KR20130030685A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A humidifier is provided to improve the stability against the danger of bacteria by fundamentally removing moisture which provides an environment for bacterial proliferation inside the humidifier. CONSTITUTION: A humidifier comprises a humidifying unit(20), a water supplying unit(30), an electric supply and control unit(40), an excessive water forcibly draining unit(50), and a drying unit(60). The excessive water forcibly draining unit forcibly collects water on a humidification route inside a humidifier into a water collecting container which is separately installed in the lower side of a casing. The drying unit ventilates in order to dry a humidification water contacting route including an internal route which comprises the humidifying unit, water supplying unit, and water collecting container(53). The electric supply and control unit controls to operate the excessive water forcibly draining unit after the end of humidifying; to discharge internal water of the humidifier to the water collecting container; and to dry the inside of the humidifier by the drying unit.

Description

Humidifier {Humidifier}

The present invention relates to a humidifier, and in particular, after performing a given humidification function, the remaining water inside is completely drained, the inside is cleaned by automatic washing, and the inside of the water is drained to dry the various pathogenic microorganisms. A humidifier with a bactericidal function that blocks growth proliferation and propagation.

By keeping the indoor humidity properly, the mucus and cilia inside the respiratory tract can be maintained to effectively catch and defend against bacteria, viruses and fine dust. On the other hand, dry indoor air reduces immunity and causes respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as nasal diseases such as colds, rhinitis and sinusitis.

Humidity of about 60% is known to be comfortable and suitable for maintaining the function of the living body, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends maintaining indoor humidity 20 ~ 60%, but it is difficult to maintain proper humidity under cooling or heating. As a solution to this, a humidifier is used.

Humidifiers are useful devices that impart humidification conditions to the room by various methods such as atomization and vaporization by heating or ultrasonic vibration, or they are humidified by atomizing or evaporating water properly filled inside. It provides a good environment for pathogenic bacteria to grow. The water inside the humidifier can be a medium that releases pathogenic bacteria if not kept clean, as reportedly causing infections in patients or older people with weak immunity beyond the contamination tolerance after 24 hours. (Kim, Mi-Sook: A Study on Infection Control in Korea, Korean Nursing 21 (5) 76-79 ISSN 0047-3618, 1982)

Due to such risks, various technologies have been proposed to ensure the safe use and safety of the humidifier.

In order to suppress the breeding of the humidifier as a safe use method, there is a method of washing every use using tap water, but there is a cumbersome disadvantage. In addition, there is a method of adding a disinfectant to a humidifying water or a nano ball made of silver nano balls or minerals known to have a sterilizing effect, but some mixed materials have a fatal risk of damaging lung function and causing death. Some are at risk of not being safe.

As a technology for securing the safety of use of a humidifier, Korean Patent No. 10-0704148 (April 06, 2007) discloses a structure in which a heating wire is installed in an atomization tank to sterilize by heating, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010216787 ( 2010.09.30) is equipped with a titanium oxide (IV) containing a halogen (Halogen) in the interior of the humidification device so that the halogen (Halogen) at least partly chemically bonded to the titanium oxide (IV), The halogen (titanium oxide) containing a halogen (IV) has been proposed to sterilize by simultaneously applying a heating and photocatalytic reaction of the structure having antimicrobial activity in at least a dark place.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-349913 (2002.12.4 publication) has a pair of one or more insoluble or highly corrosion-resistant electrodes arranged in contact with water, and electrolysis by applying a direct-current component to the electrodes. (Electrolysis) converts chlorine ions into chlorine in water and proposes a sterilization structure by electrolytic sterilization water produced by chlorine generating means in which chlorine is continuously generated and replenished in water. Korean Patent No. 10-0558168 (2006) Announcement on March 10 shows the sterilization structure by electrolytic sterilization water with a pair of sterilization parts composed of electrodes and dielectrics on both sides of the waterway and connecting the water supply part and the atomizer device. Doing.

The method of sterilizing humidifying water or fine particles of water by causing a photocatalytic reaction with heating and heating can generally suppress the release of germs that are susceptible to heat. However, the initial sterilization effect can be obtained by operating in a sufficiently heated state after humidification. Or there is a problem that the humidification operation is delayed, the near-infrared used for sterilization purpose has a problem of promoting the deterioration of the humidifier body made of plastic by a strong oxidation action, there is a disadvantage in that the energy consumption of heating increases.

In the method of using electrolytic sterilized water, it is possible to exert sterilizing performance by forming humidified water and mixed sterilized water by reducing chlorine ions contained in tap water without adding electrolyte, but it is possible to generate ozone depending on electrode plate. In addition, the scale formed on the electrode plate used for the electrolysis is cumulative and the life of the electrode plate is short, there is a disadvantage that the maintenance is difficult. In addition, chlorine dissolved in water produces chloroform, chlorinated by-products and chlorine chlorine compounds (Trichloroethylene, Chloroform, Chlorine Dioxide, DBCP), which accumulate in the respiratory tract, increasing the risk of bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and rectal cancer, and pulmonary edema. Regulatory toxicology and Pharmacology, 14, pp.297-312,1991; American Journal of Epidemiology 1998.1; Kuo HW "Estimates of cancer risk from chloroform exposure during showring in Taiwan" Sci Total Environ 1998 )

Moreover, if the internal sterilizing humidifier does not artificially remove the water inside, the inside of the humidifier does not operate and the inside becomes wet, so the contamination progresses rapidly and there is a possibility of germs being discharged at the beginning of operation. There was a problem that the contamination continues to proceed at the site where the steam heat does not reach.

KR 10-0704148 (April 06, 2007 announcement) JP 2010-216787 (released September 30, 2010) JP 2002-349913 (published 22.12.4) KR 10-0558168 (March 10, 2006 announcement)

Since the humidifier uses water inherently, it maintains the high humidity conditions necessary for the growth and growth of the bacteria inside the humidifier, thereby causing problems of bacterial spread and infection. Existing humidifier sterilization means made by heating, oxidation, sterilization, etc. suppressed the release of bacteria during operation, but did not prevent the growth of bacteria in the humidifier when not in operation. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that is safer from the risk of bacteria by automatically washing the inside of the humidifier with increased contamination after the end of use of the humidifier, and removing the moisture inside the humidifier that provides a growth growth environment of the bacteria.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidifier including a humidifying means, a water supply means, and an electric supply and control means, for humidifying and discharging water supplied through the water supply means by a humidifying means, the humidifying means and a water supply means. Surplus water forcing and draining means for forcibly recovering water belonging to the humidification path inside the humidifier to a water collection tank separately installed under the casing; Ventilation drying means for drying the humidifying water contact path by the ventilation, including the humidification means and the water supply means and the internal path leading to the water collection tank; further comprising, surplus after the humidification function is terminated by the electricity supply and control means The forced water draining means is operated to discharge and recover the water inside the humidifier to the recovery container, and the ventilation drying means is operated to present a humidifier characterized in that the configuration consists of drying the moisture in the humidifier.

In addition, the present invention, the humidifier including a humidifying means, water supply means and electricity supply and control means in the humidifier for discharging the water supplied through the water supply means by the humidifying means, the humidifying means and water supply means Surplus water forcing and drainage means for forcibly recovering the water belonging to the humidification path inside the humidifier to a water collection tank separately installed in the lower casing; A washing means for washing the inside of the humidifier by injecting water stored in the washing tank separately formed in the excess water discharge path inside the casing by spraying the humidifying means, the water supply means, and the humidifying water flow path leading to the water collection tank; Ventilation drying means for drying the humidifying water contact path by the ventilation, including the humidification means and the water supply means and the internal path leading to the water collection tank; further comprising, surplus after the humidification function is terminated by the electricity supply and control means The water forcing and draining means and the washing means is operated to wash the inside of the humidifier, and after the washing discharged and recovered the water to the recovery container, and the ventilation drying means is operated to present a humidifier characterized in that the configuration consisting of drying the moisture in the humidifier.

According to the present invention, when the set humidifier operation time is terminated or the drying function is performed, the surplus water forcing and draining means discharges the water in the humidifier included in the water supply means and the humidifying means to the recovery container, and the ventilation drying means operates to operate the inside of the humidifier. Blow dry air into the humid area to evaporate moisture inside the humidifier to keep it dry.

In addition, if the cleaning means is further included in the configuration to clean the inside after releasing excess water to the recovery container, the ventilation drying means is operated to blow dry air to the humid area inside the humidifier to further improve hygiene. The water inside the humidifier is evaporated and kept dry.

Therefore, after the end of the humidifying operation can be blocked by the source of excess water or bacteria that grow and proliferate in the humid place inside the humidifier, and the internal cleaning and drying is automatically made after the end of the humidification function is easy hygienic management of the humidifier. In addition, the present invention is safe by applying a natural drying method by ventilation, not by artificial chemical injection or electrolysis or ozone or ultraviolet sterilization, and solves the human hazard problem that may be caused by the existing humidifier.

1 is a structural diagram of the present invention
2 is an embodiment of a water supply means
3 is an embodiment of the water collection
4A is an operation state diagram of the humidification function
Figure 4b is an operating state of the washing function
Figure 4c is an operating state diagram of the ventilation drying function

The present invention is applied to a humidifier which includes a humidifying means, a water supply means, and an electric supply and control means to humidify and discharge water supplied through the water supply means by the humidifying means.

The present invention includes a surplus water forcing and draining means forcibly recovering the water belonging to the humidifier internal humidifying path including the humidifying means and the water supply means to the water collection tank separately installed in the lower casing; Ventilation drying means for drying the humidifying water contact path by the ventilation, including the humidification means and the water supply means and the internal path leading to the water collection tank; further comprising, surplus after the humidification function is terminated by the electricity supply and control means The water forcing and draining means is operated to discharge and recover the water inside the humidifier to a recovery container, and the ventilation drying means is operated to dry the moisture inside the humidifier.

In addition, surplus water forcing and draining means for forcibly recovering the water belonging to the humidifier internal humidifying path including the humidifying means and the water supply means to the water collection tank separately installed in the lower casing; A washing means for washing the inside of the humidifier by injecting water stored in the washing tank separately formed in the excess water discharge path inside the casing by spraying the humidifying means, the water supply means, and the humidifying water flow path leading to the water collection tank; Ventilation drying means for drying the humidifying water contact path by the ventilation, including the humidification means and the water supply means and the internal path leading to the water collection tank; further comprising, surplus after the humidification function is terminated by the electricity supply and control means The water forcing and draining means and the washing means is operated to wash the inside of the humidifier, and after the washing discharged and recovered the water to the recovery container, the ventilation drying means is characterized in that the configuration consisting of drying the moisture in the humidifier.

1 shows the configuration of the present invention, the present invention, the humidifying means 20 and water supply means 30 and the electricity supply and control means 40, surplus water in the casing 10 constituting the humidifier body Forced drain means 50 and the ventilation drying means 60 is formed, according to another embodiment, has a structure that the washing means 70 is further included in the configuration.

The humidifying means 20 discharges the humidified air vaporized or evaporated by the blower separated or unitized to the outside of the casing or discharges the vaporized humidified air to the outside of the casing to apply the room.

 The embodiment shown as the humidification means 20 applied to the present invention shows the atomization method by ultrasonic vibration, but vaporization on the surface of the disk by the rotating disk, vaporization by the absorption filter or the vaporization filter, and evaporation by heating. It can be done in either way.

The water supply means 30 is a means for supplying water required for humidification, and a water supply tank 31 inserted into the casing for supplying a predetermined amount of water into the humidifier and a water supply tank 31, and the water supplied through the water supply tub is humidified. It consists of a feed passage 32 formed in the casing for supply to the means 20.

In the water supply tank 31 according to the embodiment, the needle valve 311 is coupled to the water outlet part to supply the amount of water required for humidification to the humidification means 20, and the small water tank 33 at the corresponding portion of the casing. Is formed. The water tank is connected to the water supply passage 32 and configured to reliably respond to the demand from the humidification means 20 in the air at a constant level in the water discharged from the water supply tank.

The surplus water forcing and draining means 50 constitutes means for forcibly discharging the remaining water from the humidifying water distribution path according to the humidification time and the intensity set by the electricity supply and control means 40 and the like. Water supply forced discharge device 51 for forcibly discharging the water in the water supply tank, humidifying water forced discharge device 52 for forcibly discharging the water contained in the casing, including the humidification means, and forced discharged water Consists of a water collecting container 53 for receiving the.

The water supply forced discharge device 51 may be configured in various ways as a device for forcibly discharging water in the small water tank 33 formed in the water supply tank 31 and the casing. 33) a solenoid valve 511 is installed at the lower part, and a water supply and drainage pipe 512 is connected to the solenoid valve 511 and the water collecting container 53 in the casing, and an open / close valve is provided at the upper part of the water supply container 31. And a solenoid 513 for electronically opening and closing the on-off valve at the corresponding casing position.

When the water supply forced discharge device 51 opens the solenoid valve 511 by the electric supply and control means 40, the water in the water supply tank 31 passes through the water supply water drain pipe 512. It is a structure to be discharged directly to), and the opening and closing valve 34 of the upper part of the water supply tank by the action of the solenoid 513 is maintained in the open state is a structure in which the water inside the water supply tank smoothly flows out.

FIG. 2 illustrates a coupling relationship between the water supply tank 31, the on-off valve 34, and the solenoid 513 according to the embodiment. The on-off valve 34 has an internal open type and a metal plate 341 is located outside the valve. The built-in, the built-in metal plate is opened by being pulled by the magnetic force applied to the solenoid 513 and closed when the magnetic force of the solenoid 513 is removed. Supply constant and keep closed when separating from casing to prevent the water inside.

The humidifying water forced discharge device 52 is a device for forcibly discharging the water contained in the humidifying means to the water collection tank 53, the humidifying water tank 521 formed in the lower part of the casing in which the humidifying means 20 is installed. And a solenoid valve 522 for opening and closing the humidifying water tank, and a humidifying water drain pipe 523 for connecting the solenoid valve 522 and the water recovery container 53.

The humidifying water tank 521 serves to catch water contained in the humidifying means and the water supply passage 32 and to supply proper water to the humidifying means, and the solenoid valve 522 has a surplus water forcing and draining means ( When the 50 is operated, the valve is opened to discharge the water in the humidification room through the humidifying water drain pipe 523 to the water collecting container 53.

The water collection container 53 constitutes a container for temporarily storing surplus water inside the casing and discharging it to the outside. It is installed at the lower part of the casing so that the water inside the casing flows down by gravity and can be collected by the water collecting container, and it is combined with a detachable structure to separate from the casing.

3 illustrates an embodiment of the water collecting container 53, wherein an opening / closing valve 532 and a stopper 533 are formed on an upper portion of the box-shaped body 531, and a collecting groove 534 is formed in a concave shape around the opening / closing valve. Is formed, the inclined guide 535 is formed in a position corresponding to the water inlet (53) insertion port opening and closing valve 532 of the casing (10), by inserting the water collecting container 53, the on-off valve (532) and the inclined guide When contacting, the opening and closing valve is opened to collect water, and when the water collection container is separated from the casing, the opening and closing valve 532 is automatically closed to have a structure in which the water is not leaked.

The ventilation drying means 60 is to completely dry the moisture remaining in the casing and the water remaining in the contact portion in the state that the water in the casing is discharged to the water collection tank by the surplus water forcing and draining means 50 to block the propagation of bacteria at the source. It is for. It is configured to dry by ventilation by blowing air sucked from the outside on the humidification path using a blower.

The ventilation drying means 60 is constituted by a blower 61 for sucking external air and a ventilation pipe 62 which extends on a path through which the humidifying water inside the casing flows and contacts and sprays the suctioned external air.

The present invention includes a configuration for ventilation drying to the inside of the water supply tank in order to effectively prevent the growth of harmful bacteria by drying, the embodiment according to Figure 2 shows this, by the respective wind pressure on the water supply tank 31 A water supply tank is formed by forming an internal open / close valve 63 which is opened inwardly and an external open / close valve 64 that is open to the outside, and extending the above-described ventilation pipe 62 at a corresponding portion of the internal open / close valve of the casing. It has a configuration to maintain the connection state when inserting.

The internal open / close valve 63 may be blown into the water supply tank by opening the valve inside by a given wind pressure from the outside, and the external open / close valve 64 may be opened by a given wind pressure inside the water tank. Open to the outside to release the air inside the water tank. Therefore, both open / close valves are kept open by the wind pressure applied during the ventilation drying, and the inside of the water supply tank is ventilated.

Each of the on-off valve is closed by the internal spring force when the valve is separated from the casing is not made to leak the contents water, the illustrated embodiment is a water supply formed for the smooth operation of the surplus water forcing and draining means (50) By using the on-off valve 34 formed in the barrel is shown a structure omitting the external open type valve (64).

The washing means 70 applied in the present invention is to maintain a more hygienic internal state by washing the internal humidification circulation water distribution path inside the casing.

The washing means 70, the washing water tank 71 formed on the casing internal water supply drain pipe 512 and the humidification water drain pipe 523 to secure the washing water, and a pump for pumping the water of the washing tank ( 72), a nozzle tube (73) for injecting the washing water that extends on the path in which the humidifying water flows and contacts the casing, and a solenoid valve (74) disposed below the washing water tank (71). A quantity detecting sensor 75 is installed to detect the quantity of the washing tank and collect the opening and closing information of the solenoid valve 74.

The washing means 70 is configured to supply and control the electricity supply and control means to operate at the same time the surplus water forcing and draining means 50 is automatically operated when the humidification function is terminated or foreign matter buried on the circulation path of the humidifying water or By washing the scale with water pressure it is possible to improve the hygiene than when only the ventilation drying means is applied.

Hereinafter, the operation according to the configuration of the present invention will be described.

4A illustrates a normal humidification function, in which a certain amount of water is supplied from the water supply tank 31 to fill the small water tank 33, and the water filled in the small water tank 33 is supplied to the water supply path 32. Is supplied to the humidification means by overflow, and the humidification means 20 consumes the water supplied by each method to humidify the air, and discharges the humidified air into the room by the action of the blower included in the humidification means. This humidifying operation is terminated after being operated for the time set by the control means, for example, for eight hours.

Figure 4b shows the washing operation, the washing operation is made automatically after the end of the humidification or by the operation of the control means by the switch operation, can be made alone, but preferably is operated simultaneously with the surplus water forced drainage means.

The washing operation is operated simultaneously with the surplus water forcing and draining means, so that the solenoid valves 511 and 522 are opened so that the water on the water supply tank 31 and the humidification path is drained and accommodated in the washing water tank 71. At this time, the water pressure sensed by the washing water tank 71 is sensed by the water quantity detection sensor 75, and when the water pressure is excessive, the solenoid valve 74 is opened so that an appropriate amount of water remains on the humidification path.

The water in the washing tank 71 is pumped by the pump 72 and sprayed into the humidification path inside the casing through the nozzle tube 73 to wash the water.

The washing operation is repeatedly performed for a predetermined time, and when the predetermined time elapses, the solenoid valve 74 is opened to completely drain the water on the humidification path and recover the water collection tank 53 at the lower portion.

Figure 4c shows the ventilation drying means, and the ventilation drying proceeds in a state in which the excess water in the casing including the water supply tank is completely drained to the water collection tank.

The ventilation drying is performed by inhaling external dry air by the operation of the blower 61 and injecting the sucked air through the pressurized ventilation pipe 62.

Dry air injected into the circulation path completely dry the moisture on the surface to maintain a dry state where bacteria cannot grow. If the water supply tank is configured to allow dry air, the opening and closing valves 63 and 64 are kept open by the pressure of the air supplied through the air supply pipe so that the air dry reaches the water supply tank.

As described above, the present invention can fundamentally block the growth and proliferation of bacteria in the excess water or humidified areas inside the humidifier by internal washing and drying after the end of the humidifying operation, artificial chemical injection or electrolysis or ozone or ultraviolet rays By applying a natural drying method by ventilation instead of sterilization method, it is safe and can solve the human hazard problem that can be caused by the existing humidifier.

10: casing
20: humidification means
30: water supply means
31: water container 32: water supply 33: small water tank
34: Opening valve 341: Metal plate
40: electricity supply and control means
50: surplus water forcing
51: water supply forced discharge device 511: solenoid valve
512: water supply pipe 513: solenoid
52: humidification water forced discharge device 521: humidification water tank
522: solenoid valve 523: humidification drainage pipe
53: water collection container 531: main body
532: open valve 533: stopper
534: catchment groove 535: inclined guide
60: ventilation drying means
61: blower 62: uptake
63: internal open / close valve 64: external open / close valve
70: cleaning means
71: washing tank 72: pump
73: solenoid valve 75: quantity sensor:

Claims (3)

A humidifier including a humidifying means, a water supply means, and an electricity supply and control means, for humidifying and discharging water supplied through the water supply means by a humidifying means, wherein the humidifier internal humidification includes the humidifying means and the water supply means. Surplus water forcing and draining means for forcibly recovering water belonging to a path into a water collection tank separately installed at a lower portion of the casing; Ventilation drying means for drying the humidifying water contact path by the ventilation, including the humidification means and the water supply means and the internal path leading to the water collection tank; further comprising, surplus after the humidification function is terminated by the electricity supply and control means Humidifier characterized in that the water forcing the drain means is operated to discharge the water in the humidifier to the recovery container and the ventilation drying means is operated to dry the moisture in the humidifier.
A humidifier including a humidifying means, a water supply means, and an electricity supply and control means, for humidifying and discharging water supplied through the water supply means by a humidifying means, wherein the humidifier internal humidification includes the humidifying means and the water supply means. Surplus water forcing and draining means for forcibly recovering water belonging to a path into a water collection tank separately installed at a lower portion of the casing; A washing means for washing the inside of the humidifier by injecting water stored in the washing tank separately formed in the excess water discharge path inside the casing by spraying the humidifying means, the water supply means, and the humidifying water flow path leading to the water collection tank; Ventilation drying means for drying the humidifying water contact path by the ventilation, including the humidification means and the water supply means and the internal path leading to the water collection tank; further comprising, surplus after the humidification function is terminated by the electricity supply and control means Humidifier characterized in that the water forcing and draining means and the washing means is operated to wash the inside of the humidifier and discharge the water after the washing to the recovery container, the ventilation drying means is operated to dry the moisture in the humidifier.
The method according to claim 1 or 2,
An internal open type on-off valve and an external open type on / off valve are formed on the upper portion of the water supply constituting the water supply means, and the air pressure by the ventilation drying means is supplied to the water supply tank by opening the internal open type on / off valve. Humidifier, characterized in that the wind pressure supplied into the water supply tank is configured to open the external open-type open-close valve to dry the water supply tank by the ventilation drying means.

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