Centrifugal crusher and humidifier

Abstract

To provide a centrifugal crusher capable of suppressing degradation in draining properties, and a humidifier.SOLUTION: A centrifugal crusher includes: a water storage part storing water; a pumping pipe rotating to pump water stored in the water storage part and discharge the water in a centrifugal direction; and a draining part draining the water stored in the water storage part. The pumping pipe rotates at the time of drainage by the draining part, thereby efficiently drains scale components adhering or likely to adhere to the inner surface of the water storage part to the outside of the water storage part, and consequently suppresses degradation in drainage properties.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifugal homogenizer and a humidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the number of airtight houses has increased, and the relative humidity inside the room tends to decrease due to the heating operation of air conditioners. Demand for humidifiers is increasing to deal with the dryness that accompanies the decrease in relative humidity. As an example of a humidifier, a centrifugal crushing type humidifier is known, which humidifies the air by atomizing the water in the water storage section using centrifugal crushing (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The centrifugal crusher and humidifier provided in the humidifier shown in Patent Document 1 are equipped with a cylindrical lift pipe that discharges pumped water in the centrifugal direction, and a drainage opening provided below the lift pipe. With this configuration, while the lift pipe is rotating, the lift pipe lifts water near the drainage port, so no drainage is performed. In other words, the configuration is such that drainage is performed by stopping the rotation of the lift pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-115918 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the centrifugal crushing device, when the moisture such as water droplets adhering to the inner surface of the water storage section dries, scale components such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water are precipitated. There is a concern that the accumulation of these scale components in the water storage section will deteriorate the drainage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve this problem, the centrifugal crushing device of the present invention comprises a water storage section for storing water, a lifting pipe for lifting the water stored in the water storage section by rotating and discharging it in a centrifugal direction, and a drainage section for draining the water stored in the water storage section, and the lifting pipe rotates when the drainage section drains the water. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a centrifugal crushing device and a humidifying device capable of suppressing deterioration of drainage properties. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a house equipped with a humidifier. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the humidifier. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the centrifugal crushing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the drainage section. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the centrifugal homogenizer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the centrifugal homogenizer. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the centrifugal homogenizer according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the centrifugal crusher according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The figures show an example of a centrifugal homogenizer according to the invention and a humidifier equipped with the centrifugal homogenizer. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, and positional relationships of the components shown in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, terms indicating the relationship between elements, such as vertical and parallel, do not only indicate the strict meaning, but also mean to include a substantially equivalent range, for example, a difference of about a few percent. Furthermore, each figure is not necessarily a strict illustration. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is given the same symbol, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified. (Embodiment 1) From here, a humidifier 10 according to the first embodiment will be described, but first an air conditioning system 100 including the humidifier 10 will be described. FIG 1 is a schematic diagram of a building 80 equipped with an air conditioning system 100.

[0010] The air conditioning system 100 can be suitably installed between floors, in the attic, or the like of a building 80. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the air conditioning system 100 is installed in the attic 82 of the building 80 and supplies air to a room 81. The air conditioning system 100 includes an intake air duct 101 and an exhaust air duct 102.

[0011] Supply air passage 101 guides air (hereinafter, supply airflow) sucked from outdoors through a duct or the like to indoors, that is, to room 81.

[0012] Exhaust airflow duct 102 guides air (hereinafter, exhaust airflow) sucked from indoors, that is, from living room 81 through a duct or the like to the outdoors through the duct or the like.

[0013] The air conditioning system 100 further includes a heat exchanger 90 and a humidifier 10.

[0014] Heat exchange unit 90 is, for example, a heat exchange type ventilation fan that exchanges heat between air passing through intake air passage 101 and air passing through exhaust air passage 102. Heat exchange unit 90 includes a heat exchange element 95, an intake air blower 96, and an exhaust air blower 97.

[0015] The heat exchange element 95 is provided for efficient exchange of thermal energy between the intake air flow and the exhaust air flow. The heat exchange element 95 is formed, for example, by laminating heat transfer materials at predetermined intervals, and exchanges thermal energy between the intake air flow and the exhaust air flow by alternately circulating them through a plurality of spaces formed by the lamination.

[0016] The supply air blower 96 is a so-called blower that draws outdoor air into the room, and is configured to include, for example, a sirocco fan, etc. The supply air blower 96 circulates the supply air flow from the outdoors through the heat exchange element 95 and the humidifier 10, and then blows the air into the living room 81.

[0017] The exhaust blower 97 is a so-called blower that blows indoor air to the outdoors, and is configured to include, for example, a sirocco fan, etc. The exhaust blower 97 causes the exhaust air flow from the indoors to flow through the heat exchange element 95, and then blows the exhaust air to the outdoors.

[0018] The humidifier 10 is provided downstream of the heat exchanger 90 in the supply air duct 101. The humidifier 10 humidifies the air in the supply air duct 101 and blows it out into the living room 81, thereby humidifying the living room 81. The humidifier 10 humidifies the air by adding water atomized by centrifugal crushing to the supply air flow, which will be described in detail later.

[0019] The above is a description of the air conditioning system 100 using FIG.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the humidifier 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] The humidifier 10 includes a housing 50, an intake adaptor 51, an exhaust adaptor 52, a blower 54, and the centrifugal crusher 1.

[0022] The housing 50 is a box-shaped structure that holds components in its internal space, such as the blower 54 and the centrifugal crusher 1.

[0023] The intake adaptor 51 is cylindrical and protrudes from one surface of the housing 50, and is a portion to which a duct is connected. Inside the intake adaptor 51, the supply air flow before humidification flows.

[0024] The blow-out adaptor 52 is a cylindrical part that protrudes from one surface of the housing 50 and is a part to which a duct is connected. Inside the blow-out adaptor 52, the humidified intake air flows.

[0025] The blower 54 blows air from the upstream to the downstream of the supply air flow, that is, from the outdoors to the indoors. The blower 54 includes, for example, a sirocco fan.

[0026] The centrifugal crushing device 1 is a main part of the humidifying device 10, and is a device that atomizes water and adds the atomized water to air.

[0027] The above is an explanation of the configuration of the humidifier 10 using FIG.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the centrifugal homogenizer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] The centrifugal crushing device 1 includes an electric motor 14, a water lifting pipe 16, a water storage section 5 for storing water, and a drainage section 40.

[0030] The electric motor 14 is a motor for rotating the lift pipe 16, and rotates the lift pipe 16 about a rotating shaft 15 that extends vertically through the center of the electric motor 14 when viewed from above.

[0031] The top view is a viewpoint from which the centrifugal homogenizer 1 is viewed in the direction of the arrow I in Fig. 3. In other words, it is a viewpoint from which the centrifugal homogenizer 1 in the installed state is viewed from above.

[0032] The lift pipe 16 rotates to lift up the water stored in the water storage section 5 and release it in the centrifugal direction. The lift pipe 16 has an inverted cone-shaped hollow structure. The lift pipe 16 is connected to the electric motor 14 located above the lift pipe 16, and rotates with the rotation of the electric motor 14. The lift pipe 16 includes a lift opening 17, a rotating plate 18, and a through hole 19.

[0033] The water pumping opening 17 takes in the water stored in the water storage section 5 into the inside of the water pumping pipe 16. The water pumping opening 17 is a hole provided at the lower end of the water pumping pipe 16.

[0034] The rotating plates 18 are provided so as to protrude outward in the circumferential direction from the outer surface of the water rise pipe 16, and are connected to the water rise pipe 16 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. In other words, the rotating plates 18 are provided below the electric motor 14 so as to overlap it.

[0035] The through-hole 19 is a hole provided in the wall surface of the lift pipe 16, and the water pumped into the lift pipe 16 is discharged in the centrifugal direction through the through-hole 19.

[0036] The water storage section 5 is a vessel for storing water, and constitutes the outer shell of the centrifugal crushing device 1. The water storage section 5 in this embodiment is bowl-shaped, and is formed so that the part vertically below the water pumping opening 17 is located at the deepest part. The inner surface of the water storage section 5 is provided with a groove section 45.

[0037] Groove portion 45 is a generally U-shaped groove provided on the inner surface of water storage portion 5, and guides water and scale components from the deepest part to drainage portion 40. Groove portion 45 is formed on the bottom surface of water storage portion 5 vertically below pumping opening 17, that is, from the deepest part to drainage portion 40. In addition, groove portion 45 is preferably formed so as to slope downward to drainage portion 40.

[0038] Drain unit 40 drains the water stored in water storage unit 5. The configuration of drain unit 40 will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. Drain unit 40 includes an opening 44 and a water stop valve 41.

[0039] The opening 44 is, for example, a circular hole provided on the inner surface of the water storage section 5, and is provided at a position where the water pumping opening 17 and the opening 44 do not overlap when viewed from above.

[0040] The water stop valve 41 can switch the drainage section 40, more precisely the opening 44, between an open state where water can pass through and a closed state where water cannot pass through. The term "water cannot pass through" has a design meaning, and is defined as "water cannot pass through" including cases where there is a slight leak that is unavoidable in manufacturing. The water stop valve 41 is formed of a plate-shaped part 46 made of a resin material and an elastic part 47 made of an elastic material, and one end 42 is fixed to the outer surface of the water storage section 5. The other end 43 of the water stop valve 41 rotates in an arc around the one end 42 as an axis. In this embodiment, the closed state refers to a state where the other end 43 is in close contact with the opening 44 (FIG. 4(a)). On the other hand, the open state refers to a state where the other end 43 is not in close contact with the opening 44 (FIGS. 4(b)(c)). Moreover, when viewed from above in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 4, the state in which the opening 44 and the stop valve 41 do not overlap, i.e., the state in which drainage from the opening 44 is not hindered by the stop valve 41, is referred to as the fully open state (FIG. 4(c)). The stop valve 41 is opened and closed using, for example, a stepping motor. The stop valve 41 is not limited to the configuration shown in this embodiment. For example, the stop valve 41 may be configured like a shutter, in which the stop valve 41 slides upward or downward from the closed state shown in FIG. 4(a) to open and close. This concludes the explanation of the drainage section 40 using FIG. 4.

[0041] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 3, the centrifugal crushing device 1 further includes a first eliminator 21, a second eliminator 22, an intake port 11, and an outlet port 12.

[0042] The first eliminator 21 is a porous body through which air and the crushed water can pass, and has the purpose of further crushing the colliding water droplets and preventing the scattering of large water droplets accompanying the air flow. The first eliminator 21 is positioned at a certain distance in the centrifugal direction from the outer periphery of the lift pipe 16. The certain distance is the distance at which the water discharged through the through hole 19 reaches the first eliminator 21. The first eliminator 21 in this embodiment is provided so as to surround the lift pipe 16 in an annular shape.

[0043] The second eliminator 22 has a purpose of preventing scattering of large water droplets accompanying the air flow, and is a porous body through which air and crushed water can pass. The second eliminator 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the first eliminator 21 as viewed from the water lift pipe 16. In other words, the second eliminator 22 is provided to surround the first eliminator 21 in an annular shape.

[0044] Air intake 11 is a rectangular opening provided at one end above the circumference of water storage section 5. Air to be humidified flows through air intake 11. In this embodiment, the air to be humidified is an intake airflow sent into humidifier 10 from heat exchange section 90 (see FIG. 1).

[0045] The air outlet 12 is a rectangular opening provided at one end different from the air inlet 11, on the upper circumferential surface of the water storage section 5. Air humidified in the centrifugal crushing apparatus 1 flows through the air outlet 12.

[0046] The above is the explanation of the configuration of the centrifugal homogenizer 1 using Fig. 3. Next, other configurations of the centrifugal homogenizer 1 will be explained using Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal homogenizer 1 taken along the dashed line AA' in Fig. 3.

[0047] The centrifugal crushing device 1 further includes a water supply unit 6 , a water level detection unit 4 , and a control unit 2 .

[0048] The water supply unit 6 supplies water to the water storage unit 5. The water is not limited to tap water or pure water, but may be an aqueous solution such as an aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid. In this embodiment, tap water is used. The water supply unit 6 includes a water supply port 61 and an electromagnetic valve 64.

[0049] The water supply port 61 is an opening for supplying tap water from a water pipe 62 into the water storage unit 5. The position of the water supply port 61 is not particularly limited, and may be any position that allows water to be supplied to the water storage unit 5.

[0050] The solenoid valve 64 is provided in the water pipe 62, and controls the opening and closing of the water supply port 61 in order to adjust the amount of water supplied to the water storage section 5 through the water supply port 61 and / or the timing of the water supply.

[0051] The water level detection unit 4 detects the water level of the water stored in the water storage unit 5 and transmits the detection result to the control unit 2. More precisely, the water level detection unit 4 detects when the water level in the water storage unit 5 is at its upper limit (hereinafter referred to as a full water state) and when the water level in the water storage unit 5 is at its lower limit (hereinafter referred to as a drought state), and transmits the detection result to the control unit 2. The water level detection unit 4 is a so-called water level sensor, and corresponds to, for example, a float sensor or a thermistor sensor. In this embodiment, a float sensor is used.

[0052] The control unit 2 is connected to the electric motor 14 (see FIG. 3), the water level detection unit 4, and the solenoid valve 64 by communication lines. The control unit 2 controls the rotation speed of the electric motor 14, more precisely, the lift pipe 16. Specifically, the control unit 2 controls the rotation speed of the lift pipe 16 during drainage to a rotation speed at which the lift pipe 16 does not release water from the through hole 19 in the centrifugal direction. The control unit 2 also controls the opening and closing of the stop valve 41. Specifically, the control unit 2 controls the drainage unit 40 to be in an open state at least during drainage. The control unit 2 also controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 64. Specifically, the control unit 2 controls the solenoid valve 64 to be open during water supply and to be closed during times other than water supply. The location of the control unit 2 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to configure it at a position where the water supplied into the water storage unit 5 and the finely divided water do not enter. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 is configured at a position separated by a partition wall 68 (a part of the housing 50) when viewed from the centrifugal crushing device 1.

[0053] The above is the explanation of the centrifugal homogenizer 1 using FIG.

[0054] Next, the operation of the humidifier 10 and the effects obtained from this configuration will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 6. The rotation speed of the electric motor 14 and the opening and closing operations of the solenoid valve 64 and the stop valve 41 are controlled by the control unit 2. The water supply amount means the amount of water supplied per unit time, and the drainage amount means the amount of water drained per unit time.

[0055] When the humidifier 10 starts to operate by a predetermined operation, the electric motor 14 starts to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed. As a result, the pumping pipe 16 connected to the electric motor 14 also starts to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed. The water supply unit 6 starts to supply water to the water storage unit 5 by opening the solenoid valve 64. The amount of water supply is set to be less than the amount of water drained by the drainage unit 40 in the fully open state. Furthermore, the drainage unit 40 is gradually transitioned from the fully open state to the closed state by the stop valve 41. In other words, the amount of water drained decreases over time. After the humidifier 10 starts to operate, while the relationship of water supply amount < drainage amount is established, the water supplied to the water storage unit 5 is drained from the drainage unit 40 without being stored. In other words, after a certain amount of time has passed since the humidifier 10 started to operate, the amount of water drained by the drainage unit 40 decreases, and water storage is opened at the point where the amount of water supply > drainage amount. The water level begins to rise.

[0056] With this configuration, at least the water supplied immediately after the start of water supply is drained from drainage section 40 without being stored in water storage section 5, so that scale components and other foreign matter remaining in water storage section 5 can be washed away. As a result, accumulation of scale components and the like in water storage section 5 can be suppressed, and deterioration of drainage can be suppressed.

[0057] After a certain time has elapsed since the start of water storage, the water level in the water storage section 5 reaches a flood level 71 at which the lift pipe 16, or more precisely, the lift opening 17, is flooded. When the flood level 71 is reached, the lift pipe 16 pumps up the water stored in the water storage section 5 along its inner surface by centrifugal force generated by rotation, and releases it in the centrifugal direction through the through hole 19 and the rotating plate 18. The released water passes through the first eliminator 21 and collides with the inner surface of the water storage section 5, whereby it is further broken down into fine particles.

[0058] The intake airflow that flows in from the intake port 11 flows into the first eliminator 21 from the inner circumferential surface 25. The intake airflow is humidified by containing the water held in the first eliminator 21 and the water that has been atomized inside the water storage section 5, and is supplied to the living room 81 (see FIG. 1) from the air outlet 12 after passing through the outer circumferential surface 26 and the second eliminator 22.

[0059] When the water level in the water storage section 5 subsequently reaches the full water level 73, the water level detection section 4 detects the full water state, and the solenoid valve 64 closes, stopping the water supply from the water supply section 6. Even if the water supply is stopped, the water lift pipe 16 continues to rotate, thereby continuing the humidification operation.

[0060] During humidification operation, the water in the water storage section 5 evaporates, so the water level drops according to the amount of humidification, i.e., the operation time. When the humidification operation continues for a certain period of time, the water level in the water storage section 5 reaches the drought level 72, and the water level detection section 4 detects the drought state and starts draining water.

[0061] When drainage starts, the drainage section 40 transitions from a closed state to an open state by the stop valve 41, and the lift pipe 16 continues to rotate while reducing the rotation speed to a predetermined rotation speed. In other words, the lift pipe 16 rotates even during drainage. Specifically, the rotation speed of the lift pipe 16 during drainage is set to a rotation speed at which the lift pipe 16 lifts water but does not discharge water in the centrifugal direction.

[0062] With this configuration, a rotating water flow can be formed on the outer periphery of the lower part of the lift pipe 16 even during drainage. This rotating water flow suppresses adsorption of scale components that have adhered or tend to adhere to the inner surface of the water storage section 5 to the water storage section 5, and the flow rate promotes removal of the scale components from the water storage section 5, making it possible to more reliably discharge the scale components from the drainage section 40. As a result, accumulation of scale components in the water storage section 5 can be suppressed, and deterioration of drainage can be suppressed.

[0063] The rotation speed of the riser pipe 16 during drainage may be a rotation speed at which the riser pipe 16 does not pump water.

[0064] With this configuration, the water stored in the water storage section 5 is not diverted between the inside of the water lift pipe 16 and the drain section 40, so that the water can be drained more efficiently in a shorter time. In other words, the time during which the water lift pipe 16 discharges water in the centrifugal direction, i.e., the proportion of the humidification operation time, can be increased. This makes it possible to shorten the drying time of the first eliminator 21, and to suppress the precipitation of scale components due to drying. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of drainage. In addition, the risk of the scale components removed from the inner surface of the water storage section 5 adhering to the first eliminator 21 and causing clogging can be reduced by pumping and discharging them together with water.

[0065] The rotation speed of the water lift pipe 16 during drainage may be a rotation speed at which the water lift pipe 16 releases water in a centrifugal direction.

[0066] With this configuration, water can be discharged to the first eliminator 21 even during drainage, and drying of the first eliminator 21 can be suppressed, and deposition of scale components can be suppressed. As a result, deterioration of drainage due to scale components can be suppressed.

[0067] Here, the movement of the scale components will be explained. During drainage, the scale components removed from the inner surface of the water storage section 5 by the rotating water current formed by the lift pipe 16 are attracted to the center of the rotating water current, i.e., the space vertically below the lift pipe 16. The scale components attracted to the space vertically below the lift pipe 16 are collected inside the groove 45. The scale components are then guided together with the water by the groove 45 to the drain section 40, and are discharged to the outside of the water storage section 5.

[0068] With this configuration, it becomes possible to efficiently collect and discharge scale components. In addition, since groove portion 45 has a downward slope toward drainage portion 40, the water flow is likely to gain momentum and wash away scale components even after the amount of water stored in water storage portion 5 becomes small. As a result, it is possible to prevent scale components from piling up in water storage portion 5 and to prevent deterioration of drainage.

[0069] When the water level detection unit 4 detects a drought state and drainage begins, the stop valve 41 transitions from a closed state to a fully open state. In other words, as time passes from the start of drainage, the degree to which the drainage unit 40 is open increases, and the amount of drainage increases. The water supply unit 6 supplies water so that the water level in the water storage unit 5 during drainage is maintained at the flood water level 71 at which the pumping opening 17 is flooded, more precisely than the lifting pipe 16. In other words, the water supply unit 6 supplies water not only during storage but also during drainage.

[0070] With this configuration, it is possible to maintain the formation of a rotating water flow for a certain period of time while the drainage section 40 is open. In other words, it is possible to promote the removal of scale components and to efficiently discharge the removed scale components from the open drainage section 40. As a result, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of scale components in the water storage section 5 and to prevent the deterioration of drainage.

[0071] After maintaining the flood water level 71 for a predetermined period, the water supply unit 6 sets the water supply amount to less than the drainage amount. Specifically, the water supply amount is set to 0. This process is a process for lowering the water level in the water storage unit 5, that is, for promoting drainage. In other words, for this purpose, the water supply unit 6 does not necessarily need to set the water supply amount to 0, and may reduce the water supply amount to a level approaching 0. More specifically, if the water supply amount of the water supply unit 6 is set to be less than the drainage amount when the drainage unit 40 is fully open, all the water in the water storage unit 5 can be drained without changing the water supply amount. In other words, when drainage starts, the relationship of water supply amount > drainage amount is established, and as the degree of opening of the drainage unit 40 increases over time and the drainage amount increases, the relationship of water supply amount < drainage amount is established. Note that "all water" does not have a strict meaning, and does not include residual water of about several tens of milliliters that is difficult to drain in the water storage unit 5.

[0072] When all the water in the water storage section 5 has been drained, the water supply section 6 starts supplying water again. Also, the water stop valve 41 starts to transition from the fully open state to the closed state.

[0073] With this configuration, at least the water supplied immediately after the start of water supply is drained from drain section 40 without being stored in water storage section 5. Therefore, even if scale components or other foreign matter remain in water storage section 5, they can be washed away, and accumulation of scale components and the like in water storage section 5 can be suppressed. As a result, deterioration of drainage can be suppressed.

[0074] The amount of water supplied may be set to be less than the amount of water discharged from the drainage section 40 when it is fully open.

[0075] With this configuration, the supplied water is not stored in the water storage section 5 but is drained. As a result, accumulation of scale components in the water storage section 5 is suppressed, and the risk of deterioration of drainage can be reduced.

[0076] Furthermore, the water stop valve 41 may start to transition from the open state to the closed state after a certain time has elapsed since the start of water supply.

[0077] By adopting such a configuration, a sufficient amount of water and time for washing away scale components and foreign matter within the water storage portion 5 can be secured.

[0078] The above is a description of the operation and effects of the humidifier 10 in the first embodiment. (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it does not have the groove portion 45 and the position of the drainage portion 40 is different, but the other configurations are the same. Descriptions of the same configurations as the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0079] The configuration of a centrifugal homogenizer 1b according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 corresponds to Fig. 5 of the first embodiment.

[0080] The drainage section 40b is an opening 44b provided on the inner surface of the water storage section 5, and is provided at a position where at least a part of the water pumping opening 17 overlaps a part of the opening 44b when viewed from above.

[0081] Next, the operation and effect of the humidifying device 10b equipped with the centrifugal homogenizer 1b according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 corresponds to Fig. 6.

[0082] The rotation speed of the electric motor 14 and the opening and closing operations of the solenoid valve 64 and the stop valve 41 are controlled by the control unit 2. The water supply amount means the amount of water supplied per unit time, and the drainage amount means the amount of water drained per unit time.

[0083] When the humidifier 10b starts to operate by a predetermined operation, the electric motor 14 starts to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed. As a result, the pumping pipe 16 connected to the electric motor 14 also starts to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed. The water supply unit 6 starts to supply water to the water storage unit 5 by opening the solenoid valve 64. Furthermore, the drainage unit 40b is gradually transitioned from a fully open state to a closed state by the water stop valve 41b. After the humidifier 10b starts to operate, while the relationship of water supply amount < drainage amount is established, the water supplied to the water storage unit 5 is drained from the drainage unit 40 without being stored. In other words, when a certain time has passed since the humidifier 10b started to operate and the water supply amount > drainage amount, water storage begins and the water level starts to rise.

[0084] After a certain time has elapsed since the start of water storage, the water level in the water storage section 5 reaches a flood level 71 at which the lift pipe 16, or more precisely, the lift opening 17, is flooded. When the flood level 71 is reached, the lift pipe 16 pumps up the water stored in the water storage section 5 along its inner surface by centrifugal force generated by rotation, and releases it in the centrifugal direction through the through hole 19 and the rotating plate 18. The released water passes through the first eliminator 21 and collides with the inner surface of the water storage section 5, whereby it is further broken down into fine particles.

[0085] The intake airflow that flows in from the intake port 11 flows into the first eliminator 21 from the inner circumferential surface 25. The intake airflow is humidified by containing the water held in the first eliminator 21 and the water that has been atomized inside the water storage section 5, and is supplied to the living room 81 (see FIG. 1) from the air outlet 12 after passing through the outer circumferential surface 26 and the second eliminator 22.

[0086] When the water level in the water storage section 5 subsequently reaches the full water level 73, the water level detection section 4 detects the full water state. When the solenoid valve 64 is closed, the water supply by the water supply unit 6 stops. Even if the water supply is stopped, the water lift pipe 16 continues to rotate, thereby continuing the humidification operation.

[0087] When the humidification operation is continued for a certain period of time, the water level in the water storage section 5 reaches the drought water level 72 and drainage is started.

[0088] When drainage starts, the drain section 40b transitions from a closed state to an open state by the stop valve 41b, and the lift pipe 16 continues to rotate while reducing the rotation speed to a predetermined rotation speed. Specifically, the rotation speed of the lift pipe 16 during drainage is set to a rotation speed at which the lift pipe 16 lifts water but does not discharge water in the centrifugal direction.

[0089] With this configuration, a rotating water flow can be formed on the outer periphery of the lower part of the lift pipe 16 even during drainage. This rotating water flow suppresses the adsorption of scale components that are attached or tend to be attached to the inner surface of the water storage section 5 to the water storage section 5, and the flow rate promotes the removal of the scale components from the water storage section 5, making it possible to more reliably discharge the scale components from the drainage section 40b. As a result, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of scale components in the water storage section 5 and to suppress the deterioration of drainage. In addition, since the lift pipe 16 is located vertically above the drainage section 40b, the rotating water flow generated by the rotation of the lift pipe 16 promotes drainage from the drainage section 40b. In other words, it is possible to accelerate the vortex generated during drainage from the drainage section 40b by the rotation of the lift pipe 16. This shortens the drainage time, and as a result, the drying time of the first eliminator 21 is shortened, making it possible to suppress the precipitation of scale components due to drying. Furthermore, the acceleration of the vortex flow also strengthens the force that draws the scale components to the center of the rotating water flow, making it possible to efficiently guide the scale components to the vicinity of the center of the rotating water flow, i.e., to the drainage section 40b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of scale components in the water storage section 5, and thus to prevent the deterioration of drainage.

[0090] When the water level detection unit 4 detects a drought state and starts draining, the drainage unit 40b transitions from a closed state to a fully open state by the water stop valve 41b. The water supply unit 6 supplies water so that the water level in the reservoir 5 during drainage is maintained at a flood level 71 at which the pumping pipe 16, or more precisely, the pumping opening 17, is flooded.

[0091] After maintaining flood water level 71 for a predetermined period of time, water supply unit 6 reduces the amount of water supply to less than the amount of water discharged. More specifically, the amount of water supply is reduced to zero.

[0092] When all the water in the water storage section 5 has been drained, the water supply section 6 starts supplying water again. Also, the water stop valve 41b starts to transition from the fully open state to the closed state.

[0093] When the water level in the water storage section 5 reaches the submerged water level 71, the water lift pipe 16 again releases water in the centrifugal direction, and the humidification operation is started.

[0094] The above is a description of the configuration and effects according to the second embodiment. (Modification) The present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may exist for each component shown in the embodiment, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0095] The following describes a variation of the embodiment. Explanations of configurations that overlap with the embodiment and other contents will be omitted, and explanations will be focused on configurations that differ from the embodiment. Note that FIG. 6 will be used for the explanation.

[0096] In the embodiment, the drainage portion 40 is an opening 44. However, the drainage portion 40 may be a pump. The drainage may be performed using a tubular tube equipped with a pump. Specifically, one end of the tube is disposed inside the water storage unit 5, and the other end of the tube is disposed outside the water storage unit 5. The pump operates when draining water, and reduces the pressure inside the tube to suck the water and scale components inside the water storage unit 5 into the tube, and then discharges them outside the water storage unit 5.

[0097] In the embodiment, an example has been shown in which tap water is used as the water supplied from the water supply unit 6, but the water supplied may also be an aqueous solution containing fragrance oil as a fragrance, or an aqueous hypochlorous acid solution having a disinfecting and deodorizing effect, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0098] The present invention is applicable to a humidification device for humidifying a general building. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Centrifugal crusher 1b Centrifugal homogenizer 2. Control section 4 Water level detector 5. Water storage section 6 Water supply section 10 Humidifier 10b Humidifier 11 Air Intake 12 Air outlet 14 Electric motor 15 Rotational Axis 16. Lifting pipe 17 Pumping opening 18 Rotating Plate 19 Through hole 21 First Eliminator 22 Second Eliminator 25 Inner surface 26 Outer surface 40 Drainage section 40b Drainage section 41 Water stop valve 41b Water stop valve 42 One end 43 Other end 44 Aperture 44b opening 45 Groove 46 Plate-shaped part 47 Elastic part 50 Case 51 Intake adapter 52 Air outlet adapter 54 Blower 61 Water inlet 62 Water Pipe 64 Solenoid valve 68 Bulkhead 71 Flood water level 72 Drought level 73 Full water level 80 Building 81 Room 82 Attic 90 Heat exchange section 95 Heat exchange element 96 Air supply and ventilation section 97 Exhaust ventilation section 100 Air Conditioning System 101 Air supply duct 102 Exhaust duct

Claims

1. A water storage section for storing water; a lift pipe that rotates to lift up the water stored in the water storage section and release it in a centrifugal direction; and a drainage section that drains the water stored in the water storage section. Equipped with The lift pipe is The centrifugal crushing device rotates when the drainage section drains the water.

2. The drainage section is 2. The centrifugal homogenizer according to claim 1, further comprising a water stop valve capable of switching said drainage section between an open state allowing water to pass and a closed state not allowing water to pass.

3. A water supply unit that supplies water to the water storage unit, The water supply unit includes:

3. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein water is supplied not only during the water storage but also during the water discharge.

4. The rotation speed of the lift pipe during the drainage is 3. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said lift pipe rotates at a rotation speed at which said lift pipe does not release water in said centrifugal direction.

5. The rotation speed of the lift pipe during the drainage is 3. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said lifting pipe rotates at a rotation speed at which said lifting pipe does not lift water.

6. The rotation speed of the lift pipe during the drainage is 3. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rotation speed of said lift pipe is such that water is discharged in said centrifugal direction.

7. The water supply unit includes:

4. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein water is supplied so as to maintain the water level of said water storage section at the time of said draining at a flooding water level at which said lift pipe is flooded.

8. The water supply unit includes:

8. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the amount of water supplied is made less than the amount of water discharged after the submerged water level is maintained for a predetermined period of time.

9. The lift pipe is a pumping opening for taking in water stored in the water storage section into the pumping pipe; The drainage section is 2. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided on the inner surface of the water storage portion at a position where at least a part of the water pumping opening overlaps with a part of the opening when viewed from above.

10. The lift pipe is a pumping opening for taking in water stored in the water storage section into the pumping pipe; The drainage section is An opening is provided on the inner surface of the water storage portion, and is provided at a position where the pumping opening and the opening do not overlap when viewed from above, The inner surface of the water storage portion is 3. The centrifugal crushing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a groove for guiding water from vertically below said water lifting opening to said drainage section.

11. A humidifying device comprising the centrifugal crushing device according to claim 1.

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