WO2008100077A1

WO2008100077A1 - Built-in humidifier

Info

Publication number: WO2008100077A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000847
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deok Yong Kim
Original assignee: Deok Yong Kim
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2008-02-13
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: KR100870903B1; KR20080075654A

Abstract

Provided is a built-in humidifier without a water tank. In the built-in humidifier, a water supply pipe is connected to a water pipe disposed inside a building, and a water supply valve is connected to the water supply pipe to adjust an inflow of water introduced from the water supply pipe. An interior water supply pipe is separably connected to the water supply valve, and a humidifying unit is connected to the interior water supply pipe. The humidifying unit atomizes water supplied from the water pipe. A size of a body of the humidifier is miniaturized, and a cleaning and a water supply are convenient. Furthermore, the propagation of germs can be prevented.

Description

Description BUILT-IN HUMIDIFIER

Technical Field

[1] The present disclosure relates to a built-in humidifier, and more particularly, to a built-in humidifier that receives water through a water supply pipe, without a separate water tank, to humidify dry air.

[2]

Background Art

[3] It is very important to maintain consistent temperature and humidity in a living space such as an apartment or a similar living space such as a hospital and a hotel. Since indoor air of the apartment, the hospital, and the hotel are dried out by too much heating in the winter months, an additional humidifier is used for adjusting humidity.

[4] Since a related art humidifier includes a water tank, a user must refill the water tank periodically. In addition, there will be a high possibility of propagating various kinds of germs. A heatless vapor generating ultrasonic humidifier frequently causes the propagation of germs. To solve this problem, a humidifier having a heating function for disinfection has been proposed.

[5] A related art humidifier having a function of heating humidification water and having an ultrasonic vibrator, a base, and a spray pipe includes a mode setting switch, a humidification water heater, a spray nozzle mounting detector, and an electric controller. The humidification water heater includes a cylindrical member and at least two or more heating plates. The spray nozzle mounting detector includes elastic member and a switching member. The ultrasonic vibrator atomizes the humidification water supplied from a reservoir in an ultrasonic vibration method. The reservoir is disposed over the base, and the ultrasonic vibrator is mounted on the base. The spray pipe includes a spray nozzle for spraying the humidification water on an upper side thereof, and guides the atomized humidification water from the ultrasonic vibrator on the base. The mode setting switch sets a humidification water heating mode with respect to the humidification water atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator. The cylindrical member has a cylindrical shape corresponding to a sectional shape of the spray pipe and is insertedly mounted in an inner space of the spray pipe guiding the humidification water. At least two or more heating plates extend in a face shape, cross shape, or net shape such that an inner space of the cylindrical member is divided into plurality of regions. The humidification water heater heats the humidification water passing through the cylindrical member, i.e., the humidification water atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator when power is applied. The elastic member elastically protrudes from a predetermined position of the spray pipe in which the spray nozzle is insertedly mounted. The switching member is in switching contact with the elastic member to generate a spray nozzle mounting signal when the spray nozzle is normally mounted in the spray pipe. The spray nozzle mounting detector detects a mounting situation of the spray nozzle into an electric signal. The electric controller controls heating temperature of the hu- midification water heated by the humidification water heater based on the detecting signal corresponding to the mounting situation of the spray nozzle when the humidification water heating mode is set.

[6] The above-described humidifier heats the humidification water atomized by the ultrasonic vibrator using the humidification water heater therein to spray the heated humidification water. However, the humidifier including an additional heating unit and control unit has a complicated assembly structure. In addition, since piezoceramic widely used as the ultrasonic vibrator is sensitive to heat, its performance is degraded when the heating unit operates for a long time.

[7] Furthermore, the related art humidifier including the above-described humidifier does not sufficiently prevent the germs from propagating even if the a heating function for the disinfection is added because scales are formed on portions, which are constantly in contact with water, such as an inlet of the water tank, a circumference of a water supply port of a body, and an interior of the water tank. In addition, the water tank should be periodically filled with the fresh water, and a user should clean the humidifier regularly.

[8]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[9] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that can prevent germs from propagating and suppress inconvenience and uncomfortableness of cleaning and water supply.

[10] Another object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier that can be built in a building to minimize a space occupied thereby within the building.

[H]

Technical Solution

[12] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose(s) of the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a built-in humidifier without a water tank in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: a water supply pipe connected to a water pipe disposed inside a building; a water supply valve, connected to the water supply pipe, for adjusting a quantity of water introduced from the water supply pipe; an interior water supply pipe separably connected to the water supply valve; and a humidifying unit, connected to the interior water supply pipe, for atomizing water supplied from the water pipe.

[13] The water pipe disposed inside the building may include two holes, and both sides of the water supply pipe may be connected to the two holes, to implement a closed cycle. The water pipe disposed inside the building may be cut, and the water supply pipe may be inserted into both cut portions to connect the cut portions of the water pipe to both sides of the water supply pipe. Preferable, the water supply pipe may be built in an interior wall of the building.

[14] The built-in humidifier may further include: a user input unit for receiving a user command including a desired amount of spray and a desired spray time; a control unit for controlling an opening/closing and an opening/closing degree of the water supply valve according to the user command received through the user input unit; and a power supply for supplying power source to the respective components.

[15] The built-in humidifier may include a drier for removing moisture remaining in a reservoir when an operation of the humidifying unit stops to basically prevent germs from propagating.

[16] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[17]

Advantageous Effects

[18] According to the present invention, the humidifier without the water supply tank can overcome limitations such as the germ propagation, difficulty in cleaning, and frequent water supply. Therefore, the body of the humidifier can be miniaturized. In addition, since the water supply pipe is built in the interior wall of the building and the body is attachable and detachable from the water supply pipe, the humidifier provides user's convenience and contributes to revitalization of the humidifier development.

[19]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[21] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a built-in humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a connection of a water supply pipe and a water pipe disposed inside a building according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a connection of a water supply pipe and a water pipe disposed inside a building according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit and a power supply for controlling a water supply valve in a built-in humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a drier for removing water remaining in the reservoir when the humidifier stops its operation according an embodiment of to the present invention; and

[26] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a drier of the built-in humidifier according another embodiment of to the present invention.

[27]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[29] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a built-in humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the built-in humidifier includes a water supply pipe 10, a water supply valve 11, and a body 17. The water supply pipe 10 is connected to a water pipe (not shown). The water supply valve 11 is connected to the water supply pipe 10 to adjust a quantity of water supplied via the water supply pipe 10. The body 17 sprays the water supplied via the water supply pipe 10.

[30] The body 17 includes an interior water supply pipe 12 separably connected to the water supply valve 11, a humidifying unit 13, and a spray nozzle 16. The humidifying unit 13 includes a vibrator 14 made of piezoceramic, and a reservoir 15 for storing water to be atomized by the vibrator 14.

[31] When the water supply valve 11 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 10 to the interior water supply pipe 12 and is then stored in the reservoir 15. The water is atomized by the vibrator 14, and the atomized water is discharged out of the body 17 through the spray nozzle 16 to thereby adjust the indoor humidity.

[32] In this way, the built-in humidifier can directly receive water from the water pipe disposed inside a building, without using an interior water tank, and humidify indoor air.

[33] Preferably, the interior water supply pipe 12 is installed such that a side connected to the water supply valve 11 is inclined downwardly to toward a side connected to the humidifying unit 13. When the humidifier stops its operation and the water supply valve 11 is closed, water inside the interior water supply pipe 12 flows into the reservoir 15 due to gravitation so that the water inside the interior water supply pipe 12 does not exist.

[34] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a connection of a water supply pipe 10 and a water pipe 20 disposed inside a building according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[35] In order to prevent the propagation of germs, the built-in humidifier is designed such that water always flows within the water supply pipe 10 regardless of an operation of a body 17.

[36] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two holes serving as a water inlet 21 and a water outlet 22 are formed in the water pipe 20 disposed inside the building. The water supply pipe 10 and the water pipe 20 form a closed loop by connecting the water supply pipe 10 to the water inlet 21 and the water outlet 22.

[37] In this case, when water within the water pipe 20 flows in a direction A, the water within the water supply pipe 10 flows in a direction B regardless of the operation of the body 17, thereby preventing the propagation of germs within the water supply pipe.

[38] Since the water within the water pipe 20 flows in the direction A when water is frequently used several or several tens of times a day within the building in various places, e.g., washstands or toilets, etc, the water within the water supply pipe 10 flows in the direction B with the use of water in the building even though the body 17 does not operate for a long time. Hence, the water within the supply pipe 10 does not stack up or block up. When the body 17 operates, the water within the water supply pipe 10 flows from the water pipe to the body 17 even though the water is not used within the building in the various ways. Therefore, it is apparent that the water does not stack up or block-up.

[39] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a connection of a water supply pipe 10 and a water pipe 30 disposed inside a building according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[40] Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of the water pipe 30 disposed within a building is cut and the water pipe 30 is connected to the water supply pipe 30. Water within the water supply pipe 10 also flows when water within the water pipe 30 flows according to use of the water for various purposes. According to the same operations as described in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the water within the water supply pipe 10 does not stack up for a long time to thereby prevent the propagation of germs.

[41] The embodiment of FIG. 3 may be different from the embodiment of FIG. 2 in diameter and strength of the water supply pipes 10.

[42] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, since the holes are formed in the water pipe 20 and the water supply pipe is connected to the holes, most of the pressure of water inside the water pipe 20 is applied to the water pipe 20. Hence, the water supply pipe may have a small diameter and a low strength. Thus, a thin and flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hose.

[43] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a portion of the water pipe 30 is cut, and the water supply pipe 10 extending to a location where the body 17 will be installed is connected to the cut portions 31 and 32 of the water pipe 30. Thus, it is preferable that the water supply pipe 10 has a diameter equal to that of the water pipe 30 and has an internal pressure similar to that of the water pipe 30. Of course, the water supply pipe 10 may have a diameter and internal pressure different from those of the water pipe 30 by using auxiliary elements such as connectors 31 and 32.

[44] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit and a power supply for controlling a water supply valve 11 in a built-in humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit includes a user input unit 41, a control unit 42, and a humidity sensor unit 43.

[45] The user input unit 41 receives a user command including a desired amount of spray and a desired spray time. The control unit 42 controls the opening/closing of the water supply valve 11 and the opening/closing degree of the water supply valve 11 according to the user command, and determines a quantity of water to be introduced from the water supply pipe 10. The control unit 42 closes the water supply valve 11 when the body 17 stops its operation, and opens the water supply valve 11 when the body 17 starts its operation.

[46] The humidity sensor unit 43 measures humidity of air. The control unit 42 controls the water supply valve 11 or the vibrator 14 according to the indoor humidity measured by the humidity sensor unit 43 and the user command received through the user input unit 41, and adjusts a quantity of humidification generated by the body 17.

[47] The power supply 44 supplies power to the above-described components. The power supply 44 may be a battery included in the body 17 as illustrated in FIG. 4, or may be a separate device provided at the outside of the body 17. When the power supply 44 is a separate device, it is preferable that the power supply 44 has a power connector (not shown) that is easily detachable from the body 17.

[48] In the built-in humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, although the water supply pipe 10 is built in an interior wall of the building, the body 17 is installed such that it is easily attachable and detachable from the water supply pipe 10 and the water supply valve 11. Therefore, when the interior water supply pipe 12 separably connected to the water supply valve 11 is detached, that is, the body 17 is separated from the water supply valve 11, the water supply valve 11 is automatically closed to prevent water from being introduced from the water supply pipe 10.

[49] In some cases, for easier maintenance, a manual water supply valve may be additionally disposed on the front end of the water supply valve 11. The manual water supply value is manually closed during the maintenance. In addition, the reservoir 15 may be separated from the body 17 and then cleaned.

[50] The water supply valve 11 may mechanically prevent the water flow from the water supply pipe 10 by using an elastic member during the separation of the body 17. On the other hand, the water flow from the water supply pipe 10 can be prevented electronically by using a sensor for detecting the separation of the body 17 and a driver such as an actuator. Since the structure of such a water supply valve is apparent to those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[51] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a water supply valve 11 may be a manual valve. A user can manually adjust a quantity of water during the operation of the humidifier without the control of the above-described control unit 42, and can previously and manually close the valve when the body is separated from the water supply pipe.

[52] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a drier for removing water remaining in the reservoir 15 when the humidifier stops its operation according an embodiment of to the present invention.

[53] As described above, one main object of the present invention is to prevent the propagation of germs within the humidifier. The propagation of germs easily occurs in stagnant water for a long time, but does not occur in running water or a dry place without water. In case of the running water, when the water intermittently flows several times a day even if the water does not flow constantly, the propagation of germs does not almost occur.

[54] Therefore, the built-in humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention is designed such that the water is not stagnant for a long time on all positions in contact with the water.

[55] In the built-in humidifier, a water supply pipe 10, a water supply valve 11, an interior water supply pipe 12, and a reservoir 15 come in contact with water. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the water supply pipe 10 is connected to a water pipe and water within the water pipe flows due to use of the water for various purposes within the building, water within the water supply pipe 10 flows together with the water within the water pipe, thereby preventing the water from being stagnant. The water supply valve 11 is also connected to the water supply pipe 10 to exchange water within the water supply valve 11 due to the flowing of the water within the water supply pipe 10.

[56] Referring again to FIG. 1, the interior water supply pipe 12 the side connected to the water supply valve 11 is inclined downwardly toward the side connected to the reservoir 15. Thus, when the body 17 stops its operation and the water supply valve 11 is closed to prevent the water supply from the water supply pipe 10, water inside the interior water supply pipe 12 flows into the reservoir 15 due to gravitation so that the water inside the interior water supply pipe 12 does not exist during a non-operation of the humidifier.

[57] Even though the humidifier stops its operation, a predetermined amount of water remains in the reservoir 15 inside the body 17. Thus, the humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a drier 51 for rapidly removing the water remaining in the reservoir 15 when the humidifier stops its operation.

[58] The drier 51 includes a hot wire coil. The drier operates after the humidifier stops its operation and rapidly evaporates moisture remaining in the humidifier by heating, whereby the moisture does not exist in the reservoir 15. Since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a heating value and a heating time of the drier 51 are calculated considering an amount of water remaining in the reservoir 15 and a preferred evaporation time, detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, when employing a heating type drier 51, the vibrator 14 made of piezoceramic is very sensitive to heat and therefore the vibrator 14 must be adequately disposed such that a heating wire of the drier 51 does not directly heat the vibrator 14.

[59] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a drier 61 of the built-in humidifier according another embodiment of to the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the drier 51, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the drier 51, and FIG. 6C is a plan view of the drier 51. Referring to FIG. 6A, the drier 61 includes a drain hole 61 surrounding a vibrator 14 disposed on the bottom of a reservoir 15. The drain hole 61 is closed by a control unit or in a mechanical manner during the operation of the humidifier, and it is opened during the non-operation of the humidifier.

[60] Referring to FIG. 6B, the drain hole 61 is connected to a drain tank 62 to store water remaining in the reservoir after the operation of the humidifier through the drain hole 61 so that the reservoir is rapidly dried.

[61] The drain tank 62 is easily attachable and detachable from a body 17 such that a user can conveniently remove water stagnant in the drain tank 62.

[62] In another embodiment, a hot air blower may be installed around a reservoir 15 to dry water within the reservoir 15 using hot air after the humidifier stops its operation.

[63] In the built-in humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, water flows in the water supply pipe 10 and the water supply valve 11 during the non- operation of the humidifier, and the interior water supply pipe 12 and the reservoir 15 are rapidly dried after the humidifier stops its operation. Therefore, the propagation of germs can be minimized on all positions in contact with the water.

[64] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing de- scription, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. [65]

Industrial Applicability

[66] According to the present invention, the humidifier without the water supply tank can overcome limitations such as the germ propagation, difficulty in cleaning, and frequent water supply. Therefore, the body of the humidifier can be miniaturized. In addition, since the water supply pipe is built in the interior wall of the building and the body is attachable and detachable from the water supply pipe, the humidifier provides user's convenience and contributes to revitalization of the humidifier development.

[67]

[68]

Claims

[1] A built-in humidifier without a water tank, comprising: a water supply pipe connected to a water pipe disposed inside a building; a water supply valve, connected to the water supply pipe, for adjusting a quantity of water introduced from the water supply pipe; an interior water supply pipe separably connected to the water supply valve; and a humidifying unit, connected to the interior water supply pipe, for atomizing water supplied from the water pipe.

[2] The built-in humidifier of claim 1, wherein the interior water supply pipe is installed such that a side connected to the water supply valve is inclined downwardly to toward a side connected to the humidifying unit.

[3] The built-in humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water pipe disposed inside the building comprises two holes serving as a water inlet and a water outlet, and both sides of the water supply pipe are connected to the two holes, whereby water always flows through the water supply pipe.

[4] The built-in humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water pipe disposed inside the building is cut and the cut portions of the water pipe are connected to both sides of the water supply pipe, and the water supply pipe extends up to a position at which a body of the humidifier is disposed.

[5] The built-in humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water supply valve is automatically closed when the interior water supply pipe detachably connected to the water supply valve is separated.

[6] The built-in humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water supply valve manually operates.

[7] The built-in humidifier of claim 1, further comprising: a user input unit for receiving a user command including a desired amount of spray and a desired spray time; a control unit for controlling an opening/closing and an opening/closing degree of the water supply valve according to the user command received through the user input unit; and a power supply for supplying power source to the respective components.

[8] The built-in humidifier of claim 7, further comprising a humidity sensor for measuring humidity of air, wherein the control unit controls indoor humidity measured from the humidity sensor and an amount of humidification based on the user command.

[9] The built-in humidifier of claim 1, further comprising a drier for removing moisture remaining in a reservoir when the humidifying unit stops operation.

[10] The built-in humidifier of claim 9, wherein the drier comprises a heater disposed around the humidifying unit.

[11] The built-in humidifier of claim 9, wherein the drier is disposed at a predetermined position surrounding the humidifying unit, and the driver comprises a drain hole which is closed when the humidifying unit operates and opened when the humidifying unit stops operation.