water from the water storage section if it continues. Here, the second period T2 is a fixed period of time (for example, 24 hours). In addition, the second time T2 corresponds to the "first period" in the claims. Furthermore, the humidification control unit 30 controls the drying operation in the drying process performed when the operation of the liquid atomization device 1 is stopped.

The liquid atomization device 1 does not include the humidification control unit 30, and the control unit 60a (see FIG. 5) that controls the heat exchange device 60 performs humidification operation, drainage operation (first process, second process), and The configuration may be such that the drying operation is controlled.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the operating principle of humidification (refining water) in the liquid atomization device 1 will be described.

First, air blowing from the outside (air intake from the suction port 2) is started. Then, with no water in the water reservoir 14, the rotation motor 11 rotates the rotation shaft 10 at the first rotation speed R1 (for example, 2000 rpm), and the pumping pipe 9 is rotated accordingly. Then, water is supplied from the water supply unit 15 to the water storage unit 14 . At this time, in the water storage section 14, the water supplied to the water storage section 14 is pumped up by the water storage section 9 due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the water storage section 9, and the water supplied to the water storage section 14 is drained from the drain port 16a. The water is stopped without being As a result, the water supplied from the water supply unit 15 is stored in the water storage unit 14 . After the water storage portion 14 is filled with water, the supply of water from the water supply portion 15 to the water storage portion 14 is stopped.

Subsequently, when the rotary shaft 10 is rotated at the second rotation speed R2 by the rotary motor 11, and the pumping pipe 9 is rotated correspondingly, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation causes the water stored in the water storage part 14 to flow into the pumping pipe. pumped by 9. Here, the second rotation speed R2 of the rotary motor 11 (water pumping pipe 9) is set between 2000 and 5000 rpm according to the amount of humidification of the air. Since the pumping pipe 9 has an inverted conical hollow structure, the water pumped up by the rotation is pumped up along the inner wall of the pumping pipe 9 . Then, the pumped water is discharged in the centrifugal direction from the opening 13 of the pumping pipe 9 along the rotary plate 12 and scatters as water droplets.

Water droplets scattered from the rotating plate 12 fly in a space (liquid atomization chamber 7) surrounded by the collision wall 8, collide with the collision wall 8, and are atomized. On the other hand, the air passing through the liquid atomization chamber 7 moves from above the collision wall 8 into the interior of the collision wall 8 and, while containing water droplets crushed (miniaturized) by the collision wall 8 , moves from below to the outside of the collision wall 8 . Move to The air containing water droplets then passes through the eliminator 17 . As a result, the liquid atomization device 1 can humidify the air sucked from the suction port 2 and blow the humidified air from the blowout port 3 .

The liquid to be atomized may be other than water, and may be, for example, hypochlorous acid water having sterilizing or deodorizing properties. The air sucked from the suction port 2 of the liquid atomization device 1 contains the atomized hypochlorous acid water, and the air is blown out from the blowout port 3, so that the space in which the liquid atomization device 1 is placed. It can be sterilized or deodorized.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, details of a water stopping mechanism and a drainage mechanism for the water reservoir 14 by the drain pipe 16 and the water pumping pipe 9 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a water stopping mechanism of the water storage section by the drain pipe and the pumping pipe in the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the liquid atomization device 1, when the humidification operation is started and the rotary motor 11 (water pumping pipe 9) is rotated at the third rotation speed R3 (for example, 2000 rpm), the centrifugal force of the rotation As a result, a vortex 24 is generated in the water in the water reservoir 14 inside the pumping pipe 9 . The pumping pipe 9 forms a gap 25 that communicates between the pumping port 9a and the drain port 16a at the center of the vortex generated by its rotation. As a result, the gap 25 closes the drain port 16a, and the water in the water reservoir 14 is prevented from flowing into the drain port 16a. That is, in the liquid atomization device 1, it is possible to prevent the water in the water reservoir 14 from being drained from the drain port 16a during the humidification operation (while the rotary motor 11 is rotating at the second rotation speed R2).

On the other hand, when the rotation of the rotary motor 11 (the pumping pipe 9) is stopped, the space 25 disappears along with the vortex 24, and the water in the reservoir 14 flows into the drain port 16a. That is, in the liquid atomization apparatus 1, the water in the water reservoir 14 can be drained from the drain port 16a by stopping the humidification operation (rotational operation of the rotary motor 11).

As described above, the liquid atomization apparatus 1 can suppress (water stop) the water in the water storage section 14 from being drained from the drain port 16a during the humidification operation without using a drain valve in the drain pipe 16. After the humidification operation is stopped, the water in the water reservoir 14 can be drained from the drain port 16a.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a heat exchange gas device 60 including the liquid atomization device 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchange gas apparatus equipped with a liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the heat exchange air device 60 includes the liquid atomization device 1 , a humidity recovery unit 65 and a blower 67 . The heat exchanging air device 60 passes the outside air sucked from the outside air suction port 63 (the air whose humidity has been recovered by passing through the humidity recovery part 65 ) to the suction port 2 of the liquid atomization device 1 (Fig. 1). The liquid atomization device 1 humidifies the air sucked through the suction port 2 , blows the humidified air out of the blowout port 3 (see FIG. 1 ), and supplies the humidified air into the room through the air supply port 64 . Here, the heat exchange air device 60 corresponds to the "blower" in the claims.

The heat exchange device 60 has a box-shaped main body case 50 and is used, for example, while being placed on the floor. An internal air intake port 61 , an exhaust port 62 , an external air intake port 63 , and an air supply port 64 are provided on the top surface of the main body case 50 (the surface on which the liquid atomization device 1 is mounted). Further, the liquid atomization device 1 is installed on the top surface of the main body case 50 . A humidity collector 65 and a blower 67 are provided inside the body case 50 .

The inside air intake port 61 is an intake port for sucking the air (inside air) inside the building into the inside of the heat exchange device 60 . Specifically, the inside air intake port 61 is connected to communicate with an indoor exhaust port that draws in the inside air via a duct (not shown) extending to the ceiling surface or wall surface of each space in the building.

The exhaust port 62 is a discharge port that blows the inside air from the heat exchange device 60 to the outside. Specifically, the exhaust port 62 is connected to communicate with an outdoor exhaust port that blows out the inside air via a duct (not shown) extending to the outer wall surface of the building.

The outside air intake port 63 is an intake port for sucking air outside the building (outside air) into the heat exchange device 60 . Specifically, the outside air intake port 63 is connected to communicate with an outdoor air supply port that draws in the outside air via a duct (not shown) extending to the outer wall surface of the building.

The air supply port 64 is a discharge port for blowing outside air from the heat exchange device 60 into the room through the liquid atomization device 1 . Specifically, the air supply port 64 is connected to an indoor air supply port that blows outside air via a duct (not shown) extending to the ceiling or wall surface of each space in the building. The heat exchange air device 60 and the suction port 2 of the liquid atomization device 1 are connected via a connection duct 66 .

The humidity recovery unit 65 is provided upstream of the blower 67 in the main body case 50 . The humidity recovery unit 65 has a humidity recovery (humidity exchange) function of recovering (exchanging) the humidity of the air sucked by the operation of the blower 67 and passing through the inside of the heat exchange device 60 (in particular, the supply air passage). have. The humidity recovery unit 65 is, for example, a desiccant type or heat pump type heat exchanger.

Although not particularly shown, the air supply air passage draws in fresh outdoor air (outside air) from the outside air suction port 63 and passes through the humidity recovery unit 65, the blower 67, the connection duct 66, and the liquid atomization device 1 in this order. It is an air passage for supplying air from the air supply port 64 to the room.

The blower 67 is a device for blowing outside air from the outside air suction port 63 to the air supply port 64 . The air blower 67 circulates outside air inside the humidity recovery unit 65 by blowing air. The blower 67 may be, for example, a cross-flow fan or a blower fan. The blower 67 is configured to blow air based on a control signal from a control section 60a (see FIG. 5) that controls the heat exchange device 60. As shown in FIG.

Further, the heat exchange device 60 is provided with a water supply/drainage pipe 51 . Water is supplied to and drained from the liquid atomization device 1 by a water supply/drainage pipe 51 . Specifically, one end of the water supply/drainage pipe 51 is connected to the water supply pipe 15a (see FIG. 2) and the water discharge pipe 16 (see FIG. 2) of the liquid atomization device 1, respectively. The other end of the water supply/drainage pipe 51 is connected to a water supply system and a drainage system of a house or facility, respectively.

Furthermore, the heat exchange device 60 has a control section 60 a (see FIG. 5 ) that controls the air blowing operation of the air blower 67 . Further, the control unit 60a is electrically connected to the humidification control unit 30 of the liquid atomization device 1, receives a control signal from the humidification control unit 30, and controls the air blower 67 and the liquid atomization device 1 in conjunction with each other. is configured to

As described above, in the heat exchange device 60, the moisture discharged to the outside during ventilation is recovered into the air supplied indoors, and when the moisture recovery unit 65 cannot recover the moisture, Since the liquid can be supplemented or added when passing through the liquid atomization device 1, the room can be humidified and maintained within a comfortable humidity range.

Next, the humidification control section 30 of the liquid atomization device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a humidification control section in the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the humidification control section 30 includes an input section 30a, a storage section 30b, a clock section 30c, a processing section 30d, and an output section 30e.

The input unit 30a receives the first information about the operation start instruction or the operation stop instruction from the operation panel 31, the second information about the temperature and humidity of the indoor air from the temperature and humidity sensor 32, and the temperature of the outdoor air from the temperature sensor 33. and fourth information about ON or OFF of the float switch 18a from the water level detection unit 18 is received. The input unit 30a outputs the received first to fourth information to the processing unit 30d.

Here, the operation panel 31 is a terminal for a user to input user input information (for example, air volume, humidification volume, blowing temperature, etc.) regarding the liquid atomization device 1 and the heat exchange device 60. It is communicably connected to the control unit 30 . Also, the temperature/humidity sensor 32 is a sensor that senses the temperature and humidity of the room air immediately after being taken in from the inside air suction port 61 . Also, the temperature sensor 33 is a sensor that senses the temperature of the outdoor air immediately after being taken in from the outside air intake port 63 .

The storage unit 30b stores fifth information regarding humidification settings in the humidification operation, sixth information regarding drainage settings in the drainage operation (first process, second process), seventh information regarding drying settings in the drying operation, and user input information. and eighth information relating to setting information corresponding to . The storage unit 30b outputs the stored fifth to eighth information to the processing unit 30d.

The timer 30c outputs ninth information about the current time to the processor 30d.

The processing unit 30d receives the first to fourth information from the input unit 30a, the fifth to eighth information from the storage unit 30b, and the ninth information from the clock unit 30c. The processing unit 30d uses the received first information to ninth information to generate control information related to the humidification operation based on the humidification setting, the drainage operation (first process, second process) based on the drainage setting, and the drying operation in the drying setting. identify. The processing unit 30d outputs the identified control information to the output unit 30e.

The output unit 30e receives control information from the processing unit 30d. The output unit 30e is electrically connected to the heat exchange device 60 (control unit 60a, blower 67), the rotary motor 11, and the water supply valve 15b. Based on the received control information, the output unit 30e controls the air blowing operation of the air blower 67, the humidification operation (rotating operation of the rotary motor 11) in the liquid atomization chamber 7, and the opening/closing operation of the water supply valve 15b. Outputs a signal (control signal) to

Then, the heat exchange device 60 (control section 60a, blower 67) receives a signal from the output section 30e, and the control section 60a controls the blower 67 based on the received signal. Further, the rotary motor 11 and the water supply valve 15b receive signals from the output section 30e, respectively, and perform respective controls based on the received signals.

As described above, the humidification control unit 30 controls the humidification operation in the humidification process, the drainage operation control in the first process or the second process, and the drying operation control in the drying process.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, the processing procedure in the humidification operation by the liquid atomization device 1 will be described. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure of humidification processing by the liquid atomization device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a water supply processing procedure by the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a waste water treatment procedure by the liquid atomization apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the following description, it is assumed that the blower 67 blows air according to the control signal from the humidification control section 30, not the control signal from the control section 60a.

As shown in FIG. 6 , when a control signal for starting the operation of the humidification process of the liquid atomization device 1 is input to the humidification control unit 30 , the humidification control unit 30 first operates the air blower 67 and the air from the air blower 67 Air blowing is started (step S01). As a result, air flows through the liquid atomization device 1 (liquid atomization chamber 7). Then, the humidification control unit 30 resets the water level detection counter N to "0" (step S02). Here, the water level detection counter N is a value indicating the number of times water is supplied to the water storage section 14 (the number of times water has been supplied until the water storage section 14 is filled with water). Then, the humidification control unit 30 executes the process of supplying water to the water storage unit 14 (step S03).

In the water supply process, as shown in FIG. 8, the humidification control unit 30 operates the rotary motor 11 at the first rotation speed R1 (for example, 2000 rpm) so that the water stop mechanism functions (step S20). Next, the humidification control unit 30 opens the water supply valve 15b of the water supply unit 15 to start supplying water to the water storage unit 14 (step S21). Then, the humidification control section 30 determines whether or not the water level of the water storage section 14 has reached the full state based on the fourth information regarding ON or OFF of the float switch 18a from the water level detection section 18 (step S22). As a result, when the water storage unit 14 is not full of water (No in step S22), the humidification control unit 30 continues to supply water to the water storage unit 14 (returns to step S22). On the other hand, when the water storage unit 14 is full of water (Yes in step S22), the humidification control unit 30 closes the water supply valve 15b to stop the supply of water to the water storage unit 14 (step S23). Then, the humidification control unit 30 adds "1" to the water level detection counter N (step S24). Through the steps described above, the process of supplying water to the water storage unit 14 is completed. However, the water supply process ends with the rotary motor 11 rotating at the first rotation speed R1. Return to FIG.

When the water supply process (step S03) to the water storage unit 14 is completed, the humidification control unit 30 rotates the rotary motor 11 at the second rotation speed R2 to start the humidification operation (humidification operation) based on the humidification setting. (Step S04). Here, the second rotation speed R2 is a rotation speed determined by humidification conditions (for example, humidification amount), and is set to a rotation speed equal to or higher than at least the first rotation speed R1. Then, during the humidification operation, when a predetermined time (first time T1) starting from step S04 has passed (Yes in step S05), the humidification control unit 30 performs water supply processing to the water storage unit 14 ( 8) is executed, and the water storage unit 14 is filled with water (step S06). On the other hand, when the first time T1 has not elapsed (No in step S05), the humidification control unit 30 continues the humidification operation (returns to step S05). Here, the first time T1 is a time measured starting from the operation time of the rotary motor 11 in step S04, and is set to 30 minutes, for example.

Subsequently, when a predetermined time (second time T2) starting from step S02 has elapsed (Yes in step S07), the humidification control unit 30 executes the processes after step S10 (see FIG. 7). Here, the second time T2 is a time measured starting from the reset time of the water level detection counter N in step S02, and is set to 24 hours, for example. The second time T2 may be the time after the liquid atomization device 1 is activated or the time after the last drying operation. On the other hand, when the second time T2 has not elapsed (No in step S07), the humidification control unit 30 determines the number of water supply times to make the water full state M times (for example, 10 times) based on the water level detection counter N. is exceeded (step S08). As a result, when the water level detection counter N has not exceeded M times (No in step S08), the process returns to step S04, and the humidification control unit 30 repeats the humidification operation. On the other hand, when the water level detection counter N has exceeded M times (Yes in step S08), the humidification control unit 30 causes the water storage unit 14 to be drained (step S09). Here, the processes in steps S08 and S09 are the drain operation corresponding to the first process.

In the drainage process, as shown in FIG. 9, the humidification control unit 30 stops the rotary motor 11 so that the water stopping mechanism does not function (step S30). As a result, the water in the water reservoir 14 is started to be drained. Then, when the predetermined time (fifth time T5) starting from step S30 has not passed during the water discharge (No in step S31), the humidification control unit 30 continues the water discharge state ( return to step S31). On the other hand, when the fifth time T5 has passed (Yes in step S31), the humidification control unit 30 considers that the water in the water storage unit 14 has been drained, and terminates the water draining process of the water storage unit 14. Here, the fifth time T5 is a time measured starting from the time when the rotary motor 11 is stopped in step S30, and is set to 1 minute, for example. Return to FIG.

When the water draining process (step S09) of the water storage unit 14 is completed, the humidification control unit 30 returns to step S02 and repeats the subsequent steps.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 7, the processing after step S10 performed when the second time T2 has passed will be described.

When the second time T2 has passed (Yes in step S07), as shown in FIG. 7, the humidification control unit 30 causes the water storage unit 14 to be drained (see FIG. 9) (step S10). . Here, the processing in steps S07 and S10 is the water discharge operation corresponding to the second processing. Then, when the water draining process (step S10) of the water storage unit 14 is completed, the humidification control unit 30 rotates the rotary motor 11 at the third rotation speed R3 (for example, 2000 rpm) to perform the first drying operation (the water storage unit 14 miniaturization operation in the absence of water) is started (step S11). Then, when the predetermined time (the third time T3) has elapsed since the first drying operation was started (Yes in step S12), the humidification control section 30 stops the rotation motor 11 (step S13). On the other hand, if the third time T3 has not elapsed (No in step S12), the humidification control unit 30 continues the first drying operation (returns to step S12). That is, in the first drying operation, the pumping pipe 9 is rotated in a state where there is no water in the water storage part 14, and water droplets remaining adhering to the pumping pipe 9 and the like are removed. In addition, the third time T3 is set to, for example, 30 seconds.

When the first drying operation ends, the second drying operation is performed in which air is circulated in the liquid atomization device 1 (liquid atomization chamber 7) while the atomization operation is stopped. Then, when the predetermined time (fourth time T4) has not passed since the start of the second drying operation (No in step S14), the humidification control unit 30 continues the second drying operation (step return to S14). In other words, in the second drying operation, the inside of the liquid atomization device 1 (liquid atomization chamber 7) is ventilated, and the inside of the device is dried (the moisture remaining in the device is removed). In addition, the fourth time T4 is set to, for example, one hour. On the other hand, when the fourth time T4 has passed (Yes in step S14), the humidification control unit 30 determines whether or not a control signal for stopping the operation of the humidification process of the liquid atomization device 1 has been input ( step S15). As a result, when the control signal for stopping the operation of the humidification process is not input (No in step S15), the humidification control unit 30 returns to step S02 and restarts the operation of the humidification process of the liquid atomization device 1. Let On the other hand, when the control signal for stopping the operation of the humidification process has been input (Yes in step S15), the humidification control unit 30 stops the air blower 67 (step S16). Then, the humidification control unit 30 terminates the operation of the humidification process of the liquid atomization device 1 . As a result, the liquid atomization apparatus 1 waits for an operation start instruction from the operation panel 31 .

Here, the processes in the first drying operation (steps S11 to S13) and the second drying operation (steps S13 to S14) are drying operations corresponding to the third process.

As described above, in the heat exchange gas device 60, each process in the humidification operation by the liquid atomization device 1 is executed.

As described above, according to the liquid atomization device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the liquid atomization device 1, when the number of times of supplying water to the water storage unit 14 during the humidification operation (miniaturization operation) reaches a predetermined number of times (more than M times), the water in the water storage unit 14 is drained. It is configured to execute the first process. As a result, when the number of times water is supplied to the water storage unit 14 during the humidification operation reaches a predetermined number of times (more than M times), the water in the water storage unit 14 (scale components are concentrated) is executed by executing the first process. state water) is drained and removed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the concentration of scale components in the water in the water storage section 14 . As a result, during the subsequent humidification operation, the entry of scale components contained in the water in the water reservoir 14 into the eliminator 17 is reduced. In other words, when the device is used continuously for a long period of time, it is possible to provide the liquid atomization device 1 capable of suppressing the occurrence of clogging inside the device.

(2) The liquid atomization device 1 drains the water from the water storage unit 14 when the number of times water is supplied to the water storage unit 14 during the humidification operation (miniaturization operation) reaches a predetermined number of times (more than M times). It is configured to execute the first process. In the first process, the water in the water storage unit 14 is drained every predetermined number of times that water is supplied to the water storage unit 14. Therefore, the amount of water used can be reduced compared to the case where water is drained every time. Therefore, the running cost of the liquid atomization device 1 can be reduced.

(3) The liquid atomization device 1 is configured to execute the second process of draining the water from the water reservoir 14 when the humidification operation (miniaturization operation) continues for a predetermined time (second time T2). As a result, even when the humidifying operation continues for a predetermined time (the second time T2), the water in the water reservoir 14 (the water in which the scale component is concentrated) is drained and removed by the execution of the second process. . That is, in the liquid atomization device 1, the concentration increase of the scale component of the water in the water storage section 14 can be reliably suppressed by the first treatment or the second treatment.

(4) After finishing the second process, the liquid atomization device 1 performs the third process of performing the humidification operation (miniaturization operation) with no water in the water reservoir 14 and blowing air from the blower 67. configured as As a result, the inside of the apparatus can be dried after the third treatment is completed, so that the propagation of fungi or germs in the apparatus can be suppressed when the liquid atomization apparatus 1 is kept in a stopped state for a long period of time. can be done.

(5) In the liquid atomization device 1, during the humidification operation (miniaturization operation), a vortex 24 is generated in the water in the water reservoir 14 by rotating inside the pumping pipe 9, and the pumping port 9a and the drain port are generated at the center of the vortex. A gap 25 communicating with 16a is formed to stop the water in the reservoir. By stopping the rotation of the rotary motor 11, the water is drained in the first process or the second process. With this configuration, the liquid atomization device 1 can stop water and drain water without using a drain valve. Therefore, the opening area of the drain port 16a can be increased and the inner diameter of the drain pipe 16 can be increased, so that the liquid atomization device 1 can be made less susceptible to clogging due to the drain mechanism.

(6) In the liquid atomization device 1, the bottom surface of the water reservoir 14 is formed in a mortar shape toward the pumping port 9a. This makes it easier to apply centrifugal force to the water stored in the water storage section 14 when the water pumping pipe 9 rotates. Therefore, it is possible to easily generate the vortex 24 in the water of the water storage portion 14 inside the pumping pipe 9, and the generated vortex 24 can be maintained stably. Further, when the rotation of the water pumping pipe 9 is stopped, the water stored in the water storage portion 14 can be reliably drained from the drain port 16a.

(7) In the heat exchange air device 60 , the humidity recovery unit 65 is arranged upstream of the liquid atomization device 1 in the flow of air passing through the liquid atomization device 1 and the humidity recovery unit 65 . In other words, in the heat exchange device 60 , the liquid atomization device 1 is arranged downstream of the humidity recovery section 65 . At this time, since the air whose humidity has been recovered by the humidity recovery unit 65 flows into the liquid atomization device 1, the humidity can be controlled more appropriately. In addition, by performing humidity control at two locations, the humidity recovery unit 65 and the liquid atomization device 1, a sufficient amount of humidification is ensured even when a heater or the like is not installed in the humidity recovery unit 65 or the liquid atomization device 1. can do. In addition, energy saving can be achieved by eliminating the need for a heater for securing the humidification amount.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be easily guessed. For example, the numerical values given in the above embodiment are examples, and it is naturally possible to employ other numerical values.

In the heat exchange device 60 according to Embodiment 1, the humidity recovery unit 65 may be configured to have a function of recovering (exchanging) not only humidity but also temperature. Specifically, the humidity recovery unit 65 is a total heat exchange element, and an exhaust air blower is provided inside the main body case 50 to form an exhaust air passage. The exhaust air passage is an air passage through which indoor air is sucked from the inside air suction port 61 by an exhaust air blower, passes through the humidity recovery section 65, and is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 62. - 特許庁At this time, the humidity recovery unit 65 is arranged at a position where the exhaust air path and the supply air path intersect. The humidity recovery unit 65 performs heat exchange and humidity exchange between the air passing through the exhaust air passage and the air passing through the supply air passage. This makes it possible to supply more comfortable air to the room.

Further, in the heat exchange air device 60 according to Embodiment 1, the air after humidity recovery by the humidity recovery unit 65 bypasses the liquid atomization device 1 so that the air does not flow through the liquid atomization device 1 . may be configured to be supplied to As a result, when the liquid atomization device 1 is not operated and only the heat exchange air is operated, the air after the humidity is recovered can be efficiently supplied into the room. In addition, since an increase in pressure loss caused by the liquid atomization device 1 is suppressed, energy-saving operation can be realized throughout the year.

Further, in the heat exchange device 60 according to Embodiment 1, air blowing from the air blower 67 is stopped by stopping the operation of the air blower 67, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air blowing to the liquid atomization device 1 may be prevented by switching to the above bypass. As a result, the drying operation in the drying process can be independently performed while supplying air to the room.

Further, in the liquid atomization apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the humidification control unit 30 ensures that the water level detection unit 18 is turned off for a predetermined time (second Although control is performed so that water is supplied to the water storage unit 14 when it continues for one hour T1), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the humidification control unit 30 may control to supply water to the water storage unit 14 when the amount of water in the water storage unit 14 that decreases due to the humidification operation reaches a predetermined water amount V. In this case, whether or not the predetermined amount of water V is reached is determined by calculating the expected decrease in the amount of water corresponding to the humidification conditions (humidification amount, air flow rate) during the humidification operation at regular time intervals (for example, 5 minutes). , is determined by accumulating them. As a result, it is possible to improve the management accuracy of the amount of water (or the remaining amount) in the water reservoir 14, so that unnecessary water supply (water supply when the water in the water reservoir 14 is not reduced) can be suppressed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The liquid atomization device according to the present invention can be applied to liquid vaporization devices such as water vaporization devices for humidification purposes and hypochlorous acid vaporization devices for sterilization or deodorization purposes. In addition, the liquid atomization device according to the present invention can be applied to a water vaporization device or a hypochlorous acid vaporization device incorporated as one of the functions in a heat exchange device, an air purifier, or an air conditioner. be.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 liquid atomization device 2 suction port 3 outlet 4 air passage 5 air passage 6 air passage 7 liquid atomization chamber 8 impingement wall 9 pumping pipe 9a pumping port 10 rotating shaft 11 rotating motor 12 rotating plate 13 opening 14 water storage section 15 water supply Part 15a Water supply pipe 15b Water supply valve 16 Drainage pipe 16a Drain port 17 Eliminator 18 Water level detector 18a Float switch 19 Eliminator holder 19a First holding part 19b Second holding part 19c Top plate 20 Water flow control plate 22 Supporting part 24 Vortex 25 Gap 30 Humidification control unit 30a Input unit 30b Storage unit 30c Clock unit 30d Processing unit 30e Output unit 31 Operation panel 32 Temperature/humidity sensor 33 Temperature sensor 50 Body case 51 Water supply/drainage piping 60 Heat exchange device 60a Control unit 61 Internal air suction port 62 Exhaust port 63 External air intake port 64 Air supply port 65 Humidity recovery unit 66 Connection duct 67 Blower

Claims (4)

A liquid atomization device for blowing air sucked from a suction port containing finely divided water from a blowing port,
a cylindrical water pumping pipe having a water pumping port vertically downward and discharging water pumped from the water pumping port in a centrifugal direction as the rotating shaft rotates;
a collision wall that refines the water discharged from the pumping pipe by colliding with it;
a water storage unit provided vertically below the pumping pipe for storing water pumped from the pumping port;
an eliminator provided between the collision wall and the water reservoir for collecting a portion of the water droplets that have been made finer;
a control unit for controlling a water atomization operation in the liquid atomization device;
with
The control unit executes a first process of draining the water from the water storage unit when the number of times water is supplied to the water storage unit during the miniaturization operation reaches a predetermined number of times. Miniaturization equipment. 2. The liquid atomization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes a second process of draining water from the water storage unit when the atomization operation is continued for a first period. The suction port is in communication with a blower having a humidity recovery unit,
3. The control unit, after the end of the second process, executes the third process of performing the miniaturization operation with no water in the water reservoir and blowing air from the air blower. Item 3. The liquid atomization device according to item 2. Further comprising a drain port for draining water at the bottom surface of the water storage part,
The pumping pipe generates a vortex in the water in the reservoir by the rotation during the miniaturization operation, and a gap communicating between the pumping port and the drain port is formed at the center of the vortex. formed to stop the water in the water reservoir,
4. The liquid atomization apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the water to be drained in the first treatment or the second treatment by stopping the rotation.

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