WO2012101877A1

WO2012101877A1 - Humidifier

Info

Publication number: WO2012101877A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/074053
Authority: WO
Inventors: 川田　宗一郎; 中島　聡
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-01-24
Filing date: 2011-10-19
Publication date: 2012-08-02

Abstract

A humidifier is equipped with a water tank, a heat transfer plate, a water-absorbing plate, a heating means, and a control unit. The water tank is constructed so as to accumulate water. The heat transfer plate is formed as a plate from a heat-conducting material, and is attached to the water tank. The water-absorbing plate is arranged on one face of the heat transfer plate, and is constructed so as to absorb and retain water accumulated in the water tank. The heating means is arranged on the other face of the heat-transfer plate. The control unit is constructed so as to control the heating means to heat, through the heat transfer plate, the water retained on the water-absorbing plate, thus generating water vapor. The water-absorbing plate has an impurity-trapping layer and a water-absorbing layer. The impurity-trapping layer is constructed so as to absorb the water accumulated in the water tank and remove impurities from the absorbed water. The water-absorbing layer is constructed so as to absorb and retain the water from which the impurities have been removed by the impurity-trapping layer.

Description

humidifier

The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies a room or the like.

Conventionally, humidifiers are known that heat and evaporate water by a heating means to humidify a room or the like. Among various humidifiers, there is one that employs a method in which tap water stored in a water tank is absorbed by a water absorbing plate (water absorbing material) and heated to evaporate the water and humidify it.

In the case of such a humidifier, impurities in the tap water (non-volatile components such as calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, etc.) are deposited, which becomes a scale and adheres to the water-absorbing material. This causes a problem, for example, that this causes a decrease in the humidifying capacity of the humidifier.

Reference 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3769676) discloses a humidifier employing the above-described method, and a needle punched nonwoven fabric in which rayon fibers and polyester fibers are mixed is used as a water absorbing material. .

Therefore, there is a demand for a water-absorbing material that can withstand long-term use and has water-absorbing performance and the ability to remove impurities.

This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and it aims at providing the humidifier which can aim at the improvement of a humidification capability.

A first form of a humidifier according to the present invention includes a water tank, a heat transfer plate, a water absorption plate, a heating means, and a control unit. The water tank is configured to store water. The heat transfer plate is formed in a plate shape from a material having thermal conductivity, and is attached to the water tank. The water absorbing plate is disposed on one surface of the heat transfer plate and is configured to absorb and hold water stored in the water tank. The heating means is disposed on the other surface of the heat transfer plate. The control unit is configured to control the heating unit to heat water held on the water absorption plate via the heat transfer plate to generate water vapor. The water absorbing plate has an impurity trapping layer and a water absorbing layer. The impurity trapping layer is configured to absorb water stored in the water tank and remove impurities from the absorbed water. The water absorption layer is configured to absorb and retain water from which impurities have been removed by the impurity trapping layer.

In the second embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention, the impurity trapping layer is disposed on one surface of the water absorption layer in the first embodiment. The other surface of the water absorption layer is in contact with the one surface of the heat transfer plate.

A third form of the humidifier according to the present invention is a board in which the water absorption layer is formed using a composite polyester fiber in the first or second form.

A fourth aspect of the humidifier according to the present invention is a board in which the impurity supplemental layer is formed using rayon fibers in any one of the first to third.

In a fifth aspect of the humidifier according to the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the impurity trapping layer is formed using a needle punch manufacturing method.

A humidifier according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the humidifier according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the heat transfer plate includes a normal vector of a surface of water in the water tank and the heat transfer plate. Are attached to the water tank so that the angle between the normal vector and the normal vector is an acute angle.

A seventh aspect of the humidifier according to the present invention includes a fastener for fixing the heating means to the heat transfer body in any one of the first to sixth aspects. A protrusion is formed on the other surface of the heat transfer body. The heating means is formed in a plate shape, has a through hole through which the protrusion is passed, and is disposed on the other surface of the heat transfer plate so that the protrusion passes through the through hole. The said fastener is attached to the front-end | tip of the said projection part which passed through the said through-hole so that the said heating means closely_contact | adheres to the said other surface of the said heat exchanger.

According to an eighth aspect of the humidifier of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, a recess for accommodating the water absorbing plate is formed on one surface of the heat transfer body. .

It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the humidifier of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the said humidifier. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the front side of the said humidifier. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the humidifier. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the rear surface side of the said humidifier. It is a perspective view of the part shown by X in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the part shown by X in FIG. It is a perspective view of the humidity control panel in which the said humidifier was integrated. It is a disassembled perspective view of the said humidity control panel.

Hereinafter, a humidifier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-9.

The humidifier 1 according to this embodiment includes a water absorbing material 50 that absorbs water stored in a water tank (hereinafter referred to as the water storage tank 7), a heat transfer body 52 in which the water absorbing material 50 is disposed on the front side, Heating means 53 disposed on the back side of the heat transfer body 52 is provided.

Here, the water-absorbing material 50 includes a water-absorbing layer 50a made of a water-absorbing material provided in contact with the heat transfer body 52, and an impurity trapping layer 50b that is stacked on the water-absorbing layer 50a and traps impurities contained in the water. Have.

Further, the water absorbing material 50 and the heat transfer body 52 are formed in a plate-like body and are disposed in a state where the water absorbing material 50 is laminated on the front surface side of the heat transfer body 52, and the water absorbing material 50 is obliquely upward. The heat transfer body 52 is provided so as to be disposed.

Hereinafter, the humidifier 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

In addition, in FIGS. 1-9, the location used as the principal part of the humidifier 1 is illustrated, and illustration of case 8 grade | etc., Is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 1 includes a lid 2, a water supply tank 3, a steam cover 4, a steam generator 5, a water level detection means 6, a water tank 7, and a case 8. ing.

The water supply tank 3 and the steam cover 4 are configured so as to be integrally assembled above the water tank 7, and these are stored in the case 8 in an integrated state.

The lid 2 is a flat plate formed so as to close the upper surface of the case 8, and the lid 2 is formed with a plurality of outlets 20, and steam (water vapor) generated from the steam generator 5. However, it blows out from the blower outlet 20 through the opening part 40 formed in the steam cover 4.

Although not shown here, the humidifier 1 includes an operation display unit (not shown), and includes an operation switch that can turn on and off the heating unit 53, a display unit that displays an on / off state of the operation switch, and the like. is doing. When the operation switch is turned on, the heating means 53 is driven to start the humidifying operation, and when the operation switch is turned off, the driving of the heating means 53 is stopped and the humidifying operation is stopped.

The case 8 includes a front plate 80 provided on the front surface, the water supply tank 3 integrated as described above, and a box-shaped accommodation portion 81 in which the steam cover 4 and the water storage tank 7 are accommodated. The shape of the case 8 is not limited to the illustrated example, but the illustrated example is formed in a concave shape on the front side of the panel (humidity adjusting panel) 10 having the humidity control function shown in FIGS. It is formed thin so that it can be stored in the receiving recess 11. A front plate 80 that is gently curved is provided on the front surface of the case 8, and in the vicinity of the left and right end portions of the front plate 80, a handle portion 80 a that is formed in a concave shape is formed. A rear surface of the front plate 80 is provided with an accommodating portion 81 having an open top surface and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The water supply tank 3 includes a water supply tank main body 33 made of an oval shaped housing in plan view, a water injection port 30 that serves as a water spout, and a cap 31 that seals the water injection port 30. The water storage tank 7 is composed of an oval frame in plan view, and includes a water reservoir 70 into which the water-absorbing material 50 is immersed, a connecting portion 71 to which the water supply tank 3 is connected, and water from the water supply tank 3 to the water reservoir 70. And a pedestal portion 74 in which the water supply tank 3 is installed. The water storage tank 7 is provided with a water reservoir 70 on one side, a connecting part 71 on the other side, and a flow path 73 so as to connect between the water reservoir 70 and the connecting part 71. A water absorbing material 50 is immersed in the water reservoir 70, and the water absorbing material 50 is disposed obliquely upward. Therefore, the water reservoir 70 is disposed at the rear position of the front plate 80 so that the steam is efficiently blown forward from the outlet 20. In the illustrated example, an attachment base portion 73 to which a holder 51 for locking the water absorbing material 50 is attached and fixed is provided behind the water reservoir portion 70.

The water supply tank 3 is configured to be detachably attached to a connecting portion 71 provided in the water tank 7. The water supply tank 3 is configured to be portable so that it can be removed from the connecting portion 71 of the water storage tank 7 and carried to a place where there is a faucet. An open water injection port 30 is formed on the lower surface side of the water supply tank 3, and when supplying tap water, the cap 31 is removed by turning the water supply tank 3 upside down, and water is supplied from the water injection port 30.

The water injection port 30 is sealed with a cap 31, and the cap 31 is provided with a valve portion 32 having a valve function. When connecting the connection part 71 and the water supply tank 3, it connects in the state which turned the cap 31 side of the water supply tank 3 downward as shown in FIG. The connecting portion 71 is provided with a protruding valve contact portion 72, and the valve portion 32 is configured such that when the valve contact portion 72 contacts the valve seat 72, a valve seat (not shown) is opened. Has been.

That is, when the water supply tank 3 is carried, the valve portion 32 is in a closed state. When the valve portion 32 is in contact with and connected to the valve contact portion 72, the valve portion 32 is opened.

The shapes of the water supply tank 3 and the water tank 7 are not limited to the illustrated examples.

The water tank 7 is provided with a water level detection means 6 for detecting the water level of the water tank 7. The configuration of the water level detection means 6 is not particularly limited, and may be configured to detect the water level of the water supply tank 3 or may detect the water level of the water reservoir 70. In short, any material that can detect that the water-absorbing material 50 has insufficient water to absorb water may be used. In the illustrated example, the water level detecting means 6 is provided on the lower surface side of the water supply tank 3 connected to the water storage tank 7 and in the vicinity of the water reservoir 70 and the flow path 73.

A steam generating unit 5 is provided above the water reservoir 70 of the water storage tank 7, and a steam cover 4 is provided so as to cover the steam generating unit 5.

The steam generating unit 5 includes a water absorbing material 50, a holder 51 that locks the water absorbing material 50, a heat transfer body 52, and a heating means 53.

The water absorbing material 50 is formed in a vertically long, substantially rectangular plate shape so that it can be disposed in a state where it is immersed in water stored in the water reservoir 70 and laminated on the front side of the heat transfer body 52 (see FIG. 3). ), The size of the water absorbing material 50 is formed so as to be accommodated in a recess 52c of the heat transfer body 52, which will be described later, and to be provided with a portion where the lower portion of the water reservoir 70 is immersed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water-absorbing material 50 has a two-layer structure, and is laminated on the water-absorbing layer 50a and a water-absorbing layer 50a made of a water-absorbing material provided in contact with the heat transfer body 52 as described above. And an impurity trapping layer 50b for trapping impurities contained in water.

That is, the water absorption layer 50a disposed in close contact with the heat transfer body 52 is a lower layer, and the impurity trapping layer 50b is laminated on the upper layer of the water absorption layer 50a.

The material for forming the water absorption layer 50a is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a water-absorbing material with good water absorption efficiency, can absorb the water in the water reservoir 70 and can withstand the heat transmitted from the heat transfer body 52. is not. That is, the water absorption layer 50a may be any material that sucks up water stored in the water reservoir 70 by capillary action. For example, as the water absorption layer 50a, a fabric made of polyester fiber, polypropylene fiber, rayon fiber, cotton or the like, a knitted fabric, or a nonwoven fabric is used.

As the absorbent layer 50a, for example, a composite polyester fiber board is desirably used. The composite polyester fiber board is formed using, for example, a hard porous body made of polyester fiber. Preferably, “Unibex SB (registered trademark)” manufactured by Unitika Ltd. is used for the hard porous body made of polyester fiber.

According to this, the water absorption speed can be improved by the water absorption layer 50a. Further, when a composite polyester fiber board is used as the water absorption layer 50a, the composite polyester fiber board has shape retention and can be made a relatively hard fiber board. Even when a material that generates water is used, the water supply layer 50a regulates the elongation of the water absorbing material 50, so that the elongation of the water absorbing material 50 can be suppressed.

If the elongation of the water absorbing material 50 can be suppressed in this way, the adhesion with the heat transfer body 52 can be maintained. Accordingly, as shown in the figure, the water absorbing material 50 is disposed in a state of being laminated on the front side of the heat transfer body 52, and the heat transfer body 52 is inclined so that the water absorbing material 50 is disposed obliquely upward. It is desirable to be provided. According to this, since the water absorbing material 50 can be disposed in close contact with the front surface of the heat transfer body 52 by utilizing its own weight as described later, the water absorbing material 50 with less elongation is arranged. Synergistic effects of the installation can further enhance the adhesion between the water-absorbing material 50 and the heat transfer body 52, and can withstand long-term use without reducing the humidification ability.

The material for forming the impurity trapping layer 50b is not particularly limited as long as impurities contained in water can be attached and trapped. For example, a rayon fiber board produced by a needle punch manufacturing method is preferably used. It is done. For example, the impurity trapping layer 50b is produced by stacking a plurality of rayon fiber sheets in the thickness direction and bonding them together by needle punching. The impurity trapping layer 50b may be a cotton fiber sheet.

According to this, the impurities trapping in the water can be reliably trapped by the impurity trapping layer 50b.

The lamination method of the water absorption layer 50a and the impurity trapping layer 50b is not particularly limited as long as it is superposed so that water absorption and impurity adhesion can be maintained. For example, the four circumferences may be laminated or integrated by bonding or sewing.

The holder 51 is provided in a substantially upright state with respect to the mounting base portion 73.

The holder 51 is formed so as to hold both sides of the heat transfer body 52 and holds the heat transfer body 52 in an inclined state, and the water absorbing material 50 is in close contact with the front surface of the heat transfer body 52. A locking portion 51b to be locked and a fixing portion 51e fixed to the mounting base portion 73 are provided.

The holding part 51a is provided in an obliquely standing state, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the vertical direction in order to fix and hold the left and

right side parts

52d and 52d of the heat transfer body 52. The illustrated example shows a state in which the fixing tool 51c is inserted into the through hole, and the heat transfer body 52 is fixed and held by the fixing tool 51c.

The inclination angle θ of the holding portion 51a is not particularly limited. For example, the holding portion 51a is inclined so as to have an acute angle (preferably 65 ° to 85 °) with respect to the horizontal plane (the mounting base portion 73 and the fixing portion 51e). It is desirable that When the water storage tank 7 is disposed on a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, the upper surface of the attachment base 73 and the upper surface of the fixing portion 51e are parallel to the horizontal plane.

That is, the inclination angle θ is equal to the angle between the normal vector of one surface (front surface) of the heat transfer plate 52 and the normal vector of the horizontal plane when the water tank (water storage tank) 7 is arranged on a plane parallel to the horizontal plane. . Therefore, in the heat transfer plate 52, when the water tank 7 is arranged on a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, the angle between the normal vector of the horizontal plane and the normal vector of one surface (front surface) of the heat transfer plate 52 is an acute angle. The water tank 7 is attached. In other words, the heat transfer plate 52 is placed in the water tank 7 so that the angle between the normal vector of the surface of water in the water tank 7 and the normal vector of one surface (front surface) of the heat transfer plate 52 is an acute angle. It is attached.

According to this, it is possible to dispose the water absorbing material 50 in close contact with the front surface of the heat transfer body 52 by utilizing the weight of the water absorbing material 50.

In addition, the water absorbing material 50 is not in close contact with the heat transfer body 52 using a separate member, but is in close contact with the heat transfer body 52 using its own weight. The adhesion of the heat transfer body 52 does not deteriorate. Therefore, efficient humidification can be performed over a long period of time, and a decrease in the humidifying ability of the humidifier 1 can be prevented.

When the inclination angle of the holding portion 51a is smaller than 65 degrees, the planar installation space of the holder 51 is widened, so that it is difficult to make the humidifier 1 thin. When the inclination angle of the holding portion 51a is 85 degrees <90 degrees, the humidifier 1 can be thinned, but the water absorbing material 50 is placed on the front surface of the heat transfer body 52 by utilizing the weight of the water absorbing material 50. It becomes difficult to dispose the water absorbent material in close contact, and the water absorbing material 50 may slip off. Further, when the inclination angle of the holding portion 51a is 90 degrees or more, the water absorbing material 50 cannot be disposed obliquely upward, and the water absorbing material 50 is brought into close contact with the front surface of the heat transfer body 52 by utilizing the weight of the water absorbing material 50. It becomes impossible to arrange by.

The locking portion 51b is formed so as to further extend in the opposing direction from the opposing ends of the holding portions 51a provided on both sides of the heat transfer body 52. As a result, the water absorbing material 50 can be disposed so as to press the upper sides of the left and right ends of the water absorbing material 50 in the direction of the heat transfer body 52 without falling forward.

The fixing portion 51e is formed with a plurality of through holes so that the fixing portion 51e is mounted on the mounting base portion 73. In the illustrated example, the fixing portion 51e is fixed to the mounting base portion 73. The state fixed by the tool 51f is shown.

The heat transfer body 52 is provided in order to efficiently transmit the heat generated by the heating means 53 to the water absorbing material 50, and is made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or the like having good thermal conductivity, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. On the front side of the heat transfer body 52, a recess 52c for holding the water absorbing material 50 is formed. Since the left and right side portions 52d of the heat transfer body 52 are fixed to the holding portion 51a, the recess 52c is formed in a shape that is recessed from the both

side portions

52d, 52d in a step shape toward the back surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, since the recess 52 c is formed on the front surface side of the heat transfer body 52, the heat transfer body 52 is held above the heat transfer body 52 in the state where the heat transfer body 52 is held by the holder 51. The side, the lower side, and the front side are open spaces, and the water absorbing material 50 is inserted from the upper side. When the water absorbing material 50 is replaced, it can be removed so as to be extracted from the upper side.

That is, the water absorbing material 50 itself is not fixed to the holder 51 or the heat transfer body 52 with a fixture or the like. Therefore, for example, the water absorbing material 50 can be easily replaced or removed.

Further, if the water absorbing material 50 is held in the recess 52c formed on the front surface side of the heat transfer body 52 in this way, the holding power of the water absorbing material 50 with the heat transfer body 52 can be further increased. The humidification efficiency can be improved.

Here, since the water absorbing material 50 is not structured to be fixed and held on the heat transfer body 52 with any fixing tool as described above, the water absorbing material 50 to which weight is applied by sucking water is inclined from the heat transfer body 52 inclined. In order to improve retention so as not to slip down, the front side of the heat transfer body 52 may be surface-treated.

Through

holes

52d and 52d are formed in both

side portions

52d and 52d of the heat transfer body 52 in correspondence with the through holes formed in the holding portion 51a, and the fixture 51c is inserted through the through holes (FIG. 6, FIG. 6). 7). And the nut (fastener) 51d is attached to the axial part of the fixing tool 51c, and the heat transfer body 52 is firmly held by the holding part 51a.

On the back side of the heat transfer body 52, a plurality of cylindrical protrusions 52a are formed so as to protrude in the back direction. The protrusions 52a may be formed integrally with the heat transfer body 52, or may be attached separately formed. The peripheral surface of the protrusion 52a may be formed with a thread groove so that a fastener (nut) 52b is attached as shown in the figure. That is, the protrusion 52a may be a bolt corresponding to the nut 52b.

The heating means 53 is not particularly limited as long as it can heat the water absorbing material 50 via the heat transfer body 52 and generate steam, and is preferably formed in a plate shape. For example, a planar heater such as a PTC heater using a characteristic of PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) can be used.

In the heating means 53, a plurality of through holes 53a (see FIGS. 6 and 7) are formed corresponding to the protrusions 52a. In the illustrated example, the protrusion 52a is inserted into the through holes 53a formed in the upper and lower ends of the heating means 53, and tightened with a fastener (nut) 52b, so that the heating means 53 is placed on the back side of the heat transfer body 52. Can be firmly attached and fixed in a state of being in close contact with each other.

Also, according to this, since a connecting member for fixing the heat transfer body 52 and the heating means 53 in a close contact state is not required, the number of parts can be reduced.

The humidifier 1 includes a control unit 9 as shown in FIG. The controller 9 is configured to control the heating means 53 to heat the water held by the water absorption plate 50 via the heat transfer plate 52 to generate water vapor. The control unit 9 is configured to apply a predetermined DC voltage to the heating unit 53 based on, for example, electric power obtained from a commercial AC power source. The controller 9 causes the heating unit 53 to generate heat by applying a predetermined DC voltage to the heating unit 53. The heat generated by the heating means 53 is transmitted to the water absorption plate 50 by the heat transfer plate 52, and as a result, water held in the water absorption plate 50 (water absorption layer 50a) evaporates to generate water vapor.

When the operation switch of the operation display unit is turned on, the control unit 9 applies the predetermined DC voltage to the heating unit 53 to generate steam. That is, the humidifying operation is started. On the other hand, the controller 9 stops applying the predetermined DC voltage to the heating means 53 when the operation switch of the operation display unit is turned off. That is, the humidifying operation is stopped.

Such a control unit 9 is configured using a microcomputer, a rectifier circuit, an AC / DC converter, a DC / DC converter, or the like.

In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the detailed structure of the electrical wiring for supplying a voltage to the heating means 53, and the control part 9 here.

The method of attaching and fixing the heat transfer body 52 and the heating means 53 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, the protrusion 52a may be caulked after the protrusion 52a is inserted into the through hole 53a.

Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied and fixed to the peripheral surface of the protrusion 52a.

Further, the protrusion 52a may be fixed by welding. However, according to the method of fixing with the fastener 52b as described above, the heating means 53 can be attached and detached. If so, it can be removed for maintenance.

In addition, although description is abbreviate | omitted here about the structure of the electrical wiring for supplying a voltage to the heating means 53, a control part, etc., it cannot be overemphasized that these are provided.

Next, an example of the humidifying operation of the humidifier 1 configured as described above will be described.

First, put water into the water supply tank 3. When water is poured into the water supply tank 3, the water tank 3 is turned upside down, the cap 31 is removed, and water is poured from the water inlet 30. When water accumulates in the water supply tank 3, the cap 31 is attached, and the water supply tank 3 is connected to the connecting portion 71 upside down. When normally connected, the valve abutting portion 72 comes into contact with the valve portion 32 to be in an open state, and the water in the water supply tank 3 is supplied to the water reservoir 70 through the flow path 73.

The lower part of the water absorbing material 50 is immersed in the water stored in the water reservoir 70, and water is first absorbed into the impurity trapping layer 50b disposed in the upper layer (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 1). At this time, since impurities contained in the water adhere to and are trapped on the impurity trapping layer 50b, it is possible to prevent impurities from entering the water absorbing layer 50a disposed in the lower layer, and the water absorbing layer 50a absorbs water. Can be maintained over a long period of time. The water in the water reservoir 70 is sucked upward by capillary action to the water absorption layer 50a or directly from the water absorption layer 50a via the impurity trapping layer 50b.

When the heating means 53 is driven in this state, the water absorbing material 50 is heated via the heat transfer body 52 disposed on the upper back side of the water absorbing material 5, and the water is heated to become steam (see the thick arrow in FIG. 1). ). The steam generated by the steam generating unit 5 is blown out from the outlet 20 through the opening 40 and can be humidified around the humidifier 1.

As described above, the humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment includes a water absorbing material (water absorbing plate) 50 that absorbs water stored in the water tank 7, and a heat transfer body in which the water absorbing material 50 is disposed on the front side. 52 and a heating means 53 disposed on the back side of the heat transfer body 52, the water absorbing material 50 is provided in contact with the heat transfer body 52 and is made of a water absorbing material 50a made of a water absorbing material. And an impurity trapping layer 50b that is stacked on the water absorbing layer 50a and traps impurities contained in water.

In other words, the humidifier 1 of the present embodiment includes a water tank (water storage tank) 7, a heat transfer plate 52, a water absorption plate (water absorption material) 50, a heating unit 53, and a control unit 9. The water tank 7 is configured to store water. The heat transfer plate 52 is formed in a plate shape from a material having thermal conductivity, and is attached to the water storage tank 7. The water absorption plate 50 is arranged on one surface (front surface) of the heat transfer plate 52 and is configured to absorb and hold water stored in the water storage tank 7. The heating means 53 is disposed on the other surface (rear surface) of the heat transfer plate 52. The controller 9 is configured to control the heating means 53 to heat the water held by the water absorption plate 50 via the heat transfer plate 52 to generate water vapor.

Here, the water absorption plate 50 includes an impurity trapping layer 50b and a water absorption layer 50a. The impurity trapping layer 50b is configured to absorb water stored in the water tank 7 and remove impurities from the absorbed water. The water absorption layer 50a is configured to absorb and retain water from which impurities have been removed by the impurity trapping layer 50b.

According to the humidifier 1 of Embodiment 1, since impurities contained in water adhere to and are trapped in the impurity trapping layer 50b, it is possible to prevent impurities from entering the water absorbing layer 50a disposed in the lower layer. The water absorption by the water absorption layer 50a can be maintained over a long period of time. Therefore, the humidification ability can be improved.

Moreover, in the humidifier 1 of this embodiment, the impurity trapping layer 50b is disposed on one surface (front surface) of the water absorption layer 50a. The other surface (rear surface) of the water absorption layer 50b is in contact with one surface (front surface) of the heat transfer plate 52.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the adhesion of impurities to the water absorption layer 50a. Moreover, water vapor can be generated efficiently.

Moreover, in the humidifier 1 of this embodiment, the water absorption layer 50a is a board formed using a composite polyester fiber. That is, the water absorption layer 50a is a composite polyester fiber board.

Therefore, the water absorption speed can be improved by the water absorption layer 50a.

By the way, in the case of a needle punched nonwoven fabric made of mixed fibers as described in the above-mentioned document 1, there is a possibility that elongation occurs due to water absorption. In this case, the contact force with the heat source block is weakened and the humidification ability is reduced. May be incurred. However, since the composite polyester fiber board has shape retention and can be a relatively hard fiber board, even if a material that slightly expands due to water absorption is used as the impurity capturing layer 50b, the water supply layer 50a. However, the elongation of the water absorbing material 50 can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the humidifier 1 of this embodiment, the impurity trapping layer 50b is a rayon fiber board produced by a needle punch manufacturing method.

In other words, in the humidifier 1 of the present embodiment, the impurity supplementary layer 50b is a board formed using rayon fibers.

Therefore, impurities floating in water can be reliably trapped by the impurity trapping layer 50b.

Further, the impurity trapping layer 50b is formed using, for example, a needle punch manufacturing method.

Therefore, the impurity trapping layer 50b can be easily formed.

By the way, in the case of a humidifier, what can arrange | position a water absorbing material so that it may closely_contact | adhere to a heating means, and can perform humidification efficiently is calculated | required.

The reference 1 discloses a humidifier that employs the above-described method. Here, a water-absorbing element having a water-absorbing material that sucks up water in a reservoir tank by capillary action on a truncated cone-shaped heat source block. A humidifier fitted with is described.

However, in the humidifier described in the above-mentioned document 1, in order to improve the adhesion between the heat source block serving as a heating means and the water absorbing element, both side edges of the water absorbing material having a fan-shaped shape in which the truncated cone is developed are rubberized. It is connected with the elastic body.

For this reason, when the water absorbing material stretches due to water absorption and the rubber-like elastic body stretches and the rubber-like elastic body cannot absorb the elongation, the adhesion with the heat source block becomes weak and the humidifying capacity There is a risk of lowering.

Therefore, it is desirable that the humidifier can prevent a decrease in humidification capacity over a long period of time.

Here, the humidifier 1 according to the present embodiment includes a water absorbing material 50 that absorbs water stored in the water tank 7, a heat transfer body 52 that transfers heat to the water absorbing material 50, and a back side of the heat transfer body 52. The water absorbing material 50 and the heat transfer body 52 are formed in a plate-like body, and the water absorption material 50 is laminated on the front side of the heat transfer body 52. The heat transfer body 52 is inclined and provided so that the water absorbing material 50 is disposed obliquely upward.

In other words, in the humidifier 1 of this embodiment, the heat transfer plate 52 is an angle between the normal vector of the water surface in the water tank 7 and the normal vector of one surface (front surface) of the heat transfer plate 52 (front surface). It is attached to the water tank 7 so that the inclination angle θ) becomes an acute angle.

According to the humidifier 1 of the present embodiment, the water absorbing material 50 can be disposed in close contact with the front surface of the heat transfer body 52 using the weight of the water absorbing material 50. In addition, the water absorbing material 50 is not in close contact with the heat transfer body 52 using a separate member, but is in close contact with the heat transfer body 52 using its own weight. The adhesion of the heat transfer body 52 does not deteriorate. Therefore, efficient humidification can be performed over a long period of time, and a decrease in the humidifying ability of the humidifier 1 can be prevented.

In the humidifier 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 52 a are formed on the back side of the heat transfer body 52, and a plurality of through holes 53 a are formed in the plate-like heating means 53. The protrusion 52a is inserted into the through hole 53a, and the heating means 53 is held on the back surface of the heat transfer body 53 by the fastener 52b.

In other words, the humidifier 1 of this embodiment includes a fastener (nut) 52b that fixes the heating means 53 to the heat transfer body 52. A protrusion 52 a is formed on the other surface (rear surface) of the heat transfer body 52. The heating means 53 is formed in a plate shape and has a through hole 53a through which the protrusion 52a passes. The heating means 53 is disposed on the other surface (rear surface) of the heat transfer plate 52 so that the protrusion 52a passes through the through hole 53a. The fastener 52b is attached to the tip of the protrusion 52a that has passed through the through hole 53a so that the heating means 53 is in close contact with the other surface (rear surface) of the heat transfer body 52.

Therefore, the heating means 53 can be firmly attached and fixed in a state where the heating means 53 is in close contact with the back side of the heat transfer body 52. Moreover, according to this, since the connection member for fixing the heat-transfer body 52 and the heating means 53 separately in close contact is not required, the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, in the humidifier 1 of the present embodiment, a recess 52c is formed on the front side of the heat transfer body 52 to hold the water absorbing material 50 in a accommodated state.

In other words, a recess 52c that accommodates the water absorbing plate 50 is formed on one surface (front surface) of the heat transfer body 52.

In the humidifier 1 of the present embodiment, the water absorbing material 50 itself is not fixed to the holder 51 or the heat transfer body 52 with a fixture or the like. Therefore, for example, the water absorbing material 50 can be easily replaced or removed. Further, if the water absorbing material 50 is held in the recess 52c formed on the front surface side of the heat transfer body 52 in this way, the holding power of the water absorbing material 50 with the heat transfer body 52 can be further increased. The humidification efficiency can be improved.

8 and 9 show examples of installation of the humidifier 1 configured as described above.

Since the humidifier 1 can be thinned as described above, it can be incorporated into a thin plate-like panel 10 having a humidity control function, for example.

The panel 10 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is installed substantially vertically along a wall surface (not shown).

The panel 10 includes an exhaust port 10b formed on the upper side, an intake port 10a formed on the lower side, and a functional unit (not shown) that contains a functional material such as a humidity control material or a deodorizing agent. The panel 10 is configured to take in the air sucked from the air inlet 10a into the functional part, perform humidity adjustment and deodorization, and then exhaust the air conditioned after being exhausted from the air outlet 10b.

A substantially rectangular housing recess 11 (see FIG. 9) is formed at the front center of the panel 10, and the humidifier 1 is incorporated into the housing recess 11 for use.

According to this, it can be set as the panel 10 provided with the humidification function in addition to the humidity control function.

At this time, it is desirable that the humidifier 1 can be easily removed by grasping the

handles

80a, 80a and pulling forward. According to this, if the humidifier 1 is removed and the cover body 2 is removed, the water supply tank 3 can also be easily removed, and the water injection operation can be easily performed.

In addition, the shape of the humidifier 1 and each member which comprises this, a structure, etc. are not limited to the example of a figure. Moreover, although the example which is not provided with the air blower which blows the humidified air here is shown, it is good also as what was provided. Furthermore, the installation example of the humidifier 1 is not limited to FIGS. 8 and 9, and may be used by being embedded directly in a wall surface, or the humidifier 1 may be used alone at a favorite place. Needless to say, you can.

Claims

A tank for storing water,
A plate formed of a material having thermal conductivity, and a heat transfer plate attached to the water tank;
A water absorption plate disposed on one surface of the heat transfer plate and absorbing and holding water stored in the water tank;
Heating means disposed on the other surface of the heat transfer plate;
A controller that controls the heating means to generate water vapor by heating the water held by the water absorption plate via the heat transfer plate;
The water absorbing plate is
An impurity capturing layer that absorbs water stored in the water tank and removes impurities from the absorbed water;
A water absorbing layer that absorbs and retains water from which impurities have been removed by the impurity trapping layer;
A humidifier characterized by comprising:
The impurity trapping layer is disposed on one surface of the water absorption layer,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the other surface of the water absorption layer is in contact with the one surface of the heat transfer plate.
The humidifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water absorption layer is a board formed using a composite polyester fiber.
The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the impurity-supplementing layer is a board formed using rayon fibers.
The humidifier according to claim 4, wherein the impurity trapping layer is formed using a needle punch manufacturing method.
The heat transfer plate is attached to the water tank so that an angle between a normal vector of a surface of water in the water tank and a normal vector of the one surface of the heat transfer plate is an acute angle. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that:
A fastener for fixing the heating means to the heat transfer body;
A protrusion is formed on the other surface of the heat transfer body,
The heating means is formed in a plate shape, has a through hole through which the protruding portion passes, and is disposed on the other surface of the heat transfer plate so that the protruding portion passes through the through hole,
7. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is attached to a tip of the protruding portion that has passed through the through hole so that the heating means is in close contact with the other surface of the heat transfer body. The humidifier according to claim 1.
The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a recess for accommodating the water absorbing plate is formed on one surface of the heat transfer body.