KR100581181B1 - Humidifier with sterilization ability - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an elongated ceramic body having one or more longitudinal passages parallel to each other for blowing sterilized air into an atomization tank of an ultrasonic humidifier, and a heating wire disposed in the longitudinal passage of the ceramic body, and a longitudinal passage inlet side of the ceramic body. Hot air supply means consisting of a fan for supplying air to the longitudinal passageway outlet of the ceramic body and a hot air connection supply port which is connected to the outlet of the ceramic body and the opening is exposed to the atomization tank, it is relatively simple and easy to apply and continuously By sterilizing air and preventing the growth of bacteria in the humidifier to spray sterile atomized particles, the indoor living environment can be maintained comfortably. Therefore, the germ propagation of the humidifier completely solves the essential problem.

Humidifier, Ultrasonic, Hot Air Supply, Ceramic

Description

Sterilization Humidifier {Humidifier with sterilization ability}

Figure 1a is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic humidifier

1b is a cross-sectional view of a combined humidifier with a partial heating chamber between the feed passages;

Figure 1c is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic humidifier with a heat sink near the outlet of the atomizing pipe

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic or combined humidifier of the present invention with hot air supply means.

Figure 3a is an exploded perspective view of the hot air supply means of one embodiment used in the humidifier of the present invention.

Figure 3b is an exploded perspective view of the hot air supply means of one embodiment used in the humidifier of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

30: tank 60: ultrasonic vibrator

80 housing 91 fan

92: ceramic body 93: hot air connection supply port

96,97: longitudinal passage 98,99: hot wire

The present invention relates to a sterilizing humidifier, and more particularly, to a sterilizing humidifier for discharging humidified particles atomized by ultrasonic waves by sterilized hot air.

In winter, humidifiers are used to control humidity because the indoor air is dried together with the development of heating system, which causes diseases of respiratory system in the elderly.

Humidifiers are classified into heater humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers according to the humidification method.

The heater humidifier naturally sprays water generated by heating the water in the atomizer to a high temperature into the room, and the ultrasonic method sprays water into the room by using a vibrator that vibrates the water in the atomizer with ultrasonic waves. That's the way.

Heater humidifier not only needs a high capacity heater to heat and evaporate water, but also has a disadvantage in that atomization particles are not sufficiently generated.

Ultrasonic humidifier forms humidified particles atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator and discharges atomized particles by the blower. Therefore, water and atomized particles in contact with the vibrator propagate the bacteria by contact with the contaminated blower air and spray these bacteria together with the spray. By flying in the air, the elderly can be seriously ill.

In order to suppress bacterial propagation in a spray tank that is in contact with a vibrator, various methods have been devised. For example, a method of purifying water in a tank or disinfecting the tank by heating it before reaching the ultrasonic vibrator is taken. Korean Patent No. 164173 discloses a heat sterilizing humidifier that heats a water tank in a separate heating chamber before it reaches an ultrasonic vibrator. However, since the water used in the humidifier generally uses tap water, there is no need for disinfection, and it is inefficient to boil or purify the water used in the humidifier in the humidifier.

It is well known that the bacteria propagation in the humidifier is caused by the growth of bacteria caused by indoor air not by the water supplied to the humidifier but by the contact of the air supplied to the blower with the water or atomized particles of the spray tank. According to experimental data published by the news media (SBS 2002.12.8.2002), the water supplied from the ultrasonic humidifier was suppressed to 10 bacteria per 1mm liter during the first day by the amount of residual chlorine, and the second day was 600 on the third day. It was reported to multiply to ten thousand. The humidifier is generally located on the floor and bacteria contained in the dust accumulated on the floor is mixed in the atomization tank by the blowing and propagated by the humidity and temperature conditions in the atomization tank to be scattered in the indoor air with the atomized particles to spread throughout the room. In other words, if the humidifier is used incorrectly, it can pose serious dangers, rather than help to spread indoor bacterial contamination. In this way, the germ propagation in the humidifier atomization tank is caused by polluted indoor air supplied from the blower and is exponentially performed by suitable humidity conditions. Therefore, it is not solved by purifying the water supplied to the humidifier. Partial heating of the supplied water also prevents bacterial propagation unless the water in the entire atomization tank is kept at sterilization temperature. Maintaining the water of the entire atomization tank above the sterilization temperature is inefficient because the high capacity heater is used, and the apparatus is complicated to apply heat resistance and high power. The method of supplying the purified blower air by providing the air purifying function to the blower is not only complicated in structure, uncertainty of sterilization effect, but also inconvenient to constantly replace the filter.

In the prior art, there has also been proposed a method of heating blown air in order to increase the temperature of cold atomized particles, aid in atomization of the ultrasonic vibrator, atomize atomized particles, or improve sterilization. Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-88754 discloses a humidifier having an evaporator of a heat sink having a heater in a atomized particle ejection pipe. Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1998-56268 discloses a structure in which a heater coil is disposed at an outlet and a fan is adopted at a rear side to adopt a hot stove to scatter hot air on the surface of an ultrasonic vibrator to raise the temperature of atomized particles and assist the ultrasonic atomizing function. Doing. Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0314450 proposes a hot air blowing method using a heat sink. Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0157781 discloses a structure for preheating blower air by extending the heater heat sink of the preheating tank of the atomization tank to the blower air outlet pipe in the heater and the ultrasonic combined humidifier.

The blowing heating method is considered to be sufficient for the heating of atomized particles, which is insufficient for complete sterilization of inlet air. For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1998-56268 heats air by placing a heater coil in a hot stove, so that the average temperature of the air can be increased, but whether all the inlet air is in contact with the heater above the sterilization temperature for a short time. I doubt it. Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-88754 heats (evaporates) the sprayed particles at the outlet of the sprayed particles, so the blower air is not in contact with the atomized particles or the water in the atomized tank, so it is not possible to prevent bacterial contamination induced from the indoor air.

An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that does not propagate bacteria by supplying completely sterilized air to the atomization tank of the humidifier.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a humidifier having an air purifying function by spraying fine atomized particles having a proper contact feeling by heating cold atomized particles contained in an ultrasonic humidifier.

Water tank 30 for supplying water for producing atomized particles according to the present invention; The atomization tank 40 which the hot air connection supply port 93 is exposed and the ultrasonic vibrator 60 and / or the heater 50 are arrange | positioned at the bottom as needed; Flow passage means (100) for flowing an appropriate amount of water from the water tank (30) to the atomization tank (40); Disposed in the longitudinal passages 96, 97 of the ceramic body 92 and the elongated ceramic body 92 having one or more longitudinal passages 96, 97 parallel to each other for blowing the sterilized air into the atomization tank. The atomization tank is hermetically connected to the heating element 98 and 99 and the fan 91 for supplying air to the longitudinal passage inlet side of the ceramic body and the outlet of the longitudinal passages 96 and 97 of the ceramic body 92. Hot air supply means (90) consisting of a hot air connection supply port (93) with an opening (95) exposed at (40); Atomization particle outlet 70 installed in the atomization tank 40; Power supply; A current circuit for supplying current from the power supply to a portion that operates electrically; Electrical control means for controlling the flow of current in the site of operation of electricity; And some or all of the water tank 30, the atomization tank 40, the flow path means 100, the hot air supply means 90, the discharge port 70, the power supply unit, the current circuit and the electric control means. It is provided with a sterilizing humidifier consisting of a housing 80 is connected, formed or received.

The bath generally has an inlet for water and a lid and has a valve that is opened upon pressurization to supply water to the flow path means. The flow path means generally consists of a water level detection sensor and a valve for controlling the amount of water flowing into the atomization tank according to the signal of the sensor in order to maintain a constant level of the atomization tank. The bottom of the atomization tank is generally formed in an accompaniment shape on the upper surface of the housing, and an ultrasonic vibrator is exposed at the bottom of the accompaniment. If necessary, the heater is exposed. The heater is usually a direct heating element or a radiator in which the heating element is recessed. Usually, the atomization tank consists of the head and the head cover covering the head. The power supply unit includes a high frequency oscillator for supplying a high frequency current to an ultrasonic vibrator for supplying a current having a frequency and voltage required for an electrically operated part such as an ultrasonic vibrator, a heater, a heating element, a blower, and a control circuit. Ultrasonic vibrators, heaters, heating elements, blowers, electrical control means, circuits for supplying the necessary current to the power source and the portion that operates electrically are generally housed in the housing. The electric control means controls the voltage, the current and the opening and closing of the portion operated by electricity. The power source or the electric control unit is generally housed invisibly inside the lower part of the housing, which acts as a pedestal for the humidifier. The atomization particle outlet installed in the atomization tank may be integrally formed in the atomization tank, but may be formed as a separate jet hole rotatably coupled to a hole formed in the atomization cap to adjust the direction of the atomization particle. It usually covers the tank or other parts and puts on the housing top cover to keep the exterior clean. Such a structure is a general structure of an ultrasonic humidifier or a complex humidifier. The humidifier of the present invention does not necessarily need to adopt the ultrasonic vibrator method. This is because even if the ultrasonic vibrator or the heater is not provided in the atomization tank, it can function as an air purifier with a humidification function. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the general form of ultrasonic, heated or combined type.

An important feature of the present invention is a hot air supply means for supplying air to an elongated ceramic body having one or more longitudinal passages parallel to each other and a heating wire disposed in the longitudinal passage of the ceramic body and an inlet side of the longitudinal passage of the ceramic body. And a hot air connection supply port sealingly connected to the fan and the longitudinal passageway outlet of the ceramic body, the opening being exposed to the atomization tank. The ceramic body can be embedded in the case if necessary. The ceramic body may be mixed with titanium dioxide powder or coated on various kinds of longitudinal passages to obtain a photocatalytic effect.

The ceramic body is preferably formed with a plurality of parallel longitudinal passages. The cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal passages is simple to manufacture, but may take various shapes, for example, petals or the like, in order to increase the contact surface with air. Can be. The heating wire is disposed in the longitudinal direction in the longitudinal passage as the heating element. In general, the heating wire, which is a heating element, is a straight line or coil. In the case of the coil type, the heating ability can be varied by varying the coil turning density on the inlet and outlet sides of the longitudinal passage. The ceramic body is heated about the longitudinal passage by hot wire. It is easy to manufacture the hot wire is arranged to be connected in series with a plurality of such longitudinal passages in a single line. In the case of the petal type, if the heating wire is supported at the center of the longitudinal passage cross section, the contact efficiency of air is excellent.

In some cases, a long rod-shaped or cylindrical ceramic heating element may be used. Silicon carbide and the like are well known as ceramic heating elements. In the case of ceramic heating elements, a separate heating wire is not necessary. A voltage must be applied at both ends to conduct the ceramic heating element. The ceramic heating element may incorporate titanium dioxide into the heating element or coat titanium dioxide on the surface of the heating element in order to obtain a photocatalytic effect. When a ceramic heating element is used, it is inserted into the longitudinal passage of the ceramic body. When a cylindrical ceramic heating element is used, the small-diameter ceramic heating element is inserted into the large-diameter ceramic heating element, and the air first passes through the small-diameter ceramic heating element and turns 180 degrees to pass between the small-diameter ceramic heating element and the inside of the large-diameter ceramic heating element. And finally between the outside of the large diameter ceramic heating element and the various lengths of the ceramic body longitudinal passageway to be released toward the outlet.

Longer ceramic bodies can be installed at 90 or 180 degrees, or double or triple overlaps in order to lengthen air and longitudinal passages in a narrow space. Air passing through the heated longitudinal passage surface is contacted to heat and sterilize. In some cases, the ceramic body is preheated before air is supplied by the fan. Such longitudinal passages are preferably arranged in parallel in order to increase efficiency. This long ceramic body can be used in multiple bundles for large capacities. In this way, the capacity can be increased with one kind of ceramic body.

A wing fan is common for supplying air. A pressurized fan, such as a small compressor or blower, may be used to overcome hydraulic pressure depending on the friction of the longitudinal passages and the arrangement of the hot air inlet. The fan may be prefiltered in some cases. Meshes can be installed to prevent relatively large objects from entering the fan.

The hot air connection supply port is sealedly coupled to the outlet side of the longitudinal passage of the ceramic body. This hot air connection feed can be made of a heat resistant material, preferably a ceramic material. The opening of this hot air connection supply port is exposed to the atomization tank and used for the release of atomization particles. The openings of this hot air connection feed hole can be used to preheat the water in the atomization tank located below the water surface in the atomization tank. In this case, the check valve is preferably installed in the opening. If necessary, the position of the hot air discharge can be selected above or below the water surface by the use of a valve.

The heating wire and the fan located in the longitudinal passage of the long ceramic body are supplied with electric current by an electric circuit, but the intensity of the electric current can be varied according to the blowing amount. In general, it is desirable to adjust in several steps. In the hot air supply means, the temperature of the air discharged from the hot air connection supply port is preferably maintained at 70 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower. A relatively high temperature is required to heat sterilize the water of the atomization tank and a relatively low temperature is advantageous in energy efficiency when used to simply discharge the atomized particles.

It is preferable not to provide a separate closed space at the inlet of the fan connected to the inlet of the longitudinal passage of the long ceramic body in the hot air supply means to reduce air pollution. This is because air is contaminated by dust accumulated in the closed space. The hot air supply means is preferably accommodated in the bottom of the housing because of its elongated shape.

The air introduced by the fan is heated, sterilized in contact with the ceramic wall along the longitudinal passage heated by the heating wire, and discharged into the air together with the atomized particles through the atomization tank. This heat-sterilized air preheats the atomization tank, raises the temperature of the atomization particles, or optionally stops the ultrasonic vibrator in the middle of the humidification operation, at the start or at the end, depending on the operation cycle of the humidifier. It can be used to heat and sterilize the water inside.

The air sterilized by the present invention is supplied to the atomization tank of the humidifier by hot air to prevent the water in the atomization tank from being contaminated with bacteria and to increase the temperature of the atomization particles to refine the atomization particles and to maintain the indoor temperature. Can be purified. In addition, when the humidifier is stopped for a long time according to the selection, it is possible to reliably prevent germ propagation of the humidifier by heating and sterilizing the water of the atomization tank.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A-1C illustrate the prior art.

Figure 1a illustrates a conventional ultrasonic humidifier. Ultrasonic vibrator 61 is connected to the main body 11 of the predetermined shape and the inlet of the flow path means of the main body 11 to communicate with the water tank 31 for supplying water and the water tank 31 and the flow path means. It is composed of the atomization tank 41 is disposed, the blower port 71 installed on the upper end of the atomization tank 41 and the blowing fan 81 is installed in the lower portion of the main body 11 to discharge the atomized particles. The air sucked into the blower fan 81 is contaminated air in the room and contacts the water or atomized particles in the atomization tank 41 to form bacteria and is discharged together with the atomized particles.

Figure 1b illustrates a heating and ultrasonic hybrid humidification scheme. Here, in the atomization tank 42, not only the ultrasonic vibrator 62 but also the heater 52 is arranged to humidify the ultrasonic vibrator 62 while heating the water of the atomization tank. In this way, in order to heat the water beyond sterilization, it is not possible to eliminate bacteria due to inhaled air unless the heater capacity is large and the water is boiled completely to produce steam.

1C is similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B, but the heat sink 53 is disposed at the end of the atomizer tube on which the ultrasonic vibrator 63 is mounted. Water of the water tank 33 is supplied to the atomization chamber along the flow path 23. The atomized particles are discharged through the spout 73 through the heat sink 53. The sterilization and sufficient temperature rise of the atomized particles by the short contact period with the atomized particles are not practically possible, and the blower air and the atomizer of the blower 83 are not possible. Bacterial propagation in the atomization tank due to contact with water cannot be prevented.

2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. 3A and 3B show hot air supply means used in the sterilizing humidifier of the present invention using the straight hot wire 98 and the coil hot wire 99, respectively. Except for the hot air supply means 90 is similar to the ultrasonic or combined. The fan 91 of the hot air supply means 90 mounted inside the bottom of the housing is exposed to the side of the housing 80. The air sucked into the fan 91 is heated while contacting the walls of the longitudinal passages 96 and 97 along the longitudinal passages 96 and 97 formed in the ceramic body 92 heated by the heating wires 98 and 99. After entering the hot air connection supply port 93 through the opening 95 into the atomization tank (40). The opening may optionally be exposed to water. At this time, the check valve 94 is installed in the opening. The supply air temperature at the opening 95 is preferably 70 to 120 ° C. When sterilization of the supply air is required, the lower temperature is advantageous in terms of energy, and the higher temperature is preferable at the time of sterilization of water in the atomization tank 40.

The humidifier of the present invention has a relatively simple structure, which is easy to apply and continuously sterilizes the air in the room and prevents germ propagation in the humidifier to spray sterile atomized particles to maintain a comfortable living environment in the room. Reproduction completely solved the essential problem.

Claims (7)

A water tank 30 for supplying water for producing atomized particles; Atomization tank 40 is exposed to the hot-air connection supply port 93 and the ultrasonic vibrator 60 and the heater 50 is disposed on the bottom surface; Flow passage means (100) for flowing an appropriate amount of water from the water tank (30) to the atomization tank (40); Elongate ceramic body 92 and one or more longitudinal passages 96 and 97 formed in parallel with each other to blow sterilized air into atomization tank 40 and longitudinal passages 96 and 97 of ceramic body 92. A heating element (98,99) disposed in the c) and a fan (91) for supplying air to the longitudinal passage inlet side of the ceramic body (92) and the longitudinal passage outlet of the ceramic body, Hot air supply means 90 consisting of a hot air connection supply port 93 is exposed (95); Atomization particle outlet 70 installed in the atomization tank 40; Power supply; A current circuit for supplying current from the power supply to a portion that operates electrically; Electrical control means for controlling the flow of current in the site of operation of electricity; And sterilization type humidifier consisting of a housing (80) The sterilizing humidifier according to claim 1, wherein in the hot air supply means (90), the elongated ceramic body (92) has a longitudinal passage having a circular cross section (96) or a longitudinal passage having a petal (97). 3. The hot air supply means (90) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of mutually parallel longitudinal passages (96,97) formed in the ceramic body (92) in the hot air supply means (90) are linear heating wires (98) in the longitudinal direction. Or a sterilized humidifier continuously arranged in a coiled hot wire (99) shape. 3. A sterilizing humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a ceramic heating element is disposed in the plurality of mutually parallel longitudinal passages (96,97) of the ceramic body (92) in the hot air supply means (90). The small-diameter ceramic heating element is inserted into the large-diameter ceramic heating element when the cylindrical ceramic heating element is used in the plurality of mutually parallel longitudinal passages of the ceramic body 92 in the hot air supply means 90. Air first passes through the small-diameter ceramic and turns 180 degrees, passing between the small-diameter ceramic heating element and the large-diameter ceramic heating element, and finally the large-diameter ceramic heating element, the ceramic body 92 and the longitudinal passage (96,97). ) A sterilizing humidifier with a heating element arranged to pass between inner wall surfaces and be discharged toward an outlet. The sterilization type according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the titanium dioxide powder is incorporated into the ceramic body in the hot air supply means 90 or coated on the inner wall surfaces of at least a plurality of parallel longitudinal passages 96 and 97. humidifier. According to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (95) of the hot air connection supply port (93) of the hot air supply means (90) is located under the water surface in the atomization tank, and the opening (95) prevents the check valve (94) Type sterilizing humidifier.

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