JPH0387539A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate a cleaning within a water storing tank and prevent a water leakage during an inclination, movement or transportation of the tank by a method wherein the water storing tank and an auxiliary tank which can be fixed or removed to each other are arranged at an atomization device, the water storing tank is assembled in such a way as its main body part and a water supplying plug can be separated and an opening shape of the assembled portions is made larger than an opening of the water supplying port. CONSTITUTION:A water supplying device 4 is provided with a water storing tank 41 and an auxiliary tank 42 which can be fixed or removed to each other. The fixed or separated portion is provided with an O-ring 43 constituting a water sealing mechanism so as to prevent a water leakage during inclination, movement or transportation of the humidifier of the line. The auxiliary tank 42 is communicated with a container 5 constituting the atomization device 3 through a water supplying pipe 44. The water storing tank 41 is made such that the second tank portion 412 is removably attached to the first tank portion 411, an opening shape of the installing part is made sufficiently larger than the water supplying plug 413, for example, it is connected by a screw 414 through an O-ring 415 holding a water sealing characteristic so as to be continued with an outer wall, thereby a sufficient cleaning from the large separation port into the tank can be performed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a humidifier, and includes a water supply device that supplies water to an atomization device, including a water storage tank and an auxiliary tank that are detachable from each other. A water sealing mechanism is provided in the detachable and detachable parts of the water storage tank and the auxiliary tank, and the water storage tank is divided into a first tank part, which is the tank body part, and a second tank part, which has a water tap, and both tank parts are separated from each other. By making the mouth shape of the combined part larger than the mouth shape of the faucet, cleaning inside the water storage tank is easy, and the slope
It is possible to provide a humidifier that can prevent water leakage during movement or transportation.

<Prior Art> Ultrasonic atomization type humidifiers are well known, but recently, electric steam type humidifiers that heat and evaporate water using heat have been proposed. Electric steam humidifiers are designed to heat water, atomize it, and release it, so there are no problems such as respiratory illnesses or allergic lung disorders caused by bacteria that have grown in the water tank being released into the air, making it safe. Moreover, it has the excellent advantage that impurities such as chalk components are not scattered and the room temperature is not lowered. FIG. 25 shows the previously proposed electric steam humidifier. In the figure, 1 is an atomizing device, and 2 is a water supply device.

The atomizing device 1 is in surface contact with the outer surface of the bottom 102 of the container 101 serving as an evaporating dish, and a heat generating device 103 is thermally coupled thereto. The heat generating device 103 is composed of a surface heating type positive temperature coefficient thermistor.

Positive temperature coefficient thermistors have a self-temperature control function, are safe and highly reliable with no risk of overheating, and operate in a high resistance region in a thermally balanced state, so they consume less power and are effective in saving power. Benefits include:

The water supply device 2 includes a water storage tank 21 and an auxiliary tank 22. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG.
2 is provided. The water tap 212 constitutes a valve that closes to prevent water remaining in the tank body portion 211 of the water storage tank 21 from leaking when the water storage tank 21 is removed from the auxiliary tank 22 and refilled with water. Usually, a ring-shaped protrusion 213 is provided on the lower surface side of the tank body portion 211, and the cap 2 has a valve 214 on this protrusion 213.
15 is attached by means such as screw connection. 216 is a spring, and 217 is a sealing member.

The auxiliary tank 22 is disposed below the water supply tank 21 to receive water supplied from the water tap 212, and guides the supplied water through the water supply pipe 23 to the container 101 that constitutes the atomization device 1.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, conventional humidifiers have the following problems.

(a) Since the tank main body part 211 has a structure in which a small mouth-shaped water tap 212 is provided on the lower side of the tank main body part 211, it is not possible to put fingers or the like into the tank main body part 211 to clean the inside thereof. For this reason, cleaning of the tank body portion 211 becomes insufficient, allowing bacterial growth.

(b) Since the inside of the tank body part 211 is not sufficiently cleaned, Ca and Mg contained in the water inside the tank body part 211 are
Plaque components such as these adhere and accumulate, causing stains.

(c) If the seal between the water storage tank 21 and the auxiliary tank 22 is insufficient and the whole humidifier is tilted or moved to change its position, water leaks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, allows easy cleaning of the inside of a water storage tank, and prevents water leakage during tilting, movement, or transportation.

Means for Solving the Problems> In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a humidifier including an atomization device and a water supply device that supplies water to the atomization device, the water supply device comprising: The water storage tank includes a water storage tank and an auxiliary tank, the water storage tank and the auxiliary tank are removably combined with each other, and have a water sealing mechanism in the removable part, and the water storage tank has a first tank that is a tank main part. It includes a tank part and a second tank part having a hydrant, the first tank part and the second tank part are combined so as to be separable from each other, and the mouth shape of the combined part matches the shape of the mouth of the hydrant. It is characterized by being larger than the mouth shape.

<Function> The water supply device includes a water storage tank and an auxiliary tank that are detachable from each other, and has a water sealing mechanism in the detachable and detachable portion of the tree storage tank and auxiliary tank, thereby preventing water leakage during tilting, movement, transportation, etc. can do.

Moreover, the water storage tank includes a first tank part serving as a tank body part and a second tank part having a water tap, and the first tank part and the second tank part are combined so as to be separable from each other. Since the mouth shape of the combined part is larger than the mouth shape of the faucet, the first tank part and the second tank part are separated from each other, and the inside of the tank is thoroughly inspected by inserting your finger through the separation opening. Can be washed.

<Example> FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a humidifier according to the present invention. The embodiment shows an electric steam type humidifier. In the figure, 3 is an atomization device that heats and evaporates water, and 4 is a water supply device.

The water supply device 4 includes a water storage tank 41 and an auxiliary tank 42 that are detachable from each other.
O-ring 43 that constitutes a water sealing mechanism in the detachable and detachable part of 2
have. The O-ring 43 is arranged around the opening 421 of the auxiliary tank 42, and the lower surface of the water storage tank 41 is brought into close contact with the O-ring 43 to prevent water leakage. A protrusion 423 is provided on a surface 422 of the auxiliary tank 42 that receives the water storage tank 41 , and the water storage tank 41 is positioned within an area surrounded by the protrusion 423 . The auxiliary tank 42 communicates with the container 5 constituting the atomizer 3 via a water supply pipe 44 .

As mentioned above, since the water sealing mechanism 43 is provided between the water storage tank 41 and the auxiliary tank 42, the tilt of the humidifier,
Water leakage can be prevented during movement or transportation.

The water storage tank 41 is '! It includes a tank part 411 of J1 and a tank part 412 of 's2 having a water tap 413. The second tank portion 412 is removably connected to the first tank portion 411, and the mouth shape of the insertion portion is sufficiently larger than the water tap 413. In the embodiment, a first tank portion 411 and a second tank portion 412
are connected by screws 414 so that the outer wall surfaces are continuous. 415 is an O-ring that maintains watertightness.

The water tap 413 is provided with a ring-shaped projection 416 having a diameter sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of the second tank portion 412 at the center of the lower surface of the second tank portion 412.
It is constructed by attaching a cap 418 having a valve 417 to the protrusion 416 by means such as screw connection. 419 is a spring.

As the structure of the water storage tank 41 and the combination structure of the water storage tank 41 and the auxiliary tank 42, a structure as shown in FIG. 2 is also considered. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the water storage tank 41 is
The opening of the tank portion 412 is smaller than that of the first tank portion 411, and is inserted and positioned inside the auxiliary tank 42. The bottom surfaces of the auxiliary tank 42 and the water supply pipe 43 are substantially flush with the bottom surface of the container 5 constituting the atomization device 1, so that no water remains in the auxiliary tank 42.

As described above, the water storage tank 41 includes a first tank portion 411 serving as a tank body portion, and a second tank portion 412 having a water tap 413.
2 is removably inserted into the first tank part 411, and the mouth shape of the insertion part is sufficiently larger than the water tap 413, so that the first tank part 411 and the second tank part 412 from each other, insert your finger into the separation port which has a larger mouth shape than the water tap 413, and open the tank 41.
1. The inside of the 412 can be thoroughly cleaned.

The exposing device 3 includes a container 5 serving as an evaporating dish and a heat generating device 6. 12 is a convection cylinder, 13 is an inner cylinder, 14 is an outer cylinder, and 15 is a sealing member such as an O-ring.

3 to 5 are diagrams showing specific examples of the atomization device 3. FIG.

The container 5 is formed of, for example, a bottom-shaped material such as aluminum, a metal material that is easy to process and has high thermal conductivity, or a ceramic material that has relatively good thermal conductivity such as aluminum. If it is made of aluminum, it is advisable to perform alumite treatment on the inner surface.

The heat generating device 6 is constituted by a positive temperature coefficient thermistor 7 having a surface heating structure, and the heat generating surface of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor 7 is brought into surface contact with the outer surface 511 of the bottom portion 51 of the container 5 and thermally coupled to constitute the zero heat generating device 6. A plurality of positive temperature coefficient thermistors 7 are provided depending on the amount of heat generated and the amount of heat required. In the embodiment, an example is shown in which two positive temperature coefficient thermistors 7 are arranged at an interval.

9.10 is an electrical insulating plate, and 11 is a support member. The electrically insulating plate 9 is made of an electrically insulating plate made of alumina or the like, and is provided interposed between the positive characteristic thermostuff and the outer surface 511 of the bottom portion 51 of the container 5 . The electrical insulating board 10 is made of a silicone sheet, a mica board, etc., and has a positive temperature coefficient thermistor 7.
and the support member 11. The support member 11 is fixedly attached to the bottom portion 51 by screws or the like so that the PTC thermistor 7.7 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the bottom portion 51 of the container 5 via the electrical insulating plate 9.

The water supply pipe 44 is connected within a hole 52 provided in the container 5. Since the hole 52 and the water supply pipe 44 are provided between the PTC thermistors 7 and 7 constituting the heat generating device 6, heat conduction between the PTC thermistors 7 and 7 is reduced by the cooling action of the water in the water supply pipe 44. be hindered. Therefore, the mutual heating interference effect of the PTC thermistors 7.7 is suppressed, and both the PTC thermistors 7.7 can perform sufficient heat generation operations.

The convection cylinder 12 is provided so as to pass through a hole 53 provided at the bottom of the container 5 and penetrate from the outside of the container 5 to the inside.

The inner cylinder 13 of the convection cylinder 12 has both ends 121 and 122.
Since there is a temperature difference between the end 121 on the outside and the end 122 on the inside, air convection occurs from the outside to the inside as shown by the arrow (A). This convection allows steam to be efficiently released.

The inner cylinder 13 is attached to the upper end surface of the container 5 and functions as a steam release cylinder that releases steam to the outside. The outer cylinder 14 is the inner cylinder 1
3 and are arranged so as to cover the entire area with a distance between them. This thermally insulates the inner cylinder 13, which is heated by steam, to prevent the user from getting burnt.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor 7 constituting the heat generating device 6. As shown in FIG. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor 7 has a positive temperature coefficient thermistor 7 on one side 711 of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor main body 71 formed in a flat plate shape.
A plurality of thin comb-shaped electrodes 721N733 are provided at intervals. Adjacent electrodes among the electrodes 721 to 733 are electrically connected to terminal electrodes 74 to 76 formed at the ends of the PTC thermistor body 71 so as to be driven with mutually different polarities. Among the electrodes 721 to 733, the electrodes 721.7231. ,.

733 is conductively connected to the terminal electrode 74, and electrodes 722, 7221. ,．． 732 is divided into two groups and electrically connected to mutually independent terminal electrodes 75 and 76, respectively.

In forming the electrodes 721 to 733 and the terminal electrodes 74 to 76, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, grooves 712 are formed at intervals on one surface 711 of the PTC thermistor body 71. At the same time, stepped portions 713 and 714 are provided at both widthwise ends of the PTC thermistor body 71 so as to be continuous with the bottom surface of the groove 712. Then, the electrodes 721 to 733 are formed on the side wall surface and the bottom surface of the groove 712, and the stepped portion 713 is formed so as to be continuous with the electrodes 721 to 733.
．． Terminal electrodes 74 to 76 are formed on 714.

Metal terminals 77 and 78 may be conductively connected to the terminal electrodes 74 to 76 by spring contact or the like.
4 to 76 are formed in the stepped portions 713 and 714, so
The metal terminals 77 and 78 can be positioned inside the stepped portions 713 and 714 by utilizing the steps.

When thermally coupling to the container 5, the surface 711 on which the electrodes 721 to 733 are formed becomes the heat generating surface, so as shown in FIG. 5
The bottom outer surface 511 of No. 1 is brought into close thermal contact with the bottom outer surface 511 of No.1. Thereby, an atomization device with good thermal efficiency can be realized.

As shown in FIG. 9, the positive temperature coefficient thermistor shown in the above embodiment has the terminal electrode 74 as a common electrode, and the terminal electrodes 75.
6 can be selectively driven simultaneously or individually. Therefore,
It is possible to adjust the amount of heat generated. By increasing the number of independent electrode groups, even more fine control of heat generation is possible.

In the embodiment, the container 5 has a concavo-convex pattern on the inner surface 512 of the bottom portion 51 with concave portions 513 and convex portions 514. This uneven pattern expands the heating area that comes into contact with the liquid, thereby increasing thermal efficiency.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged plan view of the bottom 51 of the container 5;
FIG. 11 is also a partially enlarged sectional view. The concavo-convex pattern has the following formula: 1,5≦ (S2/Sl)≦ When the plane area of the area surrounded by line segments a1 to a4 imaginary between the adjacent concave portions 513-513 is SI% and the surface area is S, 1,5≦ (S2/Sl)≦ 4. ．． ．． ．． It is preferable to provide it so as to satisfy (1).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, the inner surface 5 of the bottom 51
12, a circular part 513 with a diameter D1 and a depth hl,
They are arranged in a grid pattern with intervals I11 and IL2. Recess 5
13 becomes a convex portion 514. Diameter DI of recess 513
, depth, and interval j2+, IL2 are determined to satisfy the above equation (1). Specific examples include D, 21m1 h, m2. 5 me angle, s + * J12 3 mm, the planar area S and surface area S2 of the diagonally shaded area surrounded by the dotted line segments a and ~a4 in Fig. 10 can be calculated as S, yo, 09 (cm”) S21Il10.247 (cm2), and (32/Sl) becomes 2.74.

Various patterns can be considered as the uneven pattern. Examples are shown in FIGS. 12 to 24. The value of (S2/Sl) in these examples is the interval fl I , J12 %
These are the values when the height hl, diameter, and D2 are selected as shown. The plane area S1 is indicated by diagonal lines.

In FIG. 12, the concavo-convex pattern is a reverse pattern to that in FIGS. 10 and 11, and (St/S+) is 2.74.

In FIG. 13, the bottom surface of the recess 514 is formed into a hemispherical shape. The rest is the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and (S2/Sl) is 1.69.

In FIG. 14, the concavo-convex pattern is the reverse pattern of FIG. 13, and (S2/Sl) is 1.69.

In Fig. 15, the uneven pattern is staggered (S2
/St) is 3.01.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the recess 513 is a square hole, and (S2/S+) is 3.42.

FIG. 18 is a reverse pattern of FIGS. 16 and 17, in which the convex portion 514 is a prism, and (S2/SL) is 3.22.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the recess 513 is a pyramidal hole, and (S2/Sl) is 1.73. Second
Figure 1 is the reverse pattern of Figures 19 and 20 (S2/3
1) becomes 1.73.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the recess 513 is a hexagonal hole, and (S2/Sl) is 2.34. Figure 24 is the reverse pattern of Figures 22 and 23, (S2
/SL) is 2.34.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(a) The water supply device is equipped with a water storage tank and an auxiliary tank that are detachable from each other, and has a water sealing mechanism at the detachable/separable part of the water storage tank and auxiliary tank to prevent water leakage during tilting, movement, transportation, etc. We can provide a humidifier that can

(b) The water storage tank includes a first tank portion serving as a tank body portion and a second tank portion having a water tap,
The first tank portion and the second tank portion are separably combined with each other, and the mouth shape of the combined portion is larger than the mouth shape of the water faucet. It is possible to provide a humidifier in which the tank parts are separated from each other, and the inside of the tank can be thoroughly cleaned by inserting your fingers through the separation port, thereby suppressing bacterial growth and staining due to adhesion of limescale components.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front partial sectional view of an electric steam humidifier according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front partial sectional view of another embodiment, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an atomization device, and FIG. Similarly, FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembled state, and FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a PTC thermistor constituting the heat generating device, Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the thermal coupling structure between the PTC thermistor and the container, and Fig. 8 shows the electrode structure of the PTC thermistor. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged sectional view, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method of driving a positive temperature coefficient thermistor. FIGS. 10 to 24 are diagrams showing examples of uneven patterns on the bottom of the container. , FIGS. 19 and 22 are partially enlarged plan views, and FIGS.
Fig. 14, Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 20, Fig. 21,
23 and 24 are partially enlarged sectional views, FIG. 25 is a partially sectional view of a conventional electric steam humidifier, and FIG. 26 is a partially broken sectional view of the water supply tank. 3...Atomization device 4...Water supply device 41...Water storage tank 42...Auxiliary tank 43...0-ring 411 constituting a water sealing mechanism...First tank portion 412... Second tank portion 413... Water tap 5... Container 6... Heat generating device 7... Positive characteristic thermostat 2 Figure 4 Figure 1 Q Figure 15 Figure 15 15 Figure 16 Figure 9 Figure 21 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 0 Figure 25

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A humidifier including an atomization device and a water supply device that supplies water to the atomization device, wherein the water supply device includes a water storage tank and an auxiliary tank, and the water storage tank and the auxiliary tank are mutually connected to each other. The tank is removably combined and has a water sealing mechanism in the removable part, and the water storage tank includes a first tank part serving as a tank body part and a second tank part having a water tap, The first tank part and the second tank part are combined so as to be separable from each other, and the mouth shape of the combined part is larger than the mouth shape of the water tap, and the auxiliary tank is connected to the atomizer. A humidifier characterized by having a water supply channel connected to the humidifier. (2) The atomization device includes a container containing water and a heat generating device thermally coupled to the container, the container communicates with the auxiliary tank through the water supply channel, and the heat generating device The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the device includes a positive temperature coefficient thermistor.