KR20230157659A - Humidifier and control method the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention for a humidifier is disclosed. The disclosed humidifier forms a first accommodating part, a second accommodating part, and a connecting passage, and has a main body provided with an operating panel, and the upper side of the main body is covered, and the operating panel is opened as the first accommodating part and the second accommodating part are opened. an exposed cover, and a reservoir mounted on the first accommodating portion to move the stored water to the first accommodating portion through a discharge guide; A direct water supply unit connected to a storage tank to supply direct water or purified water, a vibrator provided on the floor of the second receiver and moving the water flowing into the first receiver through a connection passage to generate spray through ultrasonic vibration, It includes a spray discharge unit provided in the second receiver to guide the spray generated from the vibrator upward and discharge it to the outside.

Description

Humidifier and its control method {HUMIDIFIER AND CONTROL METHOD THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a humidifier and a control method thereof, and more specifically, to a humidifier that supplies water directly by providing a direct water supply to a reservoir, and fills the reservoir with water for humidification using a mechanical method using a buoyancy material or an electronic method using a water level sensor. To eliminate inconvenience, in the case of the electronic type, when humidity is high, water is supplied and stored at a low level, reducing the humidification discharge amount, and when humidity is low, water is supplied and stored at a high level, and the humidification discharge amount is controlled to increase, thereby facilitating water supply. In addition, it relates to a humidifier and its control method that can reduce the size (volume) of the storage tank by maintaining water in the storage tank at an appropriate level depending on the humidity and reduce the amount of foreign substances generated inside the storage tank.

In general, by maintaining indoor air at appropriate humidity, diseases can be prevented and a pleasant indoor atmosphere can be created. To control this humidity, humidifiers that convert water into particles and discharge them indoors are used.

These humidifiers include centrifugal spray humidifiers, which convert sucked water into particles by centrifugal force, and spray humidifiers that utilize the cavitation phenomenon that occurs when an electric signal of a certain frequency generated in an electric circuit is transmitted to a vibrator placed in water to generate ultrasonic waves. There are several types of humidifiers, including ultrasonic humidifiers, electric humidifiers that generate steam by heating water with a heater or electrode, and evaporative humidifiers that evaporate water by passing air through a wet filter.

On the other hand, an ultrasonic humidifier moves water contained in a water tank or water container provided in the main body, generates ultrasonic vibration in a vibrator installed in the main body, and discharges it through a discharge port to humidify the room.

However, if you use an ultrasonic humidifier by storing water in the reservoir, not only does it cause the inconvenience of having to store water frequently, but if you store water in the reservoir and use it for a long time, foreign substances such as sphagnum moss will become stuck inside the reservoir and must be cleaned from time to time. It has a cumbersome problem.

Therefore, there is a need to improve this.

Related background technology includes Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2017-0007602 (January 19, 2017, title of invention: ultrasonic humidifier).

The present invention was created in response to the above-mentioned need. It supplies water directly by providing a direct water supply to the reservoir, and eliminates the inconvenience of filling the reservoir with water for humidification by using a mechanical method using a buoyancy material or an electronic method using a water level sensor. In the case of the electronic type, when humidity is high, water is supplied and stored at a low level to reduce the humidification discharge amount, and when humidity is low, water is supplied and stored at a high level and the humidification discharge amount is controlled to increase, thereby facilitating water supply and storage. The purpose is to provide a humidifier and its control method that can reduce the size (volume) of the reservoir by maintaining water at an appropriate level according to humidity and reduce the amount of foreign substances generated inside the reservoir.

In order to achieve the above object, a humidifier according to the present invention includes a main body that forms a first accommodating part, a second accommodating part and a connecting passage, and is provided with an operation panel; a cover that covers the upper side of the main body and exposes the operation panel when the first and second accommodating parts are opened; a reservoir mounted in the first accommodating unit and moving the stored water to the first accommodating unit through a discharge guide; A direct water supply unit connected to the storage tank to supply direct water or purified water; A vibrator is provided on the bottom of the second accommodating unit and moves water flowing into the first accommodating unit through a connection passage to generate spray through ultrasonic vibration; and a spray discharge unit provided in the second receiving unit to guide the spray generated by the vibrator upward and discharge it to the outside.

The storage tank includes a storage tank body in which water is stored; and a separation member detachably coupled to the storage tank body and forming a discharge guide, wherein the discharge guide includes a through hole formed upward and downward through the bottom of the separation member. A pillar member that is inserted into the through hole and moves up and down to discharge water when rising, and is sealed by an upper locking portion when descending to block water discharge; and a spring member that is retractably installed on the pillar member and is prevented from being separated by a lower locking portion of the pillar member.

The reservoir is characterized in that it is provided with a filter member provided around the upper side of the discharge guide to filter the water discharged to the first receiving portion.

The direct water supply unit includes a water supply unit that supplies direct water or purified water to the reservoir; A connection pipe connecting the water supply unit and the storage tank; and an opening/closing valve provided on the connection pipe and opening and closing to supply water from the water supply unit to the reservoir.

The direct water supply unit replaces the on-off valve and is provided in the storage bin, and is mechanically opened and closed by the buoyancy of water to store water transferred to the connection pipe through the water supply unit, and a buoyancy valve that stores water in the storage bin. It is characterized by including.

The buoyancy valve includes a valve body portion that is installed in an installation hole formed in the reservoir, into which the connection pipe is inserted, and a moving passage through which incoming water moves is formed and a rotating space portion is provided; A coupling member installing the valve body portion to the reservoir; a floating body suspended by water contained in the storage tank; and a buoyancy opening/closing unit connected to the floating body and rotatable by a hinge axis in the valve body portion by removing the buoyancy or buoyancy of the floating body.

The buoyancy opening/closing unit includes a rotating shaft member having the floating body at one end and rotating by the hinge shaft; An opening/closing protrusion provided on the rotating shaft member and inserted into the outlet of the moving passage to open and close by rotating the rotating shaft member; and a sealing member provided around the opening and closing protrusion to seal the outlet of the movement passage.

The humidifier is provided with a humidity sensing control unit, and when the detected humidity is above a standard value, the humidity sensing control unit maintains a low water level in the reservoir, and when the humidity is below the standard value, it maintains the reservoir at a high water level to generate foreign matter inside the reservoir. It is characterized by reducing.

The humidity sensing control unit includes a humidity sensor provided in the main body and detecting indoor humidity; A low water level sensor provided at a low position of the storage tank and detecting the low level of water stored in the storage tank; A high level sensor provided at a high position of the storage tank and detecting the high level of water stored in the storage tank; And when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is above the standard value, the open/close valve is opened and closed to supply water as much as the storage amount detected by the low water level sensor to maintain the low water level, and when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is below the standard value, the open/close valve is opened and closed. A control unit that opens and closes the valve to supply water equal to the stored amount detected by the high water level sensor to maintain the high water level.

The control unit controls the vibrator to operate below the set value when maintaining the reservoir at a low level because the humidity is above the standard value, thereby reducing the spray amount, and when maintaining the reservoir at a high level because the humidity is below the standard value, the vibrator operates. It is characterized by increasing the spray amount by controlling it to operate above the set value.

The spray discharge unit includes a discharge moving member that is inserted into the first accommodating portion to cover the vibrator and is exposed upward from the cover to move the spray atomized from the vibrator to the narrow discharge portion; and a discharge rod member that is inserted into the narrow discharge portion and extends long upward, dropping water droplets during the spray rising upward through the discharge hole and discharging only pure spray to the outside.

The spray discharge unit is characterized in that it further includes a spray guide portion provided at an upper end of the discharge rod member to guide spray discharge.

In order to achieve the above object, the humidifier control method according to the present invention is: a) detecting the humidity using a humidity sensor provided in the main body, and determining whether the humidity is above or below the standard value by a control unit provided in the humidity detection control unit and b) when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is higher than the standard value, the control unit opens and closes the open/close valve provided in the direct water supply section by detecting the low water level sensor provided in the storage tank to lower the water level in the storage tank. storing water, c) operating the control unit to lower the humidification amount of the vibrator below a set value in a low water level state of the reservoir, thereby reducing the amount of spray discharged from the spray discharge unit, and d) the humidity detected by the humidity sensor. If it is below the standard value, detecting it with a high level sensor provided in the reservoir and storing water at a high level in the reservoir through opening and closing the on-off valve by the control unit; e) humidifying amount of the vibrator to the control unit in the high water level state of the reservoir; It is characterized in that it includes a step of increasing the amount of spray discharged from the spray discharge unit by operating by increasing it above the set value.

The humidifier and its control method according to the present invention are provided with a direct water supply part in the reservoir to directly supply water, and are mechanical using a buoyancy material or electronic using a water level sensor, eliminating the inconvenience of filling the reservoir with water for humidification. In the case of high humidity, water is supplied and stored at a low level to reduce the humidification discharge amount, and when humidity is low, water is supplied and stored at a high level and the humidification discharge amount is controlled to increase, which not only facilitates water supply, but also reduces water in the reservoir. The size (volume) of the storage tank can be reduced by maintaining the water level at an appropriate level depending on the humidity.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the spray discharge part in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the storage passage and humidity sensing control unit in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a block diagram of controlling the direct water supply unit through the humidity sensing control unit in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the separation and coupling portion in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing the assembled state of the separation and coupling portion in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a mechanical buoyancy valve is provided in the direct water supply unit to replace the on-off valve in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a buoyancy valve in a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is an exploded view of a buoyancy valve in a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a flowchart of a humidifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a humidifier and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

In this process, the thickness of lines or sizes of components shown in the drawing may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, the terms described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. , Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the spray discharge part in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the storage tank and humidity sensing control part in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a block diagram of controlling the direct water supply unit through the humidity sensing control unit in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the separation and coupling portion in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is an assembled state diagram of the separation and coupling portion in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is an embodiment of the present invention. In the humidifier according to an example, a mechanical buoyancy valve is provided in the direct water supply unit to replace the opening and closing valve. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the buoyancy valve in the humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 11 is a This is an exploded view of a buoyancy valve in a humidifier according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 to 11, the humidifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 100, a cover 200, a reservoir 300, a direct water supply unit 400, a vibrator 500, and a spray. Includes an outlet (600).

The main body 100 forms a first accommodating part 110, a second accommodating part 120, and a connecting passage 140, and is provided with an operation panel 130. The main body 100 is shown as a cylindrical shape with a set height, but may be changed to various other shapes as needed.

The first accommodating part 110 and the second accommodating part 120 are configured to allow water in the first accommodating part 110 to move to the first accommodating part 120 through a connecting passage 140. The connection passage 140 is narrow and allows water to move smoothly from the first accommodating part 110 to the second accommodating part 120.

The cover 200 covers the upper side of the main body 100, and the operation panel 130 is exposed when the first accommodating part 110 and the second accommodating part 120 are opened. On one side of the cover 200, a hole is formed upward and downward through which a storage container 300, which will be described later, is exposed. On the other side of the cover 200, holes are formed upward and downward through which some components of the spray discharge unit 600, which will be described later, are exposed to the upper side. Additionally, the cover 200 may have a hole through which the operation panel 130 provided on the main body 100 is exposed upward.

The storage tank 300 is mounted on the first receiving part 110 and moves the stored water to the first receiving part 110 through the discharge guide part 330.

The storage tank 300 includes a storage tank body 310 in which water is stored, and a separation member 320 that is detachably coupled to the storage tank body 310 and on which a discharge guide portion 330 is formed.

The storage tank body 310 and the separation member 320 may be separated or combined by a screw coupling method or a fitting method.

The discharge guide 300 has a through hole 331 formed up and down at the bottom of the separation member 320, and is installed and inserted into the through hole 331 to move up and down, discharging water when rising and falling. A pillar member 332 is sealed by the upper locking part 333 to block water discharge, and is installed to be retractable on the pillar member 332, and is separated by the lower locking part 334 of the pillar member 332. It includes a spring member 335 that prevents this.

The first accommodating part 110 may be provided with a bottom protruding part 337 that protrudes upward from the bottom of the first accommodating part 110 to contact the lower locking part 334 of the pillar member 332.

The pillar member 332 is slightly spaced apart from the through hole 331 and has a structure that allows water to descend through the gap. Although not shown, the upper locking portion 333 of the pillar member 332 is provided with a sealing member, and when the lower locking portion 334 is pushed downward by the spring member 335, the pillar member 335 descends and the upper locking member 335 is lowered. As the locking portion 333 comes into close contact with the bottom surface of the separating member 320, water discharge is blocked through the sealing member.

Meanwhile, when the storage bin 300 is seated in the first receiving part 110, the lower locking part 334 touches the bottom protrusion 337 provided in the first receiving part 110, and the spring member 335 While compressing, the pillar member 32 rises and pushes the upper locking part 330 upward to open the through hole 331, so that water is discharged through the circumferential surface of the pillar member 332 and forms the first receiving part 110. At this time, the reservoir 300 is inserted into the first accommodating part 110 and is blocked from upward movement, so the discharged water is stored only as high as the bottom protrusion 337 in the first accommodating part 110. .

The reservoir 300 may be provided with a filter member 336 that is provided around the upper side of the discharge guide 330 and filters water discharged to the first receiving portion 110.

The filter member 336 is integrally provided in the form of a filter around the upper side of the through hole 331 at the bottom of the discharge guide 330 of the storage tank 300, so that foreign matter containing calcium contained in the water contained in the storage tank 300 By filtering more than 99% of the vibrator 500, which will be described later, it prevents foreign substances from being deposited even if the vibrator 500 is used for a long time.

The separation member 320 provided in the storage bin 300 can be coupled to the first receiving portion 110 by adjusting its position by the position coupling portion 340.

The position coupling portion 340 is protruding from the bottom edge of the first receiving portion 110 to be coupled to the position coupling groove 41 recessed around the separation member 320 and the position coupling groove 341. Includes a position coupling protrusion 342.

When the storage bin 300 is inserted into the first accommodating part 110, the positioning groove 341 provided in the lower part of the separation member 320 protrudes upward from the bottom edge of the first accommodating part 110. By being inserted into the protrusion 342, the reservoir 300 can be firmly mounted on the main body 100 in a state in which movement is prevented.

The direct water supply unit 400 is connected to the storage tank 300 and supplies direct water or purified water. The direct water supply unit 400 supplies water directly by connecting a pipe from a tap or water purifier rather than the user injecting water into the reservoir 300, eliminating the inconvenience of the user frequently injecting water into the reservoir 300. can be resolved.

The direct water supply unit 400 includes a water supply unit 410 that supplies direct water or purified water to the storage tank 300, a connection pipe 420 connecting the water supply unit 410 and the storage tank 300, and a connection pipe 420. It is provided and may include an opening/closing valve 430 that opens and closes to supply water from the water supply unit 410 to the storage tank 300.

The opening/closing valve 430 may be configured as an automatic valve to supply water to the reservoir 300 by opening and closing through a control unit 740, which will be described later.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the connection pipe 420 may be provided with a separation coupling portion 550 that can separate the connection pipe 420 into two parts.

The separation coupling portion 550 is provided on one side of the separated connector pipe 420, and the female connector member 560 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an O-ring 561 installed around it, and the other side connector member 420 is separated. ) and a male connector member 570 that is coupled to the female connector member 560 and has a cover portion 571 so as to be airtight, and a binding unit that binds the female connector member 560 and the male connector member 570 to each other. Includes part 580.

The peripheral surface of the female connector member 560 may be provided with a seating groove 562 for seating the O-ring 561. The seating groove portion 562 is recessed in a semicircular shape. The O-ring 561 tightly seals between the circumferential surface of the female connector member 560 and the inner surface of the cover portion 571 of the male connector member 570, thereby preventing water passing inside from leaking to the outside. there is.

The binding portion 580 includes a plurality of hook members 581 formed around the female connector member 560, a binding hole portion 582 that is hooked to the hook member 581, and is formed at the edge of the cover portion 571. It includes a protruding locking member 583.

The separation and coupling portion 550 includes a female connector member 560 and a male connector member to separate the reservoir 300 from the water supply unit 410 in order to temporarily stop or malfunction the direct water supply unit 400 or to wash the reservoir 300. (570) can be separated from each other by releasing the binding portion (580). Conversely, after the work is completed, the female connector member 560 and the male connector member 570 can be reconnected and used through the binding portion 580.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the direct water supply unit 400 is provided in the storage tank 300 to replace the opening and closing valve 430, and supplies water transferred to the connection pipe 420 through the water supply unit 330. It may include a buoyancy valve 440 that is opened and closed by the buoyancy of water to store water in the storage tank 300.

The buoyancy valve 440 is a mechanical, that is, a manual valve that floats and opens and closes the water supply according to the stored amount of water to supply water to the storage tank 300.

The buoyancy valve 440 is installed in the installation hole 441 formed in the storage tank 300, into which the connection pipe 420 is inserted, and a movement passage 451 through which incoming water moves is formed, forming a rotating space portion 452. A valve body portion 450 provided with a coupling member 460 for installing the valve body portion 450 in the storage tank 300, a floating body 470 floating by water contained in the storage tank 330, and , the floating body 470 is connected and includes a buoyancy opening/closing portion 480 that is rotatable by the hinge shaft 482 in the valve body portion 450 by removing the buoyancy or buoyancy of the floating body 470. .

The rotation space portion 452 of the valve body portion 450 is recessed in a U-shape and provides a space in which the rotation shaft member 481, which will be described later, rotates for opening and closing.

The floating body 470 is made of synthetic resin or a highly corrosive metal plate such as stainless steel in a circular or oval shape and is configured to float in water.

The coupling member 460 has a first screw thread 461 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the valve body portion 450, and is spaced apart from the first screw thread 461 at a set distance, and is spaced apart from the first screw thread 461 at a set distance, and is spaced apart from the first screw thread 461 on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body portion 450. A first fastening member 463 that is fastened to the second screw thread 462 formed in the first screw thread 461 and fixes the inner peripheral surface of the valve body portion 450, and the second screw thread 462. It is fastened and includes a second fastening member 464 that secures the outer peripheral surface of the valve body portion 450.

The second fastening member 464 is fastened by hanging in a shape that surrounds the outside of the valve body portion 450.

The buoyancy opening/closing unit 480 includes a floating body 470 at one end, a rotating shaft member 481 rotating by a hinge shaft 482, and a rotating shaft member 481. ), an opening and closing protrusion 483 that is inserted into the outlet of the moving passage 451 to open and close by rotation, and a sealing member 484 provided around the opening and closing protrusion 483 to seal the exit of the moving passage 451. Includes.

The rotating shaft member 481 is gradually raised and lowered by the buoyancy of the floating body 470 flowing into the storage bin 30 provided at the end, and the opening and closing protrusion 483 provided on one side is moved through the moving passage of the valve body portion 450 ( As it gradually floats due to the water flowing in through 451, the opening and closing protrusion 483 blocks the outlet of the moving passage 451 and the sealing member 484 becomes airtight, thereby blocking the water supply.

Meanwhile, as the rotating shaft member 481 rotates counterclockwise according to the use of water in the storage tank 300, water is supplied back to the storage tank 300, and the rotating shaft is rotated by the buoyancy of the floating body 470 due to water filling. As the member 481 rotates clockwise, the process of blocking water is repeated, thereby continuously supplying water to the reservoir 300.

The moving passage 451 is characterized by being double curved in a L-shape.

The opening/closing protrusion 483 has flat cross-sections to prevent it from getting caught when turning, and may be formed in a cone shape that gradually becomes narrower from one end to the other.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the humidifier 10 may include a humidity sensing control unit 700.

Referring to FIG. 12, the humidity sensing control unit 700 maintains a low water level in the storage tank 300 when the detected humidity is above the standard value, and maintains the storage tank 300 at a high water level when the humidity is below the standard value. It can reduce the creation of foreign substances inside.

If the humidity detected by the humidifier 10 by the humidity sensing control unit 700 is below the standard value, that is, if the humidity is low, the reservoir 300 may be filled with water to the high level. That is, when the weather is dry, a lot of humidification is required, so the remaining time of water in the storage tank 300 is short and circulates quickly, so the generation of foreign substances inside the storage tank 300 is small, so the high water level can be maintained.

However, if the humidity detected by the humidifier 10 by the humidity sensing control unit 700 is higher than the standard value, that is, when the humidity is high, the surrounding humidity is high so humidification is not performed at all or even if humidification is done, it must be performed a little, so the storage bin 300 Considering that the occurrence of bacteria increases due to moisture, the water in the storage tank 300 is maintained at a low level and most of the storage space in the storage tank 300 is left empty, thereby preventing bacteria and viruses from entering the storage tank 300 due to moisture. There is a need to control the generation of foreign substances, including those that contain them, to reduce them as much as possible.

The humidity sensing control unit 700 is provided in the main body 100, includes a humidity sensor 710 that detects indoor humidity, and is provided at a low position of the storage tank 300, and monitors the low level of water stored in the storage tank 300. A low water level sensor 720 that detects, a high water level sensor 730 that is provided at a high position in the storage tank 300 and detects the high level of water stored in the storage tank 300, and a humidity sensor 710 where the humidity detected is above the standard value. In this case, the on-off valve 430 is opened and closed to supply water as much as the storage amount detected by the low-water level sensor 720 to maintain the low water level. If the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 710 is below the standard value, the on-off valve 430 is opened and closed. It includes a control unit 740 that controls to maintain the high water level by supplying water equal to the stored amount detected by the high water level sensor 730.

The standard value of the humidity sensor 710 may be in the range of 55 to 65% humidity. The appropriate standard value for the humidity sensor 710 is 60% humidity.

The humidification amount setting value of the vibrator 500 may be in the range of 250 to 350 ml/h. The appropriate humidification amount setting value of the vibrator 500 is 300ml/h.

When maintaining the reservoir 330 at a low water level because the humidity is above the standard value, the control unit 740 controls the vibrator 500 to operate below the set value to reduce the amount of spray, and because the humidity is below the standard value, it sets the reservoir 300 to a high water level. When maintained, the vibrator 500 can be controlled to operate above the set value to increase the spray amount.

The spray discharge unit 600 is provided in the second receiving unit 120 and guides the spray generated by the vibrator 500 upward and discharges it to the outside.

The spray discharge unit 600 is inserted into the second accommodating part 120 to cover the vibrator 300, and is exposed upward from the cover 200 to spray the spray atomized from the vibrator 500 into the narrow discharge unit 611. ) and a discharge moving member 610 that moves in the direction of the discharge moving member 610, which is inserted into and installed in the narrow discharge portion 611 and extends long upward, and causes water droplets to fall during the spray rising upward through the discharge hole 621 and only pure spray is sprayed to the outside. It includes a discharge rod member 620 that discharges.

The discharge rod member 620 is configured to have a length of 80 to 100 cm to capture as much as possible water droplets during the rising spray and discharge only pure fine spray to the outside, so that the rising spray moves near the ceiling and enters the room. It guides it to spread widely.

The discharge moving member 610 provided in the spray discharge portion 600 is coupled to the second receiving portion 120 by a position restraining portion 630.

The position constraint portion 630 is formed to protrude at the bottom edge of the second receiving portion 120 to be constrained by the position constraint groove portion 631 recessed on the lower side of the discharge moving member 610 and the position constraint groove portion 631. It includes a position constraining protrusion 632.

When the discharge moving member 610 is mounted on the second receiving part 120 of the main body 100, the position constraining groove 631 of the discharging moving member 610 protrudes from the bottom edge of the second receiving part 120. By being inserted into the position constraining protrusion 632, it is possible to prevent shaking or flow of the spray discharge unit 600.

The spray discharge unit 600 may further include a spray guide unit 640 that is provided at the top of the discharge rod member 620 and guides spray discharge.

The spray guide portion 640 includes a guide member 641 that is inserted and fitted into the upper end of the discharge rod member 620, is formed to penetrate upward and downward in the guide member 641, and corresponds to the discharge hole 621. It includes an inclined guide hole 642 that gradually becomes narrower toward the top, and a narrow discharge hole 643 that extends vertically from the upper side of the inclined guide hole 642.

The spray guide 640 is provided on the upper side of the narrow discharge hole 643 and further includes a discharge guide groove 644 recessed on the upper side of the guide member 641.

The discharge guide groove 644 is formed so that the narrow discharge hole 643 is curved and expands from the top to the top, so that the spray discharged to the outside is curved to prevent it from condensing on the inner edge of the guide member 641 and converting into water droplets. This is a spraying configuration.

Figure 12 is a flowchart of a humidifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 12, the humidifier control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a) determining whether the humidity is higher or lower than the reference value using the humidity sensor 710 (S10), and b) If the humidity is above the standard value, storing water at a low water level (S20), c) lowering the humidification amount of the vibrator 500 considering the high humidity (S30), and d) storing water at a high water level when the humidity is below the standard value. It includes a step (S40) and a step (S50) of increasing the humidification amount of the vibrator 500 considering that e) the humidity is low.

In step a) (S10), the humidity is detected using the humidity sensor 710 provided in the main body 100, and the control unit provided in the humidity sensing control unit 700 determines whether the humidity is above or below the standard value ( 740) This is the stage of judgment.

b) In step S20, when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 710 is above the standard value, the water is supplied to the direct water supply unit 400 by the control unit 740 as detected by the low water level sensor 720 provided in the storage tank 300. This is the step of storing water at a low level in the reservoir 300 by opening and closing the on-off valve 430.

c) Step (S30) is a step to reduce the amount of spray discharged from the spray discharge unit 600 by operating by lowering the humidification amount of the vibrator 500 below the set value by the control unit 740 in a low water level state of the reservoir 300. .

d) In step S40, when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 710 is below the standard value, it is detected by the high level sensor 730 provided in the storage tank 300, and the on-off valve 430 is opened and closed by the control unit 740. This is the step of storing water at a high level in the storage tank 300.

e) Step (S50) is a step of increasing the amount of spray discharged from the spray discharge unit 600 by operating the humidification amount of the vibrator 500 higher than the set value by the control unit 740 in the high water level state of the reservoir 300. .

The above-mentioned method of controlling the humidifier 10 is continuously repeated, and the water stored in the reservoir 300 is controlled to maintain a high or low water level according to the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 710.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the humidity detected by the humidifier 10 by the humidity sensing control unit 700 is below the standard value, that is, when the humidity is low, the reservoir 300 may be filled with water to the high level. . That is, the remaining time of water in the storage tank 300 is short and circulates quickly, so the generation of foreign substances inside the storage tank 300 is small.

However, when the humidity detected by the humidifier 10 by the humidity sensing control unit 700 is higher than the standard value, that is, when the humidity is high, the surrounding humidity is high and little or no humidification is performed, or even if only a little is performed, moisture is transferred from the storage container 300. In consideration of the increase in the generation of foreign substances, the water in the storage tank 300 is maintained at a low level to empty most of the storage space in the storage tank 300, so that foreign substances, including bacteria and viruses, are contained inside the storage tank 300 due to moisture. Since the occurrence can be reduced as much as possible, it is possible to use the reservoir 300 of the humidifier 10 cleanly.

The standard value of the humidity sensor 710 may be in the range of 55 to 65% humidity. The appropriate standard value for the humidity sensor 710 is 60% humidity.

The humidification amount setting value of the vibrator 500 may be in the range of 250 to 350 ml/h. The appropriate humidification amount setting value of the vibrator 500 is 300ml/h.

Therefore, the humidifier and its control method according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided with a direct water supply unit in the reservoir to directly supply water, and are mechanical using a buoyancy material or electronic using a water level sensor, so that the reservoir must be filled with water for humidification. To eliminate inconvenience, in the case of the electronic type, when humidity is high, water is supplied and stored at a low level, reducing the humidification discharge amount, and when humidity is low, water is supplied and stored at a high level, and the humidification discharge amount is controlled to increase, thereby facilitating water supply. In addition, the size (volume) of the storage tank can be reduced by maintaining the water in the storage tank at an appropriate level depending on the humidity.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. You will understand.

Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the patent claims below.

10: humidifier 100: main body
110: first receptor 120: second receptor
130: operation panel 200: cover
300: storage bin 310: storage bin body
320: Separation member 330: Discharge guide unit
331: Through hole 332: Column member
333: upper locking part 334: lower locking part
335: spring member 336: filter member
340: Position coupling part 341: Position coupling groove part
342: Position coupling protrusion 400: Direct water supply part
410: Water supply unit 420: Connector
430: Open/close valve 440: Buoyancy valve
450: Valve body part 451: Movement passage
460: Coupling member 461: First thread
462: second thread 463: first fastening member
464: second fastening member 470: floating body
480: Buoyancy opening/closing unit 481: Rotating shaft member
482: Hinge axis 483: Opening and closing protrusion
484: Sealing member 500: Vibrator
550: Separate coupling part 560: Female connector member
561: O-ring 562: Seating groove
570: Male connector member 571: Cover portion
580: Binding part 581: Hook member
582: Clamping part 583: Locking member
600: Spray discharge unit 610: Discharge moving member
611: narrow discharge part 620: discharge rod member
621: Discharge hole 630: Position restraint part
631: Position constraint groove 632: Position constraint protrusion
640: Spray guide 641: Guide member
642: Inclined guide hole 643: Narrow discharge hole
644: Discharge guide groove 700: Humidity sensing control unit
710: Humidity sensor 720: Low water level sensor
730: High level sensor 740: Control unit
S10 to S50: These are steps of the humidifier control method according to the present invention.

Claims (13)

A main body forming a first accommodating part, a second accommodating part and a connecting passage, and having an operation panel;
a cover that covers the upper side of the main body and exposes the operation panel when the first and second accommodating parts are opened;
a reservoir mounted in the first accommodating unit and moving the stored water to the first accommodating unit through a discharge guide;
A direct water supply unit connected to the storage tank to supply direct water or purified water;
A vibrator is provided on the bottom of the second accommodating unit and moves water flowing into the first accommodating unit through a connection passage to generate spray through ultrasonic vibration; and
a spray discharge unit provided in the second receiver to guide the spray generated from the vibrator upward and discharge it to the outside;
A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 1,
The storage bin is,
A storage tank body in which water is stored; and
It includes a separation member detachably coupled to the storage tank body and forming a discharge guide,
The discharge information section,
Through holes formed vertically through the bottom of the separating member;
A pillar member that is inserted into the through hole and moves up and down to discharge water when rising, and is sealed by an upper locking portion when descending to block water discharge; and
a spring member that is retractably installed on the pillar member and is prevented from being separated by a lower locking portion of the pillar member;
A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 2,
A humidifier, characterized in that the reservoir is provided with a filter member provided around the upper side of the discharge guide to filter the water discharged to the first receiving portion.
According to clause 1,
The direct water supply department,
A water supply unit that supplies direct water or purified water to the storage tank;
A connection pipe connecting the water supply unit and the storage tank; and
An opening/closing valve provided on the connection pipe and opening and closing to supply water from the water supply unit to the reservoir.
A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 4,
The direct water supply unit replaces the on-off valve and is provided in the storage bin, and is mechanically opened and closed by the buoyancy of water to store water transferred to the connection pipe through the water supply unit, and a buoyancy valve that stores water in the storage bin. A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 5,
The buoyancy valve is,
A valve body portion installed in the installation hole formed in the storage tank, into which the connection pipe is inserted, and having a rotating space portion while forming a moving passage through which incoming water moves;
A coupling member installing the valve body portion to the reservoir;
a floating body suspended by water contained in the storage tank; and
A buoyancy opening/closing portion to which the floating body is connected and rotatable by a hinge axis in the valve body portion by removing the buoyancy or buoyancy of the floating body;
A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 6,
The buoyancy opening and closing unit,
a rotating shaft member provided at one end of the floating body and rotated by the hinge shaft;
An opening/closing protrusion provided on the rotating shaft member and inserted into the outlet of the moving passage to open and close by rotating the rotating shaft member; and
A sealing member provided around the opening and closing protrusion to seal the exit of the moving passage.
A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 3,
The humidifier has a humidity sensing control unit,
The humidity sensing control unit maintains a low water level in the reservoir when the detected humidity is above the standard value, and maintains the reservoir at a high level when the humidity is below the standard value, thereby reducing the generation of foreign substances inside the reservoir. Humidifier.
According to clause 8,
The humidity sensing control unit,
A humidity sensor provided in the main body and detecting indoor humidity;
A low water level sensor provided at a low position of the storage tank and detecting the low level of water stored in the storage tank;
A high level sensor provided at a high position of the storage tank and detecting the high level of water stored in the storage tank; and
When the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is above the standard value, the on-off valve is opened and closed to supply water equal to the storage amount detected by the low-water level sensor to maintain the low water level. When the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is below the standard value, the on-off valve is opened and closed. A control unit that opens and closes to supply water equal to the storage amount detected by the high water level sensor to maintain the high water level;
A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 9,
The control unit controls the vibrator to operate below the set value when maintaining the reservoir at a low level because the humidity is above the standard value, thereby reducing the spray amount, and when maintaining the reservoir at a high level because the humidity is below the standard value, the vibrator operates. A humidifier that increases the amount of spray by controlling it to operate above the set value.
According to clause 1,
The spray discharge part,
a discharge moving member inserted into the first accommodating portion to cover the vibrator and exposed upwardly from the cover to move the spray atomized from the vibrator to a narrow discharge portion; and
a discharge rod member that is inserted into the narrow discharge portion and extends long upward, causing water droplets to fall during the spray rising upward through the discharge hole and discharging only pure spray to the outside;
A humidifier comprising:
According to clause 11,
A humidifier characterized in that the spray discharge unit further includes a spray guide provided at an upper end of the discharge rod member to guide spray discharge.
a) detecting humidity using a humidity sensor provided in the main body, and determining whether the humidity is above or below the standard value through a control unit provided in the humidity sensing control unit;
b) when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is higher than the standard value, storing water at a low level in the storage tank by opening and closing an open/close valve provided in the direct water supply unit by the control unit upon detection by a low water level sensor provided in the storage tank;
c) reducing the amount of spray discharged from the spray discharge unit by operating the control unit to lower the humidification amount of the vibrator below a set value in a low water level state of the reservoir;
d) when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is below the standard value, detecting it with a high level sensor provided in the storage container and storing water at a high level in the storage container by opening and closing the on-off valve by the control unit; and
e) increasing the amount of spray discharged from the spray discharge unit by operating the control unit to increase the humidification amount of the vibrator above the set value in the high water level state of the reservoir;
A humidifier control method comprising:

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